Arieshell sat at the round table with a glass mug in hand. She couldn't help but have her mind wander. What's father doing? Is Abijaim upset with me? Is Father furious? Those three small questions kept repeating themselves over and over again.
They were in Belle's attic. The space had been unexpectedly spacious and cozy. Arieshell noted to herself that someone had been up here a lot. Given the soft chairs and the pampered pillows, she concluded either Belle or someone else made this their second home.
Arieshell watched Jacques placing a big map on the table. She studied his facial expression. He looked so enthralled at his actions. She smiled and sipped on her tea. It had a minty flavor and tint of an ingredient she couldn't recognize.
"Oh! Am I interrupting?"
Arieshell turned in her seat to find Belle in the doorway.
"No, please join us," she greeted.
Belle bit her lip but gradually walked up to the table. She moved the chair and took a seat. A sorrowful feeling overwhelmed Arieshell when she glanced into Belle's sad eyes. Belle's past still had been a mystery to Arieshell, but she knew Belle was hurting deep down inside.
"I meant to ask you what this one was. What's the liquid?" Arieshell questioned, lifting her cup.
"It's peppermint tea. It's my second favorite drink," replied Belle.
"What's your favorite?"
"Hot Chocolate."
"Oh, that sounds good."
Jacques smiled while hearing their small talk. He felt glad they we were getting along. Belle needed more people to converse with. Although she was beginning to open up, he sensed that Belle was still cautious and guarded. Jacques couldn't reprimand her.
Jacques's gratitude for Arieshell's enthusiastic attitude toward befriending his timid and fragile cousin made him more attracted to her. Still, Jacques remembered Arieshell's siren roots and how Maurice treated her and reacted.
He shrugged it off. Jacques was only being paranoid and overthinking. If she were going to use her siren voice, she would have done it already. Right?
"Jacques. Jacques!"
A man's gruff voice called out to him. Jacques glanced over his shoulder to discover Gus gripping it.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes," he paused to find Belle and Arieshell exchanging glances, "I was in deep thought. I apologize."
"It has been a long day. Why don't we rest?" Arieshell suggested.
"Yes, Father should be back at any moment," stated Belle.
Jacques nodded his head, "You're right. We will reconnect ourselves tomorrow."
"I have pillows and extra blankets in that chest over there," exclaimed Belle as she pointed to a dark corner of the room.
"Thank you. I believe we have everything we need. You can go back downstairs so your father won't get suspicious," he replied.
Belle's lips curved upwards, but her eyes had a tint of dysphoria Jacques could notice. He recalled a saying he heard once as a little kid.
"People who possess hearts full of love will witness a pain so great they can't bear but to let others feel tenderness and joy."
"I'm sorry. Did you say something?" asked Arieshell.
"I remember something I heard when I was younger, a saying or a quote," replied Jacques.
"Belle reminded you of that?"
"Yes, in this moment in her life. She embodies that very saying. When she experiences suffering, Belle showers others with love."
"Wow! I had never known that humans and mermaids were so alike."
"Indeed. You will learn more as we continue our adventure together," he replied.
Jacques's eyes shot open. Our adventure together? That sounded so romantic, I'm not that type, and Arieshell doesn't know what love is. Right? Maybe she does and feels the same. I hope.
He couldn't help but surrender to his feelings and thoughts. Could it be fate that he was supposed to fall in love with a mythical and fantastical creature? His eyes darted around the room.
Jacques saw Arieshell and Gus setting up small makeshift beds and getting ready to sleep. The candlelight lit another small bed in the corner. Jacques smiled as he stepped toward it. He turned his head at Arieshell. Her eyes closed, and the blanket covered most of her body, leaving her head visible.
He chuckled, "Goodnight, Your Highness. Sweet dreams."
Arieshell didn't say a word. All she did was make a cute sigh. Jacques uncovered his sheets and hopped into his bed. Gently, he shifted his gaze towards the small candle that flickered in the dimly lit room. With a soft exhale. He leaned forward and extinguished the tiny flame, plunging the space into darkness.
Jacques turned to his side, causing the big blanket to tug with him. He felt his eyes get heavy and yawned as he drifted into a deep sleep.
