La Bella E La Bestia: Could He Be Saved?

The Proposal

Leon could tell something was bothering Bella. He noticed from the moment she appeared with that child she adored. As the evening went on, she requested to know of his past. He didn't like to speak of it. What could he say? He went into a rage when he discovered his beloved wife, the Queen of  his heart had cheated on him. He would have never have harmed Juliet if he had been sane that night. The night when the fire occurred.

Helene revealed Juliet's betrayal. To this day he had no idea who the man was. The following morning Juliet's remains were over the balcony. Helene told him he went into a fit of rage and couldn't stop himself. He had murdered his wife before the fire occurred.

When he proposed to Bella, he would hope to see her answer. When she took her time, but also show him the respect and honour, he announced she would marry him. It was at this moment in time he needed to get to the bottom of her behavior tonight. 

Once he enclosed his hand around Bella's delicate wrist, he led her away from the company, out of the ballroom. As he led her to another Wing of the Castle, he lit a torch. When they were near Juliet's image, Leon found himself asking her, "What has gotten into you?" He asked in a gentle tone as he shifted his frame to look at her. "Why didn't you say anything?" He asked her.

Bella stared at him. In her warm voice she responded. "It was so unexpected." Leon studied her. "With good news, that shouldn't be a problem." He declared, his eyes bored into hers. Bella  was anxious and concerned. "I-" Bella started to say. "I have to ask you a question." She realized this could be the one thing that would make him furious.  Nevertheless, she should know.

In a whispered voice, "Did you kill Juliet?" She inquired. The he softest he had ever heard from her. Leon didn't avert his gaze from hers. Bella didn't wait long for his answer. "Yes." He said. Bella looked back at him with skepticism. In her heart she was distressed. She knew she had to listen to him. His explanation. "I would have done anything for her. I loved her more than I loved myself and she-and she repaid me with betrayal." Leon bit his bottom lip for a split second. "There. That's the truth." He announced, he stated. Leon had his eyes wide open, arching his eyebrows emphasizing his words, conveying to her.

Leon suddenly grasped Bella's hand. "Now it's up to you to answer."

Bella refused to tear up in front of Leon. She could see the love and respect, a smile laced his features. "Will you marry me?" He asked her gently. Bella cast her eyes into his. She was induced but she had to think of Juliet and of her own future. How could it work when he confessed he killed his first wife in a crime of passion.

Leon could see her reluctance which took him by surprised. It was a blow to his heart. "Go! Get out!" He said to her. Bella managed to hold in her emotions. "Leon wait." She implored him. Leon moved the light from one hand to another to see her better.

Leon placed a hand on the mantel just below were the portrait of Juliet stayed. "How long are you going to think it over?" He requested. Bella wanted him to understand this was a great deal to comprehend. "You killed Juliet!" She exclaimed.

Bella observed Leon in this particular point. She couldn't even reach him. It was comparable to the day they met. "Yes, with these hands." He divulged to her. He approached her slowly. "And if you find me to terrifying to love, keep away from me now!" Leon roared at her, anger replaced his gentleness. "Do you see this face? It's divided in two, like me. One side Prince. The other wild beast. If you want me, you must take them both. Go!" Leon told her once more. "And come back only when you know you're love will be able to endure all this." Bella remained as she was, holding in her sobs.

Bella knew the noble thing to do. Return the engagement ring. She couldn't stop the single teardrop that slide down her cheek. Soon another teardrop fell from her other eye. She shed tears even if she knew it was the virtuous thing. When Bella took off the ring, moving closer to him, attempting to hand it back to him. He glared at her.  "Keep it. Until you have made your decision." He suggested.

All he wanted to do was hug her and tell her if she excepted him, he wouldn't harm her in anyway. He would worship and obey her every word.  All he asked for was her love and her loyalty. That night was still a haze to him. He was distraught, drowning in torture and heartache. To this very day he sometimes doubted he killed Juliet but Helene told him it was he who let his rage get the better of him and in doing so, Juliet fell from the balcony. After all, why would Helene lie?

Bella gripped the ring firmly in her and and departed. He saw her leave. Bella's lack of trust had him infuriated. Leon averted his eyes from Bella's retreating form. He turned his gaze to the image of Juliet and banged his fist on the fireplace. He should have known the sin he had done would always haunt him. Why wasn't he allowed the luxury of euphoria? Hadn't he proved to Bella what she meant to him? They weren't pretty words!

Late at night, Bella tossed and turned in bed, trying to rest. The look in Leon's eyes stopped her. But wasn't it for the best if she did rejected him? The memory of Juliet would cause them to drift apart. She didn't know what she felt for Leon. Besides, she wanted to travel the seas with her father! It was her dream. As a Princess, she wouldn't be allowed to have the satisfaction. 

When she awoke the next morning if one would call having four hours of sleep, Bella dressed and packed her things. When she closed her bags, she brushed the elegant yellow gown once and thought about placing the ring on the nightstand before leaving the castle, perhaps for the last time.

No, she couldn't be a coward. She would give Leon a proper answer. He deserved it. She placed the ring back on her finger. She had wanted to see Leon before she left. She knew it wasn't possible. When she questioned him, he became distant. Yes she had doubts. Anyone would but to hear Helene was, indeed, telling her the truth made her blood run cold. He had a short temper which he was getting better grip on. Leon was capable of murder. That single fact scared Bella more than anything. She wasn't sure if she could see him as the kind man who approached her in the conservatory ever again.

Leon opened his eyes and removed himself from the bed the moment he heard the carriage treading along, leaving the chateau. Bella was gone. He felt resentment and fury overtaking his soul. When Bella had left him before he was angry at her. Instead of forgiving one another, Bella wanted to run from him. This time he couldn't blame her. She wasn't hard to understand. She was worried if he was able to kill once, he would be able to do so again. He couldn't put it out of his mind.

Not to mention, he knew she wanted to travel. Her first voyage by sea. He could arrange it. He would go with her although he hated the sea. He hadn't lied about that. Bella had the ability to sooth his soul, to reach him when everyone else was terrified of him. She stood up to him multiple times, not scared of any retaliation. Without her, he knew the darkness would overtake him. It was only a matter of time. Leon took a seat in his chair, slouching. She was gone for only a few minutes and he was already miserable.

If Bella refused him, he had no idea how he could persuade her to change her mind. He had wanted her as his wife, mother of his children. He knew she loved children. He witnessed it first hand when she saw children surround her, not to mention that little red haired girl. There was one thing Leon was certain. He would love Bella until he took his last breath on this Earth. He would wait for her.