𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 entered her room from the open window, urging her to wake. She blinked to move past the uncomfortable feeling of grogginess, rubbing her eyes afterward. She yawned and stretched, but paused, realizing that she'd just experienced the best sleep of her life: no nightmares, no wolves, no sudden revelations. However, there was a gorgeous pair of sapphire eyes that danced with her all night long across the clouds of daydreams.

With a smile so bright it competed with the sun, Celine tossed back her covers and floated over to the vanity. She turned her head, opening her mouth as if to have a conversation with her wardrobe before remembering that she was actually alone within her quarters. Although she was more than pleased that the curse had been broken, a small part of her would miss the way things were before, and it all had only changed just the other day.

"You might not be as alone as you'd like to think."

With a look of shock, Celine quickly turned around. The room was empty, but she could've sworn that she'd heard another voice aside from her own thoughts and seen something out of the corner of her eye. Warily, she turned back toward the mirror.

She released another startled gasp at the second figure visible in the reflective surface. It certainly should've been impossible since she recognized the face of the other figure to be none other than her father. She whipped her head around once more, but the room remained empty.

Now confused, she raised an eyebrow and looked inquisitively into the mirror. It was then she noticed a few key details: like the faint blue outline surrounding her father, or the way she could see the other end of the room through him as if he wasn't really there. He also lacked the color found in life.

"You're not really here... are you?" Celine asked, disappointed.

Raoul gently shook his head. "Unfortunately, I am not, but I wish more than anything that I could be."

"Are all the mirrors in this castle magical?" Celine asked, recognizing the magical signature resonating from the mirror as similar to the smaller handheld one she'd taken.

"Not all of them." Raoul shook his head. "Although sometimes it takes just a touch of something special to reach with dormant magic."

A concerning thought suddenly crossed her mind. "You're not trapped here, are you?"

Raoul shook his head again. "No, no. But now that your magic isn't blocked, and you can see creatures and objects imbued with magic, I thought a visit was in order."

"I miss you," Celine softly confessed. "I missed you even when I couldn't remember you."

"I never forgot you," Raoul consoled her, "and I've missed you just the same, but I'm so proud of you and the strong young woman you've become."

Celine could feel her eyes watering. Every inch of her being told her to turn around and hug her father, but she restrained knowing that she'd only be disappointed when she saw no one there. However, her father's reflection placed a hand on her shoulder and she swore she could almost feel his warmth beside her.

"I know your mother has broken your trust with years of built-up secrets," Raoul softly made his request, "but please don't distance yourself from her. She's always tried to protect you, mon ange, even if it was misguided at times."

Celine nodded her head, but directed her gaze toward the ground. "I know... It will take time, and I'm not sure we'll ever be the same."

"All I ask is you give her a second chance," Raoul replied.

Celine gently nodded her head. There was a brief moment of silence and when Celine lifted her head, she could tell her father's image was fading. Even though a lump had formed in her throat, she forced a gentle whisper through. "Adieu, papa."

"Adieu, mon petit ange." Raoul smiled, gently placed a kiss on the top of the head of his daughter's reflection, then shimmered out of view.

Celine was left with a feeling of peace. Although the conversation hadn't been long, being permitted a final word had given her the closure she needed. She directed her attention back to her own reflection, running her fingers through her messy hair. She took a deep breath then reached for her brush. She certainly couldn't dawdle all day, she had a ball to attend after all.

———— 𖥸 ————

Following the broken curse, the castle doors had been opened to the public. Immediately a ball was arranged where all were invited. Althea admitted she was surprised by this revelation. Perhaps the young prince was different from his ancestors... that or it was the effect her daughter had on him. Either way, she recognized the error of her ways as she stood on the outskirts of the room feeling like an outcast as she watched multiple young couples dance around the room.

"Ah, l'amour," Lumiere sighed and looked in Althea's direction as if trying to engage in a conversation. However, it was short-lived as one of the maids walked by, brushing the man's chin with her feather duster. He turned to chase after her with a playful chuckle. However, he was stopped by the head of household.

"Well, Lumière, old friend." Cogsworth extended his hand. "Shall we let bygones be bygones?"

"Of course, mon ami," Lumiere agreed, playfully knocking his companion on the shoulder, "I told you she would break the spell."

"I beg your pardon, old friend," Cogsworth scoffed, "but I believe I told you."

"No you didn't," Lumiere contradicted, "I told you."

"You most certainly did not," Cogsworth emphasized every word that followed, "you pompous paraffin-headed pea-brain!"

"En garde, you overgrown pocket watch!" Lumíere removed his glove before slapping Cogsworth across the face with it. They began to fight, but it was hardly disruptive enough to disturb the larger group. Althea rolled her eyes, turning to face the other direction where Mrs. Potts and her son approached.

Mrs. Potts chuckled and shook her head as she noticed Cogsworth and Lumiere. "Some things never change."

"And some things change too quickly," Althea added quietly as she focused on her daughter, dancing and having the time of her life.

"Are they gonna live happily ever after, mama?" Chip asked, tilting his head.

Mrs. Potts smiled. "Of course, my dear. Of course."

Chip looked elated for a moment, but then puzzled. A beat of silence passed before he voiced his question. "Do I still have to sleep in the cupboard?"

Although Mrs. Potts and the boy laughed, that feeling of guilt returned to Althea's gut. She quietly excused herself and made her way to the other edge of the room. How could she hope to ask her daughter for redemption if she couldn't even forgive herself?

———— 𖥸 ————

As they danced, Adam lifted Celine and swung her around. The ruffles of her skirt swished around her gracefully. The dress itself was a combination of her first evening gown and her last: cream with pale green accents, matching the suit that the prince himself wore.

