Belle tucked her father into bed when someone at the door knocked.
"Yes?"
"I've come to collect your father." The cadaverous man before her said.
"My father?"
"Don't worry, miss. We'll take good care of him."
"My father's not crazy."
"He was raving like a loon at the tavern – everyone heard him. Something about a Beast in a castle."
She looked frantically around the crowd for a friendly face and landed on Gaston. "Please, tell them. You know my father's not crazy."
"I could clear up this little… misunderstanding, if…"
"If what?"
"If you marry me. One little word, that's all it takes."
So, she was to go from the grasp of one beast to another? "Never." She spat.
He smiled cruelly. "I would have thought you cared for your father better than that, but have it your way."
She bit her lip, thinking desperately of another way. She brought no proof with her. If she said she saw the beast too, it would do nothing but get herself locked up too and she would not be able to assist her father.
"I can attest to this man's sanity." A voice called from the shadows. Mummers rose from the crowd, everyone wondering who this stranger was. The crowd parted for him till he was before Belle, Gaston and the Caretaker. He was a tall man, with the lithe body of a dancer, clothed in a golden suit of fabric that screamed nobility. Among these peasants, believing those in power had the god given right, his clothes spoke more persuasively than his words.
"I'm afraid, he believes there was a Beast because of me – a lie bolstered by theatrics, I'm ashamed to confess."
"Who are you?" Gaston demanded.
"Marquis Lumiere." He announced with a bow. "I wanted Belle to myself, but her father was persistent. Belle, I apologize for the dishonor. I was a fool, and I want you for my own for all to see. Will you marry me?"
"I will."
The crowd cheered for the happy ending and dispersed. Gaston glared, but could do nothing, now that the crowd was not with him, and the Caretaker did not wish to press the issue, having been bribed into it.
"How did you do that? I thought for sure there would be a riot."
"I apologize from the depths of my heart for impinging upon your honor. Good or bad, people like a show."
"You were trying to save my father."
"I release you from our engagement – if you wish it. I am not a Marquis."
"Do you wish to be free?"
"Never." He said. "I was a fool and a coward to try to push you into the Master's arms. Your bravery and selflessness have humbled me. I love you, Belle, now and always. Will you really be my wife?"
"You love me?"
"With all my heart."
"Good. Because I love you too." And with that, she pulled him close and kissed him and he happily complied. When they broke away, she wondered. "But I don't understand. How are you here, uncursed?"
"I don't know. The Master returned and found you missing. We informed him of our part in your departure. I've never seen him so angry. Then, there was this light… and I am as you see me."
"The Beast, too?"
"No."
Belle gasped as understanding dawned. "Of course. Darling, you were there when Mrs. Potts explained everything to me. They are separate curses: the Beast was cursed for his cold heart – and love is what would set him free. But you were cursed for not standing up to the king when he was cruel to his son. You stood up to the Beast for me, and so your curse was broken."
"Clever girl." He said, tucking a tendril of hair behind her ear.
"Don't give me any credit. You saved yourself."
"Don't be so humble, you inspired my rebellion."
Belle brought Lumiere inside to meet her father who asked about the noise outside.
"What happens now?" Maurice asked after she'd explained.
"I don't think I can bear to stay here after what happened – to see them everyday knowing what they were going to do."
"Cogworth is going back to England. He invited me to join him. It told him it was up to you."
"England…" Belle smiled. "I always wanted to travel."
"We couldn't afford it." Maurice protested.
"As an apology, I suppose, the Master gave us all plenty to live off of." Lumiere opened his baggage to show them the crown jewels.