Light seeped through the bottom of the door, releasing the only light in the room. Coldness and the unfriendly feeling of being watched surrounded the young man. Trying to escape the darkness, he made his way to the door. The closer he got the colder it became. Yet, he pushed onward. Hand trembling, he reached for a doorknob. Thankfully, there was one. Grasping it in his hand, slowly he twisted it, pausing only when he heard his name.
"Tristan…"
It was a young woman's voice. He looked around, but it was impossible to see anyone. Quickly he opened the door. Immediately the bright light blinded him. He tried to block it with his hand, but it was too bright.
"Prince Tristan…Please…do not leave…home, Prince Tristan..."
The dream was over. 17-year-old Prince Tristan opened his eyes to see Pierce, his valet. Light from the open window lit up the room. Rubbing his brown eyes groggily, he looked around his chambers. The room appeared the same as he had left it before sleeping.
"Almost time for breakfast, Pierce?" Tristan yawned, getting up slowly. He allowed himself to be dressed, which was done sooner than his tired body wished it to be.
Pierce cleared his throat. "Yes your majesty, but King Alexander and Queen Belle wish to speak with you privately in the drawing room before breakfast is served."
This was uncommon. The last time his parents had spoken with him "privately" was to reprimand him, but lately he had been pretty well behaved. What could they want to speak with him about? "Alright then, Pierce, tell them I will be there shortly," Tristan said, looking at himself in the mirror.
Brushing away strands of his brown hair, he exhaled. Might as well see what is going on. Tristan swiftly left the comfort of his room for the drawing room.
…
"Vincent, it is not safe," Belle said worriedly as she paced the drawing room. "Tristan has never been so far from home without the company of at least one of us."
Vincent sighed in annoyance. He and Belle had been discussing the matter of Tristan handling the affairs in Italy on his own for the past week. Yet Belle would not stop worrying about his well being.
"Belle, please listen to me. The boy will be fine!" Vincent exclaimed. "He will have have guards with him. He'll be perfectly safe."
"I don't know…"
Taking Belle by the shoulders, Vincent went on, "He will be well taken care of. Tristan is close to manhood, and not too far off from becoming king…you can't hold onto him forever."
Belle knew Vincent was right. Their son would be fine, but nothing could silence a mother's worry, especially hers. "Your right…" Belle breathed, smiling, "I can't hold on forever, can I?"
"Sorry, but no," Vincent replied kissing her forehead. "You can always hold on to me though," he added affectionately. Italicize "me."
"I know that," Belle replied, giving him a kiss.
Their conversation came to an abrupt end when they heard the light knock at the door.
"Come in," Belle answered.
The door opened and Tristan stepped in. Smiling nervously, he said, "Good morning," closing the door behind him.
Nodding uneasily herself, Belle greeted him, "Yes, good morning, dear." She hugged him tightly, as though he were already leaving.
"Belle…" Vincent warned.
As Tristan released his mother, he noticed that she looked sad. "What did you want to speak with me about?" he asked anxiously.
Moving by her husband, she looked at him, then to the floor.
"What is going on?" Tristan asked, his very nerves on edge.
Vincent could not stand it any longer. He told his son, "Your mother and I have been discussing the thought of you going to Italy for the summer to handle important affairs, in my place."
Nothing could have shocked Tristan more. "You want…me to go?" he asked excitedly, not being able to suppress the smile that grew upon his face.
"Yes," Vincent answered proudly.
"Without one of you…with me?" Tristan asked.
"Yes," Belle replied somberly, nodding. "Do you still want to go?"
Trying his very best to control himself, Tristan said eagerly, "Yes, it would be an honor!"
Grinning broadly, Vincentshook Tristan's hand vigorously. "Great! I'll get someone on the preparations immediately, but now let's go have breakfast. Your sisters should be up by now, and they'll want to hear of this wonderful news!"
While they walked to the dining room, Belle walked slowly behind them. Was she being too nervous? She couldn't help it; it was one of her children being exposed to dangers she could not protect him from. This was what her father had warned her about, the hardships of letting go.
…
"Mother… I must go; Prince Tristan's future depends on it."
Enchantress Jessamine looked at her daughter warningly. "Didn't you warn him in the dream? Alera, it is not safe there! How many times must I tell you this? Only under certain circumstances are we able to help the humans."
Pulling her scarlet hair away from her face, Alera retorted, "Yes I did warn him! Anyways this is a special circumstance! A young man's life is in danger, and I'm going to protect him." Tristan was too kind to die now; Alera would not allow it to happen, especially in such a tragic way. "Have you seen my mirror?"
"You can not leave!"
Glaring at her mother, Alera shouted, "I am not a child anymore, mother. I can handle things on my own if you just gave me a chance!"
"You are only sixteen, so still a child you are! And still so inexperienced in your powers," Jessamine scolded. Alera could be so stubborn at times! Taking her daughter by the shoulders, Jessamine looked into her face, so innocent. "Alera…I know how you feel, wanting to protect every human you see, but sometimes…nature has to take care of things we are not to meddle in."
Backing away, Alera argued, "You helped his father though…turning him into a beast, making him learn to love and get love in return. How is saving a man ifrom his state of mind rank over saving a man's LIFE?"
Sixteen, and already her daughter spoke as though she was older than she truly was. "I do not approve, Alera."
"I know, but I will just make certain that he is safe, and then I'll come home," Alera promised.
"Things may go wrong," Jessamine warned. "I will not be there to help you, and if you ask for help, I will not help."
Grabbing her bag of supplies, Alera said confidently, "Mother, I will not need your help. All I need is the reassurance that you will be here when I come back."
Hugging Alera, Jessamine promised, "I will be here, waiting…even if you change your mind."
Alera just shook her head at her mother's final attempt to stop her, then took out her mirror, the very image of the one Jessamine had once given to the former Beast-Prince, King Vincent. Looking into the mirror at her reflection, she thought, No turning back now.' Alera thought. Breathing deeply, she mentally added, Please work!
"Take me to Prince Tristan!"
The whole room lit up so brightly that neither Jessamine or Alera could see. A moment later, the light was gone – and so was Alera. Jessamine was alone. Jessamine was tempted to follow her, watch over her, but Jessamine had been just like her daughter when it came to the Beast and the enchanted objects. Things had all worked out well for them, without her watchful eye constantly on them; hopefully her daughter would be just as lucky at saving the young prince.
…
