Chapter Two

The sky was a dark gray, the air was humid, and the ground was wet from the heavy rain. These days brought Emilie some joy. She didn't know why, but they did. Emilie sighed. She missed her parents and little sisters so very much. She loved them with all her heart, but the sight of the family portrait of all five of them made her feel...angry and sad. The family portrait was hidden in one of the attics of the castle. Emilie remembered the funeral for her family. How she didn't speak at all, how she only stared. Emilie turned her head away from the window and rose from the plush seat she was sitting in. "I'll go see if dinner is ready yet..." Emilie thought to herself. Emilie made her way out of her bedroom doors and down the hallway of the East Wing. Maids curtseyed and kept saying bonjour to Emilie as she walked by. All Emilie did was just smile as she made her way to the dining room.

Emilie opened the double doors of the dining room to see her spot at the dining table with nothing in front of it. "Strange, nothing is here yet." Emilie made her way to the kitchens. Inside of the kitchen, Emilie looked around. "Oh, Emilie!" said a voice," What are you doing in here?" Emilie knew whose voice that was. She turned around and said "Hello Cuisinier! I wanted to come here." Emilie said nonchalantly. "Really? Well, dinner is almost ready." Said Cuisinier. "Thank you, Cuisinier." Emilie said.

Emilie then looked away from Cuisinier, her thoughts wandering back to her family. The expression on her face showed that she was sad. Lumiere just came into the kitchen to ask Emilie something. Almost immediately he noticed the expression on Emilie's face. "Emilie, are you alright?" Lumiere asked. "You look sad. We know that you miss…" Lumiere was cut off by Emilie. "I do not miss them at all, Lumiere!" Emilie half yelled at Lumiere, her face went from sad to angry. Emilie then turned and went out the doors of the kitchen. "You shouldn't have started to talk about her family. You know how she can get when she's upset." Cogsworth told Lumiere. "I know, Cogsworth. She has her father's temper." Replied Lumiere. "Well, the table won't set itself, will it?" Said Cogsworth. Lumiere and Cogsworth went out of the kitchen to set Emilie's spot at the table.

In the portrait gallery, Emilie walked slowly around the paintings of cousins, people who once ruled this kingdom, dukes, duchesses, and many other people. Emilie was replaying the small moment in the kitchen. She yelled at Lumiere, and it made her feel terrible inside. She didn't enjoy yelling at anyone. She wish she acted more rational instead of simply yelling at Lumiere. Emilie was so deep in thought that she didn't notice someone creeping up behind her. Emilie jumped when somebody suddenly touched her shoulder. She turned around and saw Chip.

"Chip! My goodness, you gave me a fright!"

"I did? Well, I'm sorry for doing that."

"It's alright, Chip."

"Are you still going to eat dinner?"

Emilie thought for a small moment. She was hungry, but she did feel bad. Her stomach made a small rumble. "Yes Chip." "Okay." And with that, Chip left Emilie in the portrait gallery.