So Close & Yet So Far🕊

XX: Blossoming Friendship🌷

It had been two days since Lumiere's little episode in the ballroom. Everytime Plumette tried to speak to him, he awkwardly excused himself from her and quickly hopped over to the next room. He was mostly embarrassed for leaving her alone in the ballroom. Lumiere knew it was wrong for him to blabber on and not listen to her, but he was so caught up in the idea in marrying her, he was blinded by his own selfishness.

Plumette decided it would be best to give him some space to cool off (no pun intended). So she kept herself busy by dusting around the castle. It took longer than normal, considering her size. But she did feel some sort of comfort doing her old duties again.

"Miss, Plumette you seem troubled. Are you alright?" Asked Belle as she watched the floating feather duster, dust off the window ledge.

"Oui, I am just...never mind." Said Plumette as she turned to continue her meaningless dusting.

"Is it Lumiere?" Said Belle. Leave it to her to figure things out so quickly.

"W-What?"

"Oh, sorry! Was I not supposed to know?" Said Belle.

Plumette sighed and shook her head.

"No, no it's alright... I am just in a puddle with I'm at the moment..." said Plumette resting on Belles vanity.

"If you would like to talk about it...I will listen." Said Belle as she took a seat on the edge of her bed. Plumette looked up at her and smiled.

"I shouldn't..."

"It's alright I don't mind, I promise. I am your friend."

Her friend? Was this even allowed? Surely it was different with Julienne but with a guest/prisoner?

Maybe it wouldn't hurt... Besides she probably wanted someone to talk to as well.

"Well... a few days ago. I believe he was trying to ask my hand in marriage.." said Plumette, looking back up again to Mae sure she was listening. Belle started at her with focused eyes, urging her to continue.

"I did not say no....but I did not say yes."

"Oh..."

"Exactement."

"That would explain why he was sulking by the fireplace."

Plumette stood quiet and burried her face in her wing.

"Oh dear, I've really done it now!" She said to herself.

Belle smiled and patted the seat next to her. Plumette flew towards the beauty and gently sat down next to her.

"May I ask why the hesitation?" Said Belle! Plumette did not know why, but she did feel that she could tell Belle anything.

"I... I do not know how to be a wife! My mother.. well adoptive mother, raised me in a brothel. You do not exactly see happy wives or marriage proposals there. She never taught me how to cook or clean- we had servants there. Funny enough I became one."

"Hmm...honestly I somewhat have the same problem...My mother passed when I was a child. My father rarely ever speaks of her. I would not know how to be a wife any more than you Plumette." Said Belle. Plumette stood silent.

"Do you think it was wrong of me...to deny him."

"You should have a say in what you want. Lumiere is not the only one in the relationship." Said Belle firmly. If there was one thing about Belle, it was that she had strong feelings on men taking over women.

"But... If there's anything I know about love..." -Belle continued- "I'm sure Lumiere would think no less of you if you knew nothing about being a wife. That candelabra has so much love in him for you!"