Enjoy the chapter oh loyal readers!

P.S: Don't worry Nimara, because as you can see…it's here!

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Chapter 1

Lumiere wandered the castle halls, putting on a weak smile for the benefit of the castle inhabitants as he went. Everyone was deeply concerned for him ever since Babette's…disappearance, and, as always, he attempted to ease their fears before worrying about himself.

Lumiere, in truth, was feeling quite lonely and miserable. Life at the castle hadn't been the same for anyone since Babette hadn't been there, but the Frenchman had taken it the hardest. For the first few days, he had been incredibly depressed, and his condition had improved only the tiniest amount. For example, he was no longer crying himself to sleep every night. He was still, however, having that very same dream over and over again, the dream of how it was the night she was turned. He shuddered in memory of how, when the guards had called that they had found something, had in fact found Babette in her new state.

The guards had explained how different she looked, and how horrifying she looked when she attacked them. Some had been killed, while others had run as soon as they saw her. Lumiere blocked the memory of the guards' description from his mind, still refusing to believe that someone so kind and perfect like Babette would become such a monster.

The Frenchman was brought from his thoughts by Angelique's voice "Lumiere…how are you feeling?" she asked gently.

He turned to her, and a small smile twitched on his lips "Bonjur mademoiselle Angelique" he greeted, avoiding her question. As far as he was concerned, everyone had a clear idea of how he was feeling, because it didn't change much from the sad, lonely, empty feeling that he had lately.

The castle decorator smiled, the sympathy clear on her face, but she said not a word. Instead, she simply hurried along and continued her duties.

Lumiere sighed heavily "I really do hate seeing everyone so upset about me" he thought. The Frenchman continued on his walk, until he stopped at a familiar sight…Babette's old room. He always stopped there eventually during his daily activities, but had never once gone further then the door.

The Frenchman muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the oak wood door "I have to go in there. I am being ridiculous about this." He turned the brass doorknob, expecting to hear the door unlock, but instead the doorknob refused to turn further then a few centimetres. He moved the knob slightly, thinking that perhaps it was stuck, but the door was in fact locked. Lumiere snorted "Typical…" he said to himself "As soon as someone leaves, their rooms are shut and locked up."

He knew, however, that it was simply a coping method. When you lose someone, some people find it best to isolate themselves from any memories of them completely, but Lumiere wasn't one of those people. He felt that forgetting about Babette would be a betrayal of her in a way, and refused to let go, no matter how much it hurt him. It was not like she was dead anyway, she was simply no longer a part of the castle.

Lumiere still cried however, he still felt that heartache and depression. Every time he would hear a song that used to be a personal favourite of hers, he would have to seriously restrain himself from crying. He felt as though his life would never be the same without her, and that nothing could fill the hole her departure had left in him except Babette herself.

Lumiere had been careful though, not to let himself fall too deep into the darkness of despair. He had still been his normal self, going about his days as if nothing had happened, and, as the days had gone by, he had even found the strength to push Babette to the back of his mind. However, he never completely forgot about her. She was always there, always lingering in his thoughts.

Lumiere especially remembered when he had glimpsed her as she escaped the castle with Jacqueline.

He climbed the stairs hurryingly, hoping to catch her before she escaped. At the top of the staircase, he gasped upon the sight in front of him. Babette was standing near the collection of fleeing guards, her fangs bared as she continued to growl menacingly. He couldn't quite see her in the dim light, but noticed that her voice was incredibly different as she spoke to Jacqueline. It was less soft and kind, and just more…terrifying, but still beautiful "They will not come after us."

Jacqueline smiled "Merci ma petite. We have to leave now. There will be more coming" she said. Before he could be seen by any of the two women, he went back down the staircase and didn't look back.

Lumiere shuddered in memory of how strange and intimidating she had sounded. He still refused to believe that someone like Babette would become so ferocious so quickly.

The Frenchman refused to simply wait around and hope she would come to her senses. He had to find her, he realised, no matter how dangerous it was.

He would find her, and he would bring her back.