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Beauty and the Beast (Kolath and Candira)

Lionel looked up as he was setting out the picnic for them on a large blanket. â??Well hello there, and thank you for joining me.â? The sun was starting to lower slowly in the sky and Lionel hoped that soon he would change back, but since he no longer knew when he was going to change back to human he felt as though it was best to be safe. He would have to be very very careful as they ate to make sure that the hood stayed up, since the two of them were getting closer now wasnâ??t the time for her to find out he had raped her. â??Please come and sit.â?
 
Belle smiled and bowed her head in reverence. "Thank you for inviting me. It looks wonderful," she said softly, sitting down across from him. The food looked lovely, and though the garden was bare, she was pleased with his efforts at romance. She smiled and watched him as he finished setting up. "Have you had a good day?" she asked, hoping that he was feeling well and in good spirits.
 
He took a drink from one of the gobletâ??s present and smiled even though it was hidden by his hood his voice still showed it. â??I have though it has been made even better by your presence. Thank you for joining me Belle it means a lot to me that you did.â?? he severed them both up some food handing her a small plate of it so as it could easily be set down to talk or other things.
 
Belle gratefully took a plate from him and smiled at his compliments. "It is a pleasure to be in your company, your majesty," she said with a smile. Though she wished that he didn't have to wear the cloak so often. She liked looking at his face and wondered what it might look like in the sunlight. Still, it wasn't her place to say such things, so she took a piece of fruit from the plate he'd given her. "What do you think of the progress we've made in the garden?" she asked, completely unaware that two very different kinds of progress had been made there. "Once we can get the second half cleaned up, we can start planting again, and then we can clean up some of the vines that are crawling up the castle."
 
Lionel sighed and shook his head. â??That all sounds lovely but there is one thing that needs to change right now.â? He moved over and knelt beside her taking her hand in his gloved one. â??My name is Lionel, and I would prefer that you called me that.â? His other hand reached up and brushed over her face lightly looking into her eye. â??Titles are for people that are not friends or feel the way I do for you. Please call me by my name.â?
 
Belle blinked as he sighed and took her hand into his, the gloves on his hand making hers tingle a bit. Unless that was just his touch. She blushed softly and nodded at his last statement. His hand on her face made her tingle again. She was absolutely stunned for a moment, but then her look of surprise changed into a smile. "If that's what you want, Lionel." She liked the feel of his name on her tongue. "But exactly what way do you feel for me?" she asked, tilting her head to rest in his hands a bit.

She had felt and seen exactly what he felt for her last night, but she wanted to hear it from him this time.
 
Lionel sighed putting his head in his hand for a moment realizing he had walked into that one. He finally looked up at her smiled and moving slightly closer his hand reaching out brushing over her cheek as he moved in. his lips brushed lightly against hers for a moment kissing her lightly. â??I think I have made it very clear. I have deep heartfelt feelings of love for you Belle, I have from the moment I saw you.â?
 
Belle smiled as she heard him say it, her lips still tingling from the kiss he'd favored her with. Even with his robe drawn over him like that, his lips were just as soft as they had been the night before. Blushing softly, she nodded and kissed him softly before leaning back. "That much is clear, Lionel. But I still don't know what it is that makes you feel that way about me. I hope to find out one day." She smiled and scooted a little closer to him while blocking his contact with her face as well, her plate of food in hand. "Let us eat. You must be hungry after a day of holding court."
 
It was only then that he realized he was still wearing his cloak and she could have easily seen or felt what he was during the day. He sighed deeply so glad that she hadnâ??t and nodded. â??Yesâ?¦lets.â? He didnâ??t want to chance anything else happening that could show her who he really was. He had no more meetings today and so wouldnâ??t be watching the time just enjoying the time he could spend with her over food.
 
After a few moments of eating and exchanging their compliments to the chef over the wonderful food that they were given, Belle set down her plate and took a sip of water from her glass. "It's such a lovely day," she said, her smile seeming to make it brighter. It hadn't escaped her notice that he was a bit more stiff than usual around her, that he was almost stressed. Perhaps she really ought to be more obliging to him. It was clear that his feelings were true and potent, and that was all a girl could really ask for. "You had a wonderful idea to eat outside," she said with a smile.

