Beast awoke with a sudden stabbing pain in his spine. It was ripping up to the base of his skull and traveling down his limbs. He opened his mouth with a soundless yell as he felt his bones and muscles shifting beneath his trembling flesh. He reached up and cradled his pounding head and felt a face. A human face. His face.
His hands. Oh God, his hands. They were human—they were his! He couldn't see them in the utter darkness, but he could feel them. He could feel them on his own face.
He'd felt that pain before, it was a feeling he would never forgot and had never hoped to experience again. He had felt it when the old crone had first traveled to the castle and given him a single rose. Only then he had been transformed into a horrifying reflection of his personality.
He lurched from the bed he was on, ignoring the pain with his desperation to find a mirror and prove to himself that he wasn't just dreaming, but as soon as his foot, his human foot, touched a beam of moonlight from the open window, he felt the overwhelming pain again. This time the pain was too much and his scream held the rage that had boiled forth over the years. He fell to his knees, which were once again to their normal furred state. He felt his teeth shift and shove from his gums leaving him without a doubt that he was Beast again.
What was this?
He was the beast again, he could see his fur in the moonlight, felt how his limbs had extended and the muscles grew in size and girth. Anger flowed hot through his veins causing him to growl, he was angry at the world, the injustice of the situation. He had paid his dues, did he not deserve peace from this hell? What had just happened was nothing but a tease of what could never be.
He stood up on shuddering legs. He didn't care how it may have seemed to someone else, for one brief moment he had been human again. He lowered his chin to his chest and breathed deeply trying to calm himself. He had felt his own skin and not the course fur that he had accustomed himself to.
He was in his bedroom, it was the same master bedroom that his family had used for generations, but of course he had remodeled quite a bit. Ripping the candle chandelier from the ceiling when he had first turned. Destroying one of the floor to ceiling windows by throwing a chair through it, so no matter what he did there was always a chilly cast to the room. His personal favorite change was when he had taken his sixteen year old portrait and ripped it to shreds with his claws. Sometimes having human-like lion paws came in handy.
He walked forward to the only table in the room that had no scratches, no splintered wood, it wasn't even chipped, but it did have on it's surface the only thing that had any sort of value to it- a single crinkled rose. It was so old it had started to curl in on itself and slowly over the years had shed petal after petal. There was only one petal left. The sight calmed his anger and scared him at the same time. He looked beside the rose to the magic mirror that he had used earlier. He stared at his own disgusting reflection. The face of Beast was quite disturbing, he tried to not look at himself whenever possible, in fact all of the mirrors in the West Wing were broke except this one and that was because this one was magic. The large protruding horns that had shoved themselves from his skull curled upwards, and the extended snout that was in a constant snarl, he turned away with abhorrence. But, before he ducked into the shadows out of habit like he usually did when he got sick of himself, he had a sudden thought. Why had he been turned back into human for those short seconds? Now that he thought of it he had been human until he touched the light.
His eyes widened and he stood straight up with the thought.
Only during the night will you ever get a reprieve.
Those words, those same words were what the old woman had told him when he turned. It had been the first of the three things that she had been allowed to tell him.
Certainly, it couldn't mean what he hoped to the Heavens it meant. With Belle here could he be human during the night? Was she already ripping down the walls of the curse simply be being near him? There was only one true way to really test the theory.
He stared into the darkness that shrouded his bed. The massive shadow of the Beast stretched towards the shadows as if searching to be in its own territory. He edged closer, hoping that his insane thinking had some truth in it. He slowly stepped forward until the only part of his body that remained in the moonlight was his clawed foot. He slowly dragged it into the darkness.
As soon as his whole body was covered in shadows the pain immediately returned, but this time he smiled as he felt his bones breaking.
For the first time in sixteen years he felt true exhilarating happiness. He didn't know how long he stood there in the shelter of the shadows. His body was human, he felt the absence of the heavy weight of the Beast's muscles for the second time that night.
He didn't want the night to end and as the hours passed he had never hated a sunrise more.
Belle had followed the lit torches that lined the walls. Lumiere had kindly led her down through the foyer into what she assumed was the servant's hall, by lighting a new torch when she reached the previous one. The servant's hall wasn't as wide as the others and it didn't have any lavish decorations on the walls for people to appreciate, but the wallpaper was rich and looked as if it was lined with threads of gold. Her eyebrows raised on their own accord, this place is easily worth more than the all the villages in the valley, combined. It was almost sickening, but one couldn't help but be intrigued and eager to see more.
A torch sparked ahead of her spurring her to quicken her pace to keep up with Lumiere. She didn't say anything as they came to the end of the hall to a set of large mahogany doors. She assumed Lumiere was already inside and wanted her to come in, so she touched the door handle and was about to push through. The doors swung back with a creak when she touched them, leaving her there with her hand outstretched towards nothing.
Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she focused on what was inside.
