Disclaimer: I don't own Beauty and the Beast. If I did, I probably wouldn't be doing this. I'd be a billionaire doing what I wished when I wished. All right enough of that enjoy!

Chapter 3: The Dreaded Repulsives (Relatives)

There was a sudden stillness in the room. Vincent had blanched an interesting shade of both snow white and sheet paper. Then it slowly colored until he resembled a slightly overripe tomato with purple tones. Suddenly, the rather palpable quiet was shattered by a resounding BOOM as the table clattered under the extra weight that nearly toppled the fancy breakfast feast.

"WHAT!"

"N-n-now Master-"

"You let them in? What possessed you to do that!"

"P-p-please-"

"Cogsworth, I cannot believe you would do that when you know how I feel about them! Why would you deliberately go against my wishes when you, of all people, are supposed to know what weasels and serpents like them are capable of! I have a good mind, Cogsworth to, just send you-"

"Vincent! That is quite enough!"

Whirling around, he tried to locate the voice of the person who had dared interrupt him. He didn't have to look far.

There his wife stood, fury etched into every detail of her face from her flushed cheeks to her fiery death glare. Vincent could not help noticing that she looked more attractive and enticing when she was angry, even though it wouldn't be prudent to bring that detail up.

"Vincent, I don't know where you found the arrogance, and the absolute nerve to say such things to Cogsworth after all the years of loyalty he's given you, all his patience and willingness to serve you. That alone should have brought you to your knees, but no, you repay him by yelling in his face, scaring him half to death, and bringing him in the middle of the feud with you and your relatives! It's bad enough that you mistreated him and-"

"Actually my lady, I have always enjoyed working for the Master and-"

"That's alright Cogsworth, you don't have to defend your Master and sugar coat his actions," She said softening her expression and turning to him with a look of compassion. Then her expression hardened again and she turned her full fury back on her hapless husband. "Believe me, I have seen and endured a few of his episodes myself! Just what exactly was he supposed to do? Leave them standing at the gate? I know you said your relatives were horrible, but that's no reason to turn them away and be rude right back to them. And I actually wouldn't put it past you to do that.

"So what do you have to say for yourself, husband?"

"Well, uh, my dear, I would have to say that-" Suddenly he stopped and put on a thoughtful expression that quickly hardened. Who was he to have to answer to a woman, especially the one who was his wife? She should be answering to him. She was not his slave of course, but she also was not his superior. She had not shown him the respect he deserved when she had had interfered and tried to turn him into her yes-man. She would need to know that when he disciplined the servants, it was not her place to stand up and defend them against him as though he were Ivan the Terrible. He was just about to let her know that and more, when they were interrupted.

"Uh, sir-"

"What?" he barked sharply. Belle's eyes flashed, but she said nothing.

"Oh I'm sorry, Malcolm." He apologized quickly, his expression softening. "What news do you bring me?"

"Your uncle, sir, says that he 'came for a reason, and does not like to be kept waiting.' His exact words, sir. And sir," the young boy lowered his voice. "He brought his family."

It took every last ounce of self-control and willpower that the prince had to keep his temper from exploding to every corner of the room. In the calmest, most deadly tranquil voice he possessed, his words were this:

"Take me to him."

Edouard Montague reclined lazily in the comfortable red chair, surveying his surroundings with mocking disdain. The castle still looked the way it did the last time he had had the utter misfortune of having to visit his pathetic brother with his frail weak tastes and equally soft philosophies and ideals. The way his brother and his common wife had treated the servants as though they were equals, rather than the things they really were: inferior beings supposed to obey without question.

And then there was the way the castle had been constructed with angels and cherubs, creatures of weakness and gentleness, yielding bland representation. Had he really wanted the other countries to know frail and feeble he really was? How he was making France one of the easiest targets of war?

His brother had been a fool from the time they were boys from when he had taken an interest in an insignificant baroness who would bring them no worthy lands or wealth, marrying in the name of love, (he still shuddered every time he thought of such a foolish venture) to when they had borne that puny, scrawny, sorry excuse for an heir. Edouard boiled with rage just thinking about it. This puny boy had stolen his rightful title as king, stolen it right out from under him. His dear brother had known too, that he would have been next in line if not for that puny little whelp. And then after his brother had died, he had played him a despicable trick; in his will, he had stated in concrete terms that his son was the next heir to the throne, not he. No. He was to act as a regent. Regent. No counselor or keeper of the law had been able to find a loophole in the will. He was stuck watching the whelp gain control over what was rightfully his.

