Belle let his words settle into her hopeful heart, allowing them to open her to reality rather than the fantasy her mind kept conjuring about going back and being loved and warmly welcomed. Yet, no matter how much she tried to force herself not to expect anything from either of her parents, there was still a part of her heart that longed desperately for a change to have happened in their relationship, and for them to hold her again the way they once had when she was a little girl.
She was hopeful not only because she longed for her family's love in return, but also because she did not want to carry hatred in her heart toward them.
Deep inside, she knew that if they truly loved her as much as she loved them, they would do everything in their power to protect her from the king if she were ever to fall into trouble, or if their carefully laid plan failed somehow.
