Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues
Chapter 20 - Wedding Preparations, Part 1
Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of "Beauty & the Beast", while I just own the story.
Another question to my readers - what would you like to see happen for the bachelor/bachelorette party? From what I've seen online, there are harmless pranks and drinking involved, but I think it'd be more fun to see what you all could come up with.
Oh, and to the guest reviewer known as "Brianna", yes, I am aware that the song Belle sang a few chapters ago is not an original piece. I meant that I wasn't sure if it made sense in the story/scene.
Also, to "just a reader," signing up on here is free, and I don't think you have to pay for anything.
If Belle and Adam had thought that their wedding preparations was going to be a walk in the park, then they were definitely in for a major surprise.
In fact, when it came to the actual wedding itself, neither of them would have ever expected this or that to happen...
But before we get to the wedding, let's start simply with the next day, shall we?
"Do not worry, Master," assured Lumiere. "As your best man, I shall make sure that you will have-"
"What?!" exclaimed Cogsworth, who scowled at his friend. "I should like to point out that the honor of being the best man falls upon me, and not some loud-mouth, air-headed peabrain!"
"En garde, you... you overgrown pocketwatch!" cried Lumiere, pulling out a white glove from his pocket, and slapping Cogsworth's face with it.
However, before the two of them could start fighting with each other, a slightly annoyed Adam stepped in between the two of them. "Alright, look... before you two end up killing each other, allow me to say what my decision is."
Turning to look at Lumiere, he said, "You will be the one who decides whatever is to happen at my upcoming bachelor party, and the dinner celebration that will be held after Belle and I say I do... Got it?"
"You can count on me, Master," replied Lumiere, nodding his head, and giving him a grateful smile.
"And, Cogsworth, you will be in charge of making sure everything in this castle is prepared for the wedding day, so that nothing will go wrong."
The former clock also nodded his head, thanking Adam, and the young prince said, "Good... now, if we are all done here, I would like to spend time with Be... what?"
He noticed that his two servants were looking at each other, and Cogsworth said, "Forgive me, Master, but it might be some time until you are reunited with your soon-to-be bride."
"What are you talking about?" questioned Adam.
A nervous Lumiere tugged at his shirt collar, and said, "Well, uh, Master, you do know that your uncle is coming today for-"
"He is... what?!" yelled Adam, though it was out of surprise, not anger. "Why was I not told about this beforehand?"
His majordomo cleared his throat, and replied, "Um, I actually did tell you about this, Master... in fact, it was yesterdayin the morning..."
"Is everything alright, Master?" Cogsworth asked, noticing how Adam looked right now. "You look tired."
"I will be fine, Cogsworth," grumbled a somewhat cranky Adam. "Just something that Belle wants to do today... is there anything I should know about before I go?"
Cogsworth nodded his head, and said, "Yes, Master, your uncle is supposed to be coming for a visit tomorrow so that-"
"Oh, how wonderful," muttered Adam, as he let out a yawn, not really paying attention. "Thank you, my friend... if anyone asks, I'm taking the day off."
"Of course, Master... you and Belle enjoy your day together."
Adam slapped his forehead after remembering what Cogsworth had said, and he growled, "Curses... alright, alright... is the castle prepared for his arrival?"
"Everyone is finishing up with their duties as we speak," replied Cogsworth. "Except, um... you, of course."
Adam, who looked like he was ready for bed, nodded his head before saying, "Good point, my friend... now, is there anything else that I need to know?"
Cogsworth and Lumiere looked at each other, both of them now nervous, and Adam raised an eyebrow. "Now, what?"
"You tell him," muttered Lumiere. "You're the one who found out about it."
"No, that was you," growled an annoyed Cogsworth. "I was the one who-"
"Both of you tell me," interrupted a serious-looking Adam. "Now."
His servants hesitated for another moment, and then, Lumiere spoke first. "We were looking for all of the required marriage documents that we needed for this coming weekend, and..."
"... we came across a written agreement that was signed officially by your father and your uncle," finished Cogsworth. "It states that if you were ever to find someone special, and wish to marry her..."
Adam did not like where this was going.
"... you would need the approval of yout closest living relative that had a position above your own, like a king," said Lumiere, who was slowly backing away. "And, by approval, it meant that he would have to see if Belle would... um..."
"Be princess material, as she would probably say," finished Cogsworth, who was doing the same. "Otherwise, you cannot marry her."
Once Cogsworth had finished his sentence, Adam blinked his eyes a few times, and then, he exclaimed, "I... can't... WHAT?!"
"Oh, dear," whispered Cogsworth.
"That is utterly ridiculous!" growled an upset Adam. "You don't actually expect for me to-"
Lumiere cut in to try and make him feel better. "Oh, no, of course not, Master... it's just that... well..."
