Chapter Thirteen
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play! Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
Okay, so…how are we all doing after last chapter? We doing okay? Need anything? I'm seeing not that many torches and pitchforks so that's generally a good sign. :D
Just a fair warning, with possibly the exception to the chapter after this one, the next two or so chapters are probably going to be rather…maybe not soul crushing but gut punching might be a fair descriptor.
OceanBlueSeaEyes: You're right, Belle's smart and will be able to handle things in Auradon though it's still rather jarring…hmm a nickname for Abby…maybe Abs? I'll come up with something better when the time comes though.
61394: Because when there's an easy target, sometimes people stop focusing on the issue because they think it's been solved.
Katt Kiki: Yeah, it truly was—trust me, it was hard to write!
danifan3000: There's a reason why it took me so long to publish that chapter…well that and Ii don't really enjoy tormenting Ben. Or any character despite what my treatment of Harry might suggest :D
AmethystDragon14: I'm happy you're happy I updated! I don't think Ben'll let go of his dad for a long time though. Understandably so.
The Christian Dino: I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter despite the rather emotional weight of it. Honestly one of the reasons why that chapter was so hard to write was because it was Ben. I had to balance the reaction of a five year old vs a five year old Ben so there was a lot of back and forth so to speak.
twilightgirl587: It's possible—or maybe Belle and Beast told Ben about the Isle since he's the Crown Prince? And yeah Ben's sweet isn't he? And Flamey's friend will show up at some point…once I find my notes on him lol :D
CrystalKaouri: Please don't apologize, I completely understand! Some chapters aren't going to be as well received as others—and just between you and me I'd join you in punching Phoebus in the jaw.
Lilyflower101: Poor Ben indeed…
AvatarUzumaki: Oh I think Hades is also looking forward to torturing Beast when he's on the Isle as well.
Bluebird: It'll be at some point I promise.
IWantColouredRain: I think it wouldn't be so heartbreaking if Ben wasn't so young, but then that's just more damage done to the Isle. And yeah, at least Beast has Hades' protection. :D
Hope this chapter's a little easer to read than the last one! Let me know what you guys think :D
It was with a heavy heart that Belle looked at the castle staff, many of them trusted friends and confidantes. She knew they would have to have the conversation sooner or later but after leaving Ben, asleep in his bed, Belle wished that it could have been later so that Beast could have been there when Ben woke up.
She could only imagine Ben's reaction to waking up and finding that his father was gone.
Thank the Gods for Chip, she thought. While she wasn't sure if the teen had heard anything, he'd been quick to come back to Ben's room as they were leaving to offer to watch the younger boy.
An offer Belle and Beast were certainly thankful for.
"Ma ma," Abby babbled happily upon seeing her mom.
"Hello my sweet girl," Belle said, a sad smile pulling at her lips. She wasn't going to lie, she would be forever thankful that her daughter would be too young to remember the pain of this day…or the pain of the day where her father would have to leave her forever, or at least until she grew old enough to accompany her brother to the Isle. "I'd think it's almost about time for your nap."
Abby, though, ignored her and reached her arms out for Beast. "Da da!"
"Hello my precious girl," Beast said, the same sad smile as Belle's pulling at his lips as he took their daughter from Mrs. Potts. He would never turn down the chance to hold his daughter. "Were you a good girl for Mrs. Potts?"
"She's been no trouble at all," Mrs. Potts told him with her usual smile. "Sire, you and Belle have the easiest children I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Read them a story and sing them a song and they're right as rain the whole time."
"I'm…I'm glad to hear that," Beast said before letting out a small sigh as he looked at the gathered staff before him. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I've asked you here today."
"You could say we're curious, yes your highness, but your business is your business," Cogsworth nodded.
"Well…we…we have some news that we need to share with you all," Beast said and Belle bit her lip to avoid crying. But 'news' was definitely a polite way of describing what they were about to tell the staff. "I…I regret to inform you that…I won't be able to be your King for much longer."
"Whatever do you mean your majesty?" Mrs. Potts asked as her eyes went wide from the shock. "Are you sick? You know I've told you that you've been working yourself too hard. A vacation here and there wouldn't kill you, you know. Otherwise you risk burning out and that's no good for Auradon never mind your wife and the young Prince and Princess."
