The next morning, Leon was up earlier than usual as the sounds of Remy and George arguing as they went to collect the water and Madame Armoire's falsettos ensured that he wouldn't be going back to sleep anytime soon, so he decided to get up, anticipating the day ahead and he thought to himself,

What am I going to do with Rose today?

That was now the very first thing on his mind as each day dawned, for he was now enjoying Rose's company and she was truly the only person, apart from his mother, Jean-Luc and Monsieur Livre, that made him smile and who understood him when no one else did.

Rose did not judge, tease or ridicule him nor see him as odd, a screw-up, a mama's boy, a coward, a pig-kisser, a prize to be won or a possession to have all to herself. She saw him for who he was, as did he and the true friend both of them wanted.

Yet, he still didn't know much about his dear beast, his Rose as her past was mysterious and had only been mentioned in snippets when she had told him about her life and the pain and sadness she suffered in her form and when Madame Armoire and Katrine inadvertently spoke about her parents and had acted like they had brought up a taboo subject, which got Leon thinking.

What kind of cruel people would abandon their daughter in a cold, dark castle due to her appearance and never make any attempt to see her or write to her, letting her know that they were still alive and sorry for leaving her since she was now a hideous monster?

And what about the servants, had they always been enchanted objects or were they once…human? Remy, George and Amelie had dropped hints about it when they mentioned having 'no arms and legs' to do their chores and for Sophie, to ride a horse.

If they were, then what had happened to them and why they were trapped in a cruel and hopeless situation and why they had greeted him so enthusiastically? Did they see him as more than an honoured guest?

There were many questions that would be unanswered or avoided if he was to bring it up and he didn't want to nip the budding friendship with Rose after all they had been through and make her lose her temper again.

It was best if he didn't think about it, although the mysterious girl in the portrait and the stone statues he had seen on the disastrous night he had gone into the West Wing came in his mind.

Could they be connected? He thought, as he made his bed, What if they were..

'Monsieur?' Madame Armoire said, as she opened her doors to find a new outfit for Leon to wear, which caught his attention and he turned to face the wardrobe, 'I have your outfit for breakfast with the mistress this morning, if you would be so kind to try it on.'

'Oh, sorry, madame, I didn't notice you,' Leon said, 'I was thinking about..'

'What you are going to do with the mistress today?' Madame Armoire said. Leon nodded in response, as it was partly the truth and a convincing answer.

'Oh, it's so nice that you two are getting along now and having fun as best friends. I've never seen the mistress so happy in years and it truly warms my heart,' she said, smiling at him.

'And the same could be said for you, dear boy. Wasn't it just a few days ago that you were so miserable and hated being here and the mistress and her behaviour towards you and wanted nothing to do with her, the very words you said to Katrine and me?

Well, you're not the same boy that was crying his heart out, as you were separated from your mother and everything you knew! You're much happier now and it looks like you have finally softened the mistress's cold heart and she's opened the love that we thought was long forgotten.'

'Well, I still miss my mother and always will but you're right, I feel better about being here.' Leon said, 'You are all very kind to me and made me feel at home. Now, did you have my outfit for today and that you wanted me to try it on?'

'Of course, monsieur, how could I forget? Here I am, yapping away about nothing when there's the mistress waiting for you with breakfast and we don't want a repeat of that dinner fiasco a few nights back, don't we?' Madame Armoire said.

'No, we don't,' said Leon, 'although it did lead to me enjoying a fantastic dinner and a cabaret performance by Lumiere.'

'Here we are, dearie and I hope that you won't reject this dashing suit again,' Madame Armoire said, as she handed Leon the suit that she had tried to get him to wear to the dinner that he refused to go to that first night and something told him that the wardrobe wasn't going to let him reject it a second time.

Leon put it on and managed to find a sea-green ribbon to tie his hair with and when he saw himself in the mirror; he had to admit it was a nice suit, if a bit too much for a simple breakfast with Rose but he didn't want to make a fuss about it, since he had already turned it down once.

The wardrobe was gushing with delight at seeing Leon in the grand suit, which had been one of Adam's and the one he had ruined with porridge due to his sloppy eating habits as the first Beast, when he and Belle had breakfast together.

Luckily for Leon, the suit had long since been washed and any porridge stains had been removed and Madame Armoire was delighted that he was finally wearing it.

