Just thought I'd remind you of the Easter eggs that come with this story. There are a lot of them, particularly in this chapter. Try to figure out why certain names were chosen. They may have to do with the creators, the voice actors, or even family of them. That's your hint ;) Anyway, let's begin the next chapter.

~Chapter Five~

"Go get it Bruno!" Peter shouted as he threw a stick across the field for the royal bloodhound to go after.

Bruno raced after the stick and then brought it back to the six year old.

"Good boy!" he said petting the dog.

All the children in the castle loved Cinderella's old bloodhound and so he was never without company, even when his mistress had to tend to her royal duties.

"Peter!" Emily called out to her brother as she ran up to him.

Peter rolled his eyes. "What is it, Emily?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to play dolls?" she asked.

"Emily, I told you, dolls are for girls! I don't wanna play with them. Go ask the mistress if she'll play with you."

"She can't," Emily said, "She and the master are in a meeting with some duke or something."

"Then ask Katherine or Sharon," he said, throwing the stick again.

"They're shining shoes," she said.

"Well… I don't know. Find someone."

Emily pouted and went back inside.

"Hmph! Nobody ever wants to play with me," she complained to herself as she walked through the hallways.

Emily looked up ahead of her to see Anastasia and her older sister-what was her name?- oh yes, Drizella- looking at a painting on the wall. She ran up to them.

"Hi Anastasia! Hi Drizella!"

"Hello Emily," Anastasia said, "How are you today?"

"I'm fine, I guess," she said, "But nobody wants to play dolls with me."

"Are you asking us to play with you?" Anastasia asked with a smirk.

"Maybe," Emily said innocently.

"What do you think, Drizella?" Anastasia asked.

Drizella hesitated. Like her sister, she had little experience with children. But she looked so innocent and hopeful. How could she refuse?

"Sounds good to me," she said, "Lead the way, Emily."

Emily skipped her way to the servants' quarters, the two sisters following closely behind.

Mrs. Potts watched them around the corner, laughing quietly to herself. "She always knows how to win people over."

The head cook's wife made her way to the kitchen to make some tea for the royals and their visitor. She opened the doors to see the place was quite bare now. Her husband and Aubin were both kneading a batch of bread, the maitre d' Bernot was speaking with his apprentice at the table (most likely teaching him the ins and outs of the job), and her eldest son, Caleb, was helping Diane with the dishes.

"I'm going to put on a pot of tea for the meeting," she said, "Would anyone else like some?"

"You know I'm always in the mood for your tea, dear," Mr. Potts said.

"Of course you are, Richard," Mrs. Potts said, "Anyone else?"

"I could use a cup," Diane said as she dried her hands, "I need a break."

"Don't let Prudence hear you saying that, Maman," Lumiére said with a smirk.

"I'll have some tea, s'il vous plait," Bernot said.

"Me too," said Aubin.

"Can I have some hot chocolate, Mama?" Caleb asked.

"Oh no luv," Mrs. Potts said, "You've had enough chocolate for one day. Tea or nothing."

"Fine," Caleb said, "I'll have some tea."

"What about you, Lumiére?" Mrs. Potts asked.

"Not right now," he said getting up, "I'm going to go find Angelique."

"You go get her, Romeo," the maitre d' called out to him as he left, the doors swinging behind him.

"Ah, l'amour," Diane sighed, resting her head in her hand.

"L'amour and a few on the side," Bernot joked.

"Oui, he takes after his father in that way," Diane said, "But it's mostly just playful flirting. I'm sure he'll grow out of it. He's really quite in love with this one."

"There's always something special about your first love," Aubin said as he took a seat at the table, "Even if they're not 'the one.' I'll never forget Marguerite."

"Walter and I have many wonderful memories," Mrs. Potts said as she set the kettle, "Even though we were never meant to be, I don't regret my time with him."

"Hmmm… Seems I'm one of the few to marry my first love," Diane said.

"You and the mistress both," Mr. Potts said as he put the loaves of bread in the oven.

"Such a shame that the boy's father can't be here," Mrs. Potts said, "He was so excited to be having a child. Do you remember how he ran around the whole castle shouting out the news?"

"Ah oui, he nearly gave me a heart attack!" Diane said, "I nearly dropped a whole tray of wine glasses. I can't imagine Prudence would've been very pleased if that happened."

"Oh I'm sure she'd get over it," Mrs. Potts said as the tea kettle whistled, "She never stays mad for too long."

"If you say so, Angela," Diane said.