"My…"
"We have whatever you might desire."
Lumiere's voice rang clear through the domed kitchen. Belle's slippers were soundless against the stone of the floor, but if her shoes would have been singing praises she wouldn't have been able to notice. The kitchen was blusterous in its noise.
She stumbled in and nearly jumped out of her skin when the chair she was about to sit in leaned back as if in invitation to it. She needed to get used to the activities of inanimate objects soon, this jumping about was going to kill her sooner or later and she was betting on sooner. She gingerly accepted the seat with muttered thanks and continued staring at the performance around her. Plates were throwing themselves into basins full of sloshing water and then drying themselves off and shelving themselves. For some reason she wasn't truly surprised, but you can't help but ogle these things.
"Bonjour," The voice was full of flourish and accent and so smooth that it practically caressed your ears. It was coming from the table.
"Oh, it has been so long since we have serviced a lady," the table seemed to shiver. "Your every desire is my whim."
"Ma Cherie, that voice is Beau," Lumiere's winsome voice rang through the air, clashing with the clanks and clicks of dishware hitting each other. "You'll have to excuse him, he's quite the romantic and he doesn't get to use his charm as often as he would like too." There was laughter in the fire's voice and a few scattered chuckles from others in the room.
"I wholesomely agree, my beauty. I've heard they call you Belle. A beautiful name for an attractive women, it deserves to be whispered quietly by a lover in candlelight."
"Beau! You forget yourself," Mrs. Potts' angry chime stopped all movement in the room. Her motherly attitude was a force to be reckoned with and it was obvious that no one in the room was going to. The dishware had stopped washing and polishing themselves. Some were still suspended in the air in the middle of what they were doing.
"Oh, I didn't realize you were listening Mrs. Potts. My humblest apologies."
"Humph, apologize to the girl, not my old ears and it shouldn't matter whether I was listening in or not- you don't treat young respectable ladies that way!"
Belle cut into the conversation before anyone else said anything. Indigent anger was coming from Mrs. Potts and pure sass was coming from Beau, he wasn't planning on backing down without a fight. She didn't want anything to get more awkward. "No, that's alright, I'm not insulted. But, I am rather hungry…"
"Why, Lumiere, you haven't fed the girl?"
"Mrs. Potts, don't worry I have it all figured out. Cook, fill the dishes!"
Belle turned in her seat to see who Cook was, craning her neck over the high back of her chair. The massive stove that dominated the whole wall behind her reminded Belle of her father as soon as she seen it. She quelled the pang and focused on the impressive machine. The stove had pipes and chimneys that rose clear to the ceiling. Smoke billowed out in grey swirls and she could hear the sizzling coming from the giant apparatus. It was something her father would have envied and loved to see. She could hear what she presumed was Cook's voice coming from behind the dark smoke.
"Well, at least you can enjoy my heavenly food." Cook had a deep voice that positively shook the kitchen, he talked about his food as if it were his children. He sounded insulted and huffy as he continued, "The master ordered me to slave out a meal in less than an hour and then he just vanishes. I believed all my food was gone to waste!"
Before her eyes plates flew from behind the smoke. Each plate came to her eye level before setting itself down at the end of the table. Each dish had something different but no less delicious than the last. Before she knew it about two dozen plates had lined up across the table. The scent of the food billowed around her face and with every inhale she felt her stomach grow anxious. Her lips were parted the slightest bit and if she concentrated she could practically taste what awaited her. She controlled her moan.
"Miss Belle, do you find the servants satisfactory?" Beau's voice traced over her senses. If he was human he'd be dangerous.
"It's more than I ever dreamed. Although I am quite hungry, I don't think I could ever eat all of this," she said regretfully, because not only did she want to eat every bite on the plates, but she wanted to lick them clean too.
"That is fine, ma Cherie. Eat what you will, don't worry about the rest. We have soup de jour, pie and pudding en flambé, hors d'oeuvres, beef ragout, cheese soufflé, and, well, I'm not sure what the grey stuff is but it is quite delicious."
"It sounds delightful." It sounded more than delightful, but she was trying to control herself at least a little bit. She started on the dish closest to her. She thought it might have been the cheese souffle. The small bite melted into her mouth and she felt her eyes cross underneath her eyelids. Better than anything she had ever tasted in her entire life. That one bite led to another and another and before she knew it she had tried every dish at least twice. Maybe thrice. Some she had finished whole. Everything was as delicious as she could have dreamed and then some.
While she had been eating the servants around her conversed quietly and joked. It felt very much like a family in the kitchen. Lumiere had offered suggestions while she ate, seeming eager to see her try anything new and be pleased by it. She leaned back in her chair and put a hand on her stomach. She'd be full for days.
