Glad folks are liking this so far!
GodlyJewel (I think you reviewed the last chapter with a comment that what I'm about to say would be appropriate for, but now I'm not finding it...maybe I dreamt it?), interesting thought on Maurice thinking Beast mauled her (though yeah, why would he then bandage her?). My thinking was Belle would know it would be painful for her father to see her in the state she's in. Honestly Maurice might be more suspicious of Beast for not letting him see Belle which might put Beast in an interesting situation. Perhaps the staff can explain things to Maurice.
"Monsieur D'Arque," Maurice said, "with all due respect, do I really seem like a crazy person to you?"
"Perhaps not in the way most of my patients are," Monsieur D'Arque granted. "But your delusions of a Beast holding your daughter captive are rather alarming. Not to mention your insistence that Monsieur Gaston, one of the most respected people, if not the most respected person in Villeneuve, attempted to feed you to the wolves."
"He did sir," Maurice said. "When I declined to grant him my daughter's hand in marriage."
"And why would you do that?" D'Arque asked. "Certainly a decorated war captain is someone any father would want his daughter to marry?"
Maurice pondered his answer. He thought of mentioning that Gaston had repeatedly attempted to court Belle and that Belle always rebuffed his advances, and that just about anyone in the village could attest to this. But it occurred to him that counting on the villagers to corroborate his story had a pretty poor track record of late. So this probably wasn't going to end well. He thought of saying it was because Gaston had exhibited a temper problem before leaving him tied up for the wolves, but since his attempted murder allegations were called into question, this probably wouldn't help either. He finally settled on a response.
"I have always tried to be a discerning father," Maurice said. "If I grant my blessing for someone to marry my daughter, it will be because I believe that's the right person for her. Also to receive my blessing, and this is probably more important to me than my thoughts on who the right man is, Belle would have to love the man seeking her hand. She does not love Gaston. I trust her judgement."
"I see," the asylum keeper said. "On one hand you seem like a somewhat rational man. You can at least put together a cohesive answer. On the other hand, and let's set aside this idea you have that Gaston tried to kill you for a time, you insist there is a Beast, in a castle, who has a talking teacup, and is holding your daughter as his prisoner. This is clearly delusional. You know, if you keep up with this story, I'll be forced to put you through some treatments that should relieve you of your wayward thinking, but tend to be quite unpleasant."
"Does it not strike you as odd," Maurice responded, "that my daughter has been missing these last couple of months?"
"Odd perhaps," D'Arque responded. "But hardly proof of abduction by a Beast with a talking teacup. Now, I've a couple other patients to see before I retire for the night. It's nearly bedtime now. I think we shall start treatment by restraining you to your bed. I will also blindfold and gag you. You'll have the night to consider the sanity of your thoughts. Not so pleasant but pretty mild. Perhaps it will be enough. Lay down please."
For a moment, Maurice thought about resisting. But he decided things might be worse if he did. So he lay on the bed and allowed himself to be restrained. If he just kept a level head on his shoulders, perhaps he could figure out how to get out of here before treatments got too severe.
In the castle's east wing, the Beast set down the mirror, thankful that Belle was not awake to hear. Lumiere, Plumette, and Mrs. Potts had watched the scene unfold as well, as the Beast had allowed the staff back in. Madame de Garderobe was, of course, currently asleep. But all assembled staff had been overjoyed when the Beast had stepped out to inform them that Belle had been conscious for a few minutes.
"Strapped down, blindfolded, and gagged?" Lumiere whispered. "Poor fellow."
"How dreadful," Plumette said.
"And utterly unnecessary," Mrs. Potts said. "He isn't even being dangerous or loud. I shudder to think what they have planned next."
"As distasteful as it is," the Beast said, "this may help in my rescue of him. I can explain who I am and that I mean no harm before he can see me or yell out or struggle."
"That's true," Mrs. Potts said.
"When are you going?" Lumiere asked.
"Tonight," the Beast said. "Once I ascertain that this Monsieur D'Arque fellow is asleep. Lumiere would you come with me to lend your light?"
