The Affections of Young Ladies
Life at the castle wasn't all bad. In fact, some parts were wonderful. For example, there were many beautiful young ladies.
I do not mean to brag, but I suppose I have always been a handsome enough man, and I do have a certain amount of charm. However, I am not married.
This is a great advantage. I am able to steal kisses any time I wish from every woman who is not yet a wife, and the castle is not at all short on attractive ladies who have yet to find husbands!
Sometimes a young woman will act completely uninterested. I find this an enjoyable challenge, trying to figure out just which charms to use in order to win her favor. I suppose one of these days I will find someone completely immune to my good looks and charisma, but so far, I've managed to kiss every lady I've ever wooed.
Babette hates it. In her mind, I should devote my life to her happiness, and hers alone. I don't know what the hurry is. After all, it's not like Babette actually expects me to propose marriage!
Or does she?
Never mind.
I find it amusing. With every other woman, I merely have to use enough charm. With Babette, it is almost like a battle of wits. She flirts with other men in attempts to make me jealous, but when she notices that I flirt with other women, she accuses me of not loving her, so I have to be more charming than ever in order to have the chance to take her in my arms.
Some of the men at the castle are envious. A few of the young bachelors have actually asked me for advice on how to earn a lady's affection, and I tell them what I know.
For example, you shouldn't use a phrase that a woman has heard hundreds of times before, such as "Do you come here often?" You have to say something that sounds like natural conversation. This is difficult for some men because it requires listening to the young lady, guessing from her conversation what would spark her interest, and in a seemingly nonchalant manner, making a comparison between her and something she admires.
However, the most important thing to remember is that every woman is different, so what makes one girl swoon might make another girl punch you in the nose. You have to be careful. Understanding what a woman is really thinking and knowing how to act or what to say accordingly can be quite difficult, even if a man has had years of practice.
Not everyone is impressed by my skill in impressing young ladies. Cogsworth often tells me I am a "shameless, philandering disgrace" and when I am old and lonely with no one but myself to blame, I'll regret the fact that I flirted with as many women as possible instead of choosing one and loving no one else. Whenever Cogsworth says this to me, I always ask him where his wife is. (Cogsworth isn't married either, so he has no right to judge.)
As for the master, he doesn't seem to care whether or not I flirt with young ladies, as long as I manage to finish my chores.