Here is the next chapter! I do hope you all enjoy it, my dears!

Chapter 9:

Forced Cooperation

Babette sighed as she arose from bed the next morning. She knew very well what awaited her when she left her room. The insufferable maitre'd, and the time she was forced to spend with him. Mon Dieu, I cannot believe this is how I am going to spend my morning.

Dressing quickly, she sat down in front of the small vanity in her room, and began to run a brush through her hair. Just as she started, someone knocked at the door. Groaning, Babette asked in annoyance, "Oui?"

To her dismay, Lumiere's voice came from the other side of the door. He answered politely, "Mademoiselle, I was just coming to see if you had forgotten."

The maid clenched her fists angrily. She replied spitefully, "As you can tell, monsieur, I have not. I will be with you in a minute." The nerve of that man! After finishing brushing her hair, the young maid stood, and exited her room.

Shutting the door behind her, she turned just in time to see Lumiere lighting a few of the hallway candles. His gaze flickered to her, and he nodded, "I see you are one to keep your word…surprisingly enough" he said, before turning back to the candles. I do not want to do this.

Babette crossed her arms, "Do you truly believe I am as incapable as you clearly suggest?" she snapped.

"From your mannerisms, mademoiselle, it is quite clear to me" replied the maitre'd coldly.

The maid stayed silent for a few moments. Angelique had been right. He clearly wanted nothing to do with her. At this thought, she broke into a small smile. Well, I shall certainly have no issues of his unwanted advances. Walking to the cluster of wall candles opposite him, Babette sighed as she began her work.

There was nothing but hostile quiet between them for a while, until Lumiere broke it. Instead of speaking, however, Babette could distinctly hear him singing softly to himself. It was an upbeat tune, and he had a lovely singing voice, she noticed. How can a creature so annoying sound so beautiful?

While lighting a few of the candles, she commented, attempting to make casual conversation, "That is not a song I am familiar with, monsieur."

"It would not be. I made it up myself. It is a way for me to keep my good mood, as well maintaining my sanity with certain people" he replied. He was not being at all subtle about his dislike of her, for he felt no reason to.

The maid did not have to guess to know that he was speaking about her. Momentarily forgetting about her duty, Babette turned to him, "You do not have to say such things, monsieur. I know very well how much you despise me" she snarled. Does he really have to be so obvious? It is insulting enough when he addresses me as incapable.

He raised his eyebrows, before glancing at her, "Despise? That is a harsh word, mademoiselle, and one that I would not quite say. I find that you are the most annoying woman I have ever met and I would hate to have to deal with you for more than a month, oui, but I do not precisely despise you" he answered teasingly.

The maid, at this, became enraged. Not only by the blunt way he had said it, but also how calm he was! He had put it as though it was just a casual comment! The young woman was about to raise her voice at him once more, when she suddenly got an idea. She said, "I suppose it is correct in my assuming that you do not find yourself disliking many women, then. In fact, I believe it is quite the opposite." For some strange reason, they adore him in return. I cannot see why. They clearly must have something wrong with them.

Lumiere turned to her fully. "No, no I do. However, unlike them, you are the first woman in years who I have not had any attraction to" he replied. Not that it would bother her.

Babette nodded, "I find that knowledge comforting" she replied. So you will not bother me with your attempted flirtations.

"Truly, mademoiselle?" questioned the maitre'd, his annoyance escalating.

The maid gave no verbal reply. Instead, she returned to her work, moving down the halls with Lumiere as they lit each candle.

After a while, the Frenchman spoke again. The young man asked, faking his lack of knowledge, "Where have you been these past few mornings?" Most likely deliberately making me look bad before the Master.

"Avoiding you," Babette answered, not meeting his eyes. She knew that, as he had before, the maitre'd saw right through any act she put on. Therefore, there was no use lying to him.

Lumiere asked, still pretending not to know, "Why were you avoiding me, mademoiselle?"

She answered curtly, "I did not want you to boast to me about your evening with Amelia. It has already spread around the castle" I do not want his arrogance to be escalated any further, for it will make him even more unbearable.

He shrugged without remorse. "Rumours can be based in fact," he added with a smirk.

Babette sighed, before asking, desiring only to escape, "Is there anything more you need me to do, monsieur?"

He shook his head, "No. I will finish the last few candles on my own." She nodded, and turned to leave, before he called after her, "You really should be thanking me, you know."

Looking back at him, the maid questioned heatedly, "Why? You were the one who told Cogsworth that I was not doing my duties," placing her hands on her hips, she added, "I would not think that you would usually be one to help Cogsworth catch someone who was not living up to his expectations, since you do the same."

Lumiere rolled his eyes, before answering, "You should thank me because I did not let the Master find out. You would have been gone from here yesterday if I had." Ungrateful girl. She does not realise that I was risking my own position here in order to keep her from being dismissed.

Babette chose not to reply to him. The maid continued walking down the hall, not looking back. She did not want to give him the satisfaction.

...

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Well, like I said, I won't be updating for a while because of stupid school :( But, I will try my best to not have you wait too long, I promise. I hope you are all enjoying this series so far!

Until next time!

-Babetteisawesome :)