n

n

n

"He's a nice man,

" Belle responded back,

"But…

"

n

"But he's not Lucas.

"

nBelle's eyes snapped towards Simon wondering when and how he found out about it,

"What?

"

n

"I was joking. Your butler appears stern and never out of line, like a perfectionist so I thought you might be looking at him as a role model,

" Simon shrugged his shoulders but with the way Belle looked at him, he asked,

"Really?

" he started to laugh and Belle turned away to sip from her teacup,

"Don't look upset, your secret is safe with me.

"

n

"Why are you laughing?

" she asked slightly annoyed.

n

"My bad,

" he said, controlling his laugh,

"I think I somewhere understand why he doesn't like me. The day you jumped into his arms proclaiming to be his bride, I told I would take you as my bride. Of course, I meant it as a joke,

" Belle couldn't believe how many others had heard this and remembered it,

"He must be thinking I want to take you to bed and pounce on you.

"

n

"That's because you sleep with every passing female.

"

n

"Not everyone, milady. I didn't sleep with you,

" Simon pointed out to hear Belle say,

n

"That is because we are friends, also maybe because of Lucas,

" men of her own age didn't play around with her and even if they wanted to speak, they had to take her out somewhere far while trying to court her and those were for the males who her parents didn't approve in the past.

n

"When did you realize it?

" asked Simon, he picked his own teacup and added two cubes of sugar into it before adding another one as he preferred it sweet,

"And does he know?

" knowing the kind of butler who worked for the Adams' mansion, he guessed the butler knew about it. In the past, he had teased her subtly but she had always brushed it like it was nothing but right now, her cheeks had turned red.

nShe shook her head, and she sat back,

"He doesn't feel that way. More like he doesn't believe in love.

"

nPoor Belle, thought Simon to himself.

nAn hour passed when a carriage arrived at Gilbert's mansion. Both Belle and Simon noticed the carriage which was none other than her own but it wasn't an empty carriage. Lucas was here and the thought made Belle take a deep breath. She had written the letter in the hope to not make him worry and that she would get back home before the sun would set but who knew Lucas would appear here.

nSimon looked through the window from where they were seated and then looked at Belle who appeared pale,

"Looks like your guardian is here,

" he chuckled.

n

"I guess its time for me to leave,

" Belle replied back and then both went down.

nLucas stared at Belle who appeared next to the man named Simon,

"Good afternoon, Lucas.

"

n

"Afternoon, Sir Simon,

" Lucas greeted before his eyes fell on Belle.

n

"Belle was telling she didn't receive the letters that I wrote to her,

" Simon attacked the butler, a smile on his face and Lucas smiled back to say,

n

"I threw them in the fire. It would serve a better purpose in heating the room than the useless talk,

" Lucas's straight reply made the young man laugh.

n

"Do you burn every letter?

" Belle asked worriedly because she didn't like the thought of him doing so.

nHer friend Simon was the one who commented,

"Who knew that the butler wanted to monopolize his mistress. I thought you didn't like me but now I see that it is because you like Belle. She's too precious to you, isn't it?

" Simon asked and Belle wanted to stake Simon for uttering those words.

n

"Only the ones sent by Simon, it was your parents wish,

" that was because Lucas was the one who tipped them on it! And Simon was the only one who wrote letters to her.

n

"You cannot do that,

" Belle said stepped forward to talk to Lucas who looked unfazed,

"What if its something important?

"

n

"That's okay, Belle. We always protect things that are precious to us,

" the man gave out a wide smile and it irked Lucas.

n

"The tailor man is going to arrive in less than forty-five minutes,

" she didn't know that,

"If we leave now you will still have time to freshen yourself up,

" he informed her and then turned to look at the man,

"We are going to have a soiree this week.

"

n

"Oh?

" Simon asked,

"When is it? I wouldn't want to miss.

"

n

"Only for family members,

" Lucas narrowed his eyes to have Simon stare back at him.

n

"Simon is like family. It should be alright if you came,

" Belle chimed in as she wouldn't be able to deal with her relatives.

n

"That's settled then,

" Simon responded back gladly after inviting himself to the soiree,

"There will preparation to do. Go on.

"

nBut before sending her away, Simon stepped forward and took Belle in his arms, hugging her as if squeezing and then finally letting her go,

"I will see you soon,

" he waved and smiled. When his eyes met Lucas' there was that glare of irritation directed towards him.

nOn their way back home, Belle and Lucas were seated in two opposite ends of the carriage seat.

n

"I didn't know you had arranged for a tailor visit today,

" Belle spoke nonchalantly,

"Did you send the invitation out to uncles and aunts?

"

n

"There are some others that had been sent so that you build some connections who your parents used to speak while some are for the possible suspects.

"

n

"Possible suspects?

" Belle turned to look at him.

n

"There might be a lead that will point where to go to find the witch who is handling the switchers and sending them,

" he answered her questions.

nShe was worried,

"Will it be safe?

" The switchers could take any person's persona and turn into them with ease.

n

"Be at ease, Miss Belle. I will be with you, you have nothing to fear.

"

n

"Forever?

" Belle asked him...

n