Laurent was surprised to find the beast waiting for him in the library.

He stopped for a moment at the edge of the alcove, regarding the beast with a calm, impassive stare, and then he walked away.

He returned within a minute with a book, setting it down on the edge of the table and taking his seat across from the Beast, no longer paying him any attention as he poured himself coffee, adding cream and sugar, and selected one of the pastries to nibble upon.