Disclaimer: I do not own beauty and the beast, any version of it. I don't own the song "Belle" either, I just modified it to fit Adam.

This story takes place after "A fork in the road" but can be read as a one-shot.

A Royal Visitation

Why he hadn't done this the moment he turned back into a human, he would never know. Those were Prince Adam's thoughts as he rode his horse following the path to the village, Villeneuve. It was liberating to be somewhere, anywhere that wasn't that castle he had spent so many years trapped inside because of his beastly appearance, even if it was just a simple path in the woods. While it was true that the Enchantress had left him a book that could take him anywhere his heart desired, really, what was the point if he had to fear for his life, if someone decided to start a hunting party? No, this, this was true freedom. There was nothing like just the simple act of riding his horse again. Besides the time he had rode Belle's horse Philippe when he was injured, he hadn't rode a horse since his human days. It was a leisure he hadn't truly comprehended how much he had missed until he was once again seated on the saddle, with the leather reins within his grasp. With each renewed habit he felt himself entering back into the world he had so long taken for granted as a spoiled prince.

He had only set foot in the village a few times, only because it was mandatory and each visit was short and sweet, with little to no interaction with his subjects. In the past he had thought it below him to mingle with townsfolk, but he had no problem taxing them to satisfy his growing hunger for expensive things and lavish parties. He had truly believed back then that, that was what happiness was and that he had captured it within his status, wealth, handsome appearance, and possessions. It wasn't until he was turned into a beast that he realized true happiness was found within himself and also the eyes of a loving and caring maiden. If only his old self could see him now, traveling to a small villiage to secure the affections of a peasant girl, surely he would laugh so hard he would fall off his bejeweled throne.

Upon reaching the village of Villeneuve, Adam rode his horse into the local stables. He could have just rode through the town on his horse, like he had a long time ago, but not this time. He wanted to walk upon the same ground Belle walked and to take in the sights from her perspective. Jumping down from his horse, he held onto the reins until he spotted a stable boy. "Pardon, me," Adam called out. "Could I leave my horse here to get some feed and water, while I visit the town?"

The stable boy looked up from where he was working. "Certainly, Monsieur," the boy said, coming closer until he froze, his eyes wide, and mouth gapping like a fish. "I...I..," he stuttered. "Aren't you the prince?"

"I am," Adam replied.

"Your Highness!" the boy blurted, dropping to his knees in a deep bow.

Adam flushed, smiling nervously. "Um...there's really no need to bow." Reaching for the satchel at his side, Adam took out some coins to hand to the boy. "Here's some money, for your trouble."

This only resulted in the boy gapping further at the sum placed in his hands. "Merci, Your Highness!" he said, getting up from the ground and taking the reins from Adam. "Imagine me, tending to the prince's horse. Evans is never going to believe me when I tell him," the boy mumbled, while taking Adam's horse into the stables.

Smiling fondly at the lad, Adam started making his way towards the clock tower, taking his time to take in every piece of shrubbery, every bulding, and every sound as he tried to imagine Belle walking down this very path, in his distraction he nearly walked into a man carrying a tray of bread and rolls. "Oh, pardon me, Monsieur!"

"Watch where you're going you...," the baker yelled, until he looked at the man who had almost walked into him," you...Your Highness?"

"Um, yes, Bonjour," Adam said awkwardly.

His only response was for the baker to contiune to stare at him. "I was wondering if you might point me in the direction of the church?" Adam asked.

The baker seemed to regain some of his mental thought long enough to balance the tray in one hand and raise the other to point towards the church.

"Merci, Monsieur" Adam said with a slight bow of his head.

It didn't take long for the village to notice that they had a royal newcomer, with each step Adam grew more uncomforable with the growing volume of whispers and murmurings trailing his path.

"Look there! Isn't that the prince?" A woman exclaimed stopping in her tracks, pointing at him.

