Chapter 6 Part 1- Belle
"And furthermore, if the taxes aren't increased, there will be no money to refund your grandfather. It is of the utmost urgency we repay him for…" The council dragged on. I let out an exhausted sigh. My long curls were coming undone. Alec, my husband, and I had been awake and sitting in the dark meeting room since before seven o'clock. I wished we could just leave and crawl back into bed. But we couldn't. Alec never seemed to want to do anything with me lately.
I felt my eyelids grow heavy. If only the meeting could be over. Alec never had enough time for me anymore. I found myself day in and day out walking with my old friends Lumiere and Cogsworth. Lately Lumiere had stopped walking in the garden with Cogsworth and I. I could only assume he was with his lover and my good friend Fifi. At the thought of the happy couple I shuddered.
Had I made a mistake accepting Alec's proposal? Was I wasting my time? No, I couldn't be. This was true love. Wasn't it? This was what I had always wanted, right?
Suddenly, someone knocked on the meeting room door. A servant opened it and there was Fifi, cheeks rosy and lips pulled back in a brilliant smile of sparkling white teeth. What could Fifi possibly want this early in the day?
"Mrs. Potts requests the Princess's immediate presence. Might I steal her for a moment?" My husband nodded quickly, gave me a peck on the cheek, then sent me on my way without a word. As soon as the door closed Fifi was in a fit of giggles.
"Fifi, what are you laughing about? And what does Mrs. Potts want this early?" Fifi stopped laughing but still smiled.
"Oh that! Mrs. Potts is in the kitchen with Chip. She doesn't want a thing. I wanted to talk to you in private so I made it up. Now, let's go for a walk and you can tell me what's been bothering you." I was all for getting out for a walk but I couldn't tell Fifi what was troubling me. She wouldn't understand. Fifi was my close friend but she wouldn't know how I felt.
We started walking towards the courtyard. I noticed snowflakes were starting to fall. How magical they looked, floating to the cold ground. Fifi handed me my red shawl to cover up my golden winter dress.
Fifi was silent as we walked the dirt path around the yard. I assumed she was waiting for me to say something. But I couldn't think of what to say. How do you explain what's in your heart to someone who would never understand?
"Have you ever felt like you aren't loved? Like…maybe the person you thought loved you, really doesn't?" Well, that wasn't supposed to come out. But now that it had, what was next? Would Fifi understand or was I just going to be on my own, as usual?
Fifi stopped walking and stared at me. "Once." Her voice was hoarse and went quiet. I stopped walking too, and looked at her with curiosity. Did Fifi really understand?
We sat under the bare oak tree. She looked at me, her dark eyes sad. Then Fifi started to explain.
"It was before the castle, the enchantment, and Lumiere. He doesn't know, and you can never tell him. It was in a small town near France. I was engaged to be married to a rich lawyer. He was charming, sweet, and he said he loved me. In my heart I knew he didn't, but I thought that in time he would grow to love me.
"It was two days before we were to be married and I had been away for a week. I came home early and went to visit him. I opened the door and found my fiancé in bed with another woman. Apparently, he had been having an affair for six months. I was devastated. That same day I packed up all my things and left my old life behind. I found this castle a week after and ever since I've been a maid." Fifi shivered. I gave her a comforting hug.
"I'm sorry. That must have been horrific, finding the person you love with another." Fifi nodded in agreement then turned to me.
"Now Belle, what's wrong with you? You can't honestly believe the Prince doesn't love you, do you?"
I sighed. "No. It's just…we never spend any time together. Ever since our marriage all Alec can think about is paying back his grandfather and becoming king. Meanwhile I'm alone and I don't know if he loves me like he did in the beginning." I felt a tear slide down my icy cheek.
Fifi rubbed my back. "Oh, Belle. Alec loves you. He's just…busy." I sighed.
"At least you know Lumiere loves you. He spends every chance he gets with you. I see you together all the time. Sooner or later he's going to marry you. You're so lucky Fifi." Fifi laughed a little.
"Silly Belle! Of course I love Lumiere but him purposing will never happen. It's all about the chase and he's caught me. He'll grow tired of me eventually. It doesn't mean I won't be upset when it happens, but I'm prepared." I gasped a little.
"Fifi, Lumiere loves you and you know that. You've been together through everything. And he still calls you his one and only. Trust me, Lumiere won't leave you."
