Author's Note: Hey guys, here's a new chapter! Love all the support as always, it means so much to me! I know that my updates have been lousy lately, but since this is a hobby, I can't keep it as regular as you guys want it to be. I hope you'll forgive me for that, and if that should be a problem, then I'm really sorry, it's just the way it is. Most of you have been lovely with your messages, and I really sincerely appreciate them because it keeps this story alive and you all help me with your suggestions and it does affect the story. I promise you this story will keep going, and I will try and update when I can! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, again, hard to not go OOC but hey, that's why this story is here! As always, please like, follow and review! Happy reading guys!

Chapter 11

Although Belle might've assumed otherwise, she was not alone in questioning her own actions. The Prince left the library just as equally stunned, but he was also furious at what had just occurred.

Slamming the door behind him, the young man began to stalk down the hallway, clenching and unclenching his hands as he tried to understand what had possessed him to ask that final ridiculous question.

What was he thinking?

You will join me for dinner?!

He growled in frustration as he flung open a set of doors which led to the east staircase.

Every single time he met that strange creature, he seemed to lose his nerve and act out irrationally, so much so that he hardly seemed to be in control over what he was doing. He could not understand it. She was a servant for goodness sake! Comparing himself to that wretched creature was like comparing a lion to a mouse. He had no reason to be rattled by her theatrics and outbursts but every time he saw he just-

He should never have paid any attention to her in the first place, let alone allowed Cogsworth to give that position in the library.

It was nonsensical.

Reaching the bottom of the staircase, the Prince felt his anger begin to subside as a new thought entered his mind. Furrowing his eyebrows in contemplation, he gripped hold of the banister beside him and stopped to think.

Come to think of it, he hadn't exactly asked her... Yes, that's right. He had more or less yelled her at her to join him for dinner.

Letting out a haggard breath, the Prince lifted a hand to his brow as he felt his temples begin to hurt.

It wasn't like he was ashamed that he had spoken in an authoritative manner; by the time he had come to his senses, he began to speak to her in the way that he ought to have, as every master does towards a servant.

But given the fact that he had wanted her to come to dinner, for god knows why, he knew he ought to have spoken in perhaps a more gentlemanly manner. Given her prickly nature, she was hardly going to want to join him if he had basically barked at her.

He deserved to dig up a hole in the rose gardens and bury himself in it for his stupidity.

He had never suffered from such problems before. Partly because nobody had ever disobeyed him in the past, and as for women, they usually fawned over him and tended to sometimes lift the hems of their dresses in order to gain even an ounce of his attention.

He had always been aware of his position as the heir to his father's Dukedom, aware of his rank in society, aware of those who looked at him hungrily, not just at his obvious handsomeness, but more importantly, the jewels which he was adorned with. He had also always been aware of those below him, persons who were not worth his time, not worth anything, unless they had a pretty face, and even then, they only captured his attention for a short amount of time…

Lifting his gaze slowly, the Prince frowned as he looked down the darkening corridor which lead to the portrait gallery. It was nearing twilight, and he could see the moon appearing across the indigo sky. It was his favourite time of day...

Glancing at the doors which lead to the drawing room, his thoughts annoyingly turned back towards…

This woman… She was unlike any human that he had ever encountered before.

And that was not exactly in a good way.

He had only been in her presence twice, and yet each time he seemed to forget who he was, even who she was. It was disconcerting, and made him feel on edge. She made him feel….

Nervous.

No matter how much he regretted his actions however, he could never reverse what he had allowed to happen. Part of him was strangely grateful she looked upon him with scorn, as if he were the very devil. In truth, she was wrong to think in those terms, but he had simply been too stunned to react rationally the first time he had met her.

She was far too outspoken, but somehow, she had managed to get away with it.

Twice.

Shrugging his shoulders, the Prince lent off the banister and made his way through the hallway into the portrait gallery. The maids were beginning to light the candles for the evening. Each curtsied silently as the young master passed by but he ignored them, staring straight ahead down the hallway.

Perhaps he had asked her to join him because he wanted to challenge her. Find out what it was about her that made him seem to become so unhinged. It was almost like a duel, and he had already let her win twice.

The Prince smiled.

Well, not a third time. And when he did finally succeed in finding out her weak spot, he would lose all interest in her and be able to move on. Besides, he had more pressing matters to attend to than that of an overtly curious mind. Albeit, it was one that he found strangely peculiar, but it belonged nevertheless to a lowly peasant girl. Right now, he had his new position to think of, and all that that entailed.

"She is a pretty one though, isn't she? Not a classic blonde, but still, she has a pretty nose."

