He had always been quite the pick-up artist. With a single compliment in that rich French accent, a girl would be overcome by rouge cheeks and flattery in a heartbeat. His long lean figure dressed lavishly, but he was the opposite of Cogsworth, uptight and nervous. As maitre d', of course he had an obligation to maintain respect. However, his charm was such an indescribable appeal to every women working in the castle and jealousy factor for every male that he didn't even attempt to be respectable; he already was without trying.
Being able to be with any women he wanted was a blessing indeed. Any expression of admiration from he won over each and every women he spoke to. He was quite experienced in the field of romance and knew every single trick in the book. He had the ability to share a night with anyone he craved.
This was the first time something would change.
A new maid was a common sight amoung the castle; the master was getting rather impatient recently and demanded more workers whenever something was not immediately done. Yet this new maid was a vision to behold. Upon exiting the horse and carriage she arrived in, one bare leg landed gently on the ground, a black court shoe cradling the slender foot on the ground. Another leg slipped out and she stood up, revealing a creature of sensuality and lascivious that none in the castle could ever compare to. She was dressed in a short black dress with a pressed white apron accentuating her petite waist. Her lips were full and scarlet. Her eyes were a pressing amber, exuding beauty that could nearly be considered lust. She walked flawlessly to the vast front door with a large suitcase in hand. He rushed back from the window as to avoid her eye contact; their relationship could be destroyed if she knew he was longingly gazing at her.
She tapped on the door thrice. He waited a few moments as to not seem anxious and then opened the door.
"Enchante, mademoiselle. I'm afraid that I have not had the pleasure of ever acquanting you before," He knelt onto one knee and kissed her hand in his. He looked up into her eyes. "But I would like to. I am Lumiere, and you?"
"Babette," She answered with a slight smile. Lumiere grinned; she had the same refreshing accent as he, and it was quite a pain to listen to British voices every day.
"Babette, Babette. I'll remember that."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I would never be able to forget the title of such an enchanting creature as yourself."
Babette knew the sort of man Lumiere was the moment he opened the door. He was a charmer, and an impressive one at that. But she had been with so many men previously, so many men. He was just like every other man, perhaps a bit more handsome and charming, but nevertheless the same. She thought back to those terrible memories before she arrived at the castle. Nights to weeks to months to even years spent with different men who all, in the end, did not care about her. They merely wanted arm-candy, just a fancy toy that they would eventually throw away. No man she had ever met had been serious about a relationship and commitment. Ogling and sex was the essence of those past relationships on the man's part, while Babette yearned for romance and commitment. Feasibly, her appearance was an unfortunate factor in this situation. Babette could not help the obvious sensuality of herself and embraced it, but it only attracted rotten men. And clearly, Lumiere was attracted, henceforth fell into that category.
"Babette, may I escort you to your new home?" Lumiere asked, standing up a near head above her.
She nodded in response, trying her best not to reveal any effect of his flattery on her. As of the current moment, he was nothing but yet another of those cruel men. She refused to let herself be hurt again.
Lumiere led the way up a grand staircase and east. "All of the servants here reside in the East Wing. The master's room is located opposite in the West Wing. It'd be best one didn't venture there; he has been a bit… erratic, to say the least." He continued walking, expecting some sort of swooning or at least response from Babette, but he received nothing. He stopped and faced her. "Ma cherie, you cannot not speak forever. That will not work out that well in a castle like this."
"I apologize; I just have nothing to say."
"Ah, but it is impossible for one wandering such a grand castle for the first time to truly not have anything to say!"
"I suppose that makes me a first."
"In more then one way, mademoiselle." Lumiere muttered under his breath, exasperated at his failed attempts to win her over. He began walking again, and Babette followed suit, a small smirk growing on her face. This was going quite splendidly. He was already frustrated with her! Perhaps he would stick around.
Suddenly, a stout man scuttled down the hallway. He looked older than Lumiere and very hurried. His appearance had an air of something very proper, especially with his curly moustache. He rushed up to Lumiere, panting heavily.
"Lumiere, you must come to the master immediately! He is throwing quite the-the fit, you see. He wants dinner and you must come help calm him down! It is ridiculous—" He paused. "Are you another new maid?"
"If that is our title here, then yes. My name is Babette."
"Cogsworth, head of the household." He quickly bowed. "Majordomo. The sort. Now, Lumiere, we must go now!"
"Oh, Cogsworth—"
"Do not fret about your new maid here; she isn't going anywhere."
So I was wrong, thought Babette. It's true; he really is just like those others.
"Your room is right here." Lumiere motioned to the door on his right and kissed her hand once again. "Until again, ma cherie Babette. Until again."
Cogsworth scurried down the hallway, Lumiere in hand.
Babette could not allow herself the pain that was most assuredly guaranteed to come along with Lumiere's love. She opened the door of the room with an empty mind and heart. The room had three inviting beds, two with piled up blankets and obviously occupied. Babette placed her small bag on top of the free bed by the wall. Heaving a deep sigh, she realized she could not even attempt thinking of something other than that intriguing young man. But she mustn't. Stirring up trouble on her first day would leave her with a rather destroyed life in the castle.
Still… that Lumiere seemed like he might be different. Just maybe.
(Just reread this after a few days and wish I did a lot different. It is really short and rashly written/published. All other chapters will be longer and I promise I'll edit them better! By the way, next chapter won't be out for a bit. I'm currently in Beauty And The Beast as Babette and it's show week! Super busy, so sorry. Thanks for reading!)