Ever wondered how the Beast didn't hear the music and dancing coming from the massive and echoey dining hall? What if he had heard it?

"Be our Guest, be our Guest, be our Guest…..!"

Belle couldn't seem to keep her jaw from dropping. The dark and dank room was now flooded with lights and glittering masterpieces of food and flatware. They were stuck in a magnificent pose, as if waiting for applause. She felt frozen to her chair as the feast glistened.

To think just hours before she'd given up her freedom, to lose her chance at exploring the world.

And now she was listening to a candle sing. Wonderful, now she was going crazy too.

She closed her jaw shut with a pop and glanced down at her plate, blushing with embarrassment. Lack of food had to be the reason. There had to be a science behind all of this, oui? But her Papa had seen it too…

Her heart gave a lurch as her eyes snapped close in pain. Her Papa.

She tried hard not to think of him and their cozy home, tried not to think of her familiar bed or the worn books hiding underneath it. She tried desperately not to picture the song she'd caught her father singing, or the beautifully ornate painting of Mother.

The flatware was still paused, waiting for approval. Lumiere cleared his throat lightly.

"Eh-Mademoiselle? Are you alright?"

Belle glanced up, forcing a small smile across her features. Most of the objects seemed satisfied with this answer and began clearing themselves off the table, content to rest now that they'd "served." But the strange little teacup stayed behind, hopping towards her hesitantly.

"Miss, did we say something wrong? We jus' wanted to make you feel comfortable."

In that moment, she melted under his wobbly gaze. So maybe things weren't ideal; maybe she was without her loved ones. But her father was safe. She was in a gigantic castle, an adventure she never could have dreamed would actually happen to her. It was time to look at life in a better light.

Her smile became a little bit stronger as she met his eyes.

"And what might your name be?"

He perked up and gave a smile back. Everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"I'm Chip, and the teapot's me mum."

"Chip, how many times 'ave I got to tell you? It's 'my mum,' not 'me mum.' Oh, deary, I was meaning to tell you how much of a blessing you are. Such a nice girl, and beautiful too! We all think what you did for your father was very brave of you." The teapot was hovering beside her armrest, a cup of sugar cubes resting beside her lid. "I never did catch your answer, love. Is it one lump or two?"

Belle shook her head, really grinning now. "None, thank you. But the soup is delicious."

This was a bit of a white lie; she hadn't gotten the chance to even take a sip with all the lights and music.

Her stomach growled loudly as if to prove her lie, causing her to blush scarlet again.

The teapot chortled, hopping onto the oak to pour some boiling tea into Chip's cup.

"Deary no need to lie, I know Lumiere can tend to get a bit carried away. I'll be right back with some real food, nothing fancy. Sometimes all you really need is a good loaf of bread, eh?"

And with that she rolled away, back through the swinging kitchen doors where the sounds of dishes being scrubbed clean could be heard echoing through the immense hall.

Beside her on the table, Chip was yawning wide, and she had to lift him up so the tea wouldn't spill over the edge.

"Sorry Miss...I jus'..." He paused to yawn again. "We aren't used to being happy either. It's a bit exhausting." Belle's heart hurt again, and she set Chip down after a few sips.

His eyes slipped close, and he did not make another sound.

Belle sighed and leaned back against the plush velvet, looking up towards the massive chandeliers. The flames had been reduced to bare flickers, casting shadows across the paintings lining the walls.

Slowly, so as not to wake the teacup, she stood, edging over to the wall where they hung. To the left, a portrait of a gorgeous woman with tumbling chocolate curls was framed in gold and ivory, but her eyes were sad and icy blue, as if she was in despair.

To the right, there was another portrait equal in size and elegance, but the man was cold and harsh, without a smile or warmth at all. He didn't seem human at all. He was large in stature with pale golden hair and a thick beard. Both wore ornate crowns.

In the center of the wall, a large flag with a crest emblazoned in the middle. It was about the same height as herself, and it was a strange feeling to be intimidated by a mere flag. But there was something of a threat rising up from it, like a power no one dared to have forgotten. On it, there was Latin scrawled below a beautiful white rose that towered over two branches of bright ivy; Vincit qui se Vincit.

Bella was just reaching out to touch it was a low growl resounded through the room. She leapt back from the flag and whirled around, her back to the wall.

"I know you're there. There's no point to hide from me like a coward." She hoped it sounded bolder than she felt. In truth, her hands were shaking and her face felt clammy.

The growl turned into an outraged roar and he charged forward, slamming his hands down on the dining table.

"I am no coward."

"Really? Because a beast that hides away in a broken down castle with his servants as prisoners certainly sounds cowardly to me. And attacking old men? You cannot possibly have the audacity as to-"

"YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME." He'd jumped over the table with a single leap and was now backing her into the wall as she tried to catch her breath. The Beast towered over her, so tall that the light from the candles was hidden entirely. "YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHY THEY STAY HERE. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE!"

"Exactly! Because you're a miserable-"

"AND NEITHER DO I, YOU INTOLERABLE GIRL! I. HAVE. NO. CHOICE."

They both froze at the admission. He was panting, his eyes flashing with rage and something else.

Something like despair.

Belle felt herself calm down, no longer scared. Angry, yes. Confused, definitely.

But she couldn't find it in herself to be frightened of this monster in front of her. (She would keep this a secret for now, she couldn't let him take it as a challenge.)

He seemed to lose patience waiting for her to answer, and with a grunt he turned on his heel, brushing past her and heading for the door.

Belle took a gulp and one step towards him, feeling emboldened by his attitude.

"Is that your mother?"

She watched with curiosity as his back stiffened, and he turned to find her a breath away. Their eyes widened simultaneously at how close they were. His breath was hot and hers was shaky.

His eyes…

They're human.

Ice blue, just like the woman in the portrait. How had she not noticed before?

There was something there. A secret.

His eyes were wide with confusion, and then the moment was over. They narrowed and he pulled back.

"That is none of your concern. And you gave yourself up as a prisoner, not a guest. No matter what they say."

And with that, he was gone.

But how had he heard them call her a guest?

Unless he'd been listening while they sang.

He had let her eat. He had let her smile and feel comforted. She gasped in shock as the door slammed shut behind him.

There was definitely something there she hadn't seen before.

That's all for now! If you like it, drop a review and a request and I'll give you an update tomorrow. Many more short scenes and maybe a few side stories for you guys.