"You know though," the maitre d' said to Diane, "I can't help noticing that Lumiére's current romantic interest looks vaguely like a certain royal."

Diane laughed. "I've noticed, and I told the mistress the same thing not too long ago. I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than just a coincidence."

Almost everyone in the castle knew that Lumiére had had a childhood crush on the princess the first time he saw her. Even the princess herself knew, much to his own embarrassment. So the fact that he was courting someone who looked so similar to her did not go unnoticed.

Mrs. Potts poured tea for each of the staff members at the table before setting up a tray for the meeting.

"You lot enjoy your tea now," she said, "I'll be back in a jiffy."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Angelique scrubbed at the large window when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, followed by the soft singing of a baritone voice.

"Dame, ne regardes pas

A vostre valour

Ne a moy, se je suis bas.

Mais loyal Amour

Regardes, qui par doucour

M'a donné d'un amoureus dart

Par vostre doulz plaisant regart.

Dont je sui si en vos las

Qu'ades par savour

Humblement sans estre las

Recoy ma dolour.

Las! et vos cuers n'a tenrour

De l'ardure qui le mien art

Par vostre doulz plaisant regart."

"That song is not meant for baritones," Angelique remarked.

"Ah but it describes my plight so perfectly."

"You know I love you, mon cher," Angelique said, "But I don't love when you run after the other maids."

Angelique had been avoiding him since finding him flirting with one of the scullery maids earlier that day.

"I am a man of many faults, ma cheri," he said, "Only made more obvious when in the presence of a pure and perfect angel, such as yourself."

"Well perhaps I better stay away from you so that you do not tarnish my halo," she said, holding her head high.

"Oh mon amour," Lumiére said as he placed a line of kisses down her neck, "Not even the devil himself could lay a stain on your radiance."

"Stop that," she said trying to shrug him off but beginning to fall for his advances, "I'm not happy with you right now."

"Oh mon ange," Lumiére said, turning her to face him, "Do not turn me away. I am but a poor sinner, in need of your guiding hand. Cleanse me with your angel's kiss so that I may have a bit of Heaven's virtue in me."

Angelique laughed despite herself. "Ah yes, poor sinner. What would you do without me? Very well. I shall purify you with the kiss of redemption."

Their lips met in a slow, deep kiss. But it was still too fast for Lumiére.

"I do not think I'm wholly cleansed," he said, his voice in a low whisper, "I think another kiss is necessary."

And so they kissed again… and again… and again. Lumiére ran a hand through her hair as Angelique's hands moved up and down his sides.

"Oh Angelique," he said between kisses, "Je t'aime."

"Excuse me," said a rather irritated voice.

Angelique held back an annoyed groan, but Lumiére did not as they turned to face Prudence.

"What is it now, Prudence?" Lumiére asked.

"Why are you two not tending to your duties?" she asked.

"I'm on break," Lumiére said, "I did all my morning chores."

"Maybe you have," Prudence said, "But I very recently assigned Angelique to these windows and they clearly have not been finished yet. You leave her be and find something else to do until she's done."

Lumiére sighed, looking at his lover. "Will you meet me in the gardens at sunset?"

"I'd love to," Angelique said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"What?" Drizella asked, "You want me to go with you?"

She'd been a resident of this castle for all of two days and now she was being invited to join the princess and her ladies in waiting to go to a dinner party being held at Daphne's daughter's estate. It was to celebrate her second anniversary to her husband.

"You did say you had fallen out of the social circle," Anastasia said, "This would be a great way to make yourself known again."

"And my dear Alycia is such a generous hostess," Daphne said, "She'll help you feel perfectly comfortable."

"I have nothing to wear though," Drizella said, "All of my clothes need mending, badly."

"You could wear one of my gowns," Anastasia said, "It'd be a little loose on you but it should still work."

"Well… okay," Drizella said.

Cinderella entered the parlor at that moment, having just finished with her meeting with the Duke of Montmorency.

"Drizella," she said, "I'm glad you're here. I wanted to ask you-"

"We've already invited her, Your Highness," Beatrice said, "And she has accepted."

"Wonderful," the princess said, "We'll be leaving in two hours. Do you think you can be ready by then?"

"Oh… um…" Drizella and her sister had always taken a while to get ready for special occasions, always nitpicking at their hair and makeup.

"We'll help you, Drizella," Anastasia said, "Daphne is wonderful with makeup."

"You have to be at my age," Daphne said with a laugh, "Come with me, dear. Let's see what we can do."

