Somehow during the uploading process, I missed this section of the story...which, in reality, is quite important and I'm surprised no one noticed, because I referenced back to it quite a few times. Hopefully this will provide more clarity within the story. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except Eveline and Clarisse.
"Tonight is the night!" I heard Lumiere say from inside Prince Adam's room. I was outside the door behind a curtain, since I was supposed to be in the kitchen, but curiosity was killing me.
"I'm not sure I can do this…" I heard the prince say hesitantly. I held my breath to avoid gasping; I had never heard him unsure about anything in the fifteen years I worked in the castle.
They continued to discuss how he would woo Belle, and I was utterly confused…he cared and it wasn't out of selfish gain. "Yes, I—I con—no, no I can't."
"You care for the girl, don't you?"
"More than anything." That time I allowed my gasp to escape; I started to hobble away and ran straight into Cogsworth.
"Oh-oh, I'm sorry…" I stuttered.
"Why aren't you in the kitchen preparing for the ball?" he asked me.
"Well, I—I—um…"
"Get to work, mademoiselle."
"I'm sorry, I was just curious what was going on." If a plate could hang their head, I would have.
"Nothing is going on that we haven't told the staff."
"I—I needed to hear it for myself…I never really believed his progress…not-not even from my sister."
"I suppose I would not either…" he mused, "but either way, you're needed in the kitchen, the girl is ready. Shoo!"
I quickly hobbled to the kitchen. I was humiliated that I ran into someone, and Cogsworth of all people. I supposed I was lucky that he didn't have my theoretical head for not being in the kitchen.
"Where have you been, Eveline?" Clarisse asked with a concerned look on her face which quickly turned to confusion, "Why on earth are you smiling?"
"It's really happening!" I squealed, well the closest you can get to squealing while being quiet. "He's going to fall in love with her, he really is! We're going to be human again!"
"Why the sudden spurt of optimism?"
"Oh, it's not optimism, it's realism. It's going to happen!" I longed to hug her, pick her up, and spin her around just like we used to. I couldn't wait to have arms again.
"What changed your mind?"
"Well, that's where I was. I was outside the prince's room. I listened in on their conversation. It's happening, Clare, it's really happening!" For the first time since I was twenty, I felt real hope.
After the meal, the prince and Belle shared a dance to Mrs. Potts beautiful singing, then they went up the balcony outside of his room. We all decided to give them space for a while. I was in the sink getting washed. I could barely contain my excitement, thinking that I'd be taking a real bath soon. As I was drying, Cogsworth came in, "You have guts, mademoiselle."
"Excuse me?"
"To go up there like that. It—it's quite—um—"
"I—oh—thank you…"
"What is your name?"
"Eveline…how did you recognize me?"
"Your eyes remained unaffected by the enchantment; I remember them from when you were a human as well. You had short blonde hair, am I right?"
My eyes widened at the thought that someone noticed me, "Yes…" I let out in barely a whisper.
"Well, ma chérie, I would be delighted to make your acquaintance more properly, but I must check on the master. Au revoir!"
"Au revoir…" as he waddled away, I took a deep breath. Someone remembered me…vividly, for ten years without even a name to associate with me. I smiled despite myself, for the first time in fifteen years, I felt like freedom was within my grasp. That was until ten minutes later…