Beast couldn't help but smile at the woman who was practically a second mother to him. "I only wish it was that simple Mrs. Potts but no. I…There's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to be blunt. I've…I've been stripped of my title as High King and am to be…to be sent to the Isle of the Lost in two weeks due to the mismanagement of the Isle."
Belle bit her lip once more to stop the flow of tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes as the staff started to clamor in astonishment. Cogsworth and Lumiere were protesting while Mrs. Potts shook her head in denial. Abby whimpered in her father's arms, she wasn't sure why everyone was so upset but she didn't like it.
"Shh…" Beast said, holding Abby close and began to bounce her slightly as he heard her whimpers. He hated to see her upset most days but today…he'd already had his heart break once with Ben's tears. He didn't want it breaking again with Abby's… "Papa's here…"
"Everyone…Everyone please be calm. I know this is a shock," Belle called, trying to not have her voice sound like it was being strangled by her tears.
"But…his highness can't be sent to the Isle? What about you and Ben and Abby, dearie? Are you to be sent there too?" Mrs. Potts asked.
Belle sighed. "Lady Persephone was contacted by Lord Zeus and…and she was able to suggest a similar arrangement to her situation. Ben will spend six months living on the Isle and then the other six months here, so he'll still have Adam in his life. And then once Abby's older she'll join Ben. It's…It's not ideal but it's the best way for the children to keep their father in their lives…and I'll be running for Queen in the election if any of you are worried about your employment. If the Gods are good, you won't have to worry."
Cogsworth shook his head. "This is madness," he muttered.
"Those poor dears," Mrs. Potts sighed.
"I'm sorry, your highness, but ze Prince and Princess will be living on ze Isle?" Lumiere asked, his eyes wide. He knew that if it was his little girl, his Janey…her mother had helped with the barrier around the Isle after all. Would…would she be the next one sent to the Isle?
Unlike Prince Ben, Jane didn't have the temperament to survive the Isle if it came down to her having to go there for six months. She was so soft spoken…of course that wasn't to say that Prince Ben would fare well normally on the Isle either but if Queen Belle was correct, the Prince would at least have the protection of a God.
Small mercies were better than no mercies right?
And then there was the fact that no one knew he and Fairy Godmother had a child together or that they'd been together in the first place. After she became headmistress of Auradon Prep, they decided to keep their relationship hidden as to avoid it appearing as if the High King was influencing the minds of the future generations.
Where would Janey go in that case, if her mother got sent to the Isle of the Lost? I suppose…I could always offer to foster but I wouldn't know how to handle her magic that's just started to come in, Lumiere thought.
Belle nodded. "Like I said…it's every six months. It'll be just Ben to start with though since Abby's not old enough but she'll join her brother once she turns four. And…and like I said, I don't want you all to worry too much. If all goes well, you'll all have your jobs and if I lose, please be assured that I'd be happy to provide good references."
"You're not going to lose your highness," Cogsworth said and puffed up his chest. "I'd be happy to provide my assistance in running your campaign and ensuring the continued governance of Auradon."
"Thank you Cogsworth," Belle said, giving the former clock a small, grateful smile.
"No thanks necessary your highness. In fact, once you've released us from this unfortunately depressing meeting, I'll gather the King's more junior aids to get started. There's one aid who I think would do very well, he's always on the ball when it comes to his work and honestly, if it wasn't for his son, he'd probably never leave the castle. I believe the lad's around Prince Ben's age come to think about it."
"Your…your highness, I know this likely will be told throughout the kingdom but…do you want me to tell Chip? And if not, what should I tell him if he asks?" Mrs. Potts asked as she pulled Belle's attention back to the moment at hand, both women either not noticing or just pretending not to notice Lumiere slip out his phone and begin to text someone. It was none of their business after all.
Belle nodded. "Chip's family, Mrs. Potts. He has every right to be told, along with your other children."
"Not to mention…I think Ben'll need him more than ever," Beast said with a small sigh.
"Of course your highness," Mrs. Potts said, nodding her head slightly. "And I'll make sure Chip knows not to blab it to his friends. At least, until the news breaks that is."
"Thank you," Belle said. Snow had texted her after the council meeting, promising that she'd do her best to suppress the news for as long as she could using her contacts at other papers. Most of them had agreed right off the bat to keep it under wraps to give Belle and Beast time to tell their children and staff so no one was blindsided. Of course, Snow might have had to use her Queen card to ensure her colleagues actually honored their promise.