"Belle is right, mon cher. I love you more than life itself. My life may have been the chase, but now that I have you I'll never let you go." Out of no where Lumiere poked his head around the tree trunk and kissed Fifi passionately. I stared for a moment then quickly looked away, embarrassed. When I looked back, Fifi had stood up and was adjusting her black and white maid's outfit and fluffed up her short light brown hair. Lumiere's arm was tightly around her thin waist. I felt a flame of jealousy burn my heart. Why didn't Alec hold me like that anymore?
Lumiere noticed my sadness. "Oh monsieur Alec! Would you come here please? I believe your wife would like a word with you." My eyes widened. I glared at Fifi and Lumiere.
"You planned this didn't you?"
"Oui. But what I said was true. Come Lumiere. We must let them sort out their problems." In an instant my friends were gone and I was alone with Alec. I raised myself up off the frozen ground but my back was turned away from Alec. Had he really heard everything?
Alec's warm firm hand was on my shoulder. I felt another tear slid down my cheek. Why had it come to this, where I couldn't even look at my husband?
My husband turned me to face him. Alec's dark blue suit made him stand out in the white wonderland, his tawny hair pulled back. His blue eyes were brimmed with tears. Had I done that to my Alec? I felt horrible. "Is it true? Do you really believe I don't love you?" Alec's voice was nothing but a quiet whisper. I sighed.
"We never spend time together. You never ask how I am. You never say you love me. You never walk with me, just the two of us. It's like I'm not even here, like I'm not your wife. It's like…ever since the curse was lifted all you care about is becoming king." I dropped my gaze to the white ground. I couldn't look at my husband. I wondered what he'd do, now that he knew what I thought.
All of a sudden I felt the crushing weight of my husband's arms around me. He was holding me against his hard chest, my head directly under his chin. I heard his breath go ragged. Was he that distressed? I tried to look up at his but Alec wouldn't let me move my head.
"My sweet Belle, I love you as much as I did on our wedding day, more than that. I know I haven't spent time with you and for that I'm sorry. I was being selfish. I thought it was best to let you adjust on your own. When Lumiere brought me hear and I heard how upset and hurt you are….I almost died. I never wanted to hurt you. Never. I promise never to make you feel unloved or ignored. You're my wife and I value you more than anything."
That was a long speech. I knew I was grinning wildly. Finally, Alec was paying attention to me! Now he understood.
"As long as you live I'll love you. And if you just pay attention a little more I'll be happy." Alec nodded his head in agreement and I laughed.
"Could you let me go? I'm having a little trouble breathing." My husband chuckled and let me go, but only for a moment. Then his lips were pressed hard against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and forgot about everything, just focused on Alec.
After a minute of so Alec and I separated. He linked his hand with mine and asked what I'd like to do.
"Why don't we go to the library? At this rate I'm going to catch my death of cold." When I said that, Alec picked me up and cradled me in his arms like on our honey moon. I shrieked in a playful tone.
"What are you doing, you crazy fool? Put me down!" I squirmed in my husband's arms but he wouldn't let me go. He just kept walking in the ankle deep snow.
"Never. Not until you say you love me."
I gave dear Alec a glare. "Why? You know I do!" Still, Alec wouldn't let me down.
I sighed then gave in. "Prince Alec, the love of my life, I love you. Now can I get down? This is starting to get uncomfortable." Alec laughed then set me down on my feet. The blood rushed to my head and I almost fell. Thankfully Alec caught me in time and held me close to his waist.
"Off to the library dear wife?" I rested my head on his shoulder.
"Yes husband. Let's be off." As we walked together to the library I reminded myself to thank Fifi next time I saw her.
Part 2- Fifi
"Oui, but what I said was true. Come Lumiere, we must let them sort out their problems." I took Lumiere's warm hand and we left Belle and Alec alone in the garden. We had done our part. The rest was up to them. I was very hopeful that what Lumiere and I had attempted to do would work.
For the last while we had noticed the princess very unhappy. Lumiere and I had found it odd, for who should be so unhappy when they had true love? I had guessed that Belle felt ignored. The plan to make the royal couple meet had been my idea and from then on Lumiere and I had started working to make the young lovers talk it out. I hadn't meant to let my painful past slip, especially when I knew Lumiere was so close by; waiting only for a signal or phrase so he could bring out Alec. It was a grave mistake on my part, and I knew Lumiere would not let it go easily.