As she fully relaxed and settled into her chair, she realized she was actually enjoying herself. In fact she was having more fun in the mere hour she had been with these people than she had ever had with the people of the village. It was ironic, she was considered a prisoner here, but they treated her more like company than anyone in the village had even tried. Excluding Mr. Fehr, of course, she and the bookstore owner had gotten along swimmingly.
At this rate, if she kept thinking about the few good things in the village she was bound to end up depressingly homesick. That was the last thing that she wanted to feel like.
"Oh, Lumiere, I just thought of something," she said when she thought of Mr. Fehr, "is it possible that I could get some books to read in my room? I noticed that there were none in my room. I fear I am rather an avid reader."
"Of course, Mademoiselle. What kind of books were you thinking of?"
When Belle opened her mouth to answer, she was interrupted by the sound of enraged stuttering.
"What- what is the meaning of this?" The voice cracked into the room like thunder and for a brief horrifying second Belle thought that it was the Beast's angry words, but they weren't near intimidating enough to be his. The voice was rather high-class and haughty, but as it was it managed to stop all conversations in the room.
Lumiere sighed, "Oh, Cogsworth, do settle down."
"What is she doing here? The prisoner? The very prisoner that is supposed to be occupying her room, but instead seems to be having a late night snack with the servants that should be resting."
"She needed to eat, Cogsworth, the master does not need to know everything. What are you depressed, because we didn't invite you?"
"No! I am upset because you are going against the masters orders."
"Like I said he does not need to know."
"But-but, he must know. He always knows, you know he always finds information out one way or another."
"Let us not talk of the master right now. She is our guest and deserves to be given that respect."
"No, you are wrong, she is our pris-"
"I don't care what the master says in this matter, Cogsworth."
"Okay, I don't want anyone to get into any trouble." Belle felt bad for creating this huge controversy between the people of the castle. "I'm sorry, Cogsworth, I never fully realized that I was to stay in my room."
Cogsworth's voice took on a regretful professional tone, "I am sorry. I know you probably don't enjoy your stay here so far, but it is for the best, I assure you. Now, if you'll just follow my voice I'll lead you to the master and you can confess at your own disposal. I'll just-"
The kitchen erupted into angry voices, Mrs. Potts yelling sternly (likely the most effective of the bunch), Lumiere telling Cogsworth to stuff his ideas where someone would care (implying a very rude area that Belle wasn't even sure Cogsworth had since he wasn't human), Beau defending her (cursing Cogsworth and threatening him with a duel).
Belle tried to remember what Mrs. Potts had told her about Cogsworth. He was the controller of time, that was about all Belle knew about him, but now she also knew that he seemed to be the most afraid of the Beast. With his being in the room she realized how much she had jeopardized the servants of the castle. They were clearly afraid of the master and due to her being with them she was making them go against his orders. She didn't want to cause anyone pain. These people had been kind to her so far, other than the whole prisoner part of the ordeal, but in the last few minutes she had realized that they were in fact kind and kinder than most at that.
When it quieted down, only when one of the dishware said that the master might hear them at this rate. Lumiere's voice reigned supreme above the angry whispers that were still being cast about."Oh, ma Cherie, whatever you are thinking, do not worry, I saw you bit your lip and how your brow knit. The master may be imposing at first, but he cannot hurt us without in turn hurting himself. So, do not worry. By the way, I'm not sure if you know, but this bumbling idiot is Cogsworth." Then he added threateningly, "he won't be leading you anywhere."
"Mrs. Potts and Madame Georgette told me of him. It's lovely to meet you, Cogsworth," she said to the open air since Cogsworth didn't actually have an object to focus on. "I am truly sorry for causing so much trouble."
"Ahem…Well... You believe you should be in your room don't you?"
Nothing else was said and she could hear Mrs. Potts' tea boiling madly.
"Well, um, perhaps I should retire to my room for the evening. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed." She wasn't really, she was actually enjoying herself a bit, but she didn't want to stay in the friction anymore.
"Of course, Dear," Mrs. Potts said soothingly, "It is an awful lot to take in. Go ahead, would you like an escort to your room?"
Belle tried to push out her chair, but it stuck in a crack on the floor, Beau pushed out her chair for her then and Belle stood up. She realized that she really had no idea where her room was. The castle was just so huge and so vast. She wondered briefly what she would find if she just walked around the castle, but then she thought better of it when it occurred to her that she would most likely get lost and then that would definitely get the servants in trouble. But, she was saved having to ask someone to take her to her room by Cogsworth loudly saying, "Well, we wouldn't want her to run off so of course someone should escort her."
"Cogsworth! I am tired of your snarky comments, she is our guest. Have you forgotten how to treat guests over the years?" Then to her, "Ma Cherie, would you appreciate a tour tomorrow, I think it would do you good to actually walk around the place that you live in." Lumiere waited until she nodded, "well, then, Cogsworth you and I will give her a tour tonight. I say tonight because the sun is quickly rising and the night is turning into the morning. The master will arise soon, so as much as I want to disagree with Cogsworth, you probably should retire."