The sky was blue, though the sun was slowly beginning its descent. "You know, Lionel, I don't think there is much that I know about you, despite having enjoyed your company so much as of late. Would you tell me about yourself?" she asked, her blue eyes lighting up at the mere notion of getting to know him better. "I'd love to know more." And she would. She wanted to know what he liked best and what he hated. What he was most proud of, what he feared most. She wanted to know what made him weak and what made him strong, and how she might learn to be both of those things at once. Her fondness for the prince in front of her was a most amazing thing. And his own for her was quite something.
 
Lionel had finished eating as well and was now reclining on his elbow watching her as she spoke. He sighed softly knowing that sooner or later that would have to come up. He looked up at her care framed as it was by the afternoon sun. â??And what would you like to know of me? My past? There is little to tell. I was raised in my own country under the tutelage of my uncle. Both my parents had died in a horrible accident many years before, or at least that is what we were made to believe.â?? He casually ate some grapes slowly off the vine as he continued. â??In truth my uncle had killed them to take the throne, however he was perfectly alright ruling in my name as long as I kept my nose out of his business. It didnâ??t take long for me to find out what was going on after my eighteenth birthday, and I quickly had him arrested.â?

He rolled onto his stomach sighing softly. â??That is what led me to come here in fact, I had my uncle arrested but there were too many nobles and soldiers supporting him. I and my supporters had to flee or be killed.â? He sighed and looked at the statue. â??That is when I met her, your former queen.â? He sighed again this one speaking of deep pain, â??I was a different person back then, my uncleâ??s lessons teaching me only that rule by force of arms was the way to control people.â? He stood and walked over to the statue his hand brushing the stone heart, â??Even after I betrayed her kindness of taking me and the others in, even as I fell the blow that ended her life, your queen was teaching me somethingâ?¦that is the true strength of a ruler.â?
 
Belle watched him curiously, saddened by the tale he told. She reached out for him, gently putting a hand on his shoulder as he told her of his uncle and the ways that had led to his ruling of her country. The queen before him had been a wonderful ruler, but she honestly didn't remember much of her. Belle had been much younger...but then, so had the prince. She frowned, wondering what it must have been like for him. "I...I didn't know," she said softly. "I hope I haven't hurt you, your--Lionel. I only wanted to know more about you."

She stood and went to him, standing next to the statue, her soft hands going to his shoulders. She had feared his take-over at first, but when it appeared as though things would not change much, she began to relax. The man that she had feared he would be didn't seem to exist. Instead, she found someone caring and compassionate. Someone who could light a fire inside of her that she hadn't known could be lit. She rested her head against the back over his and closed her eyes.

"You have the power to change," she said softly. "I think you must have changed a lot already to know all of this now. You can do so much," she continued. "I believe that you can be the kind of person she was. All you have to do is let yourself grow." She smiled and squeezed his shoulders, just resting as she was against his back.
 
He sighed and looked over his shoulder at her smiling even though it was hidden by the cloak. â??Yeah, that is what she believed tooâ?¦and Iâ??m finally coming to agree with her ever since I met you.â? He turned and looked into her eyes. A few hours had passed since noon, and they were enjoying their time together they hadnâ??t noticed that the sun was getting low in the sky. He reached up to brush his gloved hand over her face when he felt the change suddenly wash over him. it passed quickly but still drained him of energy as eh fell back against the statue fortunately not knocking it over in the process.
 
She smiled, backing away a little as he turned. Belle watched him, sharing the moment as he looked at her and told her that she believed as the queen did and that he was beginning to agree. Then, they shared a silent understanding, and just as he reached out to her...he seemed to be in pain and took a fall! She gasped and instantly came to his side, her hands hovering just above his shoulders as though she wanted to help, but wasn't quite sure where to start. They gently came down onto his shoulders in finality and she looked down into his eyes. "Lionel! Are you alright?"
 