"Your father clearly stated in said agreement that it was the only way for you to ever marry someone," said Cogsworth.
Adam began rubbing his temples on his forehead, muttering to himself before exclaiming, "Well, what would happen if I ripped it up? He's not even the damn ruler anymore."
"That may be so, Master," replied Cogsworth. "But your uncle is not dead, therefore, the agreement is still intact, and... um... I should probably stop speaking now."
As for Adam, whose frustration was starting to increase more, he grabbed the nearest sharp object that he could grab, walked over to the family portrait, and started slashing at the part that his father was on.
"I actually think he took that well," whispered Lumiere. "Compared to previous incidents."
"Oh, just shut... up..." muttered Cogsworth.
In Belle's bedroom
"Hmmm..." said Madame Garderobe, as she inspected her favorite canvas. "You still have those pretty eyes, and a proud face... oh, and your teeth are so wonderful and white and perfect!"
"Thank you... Madame," said Belle, even though she felt like her cheeks were being crushed to death.
Plumette rolled her eyes, and she said, "Let her breath, Madame... you're going to damage her jawline like that."
"Well, forgive me for making sure that it was not ruined by the pain that Master unintentionally bestowed upon her two days ago," replied Garderobe, as she moved her hands away from Belle's face. "But forgive me, mademoiselle, if I went too far with-"
"No, it's alright," said Belle, who was now rubbing her aching cheeks. "Does this mean I will-"
Garderobe shook her head, and replied, "The dress will not be shown until the day of the wedding... can't risk anything terrible happening to it."
Belle's eyes went wide with surprise. "You mean that you've already finished it?"
"Of course!" cried the energetic woman. "I knew that I had to design one for you after I made that beautiful celebration dress, and well... here we are! Which reminds me..."
Before Belle could say anything, Garderobe rushed out of the room without saying another word, while Plumette sighed, and she walked over to sit next to Belle.
"I'd like to apologize, too, mademoiselle... I had no idea that Lumiere was-"
"I don't blame him for that," assured the young woman. "Nor you or anyone else... but, um, shouldn't you and him be preparing your own wedding?"
"Oh, ours can wait, Belle," replied Plumette, shaking her head. "You and the Master are more important... besides, we don't mind waiting."
Belle nodded her head, with a smile appearing on her face. Lumiere is pretty lucky to have someone like her... which reminds me...
"Um, Plumette, may I ask you something?"
The lovely maid nodded, and replied, "Of course, anything for the girl who broke the spell... what would you like to know?"
Belle's face started to turn red with embarrassment. "How does it... um... did you and Lumiere ever... you know..."
Plumette let out a giggle, and she said, "You can relax, mademoiselle... are you scared about your first time?"
"Eh... sort of," admitted Belle. "I only know about... that... from the books I've found in Ada - the library, and... well, I had a dream about us preparing to start, but I woke up before anything happened."
"Ah, so you're a little scared and curious," said Plumette. "Well, then... my answer would be that it will be a little different feeling when compared to mine and Lumiere's first time, since you two will probably be doing it during the honeymoon."
Belle felt herself blush as she replied, "Thanks... and forgive me for sounding, um, out of character, but... does it hurt, or...?"
Plumette started to laugh, but in a kind way, and she replied, "I think I will leave that for you to decide, mademoiselle... and trust in me when I say that you'll know what to do when that time comes."
Belle gave her a warm smile, and said, "Thank you... I sure hope Adam isn't too worried about this whole wedding."
"This is absurd!" growled Adam, as he held the official document in his hand that had been signed by his no-longer-living father and currently-living uncle. "There is no way that I am going to-"
Cogsworth cleared his throat, and said, "I am sorry to say this, Master, but according to your father and your uncle, you have to... it's the only way you'll be able to see her walk down that aisle in a wedding dress."
"Maybe Belle can find a loophole somehow, Master," suggested Lumiere.
Adam shook his head, and replied, "Belle cannot know of this... she's already concerned about her not being the person that she believes herself to be... I don't want her to change into something she detests just so that I can get my uncle's approval."
"But... um... isn't that what the agreement states?" questioned Cogsworth.
"As far as I am concerned, my friend, I just need to make sure that my uncle approves of Belle," exclaimed Adam. "It will be easy... now, under no circumstances whatsoever are either of you to reveal this information to Belle. Do I make myself clear?"
Cogsworth and Lumiere quickly nodded their heads.
"Good... now, if you'll excuse me, I have to, um... prepare myself for his arrival."
A few hours later
The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, that I might have license to see Mildendo, the metropolis; which the emperor easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses.