The Prince looked up swiftly, taken out of his thoughts by the sounds of whispers coming from the grand entrance.

Pacing slowly towards the entrance to the castle, the Prince narrowed his eyes as he saw two guardsmen standing near the doorway, which was hanging slightly open. The shorter of the two was leaning against a column in an almost swagger-like fashion.

Not at all the posture a guardsman ought to be adopting.

The Prince's eyes grew into slits as he made his way silently towards them, hidden in the darkness.

"Do you really think so?" said the taller of the two, sounding rather unconvinced.

"Oh, Belle is prettiest girl in this castle, even a fool can see that!" retorted the shorter one. "And I'm going to court her, you'll see. That figure she has too, like a dancer… I'll get her somehow, steal a kiss, hey, maybe I'll even sneak into the maids' quarters one night and-"

The Prince, who had been about to scold the repugnant pig for leaning against one of his columns, flew into a murderous rage as he heard the idiot utter Belle's name and speak of her in, what he felt were, odious terms.

"How dare you speak in such a manner!" snarled the Prince has he grabbed the guardsman's collar and lifted him up against the column.

"What?" spluttered the guard as he stared at the master of the castle in fear, terrified but equally confused.

"You are the very scum of this earth," growled the young Duke, his grip so strong the guardsman felt his shoulder begin to scream in pain. "You deserve to be hung, drawn and quartered for the way you just spoke!"

The other guardsman, completely lost for words, simply gaped at his colleague and stood still behind the Prince, unable to comprehend what was happening before him. Two seconds ago, they had been having a normal conversation and suddenly out of nowhere, like a panther in the night…

"I'm s-sorry Your Highness, I don't understand-" quivered his unfortunate friend, who was staring in horror at the Prince, who looked as if he wanted to choke him right there on the spot.

"You better listen and listen well," interrupted the Prince, his voice hardly above a whisper. "Your cretinous mouth does not even deserve to utter her name, let alone speak of her in such disgusting terms, but by doing so, I'm afraid you now find yourself in a bit of a predicament. This is what I advise you to do. Quit this place by morning, and I really suggest you do, because if I ever see your toad-like face ever again anywhere near my premises, I will personally guide you into the heart of woods and gladly watch with satisfaction as I slowly feed you to the wolves."

The guardsman's face slowly turned to the colour of parchment as the Prince's scathing words entered his ears, and he found himself just as lost for words as his friend, who was still standing frozen on the spot just in front of him, behind the Prince. He was hardly aware the Prince had actually lifted him off the ground, and that his feet were dangling pathetically in mid-air, mostly because he couldn't escape the harsh blue eyes which were glaring at him with such malice that he did not even dare to look away.

Luckily for the guardsman, a lazy clap began echo across the room just as the Prince began to hear somebody's footsteps coming from behind. Keeping his unyielding grip on the guardsman, the young Duke turned around to see the Marquis, his other close acquaintance who still staying at the castle, slowly approaching him.

"I must say, this is quite a spectacle," remarked the Marquis, giving a sly smile as he came closer towards the odd group. "Is this another one of your favourites forms of entertainment my dear friend? Mercilessly abusing your servants?"

"Just the ones that annoy me," muttered the Prince, feeling slightly ashamed the Marquis had caught him at a bad moment. He released the guardsman roughly and swiftly turned around to face his friend, ignoring the idiot behind him who had proceeded to slump and fall onto the floor.

"And what did this one do?" asked the Marquis, raising his eyebrows as he watched the other guardsman hastily help his friend up, careful not to make any sudden sounds.

"He just spoke in a way which I displeased me," replied the Prince coldly, and did not elaborate any further as he turned to see the two guardsmen leave through the grand entrance and back out into the night. He wanted to say more to that scumbag, but now that he was in the presence of the Marquis, he saw it would have been extremely inappropriate for him to converse with a mere guardsman. He felt his eye tick slightly as the doors closed behind them, giving a soft thud.

As his rage quietened down however, the Prince began to feel a little embarrassed about the whole ordeal. He was sure the Marquis would never have behaved in such a manner, even given his drinking habits.

"You seem quite rattled," spoke the Marquis, interrupting the Prince's thoughts as he strutted towards the fireplace, where, only recently the day before, Augustin had sitting talking to the Prince. "What did that idiot say that made you fly into such a spectacular rage?"

"The guard?" said the Prince flippantly as he joined his friend, who was pouring himself a glass of wine and sitting himself down in one of the armchairs. "It doesn't matter. There are more important matters to discuss, such as I'd like to know how your day has been. I have not spoken to you since the night before."

