Belle took a deep breath and nodded. "I will. I just want to stay in here, anyway", she replied, seemingly as sad as Jaques. "I'm sorry too, Jaques. I hope he doesn't take it out on you", she said softly. Erik probably had already done so, but she could only hope he would calm down before doing anything. Belle watched as Jaques went away and closed her door. She still tried to read, but it was impossible to focus on the book. The girl then sat by the window, looking outside.<br/><br/>It was so tempting... Erik would be in his room for hours... the forest was just out there, and after it, Willendour and home. Maybe if she tried? Who knows, maybe she could slip out unnoticed. Picking up her cloak, Belle decided she would give it a try. Why not? The question hammered in her head. If she got caught by one of the servants, she could come up with an excuse. If she didn't... she had Erik's word that he wouldn't harm her father. And they could go away, if they had to, right?<br/><br/>With this in mind, Belle took a peek outside her room. Nobody in the corridor, perfect. Slipping outside, she closed the door and checked her path before going down the stairs and into the grand hall. She just needed some luck to slip out. Just a little...