Belle: Daughter of a Phantom (Phantom of the Opera) (The Fifth Cellar Sequel) (On Hold)

Chapter 2 - Ball

Belle's POV:

I straightened my dress and ran down the stairs to where my mother and brother were. Father and Char were staying behind. They almost never left the house while Peter loved to be among people. Mother never got out enough but she said she was happy as long as she had Father and us. I hopped into the waiting carriage with them and we set out. Nothing much was said, which was fine because I wasn't wanting to talk. For the first time in a while I would get to see some men. Some real men. All I had seen up to now was the farm boys in the village. They were vulgar and coarse. I didn't like to have them around. But now I might meet someone who was different. That thought excited me. I shook with excitement. Mother must have seen my face and she smiled slightly.

"Belle, I want you to keep your head. I can't let you lose your mind over the first boy that tells you that you are beautiful." I blushed and Peter rolled his eyes. I stuck my tongue out at him and Mother scowled. "You are a lot like me so I trust that you will be good but than you have your father's impulsive behavior. You really are a mix of both of us." I smiled and looked out the carriage window. We were driving up the large house and soon we were standing out the door. I stared at the home and blushed madly. Even walking into the house there were so many handsome young men. I was very glad that I had covered the slightly deformed part of my nose with a dab of makeup. I didn't want any man to run from me because I was deformed. Peter extended his arms to both Mother and me and we walked up the walk to the door. We gave our invitation to the man at the door and swept inside. The gaiety was amazing. Colors swirled about the room and I started to become dizzy. Mother smiled at me and I blushed. She led me over to the host and hostess and I don't even remember who they were. I was staring at the people. I hadn't ever seen so many people in my life. Suddenly my eyes were drawn to one person in particular. He was on the other side of the room and in a dark tuxedo. His hair was raven black and his eyes were a dark brown. The way he moved spoke of power and strength. I sensed his personally might be like Father's but lacking the insanity. I blushed as he looked at me. He gave me a half smiled and I turned my face away so he wouldn't see my red cheeks. Even though I wasn't looking at him his gaze had burned into my mind. I wouldn't forget it anytime soon. Mother looked at me and I saw her raise her eyebrows. She pulled me aside and said,

"Go find someone to dance with. Have some fun. Stay out of trouble." I smiled and, leaving Peter with Mother, hurried off to find that young man. I walked through the halls and soon saw him talking with some girls. One in particular was hanging off his arm. She looked horrible and acted worse. He was just smiled and laughing with her. I hung back in the shadows and watched him. He was so perfect. As I was beginning to realize that I liked this boy without even meeting him, I heard someone clear their voice and say,

"Hello, may I have this dance?" I glanced over and smiled at the young man before me. He was blond haired and his pale blue eyes sparkled but I didn't like them. Right then I didn't feel like dancing but I agreed. The boy wasn't bad at dancing. He didn't step on my feet too many times but he wasn't as good as I had imagined my first dance would be. I was about to retreat to my corner when we were done but I felt a hand on my arm. It was gentle and kind. I turned around and tried to keep my heart from racing. It was the man I had been thinking about since I had walked through the door. I blushed slightly and he said,

"Hello, my name is Fredrick and would you grace me with a dance?" I nodded and as he led me to the floor, I thought: this could be very good or very bad.