As Old As Time

by Liz Braswell

She could almost dismiss the ridiculous band, the cake, the table, and everything else as all the accoutrements of a love-smitten madman—but a priest meant Gaston was deadly serious. He had every intention of “’til-death-do-they-part” marrying her.

Yeo. I've always hated Gaston myself

As soon as she opened a book, this little town disappeared into a vast map of countries both real and imagined.

Definitely gives bookish girlie vibes

“Things must be dire indeed, if the great Rosalind comes to me for such a thing.”

Lol

c’est bon, n’est-ce pas?” The queen made a little kissy noise at her son.

😍

“You can’t have adventures without risk. You can’t have great things if you constantly fear loss.

Good quote

Belle wasn’t sure whether to laugh or pity them. Were they grown-ups? Were they children? Were they something else entirely?

They definitely are adults

Almost everything was fluttering and shuffling: the china was indeed waking from whatever slumber it enjoyed; dishes were very carefully shuddering themselves to life; teacups were bouncing and trying to get out of their glass cabinet prison. The stove, which seemed so cheerful and warm and fiery at the end of the room, now began to yawn and stretch its great black iron arms and exhaust pipe. Belle drew into herself a little, alarmed. Stories of witches with their fires and stoves and terrible, terrible endings played through her head. Baba Yaga, Hansel and Gretel…

I can definitely imagine this scene

The victims of kidnapping often wound up sympathizing with the perpetrator. It was a sickness, a very scientifically predictable one.

Surprisingly true

“Just curls up like a kitten wherever it’s soft or warm.” Cogsworth shot her a look—even with numbers instead of eyes, it was easy to tell he didn’t approve of this sort of gossip about their employer.

I mean isnt he partially half cat? or dog

But I think I’d like to take a look around the castle where I will be imprisoned for the rest of my life now.” “Oh, forever is just a word,” Lumière said philosophically, whirling one of his hand-flames around. “To a candle burning at both ends, forever is an hour. But if you want a tour, ma chérie, we would be glad to assist.”

Lol

“Magic always comes back on itself,” Rosalind whispered. “And also kindness,” Maurice pointed out.

“You have until the eve of your twenty-first birthday to become as beautiful on the inside as you were on the outside. If you do not learn to love another—and be loved in return—by the time the last petal of this rose falls, you, your castle, and all within, will be cursed and forgotten forever.”

Damn that's deep

These were not normal wolves. They were magic, too. They were trying to stop her from leaving the castle. Belle grabbed the reins and pulled hard, spinning Phillipe the other way.

No doubt

Belle helped herself to some tea in between, putting in plenty of sugar.

I do that to 😊

“Hush!” Belle chastised. “The entire castle can hear you.” “WHY AM I RESTRAINED? WHAT DO—arrrgh!”

Lol

This was the Beast she could reason with; it was a tone of voice she recognized from before. Human but grumpy.

Remember he was human before

“Let’s see.” She ticked off reasons on her fingers. “Because you made my father your prisoner. Because you then made me your personal prisoner. Because you are cursed, and I feel like maybe with reason. And also I have questions.” “Doesn’t matter. Tie me up or not. I’m trapped here forever, in this,” the Beast mumbled.

Do I sense some chemistry?

He began to lick one of his wounds moodily.

So like a cat?🤔

“It matters because I’m trapped here with you, because of whatever happened ten years ago, and, oh, yes, it turns out the Enchantress was my mother!” The look of surprise on the Beast’s face was almost comical. No, actually comical, Belle decided.

Already love their realationship

“I…never knew my mother,” she admitted. “I have no idea where she is. She left us years ago. I’d love to see her again. Especially now that it turns out she’s an enchantress. I have a lot of questions I’d like answered.”

She went to grab the milk

not. And maybe afterwards we can go visit the witch in her woods and break off a bit of her candy house for a snack.” The Beast looked at her, confused, his eyebrows rising even higher, like dark clouds above his blue eyes. “Never mind,” Belle said with a sigh. “It was a joke.”

Love the banter

“It’s supposed to show what you would look like on the outside. But does it show how you really are now, on the inside?”

She had read about how servants and general entourage members fought amongst themselves for the privilege of handing the Queen of France her underwear in the morning—while the queen herself remained shivering, waiting, in her bed.

I'm sorry what? lol

“Yes. Thank you. I hope this doesn’t happen every night of my eternal incarceration here. Chocolate?” she offered primly.

Lol

“Books can tell you all that?” the Beast asked, taking the book from her and frowning at the words.

Yep that's true

“Oh yes, I’m a veritable domestic demigoddess,” she said archly. “You should see me turn invisible and walk on water. Come on, let’s get you an apron.”

Lol

She smiled, blushing, and turned back to the chicken. “This is going to sound positively vain, but he thinks I’m the prettiest girl in town. He doesn’t want me…he wants, you know, the prettiest girl in town. He feels he deserves it, because he’s the handsomest man in town.”

pretty much

“betyouwouldhavemadeaprettybride,” he added under his breath, working at the dough, pretending to use all his concentration.

He likes you Belle

“You’re right. You shouldn’t be doing this. You shouldn’t be acting like a big spoiled child who throws a tantrum whenever things don’t go his way. How old are you? Twenty? A twenty-year-old prince acting like this?”

Damn she called him out

To the Beast’s credit, when he lifted the lid of the coq and inhaled its glorious scent—and a fair bit of steam—into his wide, animal nostrils, he did not reach in his paw and scoop up a mouthful. It looked like he sorely wanted to. Instead he put the lid back down—maybe a trifle harder than was needed. Belle smiled her approval.

Aww what a polite young man (or beast) lol

Life is a strange mixture of all of these genres, she mused, and it doesn’t have nearly as neat and happy an ending as you often get in books.

Very true

“Five!” Chip said proudly. He puffed himself out. A little brass pot hopped itself off the stove and carefully onto the table. The cup stood very still, trying to be a serious big boy at his task while creamy, peppery hot chocolate was poured into him.

I swear chip is adorable

Belle felt like she had been hit in the stomach. After accusing the Beast’s parents of being heartless…Her own mother refused to heal the sick.

Damn that's rough

How could Belle, a lonely little bookworm of a country girl, ever have come from someone so great that she meted out curses and blessings like candy and then took over an entire castle with her presence?

Yep

There were so many other books she could read on this cozy winter day. Almost too many. She narrowed her eyes and looked at it the way her father would: with a view to improvements.

I know that's right

The Beast, almost unthinkingly, put his paw on her hand and squeezed. Like he was comforting her. She leaned into him and he adjusted, putting his arm around her shoulders.

Aww

Would she have made raspberry leaf tea for Belle when she first began to have her monthly blood? So that thirteen-year-old me wouldn’t have had to research the possible balms and soothing medicines for it by myself?

So her period

Everyone is different. Each person has his or her own soul and is master of his or her own destiny.”

such a good quote

Everyone should have a journey—and everyone should also have a home, too. Go out into the world for adventure, come home for love.”

Good qoute