The woman with her shook her head. "No, it can't be, he must be an impostor, no question."

"But that stance and sturdy chin, it's him, can't you tell?" The woman insisted.

A fishmonger paused in gutting a fish as Adam passed by. "Never before has he joined our little town cause he's stuck in his fancy balls and crowns."

"Isn't it strange he's visiting now?" His fellow fishmonger questioned.

"Look there, the prince, once a beast!" A child cried from the ground playing a game of marbles with other children.

"I wonder if he still has a tail?" said another child.

"With a dashing periwinkle coat, I wonder if he's here to gloat?" said a man getting his shoes polished.

"What a puzzle to the rest of us is the prince."

A woman holding a feathery fan, leaned forward to gossip to her friend. "Now it's no wonder he's sought far and wide. His wealth and ravishing looks have no rival. But behind that handsome physique, I'm afraid his policies are rather reek. Very above the rest of us, he's nothing like the rest of us."

"Yes, above the rest of us is the prince," Her friend agreed.

Two men playing chess looked up from their pieces to notice Adam. "Right from the moment he met Belle, saw her, I heard he fell for that funny girl. Here in town there's only she, who saved him from staying a beast."

"So, it's true? He's making plans to woo and marry Belle?"

Adam continued through the village, his pace quickening, until he paused at an eruption of giggling and saw three burnettes nearby. He glanced around wondering what the source of their giggling was, until he noticed them looking straight at him. Oh, right. It was him. He was handsome again. That was going to take some time to get use to again. With haste he went on, trying to hide his face with his hand. He couldn't believe he use to relish in such attention.

"Look there he goes, isn't he regal, His Highness, the prince!" the three burnettes gushed together. "Oh he's so debonair! Be still my heart, it can't truly be him! The prince, here? Now? Oh, how I wish he'd look at me instead of Belle."

"Just watch he's going to make Belle his wife."

"Look there he goes that prince once a beast is strange but privileged, a most peculiar monarch, indeed!"

"It's a pity his taxes are so high."

"My doesn't he seem shy?"

"But he really is a handsome man, a snob, but a handsome man, he really is a handsome man, that prince!"

By the time the church was in sight Adam was nearly running to reach its doors. He sighed once he was inside, leaning against the door. Glancing back at the closed doors, he raised an eyebrow. "What an odd little town," he mused. "I could have sworn I heard...singing?" Shaking his head at such a ridiculous thought, he starting looking around at his surroundings, his eyes lighting up at the modest little bookshelf that held about eight books. This must be the books Belle spoke of during their time together. Walking over to the bookshelf, his eyes scanned across the meager sources of reading material. No wonder Belle had been so excited upon the discovery of his library. He chuckled as his eyes landed upon the title of Romeo and Juliet, pulling it out, he lightly traced the cover with his fingertips. How strange it was, that he owned some of the most expensive and sought after items, but in that moment that tattered, old copy of Romeo and Juliet was the most precious thing he had ever beheld, simply because it had once been in her possession.

"Well, if it isn't the bookworm prince!"

Caught unaware, Adam gave a starled yelp, fumbling with the book, awkwardly catching it before it hit the ground.

The man dressed in minster clothing, chuckled. "Sorry, Your Highness. I didn't meant to startle you."

Adam cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure and some of his dignity. "Pere Robert?" he questioned.

"Yes, that is I. What can I do for you?" Robert answered.

"I wanted to thank you."

Robert looked back at Adam in puzzlement. "Thank me? What for?"

"For giving Belle a way to escape to far off places, for allowing her to read from your books. She told me of this place, and how much it meant to her. And for that I am eternally grateful." Adam solemnly looked down. "I know how it feels to be trapped with no escape."

Robert shook his head. "There's no need to thank me, it's always been a pleasure to see Belle. How is the bookworm today?" he asked.

"I wouldn't know," Adam replied.

"You haven't seen Belle yet?"

Adam shook his head.