However it didn't seem his life was not without merit in other areas. His wife. Veronique Montague, nee Veronique deCholmondeley, had provided him with a more than proper dowry, and plenty of lands, and behaved exactly the way a wife should: tending the household's affairs and staying out of his. She also was quite beautiful, an extra pleasure he had taken delight in when they were first married. With hair that was pure gold, a curvy voluptuous figure and steely gray eyes, she was a sight to behold. She also had useful attributes as well, such as a cunning, scheming mind that served him well as often as he wished, and a talent for the art of manipulation and deceit, which served their purposes very well.

Yes, he was pleased with his choice of wife-very much so. And when he grew bored with her she would still be useful in the other matters that needed tending, like the domestic skills and affairs, which he could not handle. And she had already given him two children. Firstly a son, Guillaume, given to him first. His wife knew more about conceiving and giving birth to heirs, than a lot of the wives of the courtiers or colleagues of his. And then a daughter, not as worthy to him as a half-spoiled roasted quail spilled onto a dirt floor.

He was here on business, although for some reason, his dear wife had let his daughter's nanny persuade her into bringing the children, though he could see no apparent reason to take them. That one would have to be punished later for her impertinent tongue, he mused. But here they were and at least trying not to embarrass him. He knew his children very well. His son had inherited his traits of manipulation and cunning. His daughter, however, made the most unacceptable scene when she didn't get just exactly what she wanted. Whereas his son knew the necessity for discretion and prudence, his daughter was rash and insolent, and would have been cut down early if she had been a peasant or had a less tolerant father. As it was, he only had her shut up in her room for a few hours and let the servants take care of whatever messes she made. He frowned slightly and turned to his wife.

"Veronique, ma chere, did I not send that puny little imp to inform his master that I am here?"

Haughtily, she turned with the same air of boredom and replied,

"Quite true, my dear, quite true. It seems, l'amour, your nephew houses the most incompetent of servants."

No sooner than the words had escaped her lovely but poisonous lips than the same young adolescent came back to the room and nervously said:

"A-a-announcing his Im-imperial Majesty, His R-r-r-royal Highness, P-p-p-prince Vincent of France."

Red as an apple ready for harvest, young Malcolm made a hasty retreat.

"Ah," he remarked as they entered. "If it isn't my long-lost nephew. Tell me, dear boy, where have you been these past five years?"

"Hello, uncle," he replied coolly, eyes narrowing at the fact that his favorite chair was being occupied by someone he considered vile and putrid as well as tyrannical and power-hungry. " I see you haven't lost your lust for young girls. Or things that don't belong to you for that matter."

Boiling, livid rage swelled up inside the middle-aged man, but knowing he wasn't in a position to use it, he quickly stopped it up for later. Maybe he would fence or ride horseback later.

"Oh-ho, come now young boy, come now. I know that your father's will and this castle are impenetrable and concrete. As for my dear wife Veronique," he chuckled, lifting her chin, "She was of proper age when I married her. In fact, she was almost too ripe. She was eighteen."

"I was only waiting for the right one to come along, mon cher." She injected smoothly. "I couldn't have any old half-wealthy baron or earl. It simply wouldn't do. I had to have the one who would bring my family as many lands as possible. And who better than the late King's brother?" she finished with an icy smile.

Belle had only been there two minutes, but she already knew that she didn't belong anywhere near these people. The uncle seemed bored and rather calculating, with a smooth front that suggested a cruel and hateful disposition underneath the deceptively calm surface. Earlier, she thought she had seen a flash of that hate, for his face had become distorted and repulsively ugly for a split second, but it was gone so fast, she couldn't be sure if it had happened or not, because when she looked again, she saw only a calm tranquil look on his pompous face.

As for his wife, she knew they would never get along. She was beautiful but it was the shallow and superficial beauty and it hadn't been achieved naturally. She had covered herself in liberal amounts of powder, so much of it in fact that Belle was sure that if one touched her face, it would come off.