'Oh, I knew that suit would look so good on you, dearie! It truly screams suave, genteel, charming and dashing and don't you look so handsome in it! Just be careful that you don't spill anything on it, I would hate to see it get ruined again!'

'Thank you, Madame,' said Leon, 'it looks lovely,'

'You're welcome, dearie, it's a pleasure to dress you,' Madame Armoire said as there was a knock on the door and Cogsworth entered and bowed.

'Good morning, Cogsworth,' Leon said, acknowledging the little clock, who grinned at him.

'Good morning, sir,' Cogsworth said, 'Breakfast is being served in the small dining room and the mistress will be joining you there shortly as soon as she is done with the hairdresser.'

'Thank you, Cogsworth; I'm looking forward to it. I won't be too long, just have to finish making my bed,' Leon said, as the clock grinned again and bowed to him before leaving the room, relieved that the boy was making an effort to eat with the mistress.

Leon had now taken to having breakfast with Rose rather than have it served to him in his room as he had done for the first few days, leaving her to eat by herself in the empty dining room as they had found it too awkward and Rose didn't want to offend him with her bad table manners.

But since they were getting more comfortable with each other and feeling bad that Rose had been having breakfast by herself, Leon had decided that he wanted to have it with her, despite any awkwardness or sloppy eating and bad manners.

With that in mind, he finished making his bed, even though Madame Armoire insisted that he left it for the chambermaid to do it for him.

He may be living in a castle, being waited on hand and foot (well, by enchanted objects that neither had hands nor feet) but he was still a humble village boy at heart and wasn't used to having everything done for him and not lifting a finger and he still wanted do things for himself, like he had done back in the village but he had to admit he appreciated their kindness and how they aimed to please him and fulfilled every request he made.

After spending half an hour having her hair cut by Monique, the cheery and style-savvy hairdresser that had been turned into a vanity, with help from her scissors and brush, Rose was now sitting at the small table in the dining room, not at her usual place in the middle, but at the end where her mother usually sat.

Mrs Potts and Chip were with her, standing on the table and they were waiting for both Leon to come and Rebecca to bring breakfast, which was cherry vanilla porridge, the very thing Rose had on the day of the curse and had never wanted to eat it again, as it reminded her of that and that it wasn't fit for a beast.

But she was glad to be eating something other than raw meat she had hunted in the forest and stews and that Leon would be joining her, which made her happy, as she had felt lonely eating by herself, yet worried about her sloppy eating habits and looking like a fool in front of him, like in the library and trying to eat the strawberry cream cookie.

However, she soon forgot that when she heard Leon coming into the room and being greeted warmly by Mrs Potts and Chip whispered to his mother,

'Look Mama, Leon's wearing the same jacket the master ruined with porridge when he tried to use the spoon I gave him! Don't you remember that, it was…'

'Very embarrassing for him and it's rude to point that out, Leon looks nice in it and I can assure you that he won't be spilling anything on it, that's for sure,' Mrs Potts whispered back to him.

'Sorry Mama,' Chip said.

'Good morning, Rose,' Leon said, 'I hope I haven't kept you waiting for long,'

'No, not at all,' said Rose, 'I haven't been here very long, I was with Monique, getting my hair done, as it was too long and needed a cut.'

'And what a grand job she did on it, it looks lovely and tidy and a good length. It really suits you, dear.' Mrs Potts said.

'Thank you, Nana, I'm just glad that it's not long and tangled anymore.' Rose said, running her paw through her newly-cut hair, feeling the smooth strands rather than the roughness and tangles it had.

'It looks very nice, Rose,' Leon said, as he noticed that Rose's hair was cut to above her shoulders and had a pink hairband with a white rose on it which matched the dress she was wearing.

It was pink, had a white rose on the bodice with a white stripe down the middle, a wide skirt, which had a white layer skirt underneath with pastel-coloured roses on green vines on it.

'Thank you, Leon,' said Rose, smiling at him.

'Your dress looks lovely, is it new?' he asked, looking at how nice she looked in it, how she looked less beastly in it, like she was human.

'Thank you Leon, Katrine made it for me last night, along with some new ones. It's a huge change from my shirt, trousers and cape, but she worked so hard on them and they are nice even if they are on a beastly body!' as she giggled and Leon smiled at her.

