A beauty and her beast (Changingsaint and AmyBeth)

It was morning in the castle, but inside Belles room that would be hard to tell. The morning frost and chill was unfelt, thanks to the fireplace that had been stoked by quiet servants through the night, a nice wooden fire burning in the room. It was not the lavish castle she may have been use to, but it had its charm. A canopy bed with red silken drapes was where she could rest, though it accommodated two – Herself and her as of yet unseen lover. It seems that the beast, the warrior who had viciously attacked her kingdom was not without some pleasantries and graces from the beds comfort. Instead of a wooden floor waiting her feet, there would be a rug that was shaggy and comfortable to bared feet, warm. It was a room with all the niceties one would ask for – A large armoire for her clothing, a closet for dresses, tables, chairs, a mantle above the fireplace for her personal possessions and knicknaks.

She had been in the castle for two weeks, her ‘husband’ having been missing. Leon Huxley was a being who was relatively unknown outside of his ferocity and grisly visage. A monster in the shape of a man, standing tall and with a human like appearance, though he looked like werewolves of legend. A near seven foot tall wolfman with a two handed axe – known as the Executioner general. For some reason, he had invaded Belles kingdom, and was winning. His soldiers were loyal and fierce, and despite lacking the grace her kingdom had... They fought with brutality and ferocity. Pleas for peace, from trade, money, given land... All fell on deaf ears until her father offered his last bargaining chip... Her. Belle was used as a tool – Offered to the wolfman in marriage. Surprisingly, he accepted. She was taken by carriage two weeks after the letter was given, and for a week after, had been treated with respect from the servants and guards in the castle. Leon himself was absent, supposedly dealing with getting his army back home, as he led from the front and until he was given the notice, he remained in her old country, making sure he would not be ambushed on his return.

There was a knock on her door, before a female servant – Probably sixteen years of age appeared, She had her peoples blue eyes, and dark hair. “Miss Belle – Lord Leon has returned. He is in the throneroom to see you now – You are to get ready and I shall escort you to him. “though first...” She soon handed her a wrapped fur cloak, giving the princess a nod. “He instructed me to give this to you. Inside is the outfit you are to meet him with, and the cloak you are to wear to meet him. He requested that you do so... And I would not turn it down.” She spoke with a polite and friendly tone as she closed the door. 

The castle hallways were large and looming with the gothic architecture of the land. Imposing windows that kept the draft of the chill day outside at bay, stone floors that had rugs to keep people from being too noisy as they walked across them, and walls covered with tapestries that were lovingly crafted from cloth. But inside her ‘package’ was a richly made fur cloak... As well as peculiar outfit, all of them delicately crafted for a woman her size.

Belle sat upon one of the cushioned seats by the frosted window. She drifted off in her thoughts, bringing her back home in her own ornate bed chambers. Belle had been the youngest of 5 children and the only girl, she had accepted her future as a bartering piece, but her currant fate she had thought was beyond her weasel father. She remembered the day, as he abruptly entered her chambers sending her ladies in waiting into a flurry. "The war is over, you are saving this county." Belle tilted her head in confusion. "Pack your bags daughter, you have a husband to meet with." The horror dawned on her as he distant father closed the door behind him. SHe was met with swoons of pity by the lady's that surrounded her.

And here she sat alone in a castle that seemed to be older then her own country it self, with no one but stranger servants to keep her company. Belle had lighter hair the many of the countrymen she had seen in the castle, it was a streaked with colors of honey and amber. Her large eyes were a clear color of green and her full pouting lips a deep shade of rose. She had the body that men dream about in the middle of the night. Her body was a landscape of hills and valleys peaking over large round breasts and a firm and curved bottom. She was used to having eyes on her.