Her lips were colored too, a deep crimson red, that made Belle uncomfortably think back to a book she had check out in the horror section in the castle. A book by Bram Stoker. It had made her afraid to sleep without a light for weeks. Her eyes had also been heavily layered with kohl and her hair had been done up tightly pulling back her face and making the entire effect rather perturbing. Her dress was neatly starched and seemed to weigh her down considering everything from the waist down was layered.

Her dress was a pretty blue, but Belle knew it was bothering her everywhere, from the lace around her neck and arms to the heavy weight of the rest of it. It wasn't really all the material things about her that concerned her. It was her eyes. Cold, emotionless gray eyes that chilled Belle to the very core of her soul. Her face was that of a haughty and spoiled noblewoman, but those eyes told of a well-hidden cunning and dangerous nature. She was certain this woman would go to any lengths to get what she wanted. All and all she hoped that the meeting would be over soon.

"What do you want here, uncle?"

He had asked that question politely, but there was an underlying tone both chilling and menacing.

"Well, Vincent, it's quite simple. Do you know that you were gone for an extremely long time? Five years isn't simply a walk in the park. It's quite an important matter. France was without a Monarch for five years, boy! Towns and cities were in turmoil and the economy was staggeringly low. I almost had to take your place as King. Your father's will had stated that if you were deceased or your whereabouts unknown by your 21st birthday, then I would be the next in line. However, before it could happen, I received a message from your castle stating you had been "found" and would assume your responsibilities shortly. So tell me, nephew. Where were you all these years? Your death was denied repeatedly and yet you had vanished into thin air. I am quite curious to hear the entire retelling if you please."

Vincent frowned. "Excuse me, but that story is my business and mine alone. Now I know you too well, Uncle, to know you didn't come because you were concerned for my welfare, or deeply worried of my whereabouts. You have stated what was part of your business. A scrap of gossip. Now what is it you really came for? I'm quite curious to hear all about it."

"I have a proposition for you, nephew. You are young and inexperienced. Too young, in fact. You have no idea what it takes to rule a kingdom, nor what is expected of you when ruling it. You have been "away" for an extremely long time and have not been educated in the proper ways to know what the kingdom expects from you. In fact, almost nothing. So I am offering you this: Let me co-rule this kingdom with you. With me you could learn so much and have power at the tips of your royal fingertips. You will learn all you need to know and you won't fail this country. I hope you are wise enough to accept this very generous offer,"he concluded leaving the chilling threat hanging in the air.

Seething, Vincent stood up suddenly. "That's it. I don't know how you manage to do it Uncle, but it always happens. You try and make me feel lower than you and then you try and steal away what's rightfully mine, by my father's will and by the Grace of God. Or have you forgotten? It seems your greed and your covetousness have finally clouded your mind far enough that you dare think you can snatch the throne from me and intimidate me while doing so! And did you not see my wife? She is my co-ruler. I think it's time for you to leave."

"Insolent whelp! I'll see you begging in the streets! Come Veronique, It seems we've worn out our welcome. Have your maid gather the children."

"As you wish husband," she said coolly her frosty gaze on Vincent and Belle as she said it. She clapped twice. "Nerine!"

A tall pretty young girl hurried from the other room.

"My lady?"

"Get Guillaume and Simone, and take them out to the carriage. Wait for us there."

"Yes, my lady."

Guillaume marched proudly out of the next room, but his younger sister was carried out kicking and screaming, her shriek piercing the ears of all around her, her face wet and beet-red, her blonde hair mussed and disarrayed.

"No, no NO! I wanna play! I WANNA PLAAAY! Lemme go NOW! I want the pink vase! NOW! I want the pink vase!"

Dismayed and appalled, Belle sent a quick prayer, asking fervently that she be a much better parent who would not condone such behavior.

After they left, everyone suddenly let out their breath.

"So…that's your uncle Vincent?" she asked, incredulous.

"Yes, Belle. That's my absolutely wonderful uncle," he replied bitterly.

"Utterly repulsive bunch aren't they, my dear?"

All started in surprise at Mrs. Potts whom they didn't even know had been in the room.

"They're not very nice, are they dear?" she asked quietly.

"They are not to be trusted. They have done terrible things to us, the servants and even worse to their blood and kin, our Master. And they did something terrible to Cogsworth once."

