Dangerous Secrets: Chapter One

Cogsworth smugly looked up at the clock for about the millionth time. Oh, how long had it been since he'd looked at a clock without looking in the mirror, without being one himself! But now he was a human, with no worries except getting his work done on time.

Suddenly he heard a girl shouting, "…and I've seen you sneak off at night to meet those mysterious 'friends' of yours, Lumiere. You cannot fool me; you are seeing someone else!"

Babette, the maid, came running into view, with Lumiere right behind her. "Babette, mon chérie, please! You have it all wrong—"

The girl scoffed. "Oh, really? So what about that locket I found in your room? Did I give it to you and have forgotten, or is there something fishy around?"

"Uh…" Lumiere was lost for something to say.

"I thought so." Babette scowled. "Well then, Monsieur Lumiere, we are finished!" And with that she stormed off.

"Babette! Come back…" Lumiere sighed. "It is no use. She is gone." Suddenly he noticed Cogsworth. "What are you smirking at?"

Cogsworth turned away, still smiling. "Nothing, nothing, nothing."

Lumiere stared in disbelief. "You are not possibly happy that she left me?"

"Of course not," said Cogsworth quickly.

Suddenly Lumiere grinned. "I get it. You are jealous!"

"Jealous? Me? Of you?"

"But of course! I have a girlfriend, and you, the 'head of the household,' do not."

"Correction: you had a girlfriend," said Cogsworth. "Unless I am very much mistaken, Babette just dropped you like you meant less than nothing to her."

"I could easily find someone else," Lumiere replied, "unlike you."

"Unlike me? I could find a girl!" Cogsworth protested. "I just, er, do not see any need to have one."

"Right," Lumiere said sarcastically. "Like any girl would ever want to go out with a fun-killing over-grown clock."

"Well, why would anyone want to court a lazy, good-for-nothing candlestick!" retorted Cogsworth, furious.

"Is that a challenge, Cogsworth?"

"It was not meant to be, because if we did have a competition for a girl I would win easily and you would be left in the dust. I would not want to hurt your pride that badly. But if you would like to loose, Lumiere, then a challenge it is."

Just as Lumiere opened his mouth to say something very rude in reply, the front door swung open. A young woman was standing in the hall. "Hello?"

"Hello," said Cogsworth slowly.

"Bonjour, mademoiselle," said Lumiere, instantly seeing his chance.

"Bonjour, hello," she replied. "And who would you two be?"

Cogsworth reached out his hand to shake hers. "My name is Cogsworth, head of this—"

"I am Lumiere," Lumiere interrupted him. "Enchan—"

"…household," Cogsworth finished, cutting off his co-worker. "Welcome to our castle."

Lumiere glared at Cogsworth, who just glared back.

"Uh…" The girl realized she'd come in at a bad time. "My name is Marie."

"Marie, what a beautiful name," said Lumiere. "And how it suits it bearer!"

Marie giggled. "Why, thank you!"

"Pay no attention to Lumiere, the flatterer," said Cogsworth coolly. "May I ask what your business is here, Marie?"

"I'm looking for Prince Adam," she said. "Is this where he lives?"

"Yes, it is indeed," said Lumiere. "I shall escort you to him at once."

"No, you have work to do," said Cogsworth. "I will see that Miss Marie finds the master."

Lumiere rolled his eyes. "You always think there is more work to be done. Shouldn't you be off telling everyone the time or something?"

Cogsworth's eyes flashed in warning. "Well, shouldn't you be off lighting things on fire? Oh that's right, I forgot, you are too lazy and worthless to do any work!"

"How dare you!" Lumiere clenched his hands into fists.

Confused, Marie cried, "Please, stop! Fighting won't solve anything!"

The two men looked at each other. "We are dreadfully sorry," said Cogsworth. "May I show you to the master's room?"

Lumiere was about to protest when Mrs. Potts came running. "Lumiere! You're needed in the kitchen! Something has gone terribly wrong with tonight's dinner—"

"I didn't do it!" piped a small voice. Chip, Mrs. Potts's small son, emerged from behind his mother. "It's not my fault, Lumiere!"

"I know it is not," said Lumiere.

"What did you do this time, Chip?" asked Cogsworth with a sigh.

"I'm sorry!" cried Chip. "I didn't mean to!"

"It's quite all right," said Mrs. Potts soothingly.

"Lumiere, remember," said Cogsworth, glancing in his direction, "you're needed in the kitchen."

Lumiere rolled his eyes. "All right." And he walked away, following Mrs. Potts, with Chip still announcing that he hadn't done anything.

"So… shall we go see what the master is up to?" Cogsworth asked, turning to Marie.

"What happened in to the kitchen? Will Lumiere be all right?" asked Marie, worried.

"Oh, everything will be fine," Cogsworth assured her. "Come on, let's go."