Hi! I'm so, so sorry for not updating in ages! :( This is Chapter 4! Sorry it's a bit short, but I really wanted to get something out for you all to read!

I don't own Beauty and the Beast (2017). And have you seen the behind the scenes of Dan Stevens' suit? I will never be able to watch the ballroom scene in the same way again! :D

"Are you sure?" Adam asked Cogsworth anxiously. He received a curt nod in reply.

"We have searched in every possible place, she appears to have vanished. I'm sorry." He added, which surprised Adam. After all, Cogsworth was not usually the sentimental sort. Maybe it was because of his less than fairytale marriage.

"We'll find her." Adam said determinedly, "Wherever she is."

But where was she? He found himself wondering as he walked away from Cogsworth, longing for Belle more than ever.

oOo

"So, have you lived here your whole life?" Belle asked Rose, looking around the cave where Rose apparently lived.

"Sorry," Rose said as she laid firewood down, "But I don't do backstory."

"Why ever not?" Belle asked curiously. All she'd ever wanted was to know who she was and where she had come from, she couldn't imagine not wanting to talk about it.

"What is important is the present, not what cannot be changed," She answered calmly, "Blackberry?"she offered Belle the strange fruit, ending the conversation abruptly.

"Well..." Belle responded, as she was weary of strange things in this strange forest, yet after she'd tried the fruit she realised it was delicious. Maybe she needed to be a bit more cheerful.

oOo

Crux Rebus watched The Prince return from his ride, defeated yet still hoping that the woman he loved would return. Thankfully Crux knew better. Yet he needed to get the prince's attention towards other, more appropriate, suitors.

What he needed was 'proof' that That Girl was never returning.

He decided to write a note (forged in that girl's handwriting) which would make it clear that she was not coming back.

oOo

"Oh Augustus! You still haven't tried Sea Caviar! Come!" Ralph pulled the irritated dignitary towards the kitchens whilst Theodore silently cried with laughter.

As Theodore dries his eyes, the large bat like Crux Rebus enters the room.

"I trust something amusing has happened."

"No. Not zat much. Zust zat crazy Ralph."

Ralph, yes. Crux pondered. Ralph was so stupid that he wouldn't question what he was asked to do. He might be just what Crux needed.

He stood up and left without a word.

When he got to the kitchens, he heard Augustus being irritated into eating Ralph's favourite delicacy. He made sure he entered after Ralph proclaimed "What a shame! There is none left!" and Augustus exited, trying (and failing) to act dignified.

"Mounsier Ralph." He spoke to the cheerful lad, who at the moment was wearing a hideously clashing outfit of greens, yellows and reds.

"Sir Rebus. Why do you have such a grim name anyway?" The lad, foolishly, questioned him.

He took a deep breath and refrained from attacking the irritating boy. He knew that Ralph was a common thief, he had seen him stealing spoons from when he was just a young lad.

"I need your help."

"You do?" Ralph looked puzzled, no doubt he was used to being unwanted, though he didn't fully realise it.

"Yes, follow me." Crux said and gesturing out the door.

"Ok..." Ralph followed Crux up to the library, where thankfully nobody was (as Adam was still looking for Belle).

"Ok, Ralph. I'm going to get to the point here," Crux turned to face the idiot, "I banished the unworthy peasant whom the Prince has fallen for-" He ignored Ralph's gasp of surprise, "And I need your help to cover it."

"Who says I'll help you?" The boy stubbornly crossed his arms, much like a toddler.

"You're a common thief." Crux stated calmly, "If you do not help, I will tell everyone."

He could see Ralph becoming uneasy.

"And bring shame upon your family. Is that really what you want?" He leaned in so close that he could see the tiny tears on the boy's eyelashes.

"Fine." Ralph sighed. Even he could tell that this was wrong.

"Good." Crux straightened up. "You will write a note, in the peasant's hand, saying what I will dictate. I have a sample of her writing here." He brought a small piece of paper out from the folds of his cloak.

For a few minutes there was no sound other than the scrabbling of Ralph's pen and Crux's quiet voice.

"Where did you banish her to?" Ralph asked suddenly.

"Reverie." Crux replied, "Now carry on writing!"

Several minutes later Ralph finished, and Crux read through the letter. It was perfect. The Prince would be heartbroken, but heartbreak often provided the opportunity for a eligible, beautiful young Lady, maybe even Princess, to step into his life and help him.

"Ok Ralph, you may go. But remember a word to anyone and your secret is out. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir Rebus," Ralph responded politely, but when Crux's back was turned he gave him a look of hate and made a rude gesture at 'Sir Rebus' as he walked away.

oOo

"Your majesty?" Lumiere took Adam's cloak as he walked through the doorway, "Any sign of her?"

"No," Adam replied, "But she will come back. We love each other."

And there you have it! Sorry if it's a bit short, but I hope you like it all the same! Please REVIEW if you liked it! I do love blackberries, though I actually like apples more, I don't know why Belle might have never tried a blackberry, but I'm sure that y'all will come up with some reason if you put your minds to it! ;P

I'm sorry about the long wait! I promise I will finish this story, however long it takes! :D