Lionel panted softly and then looked up into Belleâ??s eyes seeing the difference in his sight at once. He smiled and reached up pushing his hood back looking into her eyes. â??Mmm I am just a little dizzy spell my dear.â? He slipped down the rest of the way and gently pulled her to him so that she was straddling his lap as he sat on the dirt by the statue. â??I am sorry that I worried you my beautiful Belle.â? He leaned in and lightly kissed her lips before just sitting there looking into her eyes.
 
Belle seemed immediately relieved when she saw that he wasn't hurt or in pain. She smiled and straddled his lap as he pulled her down to his level. She kissed him back after he apologized to her. She felt his soft lips pressed against his and pressed her soft form against him, loving the way he felt. Then her world was reduced to his face, particularly his enchanting eyes. "You never have to apologize to me, Lionel. Not for your pain." She smiled and pulled him close to her, running her fingers through his hair. "You've never done me wrong, my love." She hardly realized the he was hers and she did love him. Or at least, she felt the beginnings of love for him. And that was enough.
 
He smiled and rubbed his hands over her waist as she straddled his lap. He couldnâ??t help but love having her sit there with him like this. His hands rubbed her sides lightly as he leaned down to kiss her neck just enjoying her presence. He knew that if she found out about him and knew that he was the animal that had raped her she would never be able to love him. he smiled as she called him her love and leaned in kissing her lips again his hard body pressed against her warm soft one. â??Mmmm I love you Belle, more than I ever thought I could love anyone.â?
 
Isabelle had never thought of herself as special. She'd always known that she had a touch of beauty and some of her mother's grace. She'd been bright by her father's standards, and a good dancer and worker. But she was no more wonderful or lovely than the other maids in the village...at least not to herself. But now...now she was on first-name basis with the ruler of her kingdom, a fine lady in the queen's robes, making a home of his castle. And she felt incredibly special for it. Even more so when he held her like this.

Belle practically melted as he kissed her. She kissed him back and leaned into his strong, hard body. She loved the way they felt together. Her soft lips parted just a little and she smiled as he pulled away, her forehead resting against his. The lovely woman's heart nearly stopped beating with his admission of love. She smiled and kissed his lips happily. "I love you, too, Lionel." And it was true. Just like that. He'd won her over with little effort, and he had been the first man she'd really ever felt this way for. "More than I ever knew I could." She smiled and hugged him closer, kissing him once more.
 
He growled softly into the kiss his hands rubbing over her body slowly taking care not to touch anything he shouldnâ??t no matter how much he wanted too. He was finding it hard not to start undressing her and making her his right there. Fortunately at that moment a guard came out into the garden and cleared his throat. Lionel quickly helped Belle stand not wanting her honor besmirched anymore. Standing he looked at the guard waiting for him to report.

â??Forgive the intrusion your majesty, but there has been a report of an attack by the beasts on the road. A traveling caravan was attackedâ?¦we arenâ??t sure who it was in the caravan.â? The guard bowed deeply before turning and leaving.

Lionel turned ot Belle, â??Iâ??m sorry my dear I will have to go take care of thisâ?¦the beastsâ?¦well they are our responsibility to deal with.â? He kissed her lightly once more on the lips before turning to head out of the garden and for the throne room.
 
She enjoyed the feel of his hands on her body. Belle wasn't given to fantasy...well, not often, but she was having trouble not imagining the way it might feel to have his hands explore her entire body. She blushed at the thought, her heart skipping a beat. It took some will power to not seek more from him--not wanting to put him into a position he didn't know how to handle. His growl had done something to her that made it impossible to voluntarily part with him...until the castle guard entered the garden and cleared his throat.

Frozen, her eyes shot open, her face adopting a slight shade of red as she parted from him swiftly, and, with his help, gracefully rose to her feet. Impulsively, she looked down and took a small step behind Lionel. She gasped at the mention of the caravan, her thoughts instantly jumping to her father. Her eyes wide, she felt despair rising in her heart as the soldier told them it was unclear who the victims of the attacks were. She remembered the beasts that she'd encountered so far and lost almost all the color in her face.