There was a similar light of joy reflected in each pair as the world outside of them ceased to exist in the moment. Their faces grew closer until their lips warmly pressed against the other. For the following songs, the simply danced enjoying the other's company, her head resting against his chest.

As the song ended, the band set their instruments down and joined the party, taking a brief recess before the dances would continue. It was then that Celine noticed her mother along the outskirts of the room. Gently, she excused herself, which Adam seemed to understand although still wary of the enchantress, then she made her way to her mother's side.

A pleasantly surprised look crossed Althea's face. "I didn't think you'd speak with me this evening."

"We might not always see eye to eye, but you're my mother," Celine admitted. She took a breath and placed a hand on her mother's shoulder as the other woman averted her eyes. "I forgive you."

Althea slowly lifted her gaze and appreciation flooded her face. Celine realized she could no longer remain bitter if she truly meant to take steps forward in her relationship with her mother. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around the woman who had cared for her since birth and pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you, Maman."

Althea gently chuckled as her eyes watered. She whispered in her daughter's ear. "I love you, mon ange."

"You're not completely off the hook though," Celine joked playfully. "You owe me ten plus years of magic lessons."

"I suppose I do," Althea chuckled, "but for now focus on enjoying yourself here. Allez trouver votre prince charmant."

Celine rolled her eyes, but sighed defeated. "I suppose I can't deny it anymore."

"Non." Althea gently agreed, squeezing her daughter into a tight embrace once more before letting her go. The enchantress easily blended her way into the crowd, leaving Celine alone so she wouldn't actually have to make a choice between mother and prince.

However, as Celine turned to look for Adam, she locked eyes with Belle and the bookworm took that as a welcoming sign to approach. She had the bookkeeper in tow as she excitedly made her way across the room.

"Before anything else..." Belle interrupted before Celine could say anything, "I'm sorry. I never should've doubted you, but it looks like I had no real reason to be afraid."

"I completely understand," Celine gently chuckled. "I'm not so sure I would've reacted much differently had the roles been reversed from the beginning and my mother had been taken prisoner, but Adam's grown."

"I can see that," Belle nodded approvingly. "I suppose a royal wedding can't be far behind."

Celine quickly shook her head with a nervous laugh. "We're actually taking things slow. We both still have a lot of self-discovery to unveil before we even begin to identify who we are together."

"I suppose that's wise," Belle agreed with a nod of her head. She paused with a look of thought drawn on her face before she released a gentle laugh. "Who knew our lives could be one of the books I've read between a prince in disguise, a secret past full of magic, not to mention competing suitors... maybe provincial life isn't always so bad."

"This must be Hugo," Celine nodded toward the bookworm's partner. "We've met in glimpses, but it's nice to have an official introduction."

Hugo chuckled and nodded in agreement before offering a short bow. "The pleasure is mine, mademoiselle."

"So is it back to the village after this?" Celine asked curiously.

Belle shook her head. "Hugo and I are actually headed to Paris."

"Paris?"

Belle nodded her head. "We're planning to open a small bookshop. Of course we'll only start in Paris, but the goal is to open a traveling cart to make our way all over the world, teaching young children to read."

Celine's eyes drifted back and forth between Belle and Hugo. As the brunette bookworm voiced her dreams, the young bookkeeper looked smitten. Celine chuckled under her breath before giving Belle a look of approval. "I wish you the best of luck then... promise you'll keep in touch?"

Belle nodded her hug, pulling the blonde into a tight embrace. "Of course."

Once they parted ways, Belle and Hugo continued across the room to meet with Maurice while Celine took a step back to simply watch the room. Belle had certainly been right about one thing: her life had turned into a bigger adventure than she'd ever thought and she didn't even have to go very far from the village. So who knew what wonders waited out in the rest of the world... she was content for now with the world she had.

There were still a few small details that needed ironed out before she was ready to take on what the rest of the world had to offer. Her magic for example. Untamed and uncontrolled, it could prove to be dangerous, especially since it had been locked away for so long. There was also the matter of finding others of her own kind. She and Adam had already begun to discuss a few methods to find any remaining enchantresses and offer them a place of refuge before they went completely extinct.

As if summoned by the thought of his name, Adam wrapped his arms around her. She smiled and leaned back against him holding his arms that held her. His voice was deep and warm, but had lost the animalistic rumble she had grown used to, "what are you thinking about?"

"You," she replied with hesitation. "Me. Us."

Adam smiled and nodded his head in agreement. "It certainly seems small compared to everything else we've been through, but I suppose that's why it feels much more overwhelming."

"I just..."

"You're concerned with how breaking the curse will change things," Adam said the words she had left to silence. She nodded her head. "One thing that hasn't changed is how I feel about you. The rest will fall into place."

She smiled, looking up into his sapphire eyes. "And how do you feel about me?"

"The words 'I love you' hardly do my feelings any justice," Adam admitted, smiling all the same.

"Is that heartache and pining I detect?" Celine teased.

"Perhaps Shakespeare had some merit..." Adam admitted before a sly grin pulled at his lips. "The girl does end up smitten with a man by the end."

Celine playfully sighed in agreement. "Her only fault."

He pulled her close and pressed his lips against his. Her arms slowly made their way around his neck and rested there as he supported her head with his own hands. It was true they still had much to learn about themselves and the other, but together they could take on the world. For now, they would focus on the present.

He took her hand and gently led her back out onto the dance floor as the band finished tuning their instruments to play the next waltz following their intermission. With two hearts beating as one, they danced the night away, for an instance believing that happily ever after was truly possible.