This is another AU Beauty and the Beast story. "A Freedom of Choice" will be updated soon but I am having trouble writing Chapter 12. I promise after that next chapter some of the updates will be quicker as I have written the next three chapters after 12.

Now, about this story, because Belle is a very well educated person, I thought her mother must have been from nobility as her father was most certainly a commoner. In this AU, Belle's mother does not die and the Enchantress never puts the curse on the young prince. Belle's background for this story is the same as the idea underlying her character in "A Freedom of Choice" and that story will make references to parts of this story.

I did some research on the history of France and this chapter is set in 1822. Belle was born in 1814 and the prince, who will be named Henri, was born in 1812. The main reason for this time setting is that Belle made a brief appearance in Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame during the song "Out There." The novel was set in 1482 but published in 1831. One of my friends and I started to dissect Disney movies as a joke conversation and it turned out some interesting theories and out of that conversation, we estimated Belle was seventeen and the burning of Paris is what convinced Maurice and Belle to leave the city moving into the small provincial town.

I know that this first chapter may be boring and I apologize for the long introduction. I hope you will enjoy this story as I am treading into new territory. Please review and submit suggestions like if I got some of the history of the French departments wrong or other ideas for the story.

There are references to the parents or grandparents of certain characters from two very popular Broadway/West End musicals that take place in France and are based on books. I want to see if anyone can guess them.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beauty and the Beast and very few of the characters are of my own creation.

Lady Cecil Toussaint prepared her daughter in a lovely dress for the party that was to be given by Lady Moncharmin this evening. Many people from nobility were to attend, including the Comte de Chagny, whom every woman wanted to notice her daughter as the Comte's son just became of the marrying age. There was also supposed to be a surprise guest that no one, save for Lady Moncharmin, knew who the person was.

Lady Toussaint knew that her daughter at the age of eight was too young for the Comte's son, but she hoped that her daughter would be accepted as part of the noble class despite her standing. Her father, Lord Toussaint, had gambled away most of the fortune that is associated with nobility. Strangely enough, she met a peasant who worked as a carpenter and blacksmith falling in love with him. Not many men of the noble class wanted to touch her due to her father's reputation, so she managed to convince her father that she should marry a peasant in order to save whatever of the fortune was left. Therefore, she was allowed to marry Maurice Avisé.

Her friends felt sympathy for her, so they still invited her to all their functions, but her husband was rarely extended an invitation as well. However, Maurice encouraged her to still be a part of her original world and not worry about him. Besides, with the small part of the Toussaint fortune that was left, Maurice no longer had to work as carpenter and blacksmith, and spent his time mostly inventing things that would hopefully have value in the new Industrial Revolutionary world. Cecil loved watching her husband with his inventions. One of her favorite ones was the viewer in which she could see who was on the opposite side of the door.

When their daughter, Belle, was born, Maurice encouraged Cecil more than ever to take part in her world because he knew Belle had the chance for a better life. Cecil had to agree with him. Belle was a highly intelligent child, even more intelligent than she was. At the age of eight, her education level was what a girl would learn at the age of twelve. She was all ready fluent in her Italian and Spanish as well as her native French. She was beginning English and German. It was as though Belle knew where her place would be if she did not receive this education, although Cecil and Maurice did not tell her about her family's differences.

While Belle acted more like the noble class in her mannerisms and the way she spoke, she was not a snob. She ran errands for the elderly neighbors who lived above the Avisés' apartment, played with the peasant children who were around her age, and even taught some of her friends what she learned from her education.

Cecil was brushing Belle's hair in the main bedroom hoping to get her ready before the Pontmercys arrived. Belle was a very observant child and wanted some things clarified before the party.

Belle asked, "Mama, am I part of the noble class or the peasant class?"

Cecil was surprised and stopped brushing Belle's hair, "Wherever did you get those ideas?"

Belle answered, "I know you're nobility and Papa is a peasant. What am I?"

Cecil continued brushing Belle's hair. "Your papa and I wish for you to be part of the nobles."

