When he had identified her as mademoiselle Fleur, Belle’s lips curved into a smile, “Bravo! You are quite right, Belle Rose Fleur. I am a good friend of your sister, it is a wonder I have not seen you,” Then again was it truly? Belle paid a lot of attention to detail of course- but she always just stuck close to people she considered friends. Telling them there is a no need- if a friend wished to introduce her to their sibling, or not really being bothered with most things except her studies or reading for fun. “International connections,” Belle said, “The fleur family is here to strengthen international ties with england, especially since things have been quite tight.” Belle said referring to the tight political situation going on recently. The fleur family had a lot of influence and close allies internationally and thus the French monarchy thought it would be a good idea if their second daughter debuts as a tribute to the Queen of England- to show them that France does not wish for war nor trouble. Though, with stalling her parent’s coming… It possible raised a lot of brows and suspections. A lot of miscommunication that her parents will handle-and settle. “My being here is a tribute,” She confessed for no reason in particular that it was not really much of a secret and she wanted to see his reaction, because studying people interested her, “My elder sister debuted in France because she’s the oldest and her loyalty is to france, I debuted in England because my loyalty is to France and I have to show good international relationship with the English monarchy.” Though with Thomas being friends with Magnus, you would have already thought that the Fleur family already showed good relationship with the british monarchy. Did she really have to do this? Belle would have preferred to not debut at all or at least till she was 20, but if she had to debut, she would rather France. She could get away with a lot in France because it was expected of her, the queen will be mad but it will not be considered treason. England, being a foreign territory meant a lot of things; everything she might do may be considered a threat . “And it is undecided with my younger sister. My father wishes for france and my mother also wishes for france but she thinks italy or portugal will be much better places for debut. What do you think, Lord Rutherford. France or italy or portugal?” Of course she knew that his opinion would mean nothing- after all, her parents did not make decisions based on what strangers told them to do but she was curious. What country did he hold in high regard that was not his own nation and he was also curious on what his reaction would be to her asking this.
Three possible reactions- ‘my lady I do not know why you ask this for me as it has nothing to do with me’ or he would tell her his thoughts or ‘i’m not quite sure’ which path shall he chose? Belle hoped for her own entertainment that he shall chose to give his thoughts and opinions because she was slightly intoxicated and bored. She wanted to see what type of man he was- his choice of diction, his body movements, and the way he answered will give her this information. Who was Lord Rutherford, the brother of a friend she had never met until today. Was it a man she was bound to hate or feel indifferent towards? A question that she needed an answer too.
When Baylor had said that Belle’s choice of spinsterhood intrigued him, she was not shocked. After all it did shock everyone from the first moment she said it, even the French monarchy as they were quite frustrated at this information for reasons Belle knows not of- though it was not that hard to put together. She was a Fleur- a daughter of such a prestigious family and she did not wish for marriage? Such a grave offense, Belle mocked. She remembers the first time she told her mother that she should not worry of such things as planning marriages for Belle, as Marriage is prison she wishes not of and her mother was enraged. Their relationship had strained because of that as Belle kept defending herself and arguing- she was not one to back down after all. Her sister had taught it was just her being young or because she wanted to ‘rebel’ as Belle had always loved rebelling against society but it was more than that. Her brothers- they did not have much emotion and her father had been taken a back but agreed that maybe marriage was not for Belle. Her father always took her side after all. He always defended her choices that sometimes it seemed suspicious to her- yes, Belle was truly incapable of fully trusting anyone even her own kind father. God, what type of human was she?
“I plan to live with a friend,” Belle began, “Or with one of my kin, and I plan to focus on my studies and inventions. I truly just plan to live and get wiser. Design outfits for my nieces and nephews, be their tutor if when they grow and are in need of one and read. In addition to,” Belle pursued her lips at the end. Right, the end was not common knowledge, she could not say it.