Coral was furious.
She paced around her chambers while Belle sat on the edge of the bed, watching her mother with an expression of growing irritation.
"This is ridiculous!" Coral exclaimed. "We are prisoners in our own home!"
"We are not prisoners, Mother," Belle replied. "Grandmother merely told us to remain in the palace."
"Which is exactly what prisoners are told to do!"
Belle rolled her eyes.
"I still do not understand why she is behaving this way. Jasmine is missing, yes, but that does not mean we are responsible for it."
Coral stopped pacing and looked at her daughter.
"Lower your voice."
"Why? Are we afraid the walls will report us to Grandmother?"
"Belle!"
"What?" Belle demanded. "I am tired of everyone acting as if Jasmine is some innocent angel. She was always causing trouble. She was always making us look bad. And now, suddenly, we are supposed to feel guilty because she has disappeared?"
Coral stared at her.