When the light knock came to her she jumped. Instantly her heart rate accelerated, she was inconstant fear that the beast from legend, a monster to burst into her room. But behind the heavy dark wooden door was a pleasing looking serving girl, probably 2 or 3 years her younger. Though the girl was pleasant enough, Belle treated her with a cold demeanor as if this poor girl was to blame for her situation. She took the bundle with a scoff and turned to change with out a word. As she unwrapped the bundle her full lips fell apart. "He wants to me to wear THIS to the throne room?" as she pulled out very small pieces of lace and embroidery. It was a golden color with red rose letts embroidered to emphasize her breast and womanhood. She contemplated not wearing it at all, but her disobedience was snubbed by her fear of what awaited her, as she had never seen this warrior king before. She slipped into the delicate clothing and couldn't help but look at her self in the large mirror as it did flatter her full young and supple frame. Even with the nicely kept fire it she was glad for the furs the accompanied the outfit. She drapped it upon her shoulder and settled it closed in the front so no skin was seen except for the top of her thigh when she took a step.

She met the servant girl in the gothic arched hall way, "well lets get this joy over." She said drily to the youth. And followed her through a maze of halls until the reached the double doors that would open to the throne room. Belle tried to put a strong face but she was terrified at what awaited her on the other side of the door. She feared her almost nakedness, she feared his beastly intentions. She hid her shaking hands inside the thick cloak of fur and swallowed as the doors began to swing open.

The maid was like many from these lands. Despite the chill and frost outside she had a tanned completion and a slight handful of freckles on her face that accentuated her blonde hair and green eyes. “I’ll lead you there now.” She gave a curtsy with the motion seemingly having been practiced hundreds of times over on her part by now. With a few lights flickering in the warm hallway she would tak the lead as her shoes tapped faintly against the stonework of the floor. Before long, the corridor would twist and lead to a much grander but shorter hall that had the hanging portraits of past kings and queens, though the one that should have been most recent before the current king seemed conspicuously absent amongst the decorations. The maid would open the ornate cherrywood door as it swung outward, revealing the throne room itself! A fireplace was sequestered off to one side, the rest of the room otherwise beautifully but simply designed with a window overlooking the courtyard and valley below, a table full of what looked like fresh fruits of all types and of course the thrones for a king and queen. Standing next to the table were a pair of men, one of them armored in chain and leather, his brown hair tied behind his back and the other wearing simple garments of black, the ebon colored long sleeved shirt looking less lavish than it should be for a king.

Once the door swung open, the armored man gave a nod and soon left. And with the servant gone it would just leave the princess and king. black haired, tanned and athletically built he tuned to her and gave a smile. “Lady Belle, it’s good to see you. I am Leon, king of these lands. Please come in, have a seat. The fruit is for us both. My apologies for not having met with you earlier but I was... distracted with returning my soldiers to our homeland and ending the war as I promised your father. I hope at least the castle has been accommodating?” His accent was not particularly heavy but it was there, a firm and confident voice as he began to approach. Standing a few inches taller than her even in her heels, he could have easily been quite an intimidating sight on a battlefield... But certainly no wolf.

As the doors opened to reveal two men Belle scanned the throne room three times over before reassuring her self that there was no monstrous beast man here. One of the man was of such a size but he sported the face and frame of a man, just a intimidatingly large man. She did release the smallest sigh of relief in not having to face a beast. She followed the armored man out with her eyes but they quickly darted back to the man that toward over her and her 4 inch heeled shoes she had been left to wear.

As the man introduced himself, he as not at all what she expected, large yes. Intimidating, yes. and looking as if he could lead a powerful army yes. But a beast? Perhaps the peasants and villagers had run alittle wild with their tails of the warrior king swallowing armies whole. She found the slight thickening of his words we pleasant on the ear. But as he began to step towards her she instinctively took a step back, as a deer would do faced in the wood. But have no mistake she is no skittish doe, but defiantly prey.

She would not remain fully silent, she did not want to come across as frightened even if she was. "Well, it's certainly a change from what I am used to." She had noted that the throne room was more elegantly fashioned then her comfortable chambers. The conversation with Leon was strange to her. Out of everything she thought was going to happen, small talk and fruit was not in any of her imagined scenarios. And though he seemed rather well-tempered at the moment she had heard the stories of his temper and his dangerous nature. She also need not forget that he had ordered her to present herself in the delicate clothing that is meant to remain bellow clothing or in the bedchambers. There were not many reasons why that would be necessary.

