Beauty X Beast ~ Six!

Swaying on her feet, Danielle nodded several times. “So there's nothing I can do to save him?”

“As I told you before, I'm a merciful man.” Gasteel opened his arms once more, though this time only half as far as before, leaving him in a slightly guarded position. “Were you to become my wife, both of our desires would be fulfilled. I certainly wouldn't accrue demerits for having my wife help me recruit people, and no one would think twice about my father-in-law being confined to my estate. In fact, no one would think of him at all. He could simply live comfortably, making toys for our children, away from people who look at him with disgust for his accent or his clicking imitation of a leg.”

Before another word could be said, Henri himself stepped out of the tavern, visible only for a brief moment before a guard roughly yanked him back inside. Still, in that short span, he managed to shout a single somewhat-garbled sentence. “Don’t worry about me, go live-!”

“Who was supposed to be keeping an eye on him?” Gasteel’s shout echoed twice in the square, and his face was flushed with anger. After a moment, he managed to get himself under control and turned back toward Danielle, his eyes cold. “So, what’ll it be?”

Danielle looked at the doorway where her father had appeared, feeling her resolve firm up. There was absolutely no chance of her abandoning her father. But… she was also certain the baron didn't particularly care about her father. Knowing allowing her true thoughts to show would remove all her power in the situation, the Enchantress shrugged and put on a sad expression. “He never speaks without being absolutely certain of what he's saying. So… goodbye, Father. I love you. Baron Gasteel… I choose freedom.”

With only the paltry amount of supplies she was still carrying in her bags, Danielle turned on her heel and began walking. The townsfolk got out of her way as she moved, as if brushing against her would transfer the baron’s ire to them. The path she chose was the shortest distance needed for leaving Frontière, and she was determined to walk the route she and her father had decided on that very morning.

Still, before she could fully commit to her actions, Gasteel spoke up once more, seeking a way to regain control of the situation. “While I love to see how steadfastly you will follow through on your choices, I wouldn't want to be the cause for such a beautiful face to have tears running down it. Wait, wait. Hear me out. You want your father's freedom…? Let me offer you a deal.”

Danielle's steps slowed, and after a heartbeat of hesitation, she turned and faced him. “What kind of deal?”

Gasteel’s eyes gleamed with interest as he strode across the town square, coming to a stop only when he was looming above her. Danielle’s heart pounded harder with each step he took, gut churning with fear, wondering if this was how a deer would feel as this hunter closed in on them. 

“The deal is rather simple, Belle. All I need you to do is prove your, and your father's, loyalty to Verdelune. You know… the kingdom that has kept you safe, fed, and supplied with all manner of toy making materials? Simply travel to the estate of the Artificer Comte LeKrout and convince him to join in the upcoming war effort. Of course, he's been resistant to all attempts at recruitment thus far, but with your talents… perhaps you can figure something out.”

“If you succeed, I’ll release your father and swear to leave both of you alone. Frankly, all I want is the opportunity for advancement. You give me the Comte, I'll be far too busy unwrapping all the gifts the king piles on me to bother with you a moment longer. Yet, if you fail…” Gasteel’s eyes traced her figure, the tip of his tongue poking out of the left corner of his mouth for a moment, continuing as though forcing himself to make a concession. “You'll have to prove your loyalty to the kingdom by joining me and becoming a noble wife and therefore above reproach.”

Danielle felt as though the air around her was pressing in, the weight of Gasteel’s words hanging heavily on her. At the same time, her mind was racing with interest at the deal she was being offered. 

An Artificer was an incredibly magically potent, exceedingly dangerous version of a Tinkerer. Over the years, her father had spoken of the class with all caution, strangely enough a bit of fear, and not a small amount of longing. As far as she was aware, the only way to achieve such a class was to have all the qualifications of an engineer, runesmith, and logician before they unlocked their Full Class. Even so, there was no guarantee the system would assign the class.

Her momentary pause for consideration was taken as hesitation, and Gasteel reached forward to offer his hand. “Why don't you put this aside and just come with me? It’ll be a wonderful, relaxing life. You won't have to do anything except enjoy yourself!”

“Can I have a few minutes to think about this?” Danielle gracefully dodged away from the grasping hand.

Gasteel frowned deeply, his hesitation to allow her to slip away written clearly on his face. After a moment, his desire for personal accolades seemed to barely win out, and he eased back and straightened up. “Fine. No more than ten minutes.”

Danielle nodded sharply, turning and walking back to the town square, going from the gravel path to cobblestone in only a half-dozen steps. There, she was faced with a wall of bodies blocking her from going any further. “Excuse me, I need to go talk to-”

“There's no one who's going to tell you anything different, lass,” The town blacksmith crossed his arms and grumbled at her, “You don't fight the weather, and you don't go against nobility. As for him? He's a force of nature. You got hit by lightning; just accept your fate.”

Before the Enchantress could say a word in her defense, one of the village women smacked the blacksmith on the arm, though she was furiously scowling at Danielle. “You say that like it's a bad thing! You stuck up, little-! Do you have any idea how many of us would kill for the chance you're trying to throw away? Marrying a baron? As a peasant? We all saw you throw yourself at him, riding his horse into town! He offered to do the honorable thing and marry you, and now you’re using that as a way to get extra attention?”

