Enchanted:Confessions of the Enchanted Objects
This story takes place a few days after Belle has been locked up in the castle.
Chapter I
It was a cold winter's day in early December. The ground was painted white with snow and the trees were bare. It was nearing noon,but Belle wasn't sure what time it was for sure .Keeping time was a thing in the past, for Belle, the inventors beautiful daughter who had been locked up in the castle for what seemed like forever. Her stomach rumbled,as she was hungry for lunch. Lying in her bed, lost in her thoughts she was pushed back into reality when a knock was heard at her door.
"Dearie, Lumiere has made some lunch, would you like me to bring you a plate?" A warm voice called from the hallway.
"If it's not to much trouble." Belle answered back.
"Coming right up" Mrs. Potts said as she waltzed down the hall singing a pretty tune.
Belle lye in bed thinking of Mrs. Potts,who in the past few days had turned out to be a good friend. Mrs. Potts reminded her of her mother. She was warm,loving,gentle and very kind. She imagined Mrs. Potts' life before she had been turned into a tea pot. She imagined a mother dancing around a kitchen as she cooked a meal for her three boys and husband. She imagined a beautiful, middle-aged woman with short blonde hair and a plump figure. Then she was saddened by Mrs. Potts. She imagined Mrs. Potts' children coming home everyday without a mother, or a little brother to play with. She imagined Mr. Potts coming home every evening from work feeling lonely and missing his wife more then he could bare. Every night crying himself to sleep, dreaming of the day he'll see his beloved wife again and his youngest son. Belle then realized she wasn't the only one in the castle who was missing her life before being a prisoner in the castle. All of the servants had also become prisoners themselves. She thought of Lumiere and the friends he may have left, or perhaps there's a woman, or many women in Lumiere's case who are missing him, yearning for the day when he'll kiss her again. She imagined Cogsworth and his life outside the castle. Cogsworth seemed like a loner, and the type who would immerse himself in his work. Then she thought ,maybe Cogsworth wasn't missing much,because serving was the only thing he lived for. She thought of Babette and a boyfriend or a husband she may have left behind. She thought of her as a beautiful woman once, but now shes just a feather duster. She imagined Madame De La Grande Bouche, she knew Madame was an opera singer but what life was she leaving behind by being trapped in this castle. Thinking of the servants lives made Belle empathetic towards the servants. For who would want to wait hand and foot on such a terrible, hideous creature like the beast. For whom could ever love him or grow to love him. He's nothing but a monstrous beast with a terrible demeanor about him.
"Here you are dear" Mrs. Potts said interrupting Belle's thoughts handing her a plate of croissants and a piece of Lumiere's famous spinach quiche.
"Mrs. Potts, how long have you lived here in this castle." Belle asked taking a bite of her croissant.
"Oh, let me think." Mrs. Potts said counting her fingers and thinking.
"About 10 years I think." Mrs. Potts said with a sigh.
"Mrs. Potts may I ask how your life was before you lived here"? Belle said wiping her chin.
"Oh hon you don't want me to bore you with a story like that,ask Lumiere,he has lots of fun stories about the people he's catered for, or ask Cogs about his travels around the world or ask Madame about her opera days in Paris, my life is so mundane, so boring compared to the other servants." Mrs. Potts said.
"You know my life isn't so interesting either, that's why I love to read books, they take me away from my provincial life" Belle said smiling.
"Alright, but I am pretty old, there's a lot to tell." Mrs. Potts said smiling warmly at Belle.
"That's alright, I have no where to be" Belle said smiling back.
Chapter II
Mrs. Potts gathered her thoughts and sat at the edge of the bed where Belle was sitting, eating her quiche. She looked into Belles beautiful blue eyes and began to reminisce about her life.
"I was born in Ireland 60 years ago and my parents gave me the name Angela Ann Berry. We lived in Ireland most of my childhood. I had just one sister. She was born just 2 years after I was. My father was a Catholic priest who was ministering in Ireland converting Pagans to Catholics. He wasn't home much when I was a little girl, so we spent a lot of time with our mom. She was a very soft and gentle mother, always giving us hugs and kissing us every night before bed. She took a lot of pride in her home and in her children, just like I do. At 7, or maybe I was 8, we moved to Whales where my father was born to live near my grandmother and grandfather for my grandfather had become very ill and passed just shortly after the move. We stayed there for the rest of my childhood."
