Before we begin, this is the second Belle diary entry in our Storybook Chronicles series — where Belle shares her private thoughts just before her life begins to change.
Belle’s Diary – Entry Two: Papa’s Packing for the Fair
Dear Diary,
Papa’s heading off to the fair tomorrow. He’s bringing his newest invention — the wood-chopper — and he’s convinced it’s finally going to win a prize. I told him I believe in him. I do. But something in my stomach knots up every time he packs for a trip. I always worry.
He let me help him oil the gears today. Grease on my hands, sunlight in the barn, laughter bouncing between us… it was a good moment. I wish we had more of those.
Gaston came by again. He brought flowers. Not wild ones — no — a bouquet so perfect it might’ve come from the florist in town. But he didn’t ask what I was reading. Or what I was thinking. Just… talked about himself. And hunting. And our “future.”
I pretended not to hear.
I can’t explain it, but the world feels restless. Like something’s just over the horizon.
Until tomorrow, Belle