"Why come here, before going to Belle's home?"

Adam stayed slient for awhile, glancing up to wince at the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ hanging on the wall, his guilt and shame increasing tenfold. "Because I needed strength to face a man I've done a great wrong to."

"Maurice."

Adam was momentary stunned that Robert knew, but he guessed Belle had probably mentioned it to him. "Yes," he confessed.

Robert motioned him to take a sit with him on the pew, Adam joined him, securely resting the copy of Romeo and Juliet on his lap. He knew it was silly, but with the book he felt as if he had a part of Belle there with him, giving him the will to continue. "I only spoke to him briefly to reintroduce myself, then after that I avoided him. It is not lost on me that the very man I treated so horribly, holds my very happiness in the palm of his hand. I know that I could never truly pursue a future with Belle without Maurice's approval. Belle esteems him too much, and rightly so, to not take his opinion into consideration. Even if she went against her father's wishes, I know there would be a great strain upon our relationship. I do not want our relationship to bring any unhappiness to her."

"What makes you so afraid that he will not forgive you?"

"I called the man a thief, locked him up in a cell, and took his daughter prisoner without any care that he would never see her again, take your pick," Adam replied dryly.

Robert didn't seem fazed by his confession, remaining calm. "There's no need to worry, Maurice isn't an unforgiving man. He will see how sorry you are for your actions and how much you care for Belle."

"How do you know?" Adam asked, quite cynical that it could be that easy.

Robert smirked, amused. "Because it's written on your face, as clearly as any passage in a book."

Adam bowed his head in silence, taking some time to absorb Robert's words. "There is one other thing," he finally said. "I have sinned so much throughout my life, with my greed, arrogance, selfishness, my disregard for others," he shook his head, laughing humorlessly. 'I've never even forgiven my father," he sighed. "There is just so much I still need to change. And I know this is my second chance, I want to become a better ruler, a better master. I want to help the progression of this village to reach its full potential. But how?" He paused again, his voice dropping to a whisper. "How do I know I will not become that beast once again?"

Reaching forward, Robert laid a hand on Adam's shoulder. "Just take it one day at a time, and know there are people that will help you, people that care for you. You will find that things do tend to fall into place. Just feel it within your soul. That's all you really need to know."

Adam got up, thanking Pere Robert for his time, about to leave until he noticed that he was still holding the copy of Romeo and Juliet. "By the way, may I buy this from you?" He asked holding up the book.

Robert laughed. "You want to buy that old, tattered copy of Romeo and Juliet? But you're a man of great wealth, you could just buy yourself a brand new copy."

"True," Adam nodded, looking upon the book with a whimsical smile. "But still, I want this one." He reached for his satchel taking out banknotes, handing them to Robert.

Robert's eyes widened at the sight of the money. "But...but..sir," he stuttered in astonishment. "This is way too much for a book."

Adam simply smiled. "Consider it a donantion to make improvements to the church and to buy many more books for anymore bookworms that may wander into this place."

With the copy of Romeo and Juliet carefully placed in his satchel, Adam went on to Belle's home with a lighter heart. Though, he was regerting the fact that he hadn't visited Belle's home first before the church, solely because he had to backtrack through the village ducking people's acquiring stares and the increasing gossip he heard at every turn. He was very thankful once he came upon a charming cottage, with a little garden in the front. This must be Belle's home or at least he hoped. It looked that way Belle had described it and based upon Pere Robert's directions this should be the place, though it would just be his luck if it happened to be the home of those giggling girls. Opening the modest little gate, he slowly took a step forward, his heart pounding in his ears as he went up the steps to the front door. He gulped, never before having made a visit to a madien's house, especially one where her father resided. Making sure his hair was still situated in its bow and smoothing out some nonexistant wrinkles on his clothes, he figured he couldn't procrastinate any longer. He knocked on the door.

"Come in! The door's open!" He heard Maurice call out.