Belle continued to be inquisitive, "Does that mean I can choose?"

Cecil was taken aback. "Well, of course, you do have a choice. Now, why are you asking such questions?"

"I heard you telling Papa that all the women want the Comte to notice their daughters and one day, I would need to be noticed too."

Cecil sighed, "You were supposed to be asleep, Young Lady."

"I know, Mama, but I only read fifty pages that day and the book was becoming very interesting. I could not help that you were speaking outside my room." Belle threw up her hands in surrender.

Cecil could not help but smile in response. "Well, your hair is ready for the party. Come over to the bed and we'll talk."

They sat on Belle's bed and Belle looked expectantly at her mother. Cecil looked lovingly at her. "This is a conversation I hoped to have in a few years, but yes, you do have the choice of living as a noble or a peasant depending on a marriage. Your father and I think you'll be happier as part of the noble class since as a peasant, you and your husband will have to work hard. Our money won't last forever."

"But the peasants are more fun than the stuffy nobles."

Cecil hid a giggle, "Yes, right now, but when they grow up, they'll have to work. If you decide to be a part of the peasant world, you'll not be able to read as much as you can now."

Belle sighed, "All right, Mama, I understand."

Cecil kissed her daughter on the head and said, "I'll see you in the kitchen in five minutes." She left the room.

Despite the lessons and this recent talk, Belle was still torn between the two worlds because she loved her parents and wanted to please them, but she wanted to be happy when she grew up. She knew her father agreed with and encouraged her mother to teach her to fit in with the noble class, but she learned from the history books that a marriage for her would be arranged if she decided that way. Peasants seemed like they could do whatever they wanted in terms of marriage. Belle started reading books she was not sure if her mother would approve of since they had a romantic nature. She started to read a book in English entitled Pride and Prejudice, which was difficult since she was new to the language, but the ending she understood enough.

Besides, sometimes Belle thought that she did not want to marry ever. If that were the case, she would never have an arranged marriage and she would not be considered inferior to her husband like she saw in most marriages, including peasant ones. She did not wish for a marriage like her parents either. She wanted to be an equal to her husband, not have a greater standing like in her parents' marriage and not be a servant to him like others. However, she never saw a marriage like that, so she would rather not be married at all, thank you very much. Of course, she was a practical child and knew her beliefs about marriage might change in later years.

Belle knew she had many years before she had to worry about being a grown up and marriage anyway, so she stood up and went into the kitchen.

Maurice was surprised at how observant Belle was. "She overheard everything?"

Cecil responded, "Yes, and we did talk, but she only sees what each family wants the outside world to see."

Maurice did walk up close to Cecil, "You know I want what's best for her?"

Cecil nodded, "Of course, Maurice, but sometimes I wonder if you go along with everything I do because you feel sorry for my position."

Maurice chuckled, "Never, Cecil. I'm not a part of that world, I know, but Belle can be and she'll be better off. I love you, Cecil, and I've never envied you nor pitied you."

Cecil felt guilty, "Maurice, I know I don't show you much affection and I rarely express my appreciation for you allowing me to be present in my world, but –"

Maurice kissed his wife, "I know, Cecil. At least that's one thing our daughter has not learned – to hide her feelings. While you learned to mask your feelings, you've never learned to hide your eyes." Cecil had the most expressive hazel eyes that Belle inherited and for that, he would always be thankful for his family.

Cecil smiled lovingly at her husband. They heard Belle walk into the room with her slightly high-heeled shoes, but Cecil did not push away as she did sometimes. Belle smiled when she saw her parents together openly.

Belle made a slight curtsy at her father, "I'm ready."

Maurice moved toward his daughter, "I can see and how lovely you are."

Belle giggled. Maurice gave his daughter a hug. "Now, my two best girls will have a good time tonight and be the bells of the ball."

Belle hugged him, "Of course, Papa."

Cecil came up behind them, "Wait until she's older."

Maurice stood up straight and looked at his wife. He said in an undertone, "While I want her to be educated, she shouldn't grow up too fast."

