Belle paced her room nervously, dressed in her nicest simple dress. Today was the day her bodyguard would arrive, and therefore today was the start of freedom for her.
Cinder arrived right on time, knocking gently on Belle’s door.
Belle opened the door quickly, excited to meet her bodyguard.
Cinder bowed in greeting. ‘Greetings, Princess.’
‘Greetings, what is your name?’
‘I am Cinder, Princess.’
‘It’s nice to meet you Cinder.’
‘It is very nice to meet you too, Princess.’ Cinder nodded.
Belle smiled softly, before stepping out of the room.
Cinder stayed by her side wordlessly.
Belle walked to the library.
Cinder followed.
Belle grabbed a book and sat down by a window.
Cinder stood nearby.
Belle read for a couple hours before getting up and taking the book to her room.
Cinder followed, standing right in front of the door, seeming hesitant to follow her into the room.
‘You’re free to join me in here.’ Belle signed, noticing her hesitation.
Cinder nodded. ‘Thank you, Princess.’
‘No need to thank me.’ Belle replied, smiling softly.
Cinder nodded slightly.
‘It’s time for me to eat lunch.“ Belle replied, putting the book on her desk next to a pile of photographs.
‘Would you like me to fetch it for you?’ Cinder asked.
‘No, I’ve got it. I plan on eating outside anyways.’
Cinder nodded.
Belle left, getting soup from the kitchen.
Cinder followed.
Belle got her soup and went outside to the gardens.
Cinder stayed close to her.
Belle sat down on a bench and ate, noticing a few pigeons fly by.
Cinder was on high alert.
Belle was much calmer.
Cinder scanned the area frequently.
A pigeon landed nearby, watching the two.
Cinder frowned.
Belle smiled, reaching out into her pocket and pulling out some cracked corn. She threw some in front of her, and watched the pigeon get closer.
Cinder was cautious.
Belle got off the bench, crouching down to get a closer look at the pigeon.
Cinder watched closely.
Belle sprinkled some more cracked corn right in front of her, holding still as the quite average seeming pigeon got closer.
Cinder still didn’t let her guard down.
Eventually Belle had the pigeon eating from her hand.
“Do you not like pigeons?”
‘I do like pigeons.’ Cinder signed.
Belle was finger spelling with her free hand, attention split. ‘He’s part of a flock that’s often around here.’
Cinder nodded. ‘So you know the pigeon.’
Belle nodded. ‘He’s the friendliest of the flock.’
‘Does he have a name?’ Cinder asked.
'I think Flame fits him. He's the only reddish pigeon in the flock.'