Taking a deep breath, Adam entered Belle's home.

For a moment Adam felt his nerves leave him as he got lost in the fascination that he was now standing in the home of his beloved. It was definitely no castle or any of the luxurious places he had traveled to in his youth, but it held something none of those places possessed, warmth. It was hard to explain, but with all the odd little trinkets, the canvases slanted against the walls, and the parchments of sketches stuck to the walls, the place gave off a sense of being lived in, that there were laughs, tears, hopes experienced here and the walls were their keepers.

Adam spotted Maurice sitting at a small wooden table with a younger man. "Oh, I beg your pardon!" he said with a slight bow. "I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation, I can come back-"

The young man rose from his seat. "It's alright, Your Highness. I was just about to leave." The young man turned back to Maurice with a bow. "Thank you for your time, Maurice."

The young man walked past Adam, but then paused, backtracking his steps until he was in front of Adam. "Sorry, by the way for raiding your castle," he said then grimaced,"...and for Gaston almost killing you."

Adam looked at the man, vaguely remembering him at his castle, but hontestly there had been so many townsfolk that day he couldn't keep track. "Thank you, Monsieur. I appreciate your words." The man and Adam bowed to each other and with that the man left, leaving Adam alone with Maurice.

"Truly, I'm sorry-" Adam tried to apologize again for his intrusion, but Maurice interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"No need," Maurice said. "Lefou was just leaving. He had just came to apologize for leaving me when Gaston had knocked me out and tied me to a tree and also for lying about it back at the traven." He paused, taking a sip of tea from his cup. "He's a good lad, he just found himself under Gaston's thumb," he shook his head, "the whole village was under that man's thumb. Some of the other villagers have also visited me to apologize for following Gaston when he tried to send me away to an asylum." He chuckled. "Honestly, I've had so many visits you would think I was royalty."

Adam blinked several times, shaking his head as if to clear a nonexistent piece of cotton from his ears. He couldn't have possibly heard Maurice correctly. "I beg your pardon, but did you just say tied to a tree? Asylum?" He knew that Belle had left him to go help her father, but he had yet to hear the whole story. When Maurice confirmed that he had indeed heard him right, he felt his temper rile up. "Who was this Gaston?" He asked through clenched teeth. "I only met him briefly, but it's safe to say he didn't leave a very favorable impression."

"He was somewhat a self-proclaimed ruler of this village," Maurice explained. "Gaston was a war hero, that was greatly admired and doted on by this village and he abused that power. He was a very vain, arrogant, and selfish young man that did not take being told no lightly. It was either his way or no way."

As Adam listened to Maurice describe this Gaston fellow, he felt as if Gaston had come back to life, his bullets hitting him in the back with each of Maurice's words. Vain. Arrogant. Selfish. His way or no way. For Adam knew a young man that fit that description, but it wasn't Gaston, it was himself. Adam felt physically ill, his stomach turning, and the world around him beginning to spin.

"Are you alright?" He vaguely heard Maurice say. "You look very pale."

Adam weakly shook his head. "I...I think I need to sit down."

There was the sound of a chair being scraped across the floor as Maurice brought a chair to him. Adam let his weight fall onto the chair, unable to stand any longer. He ran his hands over his face trying to shake off the dizziness, then he noticed a cup of tea in front of his face. Looking up, he saw Maurice holding out the cup of tea for him to take. Gratefully, he took the tea, taking slow sips to calm down his stomach. It took him a moment to regain himself and when he did, he noticed that Maurice had pulled up a chair and was now sitting across from him, looking upon him with concerned eyes.

"How can you be so kind to me?" Adam said in wonder. "After what I did to you?"

"It's not as if you knocked me out, tied me to a tree and left me for the wolves."

"No, I just locked you up in a cold cell and left you to die of pneumonia," Adam shook his head in disgust. "For picking a rose, no less." He hung his hand, staring down at the floorboards. "I'm no better than Gaston."

