Esclave Heureux Pour la Bête
By Misterebony
For Monovore
 
 
If you had told Belle a few months ago this was where she would be in her life she likely would have laughed. It sounded like something out of her stories. But, here she was, dressed in a modest dark uniform, with a collar on her neck made of the finest leather and lined with wool, and similar bands on her wrists and ankles. To the unknowing she passed as a cross between a high class woman and a lowly prisoner.
 
That was close but not quite the situation. A few months ago her father had gotten lost in the wood. He had wound up at the castle of a massive beast, a being transformed from a spoiled prince. Belle had found him and agreed to stay forever as his prisoner.
 
But it did not end there. As time went on Belle grew to love the beast, and the beast love Belle. But she loved being a servant to him. And... more than she wanted to admit, and much more than he did at first... she wanted to feed him. It seemed strange but Belle was an odd one after all.
 
But the enchantress was amused. She had come and seen that the beast and Belle were both happy with one another and that the prince had indeed learned how to love. But changing him back to human form was no longer desired. So, she placed a spell on Belle, one that allowed the two to fulfill any desire, even if the beast wanted a feast.
 
That was seven months ago. Since then Belle has been happy with her new life. Some may have seen it as the same as what she might have had with that Gaston, but the truth was this was because she wanted to, not because she was expected to.
 
"Belle.... are you awake?"
 
The Beast. She chuckled as she looked over from where she slept at the massive form of her love and master, smiling with those gleaming fangs. It was a gentle smile though, one she enjoyed seeing.
 
"Wonderful. Please... I need grooming..." he whispered, and Belle began to stroke her master, who moaned as his thick brown fur was made straight and smooth. She loved these little things that she did for her love, almost as much as reading a good book.
 
Which is quite a lot.
 
"Did you sleep well master?" She whispered.
 
"Your here, so of course I did." The Beast responded. He smiled and licked her cheek. "My feet next slave. Massage them, they hurt so."
 
Belle nodded and moved to them, rubbing the pads of his feet and the tips of his toes, cleaning between them carefully as her love panted. He had to hide how ticklish it was, but also just how good it felt. He was after all the master of the house and trying desperately to act as such. But, truth be told, it was only partially an act. While he was no longer what he had been before the curse, he still liked the feeling of being in power. Maybe it was part of his princely upbringing, or maybe his beastly, muscular form. Whatever the reason he liked being dominant.
 
His chuckles brought him back to the present as Belle was finishing cleaning his last paws. She stood up and smiled softly as he looked her over. He felt his belly rumble and Belle chuckled.
 
"Figured it was almost breakfast time." She said. "Should I tell Bouche to start on breakfast?"
 
Beast smiled devilishly. "Perhaps. But not just yet." He stood from his bed, towering over Belle even though he was a little hunched over. A servant, a coat rack, helped to tie his cloak on. "Inform Maestro Fife to prepare for my arrival in the main room."
 
Belle nodded. She went to leave when he put a paw on her. She turned and smiled as he leaned in, feeling her kiss him on the cheek. He then whispered in her ear.
 
"I want YOU for breakfast Belle. Once the music has begun, report to Bouche to be a beautiful meat pie for me."
 
She chuckled and whispered back. "Oh my greedy beast, you had me in a pie last night."
 
He pulled her closer, possessively holding her to him. She gasped in delight as he brought her close and went to kiss her...
 
"Master, tea is ready!" A small, squeaky voice said. Beast growled some at the intrusion and glared in anger at the ruining of the romantic moment, only to hold his tounge as he saw Chip the tea cup with his morning tea.
 
"Thank you." He said between grinding teeth. The teacup, unaware of what he just did, let the master have his tea while Belle headed out to prepare for the day.
 
"Chip, we need to work on when you come in. For example, NOT WHEN I AM ABOUT TO KISS BELLE." Beast ordered, Chip giggling.
 
"Kissing is weird!" He said, Beast facepalming some. To everyone else Beast is commanding and powerful. But to Chip he is more like a grumpy uncle. Beast growled some at Mrs. Potts in the doorway.
 
"More." He ordered. Mrs. Potts swallowed and obeyed.
 
