I apologize again for my lack of updating! But I'm working a story for my Mum for Christmas, and have therefore given that my full attention to make it as amazing as possible. Still, I have not forgotten about you all!

So, enjoy this chapter and because I won't see you for a while…Merry Christmas!

…..

Chapter 8

The Danger of Trust

Lumiere stretched with a sigh as he awoke the next morning. Standing, he opened the curtains, letting the sunlight pour in. Any moment now, I should be in the company of my beloved. Babette had been coming into his room to wake him for quite some time, and he looked forward to it each morning.

From behind him, he heard the door open and someone step inside. The Frenchman was taken aback, however, when it was not Babette's voice that said, "Oh, I see you are already awake."

Turning, he asked, attempting to hide his disappointment. "Amelia, why is it that you are in here?"

"I know that you were expecting Babette, but I was told that I should be the one to wake you this morning," replied the blonde.

Lumiere questioned, "Was Cogsworth the one to tell you?"

"Yes," she lied.

The maitre'd responded, "Well, as you said yourself, I am already awake. Therefore, there is no need for you to be here."

Amelia nodded, "I can see that. However, there is one thing that I must mention before I depart."

"Oui, mademoiselle?" asked the Frenchman.

The chambermaid walked closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "This is merely a rumour, but I heard that Babette is spending a romantic morning with Lucifer."

Lumiere raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? I am sure it is simply a silly rumour. She told me that she has no feelings of passion for him."

Amelia nodded. She said before walking out of the room, "You know, rumours can be based in fact."

Once she had closed the door to his room, the maid smiled wickedly. Lucifer had suggested that she go into Lumiere's room in the early morning and plant a scandalous idea in his head. The plan had gone perfectly.

As if on cue, her ally walked down the hall, their eyes locking instantly. Lucifer whispered, "Well? Is he convinced?"

Amelia shook her head, "I regret to inform that he shall require a little more trying to convince him."

The noble nodded, "Then we shall simply have to try harder."

The blonde offered, "When Lumiere emerges from his room, shall I flirt with him? Babette will see, and then she will become so angry that, in order to make him jealous, she will most likely flirt with you willingly."

He chuckled darkly, "You are truly a genius."

Amelia curtsied, "Merci monsieur," she replied with a grin. Without another word, they parted ways.

Babette hummed a tune as she dusted. I wonder why I was denied the pleasure of greeting Lumiere this morning? How strange.

All of a sudden, she was tapped on the shoulder. Lucifer asked from behind her, "Pardon me, but could you follow me for a moment?"

She turned, "Whatever for?"

"I…" the nobleman sighed, "I believe that you will want to witness what I myself have seen."

The maid nodded, curious, and followed him. What could he have possibly meant?

Meanwhile Amelia had arrived in the kitchens. Spying Lumiere she smiled, before sauntering over. "There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

He whirled around, startled. "Oh, bonjour mademoiselle. What is it that you require?"

The maid pressed herself against him. Lowering her eyes seductively, she purred, "I thought that we could spend some time together."

The maitre'd responded, "Mademoiselle, I hardly think that this is appropriate."

She continued, "Oh, and when did you start to follow the rules?"

Lumiere narrowed his eyes, becoming annoyed. "It has nothing to do with the rules of the castle. It is common manners. Now," he gently yet firmly pushed her away, "You know very well that I love Babette. You are going to have to accept that someday."

Amelia, seeing that her plan would fail, turned on her heel and walked away, deliberately flipping her hair.

Seeing Lucifer and Babette around the corner, the maid's smile vanished. He is going to be so very mad.

However, when she passed by them, Lucifer was occupied with speaking to the younger woman. Babette raised an eyebrow, "I did not see anything terribly scandalous."

"They were flirting earlier. He simply pushed Amelia away because he must have seen us," the noble insisted.

The woman crossed her arms, "As much of a good friend as you are, I do not believe you."

The Spaniard replied, "Very well then." He proceeded to walk off with Amelia, leaving Babette by herself.

Tapping her chin, she muttered, "Those two seem rather close, even though he appeared insistent that she had done wrong."

Once they were out of hearing distance, Lucifer snapped. "Can you do nothing right?"

"I tried my hardest, but he was set on being loyal," the blonde answered.

With a heavy sigh, the Spaniard responded, "Then I must flirt with Babette and pray that our plan still succeeds." Glancing at the maid beside him, he asked, "But, forget about that. Would you like to come into the study with me?"

"Why?" she asked.

"You shall see," he answered, leading her inside.

Once both of them were inside the study, Lucifer locked the door. A sudden fear entering her, Amelia questioned, "Why did you lock it?"

Instead of answering, the nobleman turned to her. "You are a hard worker, señorita, and a good partner. However, since you have failed to flirt with Lumiere, and you have given me all of the information I need, I no longer have a use for you."

Her pulse quickening, the maid swallowed. "What are you saying?"

Lucifer approached her slowly. Glancing down as his hand moved to his best, Amelia drew a sharp breath. He carefully unsheathed a small knife. Heart hammering in her chest, the blonde could only look at him.

The man continued, "What I am saying, señorita, is that I cannot risk anyone telling of my plan. Since you are the only person I have told, and your purpose has been filled…"

"Please, please don't do this," the young woman whispered.

He shrugged, "I am afraid I have to. I am perfectly capable of continuing on my own." He pushed her against the wall, pressing himself close.

Amelia pleaded, "You can't do this. People will wonder."

He chuckled sinisterly, "Do you honestly think that anyone would care if you died?" Pressing the blade under her jaw, he raised her head to meet his eyes. Smirking, he taunted, "Oh Amelia, if only there were someone out there who loved you."

"Spare me, please. If you do, I will not tell a soul. I will do anything, just please spare my life," the maid answered in tears.

Thinking about this for a moment, Lucifer nodded. "Alright," he lowered his knife and placed it back in belt, "But remember your promise. Not one soul."

"Yes, of course, I promise," Amelia answered. Not wasting another second, she ran past him and out of the room.

…

Um, wow. Just…wow. I have no other words.

By the way, I put a bit of a "Frozen" reference in there by tweaking one of the lines from the movie. Hint: it's something that Lucifer says in the last bit. Review if you think you know what it is.

As I said, I will be busy in the lead up to Christmas, so I will not be able to update. However, I will be updating afterwards as fast as possible.

Merry Christmas my darlings!

-Babetteisawesome