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Dance #2: Future Duke Orpheus
Belle’s brow knitted into a subtle but unmistakable frown at Orpheus audacity. . Flirting with her. Belle quite disliked such things- the lingering gazes, the proximity of a man’s presence next to her, the mentioning of marriage and much more was something that had the power to grate on her nerves like an unrelenting itch.
Belle had little patience for the whimsical games of romantic attraction. The very notion of men attempting to woo her, whether through honeyed words or anything, even as a jest, often triggered a reflective eye roll or a scorn. Additionally she did not like to be near people who saw her through romantic lenses or she did not like being around most people in general but there was an exception. Lord Francis, with his endearing speech was one such exception. She pitied him growing up, after all he was quite pitiful, Belle had never seen a more pitful noble than him. With his friendless nature due to something he could not control, his nervous behavior- always seemed to be on edge. Belle could not help but to pity him and let him be around her, be the ‘friend’ he never had. Did she consider him a friend as he did her? That was up for interpretations but she did not mind him. She did not mind him though she knew he held her in romantic light even now that they had grown up, as long as he did not directly tell Belle of such feelings- acted on them then she was fine with even though it was as obvious as day.
She hoped though it will pass with time, because she cannot believe herself saying this, but she does not wish to hurt his kind heart with rejection. But hopefully it does, after all time does change much and Frncis has evolved from a pitiable figure into something more promising. It made her quite proud for him
“Hilarious,” Belle said rolling her eyes, “Besides you donot need to worry about me ever losing my position as ‘duchess’, i’ll forever be that as my heart will never be swayed and certaintly not by you so do drop the teasing Orpheus,” She leaned in closer to him, “You do not wish for me to step on your feet on purpose do you?” She whispered, there was a low timbre to her voice. Each words said slowly so that each syllable rang and her voice low to send goosebumps as she pulled away, a small smile on her face that did not meet her eyes. He could try that nonesense with anyone else, even with Josephine even though she was married and she knew they were just friends, but he should leave her out of the equation.
Orpheus Langston was trully frustrating, and Belle disliked herself for letting herself dance with him just because she was curious. Then again he was drunk, perhaps he shall forget this dance, perhaps not but hopefully he does and forgets that Belle was ever not so cold with him. She wanted him to always think of her as cold, it was fun that way, adds more to her reputation.
She noticed an expression that Orpheus made and Belle hoped he did not plan to puke on her. Being around those who were intoxicated was truly not fun especially considering there was a chance for things to go south. Though, she also could not help worrying for him, he did look a little down, nothing like the Orpheus she was used to knowing and having a distaste for. That feeling of worry disappeared as soon as he came as orpheus brushed off her question- was it truly that hard for him to answer a question without wanting something else? “I’m everything but little,” Belle corrected, because truhtfully she was not- she was tall for a lady her age and in this place. Most women were 5’3 or lower and Belle was around 5’9. “And why do you always require something in return? Can’t you just be a gentleman?” Belle asked, "It would be a scandal, Belle being Belle, one who did not do much of what society asked for ladies to do, was used to scandals but definitely not one such like this and she did not want one like this. But… Belle was curious. She hated that about herself, why was she so curious? People’s business was not her’s and yet she always found a way to make it her’s. “I’m not that curious… I, Fine” Belle sighed, letting Orpheus pull her into another dance.
@DandelionKate
@benitz786 - francis (mentioned)