“She's always been too good for this town,” a young man who had just signed on as a Greenhorn piped up. “Strutting around, thinking she's something special because she has a pretty face! What else are you waiting for? You've already got a baron on the hook; are you waiting for the king?”

“Well, here's a news flash, the king’s already married!”

“That's never stopped the men in this town from proposing to her, anyway.” The last comment wasn't pitched to carry, yet somehow everyone seemed to hear it, and practically everyone started laughing.

An old woman with hard eyes stepped forward, barely able to be heard above the now-riotous crowd. “You clearly haven't thought this through, girl. He's powerful. Not only is he incredibly strong on his own, that man has the ear of the king. He's got strength physically and politically, and I know his type. He's willing to use it to get what he wants, and nothing is going to stand in his way. The longer you fight it, the more people are going to get hurt. Is that what you want? Are you willing to ask us to help you, knowing we will be punished for it?”

The crowd had gone quiet sometime during her rant, and their mood rapidly shifted. Instead of laughing or mocking the Enchantress, all eyes in the area swiftly turned cold as they glared at her. After a long moment, the old woman sneered and leaned in close, her voice rising so everyone would hear what she had to say. “My grandson is a conscript because of you. Now you're trapped, just like the rest of us. You know what? I'm glad. You've had it too easy for too long. It's about time you get a taste of real life.”

Danielle took an involuntary step back, away from the white-hot hatred emanating from the old woman. “How could that possibly be my fault?”

A few hands reached out and pulled the crone back as she shouted at Danielle, her words unintelligible over the rising voices of the crowd—all of whom were telling the Enchantress to just get on with it, to go marry the baron so she could secure better treatment for their children, who had just been forced into service. For a few moments, she only stared at them, slack-jawed, but quickly her mouth closed, and her lips pressed into a firm line. Her hands were trembling with anger, so she balled them up into fists. 

“Years of trying to be polite, to be kind, to help the town thrive. Making toys, helping beauty-obsessed women have smooth skin and wrinkle-free faces.” Danielle shook her head and turned back toward the baron. “I'm done with this place. I will never go out of my way for you. Not again.”

She stomped closer to Gasteel, who had been watching the entire situation with amusement shining in his eyes. Danielle spoke in a calm voice. “As much as I despise the idea of manipulating someone into joining a war they want no part of, you said he's already a Comte. If he’s a nobleman of Verdelune, I have no idea how he's able to refuse service to the crown, but that's his duty. He’s already made his choice. I can go and make sure he reports for duty, so long as my father and I will be left alone.”

“That's not good enough.” Gasteel flashed a smile someone else may have considered charming. “The Artificer ‘reporting for duty’ isn't what I want out of this. He needs to report for wartime duty under my banner!”

“I’ll get it done,” Danielle replied woodenly.

“Why don't you just listen to these nice people? They make some very compelling points.” Gasteel gnashed his teeth in frustration, barely managing to hide a scowl behind a smile for the crowd staring at their interaction. “Let's get you to-”

“On one condition.” Danielle firmly stated, breathing deeply to remain calm while facing down a man who could pick her up and snap her like a twig. “Our agreement must be written, and both of us must sign.”

Now it was Gasteel’s turn to take a few deep breaths, attempting to rein in his anger at her impertinence. His scowl deepened, and he leaned forward, opening his mouth and shouting into her face—though he wasn’t speaking to her. “Lefroupe! Sharpen your quill; we have an agreement to sign.”

He began stalking away, and Danielle followed after a heartbeat of hesitation. Gasteel moved in a straight line to the door of the tavern, with the locals practically throwing themselves out of his way. Some of them called out to her, but Danielle refused to acknowledge them.

As soon as they stepped inside, Danielle cast her gaze around the room, seeking out her father. Henri was seated at a table, a dark bruise spreading across the left side of his face. He met her eyes, his own going wide as he started shaking his head. “Danielle! What are you doing? Leave while you have the chance!”

“Quiet down, old man,” Gasteel snarled at his prospective father-in-law. “If you get in the way of this deal, I'll move your execution up to tomorrow.”

Lefroupe watched the interaction with a concerned frown on his face, turning to look at Danielle with guilty eyes. Taking a deep breath, the scribe sat himself down and began scribbling on a piece of parchment as the baron laid out the deal they had struck. 

For the next few minutes, as the tension in the room continued to increase, with Gasteel tapping his foot and squeezing his arms in agitation, the only sound to be heard was the scratching of the quill and the labored breathing of the tinkerer. It was easy to tell his nose was broken, and it hurt Danielle to realize that she couldn't do anything about his poor treatment. 

A short while later, Lefroupe pulled out a pinch of sand and sprinkled it across the document, gently blowing on the ink to dry it. With a flourish, he presented the contract to Gasteel and stepped back. “That’ll be all, Lefroupe. Clear the room; I want only my future family in here for this conversation.”