Cecil nodded at him, "Don't worry, Maurice, she'll be fine."

The sounds of a carriage pulling up in the square outside the building could be heard.

Belle said, jumping, "They're here!"

Cecil smiled at her, "Yes, Belle, so we better leave."

Belle jumped into her father's arms again, "Goodnight, Papa. I'll miss you."

Maurice responded, "Goodnight, Belle, have a good time."

Cecil then said, "We'll be home in the morning, Dear."

There was a knock on the door. The Pontmercys' groom announced the carriage's arrival. Belle and Cecil walked out the door with a final glance at Maurice.

The carriage ride took ten minutes to get to the current Paris Opera house. Each guest was announced as he or she arrived.

"Colonel and Baroness Pontmercy."

The couple walked down the staircase.

"Lady Toussaint and Mistress Belle."

Cecil held a straight posture and Belle followed in step with her mother.

They walked down the aisle halfway and then joined the crowd. Some people on the sidelines whispered to each other with gossip about the Toussaints, but Cecil did not pay attention. There was nothing new about her family that would attract attention.

For half an hour while waiting for the hostess to arrive, Lady Toussaint mingled with the other guests and introduced her daughter to the many people she could not remember from the last party or did not know. Belle tried very hard to remember them, but sometimes, they were difficult to understand as they spoke. However, Belle's politeness and the way she spoke about current events, despite her young age, impressed the nobility greatly.

Finally, the trumpets sounded everyone cleared the aisle awaiting the arrival of Lady Moncharmin and whoever the guest of honor was.

The doors at the top of the staircase opened. An older woman in her sixties and a man in his forties with dark facial hair and wearing robes that symbolized royalty appeared in the doorway.

"Lady Moncharmin presents the guest of honor, His Majesty King Andre Pierre Alexander Cartier of the Department Oise in the Region of Picardy."

Everyone in the front of the crowd was silent, but the people standing in the back were whispering about the surprise guest. Belle was accidentally pushed to the front in the chaos of getting the aisle ready for the arrivals, but she was happy to see a real king in person.

She remembered reading about the French Revolution and its ramifications on the noble and royal classes. The Picardy region was one of the few French regions that did not lose the minor royal families since those rulers were very nice to their people. The people from the neighboring villages protected the royals from the rebels. Belle thought about how interesting it was that the Revolution was a little over thirty years ago, even before her mother was born. It was rumored that during the Revolution was when her grandfather gambled the money so they were insignificant when the rebels wanted to behead the nobles, although most of the other families attending here escaped to other regions.

Lady Moncharmin and the king descended the staircase slowly and very regally in Belle's opinion.

As they walked by the people, each group bowed or curtsied. Belle curtsied as the king went by and he watched her with interest as she was the only child at the frontlines. She did not notice.

Finally, Lady Moncharmin and King Pierre reached the platform that included a throne-like chair. The musicians started the music and people moved to the dance floor to a waltz. Belle was tapped on the shoulder and she turned. The seventeen-year-old future Comte de Chagny asked her to dance. Because they had known each other for years, she agreed.

All the mothers with their teenaged daughters stood with jealousy on the sidelines.

For Belle and her partner, it was fun to see their reactions, even though their dance was awkward.

Philbert de Chagny stated, "I guess every woman is trying for my father's attention."

Belle responded with a smile, "I think if the king was not present, you and your father would be the most honored people in the room."

Philbert bent down a little closer, "This whole thing has been madness since I turned seventeen. The only reason my father did not arrange a marriage is that growing up I was, in his words, a 'walking disaster.'"

"Well, I do remember a fourteen-year-old boy bowing and when he stood up, his hand slammed into a maître d' causing him to walk around bent over."

Philbert rolled his eyes, "Will I ever live that down?"

Belle replied, "Don't worry, after tonight, you shall be engaged, married within a year, and never have to see brainless children of other nobles again."

"You're not brainless, although those girls on the sidelines may fit that description."

Belle looked over at them, "Well, I hope not all as one of them will be your future bride."

