I'm a posting jerk. I apologize. Life's been hectic, I'm home from school, hanging out with high school friends etc. Anyways, I'm going to try to post a few chapters this week then one per week until I finish because I need to just do it; I'm sorry.
The next day, I was helping the maids with some cleaning since the dining room was in a good state. I enjoyed the mixed company and was quite pleased with the patience the maids exhibited towards me and my sister as we helped. When Cogsworth came around to check on all the servants, Clarisse took a sharp breath and glanced at me. "Very good…" he muttered, not realizing I was there.
"Bonjour Cogsworth!"
"Oh!" he jumped at the sound of my voice, causing me to giggle, "Bonjour Eveline, what are you doing in this section of the castle?"
"There wasn't much for us to do today so we were sent to help the maids."
"Oh, very well," he replied with a smile.
"Uh, monsieur Cogsworth?" Clarisse said hesitantly.
"Oui?"
"I just wanted to uh—apologize for yesterday…it was inappropriate of me to speak in such a way…" she apologized awkwardly, avoiding the word 'love.'
"Oh, it is no problem, mademoiselle. You are quite forgiven."
"Merci, monsieur."
"Uh, Eveline," Cogsworth started with a shy smile, "would you do me the honor of accompanying me to a picnic in the gardens this evening?"
"It would be my pleasure," I smiled at his formalities, realizing that he wouldn't soon let them go for me. He left the room with a grin then I immediately began to laugh.
"What is it?" Clarisse asked.
"Cogsworth and his formalities, that's all," I replied.
"You really do care about him, don't you?"
I turned to my sister with a smile, "I have absolutely no idea how that is relevant to what I just said, but yes."
"Then maybe you should tell him…"
"We'll tell each other the amount of care we bestow upon each other at the right time. We know that we each care a lot and isn't that all we need right now? Seriously, I can never understand you; one minute you're making fun of me for being attracted to Cogsworth, the next you're telling me that we're going too slow!" I rolled my eyes.
She shrugged her shoulders, "Eh, you can never please me, I suppose."
I playfully nudged her, "Jerk."
I was in my room that evening, changing out of my work clothes when Clarisse came into our room, "That's what you're wearing?"
"Why do you care so much all of the sudden?" She shrugged then pulled out a much frillier dress than the one I had picked. She set it on my bed then turned to leave the room. "No, I am not wearing that…it looks like Babette threw up on it!" She chocked back her laughter. "Seriously though, I am not putting that on. Besides, this is a picnic, not a dinner party. Also, I am not you nor am I Babette."
She rolled her eyes, "I think you should consider my expertise."
"I'm the one who's courted in the past, Clare. I have experience."
"But I—"
"Also I am the one who is currently courting and the one who knows him…how's it going with…what's his name again?"
"Renard," she answered, clearly annoyed with me.
"Right, how's it going with Renard?"
She stuck her nose up at me, "Alright, I suppose."
"What is your problem?" I snapped.
She glared at me, "Just enjoy your time with Cogsworth!"
"I plan on it," I gathered my things and left, fighting off the tears. I made my way to Cogsworth's room and knocked on his door, hoping he hadn't left to come to my room yet.
Dear friend who I know reads this, keep me accountable! Also, I'd love if people would review, if not, that's okay too since I fail at updating.