"But, the master—"
"Cogsworth and I will give you a tour," he said with finality. "Tonight."
Belle nodded her head and smiled, accepting whatever they wanted to do. It's not as if she has plans. Mrs. Potts took pity on her without her asking and decided to lead her to her room. Before she left the kitchen Beau yelled out a whining goodbye, and the rest of the servants bid their goodbyes along with him.
When she got to her room she said goodnight to Mrs. Potts and entered. She laid down on the bed and stared out the window. Lumiere had been right of course, the sun was starting to rise. The pink and purple sky blended around the sun. The morning was always beautiful, but she couldn't seem to enjoy it like she normally would. She'd already explored her gilded room and had no books to read so she laid and stared at the sky. She sighed before falling back on the bed. She wished she would have been able to finish answering Lumiere what books she liked, she was in her room with nothing to do. She'd already pursued the room to it's extent and there wasn't anything new to be found.
Belle lurched up with a scream, sitting up halfway in bed. She looked around disoriented not remembering where she was. For some reason she had a dream where she was still in the forest and wandering aimlessly and right before she woke up there had been a growl. When Belle had turned red claws had scraped across her face turning her vision into a red blur. That's when she had woken up.
She spotted a small clock above the fireplace and squinted to see the time. It was almost sundown. It had been a boring day.
She sat up the rest of the way and swung her feet over the bed, letting her unslippered feet sink into the soft rug. The most exciting thing that she had done was stretched and walked around the room enough to make a trail. She had entertained herself by watching the birds outside her window. However, after about two minutes birds get rather boring. She tried to see what she could of the courtyard below her window, but all she could really see from the height was the pattern that the pathways made around the fountain. She spotted bushes along the wall, but couldn't tell what kind or even if they were flower bushes.
The forest outside the castle walls was so thick and boundless that she couldn't even see the village. She wondered how far she had really traveled to reach this place. She'd certainly never heard of it in the village. She'd thought about it before, but she couldn't help but wonder why no one had ever mentioned it before. Could it truly be that no one had ever seen it before? But, it had clearly been quite prestigious at one point or another, the castle was clearly big enough for guests from all over the world, it would take hundreds of people to fully fill it. Hard to believe that it was only for one family.
Sometime around noon, Madame Georgette had opened up the wardrobe and was once again on a mission for the measuring tape. Belle had let Georgette take her measurements, and had actually enjoyed the time spent with her. Georgette was nice and flamboyant, she had an obvious adoration for fashion. Belle wondered if Madame Georgette knew of the popular fashions, she assumed that the servants of the castle couldn't leave, but perhaps she was wrong. She thought it too rude to ask, considering the answer might be no and might make Georgette depressed. Georgette left after about an hour seeming eager to get to start her new creations and Belle didn't want to keep her here with if she didn't want to be. With Madame Georgette's departure she tumbled back into boredom.
Mrs. Potts snuck in a small leftover meal up to her after Georgette's visit around one. Belle was still a bit full from how much she had ate earlier, but she ate enough to be polite to Mrs. Potts. While she was here, she enquired whether or not she would be joining the master for dinner. Belle refused immediately, she was in no mood to see him and so far he had done nothing to make her want to dine with him. So, she instead curbed the conversation and asked about Philippe. She was told that her horse was fine and was being taken care of in the stable. If the stable was anything like the kitchen than the horse was probably enjoying himself.
It was so boring that Belle had to ask if Lumiere had said anything about finding her some books, she didn't want to seem like a needy burden, but what was she supposed to do?
"No, dear, he didn't. He met up with the master as soon as he woke up. I believe they have been talking this whole time. Haven't seen the master come out all day. I went in earlier to ask about tea, but he sent me to you to ask about dinner. I'll tell you, he seemed rather different today. Must be one of his good days."
"Good days? What happens on the bad days?"
"On those days, we don't see him, but, my, do we hear him. So many things are destroyed it's a miracle we have anything left. More tea?"
Belle's eyes widened, they seemed to do that a lot here. Anything left? How many things had they had before? They had enough it seemed to buy all the land in the world. Everytime, she turned around she seen something more expensive then the last. Is that what was in the West Wing, was it filled with treasures or terrors? She knew that she was not supposed to go there, but because she had been warned she wanted nothing else but to enter the 'forbidden' wing. She contented herself with thinking of what might be in the wing. Paintings? Hidden passage ways? Maybe secret ways out of the castle? Decades of scandal? Her interest was growing in the West Wing with every thought, she better stop wondering whats inside or else she'd find herself pretty much skipping into the wing with excitement. Who knew what would happen if she stumbled into the one place that the beast didn't want her to go into.
After Mrs. Potts left. Belle looked down at herself for the first time since she had gotten there.
"Oh, ew. I wish I would have asked for a tub."