"How did you end up here in France." Belle asked finishing her delicious quiche.
"Well I met my husband Charles Potts while working at an Inn in Hastings. He was staying there for a few weeks while working for a rich man who never let his guards stay in his home. Charles and I fell in love very quickly after meeting. He was so charming and handsome, and I was so young and so impressionable. Charles was older then me, but not much older. In those days young women always married men much older then them, which is why my parents were so heartbroken when I sent word of our engagement. They wanted me to marry a man of stature like the baker, or butcher, not some no name guard from France."The tea cup said taking a sip of tea.
"I know how that feels, my Papa wants me to marry Gaston, the town pretty boy." Belle said rolling her eyes.
"For years my parents didn't speak to me, for they were upset with my decision. They were upset that Charles' wages were so low that I had to work, which I didn't mind doing really, I actually loved my work. Serving for rich men and women from all over Europe. Then Charles got his big break. Shortly after our first son was born we got word from the King of France to come and work for him as a palace guard. Charles and I were so very happy because he would earn much more wages and I would get to take care of our newborn son. When we sent word to my mum and papa they were delighted, because as you know a palace guard is a man of very good stature. As the years past Charles and I have remained here. First I worked as a cook for the King when he was a young boy and now for the master. Charles and I had another son shortly after moving here to France, and Chip was my midlife baby, he was a pleasant surprise for I had thought I was to old to have another, for his brothers are both married with their own children." Then ' eyes started to well up. They became glossed and tears began to run down her red , puffy cheeks.
"I'm sorry dearie I just miss my Charles so much, and my Roderick and Charles jr., Charles jr. has a son you know, he's about Chips age, but I haven't gotten to see the little angel since the spell was cast, I..I...I miss them so much" She cried. Belle patted ' back for a while as Mrs. Potts cried. She provided her comfort and Mrs. Potts had done for her since the beast had locked her away in the castle. A few moments passed and Mrs. Potts gained her composure.
"Would you like to hear more?" She asked Belle sitting up.
"If your feeling up to telling me more I'd love to hear some more" Belle said sweetly.
"Well there isn't much else, Mum passed away right before Chip came along and Dad is very old and sick, wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't already passed, but he lived a good life, he was close to God and always did good acts of charity."
"What about your sister?" Belle asked.
"Oh Katrina, I don't talk much of her, she is sort of the black sheep of the family" Mrs. Potts said turning away from Belle.
"Why? Does she work at "The Rouge", is she a "lady of the night?" Belle asked excitedly. Belle always loved a good story, even if it was scandalous.
Walking by Cogsworth heard what the ladies were talking of. Worried the secret would be let out he charged into Belle's room. "
the master would like to see you at once" He said with a worried look on his face. "What for? Isn't it his afternoon naptime?" Mrs. Potts asked confused by Cogsworth.
"He needs to see you, something about his boots" Cogsworth said looking at his feet."
"But Cogsworth Belle and I were having a lovely lunch, see if Lumiere, or Madame can help, she's always been good with clothes" Mrs. Potts said.
"No! He demands to see you, you know how he gets when he doesn't get what he demands" Cogsworth said sternly. Mrs. Potts lept up to go see what the beast needed.
"Coooomming love!" She sing songed as she raced to the west wing.
"Cogsworth I think that was very rude of you to intrude on us like this, I am a guest in this house and I should be treated with respect, barging in unannounced is very rude and indecent" Belle said crossing her arms looking sternly at Cogsworth. He may be able to boss the other servants around but not Belle.
"I'm sorry young lady but it was very important I get to Mrs. Potts as soon as possible."Cogsworth said apologetically.
"Do you know anything about her sister, she said she doesn't speak much of her and I'm curious as to why?" Belle asked.
