AN: A little bit shorter of a chapter

Chapter Nineteen

19.1

Maurice looked ahead of him at the once-clock in the small room of his house. Cogsworth hadn't made any comments about the size or the poorer construction or items within the house. Over the years, Adam had, of course, offered to furnish it however Maurice would have liked and even mentioned things like famous art pieces, luxurious materials, books in languages other than French and Latin but Maurice liked the homy feel that Adam wished he was more used to.

From the times when he had been to the castle, there was a lot more elegance and refinement than at this house. They had things which he had never even dreamed he would see. Well, that was one thing about having your only daughter marry into the royal family.

"I suppose the tea that I have isn't to the quality you like it," Maurice said as he handed Cogsworth the cup and saucer. The other man didn't reply to that. Yes, the teas that they had available were higher quality but Adam would feel pain were Cogsworth to give this man this information. The quality of the tea didn't matter to Adam, the very fact that he was offered something to drink carried more importance to it.

"The master takes care not only to fulfill your daughter's every wish but that of the entire castle. If Lady Belle desires it then it doesn't matter the maker or the origin. If it is Lady Belle's wish to have it then he won't rest until he finds it for her. He has even been to certain sellers in person just to see her smile," Cogsworth commented. He looked over at Maurice. "I don't think that you really see the master the way he is and that is a shame."

"And you think that -" Maurice argued and Cogsworth sighed.

"Remember when you first came to the castle. I observed all of that. Yes, I have to admit that I'm much more spineless than I would care to admit. I couldn't stand up to him and I was scared of his temper. However, please keep in mind that his world was changed in ways that it should never have been when he was a child."

Maurice sighed and closed his eyes. He knew he should have trust in Belle's words and her feelings. He knew that she had been first trapped in exchange for his freedom and that she had been kept locked up but she had told him it had only been for a very short time in the tower and that she had had friends and comfort and amazing food and that he had saved her life even though it might have cost him his. Belle couldn't speak highly enough of Adam and Adam had never intended any harm to anyone following the night of his transformation. Still, he had transformed once and from what he had heard, there was a reason for why he must have transformed again.

"How about we go to the market, make sure that I can bring Belle anything that she might need," Maurice replied as he attempted to change the subject. He was always more open minded. He was seen as harmless and one who was unfairly judged and ridiculed. However, for the past three years Adam had been someone very different from who he had been the previous ten years. Maybe his anger had come back by his transformation.

"That sounds like a good thing to do," Cogsworth agreed. "However, the master, the way that he treats Belle is….he is always praising her, taking care of her, comforting her. We have been visited by many men who consider women accessories but the master, only on rare occasions will he treat Belle as his equal," he saw Maurice's shock as he opened his mouth to speak and Cogsworth shook his head. "The majority of the time, the master treats her as a superior, a goddess and she does fit that description a lot of the time but he undervalues himself. It's a good thing that she can see who he truly is."

There was a brief moment of silence before Cogsworth took his last sips of tea from the cup. "So, the market?" he asked before standing. "After that, we can take our leave. Thank you for your agreement to come back to the castle. I know the master appreciates it."

"It's for Belle," Maurice said and Cogsworth sighed. Adam had been cursed unfairly but it was things like this that made the curse run on longer than it should have. Nobody could have grown up well in the oppressive environment but these past nearly four years, Adam had changed so much, become so kind and understanding. All Cogsworth and the rest of the household staff wanted was for him to be able to live a happy life without his past catching back up to him.

19.2

As the two men walked through the town, Cogsworth kept his mouth shut about the shabbiness of the stores, the dirtiness that he wasn't accustomed to, the fact that in the major cities things were not only of a higher quality but there was a greater selection. He knew that his thoughts – which he believed were of very good value – might not be appreciated by the rest of the people.

At the time they approached the heart of the village, Cogsworth had noticed a large crowd amassing near the inn. He raised an eyebrow as he tried to figure out what it was. His heart grew a little harder as he saw a man dressed up in royal armor next to a horse on which balanced his helmet. He knew this man. He had seen him plunge that dagger into Adam's back. He opened his mouth to speak but shook his head. It wasn't his fight.

"Maurice," Gaston laughed as he gestured to the man. "Such a shame you must feel," he said and Maurice turned in that direction. Cogsworth tried to busy himself by looking at some herbs that a gardener was selling. Gaston strode forward and clasped a hand on Maurice's shoulder. "You've always liked me, haven't you?"

"I think you're a wonderful man," Maurice nodded and Cogsworth busied himself by starting to ask questions about the plants which were on sale. "I think that you are a deserving, brave man who should be looked up to and respected."

Cogsworth took a deep breath in. He closed his eyes and smiled as he pictured one time when Adam had been told to visit with a nearby duke but Belle hadn't felt well. He had sent her back early with one of the horses and the carriage and he had come riding back himself. Even after riding back in the rain where he looked very ragged and discomposed but he had immediately jumped off of the horse with his fear and concern on being if Cogsworth was okay rather than himself. Ever since he had learned to care about others more than himself, Adam certainly did care about others more than himself.

The twenty-four year old was still a young man but he was what could be described as a prince. Well, in his truest appearance you would definitely know him to be a prince. Adam wouldn't want him to become involved in this squabble.

"I bet you wish that your daughter was married to someone more like me, not a beast," Gaston said and Maurice froze. He didn't deny it and Cogsworth felt his loyalty being pressed against. What Adam wanted and what he wanted to do for the prince he looked to as a nephew were conflicting.

"Belle chose with her heart. I am happy that my daughter was able to do that." Maurice said. "Yes, there are certain qualities which you have that I fear Adam may never have."

"haha," Gaston laughed, "Yes. He's not fighting this war is he. Such a monster. His beastly attitude should be put into question. I do think that we should send a party up there to see his true colors. They will be able to see how -"

"Stop it." Cogsworth finally said as he turned around to Gaston. "I am not sure as to why you're alive. It seems unnatural to me but I won't stand by and hear you slander the name of your prince. Prince Adam may not be king but he deserves respect. He might not be fighting in the war but there have been numerous reports of his sickness."

"Sick as a Beast, the poor thing," Gaston said and Cogsworth stared at him before disgust grew in his expression.

"I dare to say that you don't deserve to shine his shoes. I would be horrified were the prince to cast such remarks upon you or anyone else as you do to him. I think that the words used against royalty would put you on the wrong side of the law where Prince Adam not as compassionate as I know him to be. I have known the royal family and been hired by them since before the birth of the prince." Maurice took a step back but that didn't stop the anger that Cogsworth had and the hate and disgust that he felt about this man in front of him. Maybe he hadn't been strong enough to protect the tiny prince from the enchantress but he could stand up for him when it came to a vermin like this.

"Woah, woah, woah, I so happen to be a hero," Gaston said. "Unlike that animal who treats you like an object. Do you consider yourself his father?"

"If only I could be that lucky," Cogsworth said and Maurice coughed.

"We should leave," he said not realizing that the former-clock would have this type of reaction to Gaston. The man was a hero and there was a part of Maurice that did question whether he would have been a better suitor for Belle. Still all he wanted was Belle's happiness and she had already told him that with Gaston, she didn't believe that she could ever be happy.

End of Chapter Nineteen

Thank you for reading

Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Eighteen

DarthLeia19, KathyMesser