Maurice shook his head. "You're not like Gaston."

"You don't know me, you don't know all that I've done."

"But I do know what you've done," Maurice insisted. "You let my daughter go to come help me, you gave her a library, you talked to her as an equal. Gaston never would have done those things. While you may have been like Gaston in your past, it's evident that you've seen the error of your ways."

Adam gently placed down the teacup onto the floorboards, suddenly feeling the need to move around, to calm down his nerves."Are these of Belle?" He asked, his eyes roaming over the drawings and stretches scattered throughout the room of Belle at different ages. It was evident from the paintings that she had always possessed a natural beauty that had matured over time. He hadn't thought it possible for a painter to capture the spirit and liveliness held within her eyes, but he imagined if any painter could, it would be her father. How he wished he could have a portrait of her back at the castle, so he could look upon it any time he wished.

"Yes, Belle has always been one of my favorite subjects to draw," Maurice replied, staring fondly at one of the portraits. "I imagine as royality that you've sat for your fair share of portraits."

Adam groaned. "Oh, yes. I've always hated it, having to sit or stand for hours. The painter telling me not to move, or to tilt my chin...," He trailed off once he realized that this probably wasn't the best thing to say to an artist. "Not..not that I would mind if you painted my portrait, I'm sure it would be different."

Maurice chuckled good-heartily. "Belle's always been the same way. She's never liked to stay still very long. She'd much rather go climb a tree or get lost in one of her books. I quickly learned to draw her in motion."

"Yes, that does seem like her," Adam chuckled, staring deeply at one of the portraits of Belle.

"You love my daughter."

Adam suddenly started choking on air, caught off guard by Maurice's very unexpected, blunt words. "What...I..well..I...that is-" he stuttered out.

"It's very obvious," Maurice stated, motioning toward the portrait of Belle. "I know I'm a decent artist, but I doubt my brush technique or use of color could inspire you to look at it like it was your world."

Adam blushed at the turn of the conversation, he felt lost on how to proceed, but then he recalled something he had brought with him. In haste he reached for his satchel, pulling out a single white rose."This is for you," He said holding out the white rose to Maurice.

Maurice raised an eyebrow.

Adam flushed further. "It's...it's the rose I had denied you before. This is one of the many ways I'm trying to repent for my actions. I figured you could finally give it to Belle."

"Will I turn into a beast if I don't accept that rose?"

"What? No!" Adam cried, violently shaking his head. "I would never...," he suddenly went silence, noticing the mirth in Maurice's expression. "Oh, oh you're joking."

"There's no need to be so anxious around me," Maurice said, taking the rose from him. "I'm not going to light a torch or anything."

"I can't help but be anxious around you," Adam answered. "I do love your daugther very much, Sir. I have never felt this way for anyone before. I know I didn't make a very good first impression on you. I should have never called you a thief, I had no right to lock you up, and I certainly had no right to take your daughter away for you. I know I shall never deserve a woman like Belle, but you see I cannot fathom a life without her. Do you think you could ever accept me as a suitor for your daughter?"

Maurice didn't say anything for a moment as he looked down at the rose with a pensive gaze, twirling it between his fingertips . "And when the last petal falls, he shall remain a beast forever," he finally spoke. "You know, Belle told me how your curse was broken. But I knew before then that she loved you, I knew it the moment she begged me to help her escape to go save you. She looked so frightened, not for her own life, but for yours. I had seen that look before in my wife's eyes as she laid dying, she looked so frightened not for her own life, but frightened that Belle and I would succumb to death because of her."

Adam hung his head low, recalling when Belle had found out her mother had died from the plague and sent her and Maurice away to save their lives.

"Tell you what," Maurice said, holding out the rose to him. "Why don't you give the rose to Belle."

"But, Monsieur-"

"Maurice, call me Maurice," He said. "I think it's high time that a young man gave her a rose, rather than her old father."