Belle was grateful for that, of course, as she knew Snow hated to do something like that with people she worked with but Belle also knew that news like this…the question wasn't if the news would break, the question was when.
"Of course. Is…Is there anything else we can do?"
Beast sighed. "Nothing that comes to mind…actually…Mrs. Potts, I know this might sound like an odd question considering everything that's happened but Chip's started getting into videography right?"
"Yes, I mean he's only just gotten into it but he's very good for his age." Mrs. Potts said and Belle looked at her husband, wondering why he was asking about such a thing.
"Could I…Could I borrow his camera to record a message for Ben and Abby? So…so they can hear my voice when they're not on the Isle?"
"Of course sire," Mrs. Potts nodded and Belle leaned over to kiss Beast on the cheek. That was a rather ingenious idea, especially considering Abby would be going years without seeing her father or seeing his voice. "In fact I wouldn't be surprised if he offered to film it for you."
Beast nodded and gave Mrs. Potts a weak smile. "Thank you Mrs. Potts. I appreciate it."
"Of course, anything for you sire."
That's not my title anymore though, Beast thought with a slightly sad smile.
"You…You know you don't have to call me that Mrs. Potts," he said.
Mrs. Potts shook her head. "I called you by your title when you were cursed, sire, and I'll continue to call you by it," she said firmly. "You may have been sentenced in the eyes of your council but I for one will continue to give you the respect you are due unless you give me a reason otherwise."
"And she's not the only one sire," Cogsworth nodded. "I can assure you, the council may have removed your title but they can not order us to stop referring to you by it. You've been good to us sire. Yes, you had your moments of…poor judgement in your younger years but on the whole, you have treated us well. Officially titled or not, you will remain our Master and King until the Gods call you to your afterlife."
"Which, for ze sake of ze Prince and Princess, we hope is not for a very long time, sire," Lumiere added.
Belle knew that her husband was rarely an emotional person, in fact she could count on one hand the times she'd seen him really cry. The two most memorable times that she could think of were when Ben and Abby had been born. But now, looking at him, she swore she could see him tearing up.
Though, quite frankly, so was she.
Mrs. Potts gave both of them a sad smile as she handed them both handkerchiefs. "Now, now, no need for tears. You two are family or as good as, and you don't want to cry on poor Abby now, do you? The little Princess needs her sleep," she said softly.
"I'll go put her down for her nap," Beast whispered as Abby had, in fact, fallen asleep in her father's arms. Beast couldn't help but smile softly as he saw that.
Come on, let's get you down for your nap…even if I don't want to put you down, Beast thought.
"Thank you everyone," he said, looking at his staff with a sad smile as he started to walk out of the room.
"Of course sire," Mrs. Potts nodded. "And Belle, dear, I think you'll be seeing a lot more of Chip around the palace."
"We have no problem with that, Mrs. Potts. Chip's a fine boy and I know Ben adores him," Belle said with a weak smile.
"And he adores Ben," Mrs. Potts said, returning the smile. "I think he considers him to be something of a little brother."
Everyone couldn't help but smile at that. It was a fact well known around the palace that Chip was considered to be a member of the royal family as well though it was nice to have the feeling reciprocated.
Beast sighed. "I…i should go…Abby can't be comfortable like this."
"Do you want me to hold her?" Belle asked but she knew what he would say. Not that she blamed him of course—if Belle had only two weeks before she'd have to go years before seeing Abby again, she would be loathed to put her down herself.
Beast shook his head. "No, it's okay."
Giving his wife and his staff a small smile, Beast made his way to Abby's nursery; making sure to keep his daughter in his arms for as long as she could. It wasn't until Abby's head touched the pillow of her crib that he finally released his hold on his daughter.
Winding up her mobile, Beast smiled slightly as he put his daughter's plush toys near her including the one Ben gave her on her first birthday. It was a dragon similar to Flamey but it was smaller and tie-dyed.
"…How does a moment last forever? How can a story never die? It is love we must hold on to, never easy but we try," Beast sang softly to the melody of mobile. He knew he couldn't make every moment last forever.
But he'd make this one. Every moment he had with his daughter, with his son, with his wife for the next two weeks he'd make last forever.
That he promised.