"Oh, just so and so. You know I find it very easy to keep myself occupied. I heard you had a little spat with Augustin," said the Marquis languidly as he leaned back into his armchair. "You know he's left, right?"

"Yes, I know," replied the Prince begrudgingly, as if he would rather avoid the subject. "I don't understand him these days."

"He's just jealous," yawned the Marquis as he closed his eyes. "And why not? You are soon to be a Duke. Whereas he will never be anywhere near our rank in society. It's high time he realized you can no longer be near him."

"I thought you liked Augustine," said the Prince as he leaned against the mantelpiece and frowned towards the portly Marquis.

The man in question opened his eyes groggily in surprise and looked towards the future Duke, whose towering form was only made that much more intimidating by the fire burning beside him; a glowing fire which turned his already handsome features into striking ones, making him almost like a Grecian god.

"I do like Augustine," said the Marquis before smiling and shaking his head incredulously. "But comparing the two of you is like comparing this castle to one of your petty villages. If he wasn't a childhood friend, you won't give him the time of day. Heck, he wouldn't even be allowed in this castle. You know it's true."

The Prince gritted his teeth, but he did not argue back. The Marquis was right, and, moreover, realistic. Perhaps Augustine already knew, perhaps he had anticipated ever since his father's death…

"Who is this Belle by the way?"

"What?" stammered the Prince, turning towards the Marquis with a blank expression on his face.

"I knew it," sighed the Marquis, smirking as he sipped his wine. "I may look like I don't listen my dear Prince but that doesn't mean I don't use these ears of mine. I saw the entire thing, you don't need to explain."

The Prince closed his mouth, unable to defend himself or make something up as the Marquis had been observing from the very beginning.

He was spared further humiliation however, by the arrival of Lumiere, who was trotting down the portrait gallery, candelabra in hand.

"Your Highness? Oh, Your Highness!" echoed his voice, causing the Marquis to roll his eyes.

"Oh, here comes your puppy dog," he said flatly as he slowly got up from his seat. "Don't think this conversation is over, my dear friend. I want to hear all about this girl of yours."

The Prince did not comment any further, and merely looked warily towards his friend as Lumiere came through the archway and into the grand entrance.

"Your Highness!" exclaimed Lumiere, bowing graciously before the Prince. "I have been searching for your everywhere!"

"Is that so," said the Prince gruffly as the Marquis returned his glass to the tray table, stiffening slightly with barely contained laughter.

"Yes, sir, for you have not informed us yet about what you would like us to prepare for dinner. Will the Marquis be joining you?"

"I shall pass for tonight," replied the Marquis, lifting his hand passively as he slouched towards the grand staircase. "I have more than enough to keep me occupied in my quarters for tonight, and will be turning in early. Goodnight, Your Highness."

The Marquis offered an over the top bow and gave the Prince a quick smirk before turning around and making his way up the staircase.

"I see," said Lumiere, his voice wavering slightly as he didn't what to think about how the Marquis had just blatantly mocked him.

"Lumiere, as a matter of fact, I would like you to arrange a dinner for me tonight."

The young man turned swiftly towards his master, who was staring at him with a pained expression on his face, which proved to be just as equally confusing to Lumiere as the Marquis's strange antics.

"Of course, Your Highness," he replied, giving the young master a pleasing smile. "Is it just for you or-"

"I would like two place settings," said the Prince, his voice sounding rather odd. The maids had not yet made their way into the grand entrance, so it was still hard for Lumiere to fully make out the Prince's expression, but he could tell it was not that of boredom, which was how the young master usually tended to look.

"Two place settings sir, in the dining room?" repeated Lumiere. He had his wits about him enough to know the Prince was not referring to the Marquis, and it could not be Monsieur Augustine so it had to be somebody else… No, it could not be-

"I would like you to inform the mademoiselle currently working in the library to come down at precisely eight o'clock, which is in two hours' time. Do you understand Lumiere?"

"Of course, Your Highness," breathed Lumiere as he stared at the master in wonder, who was currently staring cautiously at the maids who were slowly making their way across the entrance hall, beginning to light up the candles dotted all around the grand staircase.

"And Lumiere-"

"Yes, sir."

"Please inform her as quickly as possible. And take care not to-"

Just as the Prince was about to continue, one of the maids passed by to light one of the candelabras by the fireplace. And she turned, she gave the Prince a quick curtsy before making her way back towards the staircase.

The Prince turned to glare at Lumiere, and let out a sigh of annoyance.

"Make sure you keep this as private as possible," he said through gritted teeth before turning away and bounding up the marble staircase so quickly that Lumiere barely had anytime to respond and bow in return.

…..

