So Close & Yet So Far🕊

XXI: Till Death Do Us Part🕯

The Beast and Belle's ballroom dance was quite beautiful. Although the Beast had not danced in years, Belle's movements had guided him elegantly across the dance floor. Lumiere and Plumette had watched by Cadenza as he played sweet music for the two. Lumiere had to stop himself from pulling Plumette to the dance floor and taking over themselves. But he let the former Prince have his moment. For it was this moment that would decide their fates once and for all.

After the dance, the Beast and Belle made there way towards the balcony and the servants decided it would be best to leave them alone with each other's company.

"At least he's learned to love.." said Lumiere as he placed a arm around Plumette.

"We've done the best we could.." replied Plumette.

Cogsworth huffed and paced back and forth in front of the two. He was quite worried for his Master. What if the girl would reject him? Or worse, he's throw her off the balcony for rejecting him?!

"Cogsworth old chap, stop pacing. You keep blowing my candle out." Said Lumiere as he relit himself.

"Je m'inquiète...what if this was a mistake?!"

"Then I had a wonderful time helping find love. Wasn't that the lesson after all?" Said Lumiere as he began to twirl Plumette around.

"No! The goal was to have someone fall in love with him! Have you already forgotten?" Said Cogsworth. But Lumiere was too busy twirling and staring at Plumette.

"Honestly..."

Suddenly a noise of heels tapping quickly on the floor caught the servants attention. A flash of yellow raced passed the kitchens door and the servants quickly raced to follow it.

"Lumiere, it is Belle! She is leaving!"

"Not again!"

Cogsworth halted Plumette and Lumiere and watched as Belle reached the front door. Chapeu, who seemed like he was waiting for her, bowed and let her leave the castle.

"W-What are you doing?" Said Lumiere to Chapeu. Plumette shook her head and quickly flew passed Lumiere and up towards the West Wing. When she reached there she noticed the Beast staring out of the window with a solemn look on his face. She hadn't seen him like this since the first days of the curse.

"Master...Ce qui s'est passé?" Asked Plumette as she slowly flew closer to him.

"...I let her go." Whispered the Beast. Plumette gave him a puzzled look.

"Let her...go?"

Lumiere, Cogsworth (and Mrs. Potts who had heard the commotion) had finally caught up to Plumette and heard the last words from the Master.

"Why did you do that? Master we were so close!" Said Lumiere. Who was mostly getting angry at the fact his master threw away his only chance at being human again and holding his one true love in his arms.

"Because...I love her."

Lumiere and the others stared at him in shock.

"O-Oui..." was the only thing Lumiere could reply. The Beast turned to his servants and sighed deeply.

"You all... I am sorry I have cursed you...but I thank you for sticking by my side...all of these years. Now go, our time is almost upon us.."

"She..she may still return Master." Said Plumette. The Beast looked at her with soft eyes and gave her a very small smile.

"Go on..."

The servants nodded slowly, and left to return with the others. Feeling another petal fall from the glass the Beast was now tapping on. The castle shook and the servants did their best to ignore it.... One more and it was all over.