As soon as Lumiere and I were through the servant's door, Lumiere held my hand tighter and started walking towards his apartments with me dragging behind.
"Dear Lumiere, where are we going in such a hurry? I thought we could relax for a while, since all out hard work will soon pay off." At once Lumiere stopped walking and stared at me in disbelief. Had I really sounded that insincere?
Without warning Lumiere pulled me against his chest and held me close. I giggled. We must have looked so foolish, standing in the middle of the busy kitchen.
I tried to figure out why Lumiere was so emotional but then again, having Lumiere protective over me and my well being was a quality I quite liked about him.
"Mon amour, why are you not upset? You just confessed something about your past that even I didn't know about. How come I never knew? I would have done everything to make you see that you are loved and that I would never stop loving you."
I went stiff in Lumiere's arms for a moment. Why did he think I needed to be upset? Being upset would never solve the way I felt or my past. For five years I had been upset and it had done nothing to help me get over my old life.
"Love, I am not upset because being upset doesn't solve anything for me. I never told you because I knew you would react this way. I'm sorry for that, truly I am. But sweet, it is easier to keep some things to myself then let someone I care about know. Understand that I may be the Fifi you see today, but a long time ago I was a different person." My voice was quiet as I finished explaining.
I slipped out of Lumiere's strong grasp and ran from the kitchen. I was too emotional to be seen by anyone. No one could possibly understand how I felt when I saw someone who looked like Charles, or saw long dark curls. They only reminded me of things I didn't want to remember.
As I ran down the halls to my bed chamber, I heard Lumiere frantically calling my name. I should go back, I kept saying. And yet I didn't. I kept twisting and turning down different halls, trying to lose him. It was so childish and foolish of me to think I would ever lose Lumiere. But eventually, I couldn't hear my name. All I heard was silence. Painful, unforgiving silence.
Finally I made it to my bedroom. I unlocked the door and once inside locked it again. I didn't want to be disturbed. Once it was locked I went to my small closet and pulled out a plain red gown with short cuffs on the shoulders for sleeves. I felt the material and wondered what it was. I knew it wasn't silk. Only the rich wore that. I hadn't been rich since…I quickly tossed away that thought. No need to think of something that only made me cry.
Once dressed, I sat in front to the small iron mirror. I tried to figure out if I had any wrinkles or anything unsightly on my face. None of the sort, praise God. I found my gaze drifting from my face to my hair. What short, ugly hair it was. I never should have cut it. I remembered the dark curls. Oh, what beautiful things they were! And how much work it would be now, to put them up. I didn't have maids like I once had to do my hair. No, it was just me.
I sighed and turned away from my reflection. I was sick of looking at myself in the mirror. It only reminded me of how much I had changed and how much I actually thought of my old life.
I found myself growing more and more tired and decided to take an afternoon nap. Maybe that would make me stop thinking about Lumiere and how hurt he had looked when I ran. Or how much I missed him when I needed him most. Now you've got to stop thinking things like that, I shook my head and silently scolded myself.
Quietly I climbed into my twin sized bed and drifted off to sleep, only to find myself dreaming of Lumiere.
Rap, Rap, Rap
Someone was knocking on my door. I let out a frustrated sigh and pulled myself away from my warm bed. And I had been having such a nice dream to. Or at least from what I could remember it was nice.
I shuffled to the door and quickly smoothed out my hair before opening in. On the other side stood a very exhausted and very angry looking Cogsworth. I almost laughed as I looked at him. He was in his ill-fitting plaid pajamas and teddy slippers. Thankfully I held in the laughter, for he didn't seem to be in a very pleasant mood.
"What is it Cogsworth? I'm very tired…"
"Yes, yes and so I am but just listen for a moment. Lumiere wants to see you in his chambers and for some stupid, unknown reason I'm supposed to take you to him. I don't see why you can't take yourself but Lumiere insisted on it. Now come along so I can go back to bed. The night is already half over and I…" I then cut off Cogsworth.
"Half over? But I thought it was only the afternoon?" my tired friend sighed but didn't answer me. Instead of dragging the answer out of him I left it alone and took his offered arm. We walked slowly down the silent halls. As the time passed I grew increasingly agitated.
"Cogsworth?"
"Hmm?"
"What do you think Lumiere wants?" I was worried enough but I needed someone to tell me I wasn't going crazy as I thought of all the things Lumiere could possibly want.
Cogsworth thought for a moment then answered.
