Despite my constant shivering, I had to admit the forest was quite beautiful in its light coat of freshly fallen snow. I loved the vast expanse of woodland and wondered what secrets it held.
What I didn't love was having to spend Christmas with my crazy uncle. Every family has that one uncle that no one likes, and Uncle Cogsworth definitely fit the role among our relatives. However, Father insisted that we spend the holiday season with him, no doubt because of Uncle Cogsworth's high status in King Adam's court.
As our horse pulled the sleigh through the sylvan paths, the king's forest caretakers walked alongside us. They didn't say much, but from what little I knew about them, it was for the best.
When we arrived at the castle, a young man threw open the doors. "Welcome! It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you here! Come inside and warm yourself by the fire! We'll bring you something warm to drink!"
"Does Monsieur Lumière know you're trying to take over his job?" I asked, wrapping my coat tighter around myself.
He smiled. "My uncle is perfectly aware that I'm helping him out. Silvain Lumière at your service, cherie."
"Michèle Cogsworth," I replied, "and don't bother with the terms of endearment. I know your uncle has taught you the finer points of philandering, so you may keep your charm. I prefer sincerity."
He laughed. "Tell me, cherie, is it true what your Uncle Cogsworth says about your mischievous streak? I thought perhaps we could play a little joke on them both."
"And what did you have in mind?!"
Silvain motioned for me to come closer. At first, I was appalled by his plan, but when he had finished explaining, I was intrigued by the humor in it.
"Shall we?" He held out his arm.
Trying to ignore my reddening face, I slipped my own arm around his, allowing him to escort me into the castle.
A young woman about my age brought me a cup of tea. "Hello. I'm Catherine Potts. This is my brother Charles, but everyone just calls him Chip."
"Pleased to meet you both." I took a seat by the fireplace.
"That is it!" King Adam walked briskly down the corridor, massaging his temples. "Every year it's the same thing!" He sighed. "Does anyone want to be king until the Christmas season ends?"
"You ask that every year," Queen Belle reminded him.
"And every year, I get a migraine."
"I volunteer!" Catherine exclaimed.
King Adam stared at her in disbelief.
"Just for fun," she continued. "I'd ask your advice on any diplomatic matters."
He crossed his arms. "So you want to deal with all the servants and relatives? Be my guest!"
Chip rolled his eyes. "Girls can't be king!"
I politely reminded Chip about Pharaoh Hatshepsut, who had insisted that her subjects refer to her as king rather than queen for the purpose of showing she had as much power and authority as a man would have.
Catherine eagerly embraced the idea. King Adam had an amused glint in his eyes, not to mention a look of relief. He was going to enjoy a Christmas without dealing with petty complaints.
"How are you going to deal with disputes between Lumière and Cogsworth?" he asked.
"Separate them," Catherine replied. "Cogsworth gets stable duty, and Lumière stays in the kitchen."
"And if the indoor servants and forest workers get into a fight?"
She thought a moment. "The forest workers who started it would have to shovel snow off the roof. Any indoor servants responsible would have to clean every garderobe and chamber pot in the castle from now until the new year, only getting Christmas Day as respite."
The servants' eyes widened at her remark. You could tell they didn't want to leave the forest workers in peace, but there were far more pleasant chores than what Catherine had mentioned.
"Any group who retaliates will be punished as well, and if they still can't get along, we'll make a hole in the frozen pond and give them all a turn on the ducking stool."
"Speaking of the forest caretakers," Uncle Cogsworth began, "has anyone seen Loup?"
"He said he was feeling a bit under the weather," Mrs. Potts remarked. "He's been like that ever since he heard the king's cousin would be visiting us for Christmas."
"But he specifically asked the masters to invite her!" argued my uncle. "Why would he bother if her presence makes him sick?!"
Lumière chuckled. "The poor fool is in love with a woman whose affections he could never hope to gain, so he won't even try! He simply gazes upon her from afar and languishes in unrequited love!"
The other servants started laughing.
"Loup may be many things," began Maestro Fife, "but he's not sentimental. His feelings for Lisette are no different than what any loyal subjects would feel for their king's cousin."
"The mistletoe's gone to your head, Lumière!" Angelique stated. "He wouldn't know how to love if his life depended on it!"