A big thanks to all the reviewers!

Banzi, here is the awaited conversation.

Mustard Lady, who wouldn't want sit down thinking of that sour woman. Don't we all feel sorry for poor Cogsworth.

Guest #1, I'd say start reading ;)

Child of Dreams, I had fun writing the previous chapter. Hope you'll like this one just as much.

Guest #2, I think you left a total of 4 reviews XD you really hate the headmaster lol. Clothilde's background might be discussed or not. I'll see where the story takes me.

Cristianqueenofegypt, how nice to see you reviewing again! Sadly only mention of Eliana this chapter, but she will return in the next.

ImagineATale, Cogsworth is may complain about his wife, but he did dance with her nonetheless. He could have outright refused so I think very deep inside he does like something about her. What I can't imagine.

Chapter 31

Gaston woke up, still sore from the beating the day before. Remembering what was in store for him today, he groaned, today would not be a good day. If anything he'd bet it would be horrible day.

He stood up and walked to the window, feeling no warmth on his hand, he figured out the sun hadn't even risen yet. Making his way to his small kitchen, he made breakfast for himself.

Why did it have it to be Clothilde? The sour woman probably wouldn't even want to talk to him. She didn't even talk to the cobbler, at least not unless she absolutely had to, and all he had was a limp.

After he had finished eating, he got himself ready for the day. In the distance he heard the clock tower strike seven, he had three more hours until LeFou would arrive. Deciding to spend his time useful he headed for the stables. He knew his horse must be getting restless, maybe LeFou could take Renaître for a ride.

At Belle's home, the trio sat at the table. Maurice just blinked, he still had trouble grasping the fact that Clothilde has a husband. More alarming, she had left such an unfavorable impression, that Adam recognized her even after a decade. He shook his head, there was a big chance she would be unable to regain her memories.

"Papa?"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Do you think Gaston can get Clothilde to accept him?" Belle asked.

"I don't know, to be honest, I'm more worried about Gaston controlling his temper."

"He's gotten a lot better at that." Belle said.

"Perhaps, but who knows what might happen?"

"We'll be there as well as his friend LeFou, it will be fine." Adam said. "We do have to leave now."

"Well, good luck I suppose."

"Thank you papa."

The couple left, hoping Clothilde might show some respect to Gaston.

At the tavern LeFou had arrived a few minutes before ten, the two men were having a drink before they discussed the prior evening.

"So, what will you say to Eliana next time you meet her again. I mean she was pretty sad when she left."

Gaston sighed, "I don't know, honestly it never crossed my mind someone could have any interest in me. I mean, as far as she knows I'm blind and have no means of supporting a family. What girl could possibly be attracted to that, of course there is the part of the curse and the castle, but she doesn't know about that." He leaned back in his chair, "Makes me think she must have liked me for a very long time, Agathe was right when she told me I was blind to see what was in front of me."

"She told you that?" LeFou asked.

Nodding Gaston continued, "It was one of the requirements to meet. Considering I always refused to see Belle's refusal of me for what it was. It never crossed my mind she meant it, I just figured she was playing hard to get."

LeFou shook his head, "Imagine that, someone telling you the truth."

"Though it does narrow it down who she could be, I will find out one of these days. You did say I knew her, just never spoke to her."

"No you didn't, regretting it now?" LeFou asked.

"You could say that, it's clear I treated her horribly enough in the past. Why on earth would she care for me now?" Gaston wondered.

"You should ask her next time you see her."

The door opened and Belle and Adam entered, "Are you ready?" Belle asked.

"As ready as I can be I suppose."

"I don't envy you," Adam started. "Luckily I don't have to be there with you."

"But I will be." LeFou glumly added.

Belle stepped forward, "You can do it, it just might take some time. And if you can't, at least you can say you've tried your best. That's all anyone could ask."

Gaston just nodded, "Mind if I take another drink first?"

"No go ahead, I'll take one myself." Adam said.

The men drank their drinks and when they were done the group left the tavern. Walking through the streets that were starting to crowd, they started to notice different looks. A lot of villagers looked at Gaston with admiration for how he was holding up, though others were giving him spiteful and disdainful looks. Those were the ones they would have to focus on.

The small group had made their way from the tavern to the washing area, Madeline wasn't there yet and they decided to talk about the task ahead.

"Do I really have to talk to her, I mean, how much could he miss her?" Gaston asked, hoping to get out of it. Receiving silence in return, he shrugged, "Can't blame me for trying."

"What would be the best approach with her? I mean, she avoids people as much as she can. The only person she does talk to regularly is the headmaster and he is as bad as she is." Belle said.

Gaston gave a horrified look, "O no…"

Adam looked worried, "What is it? Is something wrong or…"

Gaston shook his head, "What if he also has family waiting? I never liked the man, I used to be in his class. He holds a grudge against me because I claimed his lessons to be a waste of time and walking out."

"I remember that!" LeFou exclaimed excitedly. "That was so much fun, we all agreed with you, that man could be so boring!" Then he cleared his throat, "He was quite mad at the rest of us afterwards though…"

"How do you manage to live in this village. Gaston has been attacked multiple times, Belle was being called a funny girl, the gossip at our arrival, that horrid woman living here and now a headmaster that does everything besides what he is supposed to do." Adam ranted.

"Not all is bad," Belle reassured him, "You have my father and the church."

