Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues
Chapter 38 - Belle and Edward, Part 2
Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of this franchise. I just own the story.
Also, if anyone can figure out what Belle's plan is before it becomes revealed, I will give said person(s) a special sneak-peek to a future chapter later on in the story... but this does not count for anonymous reviewers, unfortunately.
"You were drinking last night, weren't you?"
Adam and his father were currently in the dining room, with Lumiere and a few more servants preparing their breakfast.
"A little, perhaps," replied Edward, who looked almost exhausted. "Last night was... a blur... but I don't think I have to explain myself to you."
"Oh, no, of course not," muttered Adam. "Just like you do not have any reason to explain why you left after my 18th year."
His father sighed, and he replied, "Look, son, the reason that I left was because-"
"Bonjour, Adam... bonjour, your Highness... Ai-je manqué le petit-déjeuner?"
[Translation - Have I missed breakfast?]
The two of them turned their heads to look at the doorway, and neither of them could believe what they saw.
Wearing the new dress that Garderobe had designed for her, Belle also had on a pair of elbow length, light-blue, Satin laced gloves that matched her outfit, as well as Adam's eyes.
Also, her hairstyle was the same way it had been during the night that she and Adam had shared their first dance, and the young man could not remember the last time he had heard her speak that much French.
"Um... actually, you are right on time, madame," replied Edward, who was very surprised. "Lumiere and the others should be here any moment with our plates."
Belle nodded her head, and she gracefully walked over to her husband, taking the seat next to him. "Are you alright, Adam?"
I should be asking you that question, thought Adam, who was at a loss for words to describe how he felt about Belle's new appearance.
Of course, she was beautiful, but Adam never expected her to dress this way before.
"Um... yes, my love, I am fine... I take it that you are, as well?"
"Indeed, I am," replied Belle, who was also speaking in a more royal tone. "But you look as if you have never seen me like this before."
Adam nodded his head, and said, "Not like this, my love... may I ask why, though?"
Before Belle could respond to him, Edward chuckled, and said, "I see no reason for her to explain, my son... she does look rather lovely."
"Thank you, your Highness, and so do the two of - oh, bonjour, Lumiere!"
When the former candelabra saw Belle's new appearance, his mouth almost dropped to the ground.
"Madame, you look... different, but... then, you still look the same... I like it!"
As she recieved her breakfast plate, Belle gave Lumiere a warm smile, while Adam was not quite sure what to think of it.
"Belle? W-when did you learn how to say a full sentence in French?"
The young woman looked at Adam as if the answer was obvious. "From the books in the library, of course. Is that surprising to you?"
"Er... well, no, but..." said Adam, who was now a little confused.
"Well, madame, I must say how impressed I am to hear you speak French so well," said Edward, much to his son's own surprise.
Belle looked at her father-in-law, and she replied, "Why,your Highness, that must have been the nicest thing you have said to me since our first meeting... Merci beaucoup."
"De rien, madame, you are welcome," said Edward, with a genuine smile on his face, while Adam looked back and forth between the two.
Have I missed something?
Once breakfast was over, Edward asked, "So, son, what exactly are you and Belle planning to do today?"
A frown appeared on Adam's face as he answered, "Well, we were going to do some reorganizing in the library, but seeing as you've forbidden here from ever going inside of there, I guess that we will have to-"
"Then, perhaps, I was too quick to judge her," replied his father. "I don't know what has come over me, Adam, but I have not felt the way I am right now since... um... never mind, it does not matter... go on, you two, start your reorganization. I would like to see what else she could learn from the books that she is provided with."
Adam was now completely confused.
What in the world am I missing here?
"Actually, your Highness, I was wondering if we could start to prepare the castle for a celebration party."
"A what now?" said Adam, looking at his wife. "What would be the reason for having it?"
Belle made a gesture towards Edward, and she said, "Why, celebrating the return of your father, of course. Is it not worthy enough for such an event?"
"I... uh..." Adam was now feeling like he was in some sort of alternate reality.
"I think that is a wonderful idea, Belle," replied Edward, who was now getting out of his seat. "I shall inform Cogsworth of the news right away... but, please, you two enjoy your time in the li-"
[Cough, cough, cough!]
Suddenly, Adam's father brought a handkerchief to his mouth, and began coughing into it several times.
"Is everything alright, your Highness?" asked Belle, showing concern for him, which made Adam even more confused.
"Not to worry, Belle, I..." Edward then cleared his throat, and quickly drank some water. "I will be fine... you two enjoy your day."
As he left the table, the elderly ruler began to cough again, and once he was gone, Belle turned to look at Adam.
"Shall we go to the library, then?"
