Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues

Chapter 53 - A Final Loss, Part 1

Author's Note: Disney owns the rights to this franchise. I just own the story.

"Adam? Wha… where are you-"

The young prince quietly shushed his drowsy wife, and smiled down at her. "Me and Nathaniel are going to be away for the day, my love, so that we can lay my father's ashes where he requested them to be."

It had been a few days since the king's passing as well as his cremation, and according to Adam's uncle, Edward wanted to have them spread his ashes in (to Belle, annyway) a certain location that would require a bit of traveling for them, so that was why he was now getting ready to leave.

"Just rest, my love," said Adam, kissing the top of her head. "I'll be back before dinner."

Still feeling the effects of tiredness, Belle simply nodded her head, and the two of them shared a quick kiss before she went back to sleep, while Adam walked over to the crib that was a few feet away.

Thankfully, for the two of them, Liliana was not one of those infants that wake up crying around two in the morning, and like her mother, she was sound asleep.

"You're certainly enjoying your mother's old crib," whispered Adam, with a chuckle, and he softly kissed the top of his daughter's head. "I'll see you tonight, sweetheart."

Liliana's response was a soft and adorable baby noise that almost made Adam want to stay, but he had already promised his uncle that they would do this, so after adjusting his daughter's blankets (which had been well-crafted by Garderobe), the young prince quietly walked out of the bedroom.

Several Hours Later

After waking up and preparing herself for the day, Belle walked over to her daughter's crib, and looked down at the small infant. "Bonjour, Lily… did you sleep well?"

Liliana replied by giving Belle a toothless smile, and the young woman chuckled as she lifted her out of the crib, placing her daughter in her arms.

"Would you like to meet the other members of your family?"

The response that Belle got was a sound of happiness, which made her say, "I'll take that as a yes."

[The Dining Room]

"Ah, mademoiselle, good morning! How are you today?"

Belle smiled at the former candelabra, and she replied, "I'm doing better, Lumiere, thank you."

As she took a seat, Lumiere walked over to her, and said, "That is one beautiful child, mademoiselle… would you like for me to prepare you both something to eat for breakfast?"

Belle nodded her head, but with a smirk, she replied, "Just keep it simple for today, Lumiere. She isn't exactly ready for the experience that I got for my first meal here."

Lumiere let out a laugh, and he said, "Of course, of course… but not even just a little music for her?"

Belle shook her head, and replied, "I'm sorry, Lumiere… maybe when she's at least one or two years old."

Liliana simply gave Lumiere a blank look, and he said, "Eh, I've spent years as a candelabra, waiting for the spell to be broken… what's a few more in order to give this little one a spectacular performance?"

"Thank you for understanding," replied Belle, giving him a warm smile. "But you could still do one for me if-"

"Well, look who's finally out of bed… how are you doing, Sleeping Beauty?"

As Raphael entered the dining room, Lumiere went into the kitchen, while Belle rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Raphael… just showing my daughter what her home is like."

Once Gaston's half-brother sat down next to Belle, Liliana blew a raspberry at him, and the middle aged gentleman chuckled. "I see that there's already some of Adam inside her."

Belle smirked at him, and she replied, "Oh, that was just a coincidence, Liliana does not-"

WHACK!

The young infant tossed the object that she had been holding (Belle's old rose-shaped rattle) at Raphael, and after it hit his forehead, she began giggling, while the former antagonist raised an eyebrow.

"You were saying?"

He handed the rattle over to Belle, who returned it to Liliana, and added, "Where is Papa Bear, anyway?"

"Handling personal matters with his uncle somewhere far from here," replied Belle, and she was about to say more, but then, the young woman noticed that he now looked upset.

"Are you alright, Raphael?"

Her friend nodded his head, and muttered, "Y-yeah, Belle, I'm fine… enjoy your time with your daughter."

Then, before she could respond to him, Raphael hurried out of the room, and that left Belle feeling confused.

"Was he not hungry?" wondered Lumiere, who had returned from the kitchen with some plates of food. "I would have made him a plate."

Belle just sighed, and replied, "It's alright, Lumiere… he'll be fine…"

Meanwhile, in the library

"You're in control, Raphael," growled the former soldier, his head laying in his hands since his arms were on top of the desk. "You have a family now…"*?

"You shut the hell up!" hissed Raphael, who now had his eyes closed. "Belle is-"

She only feels sorry for you, Raphael… besides, you and I both know that this isn't the real you.

Suddenly, Raphael started to let out small cries of pain, and he muttered, "Don't lose control, do not lose-"

Oh, I'm afraid it is too late for that, my old friend… FAR too late…

Raphael shook his head. "No! I'm not going to let you make me hurt her!"

Ha! Do you honestly think she truly cares for your well-being? You're as important as a sad-eyed puppy.

The middle-aged gentleman continued with his mental fight, but things were not looking so good.

It's like they say… everything burns, and I do believe that we currently have a rather large supply of flammable material right in front of us.

The last thing that Raphael remembered thinking was, Belle… please forgive me.