****
 
Down below, the music began to play as the doors of the main chamber opened, one not used in a long time, a massive throne room. Beast strode in, tall and powerful, an awe inspiring figure of a creature, as his servants bowed before him, part as he strode to his throne, lord of the manor, protector of this land.
 
The Beast turned and faced his servants, who gazed in reverence at their lord and master. He smiled proudly at them as he sat.
 
"Coggsworth!" He called. The small clock ran forward and bowed low.
 
"Yes master?" He said nervously.
 
"Belle is to be my breakfast. When he has reformed thanks to the spell, be sure she helps Boruche clean the kitchen. My wife must be able to tend to my home."
 
Coggsworth rolled his eyes at the usual relationship his masters had, but nodded.
 
"And see to it that we are not disturbed by Chip tonight. That little tea cup is going to get into real trouble."
 
"Anything else?" The clock asked.
 
"Yes. Make sure a bath is drawn. Belle is washing me today."
 
Coggsworth sighed and walked out, Lumiere chuckling as he walked with him, the candle holder unable to contain his humor.
 
"Ohhhhhh, shut it." Coggsworth said.
 
"Monsieur, you are taking zis whole zing far to seriously!"
 
"I AM serious. Here I thought we would be back to our human forms with a broken spell and here we are like this?!"
 
Lumiere chuckled more. "Coggsworth, zis is what they want. And honestly, is this so bad?"
 
Coggsworth managed a smile. "It IS nice to not be yelled at for no reason. For there to be order in here."
 
Lumiere and Coggsworth walked into the kitchen, seeing the massive stove working dough over Belles form as she lay in a pie pan.
 
"Although the choice in how they show their love can be a little... unsettling at times." Coggsworth said as Lumiere laughed. Belle glanced over at the two.
 
"Bonjour Coggsworth, Lumiere." She said, Boruche readjusting her so the pie remained in the right form. "Telling me my duties?"
 
Coggsworth nodded. "Master said to clean up from breakfast and to be sure to wash him today for his bath." He sighed. "Honestly, why are you like a servant to him?"
 
"Coggsworth, Monsieur, I am stunned you asked that." Lumiere said, handing Bouche some cinnamon. "She gave herself to him out of love and he trusts her to do what is asked because he loves her."
 
Coggsworth pointed at the pie, now ready to bake. "And... this?"
 
Belle answered that. "Well it's like I am showing him that I belong to him, that I give him all I am."
 
Coggsworth went to argue but couldnt, letting Bouche finish his work. Belle smiled as she was set in the oven to bake for Beasts morning repast.
 
*******
 
Beast made quick work of his pie that morning, carving whole slices and eating them in several bites. He loved the taste of his wife, and Belle pie was his favorite. But all meals come to an end, and when he had eaten the whole pie he started his rounds, making sure every servant was putting their talents to use cleaning and practicing.
 
That included Belle. She reformed in the kitchen, Bouche once again receiving compliments on another meal well done as she set to work cleaning up from the morning meals. As she did Bouche would prepare a simple yet elegant dish of oatmeal, fruits, and juice that she would sit and eat.
 
"In all my years," Bouche said, "I never thought you would be both my master and a key ingredient in my dishes."
 
Belle chuckled. "Well I am not technically your master, just his wife. As for being food for him does it bother you?"
 
Bouche chuckled. "Dear I am a masterwork chef. And you have been a wonderful ingredient. So do not misinterpret what I say, because honestly I find the dishes I make with you magnifique!" He pat her on the head, making her giggle. "Now we best get back to work, I do have lunch to start working on."
 
Belle nodded and began to help with that, for though in their new forms the servants technically didn't need to eat, they did like a treat now and then. And Belle was more than happy to work in the kitchen, because she wanted to, and not because of...
 
She stopped for a moment as she recalled Gaston. Any woman would have wanted to do for him what she does for the beast. Yet she could not stand his bragging, his boorish behaviour, his lack of intelligence... all of which the beast had.
 
How could any woman not be happy in the situation she was now?
 
**********
 
The Beast sat at desk in the library reading for a moment as he waited for Belle to finish. Strong he was, but also smart, so stories interested him. Still some stories he found... curious.
 
