Chapter X – Lost Love

Nothing hurt more than a lost love.

Luc had abandoned the castle grounds without fulfilling his main goal: telling Belle the truth. She still didn't know the reason why he had disappeared for three years. And he wasn't going to give up just yet.

Luc wandered through the forest that had led him back to the village. Trying to find his way through the big trees and bushes, all he could hear were the breaking of twigs and the whirling of the wind.

I was so stupid! I should have explained everything that night. What had begun as a mere week turned into months, and eventually years. I wanted her to know how much I suffered. All I wanted was to find a better life for us, but instead I lost everything. First my father, then Gaston… and now her. Luc paused for a few moments and turned around to see the distance he had already walked. The sunlight warmed up his body despite the cold weather. From far off he could hear the sound of water falling. A small cascade. That noise, that place… all brought him back to that one day. The day before he left the village.

After a long morning of discovering new routes and secret passages, Belle and Luc finally reached their favourite spot: the water cascade. It was a small waterfall, and due to the heat that day, both their bodies longed for some coolness. Luc took off his shirt and quickly dived into the water. He passed his fingers through his wet hair and called out to Belle.

"Come on, Belle! The water's great! I'm sure you feel like taking a dive!"

Belle released a giggle. "Don't. Even. Think about it! You know I hate water! I'd only go in if it were some extreme emergency."

All of a sudden, Luc started to wave his arms frenetically.

"Help! Help!" he cried, swallowing water at the same time. "I don't feel so well. I have no strength! I'm going to… drown…"

"Give up, Luc! That won't work with me… Stop doing that before something serious happens!"

Moments later, Luc had stopped waving his arms, disappearing underneath the water's surface. Belle waited for a few seconds, but still there was no sign of him.

"Luc! Stop that! Don't make me go after you! Luc!... Luc?... LUC!"

Already one minute had gone by, and Luc still hadn't appeared. Belle quickly untied her dress and took off her shirt, remaining in her underwear. She desperately jumped into the water, but still there was no sign of him.

Feeling her heart pound frenetically, Belle quickly turned around where she heard a voice coming from the other side of the cascade.

"I thought you didn't like the water…"

"You scared me!" yelled Belle.

"That's a good sign," replied Luc as he dived back into the water. "It means you care about me," he added. Together they embraced.

Belle and Luc shared a kiss at the sound of nature, not worried about anyone who could be watching them at that moment.

"I love you, Belle. And I'll love you forever, in life and death."

As he reached the village, Luc entered his small cottage and got the fireplace going. Then he sat down on the closest chair and gazed outside. She will be mine… someday.

"COGSWORTH!"

One second was enough for the head of the household to quickly respond to the master's call. During the years he was an enchanted clock, climbing up the stairs had become a total nightmare. But now that he was once again in his human form, the Englishman walked up the stairs as if they were clouds. Yet going all the way up to the West Wing still required a lot of him, and by the time Cogsworth reached the door, he was completely breathless.

He knocked at the door and crept in to discover the Prince walking around the small table where the enchanted rose had once rested.

"You called, master?" said Cogsworth. The prince quickly looked towards him.

"Cogsworth, please call Lumière. I've been searching for him everywhere and can't find him! There is something I need to discuss with the both of you."

That pea-brain! thought Cogsworth. He must be flirting with Babette as usual.

"Very well, master. I'll be right back with that… with Lumière."

Cogsworth rapidly left the room and minutes later returned followed by Lumière.

"Right," said the prince once he saw them both. More than mere servants, Lumière and Cogsworth had become close friends to Vincent. "As you might have noticed, there's little time left before the wedding date."

"Precisely two days, fourteen hours and twenty-three minutes," interrupted Cogsworth

The prince laughed. "Yet to me it seems like centuries. I can't wait to have Belle as my wife."

Lumière and Cogsworth smiled. It seemed most unlikely that this warm and caring prince had once been a selfish and gruesome Beast, incapable of loving. Before them now stood a completely new man, totally dedicated to the love of his life.

"Therefore," Vincent continued, "I think it is time I announce my return to the villagers. My people have been walking around blind for these past years, and now that I have found stability, I think it is time I offer my people that same comfort. I wish for my return to be announced tomorrow."

"But, master," Lumière interrupted. "What about the wedding?"

"Belle has asked me for it to be a simple ceremony, and I'm willing to fulfill her request. Just tell the villagers that they will soon see their prince, and that he will also present their beloved princess. I just don't want them to be caught by surprise when the time comes."

"Of course! B-b-but… master?" stuttered Cogsworth.

"What is it?"

"As for the, uh, ceremony… I have already, well, sent out the… ahem…invitations."

"How many?"

"Well… all your family members, obviously. That would include the dukes of Lyon, the dukes of Rennes… the prince of Bordeaux, and also nobles of Toulouse, Le Hauvre, Nice, Grenoble, Nante, Brest…"

"You mean you invited the whole of France?"

"Well since you put it that way, I guess that…"

Vincent sighed. "Very well, Cogsworth. I'm sure Belle will understand. Just keep it simple!"

"Very well, master. It's all being taken care of. Anything else?"

"Yes," replied Vincent. "I want to do something for Belle. A surprise."

"A surprise!" exclaimed Lumière. "How romantic!"

"Yes, a surprise," repeated Vincent. "But listen very carefully. Everything must be perfect!"


Thank you time…

Percyismine: Don't make me tell you the whole story! But thanks for the reviews ;)

an LDS dazed and confused: Aww, I'm glad you feel sorry for Belle! But don't hate Luc just yet! I think you'll understand him soon enough ) Thanks!

Lumbabsfan: If you continue with that "Gastonian" talk I SWEAR I'll kill him in the next chapter! Wake up, girl! You're a proud Pyromaniac Fluffball ) As for the "Belle telling Vincent" thingy… would you do it? ;)

Trudi: God knows where you find the patience to put up with me, but must remember to thank Him in my prayers! Thanks for everything! )

Thanks to the rest of the reviewers for all your support: mysterious-muse, Meiko M, Disney Princess and shortstef