"We'll see you two in a little bit," Cinderella said as they left the parlor.

Daphne brought Drizella to her room and had her sit at the vanity.

"Let's start by hiding those smile lines," Daphne said as she opened a drawer, "I have this wonderful concealer that can hide them easily."

Daphne took a bottle out and poured the contents on her hand before applying it to the sides of Drizella's mouth. Within minutes, her smile lines disappeared. Daphne then proceeded to powder the girl's face, apply blush and mascara, and color her lips a deep red.

"There," she said, "What do you think?"

Drizella looked at her reflection in shock. For once in her life, she actually looked pretty.

"I wish I looked this good without makeup," she said with a sigh.

Daphne tilted her chin up. "My dear, I've only enhanced what was already there."

Drizella smiled a sideways smile.

"Come on," Daphne said, "Let's see what your sister has for you."

Drizella left Daphne's room and walked over to Anastasia's which was just down the hall. She knocked on the door and within seconds, it was opened.

"I've found something I think you'll like," Anastasia said.

She took her older sister by the arm and led her to the bed, where a deep green gown was laid out. It had long sleeves, puffed slightly at the shoulders, and ruffles in the center of the skirt. Adjustable laces adorned the front of the bodice.

"Anastasia, it's gorgeous," she said.

Anastasia helped Drizella with the many petticoats and then added beaded jades of the same shade. Drizella was shocked at her transformation. Perhaps if she'd been more willing to try out new styles in the past, things would have turned out differently. As Anastasia tied the laces of the bodice, there was a knock at the door.

"Ladies," Prudence's voice could be heard from the other side, "Her Highness wishes to inform you that the carriage has arrived."

"Thank you, Prudence," Anastasia said.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The estate was about the same size as the Tremaine chateau, but was in much better condition. There were no signs of rust on the wrought iron fence, the paint was fresh, and the garden was immaculate. The carriage dropped the ladies off in front of the house, where they were greeted by a young lady. She was an exact replica of Daphne, though younger and slimmer.

"Good evening, ladies," she said, "I'm so glad you could make it."

"It's good to see you, Alycia," Cinderella said, "I hope you don't mind but I've brought an extra guest. This is my older step sister, Drizella Charlotte Tremaine."

"Pleased to meet you, Drizella," Alycia said with a curtsy, "My name is Alycia Valiquette D'Isigny."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mademoiselle," Drizella said.

"Well, come in ladies, come in," Alycia said, leading them into her home.

"Beatrice, darling!" said a woman clad in red silk, "You made it!"

"Estelle!" Beatrice said as the woman walked up to her, "It's so good to see you again! How are the little ones?"

"Oh they're growing fast," Estelle said, before she noticed the raven haired woman with them, her attitude changing quickly, "Oh… Hello again, Drizella."

"Um, hi," Drizella said awkwardly.

Drizella knew Estelle from back when her family was still within the social circle of the upper class and their history was not good. She had often mocked Estelle for her timidness, saying she would become an old maid. Now, years later, it seemed the roles had reversed. She was the old maid, while it appeared Estelle was happily married with children.

Anastasia and Cinderella noticed the tension between the two and knew why it was there. Anastasia had not been particularly kind to Estelle as a child either (though not quite as horrible) and Cinderella had witnessed it all in the short time before her father died.

"Alycia," the princess whispered to the hostess, "Why don't you introduce Drizella to some of your family?"

Alycia had not lived in the area when the Tremaine sisters were young but she too could sense the tension and understood the meaning behind the suggestion.

"Drizella," she said, leading her by the arm, "Come with me."

Alycia led Drizella to two well dressed men casually talking near a piano. One was a tall man with black hair and green eyes, while the other had black hair and blue eyes.

"Allow me to introduce my husband, Léon D'Isigny," she said as she gestured to the green eyed man, "And his older brother, Lord Charles D'Isigny. Gentlemen, this is Mademoiselle Drizella Charlotte Tremaine, step sister of the princess."

"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle," Léon said as he politely kissed her hand, "A pleasure to meet you."

Charles repeated the gesture, saying, "Charlotte, you say? That should be easy to remember, since my name is Charles."

Drizella blushed. "And I also should be able to remember your name well, Monsieur."

The two stared at each other for a moment. Drizella had felt a strange, fluttery sensation when he went to kiss her hand and she wondered if he felt it too. It was a lovely feeling and she couldn't help recalling what her sisters had told her about the first time they had touched their husbands' hand. That they knew, at that moment, they had found true love. Could that be what she was feeling right now? After all these years, was there still a chance that she could find love?

