Evermore [The Beast/The Prince x Reader]

chapter ten

Before she was called for dinner, she dressed herself in a light blue nightgown. She wore silver slippers and kept her hair tied back with a ribbon. Madame de Gardrobe was baffled as to why she would want to eat supper in a nightgown. She gently reminded her that it didn't hurt to wear pajamas to supper every once in a while; especially when there were no guests to dress for.

After she was served several cups of tea, a basket of warm rolls was placed in front of her. The sweet smell of the French bread made her mouth water. Lumiere sat against a bowl of salad greens that sat off to the side. He watched her pull apart her bread.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Ah, nothing," he said.

She smiled. "I can tell you're thinking of something, Lumiere. What is it that is troubling you?"

"You mean, besides the usual?" he asked bitterly.

His tone was so out of character that it made her blink in surprise. She sat her roll down and dabbed her napkin at the corners of her lips.

Lumiere sighed. "Oh, forgive me," he said, leaning against his brass knees. "I am just..."

"A candelabra," she said, shrugging. "I don't blame you for being upset. Lumiere, please. If you guys would just tell me how to break the spell-"

"It is not your job to worry about us," he assured her. "Just eat, mademoiselle. I do apologize for interrupting your meal. It is just that, well, I tried a bite of pudding and tasted nothing. And I know what you are thinking. Bah! Who cares, Lumiere, it is just a spoonful of pudding! But... I don't have a sense of taste anymore. I have never felt less human than I do right now."

She frowned. Carefully, she reached for her friend. She placed her pointer finger on his shoulder. It seemed a little silly, but he still smiled gratefully and reached up to touch the cool wax candle against her knuckle.

"Ah, mademoiselle, what a pleasure you are to have in the castle," he said. "What we would do without you, I cannot imagine."

"You would feel awful bored," she said, shrugging. "After all, I do take up half of your schedules, with all of the soufflé and pudding I've asked for."

"But we are happy to serve it," he said, hopping up onto his legs. "You never fail to keep us entertained with your choices of entrée!"

The kitchen doors opened. Out wheeled Mrs. Potts on a cart. In front of her smiling face, a covered dish of ___'s dinner.

"Speaking of entrée!" Lumiere exclaimed.

He hopped out of the way as she took her plate and placed it in front of her. Lumiere himself reached over and pulled the cover off of the dish.

The warm, sultry smell of cheese, herbs, and spices filled her nose. She took a long whiff and closed her eyes.

"This smells... delicious," she said. "Thank you to everyone who put this together."

As she spooned cheese out of the center of the plate, Lumiere refilled her glass of water. She hummed a thank you and smiled. The candelabra pretended to dust off his hands and then sighed.

"Shall I sing for you, my dear?" he asked.

She laughed. "Sing for me?"

"But of course," he said. "For what is dinner without a little music?"

She laughed again. "Um... that would be excellent, actually."

"Aha!" he exclaimed, hopping to the end of the table. "Plumette, my love!"

As they prepared for their last minute performance, Chip hopped closer to her. He nudged her hand, making her smile.

"Hello, Chip," she said.

"Mama asked if you wanted another cup of tea," he said.

"Perhaps for dessert," she said sweetly.

"Okay!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, clocks and candlesticks!" Lumiere boomed, holding his arms out. "In our very own dining room, we are pleased to announce the great, the talented, and the always beautiful, Plumette!"

She clapped as Plumette glided down from the ceiling. As she landed, feathers first on the table, she began to sing. It was an opera that ___ had never heard of.

Halfway through the beautiful song, Plumette and Lumiere began to dance across the table. ___ silently ate her meal, admiring the couple as they danced and spun and waltzed down the tablecloth.

Even though they were objects, they still looked perfect together. They were a couple worthy of being admired. ___ found herself wishing even harder to break the curse. Lumiere and Plumette deserved a long, happy life together.

Towards the end of the song, there was a loud roaring noise. It startled all of the staff for a brief moment. Then, as they realized that it was their master, they grew somber. They were remembering what they were.

___ swallowed and glanced at Lumiere. He ordered the candles to be lit and shooed Plumette, who was startled beyond belief, off. He sat at the side of the table, legs dangling.

"That was a lovely performance," she said. "Thank you, monsieur."

"Oh." He shrugged. "It was nothing."

"I should go thank Plumette," she said.

Lumiere shook his head and stood. "No, no, mademoiselle. You enjoy your pudding. I will give her your compliments."

He hopped of the table. As he left, ___ leaned to the side and said his name. He turned towards her.

"Please," she said softly, "do not lose hope, my friend. I will do everything in my power to reverse what has been done to you."

He smiled sadly and bowed. "Your kindness is most appreciated, mademoiselle." He left.

She sighed. Suddenly feeling lonely as she glanced in her bowl of pudding, she quickly downed three spoonfuls. She took a long drink of water and hurried into the kitchen, where Mrs. Potts was getting new teabags.

"Oh, dear!" she called, seeing the kitchen doors open. "I am sorry, dear, we were just about to bring you a fresh pot of tea-"

"Oh, no," she said, waving her hand. "Please, you have done enough. The meal was delicious, and the pudding - yum. I just came to see if I could bring the master a tray of food up."

Mrs. Potts hummed, uncertainty in her tone. "Are you sure, dearie? His temper is a bit... spontaneous right now."

"I can handle him," she promised. "And I'd like to visit him anyway, please."

Mrs. Potts sighed. ___ grabbed the silver tea tray and began to spoon out some of the cheese soufflé and a bowl of pudding. She dropped a couple of rolls on the side and then grabbed a pitcher of water.

"But - oh - dear! What about your tea?"

___ was already halfway out the door. "I'll have some before bed. Thanks!"

Mrs. Potts sighed. "That girl is a little too brave sometimes."