So sorry for my tardiness! I greatly apologize! But I've been once again sucked into writing my own novella. On the bright side, I've nearly finished it!

Thank you to Nimara and ShyandStaryEyed for their reviews!

On a more serious note… I offer my deepest sympathy to any families who have suffered from the terrible events all across the world this year, including the happenings in Paris. Je suis Charlie.

…

Chapter 11

Heartless

Babette fell back against her door, letting out a sigh. Seeing his face had made her heart ache. He had seemed so desperate to get her to believe him. When she had opened the door, she had not expected to see his sorrowful face. It nearly broke her heart.

Shaking her head, she muttered. "Once I leave in the morning, I will no longer have to worry about him." Glancing over at her packed suitcase, the maid began to think twice about her decision. She would be leaving her home…her friends…everything. All because Lucifer wanted her to leave with him.

At the mention of the noble, Lumiere's words flooded back to her. 'I was deceived into ending our relationship by Lucifer.' Surely that could not be true? But why would he lie about something like that?

Babette walked over and sat on the edge of her bed, clenching her hands together. The maid growled in irritation. Why am I still thinking of him? Why do I care? He left me. That should be that. As hard as she tried to tell herself to forget him, the young woman found his eyes and his voice creeping back into her mind.

Her thoughts were broken by Lucifer's voice, "Buena noches mi querido."

Smiling, the young maid replied, "Bonsoir."

The noble lingered in the doorway. "I just came to see that you were alright. I heard that that horrid maitre'd bothered you."

Babette shook her head, "He was no bother," without meaning to, she added, "Besides, he is not that bad."

The Spaniard's smile faded slightly. "Is that so?"

Hearing the suspicion in his voice, the maid laughed. "Believe me, there is nothing between us."

Lucifer didn't relax. There may not be at the moment, but I will have to make sure that it does not happen. Forcing a smile, he bid her goodnight, before exiting the room and closing the door.

When he saw Amelia walking towards the kitchens, he knew his plan was progressing perfectly. The girl may have gotten in the way once, but she was still surprisingly useful.

Amelia smiled upon seeing Lumiere alone in the kitchens. Perfect. I have him all to myself. Walking over, she purred, "Good evening Lumiere."

The Frenchman glanced up from his seat, "Oh…bonjour mademoiselle."

Confused by his response but not to be deterred, the maid moved beside him. "Dinner was lovely, you certainly outdid yourself."

He did not answer for several moments. Normally, the Frenchman would feel joy at any praise given to him. However, not even the smallest of smiles flittered across his lips. Nothing, no praise seemed to matter. Babette, the love of his life, was leaving.

Amelia placed her hands on her hips, "Lumiere, is something wrong?"

Hearing the annoyance in her tone, the maitre'd decided to respond. Looking at her briefly, he asked, "Is there something you want?"

The maid leant closer, murmuring in his ear, "Oui…a night with you. Surely you remember when we often had rather pleasant evenings in each other's company?"

Lumiere sighed. He did not wish to recall such things at the present time. Glancing at Amelia, irritation in his eyes, he responded. "Well, I do not wish to disappoint you, but I do not want to spend the night with you. I have…other things on my mind."

The blonde attempted to hide her frustration. Brushing a strand of hair from her eyes, she offered, "Well, she is leaving with monsieur Lucifer tonight. Therefore, she should no longer be your concern."

At the sound of this, Lumiere glared. "Amelia…how do you know that?" News of Babette's departure had surely been spread, but as far as he knew, no one had been told who she was going with. Standing, the Frenchman kept his furious gaze on her. "You had a part in this, didn't you?"

Suddenly scared, the maid nodded, "O-Oui." She had never seen the calm Frenchman so enraged before…and it was terrifying.

The maitre'd lowered his voice dangerously, moving closer. "Do you understand what you have done? If Babette leaves, I will never forgive you." Sighing, Lumiere ran a hand through his hair. "It is very late. Go to bed, mademoiselle."

Amelia curtsied, "Oui monsieur, merci."