"Well everyone, let's sit down," Alycia said, snapping both of them out of their gaze, "Dinner should be out soon."

Drizella sat down next to her younger sister as the food was brought out. Instinctively, she ate with her usual table manners before hearing Estelle whisper, "Some things never change."

She stopped and looked around her to see that quite a few of the guests were staring with looks of shock and disgust. Drizella realized in that moment how barbaric she must've looked; with her elbows on the table, crumbs of food on her lap, and generally shoveling large bites down her throat.

Luckily, Alycia saved her from complete humiliation. "I'm glad you're enjoying the food. Our chef will be pleased."

"Um, yes," Drizella said, wiping her mouth with her napkin, "He certainly did well."

After dinner, the guests all convened in the back gardens. Drizella sat down on a bench alone, too humiliated by her table manners to talk to anyone.

"Why so down, Mademoiselle?"

She turned to see that Lord Charles had taken a seat next to her.

"Oh, no reason," she said, "It's not as though I acted like a complete animal at dinner."

"Oh don't be so hard on yourself," he said, "Trust me, I've seen far worse."

"I find that very hard to believe," Drizella said.

"Oh believe it," he said, "You should've seen me as a boy."

Drizella found herself laughing despite herself.

"So tell me about yourself, Mademoiselle," Charles said, "You are the princess' step sister, yet I have not seen nor heard of you until now."

"That makes sense," Drizella said, "We never had a very good relationship with each other. She probably wanted to forget I even exist."

"If that were the case, Mademoiselle, I don't think she would've brought you with her tonight."

"She's a very forgiving woman, Monsieur," Drizella said, "Almost too forgiving. Anastasia and I were horrible to her growing up. She was like a slave in her own home."

"So I've heard," he said, "Though when Her Highness speaks of her upbringing, she usually only mentions her stepmother."

"Mother was a cold, cruel woman," Drizella explained, "She was very kind and loving when Anastasia and I were small. But then when Father started drinking, she just… changed."

"Alcohol is truly the devil's drink," Charles said, "I used to get unbelievably drunk on liquor after my wife died and was prone to getting into awful brawls at the local pubs. But one day, I met this priest who was able to talk some sense into me. Haven't had a drop since."

"What did your wife die from, Monsieur?"

Charles sighed. "A broken heart, I suspect. She was pregnant with our first child but… she lost the baby. Then I lost her."

"Oh Monsieur… I'm so sorry," Drizella said.

"Charles, I insist," he said, "And don't be. We have many wonderful memories together, and I'm sure I'll see them both again some day."

Drizella sighed.

"What is it?" he asked.

"If only I could say the same about my parents," she said, "But they were both so awful."

"You never know," Charles said, "They say God will forgive even if it's at the last moment."

Drizella smiled at his positivity. "So tell me more about yourself, Charles. Where are you from?"

"Oh, just a small town in Normandy, Isigny-sur-mer," he said.

"Oh," she said, mentally slapping herself for not knowing the obvious answer.

"Most of this family is from the Normandy area," he explained, "Daphne moved here to be the princess' lady in waiting four years ago and then my brother and Alycia moved here after marrying to be closer to her. Now, two years later here I am as well."

Drizella laughed. "I guess that makes two of us adjusting to a new home. I've just moved into the castle with Cinderella and Anastasia."

"Ah, that must be nice," he said.

"It certainly takes some getting used to," she said.

"It shouldn't be too hard," Charles said, "A lovely lady like you fits well among the royal family."

"Oh, you're just being nice," Drizella said, blushing, "Cinderella has always been the pretty one. I just look good now because of makeup."

"Aw, I'm sure that's not true," he said, "Makeup can only do so much."

"If I'm so 'lovely' why am I still single?" Drizella asked.

"Well, sometimes it takes a little more time," Charles said, "You never know. Don't give up yet."

"Thank you," Drizella said.

"Don't mention it," he said, patting her hand.

There it was again, that fluttery feeling. But then again, no man had ever really paid any attention to her. Perhaps this rare moment of kindness was just getting to her head.

Meanwhile, Beatrice and Estelle were catching up.

"She really is too kind for her own good," Estelle said, "I can understand giving Anastasia another chance, but Drizella?"

Beatrice was tied with her opinions. She wanted to support her princess and friend in everything she did, but she was also aware of how terrible Drizella was. When her family had first moved to the area from Aquitaine, she had been mocked by the younger woman constantly. She and her sister were absolutely unbearable. But…

"If Anastasia could change, I see no reason why Drizella can't," Beatrice said.