"Of course Master," Lumiere said.
A couple hours later, D'Arque was finally found to be asleep. A check on Maurice confirmed he was alone in his room.
"All right Lumiere," the Beast said. "We should get going. Plumette, would you get one of the first floor guest rooms dusted?"
"Right away Master," the featherduster said before flying off.
The Beast picked Lumiere up, but set him down again when Belle stirred.
"Beast?" she said weakly.
"I'm here," the Beast said gently, taking Belle's hand. "How are you feeling?"
"All right," she said, but it was clear she was putting on a brave front.
"I can tell you're miserable," the Beast said. "You don't have to try and hide that."
"You're right," Belle said. "I'm sorry. I guess I can't hide it very well can I?"
"Like I said you don't have to," the Beast whispered. "And I wish you wouldn't. Lumiere and I were just about to go get your father, but I'll stay here until you fall asleep again."
"No," Belle said. "Don't wait. Please. Just go get him."
"Mrs. Potts and Madame Garderobe are here," the Beast said. "Are you sure though you want me to leave before you're asleep?"
"If you've determined now is ideal for getting Papa," she said, "then go now. Just remember please don't let him see me in this state. I fear it will hurt him too much."
The Beast did not have to leave her awake or wait, for at this moment sleep overtook her once more. The Beast and Lumiere went swiftly to the library to use the portal book.
"Keeping him from seeing her might be difficult," Lumiere said as they entered the library. "Especially if you want him to see he can actually trust you now."
"One thing at a time Lumiere," the Beast said. He opened the portal book. "First we have to get him out of that asylum and back here. Are you ready?"
"Ready Master," the candelabra said.
Once transported to Maurice's room in the asylum, the Beast looked around, pondering how he might execute this rescue without frightening the man who he'd previously given every reason to be frightened of him. He set Lumiere down on a table near the bed, gently tapped Maurice on the shoulder, and cleared his throat softly. Maurice stirred, to the extent possible when strapped to a bed.
"Monsieur," the Beast whispered, partly for the sake of not drawing attention, partly so Maurice would not yet recognize his voice. "I know when I identify myself to you you'll have every reason to be frightened, as I acted inexcusably when we met. But I mean you no harm and I'm here to get you out of here. I need you to cooperate so I can get you to safety. But I must let you know who I am. I am the Beast."
Maurice stiffened.
"I wanted to identify myself before you could see me since I imagine the sight would be quite startling," the Beast whispered. "But now I am going to relieve you of this blindfold, then the gag. Do you think you can remain calm?"
Reluctantly, Maurice nodded. What choice did he have? He was faced with remaining in the asylum, unjustly, or being rescued by the Beast who claimed he was there to help. Trusting the creature who locked him away, then his daughter in his place, was not an easy prospect. But at least maybe he'd be able to move around. The Beast at least had allowed him to move around the cell. Sure it was a small space, but at least the Beast had never tied him down.
The Beast removed the blindfold. He then gave Maurice's eyes a moment to adjust to Lumiere's light before looking into Maurice's face, hoping his kind eyes and soft features, which were anything but kind or soft when Maurice had last seen him, would be reassuring to the old man.
"Now I'll ungag you," the Beast whispered as he began this task. "Don't try to talk. We need to get you out of here as quickly as possible. All right, now that the gag is off I'm going to work on these restraints."
The Beast was, for once since the curse was placed, thankful for his razor sharp claws. They allowed him to make rather short work of the leather straps that bound Maurice to the bed. Once Maurice had been freed of his restraints, the Beast helped him to his feet and gently guided him over to the spot the Beast first found himself in this room. He picked up Lumiere.
"Now I would advise you to close your eyes," he whispered. "You'll probably feel strange for a moment. You can open your eyes when the strange feeling subsides. We will then be in the library of my castle."
The Beast then willed them all back to the castle. And a moment later, he was lifting his paw from the enchanted book.
"We're here," he said quietly, though no longer in a whisper.
