The prince continued to play, ignoring him completely. The priest retrieved a chair from a roll top desk and sat down, listening to him play. After a few more bars the prince stopped, looking over at the priest. Though he was old and grey and his appearance was disheveled and un kept his clear blue eyes still shone with a crystalline luster.

"Leave me alone."

"Your highness, I cannot leave alone a soul in pain, tell me what is troubling you so deeply."

"Did you not hear me before? Do you know who I am? Im the lord of this castle and Im asking you to leave."

The priest monitored his voice making sure to stay as calm and kind as possible, feeling that he was already treading on thin ice.

"Who you are makes no difference, all men are created equal in Gods eyes."

The prince shot a piercing look at the priest.

"Are they?" The prince turned back to the piano lightly running his fingers over the keys.

"What was that you were playing? It was very pretty." The priest said, trying to compliment his way into lighter conversation. The prince turned towards him again, leaning back in his chair as if someone had just placed a heavy weight on his chest. He looked at the ceiling with pleading eyes.

"For Gods sake, my son, give your self some peace. If you have something to confess, do it now." The prince looked back at him after a few moments. He spoke slowly.

"That was Forte… or Alexander. That was his real name before the enchantment… you know of the enchantment, don't you?" The priest nodded. The prince's demeanor lightened slightly as he began to speak again, touching his forehead lightly with a couple fingers and shutting his eyes as if trying to remember what he was about to say.

"He came to the castle when I was young, about seven or eight I believe."

**flashback**

A servant is walking down the walkway at a very fast pace. The hall is bright, the candle light making the gold leafing sparkle. He enters a cavernous room bowing deeply.

"Your highness, the new court composer is here." The king stands.

"Splendid, I will receive him in the north ballroom." The servant bows and leaves as quickly as he came. The king turns to his son.

"Come along son, we have a new court composer… and, you will be taking piano lessons now."

The young prince snorts indifferently.

"If he's old and worthless like the other one I wont do it. Anyway I don't care much for the piano, its boring." The king snapped his fingers and a servant walked over to the prince holding out a hand so that he may follow. The king spoke as he walked towards to towering double doors, turning his back on his son.

"Come now, ill have your favorite dessert made after we attend to this." At this Prince Adam hopped up from the chair quickly leaving the servant behind.

Back in the north ballroom a lean man with a shock of black hair and dark eyes wearing a long charcoal colored coat bows to a plump woman and kisses the top of her hand. He has large but elegant hands that engulf hers almost completely. The combination of his dark eyes and hair against his pale skin makes him look strangely exotic and alluring.

"And what pleasure do I owe to this fine lady?" His voice is deep and smooth and he speaks with a rich English accent. She blushes deeply giggling as she covers her mouth.

"Ahem, you can call me Mrs. Potts, I work in the kitchen."

"Well then, I am very glad to make your acquaintance." He smiles making her shyly glance down at the floor. Suddenly a busty maid carrying a feather duster around her wrist cuts in between the two. She speaks with a thick French accent.

"Monsieur…" she said curtseying gingerly. "I am Babette, one of the head maids for the castle." She batted her eyes lashes and continued. "You are the new court composer, no? Im sure your music is wonderful, his majesty is very selective about these things. Your accent is, em… most intriguing, where are you from again?" She looked up at him with flirtatious brown eyes. Just then a lanky Frenchman broke in between them bowing slightly.

"Ah ha ha, um, please excuse her, monsieur. She is a silly girl." As he spoke the last two words he turned to look at Babette who waved her feather duster around lazily. He spoke French to her in a low clipped manner; she began to protest at one point but then noticed that the new arrival was watching them, his eyebrows slightly raised. She smiled awkwardly, curtseyed and left the room, her small heels making little clacking sounds as she went.

"I apologize for that." The Frenchman said smiling brightly. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Lumiere, the maitre d to the castle. We all welcome you." The crowd that had gathered started to clap but was interrupted by large double doors being opened by a couple of servants. A plump man with a moustache appeared by the right hand door and cleared his throat as every one fell silent.

"Introducing his majesty and the prince." He rolled his r's dramatically as he spoke. He bowed deeply as the king dressed in midnight blue and gold emerged from the cavernous doorway followed closely by prince Adam, his longish golden brown hair pulled back in a low ponytail. The small crowd that had formed all bowed as they passed. Servants quickly followed, carrying chairs for the king and prince to sit in. After the king had made him self comfortable he could fully take in everyone who stood in front of him.

"Mrs. Potts." His voice echoed loudly off the cavernous walls. The plump woman brushed past a few people and made her way to the front of the crowd. She curtseyed.

"Yes, you majesty."

"Prepare a pot of tea. Make it that kind from Spain." Once again the king looked about the crowd before speaking again.

"Ah! I see our new addition to the castle has arrived! Your presence had been long awaited; it was been a dull few months. Come closer so that I may look at you better." He said motioning for the new court composer to come closer.

The young court composer bowed gracefully.

"What is your name again? Forgive my memory, I have had many things to attend to lately."

"Alexander Clark, your majesty."

