Evermore [The Beast/The Prince x Reader]

chapter twenty-four

It was Sunday.

She opened her heavy eyes and smiled at the flood of winter sun that shone through the open balcony doors. The glass that encased the enchanted rose shimmered in the white light.

Before she could start to sit up against her pillows, the doors opened and in wheeled Lumiere - he was on top of a cart with Chip, who was filled with dark tea.

"Good morning, mademoiselle," he said happily, stopping at her bedside. "Oh, do not force yourself to sit up! Let yourself lay down. We will help you."

"No," she said softly, coughing quietly. "I can sit up today."

"You can?" Lumiere asked, a smile crossing his face. "What good news! Chip, carefully hop in her lap. Carefully, carefully! Do not splash her! The tea is hot. Mademoiselle, we have brought you peppermint tea with honey. It will feel wonderful on your throat."

"Thank you," she croaked, holding her hands out for Chip. The teacup settled in her palms and she lifted him up to her lips. Shutting her eyes, she took a long sip. "Mm. That does feel nice."

"You sure do look better!" Chip exclaimed. "You think we can play today?"

"Oh, I think our friend would be better off resting today," Lumiere said. "Just to make sure she gets better."

"Lumiere is right," she sighed. "I'd love to play with you, Chip, but I really am tired."

Chip frowned. "But you've been sleeping all day and night."

She felt tears in her eyes and she nodded. "Yeah. I know I have, just... hey. How about I get up for just a moment? I have something I want to show you."

Lumiere's eyes widened as the girl began to slowly get out of bed. Chip slid on his saucer and gently glided down a blanket. He landed on the floor, genuine giddiness in his young eyes. ___ was struggling to stand on her own.

"Mademoiselle, please don't!" Lumiere cried, reaching for her hand. "You will hurt yourself. Let yourself rest, Chip will understand."

"No, I want to get up," she breathed through white lips. "Please, Lumiere, let me have this."

He glanced at the teacup, who was impatiently waiting by the door. With a long sigh, Lumiere gestured for her to go on. He wished he was tall enough to take her arm and assist her. Glancing up at the silent coat hanger-butler,  he nodded towards the door.

"Get the master," he breathed, and the butler nodded.

"Come on, ___!" Chip cheered her on.

She flashed an unsure smile and let her hands brace themselves against the wall. She moved slowly, one step at a time towards the door. Her ankle was still too sore to lean on completely, but if she limped, she could tolerate the pain. She gripped anything in her path; handles, knobs, edges of shelves.

Lumiere followed her. He helped nudge her legs forward if she began to fall. If she needed something closer to her to grab, he would bring it to her. He opened doors, lit the way up the dark stairs, and hushed Chip when she needed to take minute long breaks up the staircase.

Finally, they made it back in her room. She was standing in front of Madame de Gardrobe, who was sleeping. Gently, she touched the wooden arm of her friend and watched the wardrobe jerk out of a sleep.

"Oh! Mademoiselle," she yawned, stretching off the ground. "You're up! What a pleasant surprise."

"I wanted to show Chip what you and I worked on together," she said. She knelt and picked Chip up. The teacup grinned in her hands. "It's a surprise for you, my friend."

"Ooh, what is it? What is it?"

She opened the wardrobe doors and revealed a small home that she had put together. A tiny cup filled with a bit of soil and the tiniest rose from her garden. A bed made from a stack of tissues, pieces of fabric folded like blankets.

"It's a house," he said, gasping.

She smiled and placed him inside. "For you and your mother. So now you don't have to sleep in the cupboard."

"We can sleep in here!" he said, "with you! You'll be out there, and now we can be together all the time."

"Yeah," she breathed. "Do you like it?"

"I love it, mademoiselle," he breathed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Lumiere tugged on her nightgown. "Please, let me take you back to bed. You are shaking, and your fever is spiking. You need rest."

She nodded. Suddenly, she was beginning to feel weary. Her body was freezing, despite the sticky sweat on her neck and forehead. Her skin was flushed on her cheeks with fever. She coughed roughly into her sleeve. When she pulled back, she saw a splotch of blood.

"Mademoiselle," Lumiere warned.

"Take me back, please," she said, and she carefully began walking.

Lumiere stayed right at her side. He guided her the best he could and remained a calm composure. Inside, he was praying that the Beast would come and help her back.

"One step at a time," he said when they reached the staircase. This time, she would have to go up. Her face paled. "Don't rush. We can take as many breaks as-"

She took a deep breath, and it sounded like her lungs were knocking against her chest. She felt her knees falter. She was so lightheaded. She didn't know that she was falling until she heard Lumiere's fearful shout.

"Mademoiselle!"

She hit the stairs with a light grunt. Her eyes were partly closed, her white lips parted as shaky breaths flew in and out of her. She couldn't bring herself to move.

Then, a shadow.

She turned her head slightly and saw the Beast. He growled softly and slid his arms under her knees and back. She felt herself lift off the ground. Her head hung limply from his arm and she whispered his name.

"It's okay," he said, low enough for just her to hear. "Don't speak, please. I am here now."

"Will you stay?" she breathed. She wasn't sure if he had heard.

"Forever," he whispered, and her eyes shut.