With a flick of an eye, the sun shined on top of him. Jacques groaned but sat up. He glanced at Arieshell and Gus's beds. They both were still tucked warmly in their beds. The sound of birds chirping made Jacques feel relaxed.
Is Belle awake? Quietly he pulled the sheets away and slowly stood up. Jacques exhaled as he stretched his sore arms. He needed that.
A soft-tapping noise caused Jacques's attention to go to the attic's door. It must be Belle. Not a second later, he went to the door. He was about to touch the doorknob but suddenly pulled his hand back. What if this was a trap?
Jacques pressed his right ear against the door. He took a deep breath and made two soft knocks. A faint shuffle sound made itself known.
Jacques bit his lip. "Belle, is that you?" he whispered.
He didn't want to wake Arieshell or Gus. Nevertheless, Jacques didn't desire to be greeted by Belle's asshole adoptive father and jeopardized Arieshell's secret of being a siren.
Over my dead body. Jacques thought.
"Jacques!"
"Belle?"
"Yes, Father has left early. Are Arieshell and Gus awake?" she asked.
Her sweet but gentle voice made him feel relieved. He didn't need to put a blow to Mr. Whershie's head.
"No," he replied.
Jacques heard Belle open the door. He took a step back as she walked in.
"Come with me downstairs. We can talk without interrupting their sleep," suggested Belle.
"Lead the way," he said, gesturing his hand in front of him.
Jacques followed Belle down the narrow wooden stairs and then a long hallway. Belle led him to another set of stairs, but these were bigger. Jacques followed her toward the back of the house, which had the dining room and kitchen.
As they entered the kitchen, Jacques noticed how narrow it was, with cabinets lining both sides of the walls in the kitchen. Belle gestured towards a table and invited Jacques to take a seat. He sat down while Belle arranged two cups, plates, and spoons.
At the corner of his eye, Jacques saw Belle grabbing a pot from the old rusty stove. She went to the table and scooped the liquid into Jacques's bowl and then into hers.
The aroma of freshly baked croissants filled Jacques's nose. Hmm! Those smell so delicious. He noticed that Belle had placed a jar of jam before him. He glanced down at his bowl- a yellowish creamy liquid.
"What is this?" he asked.
Belle turned from the stove. "Oh! It's cream for your coffee."
"Oh, I haven't had a cup of coffee in forever!" Jacques boomed in excitement.
Belle giggled.
The oven emitted a small ding, prompting Belle to grab a rag and retrieve a tray of freshly baked croissants. Carefully, she carried the tray to the table and transferred the pastries onto a large plate at the center. Once done, she deposited the now-empty tray into a container for dirty dishes and proceeded to wash her hands.
She exhaled and gestured for Jacques to start eating and took her seat in front of him.
Jacques hesitated for a moment and rested his eyes on Belle. "Should we wait for Arieshell and Gus?"
Belle shook her head. "I wanted to speak to you alone, and there was no sense of making you run hungry. I prepared plenty of food for all of you."
As he grabbed a croissant, Jacques gently spread jam on it and proceeded to allow himself to bite into the warm and tasty bread.
"Mm. That's good! But I am perplexed. Why do you want to talk to me alone?"
Belle bit her lip. "How did you and Arieshell meet?"
Jacques took a sip of his coffee before speaking. He chewed on the inside of his mouth.
"I don't know where to start."
"Go on," Belle persuaded as she bit into her croissant.
"It started by hearing or seeing something in the water. I asked Gus to check it out. He thought it was only a fish, but I knew better. After that, I decided to get some rest."
"Was that it?"
"No, she appeared in my dream!" Jacques exclaimed as he made hand gestures to move the story along.
Belle sat in her seat, immersed in her cousin's story. Jacques hesitated, uncertain of how to articulate the subsequent segment of the narrative.
"I think she was seducing me. The next day, my crew and I were struggling to catch fish. So, I decided to relocate the ship, but something unexpected happened. We lifted the net, and what I saw-"
He started to chuckle.
"Yes! You saw?"