Adam just looked at her, and asked, "Belle, why are... you acting this way? Is it just so you can get my father's approval?"
The young woman shook her head, and replied, "I couldn't care less about that, Adam... I'm just embracing the role I have as a princess."
"But you're not a... well, I mean, technically, you are a princess, my love-"
"Adam... Just trust me, alright?" said Belle, placing a hand on the side of his face, and speaking in her regular tone. "That's all I ask for."
The young man wanted to know more, but as he looked into his wife's pleading eyes, Adam sighed, and nodded his head.
"Good, then... I shall meet you in the library," said Belle, going back to speaking in a royal tone, and she gracefully left the dining room, with Adam still very much confused.
"My, oh, my, Master, what has happened to Belle?" wondered Lumiere, coming back into the room. "Not that I do not mind the way she looks, but it certainly took me by surprise."
"I... I am not quite sure, old friend," replied Adam, giving an honest answer. "But part of me is already starting to miss her."
"Pardon?" said Lumiere, tilting his head to the side. "How so, Master? She was just in front of you."
Adam sighed, in sadness, and he replied, "Yes, Lumiere, I am aware of that."
What I meant is that I was missing the old Belle that I fell in love with.
"... so, in conclusion, I expect the ballroom to be ready by the end of the night so that we may have the party tomorrow. Is that understood?"
Cogsworth nodded his head, and replied, "Indeed, Master... I will alert the rest of the servants right away."
As the former mantle clock walked away, Edward suddenly began coughing again, and let out a groan after still seeing a few drops of blood on his handkerchief.
[I do not own the following lyrics. Also, this would be the montage part, if this were a movie.. and yes, I am aware it does not fit the story timeline-wise]
Oh, oh, oh
It's magic, you know
Never believe it's not so
Once they were in the library, Belle used the ladder to start organizing the books that were on the top shelves, while Adam started with the ones on the bottom level.
However, he was not feeling the way that he had originally thought he would feel while doing this with Belle.
It's magic, you know
Never believe, it's not so
Never been awake
Never seen a day break
Leaning on my pillow in the morning light
"So, I take it that you did not tell Belle yet about the book?" questioned Cogsworth, who was having Lumiere help with preparing the food for tomorrow's celebration.
"Not just yet, my friend, but I shall deal with that when the opportunity presents itself," said Lumiere. "Besides, I am only halfway done with writing the new one!"
Lazy day in bed
Music in my head
Crazy music playing in the morning light
Oh, oh, oh
It's magic, you know
Never believe it's not so
It's magic, you know
Never believe, it's not so
"Belle? You do know that you can stop acting... the way you are right now since my father is not with us."
The young woman gave him a look of confusion, and said, "I don't understand what you mean, Adam. How am I acting different?"
"Well, not that I do not love your new outfit, my love, but..." said Adam, who then realized that he could not think of anything else to say. "Never mind, Belle... let's move on to the next columns."
I love my sunny day
Dream of far away
Dreaming on my pillow in the morning light
"I must say, Cogsworth, you have definitely impressed me," said Adam's father, who was admiring the servant's handiwork. "This shall be one unforgettable celebration."
"Indeed, Master," replied Cogsworth, who was also surprised by Edward's new change of attitude. "Thank you for your kind words."
"You are... w-welcome," said Adam's father, who had taken a moment to cough again into his handkerchief. "In the meantime, I shall see how my son and his lady are doing in the library."
Never been awake
Never seen a day break
Laying on my pillow in the morning light
Oh, oh, oh
It's magic, you know
Never believe it's not so
It's magic, you know
Never believe, it's not so
Even though the sun was no longer in the sky, and the moon was making its appearance, Adam felt like it had only been a few minutes since he had seen Belle at breakfast, even though they were now making their way back to the dining room for dinner.
"Oh... um... excuse me, Adam," said Belle, to his suprise. "I have to... use the restroom..."
"Are you alri... um, never mind, then," replied Adam, letting out a sigh before continuing on towards the dining room.
"Adam?" The young man looked up at whoever was in front of him, and found himself looking at his father. "What is the matter? You seem troubled."
"I... am just not entirely happy for the moment, Father," replied Adam, giving a small shrug.
"How so?" said Edward, a slight frown appearing on his face. "I thought Belle brought you happiness."
"She does, but... this Belle is giving me more confusion instead of happiness," admitted his son. "I still love her, Father, but... I would much rather have the old Belle back."
Before Edward could say anything else, Adam then glared at him, and said, "You should be happy, though, Father... I'm married to a princess."
He then walked past his father, heading into the dining room, while Edward remained standing still, unsure as to how to respond to his son's statement.