'And don't worry about keeping me waiting. I know I behaved badly towards you that night when you didn't come to dinner, as I had rudely demanded you to, but please know that you can take as much time as you like getting ready.

I know what Aunt Moiry is like, she would've have made sure that you had the perfect outfit and talk like there's no tomorrow! But it's nice that you've decided to eat with me now, I was getting lonely just eating by myself with no one to talk to.'

'Thanks, Rose,' Leon said as he took his seat on the other end, where Adam had sat and Mrs Potts poured them both tea in different teacups and the sugar pot appeared and added the lumps, having memorised how they liked their tea.

'Breakfast is now being served,' Rebecca announced as she rode on the trolley with the porridge steaming hot, having just been freshly cooked, two serving bowls, spoons, a jug of cream and a bowl of her cherry sugar.

'I hope that you like cherry vanilla porridge, monsieur,' she said to Leon, 'it was lucky that we were able to get any cherries for the topping at all, considering it's autumn and they aren't in season but we managed.'

'It looks delicious, thank you Rebecca,' both Rose and Leon said, as it was being served up. Leon had only had plain porridge back in the village and never thought that there could be so many flavours to add to it, so it was a real treat and he was keen to try it, as Rebecca carefully carried the hot bowl the best she could with the porridge, which had diced cherries on top and was dusted with cherry sugar.

'Your porridge, monsieur,' Rebecca said, as she placed it down and curtseyed to Leon, who felt the pleasant smell enter his nostrils and it did smell good, 'I hope that you enjoy it and my special cherry sugar that I made myself.'

'Thank you very much, Rebecca, it smells lovely,' said Leon, as the ragdoll went over to serve Rose her porridge. He was keen to eat, but knew very well that it was polite to wait until everyone had been served, as his mother had told him.

'You'll love this, Leon, Rebecca makes the best cherry vanilla porridge in the castle and her cherry sugar is good too!' Rose said, 'It's my favourite and it's so nice to be able to have it again.'

Once the porridge had been served, Leon started eating, taking small mouthfuls and enjoying it, while Rose was looking at hers, unsure how to eat it without making a mess and ruining her new dress.

Eating like an animal or with her paws would not be appropriate, especially in front on Leon, if the strawberry cream cookie was anything to go by and she didn't want to look foolish in front of him again.

As if reading her mind, Chip helpfully pushed a spoon towards Rose and she looked at it like it was some foreign object, unsure how to use it and Rebecca mimed picking it up, dipping it into the porridge and putting it into her mouth.

Rose tried her best but it was yet another clumsy attempt in feeding herself, as her paw held it unsteadily and more porridge went on her rather than in her, getting it on her face and on her dress.

Leon looked at her like she had grown an extra head at seeing Rose covered in porridge, as Mrs Potts, Chip and Rebecca cringed and pulled faces and Rose growled embarrassingly as she knew her table manners or rather lack of appalled Leon and she looked ridiculous and had ruined her new dress in the process.

Oh, why did I wear this nice dress if I knew I was going to make a TOTAL MESS? she thought as her insecurities came back.

Katrine is going to blow her top if she was to see this and now Leon will think that I STILL can't feed myself! But I haven't used a spoon in ages, so what did he expect?

'Oh, boy,' said Chip, remembering Adam doing the same thing years ago, 'She looks a mess!'

'Chip!' Mrs Potts said sternly as she frowned at her son, who grinned sheepishly. Then she remembered what Rose's parents had done when Adam had made a mess eating his porridge and hopped over to Leon and whispered something in his ear.

Soon, Leon picked up his bowl and sipped it and Rose, after wiping the porridge off her with a napkin that Rebecca had provided, saw him and got a good idea.

Of course! she thought, why didn't I think of that? Clever Nana, she always knows what to do and it will make eating my favourite porridge much easier!

She too picked up her bowl and smiled as she and Leon raised their bowls in a toast and sipped them and Rose sighed happily as the porridge she loved went down easily and savoured the sweet taste of cherry vanilla that she hadn't had for years.

'Sorry you had to see that, Leon,' Rose said, as she took another sip, 'It's been a while since I have used a spoon and it's quite hard to hold one with paws.'

'Rose, you know you don't have to apologise to me about that,' said Leon, 'it's just who you are and it's okay. Porridge can be easily sipped anyway and I'll teach you how to use utensils properly.'

'Thank you Leon,' said Rose, 'are you enjoying your porridge?'

