Thanks so much to batbinmyheart91 and ConformityisNonsense for the first ever reviews of this story! You guys rock! Although, I actually like anyone who supports Lumiere and Babette as a couple…they're meant to be!
Please enjoy!
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Chapter 2
The next day, Cogsworth and Lumiere were in the library, conversing about the events of the previous night. Cogsworth's eyes, which held a furious fire, bore into his friends own "So, after that scandalous display in the hall, you told her that you forgot about the anniversary, and she stormed off" he said.
"I almost forgot about it" corrected Lumiere, who was seated on the lounge.
The butler sighed "Fine. What I'm saying is you need to be more careful. Trust can be broken as easily as it is given" he responded.
His friend gave a heavy sigh of his own and relaxed on the lounge "Mon ami, I understand perfectly…" he then sat up, real meaning in his words, and added "The last thing I want to do is hurt Babette in any way." The Frenchman grinned as he then asked "Cogsworth, are you saying all this because you do not want to see us apart?"
He snorted "Of course not…" he straightened his jacket "I just don't want to have a girl with a broken heart running around the castle, refusing to do her duties" he answered, although anyone could tell that he was lying.
Lumiere, however, chose not to press the matter. Instead, the maitre'd simply stood, and excused himself politely, saying "I must go to Babette and apologise for my mistake. She will be in the ballroom, so…"
Cogsworth waved a hand dismissively "Just get out" he said. Once again, the taller man grinned, and left the room, silently thanking him.
Babette, meanwhile, was indeed in the ballroom, with the other maids. A friend of hers, the castle decorator, Angelique, was very supportive "Do not worry about Lumiere, ma cheri, for he forgets things all the time. When we were courting, he would always forgot things…" she giggled "In fact, this one time, when we were still under the spell, and it was our anniversary, he forgot, but practiced with Belle, and I got so jealous that…"
But, the older woman had stopped listening, and just rolled her eyes. Angelique meant well, but she was slightly self-centred, and always managed to slip in the fact that she had courted Lumiere once, into any conversation. Which was why, as he and a few other people had told her, the miatre'd had left the much younger woman.
Then, one of the other, older maids, Fifi, put a comforting hand on her shoulder "It is alright Babette, he probably didn't mean it. Lumiere's a good man…"
"A great, charming man" interrupted Angelique.
Fifi, after giving Angelique a minor glare, continued to her friend "Like I was saying, he did not mean it. Oui, he has a…reputation with women, but he has always been faithful."
Babette sighed, defeated "Perhaps you are right mon ami" she answered. Then, she thought to herself "Lumiere would never leave me for another woman…would he?"
The voice of the man himself brought her from her thoughts "Ma cheri, there you are!"
She turned to her, placing her hands on her hips "What do you want now, Lumiere?" she snapped.
He answered "I…wanted to apologise for forgetting our anniversary. It was foolish."
Babette rolled her eyes and sighed "Well, it took you long enough" she remarked.
Lumiere came closer, and gathered her hands in his, which she allowed. But, she still did not meet his gaze. Her suitor sighed "Ma cheri, you know that I have a lot to think about lately, with Belle's coronation, and Prince Adam's uncle coming to visit later today" he said.
When she finally did look at him, the maid nodded "I see. Pardon moi, but I thought that, even with all of that for you to think about, you could at least remember our anniversary" she responded.
"All I did was forget the date! I had the carriage ride al prepared, as well as the present I was going to give you, but I simply forgot the date. However, I remembered that night, so all is well" answered Lumiere.
She sighed, and the smallest of smiles twitched at her mouth "I understand. You have had a lot going on. No one is perfect" she answered.
Lumiere blinked a few times. This woman, he realised, would never cease to surprise him with her moods. One moment, she was ready to leave him, and the next, she was kissing him and practically dragging him to her room.
The Frenchman smiled "I am so glad you understand" he said.
The maid smiled a full smile "How could I not?" she asked rhetorically.
It was late that evening when the carriage Prince Adam's uncle Richard, arrived at the castle. A strong looking, tall man with a small moustache, and long red hair stepped from the carriage, and tapped his foot "Mia!" he barked. He tapped his wooden cane (with a golden head) on the ground in impatience. His dashing suit was slightly damp because of the light downpour of rain, which he certainly did not like.
A breathtakingly beautiful young woman stepped from the carriage meekly "Yes Master?" she inquired. Her long, golden blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, showing her large green eyes, which were complemented by her pale skin and almost angelic face. She was dressed plainly, although it was the uniform of a high ranking servant.
Richard raised an eyebrow "Could you move any slower, girl!? Come on you hopeless little wrench, we have to get inside" he snapped. Mia nodded in cowardice, although it was faked. She, in truth, was not afraid of her Master at all. But, she knew that she had to appear that way.
Richard snorted at her, and made his way to the castle doors. Mia trailed behind him, still congratulating herself on being able to convince her Master to come and see his nephew Adam. It was not out of concern for the young Prince…but for her own reasons. There was someone there that she needed to settle something with, and she would get her way by any means necessary.
As she followed her Master inside, Mia could not suppress the small, sly smile that formed on her lips.
…
What's she up to?
Just in case you're wondering, this story is going to have some very small, barely noticeable similarities to Shakespeare's "Othello." Don't worry though, it won't end the same way at all. Can you guess who my Iago is?
I'll see you all soon,
- Babetteisawesome.
