Belle has asked the same thing before but he had laughed and said he found her reactions to be amusing. A good king with a terrible sense of humor or propriety. Or morals. "I could beat her if I did. I like climbing. Or maybe we could do an archery contest."

That one makes Belle laugh, loud and throaty. She imagines herself as a dragon for a second. "Too destructive, I think. They'd kill me instantly. I rather like living."