CursedByARose

Suddenly this beautiful and sunny day had turned into something Belle hadn’t seen coming : Adam, enraged.

Not that it was a rare sight. But they had been floating on such a happy cloud lately that her husband’s voice now very much sounded like thunder. And his words, too, weren’t the most kind.

Where one could have perhaps expected a look of disapproval, Belle was instead wearing an expression of concern. Frowning, and biting her bottom lip for just a second, she watched the courier leave in a hurry, and her husband walk back to her.

Belle had patience for two. And so, instead of beginning to ask questions, she focused on her husband’s well-being. First of all, he needed to calm down.

Her delicate fingers reached up, stroking his cheek for a second, upward. A gesture that beckoned him to look at her. Then her hands reached down to carefully grab his, and gave them a reassuring squeeze.

“Let’s go back inside.” the brunette suggested, her gaze plunged in his.

When they were both sat down, then she would ask her questions.

Her very touch was enough to calm the inner raging beast. It always had been, and that would be the case until their stories were long over. He felt inwardly despicable for having lost his temper like he had just a moment ago. Even some of the gardeners were looking at him with… caution if not outright fear. 

They hadn’t heard their master yell like that in so long, and so they wondered what it was that could cause such a relapse in his temper. 

He did not argue with her as she ushered him back up the path to the front door. Servants were nearby to provide the royal couple with anything they might have needed, but Adam waved them off as gently as he could in his irritated state. Into one of the parlors he followed her, helping her onto a chaise before taking a seat beside her.

What could he even say to her? That the father that he despised and wished to avoid was going to attempt to come to the castle? To come and invade the happy life that he and Belle had built for themselves?

… well. He very well could not lie to her, could he?

Pride.

A word that could either be attached to something negative, or something very much positive. In this case, of course, Adam’s pride seemed sparked by his joy of becoming a father. That much, Belle could tell.

A gentle and humble shake of her head followed his compliment, and her hand joined his over her stomach. Her eyes got lost into his like they sometimes tend to do when she was daydreaming about their future as a family.

Then? Belle raised a brow as he turned his head away, as if he had heard something. The brunette didn’t have her husband’s enhanced sense of hearing, but she knew that whatever had just caught his attention… was nothing he expected.

…Stay here?

Did he truly expect her to not be curious now? She was about to protest, but he was already up on his feet, walking towards the gates.

Belle let out a soft sigh. For two reasons. The first? He had not explained what he had heard or possibly already seen. She truly wished he would be less impulsive with that sometimes. The second? Well… Now she had to stand up on her own. But she’d manage.

It took her a few more seconds than it would take a non pregnant human being to do the same, but she stood on her feet… and… waddled after him.

By the time Belle made it to the gates, Adam was already fiercely shouting (if not downright growling) at the rider on the other side of the gates. The messenger was in livery that suggested the most opulent wealth imaginable, more than even Adam possessed. 

“……he can kiss my arse for all I care! He is not allowed here––do you hear me?” Adam then took a piece of paper, some kind of letter with an elaborate seal, and tore it to pieces before ordering the rider to leave at once, or else Adam would gladly haul him ‘back to Versailles’ himself. The courier, not wanting to take his chances with the irate prince, turned on his horse and fled back into the woods. 

Practically bristling, Adam turned to return to Belle’s side… only to see that she followed him to the gate. 

It was embarrassing at times whenever he did lose his temper. He’d been much better about it ever since they’d been together, but there were still occasions where he would begin to growl and horns would threaten to burst forth from his head. He would usually just turn around, take a few deep breaths, and be fine. However, what he’d just received had been enough to nearly send him into a complete rage. 

A break from their walk in the garden, while still very much enjoying it?

A grand idea.

Belle sat down by his side, head just naturally going to lay on his shoulder. She enjoyed simple moments such as this. Peaceful, calm.

Away from actual monsters. And Darkness.

They were just moments where got to truly feel and be thankful for every single gifts that life had bestowed upon her. The gift of a family that was always there for her, the gift of a husband that truly loved her for everything she was, the one of friends that she could trust, and now? The gift of a child, that Belle hoped would one day receive all of those great gifts as well.

“I would like that very much.” she answered at the offer of a warm bath. Anything to rid her of those insufferable back and neck pains that she had at the moment.

As for what Adam’s hands would feel?

Multiple kicks! Like the beating of a drum. Belle had gotten used to them by now, so she wasn’t as surprised as she could have been, though sometimes her facial expression told another story.

“And how do you feel about that?” she asked. And perhaps it was her turn to ask a silly question. She already knew how he felt. And in one simple word?

    Impatient.

Little fluttering under his hand. Strong movements. 

Little things like that made Adam just more assured that their daughter was doing just fine despite all they’d been through regarding the early months of having her in their lives. Hell, for the first few weeks, Adam had been stuck as a beast again. He’d almost hurt Belle (something he still despised himself for) and had nearly lost his humanity. 

But Belle saved him. Again. She was quite good at doing that. 

“I feel… proud,” he said, giving the spot where the kicks were strongest a little rub. “I can already tell she’ll be strong and fearless. Like her mother.”

Oh, of course he would take the opportunity to compliment Belle if he could. He hoped their daughter would take after her as much as possible. He was not a terrible child growing up… at first. 

He was about to speak further on the matter when his sharp hearing picked up a foreign noise. His head turned towards the gates, and he saw a rider at the entrance to the grounds. 

If he had fur in that moment? It would have stood on end.

“It’s a beautiful day for a walk outside, don’t you think so, @aimerlabete​?”

First of all, he wanted to make sure his princess was not spending her days cooped up in the castle (knowing her adventurous nature). And second, he just wanted to spend some time with her. 

The Prince has a god-awful headache today. 

“For who could ever learn to love a 𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖙?”

A literate, pre-shipped role play portrayal of Prince Adam, the Beastly Prince.