Meanwhile, Babette was reading in her room in an attempt to ease her mind. Mon Dieu, what is the matter with me? She had been unable to hide her guilt for leaving. Many people would miss her.

Lucifer peeked inside, "Is everything alright? You seem a little distracted."

Looking up from her book, the maid swallowed. "Oh…it is nothing."

Despitee being less then convinced, the Spaniard nodded and left the room once more. She is having doubts about leaving with me. Well, when she hears the news of her beloved's death, she will certainly go with me. Making his way towards the Frenchman's room, he said to himself. "It has to be done now. I cannot give Babette any more time to reconsider."

Lumiere slept soundlessly, memories of Babette running through his head. However, the sudden opening and closing of his bedroom door made him snap away. Groggy eyes scanning the darkness he asked, "Who is there?"

"I was not meant to wake you, Lumiere," said a familiar male voice.

The young man stilled. Lighting a nearby candle he snarled, "What are you doing in here Lucifer?"

Stepping into the light, the Spaniard replied, hands behind his back. "I am afraid that, in the past little while, you have gotten in my way far too much. Therefore, I am forced to make sure that you do not continue to interfere. Think of it as putting you out of your misery, since Babette plans to leave with me."

Lumiere's eyes narrowed. Eve in his tired state, he comprehended the sinister meaning of the noble's words. Panic rushed through him. This man was murderous. Masking his fear with bravery, he snapped, "I have always thought lowly of you, but I never imagined that you would attempt to do something like this."

Lucifer chucked darkly, "Alas, you know very little about me." His expression drew sinister as he revealed the knife in his hand. "Now…hold still."

The young man's pulse raced. Thinking quickly, he grabbed the closest weapon, a candelabrum, and swung it at his enemy.

However, the noble was faster in his attack . He struck out with the knife. Lumiere rolled, causing the blade to slice a cut in his side. The Frenchman yelled out in pain. Merde!

Lucifer grinned malevolently, "You're making this far too easy."

Turning his head to face him, the maitre'd glared. "Babette is smart, she will learn of your plan." His heart slammed in his chest. But even then, this man would have killed me.

Meanwhile, Babette crept up to the door of Lumiere's bedroom. She had to see him again. Had to speak to him about why she was leaving. Had to know where their relationship stood.

Touching the doorknob, the maid instantly knew that something was amiss. It was a feeling in her chest…and one that always promised trouble. Not giving it a second thought, the young maid entered.

She had not expected something so confronting.

Lucifer stood near Lumiere's bed, holding a knife in his hand. The Frenchman lay on his left side, a bleeding cut across his right.

The shock was clear on her face. It was quickly replaced by burning anger towards the Spaniard, "Salaud."

Lucifer turned, surprised to find her standing there. Raising and eyebrow, he responded. "There is no need for such words. I am simply getting rid of a useless member of the castle."

Anger flashed in her blood. The maid didn't think. She ran at Lucifer, struggling with him to obtain the knife. The young woman hissed in pain as the metal cut along her hand. Ignoring the sting, Babette ripped the blade from Lucifer's possession.

She glowered furiously, "Are you really so desperate for my affection that you would kill a man to make sure I stay with you?"

An almost crazed look entered his eyes. "Don't you see? I have to. He was the one who tore us apart."

"No. He is the man who has brought me true happiness. You are nothing but a heartless murderer," the maid snarled. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lumiere shakily stand.

Lumiere punched Lucifer in the head, sending him back.

Babette stared at the unconscious noble, before her eyes moved to the injured Frenchman. Using part of her skirt to press on the lightly bleeding wound in his side, she said softly, "Come, mon cher. I will take you to the Master."

He nodded, not taking his eyes from the figure on the ground, "Oui…that is very much a good idea."

…..

Nicely done Lumiere, Lucifer deserved that.

I nearly got chills writing this chapter. I can't believe my own villain scares me! But, apparently that's a good thing, so…yeah. Anyway, this chapter took forever to write and I had to do several re-writes.

Hopefully, I will get the last chapter up soon. I'll see you then!

-Babetteisawesome