Hi there all! Sorry I'm late but school has been crazy because of all the assignments. Ahh! As you can see, I'm here with Chapter 3 (ooh, that rhymed!). Please feel free to leave a review and I hope you all like it!

I would love to thank Batbinmyheart91 and Nimara for their wonderful reviews!

Now…on with the chapter.

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Chapter 3:

Questions

Veronique crossed her arms as she glared. She stamped her foot, "What do you mean we have to do that!" she whined childishly.

Babette replied, attempting to remain civil, "I am sorry, but those were the Master's orders. He said specifically that."

"Well I don't like it," objected the bronze haired woman.

Having lost her patience, the younger maid whispered harshly. "I do not care if you do not like it. Those were our orders and I will not disappoint our Master just because a selfish little brat is once again complaining about it." She continued after gaping mockingly, "How dare the prince ask you to lift a finger!"

Veronique did not reply for several moments. Recovering swiftly, she snapped in response. "I can't believe you! With a lashing tongue like your own, it's a wonder how you are even still in this castle!"

The chambermaid answered irritably, "Just get to work."

Amelia snapped from behind her, "Excuse me, but it's not your place to say that."

Babette turned to her and replied with a small smirk. "Actually, it is. Since the Master gave me orders and not you, that does put me in the higher position at the moment."

The blonde maid glowered. "Yes, it does seem to. Alright, what are your…orders?" She forced out the last word as if it would burn her.

The younger woman replied, not being able to resist a smug smile. "I would like you to begin by mopping the floors, and then you shall help me dust the suits of armour."

Veronique groaned, "I'll get you for this Elizabeth," she whispered harshly to the chambermaid, before walking off.

Amelia flipped her hair and continued in a threatening tone. "Be careful." Without another word, she shoved past her and followed her bronze haired friend.

Babette, although she had cringed slightly at Veronique's use of her full name, was not afraid of the two women. They cannot do anything to me, for they know very little about me. I have nothing to fear from them.

The young maid shrugged the thought aside and continued on her duties. "I wonder who will be among the guests. The Master has never demanded such perfection as this for a simple ball," she muttered. Shaking her head she proceeded to dust one the suits of armour. Perhaps he is just feeling fussy.

Suddenly, she heard Angelique's voice coming from one of the nearby rooms. She asked in a hushed tone, "Lumiere, can we speak for a moment?"

The Frenchman answered, his voice equally soft, "Oui, whatever about?"

Now curious, Babette moved closer to the open door and peaked around the corner. She had to contain a gasp of surprise. Angelique had her arms draped around Lumiere's neck, and whispered inaudible things into his ear, before she giggled and ran a hand through her short blonde hair.

The young maid narrowed her eyes. The very nerve of her! Seeing Lumiere turning to leave, she quickly resumed dusting the suits of armour as if she had seen nothing.

A familiar pair of arms soon wound themselves around her waist. Babette swallowed her anger. She had to act as if she had seen nothing. With a smile, she commented, "Cogsworth is sure to get angry if he sees you ignoring your work."

Lumiere replied, "I do not care what that old clock says. I wanted to get a chance to see you today, since you have been so busy."

"It is not a fault of mine, but the prince's," Babette responded.

The Frenchman nodded. "Oui, I know this. Angelique would not silence herself about the matter of the upcoming ball."

At this, Babette turned to him fully. She raised an eyebrow. "You have been with Angelique?" she asked, faking ignorance.

"Oui. It was simply a nice talk, however. It was nothing of the romantic sort, I assure you," answered Lumiere, guessing her reasons for suspicion.

The maid scoffed. "Really? Because I happened to see differently."

Confusion crossed the expression of the maitre'd, before understanding flashed in his eyes. "Mon amour, s'il vous plait, you must understand that it was merely an attempt to make Fife jealous."

The young woman bit her lip. Although he had been completely loyal to her so far, Babette was fully aware of her suitor's reputation. Therefore, she could not help but be wary of it. The maid questioned, attempting to still remain calm, "I am just going to pretend that I believe that for a second and that you did nothing but talk. What was it that you spoke about?"

"Merely the upcoming ball cherie, nothing for you to be worried about," replied the maitre'd. He knew of his beloved's concern about his past reputation, although he wished that he could ease her uncertainties completely. Wanting to change the subject, Lumiere asked, "Are…are you afraid of your performance not meeting the Master's request for the ball? I know that he has put a lot of stress on it."

Babette gasped, offended. "Mon cher! I am the best in my line of work, and I never fail to impress in what I do."

"Forgive me if I upset you, mon ange, but I was simply curious," her suitor responded.

The maid answered, "It is quite alright. I am just wondering why it is that the Master has placed so much importance on this ball."

Her suitor shrugged. "Perhaps some high and mighty noble is going to be there, and he wants to make a good impression."

The young woman nodded, "Perhaps. It is the only option that appears reasonable."

"As always, mon amour, you are the voice of reason," responded Lumiere.

Babette sighed and rested her head on his chest. "I just…I do not know about this," she muttered.

The Frenchman gave a small laugh. "Ma cherie, I thought we had discussed that the ball was nothing of our worry."

"It is not the ball, mon cher. It…it is about you," the young maid answered.

Lumiere asked, curious, "Whatever is distressing you about me?"

The young maid replied, "It is…about your reputation."

The maitre'd gave a long sigh. "You have nothing to…"

"Do not tell me I have nothing to fear! I have heard that too many times!" Babette snapped.

The Frenchman was about to reply, when he thought less of the idea. When she had a melodramatic moment, the woman was hardly rational. Instead of attempting to calm her, knowing it would only lead to a larger argument, Lumiere simply kissed her on the forehead, murmured adoring words in French and apologized for having to leave, before returning to the kitchens.

…

Don't overreact Babette…it's going to be okay.

Well…what did you think? I should have Chapter 4 up soon, although not TOO soon because, like I said, school is crazy. I apologize greatly for the late update.

I'll see you all soon,

-Babetteisawesome