"Well her complete lack of etiquette certainly hasn't changed," Estelle said.

"Well we can't judge a person's morality by their table manners, can we now?" Beatrice asked.

Estelle sighed. "I suppose not."

"It's been several years," Beatrice reminded her, "And I'm sure her financial troubles have humbled her somewhat. It won't hurt to give her a chance."

"Well, you'll have to forgive me for being a tad skeptical," Estelle said.

Near a large fountain, Anastasia and Cinderella spoke with the host and hostess.

"So what is to become of your father's chateau, Your Highness?" Léon asked.

"I'm not entirely sure," the princess confessed, "I'd hate to see it go into disuse. It was such a lovely estate once. I'd love to see it brought back to its former glory."

"If we were to get everything fixed, it would probably sell easily," Anastasia said, "Who wouldn't want to live in the chateau where the future queen of France was raised?"

"But I don't want it to go to just anyone," Cinderella said, "The estate is special to me. I have so many happy memories of my father there. I want it to go to someone who will cherish it as much as I did… and still do."

"I can relate," Alycia said, "I often wonder what's become of my childhood home."

"How's the little prince?" Léon asked.

"He's wonderful," said Cinderella, "He's starting to take his first steps and he's beginning to get names down."

"He calls me Ann-asia," Anastasia said.

"Aw how sweet," Alycia said, "Now tell me, Anastasia. The last time we spoke, you and Aubin said you were looking at adopting. Is that still a possibility?"

"It's a definite," Anastasia said, "Aubin and I are visiting the orphanage next week and we hope to have our child brought to the castle by the end of the month."

"Oh how wonderful!" Alycia exclaimed, "Congratulations!"

"That's an idea," Cinderella said.

"What?" Anastasia asked.

"The orphanage," Cinderella said, "They've been having problems with overcrowding and our chateau is huge. We could make it into another orphanage."

"A splendid idea, Your Highness," Léon said, "Spacing should be much more agreeable to the children that way."

"Well I do believe it's time for the dessert course," Alycia said, "Come, come everyone!"

Drizella was more aware of her table manners as she ate her dessert, noticing some people still staring in curiosity. She saw Charles give her a reassuring smile, which made her feel more comfortable.

Léon tapped his fork against his champagne glass. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention please. My wife and I have a special announcement to make."

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at the host.

"You may think that this occasion is to celebrate our two year anniversary," he continued, "But there is actually something we wish to share with you. Something very exciting. Alycia, dear?"

"Ladies and gentlemen," she said, "Friends and family, I'm with child!"

Daphne gasped. "I'm going to be a grandmother?!"

"Congratulations, Alycia!" Cinderella said as all the guests clapped.

Charles' smile was tight as he thought of the child he would never have the chance to know, or even hold. Drizella could see it, and this time she was the one to give him a reassuring smile.

"So with this joyous news out," Léon said as he rose his glass, "I'd like to propose a toast. To Alycia, the mother of my child!"

"To Alycia!" everyone said, raising their glasses.

Cinderella and her entourage were the last to leave that night. As Drizella walked out the door, Charles gently grabbed her hand.

"I hope to see you again, Mademoiselle," he said.

"Please, call me Drizella," she said.

"Very well. Bonsoir, Drizella," Charles said, once again kissing her hand.

As the ladies all gathered into the carriage, Daphne said, "You certainly seem to have caught Lord D'Isigny's attention tonight. I haven't seen him that engaged in a conversation with a woman since his wife died."

"Really?"

Daphne nodded. "He's been quite lonesome since then. That's why he moved here from Isigny-sur-mer. He wanted to at least be near us."

"He always did come across as slightly melancholy to me," Cinderella said, "It was good to see him so happy."

Drizella could only smile. It seemed things were finally looking up for her.

The song I used is by Guillame de Machaut and the translation is as follows:

Lady, do not look
On your own worth
Nor on me, how lowly I am.
But look on faithful Love
Who gently
Has dealt me a dart of love
By your sweet and pleasing glance.

Thus I am so ensnared by you
That ceaselessly with pleasure.
Humbly and unwearied
I receive my pain.
Alas! and your heart has no tender compassion
For the ardour which burns mine
By your sweet and pleasing glance.

If you like what you see, please leave a review. If enough people are interested, then this story may have a sequel following the lives of Belle and Adam's children. But that all depends on the demand. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. To quote Wotso videos:

Have a magical day!