She was standing in the middle of the room staring down at herself in some disgust. Nerves were what stopped her from asking the first night, but she should have at least thought about it before she dined last night. But, after the words left her mouth she heard a thunk and a crack behind her. She spun and set-up in the corner closest to the window was a fold out screen. She crept forward, not surprised that something had just popped up randomly in the room. Behind the screen wasn't a tub, but a basin and pitcher on a small stand.
When she thought of it it made sense, the castle probably had a specific bathing room in it somewhere. She'd have to remember to ask someone about it, because what she needed was a long soak. She still had the dirt and grime from the forest caked onto the hem of her dress, but there was no way that she was going to give up the opportunity to at least wash herself off a bit.
She ducked behind the screen and reached for the pitcher to pour the water into the bowl, but as her fingers touched the marbled handle it lifted by itself and steadily poured water into the basin.
Excited to be clean she grabbed a soft rag from the rack that had also appeared and dipped it into the water. She moaned when she felt how warm the water was, the water should have been ice cold, but Belle couldn't have been happier that it wasn't.
She gently patted her face and scrapped off any dirt that was left over from her trip through the forest. She made sure to clean her hands too especially under the nails. The tips of her finger were clean and looked almost like a set of new hands. After drying off she still felt dirty underneath her clothes so she laid down a thick towel beneath her feet and unlaced her dress. She threw it over the top of the fold out screen that covered her if someone was to walk in. She was careful not to touch the dirty hem that hung down on her side of the screen.
She quickly scrubbed the warm water over her arms and up her legs and going underneath her shift to her chest and stomach. It felt so refreshing to get out of her dress and wash up.
She looked at her shift which was old and thread bare, now damp in a few places. If she would have known she was making a permanent stay away from home she would have dressed better and brought proper clothes. I'm sure the wardrobe has something acceptable in it. It can't all be ballroom gowns. She made her way out from behind the screen only too aware that she was in her underthings. She opened the wooden doors of the large wardrobe and dove into the fray. She was stabbed with buttons, wrapped with laces, and poked with baubles.
"There has got to be something!" She muttered. "Ah!"
In the very back behind hundreds of yards of fabric she touched something soft, still expensive, but appropriate for just a day inside. She pulled it out and felt her excitement wither. A lot.
"Well, this is…beautiful." She almost choked on the words with how untrue they were. It was orange. And puffy. And bright. Sadly upon a second look it was the only dress that wasn't ready to be worn for a ball. If she was truthful it wasn't even appropriate to wear in front of people—it was a disgrace to the eyes. Maybe it would look better on someone. "I doubt it, but I'm not going to wear one of those other ones." She hoped that if she had to have dresses made that they didn't look like this.
Belle threw it on the bed letting her get the full beauty of it. The bows were what made it uglier than it needed to be. But, it would have to do. She didn't want to put back on her dirty one if she didn't truly need to. Besides no one but Cogsworth and Lumiere would see it anyway.
She picked out a new chemise, matching slippers from the wardrobe and finished up behind the screen. After she was done she put on her new dress and took a look at herself in the mirror.
Belle laughed. She had never looked so utterly ridiculous. There was a huge bow that was hooked tight up to her chin and hung down to her chest. It flopped when she moved. She turned to get a back view and was greeted by a similar bow at the base of her spine that jutted out to make it look like she was wearing a pillow over her rump. She genuinely hoped that no one else had had to wear this dress before her.
She left her own things by the basin and wondered what to do for the rest of the time. She had until nightfall and it was only mid- afternoon.
There was a knock on the door.
She turned away from the mirror, her dress twirling with her as if trying to impress someone. This dress wasn't going to impress anyone.
She wondered who it was. It most likely wasn't Georgette or Mrs. Potts because they had already seen her. Lumiere, Mrs. Potts had told her was with the master or at least he had been. But, since she wasn't supposed to be having any company, she had assumed no one else would try and see her. She didn't think it was the master, she just didn't see him as the type to politely knock. She saw him as the type to thump, roar, and barge on in. So, no, she didn't think it was him.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"It is me, ma Cherie, Lumiere. The master approved of the idea of giving you a tour."
Belle opened the door, of course there was no one standing there, but Lumiere's presence could be felt. Belle closed her door behind her when she stepped out into the hallway. She was tired of being cooped up in her room. She would take what she could get.
"That's fine, I have nothing else to do. But, why would the master approve of the idea? He was the one who commanded I stay in my room. Are you sure it's okay?"
"Yes, well, he changed his mind. He does that- why, that is a delightful, uh," His voice raised and she could hear the mirth in his voice, "ensemble." Cough, "Very becoming."
"Isn't it though? It may not be the most flattering clothing I've ever worn, but it's better than wearing my own dirty one. By the way, along the tour can you show me the washing room? I would like to clean myself and my dress?"