“Baron, is it wise to-” Lefroupe stopped talking as Gasteel sent him a glare that landed like a physical blow. “Of course, a man of your stature has nothing to fear from these locals. I'll… be outside.”

As soon as they had privacy, Gasteel turned on Danielle and let out a long, slow breath. “If you ever embarrass me like that again, our marriage will have a rocky beginning. I'm a man of ambition, and you are someone who can help me achieve status in a way I cannot do on my own. The moment, the very moment we are wed, you’ll be sent to the palace, meet the queen, and pay your respects.” 

He swallowed a few times, barely managing to hold back his violent reaction to her disrespect. “In other words, you’ll go there and be giving her everything your skills can offer. Beauty, youth, everything. She will want you closer, which will necessitate my rising through the noble ranks. But, if I can't trust you to act properly, I’ll need to make sure I can.”

Completely uncertain as to where this was going, Danielle sang out with the first thing that came to mind. “Put it in the contract!”

“To that end, I’m going to show you what happens to-” Gasteel paused mid-sentence, his hand reaching toward Henri, pausing in the air and hovering there while he processed what Danielle had offered. “That’s… yes… a good idea. Let's keep everything nice and legal. Your father already has practice getting around without one of his limbs; he would have probably adapted quickly, anyway.”

“What?”

“What?” Gasteel brushed his shirt off unnecessarily, waving at the document on the table. “Tell me what you propose.” 

“Why don't you tell me what you'd like to see in there, and I'll make it happen?” Danielle carefully stepped over to the seat Lefroupe had vacated, reaching for his quill and dipping it in the ink. She looked up at Gasteel, gulping at the smile playing about his lips.

“Good, this is much better. I speak, you listen.” He pondered for a moment, “When you are my wife, you will do nothing to embarrass me. You will work to further my ambition and do your best to be a good steward of our assets and reputation. After all, this will affect your life directly.”

Ever so carefully, Danielle added the words he had spoken to the document. After a momentary pause, she went up a little higher and put a line of ink through a sentence written by Lefroupe. “Both of us need to initial here, next to where I… underlined this clause, then sign at the bottom.”

“First, read it back to me,” Gasteel demanded instead of moving to sign. “Start here, then go to the sentence, then the last one, then read it from the beginning.”

She did so, and he tested it once more, even going so far as to furrow his brow and pick apart the words on his own. Eventually, Gasteel was satisfied that it had been changed as he directed and motioned for Danielle to sign first. Then he did the same, followed by melting a blob of wax and dipping his signet ring into it. The parchment flashed with the light of the system for a moment then rolled itself up.

At the same moment, Danielle felt a warm glow spread across the inside of her left arm. She winced slightly but casually slid her limb below the table, doing her best to be inconspicuous. Even without looking, she knew that feeling: one of her skills had increased in level and potency. The Enchantress could only hope the increased power wouldn't catch Gasteel’s attention or cause him to go back on his word, but luckily, his full attention was on the scroll. 

“There we go.” Gasteel was all smiles now that he’d gotten what he wanted, so offered a hand to Danielle. As they shook, his smile turned charming once more. “It's a pleasure dealing with someone who knows what they want. Now, let's go convince a war criminal under house arrest to activate his murder machines once more.”

“What?”

“Danielle… I told you to leave while you had the chance.” Henri let out a long sigh as he sagged in his seat, his head dropping to the table. “What did you agree to do?”

“Nothing much, old man!” Gasteel cheerfully slapped his hand on the table, scooping up the scroll and carelessly stuffing it in a belt pouch. “She's either going to convince Comte LeKrout to reactivate his metal soldiers or become my wife. Either way, a victory for House Leiter! More power will be mine, either in combat or among the peerage. Soon, I’ll have the strength to strongarm my detractors into silence… and I’ll use it!”

“You… you’re trying to get that beast back on the battlefield?” Henri sucked in a breath, his eyes darting over to his daughter. “Danielle, you can't!”

“Now wait just one moment…!” Gasteel stated threateningly, turning on the brunette. “Your name is Danielle? I thought it was Belle. No, never mind. I'm sure you won't mind me calling you Belle. You must be used to it by now; everyone seems to know you by that name.”

“If your only options are to get the System-forsaken Battle Beast back into service or marrying this man… please let me be the first to congratulate you on your nuptials,” Henri stated with no small amount of desperation. “You recall the war which ended barely ten years ago? The one which nearly doubled the size of our kingdom?”

Almost unconsciously, the Tinkerer’s hand dropped to his leg, and he let out a soft grunt as his fingers trailed over the homemade limb. “The Artificer-made metal soldiers were the only reason they managed to push through three kingdoms at once and hold the land they captured. No one knows why he deactivated his creations and refused to make more, but they can't be allowed to slaughter people like they did before.”

“Please, trust me.” Danielle could only shake her head at her father, hoping she was making the right decision. “I'll figure something out; I just need time.”

“For your sake, for all our sakes…” Henri replied in a defeated tone as Gasteel ushered her out of the tavern. “…I hope you’re right.”