Beaumont and the Beast // A Rose To Remember

Chapter 4 // The Falling Out

The evening's meal was covered in an awkward silence. Beaumont and Adam sat all the way across from each other because it was more "traditional" for a couple. They were on the edge with these nobles, so anything that could please them worked.

Beaumont could tell how much their separation was effecting Adam. He was literally shaking by how nervous he was. This was his entire family's legacy on the line. He already screwed up once in life, and he didn't want the only good thing in his life to be taken away.

Beaumont coughed, Adam jumped a bit at the sudden sound.

"How were your travels, Sir William?" Beaumont asked

William set down his fork, he decided against eating anyway. It bothered Beaumont how he was just wasting their food.

"Where do you come from?" He diverted the question, blatantly ignoring Beaumont's question.

Beaumont was growing frustrated with these men. They were arrogant, rude, and cared less about Castle Marseille's wellbeing entirely. He clenched tightly onto his fork, but immediately relaxed. The trick to pleasing these men was to play their little game.

Obey or face the consequences.

"I was born in a small town not too far from here named Villeneuve. Have you heard of it?"

"I have not. Please go on."

Beaumont raised an eyebrow and thought, Suddenly he's curious? He must be interrogating me now. I'll give him what he wants from me, just please Beaumont, don't talk back. He glanced at Adam, he was struggling to put food down.

For Adam...

"Well... Villeneuve was simple. You worked all day and slept at night. Maybe you had a meal once or twice a day, but the village was too far from trade routes to receive much food. The food we ate all depended on harvest."

"I see. Was it like that under Adam's rule?"

Beaumont wasn't expecting that question. He paused for a moment to put his thought's together.

"Adam's father was the King at the time." Beaumont bit his lip anxiously from his response.

This was completely false. Although the world forgot about Castle Marseille, it kept living. Adam's father passed away when he was 18, which for them was almost eleven years ago.

"So where were you then King Adam?" William asked arrogantly. This was his goal, to crack Adam by getting through Beaumont.

Adam cleared his throat before speaking, "Um..."

"Speak up." William ordered.

Adam took a deep breath. Dark thoughts were flooding his mind. The beast so desperately wanted to kill. It has grown hungry.

"His father died!" Beaumont broke in, "He was completely alone and naïve. How could―"

"Did I ask you?"

There was a silence in the air. The tension loomed over the entire dining room. Beaumont relaxed and sank back into his chair.

"What a first encounter. A King not speaking up for himself and his little sodimite talking for him." He shot a glance at Adam, "The state of your kingdom is being questioned. I'm sure you're aware of that."

"Of course he is." Beaumont mumbled.

Adam stared at Beaumont in complete shock. It was a look of despair, but also betrayal.

William slammed his fist into the table and stared coldly at Beaumont, "Do you find a need to talk back at everything I say sodimite?"

"Don't call me that." Beaumont grumbled.