"Oh dear."

Mrs Potts arranged the two place settings calmly, making sure the forks and knives all sat parallel to each other.

"Oh dear."

Lumiere began to light two candelabras and placed them on either side of the long table.

"Oh dear! What have I done-"

"Oh, will you calm down Cogsworth!" exclaimed Lumiere, finally losing it as he turned towards the neurotic man who was pacing up and down the carpet. "This is not helping!"

"It's all my fault," moaned Cogsworth as he stared dejectedly towards the door in despair.

"It is not your fault and this is what it is," replied Mrs Potts calmly as she finished arranging the table. "Shall I start to bring up the starters?"

"How can you talk about starters when the master is about to have dinner with the- the peasant girl-"

"Oh shush, Cogsworth," replied Mrs Potts curtly, tapping the poor man on the shoulder. "She could do him some good, and she won't be in any real danger. The master is not as bad as most make him out to be."

"I really do not understand your false sense of optimism Mrs Potts but even taking that into account does not excuse the fact that things have never escalated like this before!" retorted Cogsworth as he shook his hands in front of the Head Housekeeper in vain. "He has never dined with a servant before, let alone any woman he has courted in the past! He hates women who talk, we all know that!"

"We shall stand guard by the door and make sure nothing happens, mon capitaine," replied Lumiere, who was starting to take a little pity on his friend.

"I shudder to think what he's thinking," replied Cogsworth nevertheless, stroking his moustache worriedly. "Shameful business, shameful business…."

"What did she say exactly when you informed her of the dinner Lumiere?" asked Mrs Potts, smoothing her apron.

"Er, just the usual thing one might say," replied Lumiere as he gestured vaguely with his hands, causing Mrs Potts to immediate question him.

"She said she would think about it!" said Lumiere hastily in response. "She said something about manners and that since I had spoken so kindly towards her, she would think about it. I'm sure she will come down!"

Cogsworth began to miserably shake his head in response and turned around to face the fireplace, just as Mrs Cogsworth sighed exasperatedly.

"What?" said Lumiere bluntly, feeling a little insulted by their less than enthusiastic response, just as the door flung open.

The Prince, who had nervously entered the room, gave a quick glance towards the table before turning towards his heads of staff, who strangely all seemed to be standing by the fireplace, as if they were conspiring together.

"Well, where is she?" asked the young master, his voice sounding unusually as rough as nails as he glared at them, not bothering to put up a front.

"She has not come down yet, sir-"

"I went to her room, but found it to be empty," replied the Prince, who sounded, to put it lightly, very displeased. He was dressed in his evening attire, a navy-blue coat with golden trimmings, but unlike the night of the ball, he remained sans wig.

The heads of staff involuntarily let out gasps as they listened to the master, who had never once ventured down into the kitchens, at least, not since he was a boy when his mother was still alive.

"Sir, you went to the kitchens in search of her?" remarked Mrs Potts, unable to believe her ears as she stared at the Prince incredulously. She knew the master had an interest in the girl, but she didn't know it stretched so far that he would go down to the-

"The kitchens?" repeated the future Duke slowly, his voice hollow and dull as he turned to look at each of his servants. "What do you mean, the kitchens."

The three heads of staff each felt their stomachs sink as the master's expression grew dark and almost serene. None of them said a word.

"I was referring to the quarters in the East Wing, which was where I requested you to put her Cogsworth, as her new post is entirely different to that of a scullery maid."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness!" exclaimed Cogsworth, breaking the tense atmosphere as he bowed towards the young master. "I am aware of what you requested, but the girl-"

"The girl wished to stay in her current quarters," finished Mrs Potts calmly, stepping towards the Prince, her gaze straight and direct. "She told me so herself. I think she enjoys the company and does not wish to be alone."

"She enjoys the company. The company of scullery maids and plongeurs," breathed the Prince, staring into the fire with wide eyes as he let that information sink in.

Cogsworth looked nervously towards Lumiere, who seemed just as uneasy as he did. This was not a good sign.

"Where is she, Lumiere?" asked the Prince, his voice dangerously soft as he turned to look at his footman, his mouth shaped into that of a thin line of disapproval.

"She said, er, she was very polite sir and she even-"

"Get to the point," said the Prince through gritted teeth.

"The reason why she is not here, the reason why she may not be coming this evening, is because she didn't exactly say definitively that she would come, in fact, she more or less said she would think about it?"

Lumiere knew he had made a mistake the minute the words left his mouth, but there wasn't much else he could have said at that point.

Cogsworth felt a pin drop before the inevitable explosion destroyed the unbearable silence.

"WHAT?!"