"It is no problem. But, don't worry about the dress. A maid will be up to gather it and it will be done before we get back," Belle was going to protest, not wanting to cause any extra work, "Trust me it is not a problem. It is a reprieve of the monotony of the castle. Now just follow my torches, we are meeting Cogsworth in the gallery."
Belle followed the torches down the stairs, wondering if there would be a run-in with the beast considering that it was daylight out and it was likely he was up. What would she do if she seen him? It had been rather awkward their last meeting. "Lumiere, is the master in the castle?"
"No, he's actually not, he departed an hour ago into the forest. He often hunts when the animals become to troublesome. We've had an abnormal amount of wolves lately. They try to enter underneath the fortress wall at the gate."
"How strange, why are they interested in the castle?"
"I'm not sure, but, in my opinion it's the magic that draws them in."
What a strange answer, but Belle couldn't refute it, for all she knew it was the power of the place that drew her and Philippe here. It was an incredible miracle that she had found the place out of all the different directions she could have taken along the way.
"I was also wondering," she continued as she was led through the foyer. "Since the master was so lenient with the tour, do you perhaps think that you could convince him to let me have my own clothes? From my own home? It may not seem like much, but it would mean a great deal to me.
The hallway before them had a curved ceiling that caused his answer to echo back. "That, I'm not sure can happen. He is still adamant about the fact that you stay within the castle. I had asked about you seeing the courtyard, but he does not want you to go beyond these walls without his supervision. Maybe one day, but not yet."
"Why is it so important that I stay here. I understand that we made a deal, my father's life for my captivity, but why is it so important?"
"You'll have to ask him yourself. I can't tell you. Ah, Cogsworth!"
She was about to ask why he couldn't tell her, but they had apparently reached the gallery. She'd picked up on the fact that she was wanted here by all the hints everyone was dropping whether they were accidental or not. But, one thing she knew for sure was that it all revolved around the beast. She hadn't asked as nearly many questions as she wanted to, but she supposed they would have to wait, until after she had seen the castle. Hopefully the tour would give her a better grip on where everything was. She was still a bit hazy on where exactly her room was.
All of the torches were ignited in the gallery, leaving the room in a fiery glow. Behind her was a set of tall doors that had been open when she had walked in, she heard them close behind her. She made a mental note of the color of the gallery walls, they were a light cream, whereas the walls surrounding her room where a dark green. Perhaps she'd be able to get a better hold on her whereabouts in the castle by focusing on the colors.
"There you are!" Sniff, "I'd presumed you had gained hold of your senses and wasn't going to bring the girl."
"No, my senses are in hand, and we are going to give this lovely girl a look around. I already informed you that the master approved, so there should be no other complaint."
"I know that, but don't you think I have things to do, I do, in a way, run the castle."
"You run the castle as much as a spoon does. Not at all!"
While Cogsworth flustered blubbers of words echoed, Belle took the time to glance around the room. Beautiful statues that were posed with urns or even lying down were spread throughout the room. The walls were covered in paintings of what she assumed were royalty. It was exquisite. She'd never seen such things before. The floor was marbled and slick beneath her feet, she smiled as she slide side to side. She remembered where she was and tried to curb the childish need to just run and slide across the floor to the other side of the room. She tuned back into the conversation instead of trying to humiliate herself.
"...Well, you sir, are nothing, but dripping wax and hot air, so-"
"I'm very sorry to interrupt, but I am so excited about seeing the castle." Belle hadn't been listening to their conversation and hadn't realized how out of hand it had gotten. They had been throwing puns and insults at each other all, it was to the point that Cogsworth sounded as if he was on the edge of proposing a duel at dawn. She would never get the tour then. "Cogsworth, you run the castle? Well, it's simply breathtaking. You must know everything about it in order for it to run so smoothly." She batted her eyelashes a bit at the air and hoped that they could control themselves for a little while longer. They were acting like little boys. It was adorable and she couldn't help, but smile.
Gasp, "Well, you are right," Belle could practically hear the glee in his voice, he was practically preening with pride. He was also rubbing the compliment in Lumiere's fire. "You are a smart girl. I am the one who takes care of the castle. No one else would do as good as job as me."
"Oh, please," Lumiere's voice was amused and disgruntled all at the same time. He knew exactly what she was doing.
"Lumiere, I do believe that the lady has spoken, tut tut, now, would you like to view the portraits, the portraits that only I know every historical event that they went through?"
"I would love it. Thank you, Cogsworth."
Belle was hiding her laughter behind her hand, pretending it was a cough. It hadn't taken much to get Cogsworth over to her side. She glanced around at the paintings that started directly to her right and covered the whole wall all the way to the end. Decorative armor was set up between each painting. She came up to about shoulder height and when they passed each armor, the armor would give them an abrupt salute before returning to their stationary position. Parallel to the portraits on the other wall were large stained windows. The sunlight from outside shown through and caused the colors to dance across the armor. It was quite breathtaking to behold.