"And your saying I should talk to the writers of this story?" He said to Coggsworth, who was smiling a little. "You understand they will misinterpret me, and given how they wrote this Sleeping Beauty...
 
Coggsworth coughed. "That is why it is a fairy tale sir. You see it takes a factual idea and changes enough to make it fantastical."
 
The beast started for a moment until Coggsworth remembered the enchantress.
 
"On second thought... maybe Belle should write the first draft."
 
The beast nodded. "Make sure she has ample tools to do so. And prepare my bath."
 
Coggsworth bowed and went to leave when he finally asked him. "Master... for 10 years we all wanted to be human again. But now when we could have been... you chose to stay this way. So... are you happy master?"
 
The Beast set his book aside and nodded. "Belle makes every day better, and she sees me both as I was and what I am now, finding the best in both areas. And... I finally feel happy after so much anger."
 
Coggsworth finally smiled. "We are all happier master. I'll go make sure the bath is ready."
 
As he went to leave the beast stopped him one last time.
 
"Coggsworth.... thank you. You have been my chief servant all this time and never once have I truly said that to you, and you have served me well all my life. No lord or lady would ever have had better."
 
Coggsworth nodded and walked out, trying desperately to look proud and not cry. But for the prideful clock he could not hide it as a single tear fell from his eyes. He coughed and looked at several statues who turned and looked at him.
 
"As you were!" He ordered, a couple smiling as he went to draw the bath.
 
***
 
"Ohhhhh.... that feels so nice..." the Beast seemed to purr as Belle scrubbed his back. She giggled at how similar it was to washing a pet, but said nothing as she poured water on for the rinse.
 
"Hey! Warn me about that!" He growled.
 
"Well if I did you might move." Belle reminded him as she washed the shoulders. He went to argue but said nothing as there was a knock on the door.
 
"Who is it?" The Beast said.
 
"Mrs. Potts sir! I brought the tray with your night clothes."
 
Belle nodded and showed her in, a coat rack servant bringing in the cart, on which was the teapot and several outfits.
 
"Thank you Mrs. Potts." He said. He went to get up but Belle was washing his front.
 
"I must say master your fur seems to shine these days." Mrs. Potts complimented. The beast chuckled some, Belle helping him out of the tub. "Oh, and Bouche wondered if Belle was joining you for or as dinner tonight?" She winked.
 
Belle chuckled a little at how in almost any other situation that might sound ridiculous, but she must dried the beast and let him decide.
 
"She will dine WITH me." The beast decided. "And have the musicians play our song in the ballroom."
 
Mrs. Potts nodded. "Is it a special occasion sir?"
 
Beast chuckled as he finally stood, Belle drying his fur with a thick towel. "Every day with Belle is special Mrs. Potts."
 
Belle blushed some as she worked, Mrs. Potts going out after leaving a fancier night outfit. The beast looked at her and she at him. She leaned in to kiss him.
 
And this time, shebwas not interrupted.
 
"My wife," he said, "dress in your finest."
 
Belle nodded and left the Beast to dress, the beast chuckling some as he looked back to the tub.
 
"Thanks again Chauster."
 
"Your welcome master." The tub said.
 
*******
 
Dinner that night was exquisite, with fine music and wonderful ambiance in the main room. And when it was done, the beast walked to Belle and asked her to dance. As their song played they did so, the servants looking on, some in happy tears, some with smiles, for even after seven months the weddedn couple seemed to make every day even more romantic for both of them.
 
At last they walked the garden, finally fully alone, the gardens now filled with roses in honor of the enchantress who brought them together. The beast led Belle as they walked, admiring the garden in the moonlight, gazing at the stars.
 
"Beast." Belle finally said. "I love you."
 
The Beast looked her in the eye. "And I you. I may have you as my servant but you are alsocmy wife. And nothing can ever change that." He pulled her close and seemed to wrap her in his form, surrounding her in a strong hug. She relaxed into it, wholly his, the moon shining down on them both.
 
Now we pull away from this sight, to leave them to have a happy night. And while none may fully know if they truly would live happily ever after, they sure must have come close. May you remember the lesson of the beast and the beauty, on how special each kind of love truly is.
 
THE END.