"Not much is it…" Adam said. "Let's just hope for the best. I do have to admit that the support for Gaston is growing."

"Belle! Did you bring the book!" Little Madeline came rushing.

Taking the book from her pocket Belle gave it to Madeline. "Here you go, shall we sit at our usual spot?"

The enthusiastic girl ran to their spot, Belle and Adam walking after her.

Gaston sighed, he didn't know what would be worse listening to them reading or having to talk to Clothilde. He looked at the school across the street, it had already started, which meant the headmaster wouldn't bother them for the time being.

"LeFou, let's join the others while we wait for the shrew, I mean Clothilde to show up." He felt his arm being grabbed and pulled and he walked along with LeFou. When he got near he heard the little girl struggle through the words.

"The rabbit…hopped…through the…bright forest."

"That was great!"

He couldn't help but suppress a small smile, "Belle is right, you are one smart young lady." He encouraged the girl, "Think you could do another?" He heard a page being turned and the girls voice was heard again.

"The horse ran…through the open…meadow."

Gaston clapped for Madeline and he heard the girl giggle.

Belle and Adam smiled at the interaction between the two.

The endearing moment was interrupted by LeFou, "There she is."

Gaston sighed and stood up, "I have to go for a moment, but I'll be back soon." He told Madeline.

LeFou took a hold of the outstretched arm and brought his friend to Clothilde. As he had been instructed, he squeezed Gaston's arm to indicate he was standing in front of Clothilde.

"Clothilde!" Gaston greeted, "How lovely to see you, or more accurately hear your voice. It's been quite a while, wouldn't you say?"

Clothilde looked Gaston over, "I'd say it hasn't been long enough."

Laughing Gaston tried to hide his irritation at being dismissed so quickly, "Yes well, it seems your sense of humor has improved. I must say, I love the sarcasm, it suits you." Plastering on a fresh smile he continued, "What would you say to catching up? I've been away a long time, I'm sure you could tell me all about what has happened in my absence."

Seeing her shaking her head and trying to walk away LeFou intervened. "Didn't your niece get married? She moved away didn't she?" LeFou started, hoping it would lead to a conversation.

"Haven't spoken to her since, good riddance if you ask me. It's her own fault, getting in the family way."

"My sympathies, it's such a shame young people have trouble controlling themselves." Gaston agreed with her.

Clothilde put her hands at her hips, "You talking about controlling oneself, don't make me laugh, you were the worst of all. You got what was coming to you. Now move aside, I have things to do, unlike some." Not even waiting to see if he'd move, she walked around him and took off.

"Try again tomorrow?" LeFou asked. Seeing the angry look on Gaston's face, he quickly amended, "Or maybe not."

"Just take me back to the others." He was being pulled in the other direction and as he walked be started thinking about the horrid woman. How dare she, he thought, would it kill her to at least show some politeness?

When Belle and Adam saw them coming back, first thing they noticed was the dark look on Gaston's face. Belle decided to continue reading with Madeline while Adam walked towards the approaching men.

"I take it didn't go very well?" Adam asked.

"That is one way to put it." LeFou carefully stated. "I mean it was a rather short conversation, if you could even call it that."

"She basically told me she hoped not to see me, that I was useless now and should stop bothering her." Gaston seethed. "I think Cogsworth is better off without her."

"Why don't you continue listening to Madeline read, you seemed to enjoy it. Developing a love for books?" Adam joked.

"Aren't you the funny one? I may dislike books, but I do like children. Surprising, I know."

Adam chuckled, "Maybe we should give her a book of sonnets next."

Looking horrified at the idea, Gaston glared at Adam. No, they better not, one afternoon had been enough. He felt someone was pulling on his right sleeve and looked that way.

Madeline giggled, "I'm down here! Will you read with me?"

"Reading might prove difficult, so how about I'll listen to you reading again?"

Madeline looked confused, "You can't read? But all the boys get to go to school."

"I did, but something happened." Gaston started. "I lost my sight, I can't see the book." Didn't her parents tell her? If so more children didn't know, he would have to ask Agathe what would happen with those that didn't even know he had lost his sight.

"You really can't see anything?"

Gaston shook his head, "No, I can't"

"Then I'll read it to you!" She took Gaston's hand and pulled him along.

Not seeing the danger in it, he allowed the child to lead him. It wasn't long until he regretted that decision however. When they neared the washing area, Madeline didn't tell him of the steps and he tripped over them. He managed to regain his balance, but the enthusiastic pull from Madeline that followed proved too much and he took a plunge into the pool of water. The women doing their laundry started to scream as the water sprayed them.

Gaston sat up in the water and blinked. He heard quite a few people laugh at him, he also heard a small gasp and he knew that was Madeline.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, it was an accident." Madeline started.

Belle, Adam and LeFou just stood there. They could see Gaston was trying to hold in his temper for the poor girl. Then to their amazement Gaston started to laugh and sprayed some water towards Madeline who had been apologizing. She started to laugh and sprayed back. A few of the other children at the washing pool quickly joined in on the fun. Laughter filled the area and people came to see what was happening. Seeing the former army captain, lying in the water pool however was not what they expected. Other children that accompanied their parents quickly joined in on the fun while it lasted.

"What is the meaning of all this noise!"

The laughter quickly died and people turned around to see the angry face of the headmaster.