"I don't have the faintest idea. I'm only guessing it has something to do with marriage." Suddenly Cogsworth stopped walking and talking. He placed his hand over mine as my mind raced with thoughts of Lumiere and I marrying. Oh, what a blissful thing that would be!
"He loves you, you know? He really does. I've seen him go through so many women. But, almost like magic, when you came along all that changed. He didn't even glance at another woman when you came into his life. Although I hate to admit it, Lumiere is my closest and dearest friend and when you showed up at the castle I thought the worst was going to happen. But instead, here you are, after God knows how many years and he still loves you as much as he did then." I thought it over. Cogsworth might have actually been right. Hadn't Belle said about the same thing?
I smiled at Cogsworth. We continued walking for another few minutes before my friend started talking again.
"When Lumiere came inside after you and he exercised your plan, he was very upset and frazzled. I've never seen him like that over anything in his life. Now I wonder what brought that on." Cogsworth gave me a look that said what I already knew.
"I haven't the faintest idea." What a lie. I felt my face flush. Before I could get my face back to a normal shade of pink, we were already at Lumiere's chamber door. I sent a pleading look to my old friend but he just shook his head. Cogsworth would be no help to me now. I was on my own, in that moment at least.
Just as Cogsworth was about to disappear to his rooms for the night, I grabbed his arm. With a panicked look on my face I spoke in a hushed whisper. "Knock for me? My nerves are making my hands shake." My friend sighed but knocked for me. Then he disappeared around the corner.
As I waited I adjusted my dress, making sure it didn't look like I had fallen asleep in it. What was taking Lumiere so long? It felt like I had been waiting for an hour. It must have been the nerves. What if Lumiere was purposing to me? I started to wonder how long he had been planning it, if he had been planning it. Or maybe he wasn't going to purpose at all. Maybe Lumiere was going to give up on me. My hopes were soon dashed by my over thinking.
Without warning the door flung open and I saw Lumiere. His caramel hair was down his back in a regal ponytail. Lumiere's outfit seemed to fit his eyes, tired and weary. The cream shirt and black pants were wrinkled, almost like he had been napping recently. I almost chuckled. Maybe there was still hope for us. Maybe there was still hope for me after all.
"Come in." That was all my love said. Yet again, my happiness faded. I followed silently behind, praying for a sign that I wasn't out of luck yet.
Without speaking to me, Lumiere sat down in his red velvet loveseat. A bottle of wine and two glasses were placed on the side table. I had always admired Lumiere's rooms. The Prince had had them designed especially for him, since he was Alec's best friend. Well, next to Cogsworth of course. All the furniture was richly colored in red, purple, or gold. They were the most regal colors, only usually used in the rooms of nobles. The desks, tables, and chairs were varnished in an oak color.
I quickly sat down on another loveseat across from Lumiere. He was staring intensively at the fire. Silently I wondered what in the world Lumiere was thinking but thought it better not to ask. He didn't look like he was in the mood for any funny business.
"Lumiere? Is something bothering you?" I asked tenderly. Once those words left my mouth I knew I had made a mistake. The look Lumiere gave me made me almost burst into tears. It was filled with so much hate and sadness. Now I knew what Lumiere had wanted. Lumiere wanted to break up with me. Then I was positive I was going to cry.
But then, the look vanished. Lumiere got up from his seat and went to his bed. He put his head in his hands and wouldn't look at me. Immediately I ran to his side. I didn't like this side of Lumiere. It was a side that I had only once seen, and that had been because of me too.
I knelt in front of Lumiere and tried to pry his hands away from his face.
"Lumiere, please! Look at me. I'm begging you…." I started to cry then. I have no idea why. Maybe it was because Lumiere was upset. Maybe because I didn't know what was going on. Or maybe, I was sick and tired of hiding away all my feelings.
Suddenly Lumiere's hands flew from his face and he sank to the floor beside me and held me tighter than ever. But I was so glad for the closeness and comfort I got from him. I felt warm tears fall onto my damp cheek as we sat on the floor together. It must have been a few minutes before we stopped crying. I couldn't feel my legs any more.
Lumiere stared at me and held my face in his smooth hands. "Fifi…I don't know where to start. There's so much to say…"
"And not enough time. I know, me too. I'm sorry. For everything. For running, for not telling you everything from the beginning. I was ashamed of what had happened. I didn't want you to know where I had come from and how much I was and still am fragile. Please forgive me. I don't know what I'd do if…." Lumiere kissed me then. The kiss became deeper and I was so close to forgetting what I had been saying and thinking.
