I'm Lycan This
Sorry this took me so long to update; I've been having problems with my computer.
Ch. 4
Babette hummed happily as she finished dusting off a mantle in one of the castle's many sitting rooms. Like the other servants, she was always busy; the castle's many rooms required a lot of attention. And yet, Babette didn't mind. During the years of the spell, most of the castle had fallen into disarray; the servants having little or no ability or will to resume their duties. Now though, everyone seemed determined to ensure the castle shone with cleanliness.
"Oh, Babette!" The young maid turned at the sound of the familiar voice. Princess Belle entered the room, a hopeful look on her face. Babette smiled at her mistress; despite their differences in status, the two were the best of friends.
"Yes, Mistress?"
"Oh, I'm glad I found you! I need a fairly large favor."
"Oh?" Personally, Babette felt there was really no favor large enough anyone in the castle could do for Belle considering what she done for them.
"I wanted to drop some books off at the village bookstore for Monsieur Edwards, but Adam needs my help with some state affair that needs the consent of both the Prince and the Princess."
"Say no more, Mistress. I would be happy to deliver the books for you." Bell's face broke into a wide smile.
"Oh, thank you, Babette! I really owe you." Babette smiled and grasped Belle's hand.
"What are friends for? Besides, going to town means I'll be away from Cogsworth for awhile. Lately he's been able to find dust on a bar of soap!" The laughter of both young women mingled with the streams of early afternoon sunshine falling through the windows.
Well, now I know why Belle and Monsieur Edwards are such good friends Babette mused as she stepped out of the book store and began walking toward the castle carriage. The sun was setting and the little town was bathed in its golden glow.
"Hey, girl!" Babette paused and looked over to her left. A group of blond triplets was glaring at another and much younger-looking girl.
"Just where do you think you're going?" the triplet in a red dress asked angrily. The younger girl, who had dark chestnut hair (almost like Babette's own hair) and was garbed in a white blouse and dark black skirt, did not back away.
"Need I tell you?" she asked in a soft, but strong voice.
"Well, considering on how people talk about you, no!" the triplet in a yellow dress growled.
"Ah?" Babette noted that the younger girl seemed totally unconcerned about whatever it was that the older girls held against her.
"Don't stand there looking innocent, you little tramp!"
"Little slut!"
"Little minx!" Babette had heard enough.
"Leave her alone!" she commanded, striding over to the group. The three blond girls looked up and sneered at her.
"Why should we?" the red-dressed one asked in a sassy tone; she was clearly the leader.
"Because I happen to employed at the castle. I am sure Prince Adam and Princess Belle would love to here you saying such things to an innocent girl." At Babette's words, the girl in the yellow dress laughed nastily and pointed a long-nailed finger at the younger girl, who had not moved.
"Innocent? Her? As if!" Her sisters nodded, but Babette was not going to give up.
"Whatever it is that she has done, it does not concern you. Now go away or I shall report you to the Prince and the Princess." The girls, noting the fierce expression in the maid's eyes, swept away with their noses in the air, but Babette could hear their last words.
"Humph, the Princess."
"A little minx, like that girl."
"Gaston," the last one whimpered tearfully. Babette ignored them and turned back to the younger girl.
"Are you okay?" The girl looked at her and Babette was startled; never before had she seen a girl with golden eyes.
"I am fine. The words of jealous harlots mean little to me," the girl said.
"Um, not to be rude, but what do they…"
"I work in the tavern," the girl said. Her did not change and her voice did not waver, but Babette felt pity wrench at her heart; this girl was way too young for such work. She reached out and put a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"Are you in trouble, petite?" The girl smiled slightly and shook her head.
"No, not at all."
"Oh. I'm Babette, by the way."
"I am Lycana."
"Lycana? That's an interesting name."
"Indeed." Lycana smiled and the setting sun reflected in her eyes, making them seem to glow. Babette studied the girl's face carefully; she didn't want to let her go back into the tavern, but she had to leave and the girl didn't seem upset or scared.
"Are you sure you don't need help, Lycana? I could take you back to the castle if you'd like." Lycana smiled and began to walk toward the tavern. She looked back at Babette as she walked.
"Don't worry about me, Babette. Believe me, my line of work is different from that of an ordinary serving girl." Lycana vanished into the tavern, leaving Babette alone to walk back to the carriage, feeling slightly mystified. There was something strange about this girl, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Babette sighed; she'd talk it over with Lumiere later. Her lover was good at puzzling out people's strange behavior. Babette shuddered. Even the thought of Lumiere's comforting words wasn't enough to drive the image of Lycana's face out of her mind. The face of a hunter on the prowl.