Vincent shot her a warning glance, but she just smiled softly and took Belle's hand.

"Someday, you will know. And you will wish you did not." Her smile turned dismal and she went back to the kitchen.

"Are they going to come back, Vincent?"

"Yes, Belle. With weapons you cannot imagine."

Authors Note: if there are any questions about the title, I got the idea for it when I read this Harry Potter story called, The Curse of the Damned, and in one chapter the Dursleys were called "repulsives" meaning relatives. And now I would like to thank all who reviewed:

TrudiRose: Thank you so very much! I'm glad that I have been able to pull this story off and make it believable. I am glad that I succeeded in making sure you could see the story. Because that is exactly what I was going for. And I'm glad that my characters were in character too! I would have hated for someone to tell me that Belle wasn't Belle, or that they couldn't imagine the Prince saying that stuff. With the wedding and the dress I had to do a search on google to find out what materials were used for wedding dresses and veils. I have to work hard at my story and harder when I encounter something that needs research all the time, so I'm glad that I was able to make it real. And yes, I did mean what you said I meant. Lacy is really into psychology and she read something wrong accidentally. I talked to her on the phone a while ago and cleared up the misunderstanding as you can see after your other review. Again thank you!

Raining Blood Red Moon: I know about chapter one and two stuck together and I'm sorry. I am still so very new to updating and such. I have a helper now though and it won't happen again as long as I have him. I have his word that he will be here to help me so hopefully no more conglomerations.

LumBabsFan: Thank you so very much! I have wondered myself why Disney wouldn't continue Belle and her prince's life while it happened to Cinderella, Ariel and Jasmine. I haven't seen the Broadway show myself though. I'm stuck in the Midwest. I got Madame and Babette's names' from you! ;) I loved your story so much that I decided to subtly add a few things to my story. I never really thought the name Fifi was appropriate and I didn't want to think a name up for Madame either. So thank you for your review and I hope that you like this next chapter.

chef13: I know I am. But I think that now that you had to wait longer, the chapter will be a lot better when you read it no? I'm sorry I made you sad though. About the pregnancy, it will come along, but Belle and Vincent are going to do battle with the in-laws first so the baby will come later and add on to the good mood when they are celebrating. And you put me on Author alert? I feel so special! I know I take too long though so I will do my best to improve on that. Thank you for reviewing!

Moonjava: Thank you! You always have something sweet and kind to say! I'm glad that my characters are full of depth and bring new life. I haven't heard that before. It's sweet. And BTW I hope you also are working on your Spiderman story. I really love that one and hope you update soon on it. Again thank you!

bellamegs: I thought they were a nice touch. I was wondering when someone would notice those. I'm told I'm good with descriptions and I'm glad it works so well for this story. And as for Lumiere, whom else would Cogsworth jump on so quickly? Besides, he didn't keep his promise to Madame. I'm very glad you liked this and hope you review again. Thanks a bunch!

Lacy Pierce a.k.a. Ginny McLeod: As you know we talked this over and it was just a small misunderstanding. But I am glad you said something. If there is ever anything wrong with anything else in the future please don't hesitate to say something because I hate to have errors, grammatical, psychological, or otherwise on the screen. I hope to see another review from you soon. Thanks!

Hyperlitegurl: Thank you! Your name is cool. BATB is my favorite also.

oi-oi-oi: Wow. I'm really that good? I really didn't think I was. Not compared to you. You're the one who writes delightful, elegant, blooming, charming picturesque tales. I absolutely loved your new Finding Neverland story. It was pure art. Pure beauty. I have a long way to go before I'm even in the same league as you and a few other elite writers. Sally huh? I like it. It suits you. I hope you are working on your Finding Neverland story and the Edward Scissorhands one and that you change your mind about romance one way or another because for one this story is choc full of it from young, innocent love to passionate new love to old, content, constant love. Another thing, in my mind I'm picturing Bill and Charlotte together, but if you aren't, that's totally fine, I respect that. It's your story after all.

AgiVega: Thanks for the compliment. It's a great category I hope you read other fics in it.

MartineggoMcfly: I only know about that because I've read about and heard that virgins bleed on their wedding bed on the honeymoon night. Hope you review again!