"Such an inquireing mind, but remember curiosity killed the cat, asking to many questions could get you into trouble my dear, and other people in trouble as well" Cogsworth said dismissing her question.
"But..I.."
"See you at 1700 for dinner Miss" Cogsworth said turning away and closing the door.
What is Cogsworth trying to hide? And who is this mysterious sister of . Maybe she broke Cogsworth's heart, or maybe she was killed by the beast. Belle's mind was racing with thoughts.
Maybe Madame will tell me, she never shuts up. Belle thought to herself.
"Yoouuu Hoooo" Babette said coming through the bedroom knocking on the bedroom door.
"Come to clean up your lunch" She said in her thick french accent. Babetle strode into the room with a such grace. She was a very graceful woman, well duster.
"Babette?" Belle asked.
"Yes Beautiful?" Babette said picking up Belles plate and napkin.
"Why does everyone start to act funny when Mrs. Potts' sister is brought up?" Belle asked helping Babette clear her lunch plates. Babettes rouge cheeks turned a pale white.
"Je ne sais pas Mesdemoiselle" Babette said smiling.
"Are you sure?" Belle asked.
"Oui Madame, see you at dinner" Babette said gliding out of the room with dishes and garbage in hand.
Hmmm that's strange, why is everyone acting so weird about this mysterious sister of Mrs. Potts. Belle thought.
Belle thought about Madame and how much she loved to talk. Once Belle asked where the bathroom is and she went on for an hour about how she used the same bathroom and Marie Antoinette once. Madame was sure to tell her about this sister and clear some things up. Belle walked out of her room and down the hall making her way into the kitchen. If Madame wasn't in there talking Lumiere's ear off she was in the den sipping tea with Chip, boring him, or whoever would listen to her about her life stories. As Belle entered the hallway she heard whispers coming from the kitchen.
"Why did you have to bring it up Mrs. Potts?" Cogsworth whispered.
"It was the heat of the moment, she asked about her and I thought she should know the truth, she's not just some mindless beauty you know"Mrs. Potts answered back.
Belle stood in the hallway listening to the conversation.
"Ah oui madame but we don't know how she will react, or if she'll go to the master, we can't be certain of her trust yet" Lumiere said.
"Lumiere I must say for once I agree with you" Cogsworth whispered.
"She asked me about it and I told her I didn't know anything, which is something we all need to do C'est bon?" Babette asked.
"Yes." Each servant said back.
"That especially means you Madame"Cogsworth said sternly.
"Moi, Oh Cogsworth I am offended by that, I never tell a secret" Madame said in her loud boisterous voice.
"Oh really?" Lumiere asked.
"How about the time we surprised the master with a new pair of gloves last Christmas. They hadn't been knit an hour and you were already bragging to him about how it was your idea" Lumiere said.
"Oh Lumiere you and your imagination, I did no such thing" Madame said.
"Just keep quiet all of you or it's our necks, got that?" Cogsworth said miming a knife cutting his neck.
"Oui." Each servant said back.
"Run along,finish your duties, we have a busy schedule to uphold" Cogsworth said.
Belle hid behind a statue as the servants made their way out of the kitchen. She knew something wasn't right and she was going to get to the bottom of it. As Madame waltzed out of the kitchen singing a high note Belle leapt up to her.
"Good afternoon Madame." Belle said smiling.
"Good afternoon beautiful, your in a much better mood then this morning" Madame said smiling.
"Madame would you like to go into the bedroom and you can tell me about that horrible ex husband of yours" Belle said trying to strike up a conversation. Belle knew she could get if she could get Madame talking she could get it out of her. Madame could talk for hours about nothing, which sometimes Belle enjoyed but most of the time she would rather be alone.
"You mean Louie?" Madame said gritting her teeth.
"Yeah Louie" Belle said,
"Or Joc, or maybe you mean David" Madame said pondering who Belle meant.
"How about all of them" Belle said opening her bedroom door as Madame followed.
"We could be here a while" Madame said.
"I have a lot of horrible ex husbands" She said.
"That's okay, I have all the time in the world" Belle said closing her door so no one could hear.