Suddenly the kiss broke and I felt myself become sad. I hadn't wanted it to stop, not for anything in the whole world.
"Fifi, you are everything to me. No one will ever take your place in my heart. I forgive you for not telling me. Earlier I was upset because I didn't understand why you were keeping secrets but now I understand. Sometimes people with a past need secrets so they feel like, maybe, they have some control of their live left. Now I've got something to tell you. You're not the only one who has a secret."
My eyes widened at this. Lumiere had a secret too? That was…strange. And something I hadn't thought he would have in a hundred years. Lumiere stood holding my hand tightly. I got up and let him lead me to the loveseat. He sat down first and I curled up close beside him. Before sharing his secret, Lumiere poured each of us a glass of wine then began.
"It was so long ago and yet it feels like it was only yesterday I was getting married in a beautiful French cathedral. I think the day was sunny, I know the hall was full. Everything had been going perfectly ever since I purposed to the beautiful Genevieve Garson. She was perfect in every way. No flaw could be spotted on her. No one could take their eyes off her when she walked into a room. I guess that was where the trouble started.
"On the day of the wedding, Genevieve never showed up. She stood me up on our wedding day. I went to find her, leaving everyone at the hall and telling them that it was probably just carriage trouble. I searched for her at her father's house, her best friend's, even the tavern. I was desperate. What would people think of me, knowing that she had left me at the alter…on our wedding day? I couldn't bear to think of it.
"Just as I was about to give up and go back, I heard noises from the hay loft of an abandoned farm. I don't even know how I made it there. All I remember was walking to the barn and finding my fiancé in the arms of a local stable hand. After that I left town. I didn't even look at my fiancé or go back to the cathedral. Instead I went home, backed up everything, and left town for good. Then I came here. A few months after, you showed up and the rest is history. No one knows about this, not even Cogsworth and you can never tell him."
I traced Lumiere's strong jaw line with my index finger. How could a woman ever hurt my Lumiere? It was unthinkable! Without saying a word I kissed Lumiere softly on the lips.
"That woman was an imbecile for leaving you. But I'm so glad she did. Or I never would have met you. Lumiere, sweet, you are without a doubt, the only thing that would hurt me to lose." I rested my head on Lumiere's shoulder and listened to every sound around me.
Lumiere kissed my forehead. "That man was a fool for hurting you. But I'm so glad he did. Or I never would have met you. Fifi, my darling, will you marry me?" Immediately my head shot up and soon I was staring at Lumiere. What had he said? Marry him?
"M-Marry? Lumiere, are you sure? We both know what it's like to be left at the alter. Are we making a mistake?" I felt myself take deeper breathes, my head spin. This wasn't what I had expected.
"The only mistake would be never to marry the only woman I have ever loved in my entire life the way I love you. Now is it a yes or a no?" Lumiere was smiling at me. Oh his smile. I could never resist it.
"Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes…" I laughed as Lumiere kissed my cheeks, eyes, lips. I felt a ring being slipped onto my left fourth finger.
Lumiere and I stopped kissing. I rested my forehead against his and giggled. I couldn't get used to thinking of Lumiere as my fiancé.
"Well, Lumiere, it is very late and I suppose I should be off to bed. Will you walk me to my room?" I smiled as a look of deep concern came over Lumiere. He shook his head.
"It is really too late for you to be walking to halls alone. Why not stay here tonight? It is warm and safe in my chamber. Tomorrow we can tell the prince and princess our news but why not relax for, oh, an hour or so?" Was it really that late?
I sighed. "Well if you insist. But people will talk. I don't want my reputation to be ruined you know," I said teasingly. Lumiere laughed. "Darling, your reputation was ruined when you caught my eye." I laughed along with him.
"True enough. Alright, that's enough laughing for now. I'm exhausted and would like to get some sleep before dawn breaks." Lumiere agreed. He picked me up in his arms and delicately placed me on his bed before disappearing to change into his night clothes. I crawled under the silken sheets and closed my eyes. I would have fallen asleep too, but was awoken by Lumiere giving me a kiss goodnight. Before letting me fall back into my sleep, Lumiere whispered in my ear, "Goodnight, love. I love you."
I sighed blissfully. "Goodnight, I love you too." With that I fell into a deep sleep, excited for morning so I could tell Belle everything.