Finally we can really get a move in the direction I want, to answer some questions. ImagineATale pointed out he would be in his 'me, me, me' phase. While that would be true I suspect that out of pure boredom at times he would pick up on some things they said. Taking their advice however...

Especially when he really saw their doom coming, he would have listened, but in his mind grumbling about them not thinking of his fate. Plus his biggest motive on doing this on his own was guilt of being the cause of their misery. I figure in his grieved state he would have a slight masochistic tendency and didn't want to feel any support. He figures he deserves this and should suffer for it.

Also Gaston will play a role eventually though it will be small at first. The main reason is that they rescued Maurice only a few hours before and Gaston is most likely having a party to celebrate having Maurice out of his way. What his role will be exactly isn't sure yet since I have 2 outlines made and not sure which road I'll choose.

For now happy reading!

Chapter 4

After the depressing end of their previous day, Belle and Maurice gathered in the dining room to get some breakfast.

Maurice took a seat while Belle moved to the kitchen. Maurice looked around the massive room, yesterday his mind was overwhelmed with all that had happened and he spend most of last night getting his thoughts in order. He had now fully forgiven Beast, this all was thrust upon him in a cruel way and he had lashed out. Most importantly he had made Belle happy against all odds, he had given Belle everything she ever wanted. Any father would want a man like that for his daughter. He shifted on his chair a bit uncomfortable, wondering if this chair had been a person yesterday. He saw Belle approaching him with two plates, she set them down and took her usual seat.

"Papa, did you get some sleep last night?"

"Not much, I've spend most time thinking things over. The curse, how you and Beast have changed each other. You seem happier than I've ever seen you and I'm guessing I have him to thank for that."

Maurice saw his daughter smile a bit at the mention of her Beast and he knew his assumptions were right. Whatever happened the last few weeks, it changed her for the better.

"I'm worried about him though, he's usually up before me. Though his eating habits have improved, it can still get a bit messy. He tries to eat most meals before me, only exception being dinner."

"It has been an exhausting day for him, give him some extra time. I think he took it rather well, he could have lashed out about the unfairness of it all. Instead he just sat down depressed, thinking only of his servants. That is a remarkable change from how I knew him, it's also what made me to decide to forgive him completely." Maurice continued. "Despite his own worries he tried to do right by you and that's a very admirable quality in a man. For that is what he actually is."

Unbeknownst to the pair Beast had heard every word Maurice said. He felt ashamed of his former 'hospitality', how the man could forgive him like that was beyond him. And while he did feel some anger, destroying things would do no good. He was too scared to accidentally destroy something that used to be a friend. When he woke up this morning he was a bit disoriented not recognising the room, but soon last nights events caught up with him. He got up and before he left the room stroke the teacup where he supposed the cheek would be. He would do anything he could to get them back. Though the enchantress had apologised and explained that her youthful inexperience doomed them, he had a hard time forgiving her. But if Maurice could forgive him, he should find it in his heart to forgive her. Besides she did say she wants to reverse it, it was just a matter of how. Having heard enough he decided to make his presence known and entered the room. He opted to take a different seat.

Noticing the new seating arrangement Belle frowned at Beast.

"This chair wasn't alive," was his explanation. "I think Mrs. Potts and Chip are happy now. But I could use your help cleaning their room today." He had never cleaned before, he had servants for that, but he would do his best to learn. It's the least he could do for them after years of faithful service.

"I'll help you and Papa could explore a bit," Belle suggested, this was a sensitive subject for him and he could let his feelings go a lot better without an audience.

"Yes, I'd like to see more of the castle. Though I'll avoid the tower if you don't mind." He joked a bit. They needed some time alone and the Beast would be more comfortable talking to Belle without him in the room. He stood up to leave and turned around in the doorway, "But I have fully forgiven you Beast. It's no use to blame yourself anymore than necessary, so let me relieve a bit of that burden. And your servants wouldn't want you to blame yourself either." He left the room, letting his words sink in.

Beast managed a smile, "Your father is a wise man, he's right they wouldn't want that. It was the last Lumiere told me before...he turned."

"You shouldn't, you never meant for this to happen and you're doing the best you can for them." Belle placed her hand on his paw. "What should we use for cleaning? We will have to use some of the servants and you said Plumette wouldn't mind. I'd like to start as soon as possible, we don't know when Agathe will return."

"You're right, it would be best to be done by the time she returns. I remember seeing Plumette in the kitchen near Chip's cupboard bedroom. I think she was looking after him for his mother. I'm grateful that he was probably as sleep when the curse hit. The rest is scattered through out the castle. We'll find what we need on our way to Chip's room," Beast muttered.

The pair made their way to the servants quarters. Beast stopped at a door and sighed, "This is it, you tell me what you'd like me to do. Cleaning was definitely not a part of my expensive education."

Belle opened the door and was met by a room that showed every sign of abandonment and disuse. She glanced at the bed and saw mother and son tucked in beneath the sheats. She noticed that the bedlinen were clean, something Beast must have done himself last night. The rest of the room however showed how neglected the room had been over the past years. Cobwebs in every corner and thick layers of dust covered every surface.

"Could you open a window? I'll start dusting and you can remove the cobwebs on the ceiling." Belle instructed. "And like Plumette said on my first day here, 'I'll have this place spotless in no time'." She held up the feather duster that used to be Plumette and started to work. "It'll be okay, we'll find a way to get them all back."

How Belle could stay so positive he did not know, he did know that he should share her faith. He started to get to work and with some helpful comments from Belle they cleaned the room. When they finally finished, he walked to the bed en got on his knees and let a few tears go. "I'll get you all back, I promise," He whispered to Chip.

Belle stood behind him hand on his shoulder for support. They could do this, the only question was how. Beast whispered some more and she let him get it all out.

After some time Beast was crying in earnest and let himself go. For years he had lived in anger about being cursed, then he and the servants managed some sort of routine to pass their days. He had wasted so much time glaring at the rose that he could have spend with his servants, but he had let his own selfishness get in the way. Then the first petal fell, at first he couldn't believe it. It had floated on the pedestal for at least a decade, taunting him, never showing any sign of wilting. But then a petal fell down, softly landing down on it's surface and curled up in itself. The castle gave a slight tremor and realisation had set in. The end was coming for him and his roar could be heard through the entire castle. A few of the braver servants had dared to enter his room and saw his shocked expression, still staring at the cursed flower on the table. Some took off, but a few had remained. They had tried to calm him down, not that he appreciated it at the time, but now he understood. They started to tell him about their wishes, he couldn't have cared less at that time. But every petal that fell they returned with the same requests, but then Maurice had arrived at the castle. Which had brought his Belle to him, a small glimmer of hope grew in his heart. But then her father had been in trouble and all hope was gone. Now he appreciated every visit of his servants, to remind him of their wishes. Now he would strive to make them all proud till he could free them, however long that would take.

Maurice had finished exploring the east wing and was on his way back to his room. This castle was huge, he might ask Belle for a tour, it was too easy to get lost within these maze like halls. He hoped his daughter was alright and that she would join him soon. He had only been in this castle for one day and already he felt trapped within these walls. There was no life to be found, there was such a dark and despairing atmosphere and he wondered how the servants had managed to stay cheerful in here. He reached his destination and opened the door, he was surprised to find Agathe inside.

"Agathe, back already?" Maurice asked. Hopefully she had found a way to reverse the curse on the servants, but her face was troubled.

"Where are Belle and Beast? We have a problem."