Prolouge
"Long ago, a young prince lived a spoiled life in his lavish palace. He was surrounded by dutiful servants and everything his heart desired.
One bitter winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle, bartering a rose in return for shelter. The prince was repulsed by her ugliness. He turned her away without another glance. But she warned him," Do not be deceived by appearences for beauty is found within." But he still refused. Suddenly, the old woman's haggard appearence melted away to reveal an extravagent enchantress. The prince attempted to apologize but she stated," I have found no love in your heart. Your appearence shall now be a reflection of what you truly are." The prince was then transformed into a hideous beast and his household into enchanted objects. She granted him a magic mirror to view the outside world and the enchanted rose she had first offered. "This rose will bloom until your twenty-first year. If you cannot find love and have love returned to you before the last petal falls, you will remain a beast forever." And with those last words, the enchantress disappeared into the blizzard.
Over the years, the prince lost all hope of finding anyone to love. For who could ever love a beast?
Ten years later, an inventor appeared on the beast's doorstep. In a fit of rage, the beast threw him into the frigid dungeon, leaving him for death.
Little did the beast know that the inventor had a daughter named Belle. She was a very intelligent and stunningly beautiful girl who dreamed of adventure beyond her provincial village. But her opinions were not taken kindly among the villagers. She was given a reputation as an odd girl with far-fetched ideas. The only one to even give Belle positive attention was the vain Gaston who attempted for her hand in marriage. His only interest in her was of her outer beauty. Belle was not impressed by his conceited charm. The only man who was in possession of Belle's heart was her dear father.
Her father was the only thing her mind as she rode of in search of him. Her horse brought her to the iron-wrought gates of the beast. She selflessly traded her place.
She and Beast were at once at odds with each other. The two even had to save each other when confronted by a wolf-attack! But they were both grateful.
Belle and Beast soon began to develope a friendship. They spent nearly every day reading, strolling on the grounds, or attending dinners with each other. Strange new feelings soon began to spark. These feelings were especially apparent during a romantic ballroom dance between the two.
Beast knew he loved her. And in her heart, Belle loved the Beast. But niether could admit it. In an act of love, Beast released his precious Belle to be with her sick father. Gaston, jealous of Belle's affection for the Beast, stormed the castle with the villagers. Belle returned to the castle only to find the Beast in a brawl with a furious Gaston. Gaston was soon killed, but not without Beast receiving a dangerous stab wound.
"At least I got to see you one last time," he breathed, caressing Belle's cheek gently. His eyes began to heavy as he stared deeply at his true love. "No, please," Belle cried, tears pouring," don't leave me. I love you." Belle weeped for the only person who truly brought her happiness. Her Beast.
Streaks of light soon consumed Beast, and he was transformed into a handomse prince. "Belle, it's me," he assured the startled girl. Belle was hesitant, but once she glanced into those cerulean eyes she knew. "It is you!" she exclaimed. The two shared a passionate embrace that literally brought fireworks. The entire palace was transformed into its former glory.
Belle and the Prince whose name she learned was Adam were soon wed. The entire kingdom was ecstatic. The province was even more jubilant to learn that their dear, now, queen was expecting a little prince or princess."
Belle sighed in reminiscence before continuing. She could just picture the moment when her first child was placed into her arms.
"Hello, my little Rose," she had cooed, scanning the child's features. Adam caressed the baby's rosey cheeks. "Belle, she is beautiful," he sighed, kissing his dear wife's cheek. Princess Rose had deep titain locks, almost chestnut, and bright hazel eyes. The doctor noted that the princess had not wailed one bit since birth. She just absorbed the bright things around her, her beaming parents, the grinning servants, the golden rattle with a rosebud charm that she grasped tightly. Everything around her fascinated her. A stifled giggle escaped the princess's pink lips. This new world was exciting.
A slight tug on Belle's sleeve urged her to continue the tale. Belle could not help but giggle as she found her place.