"The paintings are in order of lineage, starting from the beginning of the wall, where you are standing, all the way to the end there, you see the lion statues? Those statues were made during the Renaissance period and it's rumored," Cogsworth's voice turned into a false whisper. "It's rumored that the artist had an illicit affair with the daughter of the king and the queen herself and the queen's own mother. Quite insensible, isn't it? Now if you move down here we start to fade into the Baroque period, haha, as I like to say if it's not baroque don't fix it! Gasp, this artist was supposedly married his own sister, which wasn't uncommon you know, but then he married his own daughter. I had that same reaction when I heard. Sometimes, you'll find that the artist is more interesting than the piece itself. Here we come to King Earlsley, now he knew how to execute a party..."
Belle was attentive to the history of the art. Cogsworth hadn't been lying, he really did know everything about, well, everything. After the gallery she was led back through the main floor which included the foyer, a study, a large room like the study more of a den of sorts. Then there was the Great Hall, which she had gone through when searching for her father, a bottlery—a storage room for wines, a very gold-plated throne room, and a chapel. There were many more along the way, but too many to actually name. She hadn't even been shown the servant's rooms on the main floor, but she felt as if she had walked miles just for that one floor. They went up to the second floor, where some of the guest rooms were.
The whole time Cogsworth was explaining more information than Belle was ever going to be able to memorize. Lumiere chimed in every now and then, but half the time she didn't think that he was listening. He likely already knew all of the information that had to deal with the castle. She had grown more comfortable with asking questions now that she knew that she wasn't going to be killed within a seconds notice, so she asked as many questions as she could which only seemed to delight Cogsworth more.
It was all starting to blur together, all the names, all the scandels and she was starting to loose focus. You could only see so much art before it felt like the new painting you were looking at looks exactly like the one you just seen. So, with all the information walking in one ear and out the other, she let herself enjoy the scenery.
When she looked out the next window, she realized they had been on the tour for hours. It was already starting to get dark. She knew it had been a while, but she had never dreamed that it had been that long. They hadn't even covered a fourth of the castle. It was bigger than she had even imagined.
"How many servants are there?"
"Easily over a hundred."
"That many? Well, it is rather large."
"You haven't met any of the maids have you, if you met them you'd know where the numbers come from. Every room has to be dusted and changed."
"But, I thought the castle didn't receive any guests?"
"We don't, but why be unprepared. When you don't age in life, if you can call it life, it is boring, the spirits here need something to occupy them. Now then, this wallpaper came from…"
Belle stopped in the hallway beside a tall vase. She suddenly remembered that Mrs. Potts had also told her that she would stop aging while she was here. She had been bored all day until Lumiere had come for her, how was she supposed to be entertained for a whole eternity in the castle. Even the servants who actually had things to do got bored to the lifestyle. How was she supposed to stay positive about the situation if she knew how it was likely going to turn out.
"Cogsworth, you're boring the girl!"
"Why, I am not! You take that back!"
"No, look she stopped."
Belle turned towards their voices when she realized they were talking about her. She felt bad for giving them the wrong idea. She had just been overwhelmed for a little bit, she should have stayed strong instead. It was just all sinking in at once how she was giving up everything she had ever known.
"Belle, would you like to visit a different part of the castle. I fear you don't look too pleased with the guest rooms."
"No, it's not that, I'm just homesick already. I was- am, really close to my father. I'm going to miss him and it's just now becoming apparent that my whole life is changing due to a promise that I didn't think through fully. At least my father is okay. Well, at least I think he is." She smoothed a hand over her hair making sure it was still in the braid that she had done that morning.
Lumiere's voice came closer. It was soothing and gentle, "I know it's hard. We were once human, we know how hard it is to give up on the life that you knew."
"I'm sorry, you must think me silly. My situation seems like child's play compared to what you have gone through."
"There is always suffering. Just different kinds. Yours is just different from ours."
"Come along, girl. Is there anything that might help cheer you up a bit?" Cogsworth's worried voice cut through her sadness. She shouldn't make her problem one of theirs.
Walking forward a bit, a little more cheerful than she had been. There was only one place that she could think of that she actually wanted to see. It was the one place that she was not allowed to go inside the castle.
"There is one place. Could I possibly see the West Wing?"
"The East Wing? Oh, yes how could I forget to show you the majestic show that is the East wing, let's go!"
"No, I said West Wing, why am I not allowed in it? Is there something dangerous?" She wasn't going to push the subject if they truly didn't want to take her, but she was at least going to ask some questions.
"Well, depending on how you look at it," Lumiere started before a frantic Cogsworth cut him off with a cough and a stutter.
"No, no, no! There is nothing in the West Wing, nothing at all. Why would you think something was in the West Wing? Did Lumiere say something? Because really, reeaally there is nooo reason to enter the master's West Wing."
