AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m going to make myself presentable before heading home. I’m sure things have gone to the winds without me there for so many days.”
“Surely LeFou has it handled.” The Prince tried not to look disappointed his friend was making plans to leave.
“Doubtful. He’s a fool at best! Don’t fret, my friend. I’m sure Cogsworth will be up shortly to keep you company and help you to make plans for the party we’re throwing the moment you’re well enough.”
“Party?” the Prince asked.
Gaston gave one of his magic smiles, the kind that always ensured he would get his way. “Yes, a party, my friend, one that will be remembered throughout the ages!”
Gaston’s plan went directly into action only a few short weeks after the Prince’s recovery. The entire staff was behind it and thought it was exactly the thing he needed.
“This is like a dream!” was heard throughout the castle by Mrs. Potts as she amended menus and made suggestions for little cakes to be served in the great hall.
Cogsworth had an extra bounce in his step but was too austere to let it be known he was pleased to have a bustling house again to take control of like a general at war. And that was how he directed things, ordering the staff hither and thither to ready the castle for the grand event.
The Prince, however, had needed some persuading before he agreed to such a party. Gaston argued that after the mishap with Circe and his long illness, the Prince deserved a thrilling diversion.
“What better way to find the most enchanting woman in the kingdom than to invite every fair and available maiden so you may have your pick? And all under the guise of a fanciful ball?”
The Prince didn’t share Gaston’s enthusiasm.
“I hate such events, Gaston. I see no need to stuff my house with frilly ladies prancing around like decorated birds.”
Gaston laughed.
“If we invite every fair maiden in the kingdom, I daresay every girl will attend!” the Prince protested.
“That is my point entirely, my friend! No girl would pass up her opportunity to shine in the Prince’s eyes.”
“But that is what I fear! Surely there will be far more ghastly-looking girls than beautiful! How shall I stand it?”
Gaston put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and replied, “No doubt you will have to wade through some ugly ducklings before you find your princess, but won’t it be worth it? What of your friend who had such a ball? Wasn’t it a great success after the matter of the glass slipper was sorted?”
The Prince laughed. “Indeed, but you won’t catch me marrying a housemaid like my dear friend, no matter how beautiful she is! Not after the disaster with the pig keeper.”
The talk went on like that for many days, until the Prince decided he would have the ball after all, and why not? Why shouldn’t he demand the attendance of every available maiden in the kingdom? He and Gaston would make a game of it, and if he did happen to find the young woman of his dreams, then all the better. So it was decided. He didn’t have to think any more about it until the night of the event.
In the meantime he did his best to dodge his servants, running about like wild geese being chased by hounds. He forgave their franticness and even grew to laugh when he heard Mrs. Potts padding her way down the hall to ask him this or that about what he’d like served. Meanwhile, the maids were polishing silver in the dining room, the grooms were readying the stables for the guests’ horses, and the parlor maids were perched precariously on tall ladders, dusting the chandeliers and replacing the old candles with new. The house was abustle and he wanted nothing more than to get out of doors and do some hunting. But Gaston was out traversing his lands, dealing with one thing or another, and couldn’t be bothered with trivial sport.
The Prince chimed the bell for Cogsworth.
“Yes, sir, y
ou rang?” asked Cogsworth, knowing full well he had. The Prince always detested all this ceremony, but he let Cogsworth have his way. He remembered what his father—rest his soul—had said to him many years ago. He said everyone in the house, upstairs and down, had their places and their roles to play. To deny a man like Cogsworth his duty and remove him from his place was like taking away his sense of self and dignity. Cogsworth had treated him well for many years; he couldn’t shatter the man’s self worth by treating him like family, even though that was how he had grown to think of him. It was an unspoken sentiment between them.
The Prince believed Cogsworth thought the same of him but was too austere to say so.
“Yes, Cogsworth, I would like you to arrange for the Maestro as soon as manageable. I mean to have another portrait.”
Cogsworth rarely let his expression betray him. “Yes, sir, I shall send for him.”
“What is it, Cogsworth? Don’t you approve?”
It seemed he thought about it for a moment before answering, “It isn’t my place to say so, sir, but if it was, I would mention how ‘interesting’ the household becomes when he visits.”
The Prince had to laugh. He had thought Cogsworth was going to comment on how recently he’d had a portrait done.
“Indeed. He is a bit of a character, isn’t he? He treats the staff well, though, doesn’t he? You don’t have a complaint on that account, do you?”