"You know? I don't think I am hungry." She said nodding to the fruit. Belle was used to getting her way, and was used to being relatively unchallenged even by her father. The first time he had said no to her was when she had begged him to rescind his offer. But this small statement of small defiance was all she had to play with at them moment. She pulled the clock tighter around her bare skin hiding as much as possible from his sight. She was not Naive in the sense that she was well understood that her value was as a possession and her clocked state was not likely a permanent one.

“I’m sure you’re more use to the lavish nature of your country. This land may be simpler but I assure you that we’re no less good or capable than yours. And that this castle will feel like your home soon enough.” She was of a different nature and he was already doing to gauge her and test her. It was easier to prod and ‘crack’ someone he knew, though he was certainly not going to bash her over the head with any intentions he had. Acting as quite the gentleman as she came in, he just gave her a pleasant nod. “But it can be a shocking change, of that I am rather sure. So, if you need time to adjust i’d be happy to see what we can do to accommodate your stay at your new home, Princess Belle.” Leon’s eyes remained on her for a moment, noting the way she guarded herself as if she were already on display... And in a sense, she was. She was here at his request, dressed on his orders, and was playing the part he somewhat expected her to. “Not hungry? Well, of course. Though I would suggest you try to eat when you can. The cooks were rather eager to please the queen to be. It would be a shame to let them know their work was done for nothing.” They picked the freshest of the fruits, and arranged them artistically to please and show they were skilled for her.

“But, I don’t think it’s worth beating around the bush. Tell me of your thoughts of my land. Our land to be. And of course, I am certain you are looking at me like i’m a beast. What you say or do in this room shall not leave these walls. So if you wish to say anything, if you wish to call me the barbarian your kingdom seems to be?” As he smiled and sat down he’d pull a seat for her out of the opposite end of the table. “By all means. You won’t be ‘punished’ for it. You won’t be harmed in any way. Let it all out.” Leon said, his eyes on her. She wanted to act with a bit of defiance? Well, he’d not allow her to just have it but he would turn it in a way where she would still be forced into what he wished.

She walked slowly towards Leon, where he stood the chair open to her. She was thankful for the large heels she had been given to wera because now standing closer to Leon she realiezed how impressively tall he really was. She had to look up to meet his eyes her large lips were pursed slightly. "I'm not sure what you would like me to tell you, I have not seen much of anything except for the inside of a mostly empty castle." She was unsure as to why the Castle seemed to be so empty, The Servants seemed to stay hidden away until she needed something, leaving her to wander the Castle on her own the last week. "But this is not my home, I remind you, I was forced here, my home is a hundred miles away." She said before breaking eye contact to lower her self into the chair.

Even though she tried to keep the cloak together, as she sat the movement of her body pulled it apart so that her chest peaked through the top of the fur revealing the soft and supple sking on the top arches of her breasts. As she corssed her legs the top of her pale thigh came through the fur as a promise as to what was underneath. She knew sitting underneath him her body would be clearly visible, she tried to tug the fur around her but as she now sat on it she couldn't. She didn't like sitting as he now towered over her, and she regretted doing so, but it would look foolish standing up so she placed her back against the seat and figured the only thing she could do was go from here.

Leon was indeed rather tall, and the boots he wore didn’t really add that much to his height so it was all natural. Looking down to her as she approached with her lips pressed together for a moment, he shook his head. “There’s good reason the castle seems so empty.” Or at least, a few good reasons. “but I can assure you that the servants here are quite happy to help however is necessary, as i’m sure you’v seen by now. As for this not being your ‘home’...” He said, looking to her. “Your father seemed awfully quick to sell you off to stop the war. Perhaps he does care that much for his people, which is honorable.” But he also pondered on how important ‘home’ was when your father was that quick to send you off to a man who was the enemy. “But I suppose my castle being called empty is more a compliment than anything else I would let you say.”

