Beauty and the Beast

Chapter Three

Chapter Three:

Isabelle was terrified. There was a voice in her head warning her she needed to be brave, to be strong in front of Master Adam. Her Master.

The Master was sitting down directly across from her, his face enclosed in shadows. Isabelle noticed that there seemed to be shadows clinging to him at all times. She swallowed, her heart beating frantically as the time stretched along.

For lack of anything intelligent to say, and not being able to stand the quiet anymore, she said, very softly, "Good afternoon."

This seemed to make him tilt his head slightly to the side. "Your name is Isabelle?" his voice was demanding.

"Y-yes," Isabelle stammered, furious with herself for losing a bit of her nerve at the sound of his voice. He was just a man, she kept reminding herself.

"You must be wondering why I asked you to come here," he said a little bit quieter, but there was a rather moodly lilt to his voice. Isabelle just nodded. Adam continued, "There are a few things you must know about being at this estate, girl. Under no circumstances are you allowed in my private quarters."

Isabelle nodded, thinking she'd have no problem with that considering she had no idea where anything was.

The Master continued, "Not much is required of you, but what I ask you have no choice but to obey. You will join me for dinner each evening. Do not be late. If you do not eat with me, you do not eat at all."

Isabelle nodded again, secretly confused that he would ask to spend time with her. She tried to look at him more closely. He was, indeed, a powerful presence and an undeniable authority figure. His power and wealth was evident in the way he held himself. He was very menacing looking with his black cloak on, and Isabelle imagined what his face must look like. She couldn't come up with a picture in her mind.

Master Adam suddenly stood, "Lumiere!" Lumiere came in the parlor almost immediately.

"Yes, my Lord?" he asked and bowed slightly, keeping his eyes downcast. Isabelle tried to take mental notes on how to interact with this large and imposing male who was to be, essentially, her Lord and Master.

"Show the girl to her bedchamber and introduce her to Cecile. Then have someone move the table," the Master gestured toward the table Isabelle was so curious about, "to my private quarters." He said that last bit, and Isabelle felt more than saw the sneer sent her way. She cringed and had to bite her tongue to keep a comment from slipping out. Adam walked from the room, his black cloak swishing behind him.

"Come Isabelle," Lumiere extended his arm to her. "Your bedchambers await  you, and I, more than anyone, know how tired you must feel. Perhaps you should take a nap before dinner?"

Isabelle yawned, as if on cue, as she held on to Lumiere's finely clothed elbow. "Only if you promise me you will find some sleep before dinner as well."

Lumiere smiled, "I have far too much to do, my dear. Have to keep Cogsworth in line, and Mrs. Potts from starting a kitchen fire while trying to keep the maids in line." Lumiere chuckled. He looked to Isabelle and saw the confusion there, "Oh, come now! You till get to know the servants at this estate. We are quite a crew. We've been together for quite a long time." Lumiere continued to lead her through a few darkly lit and long hallways, suddenly stopping at a door that looked just like the others.

"I need to go find Cecile and I will bring her directly to you," Lumiere opened the door to Isabelle's bedchamber. The lights were off and the curtains were closed, so she could not quite see anything yet. "Relax, my dear. It has been a rather taxing day already." And with that, Lumiere was off, walking quite briskly due to his tall stature.