When Belle awoke the next day, she felt rather dizzy. After all Michelle had told her, Belle wanted to find out more about this place. Grand Bouche helped her getting dressed, when someone lightly knocked at the door. "Mrs. Potts?"

"No, it's me, Elena."

Belle nodded. "Come in, please." She opened the door and the harp rolled inside, a plate with bread and butter on her head. "We thought you'd like to have something to eat. Mrs. Potts wanted to take it to you, but there is some trouble in the kitchen."

"I see." Belle took the plate off of Elenas head. "Thank you."

The harp smiled. "So, did you and the master make up?"

"Well, he saved my life." Belle answered. "Of course, I'm grateful, but still..."

Elena giggled. "I can understand. I used to really dislike him."

"Yes, Michelle told me the story. But why did you almost marry him?"

Elena glanced aside. "Power hunger, I guess." She sighed. "But Michelle inspired me to look for true love, instead of money and power. Even if her own relationship failed."

"How does a Beast have so much money and power?"

Elena raised an eyebrow. Didn't Michelle tell her that he used to be a Prince?

"Well, it's a long story. Maybe we can get to that later." The harp smiled. "I've got a bit of work to do. See you later."

Belle nodded. "I guess it's time to explore my new "home"."

Lumiere was on his way to the atelier. I took a deep breath. I really hope she will finally forgive me.

Michelle was there, finishing her masterpiece. It showed the old man. Belle's father Maurice.

"Bonjour, Cherie. May I come in?"

The paint brush turned around. When she saw Lumiere standing there, her eyes widened. "Oh...sure." she said.

"Michelle, I wanted to beg you for-"

"Money? Not again, Lumiere. I already borrowed you something last month."

"No, no." he shook his head. "For forgiveness."

"Forgiveness!" Michelle shouted, before she started to laugh. "After THREE years?"

"Michelle, what I did was wrong and I felt horrible all those years. I still do. Please, Cherie. I'm not asking to be your lover. Just your friend. I'm so-"

"Lumiere, I will NOT forgive you. At least not yet! I've got other things to worry about, like Belle. Please, go away before you upset me even more!" Michelle turned around, ignoring him. Tears filled her eyes.

"Please." he whispered. No answer. Lumieres head dropped, as he turned around. After he had left the room and closed the door, his eyes also started to get wet. "I'm sorry."

Elena was back at the music room. What she saw made her feel uneasy. Something about Fortes mood seemed...different. After the curse he had gradually started to, well, lighten up. At least in comparision to his human self. He still was far from pleasant, but at least when the master was around, he seemed almost happy. Though, his melodies were gloomy as ever. Another thing, that worried her was Fife, who became more eager to suck up to the organ each day. For years he had promised the little flute that one day he could play a solo. However, he never really made it true. As long as Fife was useful to him, why should he?

She left the room again, tired of hearing what they were talking about (something about the master, Elena had no doubt about that) and met Michelle, as well as Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts and Chip.

Lumiere watched the master from the window.

"There he is!"

"Wonderful." Mrs Potts sighed.

"We must find a way, to get them together!" Cogsworth said to Michelle, who nodded.

"But how" she asked.

Cogsworth shook his head. "If I only knew."

Elena rolled over to them.

"Love will not wait!" Lumiere shouted.

"Guy, what if they won't fall in love?" Elena said. "The master wasn't exactly charming towards her."

"Or anyone." Michelle added and Mrs Potts and Lumiere started to giggle.

Only Chip frowned. "Don't you think she can break the curse?"

"Don't worry, Chippy." Michelle said. "Elena is just a downer." she winkend at him. " 'course Belle will do it!"

The teacup smiled, but Elena now frowned.

Suddenly Belle came around the corner.

"Hi, Belle!"

"Hey, Chip. Do you know what day it is?"

"Well," the cup started to think. "It's not Tuesday."

"I know!" Michelle said. "It's christmas eve!"

"Exactly!"

The servants looked surprised. Michelle and Belle left, to get outside where Beast was.

"Let's ice skate!" The best turned his head to the girls. But suddenly he slipped.

"Oh dear!Are you alright?" Belle asked.

"I fell...and I landed on my..."

He looked at his behind and then to the girls, when Michelle and Belle started to giggle.

"Um...on the ice!" He wrapped himself with his cape.

"It's kinda slippery." Michelle said.

"Yeah...it's slippery."

Michelle watched the awkward scene, so she stepped forward. "Master, it's a perfect day for ice skating."

"Yes!" Belle said. "Come on!"

"No!"

Michelle shook her head. You aren't going to just refuse! "Go on master it might be fun!"

Chip, who had joined them also tried to encourage the Beast. "Go For it!"

Eventually, the Beast was convinced to try. Belle even showed him, how to do it properly.

Elena returned to the music room again. It was way too cold out there and even that wretched old pipe organ couldn't be worse than the bitter cold. If only France was as warm as dear Spain.

Forte had just finished playing and Fife was applauding him.

Forte chuckled. "You approve?"

"Of course he is," Elena whispered, rolling her eyes.

"Is there a part for a Piccolo?" Fife asked nervously. "I'd do anything for a solo."

Elena rolled over to a huge mirror, checking herself. Everyday she spent, looking if her golden body was still shining. But as soon as she saw herself as the harp, she imagined herself, back in her human form. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see herself like this anymore. Unfortunately, she could hardly remember her real appearance. She focused her attention back on the two other instruments. Fife was starring out of the window...watching Belle, Michelle and the Master?

"Oh, the master is ice skating."

"Skating? Why on earth would he do a thing like that?"

"Dunno," Elena said. "For fun? Out of boredom? Because the scratching sound of the skates drown out the depressing noises coming out of this room?"

Forte glared at her. "Oh, you're quiet! No one cares for your sarcasm."

Elena smirked and also rolled over to the window.

"I think it's because the pretty girl is holding is hand." Fife added.

"Which one? Belle?"

"Hey. Maybe if she falls in love with him the spell will be broken and we'll be human again!"

"Trust me, Fife. Humanity is entirely overrated. Before the enchantment, there was no need for my particular brand of genius."

"I doubt the enchantment changed anything about your amount of talent." Elena said, still watching Belle and the Master with a smile.

"I know! But now the master needs my melodies... to feed his tormented soul. I am his confidant, and his best friend. And I won't let some peasant girl ruin it for me! Fife, see to it that this blossoming love withers on the vine."

Elena gave Fife a begging look, subtly shaking her head. He looked at her, unsure what to do. but then he looked up at Forte.

"Yes, Maestro Forte!" he said with giggle and left.

Elena slowly left after him. She had to tell the next person she found. He was determined to let them all stay objects! She saw a maid walking down the corridor.

"Excuse me!"

The feather duster turned to her.

"Oui?"

"Babette! Babette, do you know where Michelle is? Cogsworths? Or Mrs Potts or Lumiere?"

"Out there!" Babette nodded to a near window.

"Out? In the cold?" Elena took a deep breath. "Whatever. I need to tell this!"

She left the feather duster in confusion, as she left the castle.