Author's note:
Glad to be back with a new chapter. This one was especially fun to write since I had challenged myself by having ImagineATale giving me a sentence that I have to use this chapter.
Now on to...
Chapter 42
The next day Eliana stood before her mirror in her new dress. She absolutely loved it! It was so different from what she usually wore and for once she would be more her own person instead of looking like her sisters. The previous evening Elise had been gushing over how beautiful it was and how lucky her sister was to have been given such expensive gifts. Eloise however was a little more skeptical, fearing she would be made to wear a matching dress now. Eliana twirled a few more times before heading down with the biggest and brightest smile she could give.
"You look happy," Amelia said smiling. "It was very nice of Gaston to give you such expensive gifts. How is the courtship going?"
"It's just wonderful," Eliana said dreamily. "It is so pretty where he lives now, I just wish uncle would give him an honest chance."
"Your uncle is just a big grouch," Amelia said chuckling. "He's just very set in his ways and if someone goes against it he immediately forms a dislike. But he still loves you despite you loving Gaston. You'll just have to believe he'll change his mind and gives Gaston a chance eventually."
"You think he will?" Eliana asked hopefully. "It would mean a lot me if he does."
"Let's just say he better change his mind," Amelia said. "Or I'll have a few things to say to him."
"May I be there when you do?" Eliana asked smiling sweetly.
"No, I best do that on my own," Amelia said laughing. "I'm sure it'll go over better."
"Mother..." Eliana said, "do you ever think of father?"
"Of course I do," she said. "Why do you ask?"
"Well if I and Gaston were to marry..."
"...you'd have liked to have had him be there," her mother finished with a caring smile.
"Not just that but...I don't even remember what he looked like anymore," Eliana lied, curious how the curse hid him.
"Oh sweetheart," Amelia said sadly. "Sadly I don't have a portrait of him for you to see, but...he had the most golden blond hair you could imagine, with eyes as brown as chocolate. He often had a stubby beard since he didn't like to shave too often to spare the expense of razors. But it looked good on him."
Eliana blinked in surprise, that was nothing like the dark haired, blue eyed, clean-shaven man she had met earlier.
"Is something wrong?"
"No mother," Eliana said quickly. "I was just trying to imagine..."
"He'd have been proud of you for your choice of suitor," Amelia said smiling. "He wouldn't have cared about Gaston being blind. Your father was such an optimistic person. He'd have said that while he may not be able to see, it would make him an even better listener."
"He is a good listener," Eliana said smiling. "And he never gets tired of hearing my voice. I remember that when he figured out who I was, he asked which of the sisters I was. He was scared to imagine the wrong one in his mind."
"That shows he cares about you, wanting to but full attention on you," Amelia said smiling. "He'll be good for you."
"Would it be alright if I go to the tavern to see him?" Eliana asked and laughed. "I know it sounds silly, but I would like to show him my dress."
"If someone chaperones," Amelia said.
"Amelia?" A voice was heard.
Amelia gave a wicked smile. "Perhaps you could be there for my talk with your uncle." She saw Eliana smirk. "Right here brother, could I have a word?"
One hour later Pierre was stomping behind Eliana, his sister had been telling him off for his previous behavior and made clear he would no longer be welcome for dinner if he could not say something nice to the idiot. Not wanting to miss his favorite dishes he conceded and now found himself chaperoning again.
"And don't forget to be nice," Eliana reminded him before entering. "He is also trying to get along with you."
"I haven't been given much of a choice," he said through gritted teeth.
LeFou and Gaston had just returned from an errand. LeFou was talking to Gaston in the tavern when he suddenly stopped.
"Something wrong LeFou?"
"No..." LeFou said. "But you may want to put on a good smile. Eliana is heading this way with the headmaster."
"The headmaster?" Gaston asked grinning. "Perfect!"
"If you say so..." LeFou said doubtfully, not thinking this would go well. He tapped Gaston to let his friend know they had arrived and left for the other side of the tavern.
"Headmaster!" Gaston greeted. "And my lovely Eliana, I am so glad you have arrived."
"No need to exaggerate..." Pierre muttered softly to himself. "I know of quite a few things I'd rather be doing myself."
"As do I," Gaston said. "Like having your wonderful niece all to myself."
"No need to rush," Pierre said.
"I wouldn't mind," Eliana said blushing.
"Control yourself," Pierre told her. "You will not have a scandal start."
"I wouldn't want that either," Gaston said. "How do you like your dress?"
"I love it!" Eliana said. "It fits perfectly and mother and Elise liked it too, though Eloise is afraid she'll be made to wear this color too."
"Of course not," Gaston said. "This color is only for you."
"Mother asked if you'd like to join us during dinner this evening," Eliana said. "Will you? Please?"
"Of course," Gaston said smiling. "It'll be my pleasure. Will your uncle be joining us again as well? It would be nice to try again after last time."
"Sadly," Pierre said.
"Uncle..." Eliana said.
"However, I'll try to hide my disgust of you better," Pierre said reluctantly.
"That is fine," Gaston said. "Who knows, perhaps one day it'll go to a mere dislike one day."
"Or perhaps even better," Eliana said hopeful.
"Eliana," Gaston said. "Do you think it would be possible for me to speak to your mother in private this evening? I wish to discuss something with her."
"I'm sure she won't mind," Eliana said. "She likes you."
"I'm glad she does," Gaston said smiling. "Now, why don't you twirl in your new dress for me?"
"For you?" Pierre asked with a sneer. "Not like you'll see it."
"No, but it does make her feel special," Gaston said. "And she is. Besides, all other girls get to twirl when they show off their new dresses, she is no exception."
"Eliana is not like that. You know nothing about..." Pierre started but then he saw Eliana's hurt face staring at him. "What is it Eliana?"
"What do you know about what I like?" She said. "You disapprove of everything I like or care about."
"I didn't mean it like that," Pierre said carefully.
"You did," Eliana said upset and left.
"Eliana!" Gaston shouted, when she didn't turn Gaston angrily turned to Pierre. "Happy now?! Is this what you want? Like I told you during dinner last time, insult me all you want but at least be nice to her!"
"She doesn't need you," Pierre said.
"She does not," Gaston agreed. "But she wants me whether you like it or not. Now take my arm and lead me to where she is."
"I will not," Pierre said. "You will stay here and I will find her and take her home, far away from you."
Gaston heard him leave and luckily knowing the way in the tavern followed him until he no longer could.
"Gaston?" LeFou said. "What happened? Do you need help?"
"Take me outside, I need to find Eliana."
LeFou nodded and it didn't take long to find her and Pierre who were arguing.
"Listen to me Eliana," Pierre said. "He has nothing to offer you, nothing but poverty, misery and regret."
"I don't care!" She said. "He's always listening to me, and he's always there for me."
"Where is he now then?"
"Right here!" Gaston said as LeFou placed him next to Eliana. "You may be so rude as to leave me behind but LeFou was more then happy to help. Now you may think I am using her and don't care about her. But at least I never hurt her feelings. And I had hoped to speak to her mother first, however..."
Gaston took something out of his pocket and held it out to Eliana.
"I love you more than anything, and would like to forever be by your side. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes! Yes!"
Pierre shuddered at the display, desperately wishing he could unsee the passionate embrace Eliana threw herself in.