As Belle continued to read her latest book (titled Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift) to Adam, who was sitting next to her, the young man's sense of smell was activated.
Where is that wonderful scent coming from?
Adam looked around the library, trying to locate the source, and as he moved his head closer to Belle, the smell became stronger.
It's coming from... her hair...
He was about to confirm his suspicions when he realized what she was currently doing.
I just have to make sure I don't take her attention away from the book.
After making sure that Belle was lost in the world that she was reading about, Adam casually placed his arm around Belle's shoulder, and slowly put his nose in her brown-colored hair, inhaling the sweet smell that it was giving him.
I smell... various fruits and... flowers... such a wonderful fragrance...
"Adam?"
Why have I never noticed this before?
"Adam!"
Suddenly, the young man brought his head back, and saw that Belle was giving him a confused look. "Where you... smelling... my hair?"
"Um... no..." replied Adam, shaking his head. "I was just, uh, resting my head, and... er... well, you were the one who chose to let it down instead of tying it up."
"Because I..." said Belle, but then, she rolled her eyes, and started to laugh. "Adam, you don't have to lie about it. Just admit the truth."
Adam rolled his eyes, as well, and muttered, "Alright, fine, I smelled some of your hair... is that some type of shampoo you invented or something?"
"No, I'm not that inventive," giggled Belle, shaking her head. "I found a bottle of shower gel in the bathroom cupboard... it was called, um, L'Occitane Rose et Reines, if I remember correctly."
Sounds like something my mother would have used, thought Adam, who then gave Belle a sheepish smile. "Well, um... it definitely, er, works well for, uh, you..."
Belle continued to laugh, with the sound of it warming Adam's heart, and bringing a smile to his face. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
Then, Adam gently took Belle's hand into one of his own, kissing the one that wore her new engagement ring, and Belle began to blush as he worked his way up from her hand to her shoulder, then her cheek, and finally, he gently kissed her on the lips.
Belle started to kiss him back, and they continued at their slow and romantic pace, but the fragrance of the sweet-smelling shampoo was making Adam's lustful desire for Belle more harder for him to fight against, with his hands losing themselves in the mass of her hair.
And it didn't help that Belle was not doing anything to stop him.
Don't go too far, Adam, don't go too far.
Their kissing started to move into a more faster and passionate pace, and as his hands moved away from Belle's hair, Adam continued to talk to himself.
Wait until the wedding... wait until the wedding... wait until the-
"Well, this is certainly a familiar sight."
Suddenly, the two of them stopped kissing, with Belle not recognizing who the person was that had spoken, but as for Adam, who knew exactly who it was... and it brought a frown to his face.
"Oh, um... hello, sir," said Belle, now feeling a little embarrassed. "Where you looking for someone?"
"As a matter of fact, I was," replied the newcomer who was standing in front of them, with a smirk on his face. "I say, Adam, did I catch you at a bad time?"
"Why would you say that?" growled Adam, trying his best to control his temper.
"Because ever since I walked in here... and at this very moment... your hands are currently-"
Adam quickly brought his hands back to his sides, and muttered, "None of your business, Nathaniel..."
The elderly man shook his head, and replied, "I would watch myself if I were you, nephew... you aren't exactly off to a great start, seeing as it appeared to be her who started-"
"Leave... her... out of this..." growled Adam, now standing up to his feet, and giving his uncle a menacing look.
As for Belle, who was still confused, she looked at the newcomer, and said, "Wait, so... are you his only-surviving uncle?"
"Indeed, I am," replied Nathaniel, who was giving the young woman a poker-face expression. "And what do I call you again?"
"Her name is Belle," said Adam, still trying to maintain control of his temper.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, and said, "Belle? Really? Huh... lovely name, mademoiselle, but... I am surprised even more now, Adam, since the last one was called-"
"You say one more insulting word or phrase or anything else to her," growled Adam. "And, I swear to God, I will personally-"
Suddenly, Belle went over to Adam, and stood in front of him, saying, "Hey, hey, hey... Adam, relax... I've met worst."
Oh, you haven't seen anything just yet, thought Adam, and if looks could kill, then Nathaniel would already be dead from the one Adam was giving him right now.
"Well, then, it certainly is a pleasure to meet you, Belle," said Adam's uncle. "And forgive me for not remembering your name, my memory is not what it used to be... but I do look forward in getting to know you these few days that I am here."
"Few days?" growled Adam, raising an eyebrow, and Nathaniel nodded his head.
"Of course, Adam... I mean, after all, I wouldn't want to miss the wedding."
As Belle continued to look at Nathaniel, not knowing exactly what to think of him, part of Adam was currently wishing that his uncle would have came a few years earlier, back when he was still a beast, so that he would not have to worry about the ridiculous agreement.