"I'm sure she's always loved getting roses from you," Adam protested.

"Yes, but a father always hopes one day that a respectable young man will give his daughter roses, one day when he is gone."

Adam accepted the rose with great care, marveling at the gift he had just received. For he knew through the giving of this rose, that Maurice had not only granted him forgiveness but consent to pursue a relationship with his daughter, putting trust in him to take care of his daughter, his most precious masterpiece. Adam felt his throat thicken with emotion. Never in his life had he been more happy and humbled to receive a rose.

"Thank you, Maurice," Adam choked out. "Truly, thank you. I shall treasure it always."

Some time after, Adam and Maurice were playing a game of chess when Belle returned home.

"Papa, I'm home! Did you-" Belle halted in her steps, losing all signs of speech as she gapped at that person playing chess with her father. "A-Adam?"

Adam rose from his seat, his eyes never leaving Belle's form, drinking in every detail about her as if it had been a century since he seen her instead of a few days. "Belle."

From his seat, Maurice looked between the two people that were completely unaware of his presence. "I think I shall go to bed." He said, thought Adam and Belle never took notice that he had left the room.

Taking a step forward, Adam held out his hand. "Shall we get some air?"

Belle numbly nodded, taking his hand in a trance letting him lead the way. Adam took them out to sit down on the back porch.

After Belle had yet to say anything, continuing to just stare at him, Adam grew uncomfortable. "Well, don't just stare," He said with a nervous laugh. "Say something! Anything!"

"I can't believe you're really here," Belle said her voice dazed. "I can't believe you actually entered the village."

"Of course I entered the village! I didn't expect you to always come to the castle. Besides, I've missed you since that day you left saying you weren't ready for marriage and needed time."

"It's only been three days!" Belle said breaking out of her stupor.

Adam shrugged, giving a dry scoff. "So? I've never been known for my patience." He looked back at her, his eyes slightly widening as pain settled into their blue depths. "Does this mean..." his voice grew small, "you did not miss me?"

"No, of course I missed you!" Belle stated firmly, shaking her head. "Don't you dare think for a second that I didn't," she said, reaching out her hand to caress his cheek.

Adam sighed in relief, leaning further into her touch. "Don't scare me like that."

"I didn't mean to," Belle said, returning her hand to her side. "So, I'll admit I'm curious. How was your day in the village?"

"It was...eventful to say the least," Adam said dryly. "The townspeople are...," he trailed off, squinting his eyes, trying to find the right word, "unique? I think they're in awe of me becuase I'm royalty, but at the same time I don't think they like me very much because of my past actions as ruler." He paused in thought as he looked towards the sky, noticing two candles burning within a lamppost. "Huh, I never thought I'd see that up close."

Belle looked up, her eyes seaching. "See what?"

Adam nodded towards the lamppost. "The lamppost."

Belle looked back and forth between Adam and the lamppost. "I don't understand. What do you mean?"

Adam continued watching the candle burn. "I remember after I had been transformed into a beast, it was three weeks in when it truly sank in for me that I'd probably never be able to enter polite society again. I remember one night going out as far as I could without being seen. I climbed a tree and just looked off into the distance, watching the lights from the village, longing to enter the village that had once been just an afterthought in my mind." He turned his head, looking at Belle with a warm smile. "But now here I am in that very village, with you."

Belle put her hand on top of his, squeezing it, her eyes glazed over with unshed tears. "Adam I-"

Adam shook his head. "Please, do not feel sad for me, I did it to myself," he sighed. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad I was cursed. It opened me up to so many things I was blind to and it saved me from myself. I imagine if I hadn't been turned into a beast, I would have just continued spiraling down, never stopping to think of things beyond my own privileged world. I probably would have ended up in a loveless marriage, miserable and in return making my wife miserable. No, if there is anything from that curse that I am forever grateful for is that it brought you to me, Belle."

