The next morning, Belle was awoken by the self-sweeping drapes. Rubbing at her eyes, she was shocked to see that it was half-past noon. It had been a very late night. Lumiere knocked politely on the door outside, the faint tapping having originally drawn her from slumber. Suddenly remembering where she was, she stammered an answer. "Come in," she called. "Come in!" Lumiere cracked the door open and shuffled in.
"Bon matin, ma cherie," he cheerfully greeted. "My, how the day has escaped us!" Belle rose to her feet, finding she was somehow dressed in the castle's nightclothes. The events of the past night were a blur, a haze lost in some wild dream. She rushed to the window, and then to the door. Lumiere watched, not sure of her confusion. "Are you…is there…"
"Lumiere?" she asked, stopping and turning to him dozily. "Lumiere, the Beast…"
"Sleeps, my dear," he continued. "You need not worry of him now. You look famished, Belle, please come for lunch." Belle sat back down the bed, incoherent to the wardrobe discussing her dress for the day.
"I…I feel like there is so much to do…"
"Well, you are right." Belle glanced to the door; Ms. Potts was present on a small tea tray. She beamed, Chip dancing about her with the sugar and cream. "You said you would stay for the Master's healing, would you not?" Belle nodded, intrigued at her proposal. "There is still a bit of work to do around here, Belle, and you are the only one who can do it."
"Ms. Potts," Lumiere nudged, trying to be sly. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about this castle," she pouted, sticking her lip as tea poured from her spout. "It's like a morgue in here, and that certainly isn't going to inspire a pri—" She caught herself at Lumiere's bursting eye and restarted. "To inspire a Master that's battling death himself!" Belle paused, not quite understanding. Lumiere caught on to the idea and his three flames flickered with enlightenment.
"But of course! Belle, take a look at this castle! It's as if all gloom and darkness have decided to come here for vacation. When the Master wakes up, let us nurture his soul with a bit of light about here!"
"A few flowers wouldn't hurt," Cogsworth commented from the bottom rack of the tray. Lumiere beamed at his approval of the plan. "This place was beautiful once."
"He…was beautiful once," Ms. Potts gravely added. Belle toyed with the addition before Lumiere once again exploded with excitement.
"Why can't we have a bit of fun!" the candelabra resolved. "We're going to make this castle something worth waking up to!"
"If you'll help," Ms. Potts pleaded, moving closer to Belle. The young beauty had been pondering on these suggestions, and with a brave smile, she nodded.
"I…I guess I could help you out a bit. It's a big castle."