Work Text:
Belle knows she can't go to the West Wing. The Beast has made it clear, and she's not stubborn enough to risk another bout of his wrath.
But he's never said anything about the East Tower.
It's one thing to be a guest in this house, but exploring all the corridors, halls and rooms makes her feel like a captive princess, sneaking around in secret to find a hidden exit (not that she's thinking of leaving, as she's given her word to stay, and the prospect of great adventure in this vast place gives Belle a thrilling sense of pleasure).
So, standing at the bottom of the winding staircase, she closes her eyes and thinks of a portrait she's seen in an art book. The girl who lives in a tower, and there's this guard at the bottom of the stairs who kisses her hand every time she passes him, and quietly and secretly longs to run away with him (not that Belle thinks the Beast would run away with her). With a small chuckle, she takes a dramatic deep breath and climbs the winding staircase.
There are small bullet-shaped windows, and the view becomes more mesmerising as she climbs. The trees now from above, the wide horizon, the birds flying by and the sun rays filling every corner with a radiant light. Belle is enchanted.
There are two doors at the top. The one on the left is locked and the one on the right is slightly ajar. Oh!
She pushes it open, cautiously, and peers inside before entering fully. Her chin drops and a soft gasp escapes her throat. The room is full of beautiful furniture, ancient paintings on the wall, books on a small shelf against the other wall. She goes to the shelf and picks out one, two, three books, blinking at the covers. Children's books. Beautiful illustrations of mythical creatures, fairies, even demons, woven into exciting stories suitable for children to expand their imaginations and fantasies of a world written creatively just for them.
Belle flops down on the sofa under the window and props herself up, not realising how comfortable she's feeling. It's a place she'd visit every day if she could. And without further ado, she begins to read.
She's lost in the beauty of this hidden room, far away from the hustle and bustle of the castle below. She's lost in the story of the centaur who falls in love with a girl by the pond (okay, it's hardly suitable for small children, but it's innocent enough to read in favour of friendship between a mystical creature and a human being). Belle smiles as she's captivated by the artistry of the words and illustrations. And she does not hear the predatory footsteps on the stone stairs, slowly approaching, until the door flings open with a warning growl that echoes through the room.
Startled, she almost drops the book as she jumps from the sofa.
"Beast!"
"What are you doing in here?" he growls as he strides towards her, towering over her with an angry glare.
By now Belle knows that he's never as terrifying as he was the first day she met him in the prison tower on the other side of the castle grounds. This is different, and it's not the West Wing where he keeps his mysterious rose (which, despite her hunger for facts, she's never asked about).
"I took a stroll through the corridors and ended up at the bottom of this tower. This is such a beautiful place, why have you never told me about it?"
"Because I might not like someone sneaking up here?" he hisses, his nostrils flaring and ears twitching. His tail swished from side to side and Belle can tell he's nervous. Could he be hiding something up here too?
"But the door was open, and you never said this tower was forbidden too." She frowns in irritation.
"That's not the point." He barks back, raising a finger to mark his words. Belle puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head.
"Then what's the point?"
"This is... er..." Beast blinks with a wild gesture, waving his hand in the air, then drops his paw to his side, his ears flicking forward. "Look, you can't just sneak around the castle like a nosy mouse."
Now Belle snorts, her hand covering her mouth to prevent a fit of giggling. "What?"
"I mean..." The Beast paces the room. "This... this is my retreat... the place where I go to think and seek solitude."
"Oh." Belle lowers her face. "But what about the... West Wing... I thought... that was your place of solitude, and no one was allowed there. Why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have come if I'd known."
"I'm sorry. I thought you didn't like towers... after... well... the other one..."
Belle can't help but feel a sweet wave of sympathy wash over her. He's more considerate than he seems to realise.
"If you wish, I will leave immediately, unless..."
"Unless what...?" The Beast turns abruptly, his eyes wide and his paws wringing nervously.
"... unless you want to show me what you love most about this hiding place, and I promise not to tell anyone."
"You're good with secrets, aren't you?"
Belle smiles as he beckons her to the window. "I'm a sealed book."
Now he smiles too and gestures out into the wide open. "I love this view. The land seems so wide and pure."
Belle nods, her hand touching his arm. "I think that's the point of finding a quiet place. To dream of the incomprehensible."
"Yes."
The Beast gazes at the girl at his side, wishing he could tell her how incomprehensible she is to him, despite their proximity.
It hurts. And yet he does not want her to go away, ever.