He sat calmly, leaning back into the chair as he took an apple and bit it. Even as he ate his eyes regarded her calmly and he showed remarkable poise and dignity. The subtle flash of skin made him smile for a moment, though rather than look her over his eyes remained on hers. “I had been told you were a dignified, polite woman who your father never had an issue with. I had also been told you were beautiful, I can see both are true. But, what would you say about yourself? It takes a woman with love for her people to be so willing to accept this.” As he finished talking his tone seemed rather soft and friendly, though he knew that as it was, he had the position of power but even then he did not seem willing to abuse it.

Accept? she thought to her self. She did care for her people, it was not that she was a cold hearted princess. But she found her father weak, he fought one battle, and fought it poorly. After that moment he let Leon ravage the country side throwing money, land and goods at the Kings. And when that didn't work he threw her. If Belle had had her way, she would have wanted her father to actually look at battle strategy, recute from allies, not sacrifice his only daughter as the ultimate sign of a weak country.

She thought she would be grateful that his eyes didn't wander, but she found his direct eye contact bothersome. "Yes, call me Belle the Marty." She said her light voice dry. She gave him a thin smile for his complement. "I had heard much about you but it would seem exaggeration was used in such tales." She did not doudt her was a fearsome warrior and a monster on the battlefield with his size and aura of a leader, but he was most defiantly a man.

"I'm not sure what else there is to interest you about it it would seem like already know the important things." her answers were her only way to maintain some dignity, she had to differentiate herself from a stolen village girl and a princess with a long history of good breeding. "So may I ask you a question...my lord." She asked, though the final words stuck in her throat. 'Why agree to me, the desperate final desperate plead by a losing king?" She asked, and for the first time since meeting the King, had a face that read genuinely. "YOu could have had any woman, why give up your pursuit for my homeland for me." She thought of her small but rich and supple land, known for its art and deep mines, why give that up for her.

“Belle the Marty?” he asked, his voice heavy but still friendly and rather cool. He had no need to raise his voice or act angry, and once she seemed a bit uncomfortable his attention briefly moved to his food as he sought to eat politely. “I think I’ll call you Belle, I think it’s just prettier to call you that. As for exaggeration i’d be careful saying all of it being falsehoods. Sometimes the truth can be well... scarier than the truth.” Rolling his shoulders lightly his eyes would remain on her once again until she began to ask rather personal questions. “We’re both in the know about the more intimate aspects of our lives, you know what it’s like to run a country, as do I. but for why I picked you?” As he rose, he’d begin to walk around the table and in her direction, his steps light and carefree as she seemed to ask a rather piercing question. “You may ask that, and I can answer. My people need a queen. Or perhaps, I need a queen for legitimate rulership. I needed a woman of royal blood lest the people here not accept her, and merely see her as weak. Your country was the most open to attack, the lands most open to invasion and you the most readily apparent prize. It was a right of conquest, though even in war I consider myself fair. When your father offered you, prisoners were spared and I saw to it that they were released with good health and standing.” It was partially the truth, though there were certainly other reasons... unstated reasons as one of his arm, slightly rough, and firm hands rested against her cloak clad shoulder. “My people have certain... values and laws for the nobility. To disregard them would have this country descend into petty chaos as nobles tried to usurp me and claim power for themselves. I do care for my people, a lot. You don’t know all of what I have done for them... And I am sorry that I had to lead war to your lands, but I had to make a choice.” His tone was actually somber as he leaned down, speaking to her more earnestly and as an equal.

She had not expected his current behavior and began to feel guilty for her initial rude and cold beginning. She still held bitter resentment about being forced here, but as it would seem he was much more the gentleman than beast, and if anyone was having unacceptable behavior it was her. His explanation was logical and though in her mind unnecessary to wage war and kill hundreds, she also knew that if he asked the traditional way she and her father would have refused the beast warrior king.

She sat forward alittle as he neared, growing nervous once more, She swallowed and moved away slightly as his hand reached out but there was no stopping his heavy large hand from finding her shoulder. She felt the strength and warmth of it even through the heavy furs. She slowly raised her clear dark green eyes to meet his. Her eyes darting across his face searching for something else in his face. As his political explanations made sense she had some fear there were darker reasons behind wanting to acquire her. "And how have your people responded to me as a future queen? with the acceptance you had hoped for?"