Chapter Four: The Future Begins

As it usually does, time slipped by as slowly or hurriedly as it saw fit around the region. Before anyone realized, the summer had long become the fall as November hovered above the Chateau Mountains, unfortunately not bearing good tidings.

The West Wing thundered with rage that afternoon; not since the spell had anyone been so frightened to step foot there.

"I can not believe this!" Vincent crashed his letter onto the table, thanking the Lord his hand was once more the size of a human, not a monster. The newly carved bit of furniture would have shattered into splinters under the force of the beast's hand.

"What is this uproar about?" He turned to find Belle in the doorway. "I barely managed to leave Alexandre to his nap; thankfully he sleeps just as heavily as you do, to the point where a storm would not wake him."

"You had to put him to sleep?" Vincent asked confused. "Where is Babette?"

Belle shook her head. Since Alexandre was born, she had requested that Babette help her care for him; as Cogsworth has said, perhaps it would settle the maid's sometimes outlandish personality.

"She has not been feeling well the past few weeks," she replied. "I know she has been to the doctor, but she claims he said that it is just influenza. Poor Lumière is bordering on insanity worrying about her."

Vincent sighed ruefully. "Then I certainly will not help to make either one feel better."

"What do you mean?"

He handed her the crushed letter, explaining as he watched her read it. "The word is spreading about what happened here a year ago. While half of my family refuses to believe it, the other half, the half we should be concerned about most, has decided to act upon it."

Belle looked troubled but thankfully not afraid. "How?"

"Unless I can prove my capabilities and knowledge of ruling has not changed," His eyes battled anger and dread. "They will force me to relinquish the crown."

Belle, ever the optimist that he needed, took his hand in comfort. "You have nothing to fear then. Don't they realize that you have survived an entire year without them? You are nothing like what you were before, Vincent; as we both know, you have changed so much for the better."

"I have, perhaps...they have not. The majority of my family still thinks the way I used to. The slightest thing will cause chaos in their eyes." Vincent sat down tiredly, his head resting on his folded hands. "They feel they have to 'observe' everything that goes on here and make their decision then. Pathetic as it sounds, I truly do not know what to do. I can not go back to what I was, but can not risk everything if they see anything they deem inexcusable."

Belle hugged him close. "Then we will just have to show them that the new you is just as strong and able as you were then, without going back to how things were."

Vincent returned the hold she had on him. She always knew what to say and do in times like this. With her at his side, he felt he could do anything, and for that, he loved her even more. "I am still going to attempt to fight this, however; I'll take Cogsworth and Lumière with me, for sanity if not support. The sooner we go, the better."

Belle nodded. "You do what you think you must; either way, you know I will stand by whatever you choose."

With that being said, the prince rose as if with newfound strength, sending for his servants and ordering them to pack as soon as they answered.

"We leave this evening."

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Babette could barely open her eyes when she wearily awoke. Forcing herself up, she groaned, feeling the heavy pang of pain still ruining her comfort by making its own, but nonetheless fighting it to get out of bed. She had work to do, even if she was miserable.

Good God, why was it still so difficult to move? Normally by this time, she had felt somewhat normal again. Was she really pushing herself too much?

Oh to hell with it, she thought with a moan having laced her dress to completion. Lying in bed was boring, and she could not stand another minute of it.

Half conscious to what she was doing, it was hard to believe that she recognized Angelique's voice beside her.

"Mon Dieu, thank goodness he is not here to see you now," she said. "He would either worry himself into a frenzy, or run in horror."

"Not...now," Babette felt her lips murmur. "I...have to work."

"You can not be serious; you can scarcely talk properly!"

Babette literally threw herself around to look at her, and as expected, collapsed the second she did. Lying on the ground in pain, she burst into tears. "I...I can't...don't make me go back to bed...I...can work...honest..."

But much as she pleaded, everything faded to darkness, proving that she could not; the last thing she remembered hearing above her cries was Angelique calling for help.

-------

Joined by Belle, Mrs. Potts, the housekeeper, and Madame de la Grande Bouche, Belle's Lady-in-Waiting, Angelique paced the hall anxiously. The doctor had been in there much too long than the girl's patience could withstand.

"What is taking so long?" she growled. "Unconsciousness can not have that many explanations."

"Sit down, dear," Mrs. Potts ordered gently to which she obeyed. "I've known the doctor for quite a long time; he knows what he is doing."

"Indeed," Madame agreed, although just as nervous as Angelique, for it was taking longer than they would have thought. She continued, attempting to sound convinced, "He must be making absolutely certain he knows what is wrong."

Angelique glared at the door, unable to keep still. "Educated idiot if you ask me; probably wants to make a pretty penny for a lengthy examination."

"Not necessarily true."

The group looked up as the doctor exited, closing the door silently behind him. Angelique, however, did not show the slightest hint of an apology.

"Please forgive her, monsieur," Belle offered kindly. "She is worried as we all are. Is Babette all right?"

"She will be fine. I warned her not to overwork herself too much for a woman of her state, and now she knows why."

Mrs. Potts smiled, relieved and amused. "You do not know her as well as we do then, sir. Babette can not stand boredom and, hence, seldom takes such orders."

The doctor shook his head in disgust. "But in her condition, it is not acceptable. She will only get worse if she does not take things slowly."

Madame nodded in agreement. "We have tried to tell her the same thing, but she would hear nothing of it. Influenza can knock the brains right out of you to begin with, but forcing her body to work does not help."

The doctor looked bewildered. "She told you it was influenza?" When they all nodded, the man ran his hand over his face in annoyance, and turned to Belle. "My dear lady, if I were you, I would dismiss the little wretch, and as soon as possible. A loose, deceitful liar amongst the staff not only sets the wrong example, but certainly is not safe or secure for either you or the master."

Angelique jumped from where she sat. "Call her such names again and—I do not care who you are!—I will beat you so horribly, you will not be able to sit for a year! No one in this castle calls her anything of that kind but me!"

The doctor hardly took notice of the outburst. "And while you are at it, do something about this one as well."

She may not have been raised in royalty, but Belle's sense of authority could have fooled anyone who did not know of her provincial life before marriage. "Monsieur, I do indeed side with Angelique on your accusations. Babette is anything but a liar, and on her behalf, I demand an apology."

The man stood his ground, not with defiance, but confidence in his allegations. "While she may not be on a daily basis then, your majesty, she has covered the truth in the worst way this once. Serious as it is, if treated properly, influenza would have been cured by now."

"Doctor, please state your point; what is wrong with her?"

He grew quiet, disturbed at what he had to say. "Your highness...she does not have influenza. The girl...is pregnant."