Belle couldn't sleep. After fighting with Adam all she could think about was what she had said to him. Nearing the verge of tears she sat up in her queen sized bed, pulling her knees up so her chin could rest on them.

How could I ever adapt to this life?

Although she loved Adam more than anyone, she had never truly felt welcome after the curse had been broken.

It was as though she were a different type of outcast in comparison to how she had been viewed in the village. Adam had tried hard to understand ( for which she was truly grateful for ) but yet Belle knew that he didn't. It was what they had been fighting about. To even recall the memories now made Belle's heart ache.

Giving up on trying to sleep, Belle decided to read - until she saw that her current book was a romance.

Why out of all the thousands of books in the library did I choose this?

Setting the book down again on the bedside table, Belle slowly made her way over to the window. It was a warm June night - exactly a year since she had first step foot into the castle. She smiled at the thought of the snow that had once fallen. Even though it had been a prison, she had always felt at home in the palace. No one judged her for reading or inventing - they welcomed it.

But it had soon changed after Adam had become human again. He had had to return to his official duties, meaning Belle had less chances of seeing him. He had become so preoccupied with affairs of the kingdom that it seemed like he had become an entirely new person. Although she loved her husband dearly, Belle had become frustrated.

This had only grown when she had met dignitaries from around the world. Although she was now a princess, she had to conform to the rules - which she bitterly detested. She had no common interests with the Ladies and often excused herself to hide in the library or with the servants ( but even they treated her differently ).

As Belle stared out into the darkness, she silently wished to escape this new world she lived in. It made her sick to the stomach at the thought that she would have ever wanted to leave the home and family that she loved so dearly. A single tear ran down her cheek and onto the window sill below. Pulling her robe tight around her, she walked slowly back to bed.

Things will look better in the morning.

Little did she know the enchantress was listening to that plea ...