'It's delicious, nice and creamy and smooth and the cherry sugar is delicious too,' said Leon, as he took another sip, 'it's different from the plain and stodgy porridge I had back in the village and I can tell you, there was no flavouring, that's for sure!'

'Thank you, Rebecca, this porridge is delicious,' he said to Rebecca, 'you really do make the best cherry vanilla porridge and I like your cherry sugar as well.'

'You're welcome, monsieur, I'm glad you like it,' the ragdoll said. If she had been human, she would've blushed but instead smiled as she added some more sugar to the porridge, 'Maybe I can add some more flavours, depending on what fruit is in season and some cinnamon as well.'

'That would be lovely, Rebecca,' said Rose.

'So what are we going to do today, Rose?' said Leon, as they finished their porridge and Mrs Potts, Chip and Rebecca gathered their dishes and went back into the kitchen.

'We can go to the library and finish reading the Canterbury Tales..' said Rose

'In British accents, remember and not necessarily good ones!' Leon added, as Rose giggled.

'Of course, dear sir but we need to be careful since we may offend a certain fuddy-duddy who is a tightly-wound up clock that may not find it to his liking.' Rose said, in a bad accent which made Leon laugh and she was glad that neither Cogsworth nor Mrs Potts were in the room.

But she would have found it amusing and that Rose hadn't meant to offend her, unlike Cogsworth who didn't yesterday.

'We can also read more Shakespeare and fairy tales and maybe go to the art studio and spend time with Sophie and draw and paint. I know she'll want to play with you Leon and I would like to see her and play with her again as I've missed that, just to let her know that I'm still her friend and always will be,' she then said, 'once I change my clothes, of course!'

'That sounds like a great plan, Rose,' said Leon, 'You go and change while I take Sabine out for her stroll and I'll meet you in the library.'

'Alright, then,' said Rose, 'I've enjoyed having breakfast with you Leon, even if I did make a mess eating the porridge!'

'I did too, Rose, I'd like to do it again tomorrow,' said Leon, 'and great accent by the way,'

'Why thank you, dear sir, you truly are a fine gentleman,' Rose said in the accent and Leon snickered quietly as he headed towards the stables and she to the West Wing to change her clothes.

After changing into a white shirt, light blue bodice with a bow on it and a long, dark blue skirt and tying her hair into a small ponytail, Rose was sitting on the sofa in the library, with The Canterbury Tales on her lap, stroking Lila who had come in and she smiled at her beloved cat, as she regretted having neglected her for ten years.

'I'm glad you're talking and acting affectionate towards me again, Lila, my lovely kitty,' she said, as the cushion purred, 'are you here to listen to another story today?'

Lila purred and nuzzled against her as if to say yes, glad that her mistress was giving her the attention and love that she hadn't received from her.

'You can, as soon as Leon comes back from taking his horse for a stroll,' Rose said and thought that maybe one day she could join him and take Phillippe out as well. That would be good for the poor horse that had been cooped up in the stable for so long, not even going out for some fresh air and exercise.

There was also the possibility that he may be scared of her, but she was willing to risk that if she was to see her horse again.

Leon soon entered the library and sat next to Rose, careful not to sit on Lila, as he didn't want her screeching and getting the fright of his life again and the two read, using the bad British accents, which a certain little clock heard as he was passing by and poked his head in the library and said,

'I told you two not to use those horrible accents that are an insult to me and the English!' Cogsworth said, all huffy, 'They are offensive and disrespectful and it sounds like you are mocking me!'

'Oh, Cogsie, you are such a stick in the mud!' shouted Remy from the laundry room, 'I thought the English had a great sense of humour but it looks like YOU don't! They're just doing it for fun, not to offend you and to make the story sound much better because The Canterbury Tales are so boring!'

'No offence, Mistress and kid,' he then said.

'None taken,' Leon called back.

'Likewise,' said Cogsworth, rolling his eyes.

'So, leave them alone and go snoop elsewhere,' said Remy, 'Speaking of which, the mop's throwing another tantie about having to clean the floor since Sultan has left muddy paw prints and a 'little package' that isn't pleasant on it! Go see to that!'

'Oh, very well then,' said Cogsworth, sighing as he left the library while Rose and Leon continued reading in their own little world, absorbed in Chaucer's wonderful tales, as the friends they were and had wanted for so long.