"The day the princess was born was a joyous celebration. All the kingdom hailed the new child. It seemed the whole world could not have been happier about the birth of Princess-"
"Rose!" a high-pitched voice chirped. Belle caressed her four turning five year-old daughter's beaming face. "Yes, my dear, everyone loved you. They were overjoyed." Rose glowed with happiness. She enjoyed the attention. "Will the whole entire kingdom be here for my birthday, Mommy?" Rose inquired, leaning on her mother's lap. "I'm sure they will. But if we don't get prepared soon, there will be no party." Rose squirmed a bit as her mother squeezed her into a pale pink ballgown. Adam skidded into the bedroom, cradling baby Christopher. "Someone wanted his mother," he said, handing the baby to his wife. Belle rocked her son gently. "Did you Christopher? I hope you'll be a good boy for your big sister's birthday," Belle cooed. "Daddy," Rose greeted, squirming into her father's outstretched arms. "How's my little princess?" Adam asked, squeezing his daughter. "I'm so excited for my birthday party. Will the ballerinas like those in the storybooks be coming?" Rose asked, eyes shining. "There's a good possibility. Why don't we find out."
Rose giggled as they floated towards the grand ballroom. Rose absorbed the golden corridors. It seemed every day something changed in them. Vases of roses, hyacinths, daisies, forget-me-nots, probably every flower graced tables in the halls. Her drawings were framed and placed grandly on the walls for all to see. Books were strewn on tables, chairs, and the floor. "So, we can have a book anywhere," her mother explained before.
Princess Rose glowed as she examined the grand ballroom. It was decorated in gold. Banners with fresh flowers hung delicately from the ceiling. Chattering adults and children awaited the royal family's arrival. An excited cheer arose when Rose entered. Everything seemed so grand to the little princess. She greeted guests in bubbly youth, danced with a procession of professional ballerinas, and was gifted with several new canvases.
"Nothing could be better than this," she thought before placing a weary head on her mother's hip. A sudden burst of the doors awakened her. She disappeared behind her mother's long skirt. A scraggly boy, no older than thirteen, with wild jade eyes and inky hair approached her parents. "Your highnesses," he said, bowing mockingly. Belle clutched Christopher closely as Adam placed his arm soothingly around his queen. The boy chuckled diabolically. "You may not know me well. But you know my brother," he glared sharply at the queen," Gaston." The king and queen nearly doubled over at the mention of that wretched name. It was the fault of Gaston that Belle had almost lost her love and Adam his life. He pointed a menacing forefinger at both of them. "You took away the only family member to give me the light of day. The only person who acknowledged my existence. You both took away what mattered most. Now I will take away what matter's most to you." He unsheathed a dagger and waved it threateningly at Adam and Belle's children. "Guards!" Adam roared as he scooped his frightened daughter into his arms. "Seize him!" The boy continued to laugh in satisfaction. "I will destory your children one day. Do not be deceived. The name Avenant will always swarm your being with fear!" And with that, Avenant was gone and with him went the royal family's courage that they could survive.
Hereafter, it was decreed that no citizen should be allowed to visit the castle any longer. For extra protection, the castle was to be shrouded with thousands of concealing trees, and massive gates were to be installed so that no one would be able to threaten them again. Everything bright and cheery was to be removed from the castle so as not to attarct attention. Sunshine itself seemed to refuse to pour over the palace. Never again would Princess Rose or Prince Christopher see the happiness of the world.
The king and queen soon lacked time to spend with their children for they were too consumed in their search for the wicked man who would stop at nothing to avenge them.
Rose fell into dispair. How could her parents be so frightened so as to not spend any time with her. "No more bedtime stories with Mommy. No more exploring with Daddy," Rose sobbed. "No more Mommy or Daddy at all!" The only company Rose could receive was that of the servants.
"One day," Rose vowed, sketching a depressed princess without a family by her side," I will see the world that I once loved."