Philbert asked, "Belle, if you were old enough, would you accept a proposal from me?"

Belle was taken aback, "Philbert, you have been a good friend to me and are helping me get noticed, but if we were closer in age, I doubt you would have had anything to do with me because of my father and your parents' thoughts."

"You may be correct in that assumption."

The dance stopped. Before Belle went to the sidelines, she quickly said, "Philbert, don't worry about it. You might be better off with a brainless noblewoman anyway. I have too much of my own mind."

Philbert took Belle's hand and kissed it, "Thank you, Mademoiselle. Au revoir, Belle."

"Au revoir."

Meanwhile, during the dance, the king watched Belle very carefully and thought she carried herself quite well despite the awkwardness of the women and the difference in her and her partner's heights.

He turned to Lady Moncharmin, "Who was that child dancing with the young man?"

Lady Moncharmin was surprised, "Oh, that is the daughter of Lady Toussaint."

King Pierre turned back to the girl and watched her on the sidelines, "So she is of nobility with a title."

Lady Moncharmin started to feel nervous at the way the king was watching Belle, "Half nobility. Lady Toussaint's father gambled most of the fortune away and so his daughter had to marry a peasant. The child is the result of the ill-matched union."

King Pierre stroked his beard, "She holds herself quite well and at such a young age. I wish to speak with Lady Toussaint and her daughter immediately."

Lady Moncharmin gasped, "But, Your Majesty, are you sure when you know of her heritage?"

"I am quite sure. Call them now."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A waiter found Lady Toussaint and gave her the message. She then walked over to where her daughter was.

"Belle?"

Belle turned towards her mother. "Yes, Mama."

"We are to be presented to the king of Oise."

Belle was in shock, "Me too?"

Cecil nodded, "Yes, come with me."

Belle took her mother's hand and walked over to platform where the king and Lady Moncharmin were seated. When they arrived before the platform, Lady Moncharmin stood as Belle and Cecil curtsied.

Lady Moncharmin announced, "Your Majesty, may I present Lady Toussaint and her daughter, Mademoiselle Belle."

King Pierre said, "Yes, you ladies may rise." Belle and her mother straightened up. He then gestured for Belle to come forward and her mother lightly tapped her on the back.

Belle walked in front of the king.

He asked, "What is your name, Child?"

"Belle Avisé, Your Majesty."

"Your age?"

"I have eight years."

King Pierre stroked his beard again, "I see. Tell me about your education."

Belle squirmed a little, "I can speak Spanish and Italian."

"Fluently?"

"Yes, and I am beginning to learn English and German."

King Pierre nodded. "Thank you, Lady Belle, you're dismissed."

Belle looked over at her mother and Cecil made a gesture for her daughter to go. Belle quickly curtsied at the king and left.

Lady Toussaint walked up to the king. He then asked her, "Is it true that the child is half-commoner?"

Cecil tried to keep her flinch unnoticeable, "Yes, Your Majesty."

King Pierre spoke to himself, "If I had not seen her for myself, I never would have considered…"

He then spoke to Lady Toussaint, "Could you come to my home in three weeks' time to discuss your daughter's future?"

Cecil was in shock, "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, I understand. My nephew is ten years old, the heir to the department. He shall take over when he comes of age. I need to make sure the line continues and t'is time I made arrangements for his marriage. Your daughter may be the betrothed."

Lady Toussaint looked at her daughter in a corner. Marriage to a prince, the actual heir no less, was far beyond anything she could have hoped for her daughter and Maurice would certainly approve this for Belle's future. "Of course, Your Majesty, I shall arrive in three weeks' time."

The king dismissed Lady Toussaint and she left with her thoughts in disarray. She did not want to arrange a marriage for Belle, but the offer of a prince was too much to pass. She decided not to tell Belle until her meeting with the king.

By the end of the night, Philbert de Chagny was engaged to the daughter of de Moerogis de la Martynière. Belle never saw her friend again after that night and forgot about him in time. Her life was about to become more chaotic than she ever wanted.