Adam gently took her hand resting on top of his, bringing it to his lips to place a tender kiss onto the back of her hand, savoring at the softness of her skin until it was aburtply snatched from him. Alarmed, Adam looked up to find Belle cupping both her cheeks with her hands, turning her head away from him. "What? What is it? Did I do something wrong?" He asked, a sense of panic shuddering his heart at her reaction. Had he offended her with his display of affection? Most girls seemed to like it when he had kissed their hands in the past, though it was done with insincerity, unlike his kiss to Belle.

Belle shook her head, still hiding her face from him. "No, you did nothing wrong. It's just...," she trailed off going quiet for a moment. "I've never been romanced by a man before, so-"

"But I thought Gaston-"

"Oh, he tried," Belle said. "But I would always turn him down before he could continue. It is also wholly different when one actually enjoys such attentions," she added as an afterthought.

With her words, the stone of dread in his stomach quickly dissipated into a light fluttering sensation. "Well, I for one am very relieved to hear you enjoy my attentions," he said, faintly chuckling. "For I greatly enjoy bestowing them on you, so much I'm afraid I might spoil you."

Slowly, Belle turned to face him removing her hands from her tinted cheeks, glancing at him sheepishly. "I am sorry for the way I reacted," she said, smiling awkwardly. "I've always thought it silly the way the village girls acted around Gaston. I could never understand why they swooned over him, to me there were so much better things to do with my time. I guess, I'm not so immune to it as I once thought I was."

"We have that in common, you know," Adam said.

"We do?"

"Yes," Adam said, nodding. "Remember when I told you that I never knew that love could feel this way? I always thought the couples around the castle were quite silly. Like when Lumiere gushes out endless poetic endearments around Plumette, or when Maestro Cadenza spent hours holding fabric for his wife while she made a new dress, or even when Mr. Potts would leave little notes attached to the teabags for Mrs. Potts to find. I thought they were fools and I promised myself that I would never act so silly around a girl." He looked fondly at Belle. "Well, I broke that promise, I'm afraid."

Turning his attention to his satchel, Adam carefully pulled out the white rose from before. He watched as Belle's doe eyes widened in surprise. It was funny how he had once thought that his life would end because of a rose, and yet it had turned out the begininng of a better one.

"Belle, I know you said you weren't ready for marriage and you wanted us to get to know one another better," Adam paused, staring down at the rose. "So, I was hoping you would agree to an official courtship with me?" Holding out the rose to her, he scarcely breathed, awaiting her answer.

Taking the rose from him, Belle gently caressed the petals, before bringing it to her nose inhaling it's scent, the rose barely concealing her smile. "I would like that very much."

Inhaling deeply, Adam smiled, half-laughing in astonishment. "You will?"

Belle nodded, her lips against the rose. "Although, I don't how the townspeople will react to the prince courting a peasant and a funny one at that."

Adam rolled his eyes. "Something tells me they already know," he crossed his arms. "Besides if anyone has a problem with it, I'll just say off with their heads."

Belle went silent, frowning deeply.

"You do realize that was a joke," Adam said, smiling nervously, his eyes wide with panic. "Belle, really I was just...," he trailed off once Belle busted out laughing, and he realized that she was teasing him. "Oh, you're going to pay for that, Mademoiselle," he said with a mischievous glint in his eye before he swooped down covering her mouth with his lips, effectively silencing her laugher. After the shock wore off, Belle melted within his kiss, slowly raising her arms to wrap them around his neck, the white rose still within her hand. They kissed, moving against each other's lips, their noses nuzzling together.

When they their lips pulled apart, they looked through half-lidded eyes back at each other, their foreheads resting together.

"Adam?"

Adam hummed in reponse.

"I'm glad we can be silly together."

"So am I Belle, so am I."

I hope you enjoyed this, it kind of just kept growing as I wrote. I can't thank you all enough for your wonderful words, favs, and follows! Thank you!