"You speak with a fine accent, you were raised well, no? Come tell me about your self." The king chuckled. "I hired you without knowing hardly anything about you, despite your musical talent, which I have heard many great things about. When I sent out my head advisor, em, you remember him don't you? He over looks the arts and music for the castle." Alexander remembered him well. A stodgy middle-aged man who wore too much cologne with grey hair. The same man who's attitude had lead him to almost loose his temper. The same man who had told Alexander that "he didn't know why his majesty had sent him all this way for young man who (probably) wasn't experienced enough to compose for the king." But upon hearing him play was immediately silenced. The same day Alexander was notified that he should begin packing and should arrive at the castle within a month of that day.

Alexander stood at attention, his hands behind his back, hoping that the sour memory hadn't caused his expression to sour as well. He exhaled slightly, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Signore Gallo, yes I remember him well."

The king's voice echoed out again.

"Well you should, he couldn't say enough about your talent. The letter I received was nothing but praise, and he also made note that that you are from Cheshire, England. That's interesting, you don't hear about many English composers lately." It was quiet for a few moments until the king spoke again.

"Now tell me, is it true that you have never had a lesson?"

"Yes your majesty, my father had me practice every day, he was very strict about it. This only happened after he learnt of my musical abilities though. I taught myself how to read music."

"How old were you when you did this? The king had leant forward in his chair.

"Five, you highness."

"Splendid, absolutely splendid, and how old are you now?"

"Twenty three." The king nodded. It was quiet again so Alexander took the time to speak.

"I have brought some samples of my work, if you so wish to-" he was cut off by the king shaking his head. He waved his hand in the air dismissively.

"Nonsense, I will have plenty of time to hear what you have to offer. I trust that your talent is truly all that it is made out to be, but…" The king tilted his head back smugly.

"I do have a request." The king snapped, calling one of the servants to attention. He whispered something in his ear. Five servants disappeared through a wide side door.

Alexander got a balking feeling in the pit of his stomach, but hid it well under a cool, polite demeanor.

"Do you know the piano concerto in D minor by Mozart?"

Alexander couldn't contain his happiness and relief. He smiled broadly.

"Yes your majesty, its one of my favorites."

"Exellent. It is also one of my son's favorites as well, I don't believe you've met." A young price Adam who had been lurking behind his father stepped forward bowing as Alexander did likewise.

The king spoke again pushing Adam in front of him.

"He wishes to take piano lessons." The prince looked up at his father as if to protest. The king continued.

"Im sure you'll agree that starting at an early age can be highly beneficial."

Alexander smiled trying to make his best first impression on the young prince

"Yes indeed. I have heard much about you, Prince Adam." The prince looked up at him skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"How do you know my name?"

"Your reputation precedes you, you highness." Alexander said, a cool look of happiness on his face. Prince Adam became frustrated with his answer and started to make his was out of the ballroom.

The king, not noticing his son's departure, motioned for the five servants, now wheeling a grand piano, to bring in front of him. The crowd parted making way for the shining instrument.

"Play a some for us, then." The king said as he stood up. The servants locked the piano into place and brought a bench out. Alexander sat and stretched his hands thinking of a good place to start, being that the piece was very long. Soon the notes flowed from within the ornate piano filling the room with intricate scales and melodies. Everyone stood around watching, the king standing the closest. Just as prince Adam got closer to the door he bumped into Mrs. Potts wheeling a cart laden with a sterling silver tea set.

"Oh, goodness, your highness, don't you want to hear the music?"

"No." the prince walked out of the room. He waited for about a minute then peeked around the corner. Lucky for him Mrs. Potts had continued on her way and he was now alone in the doorway. The truth is he did want to hear the music but was just sour about having to take piano lessons, though he would never readily admit it to wanting to stay. So for now he would watch secretly and leave as soon as the piece was over so as not to be seen.

After a bit the floating melody ended and everyone applauded. Alexander stood and bowed feeling a swell of pride in his chest. The king spoke first.

"Absolutely splendid! my lord… I was also told that you play organ, is that correct?"

"Yes your highness, that is the instrument I am strongest on."

"Well then, there is an organ in the smaller ball room, you can play it when ever you wish, and this piano is yours, as a welcome gift from the royal family." Alexander bowed.

"My deepest thanks, your highness."

The king was making to leave, as the servants were gathering up chairs and other items.

"I regret the queen is unable to attend, she is very ill. Um…" The king seemed distracted for a moment as he looked around.

Sensing who the king was looking for Alexander spoke up. "The prince left before I started playing, I believe."

"Ah thank you, temperamental child, you'll have to forgive him. Alright, well, Cogsworth will show you to your room, and Signore Gallo will meet with you, most likely tomorrow. Good day Maestro Clark."

Alexander bowed. "Good day your majesty." He heard someone clear their throat behind him and turned to see who it was.

"Cogsworth, at your service sir." The same chubby man who had announced the arrival of the king and prince now stood behind him bowing as deep as his rotund belly would allow.

"Mrs. Potts, take the tea to his room, and make sure it stays hot. Now sir, would you like your tour of the castle now, or shall I give you some time to rest?

**flashback ends**