Both had tried to rape her. One had succeeded. And she'd witnessed the gruesome death of one at the hands of her princely protector. She could only assume the other had been vanquished in much the same way. Still, the thought of them both, especially knowing that they could talk, made her feel sick.

When Lionel turned to her again and took his leave she understood, hoping that the travelers were safe. She kissed him back and let him go before she called after him. "Wait!" She ran to catch him. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Belle asked, obviously concerned about the people of her country--faceless as they may be.
 
Lionel had been busy planning out a way of attacking the den of the beasts, that had once been his troops. He turned and looked at her wondering what it was that she was talking about then it dawned on him. â??Yes, organize the maids and women of the court to prepare for wounded and aid the surgeon anyway that he needs.â? He stepped back to her his hands brushing her cheeks and lifting her eyes to look into them. â??It will be alright, if it was your fatherâ??s group we will get him back and save him I promise.â? He kissed her deeply before turning back around heading for the throne room.
 
Belle nodded as he told her what to do, already forming strategies in her head for how to best handle the injuries that would be coming. She looked up at him as he lifted her head, her cheeks flushed from his contact with them and the excitement of her mission. "I will do my best," she said quietly. And then she kissed him back before he left her standing there, dazed and still a bit frightened for her father. She sent the maids to help gather the other ladies and went in search of a few herself. When they were all gathered, she organized them and had the other servants gather the materials they were likely to need according to the surgeon.

Under her breath, the beautiful lady said a prayer for everyone who was going to the aid of the party, and the party itself, while she put fresh sheets on a bed that had been arranged as the healer had asked. Finally, each woman took up her station and waited patiently for the return of their protectors.
 
Belle nodded as he told her what to do, already forming strategies in her head for how to best handle the injuries that would be coming. She looked up at him as he lifted her head, her cheeks flushed from his contact with them and the excitement of her mission. "I will do my best," she said quietly. And then she kissed him back before he left her standing there, dazed and still a bit frightened for her father. She sent the maids to help gather the other ladies and went in search of a few herself. When they were all gathered, she organized them and had the other servants gather the materials they were likely to need according to the surgeon.

Under her breath, the beautiful lady said a prayer for everyone who was going to the aid of the party, and the party itself, while she put fresh sheets on a bed that had been arranged as the healer had asked. Finally, each woman took up her station and waited patiently for the return of their protectors.
 
Lionel gathered the guards and prepared for something that hadnâ??t happened in a long time. He and the castle guard road out of the castle. Armed and armored to perfection like they hadnâ??t been in years they rode out to where the attack had happened.

It wasnâ??t far the caravan had been on its way to the castle. It had been Nellâ??s caravan as well as come other merchants that were coming to ask for similar things as Nell had. They all saw the profit in having the castle active once again as it had been back in the day of the queen. There were many survivors, most of the people were still alive, and at the caravan though most would need medical attention quickly. Quickly organizing what was left of the caravan with his guard Lionel set a group up and sent them all back to the castle. Nell was among them, but Lionel and a few guard set out after the attackers because there were a few young women that had been kidnapped by the beasts and they had to be rescued. All this would be told when the wounded returned to the castle.
 
It wasn't long before Belle had the ladies of the court assembled and organized. Each woman had a specialty and each would be working with all of the injured men at different times once the wounds had been cleaned. She ordered the servants to set up a relay for the wounded and readied a large room with many small beds to accept those who would come back. She silently prayed for everyone's safe return, especially the return of her prince. Already she missed Lionel, worried about him as he went off to deal with those horrifying creatures. She readied several salves and medicines and stood, ready to accept the wounded.

When they came to her with the aid of the servants, Isabelle was deeply relieved to find that her father was among them, and alive with only a few bad wounds. None of them looked infected. She assigned each victim a bed and set to work on cleaning her father's wounds before starting the circuit to see what she could do for different patients. Finally, after a long bit of work, everyone was mended as best they could be with the aid of the surgeon and his guidance. All that was left was to wait for their soldiers and her prince, and to keep the victims company while they rested. Each lady of the court took a shift, only bearing their faces at night.

And so they waited.
 
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