"The rose has only four petals left, and you know what that means. Tonight, you will tell her how you feel."
"I feel like a fool."
"She is the One!"
"I wish you would stop saying that. There is no 'One.'"
"You care for the girl, don't you?" Lumiere didn't wait for a response, but continued brightly, "Then tonight you will woo her with beautiful music and romantic candlelight. Everyone, help him get ready, I will check on our salvation."
He took a breath at the door. Let this work. He prayed. The sooner the beast fell in love with Belle, the sooner the curse was broken – the sooner Lumiere could leave the castle and nurse his broken heart in peace. He knocked.
"You look amazing my dear." He cooed when Belle answered.
Belle blushed. "I wish I could dance with you tonight."
"Ach, I would make a terrible partner. The beast is so much –"
"Don't do that. Don't think putting yourself down will raise the Beast any higher in my estimation."
"I only meant…er…"
She sat on the floor so she was closer to him. "I know what you've been doing. And i've been trying to go along with it, really, I have. But i've been trying to fall in love with him for you sake. And for that reason, I don't think I'll ever be the one to break the spell..." She bit her lip to keep from crying. "I'm right, aren't I? You didn't correct me. I have to fall in love with him, don't I?" she shook her head. "I should be going."
She jumped up and hurried to the ballroom, leaving Lumiere still speechless.
She just meant she's trying to love the Beast to break the curse for him – for everyone. He told himself. Plumette was right about him. Charming at first, but fickle and selfish. He didn't deserve her any more than the Master did.
Strains of soft music floated up to him from the ballroom. He didn't want to watch but was compelled to see the result of all his scheming.
Tale as old time, true as it can be,
barely even friends then somebody bends unexpectedly
Just a little change, small to say the least
Both a little scared, neither one prepared,
beauty and the beast
Ever the same, ever a surprise
Ever as before, ever as sure as the sun will rise
Tale as old as time, tune as old as song, bitter-sweet and strange
Finding you can change, learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun rising in the east
Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast
Mrs. Potts had a beautiful voice and serenaded the pair. The night was perfect. Belle smiled sweetly at the beast and let him lead her on the dancefloor. Of all the things the curse stripped away, it left the prince his natural grace. The beast was a perfect gentleman. Lumiere looked on, a sick feeling in his metal body. He wanted to be the one to hold Belle in his arms – but he could not have arms to hold her unless she loved the beast and therefore not his to embrace.
All too soon, the Beast led Belle out to the terrace to look out at the stars, and the gardens under their blanket of snow. The ballroom was warm, and the cold night air would be welcome after their dance, though Belle might snuggle up to the Beast if they stayed out too long. Lumiere choreographed everything. He knew what was coming next and he wished and dreaded in turns.