"Belle, I can't lie to you. She, Areishell, a siren, was in my net! I stood there dumbfounded at what I had witnessed. Recollecting my thoughts, I told one of my crew members to let her out of the net, and they did."
"What happened to Arieshell? Did she struggle to breathe?"
"No, what happened next, was a like a fairytale. She made her tail into feet! FEET BELLE! How can you explain that?"
"I don't know?"
"Fast forward, we went to visit Maurice and then came here. That's where our adventure ends."
"I don't think your and Arieshell's story has ended."
Jacques glanced up into those big, beautiful brown eyes. There was some truth behind that statement. Belle had a way with words- a knack he didn't have.
"You love her, don't you?" Belle asked abruptly.
Flustered by her comment, Jacques tried to ignore his cousin's question.
"What makes you say that?"
"I see the way you look at her. Furthermore, it's undeniable how your eyes brighten up whenever you mention her in conversation with someone."
Unsure how to reply, Jacques continued to eat his breakfast. He took a deep breath and slurped down his coffee which caused him to burp.
"Excuse me."
Belle gasped. "You don't know what love is."
Jacques coughed. "I do! However, I regret to inform you that Arieshell is a siren. She can use her voice to lure me into my death!"
"But what does your gut say?"
Surprised, he sat back in his seat and looked at Belle.
"I need time to process my feelings."
Belle held his hand to reconcile with Jacques.
"I understand, but don't let your mind take over your heart."
Belle stood up and set the table for Arieshell and Gus. Then, she faced Jacques.
"Do you mind checking on them? Their breakfast is ready."
Jacques stood up, facing Belle, "Of course."
Jacques swiftly turned back toward the stairs. He walked slowly but thought about his and Belle's conversation. Her good-hearted, pleasant, and affectionate nature shined brighter even through the darkest times. Jacques admired her because of that.
He gradually made his way up the steps and the long hallway leading to the attic. As he approached, Jacques noticed them speaking. Curious, Jacques moved toward the door. He smiled.
"That's an interesting story," he overheard Arieshell say.
"Yeah, Jacques is full of surprises," Gus exclaimed.
"I would love to hear more," expressed Arieshell.
Jacques suddenly entered the attic and acted as if he was unaware that they were talking and interrupted them.
"Oh, I am so sorry. Did I walk in on something?" he asked.
Arieshell crossed her arms. "Me and Gus were talking."
"I heard. Belle has breakfast ready if you want to follow me," Jacques declared, unbothered.
Arieshell sighed and followed Jacques downstairs. Jacques's impolite attitude caught her off guard. Did he overhear their conversation, or did Jacques not sleep well? Though it didn't excuse his manners, Arieshell could understand his actions. They were talking about him and that might make him feel uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, Arieshell walked around the corner where Belle had breakfast prepared. There were two plates and chairs for her and Gus to take their seats.
"Wow! You did all this?" Arieshell said with amazement.
"Please take a seat," Belle expressed, gesturing at the table.
Arieshell nodded and noticed Gus already sitting, piling food in his mouth. She let out a small giggle and took a seat.
Jacques quickly ran upstairs, leaving Belle, Arieshell, and Gus behind. Arieshell couldn't understand why he was being distant and cold. This is very different from yesterday.
Belle placed a croissant on her plate. Arieshell grabbed it.
"What is this? I've never seen these before," Arieshell spoke as she studied the baked bread.
"Oh!" Belle turned to face her. "It's a croissant. It's a custom in our country, but they are tasty!"
Arieshell smiled at Belle and then at Gus, who was still cramming food in his mouth. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that tiny crumbs of flaky croissants were nestled within the crevices of his beard.
Footsteps came behind them.
"Gus! Stop piling your mouth. You're being rude!" Jacques roared.
Gus abruptly sat up and pivoted towards Jacques, his eyes revealing a blend of fright and astonishment.
"I-I am sorry."
"It's alright," he murmured.
Jacques briskly laid the map on the table without meeting anyone's gaze. He positioned his finger on the map and analyzed it.
"To create a plan, it is important to have a clear sense of knowing the details such as the location, timing, and methodology of how we will execute it," Jacques exclaimed.