Although I consider many of our servants to be my friends, I find myself growing impatient with the forest caretakers. They never answer questions directly with a simple reply, and they're always making somewhat rude comments when they think I can't hear them. I appreciate the work they do keeping us all safe from werewolves, witches, and whatever else might live in the Beast's…I mean, Adam's forest…but they have a bad habit of giving me migraines. However, they'll soon find out that I'm more persistent than they are; after all, I helped change the Beast's heart, thus enabling the transformation a few weeks ago, so I'm sure I can find a way to get through to the forest workers.
Earlier today, the man with the permanently broken leg fell down the stairs. Seeing an opportunity, I walked over and asked if he needed any help.
"Sure," he muttered. "Why don't you find me a quarterstaff so I can use it to pull myself up?"
"Why do you say that so often?" I queried.
"Because you couldn't find a quarterstaff in a vast forest when your life depended on it."
I smile slightly. "Don't you mean if?"
"Not in your case."
Adam walked over to where I stood. "Did Loup fall down the stairs again?" He extended his right hand. "Here. I'll help you get to your feet."
Shaking his head, Loup drew his sword, firmly placing the tip of the blade on the floor and using it as a crutch to rise.
"Suppose your hand or the blade had slipped," Adam remarked. "You'd have fallen."
"You seem to forget my swordsmanship. I thought you of all people would remember."
Adam crossed his arms. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
Loup shrugged and started limping toward the door.
"You know, I'm losing my patience with your vague answers and brusque tone! I'm trying to be a kind and understanding friend, but you forget I'm also your prince! If you don't stop being so terse when people are trying to be friendly, I'll…"
The forest worker stopped and turned, his hazel eyes nearly amber with what I could only assume was amusement. "You'll what? Give me the execution I've wanted for years? I should be so fortunate!"
"Your arrogance borders on insolence! Who died and made you ruler of the woodlands?!"
"About three people, actually."
This response was typical of the forest caretakers, especially Loup. Such a macabre statement was not contradicted by eyes that suggested he was merely jesting. He seemed to be implying that he had nearly taken the lives of three innocent travelers through the forest.
Adam's tone became softer. "Now I understand. You're in pain from your injury, and you're still not entirely sure you can trust me because I was a monster even before the enchantress arrived. You had a traumatic experience, quite possibly more than one, during the spell, and you've done things you aren't proud of. You also try to hide any signs of weakness because in a forest, survival depends on an individual's ability to do so. That's why you're acting so belligerent."
"Well done." Loup applauded in what seemed a blatant display of sarcasm. "So now what? If I were a more sensitive man, and I poured out my heart to you both, and we became close friends, would that change anything? Would it change what I was before I became your servant or the decade spent under the curse? Would it change what I've done?"
"How do we help you?" I asked. "We want to be your friends and help you get through this, but we don't know how."
He simply shrugged and limped off to finish his chores.
I sighed. "I wish I knew how to help him."
"He's just having a bad day," Adam assured me. "You've met him on other days. You know he's not always like this. Well, he's never far from being like this, but some days he hides it better than others."
I nodded and suggested we go to the castle library, for surely there was some book on psychology or offering comfort after trauma. I found nothing relevant, but after about an hour, Loup came in. I was startled, for despite his limp, I hadn't heard his footsteps approaching.
"You're always asking us how we know so much about the forest," he began, "so I'll make a bargain with you. When you present me with a proper quarterstaff, I'll tell you everything I know. Everything about life before the spell, everything about what happened during the curse, everything about the woodland and the languages of its inhabitants…whatever you want to know. I'll give straight answers and explain patiently and kindly."
"Thank you," I responded. "That sounds like a fair enough bargain." I frowned. "What's that red stain on your mouth?"
"Blood. My sister slaps me on the face and makes me take a sip of blood whenever I complain too much because it reminds me to be grateful." He wiped his mouth. "I'm no vampire. We got it from the kitchen. The chef was in the process of preparing meat."
A wave of nausea nearly overcame me. "Couldn't your sister find a better way to remind you to be grateful?"
"What would work better than this?"
I was unable to respond. For all I knew, our forest workers were involved in some sadistic cult.
"I spit it out," he assured me. "I don't drink blood."
Somehow his words were still less comforting than he had intended.
I later noticed the forest caretakers resting in the garden between chores. Loup's sister, Louve, held her head at an angle that suggested she was proud of herself.
"The peasant can't help it, boss," one of the forest workers was telling Loup. "After all, why would someone who reads so many books think it was a good idea to go out alone at night into an unfamiliar area of forest during a terrible snowstorm?"
"If that's how smart books make you," another commented, "I'm glad I never learned how to read!"
There were several murmurs of approval.
"Reading's fine," Loup replied. "It's just knowing what to do with the information you just read that's the problem. That's what most people struggle with."
"I feel bad for you," the first man stated. "My broken ribs are completely well, and his head injury has finally healed, but you, bosses…" He sighed. "You're the only two among us who still have your injuries."
"We're the only two who deserve to have them."
"But must you have them forever? You've more than paid for any wrong you've done. Can you not be forgiven?"
Loup sighed. "The day I'm forgiven will be the day Belle finds a quarterstaff."
Determined to prove them wrong, I set out for the forest. I had to find a quarterstaff to show I was willing to help, but every time I brought what seemed a suitable staff before the forest caretakers, Loup easily broke it with his bare hands, proving its uselessness.
I shall have to discontinue the search soon. The sun has nearly set, and although the forest caretakers have repeatedly assured me that there's no longer any danger, I still fear the wolves.