"So the whole entire wing is the masters?"
"No, I didn't say that."
"Well, it was implied. If there is nothing dangerous than why shouldn't I enter?"
"Because you shouldn't! Now, I do believe it's time for you to retire for the night."
"Cogsworth! She is merely curious!"
"I do not care, curiosity killed the master's cat!"
"That doesn't even make—"
What could be in the West Wing that was so bad? She understood it was the masters, perhaps it wasn't so much as danger as a private courtesy. She still wanted to enter despite her head telling her that it wasn't the best idea she had ever had. She could just sneak in, check it out, and sneak out before anyone noticed, Lumiere had mentioned earlier that the master was out hunting, but that had been hours ago. Would he still be outside and away from his room?
She suddenly was struck by a very risky idea. An idea that wasn't the smartest, but definitely one of her most daring ones. "Actually," she started, "it is getting rather late and I do, um, have to sleep." She'd never been the best liar and she really didn't want Lumiere and Cogsworth to follow her.
"Good, now just follow my voice," Cogsworth tone was much happier and a bit gloated. He was proud in the fact that he had got her to go to her chamber, little did he know that he was in a way encouraging her.
"Thank you, Cogsworth. I very much appreciate it." She followed his voice up the nearest flight of stairs.
Suddenly Lumiere's voice was almost directly above her ear. "Are you going to be going straight to bed then? You look a bit... mischievous, ma Cherie." He said it low enough that Cogsworth wouldn't be able to hear.
"Of course, I'm just tired and would like to get some rest." She winced at how unconvincing she sounded. She also tripped on the next step which didn't help prove anything.
Lumiere chuckled, "I'll try to keep the master away for as long as I can, but I'm not making any promises."
"If you know what I want to do why are you helping me?" She was almost depressed he was helping her, she didn't want anyone else to be involved in case she got caught. The master would no doubt be upset, but Belle was curious and in truth had nothing to lose. But, the servants on the other hand, had a lot to lose.
"Let's just say that I think the master needs a little bit of upheaval, just be careful when you are there. I should tell you about the one thing that you shouldn't touch at all, even if you are curious. Do not touch the r-"
"Are you two done plotting, tut, here's your room, dear girl. I hope we can continue the tour another time."
"Tomorrow?" She asked, already excited to start again.
"I'll be counting on it. Now, Lumiere, let's go see what's happening in the kitchen, I hear quite a commotion." Cogsworth herded Lumiere away with a quick goodbye and it wasn't until later that night that Belle realized that Lumiere never finished telling her what not to touch in the West Wing.
She entered her room which was lit with numerous candles and the fireplace. She'd have to remember to thank Lumiere. She saw her own dress sprawled over her bed, Lumiere had been right, it was completely cleaned even of one stain on the bodice that had happened years ago. Another thing she'd have to thank someone for.
She would have changed back immediately if the situation had been different, but she didn't want to waste the time. It was known that the beast was gone and she was darn well going to take advantage of the situation. She just needed this one peek to quench her curiosity, after this she would never go back into the West Wing unless she was permitted. Just this one time.
She bit her lip as she picked up a two-pronged candelabra and lit it with the fire from the fireplace. The wicks caught immediately and she wondered briefly if Lumiere was going to be secretly accompanying her. She didn't dwell on it for long. She took off the shoes that she had on in case they made noise and left them by her bed. She cracked the door open, her finger nearly bone white on the handle. There was no one outside. That she could see. Who could really tell in a place that had invisible servants.
Belle clutched the candle holding it high so that the light would spread further on her eye level. She left the safety of her room and closed the door behind her. Taking small steps into the entrance to the west wing, she held her breath. She was excited. What was it that drew her to the wing? Earlier today she wouldn't have gone in, but during her time with Lumiere and Cogsworth she learned that she had nothing to lose. Maybe it was the magic or the tragedy that emitted from the West Wing. Perhaps she just had a knack for dangerous situations. She didn't dwell on it for long.
One more second of doubt floated through her mind as she took the last steps into the forbidden wing. She watched as the darkness enveloped the candle right before she allowed it to embrace her.
Belle didn't know it, but there was someone watching. Watching her take her final steps into the forbidden wing. Someone who wasn't Lumiere, wasn't Cogsworth, or even the beast himself. It was someone who was perhaps more dangerous than anyone Belle had yet to meet.
Author's note: I'm sorry it took so long and I'm sorry this chapter is so long! I wanted to get through a lot of information and originally the chapter was about half the length and was still a little long, but when I went in to edit out bits, it somehow came out even longer! Thanks for the reviews, you guys are so nice and encouraging, I simply love reading any and all of what you guys have to say. I'm trying to write faster, because I have a really cool idea for a kind-of sequel to this story, plus I want to start other Disney stories and I want to please you guys as much as possible! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed this chapter!