This is the winner of guestsurprise's poll! Enjoy and no flames!

This story is not about a simple fairy tale come true. No…this story deals with something deeper. The inside can reflect how you are on the outside, but what happens when you have to change who you are because someone else's life may depend on it. Would you do it? Let that question sink into your subconscious as we take you to another journey through mystery and suspense. Welcome to another journey of Beauty and the Beast.

Adam and Belle were looking out the window and waiting. Today was the day that they were receiving a visitor. However, this was not just any visitor…this was Prince Adam's brother, Prince Aron. They looked very similar, but the difference was that Aron had green eyes and black hair, unlike Adam's reddish brown hair and blue eyes.

"He will be arriving soon," Adam said, now watching the window closely.

"You seem nervous Adam," Belle responded, now looking at him curiously.

"I'm not nervous Belle, but I am concerned. It has been years since I've seen my brother and if he is anything like I was, he will be a difficult guest."

"Why do you say that?"

"Don't you remember how I was before you and I were married? I was a beast, Belle. Not just in physical form, but also on the inside."

"I know Adam, but maybe he is different. After all, it has been a few years."

"Belle, you don't know Aron. He's…well…he's…"

"Here." Belle said, now pointing out the window. Adam slowly turned and saw a large black carriage pulling up to the castle. It was pulled by two black horses that looked strong, but deadly. Everything about that carriage felt strange and a sense of mystery.

"Belle, we can't let him in here." Adam said, now feeling the hair on the back of his neck standing up. Even though he was a human now, he still had some beastly qualities.

"Adam, we can't just turn him away."

"Belle, something feels strange about him…"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how to explain it, but something feels wrong." Adam said, now slowly walking out of the room. "No matter. He's here so let's make him feel welcome."

And with those words, he walked out of the room. Belle was going to follow until she saw the coachman slowly get down off the top of the coach and open the door. She waited patiently but it was a few seconds before the person inside stuck his foot out and began to make his way out of the coach. Belle gasped as she saw the figure get out. He was wrapped in a black cloak and he had eyes that pierced into the night. But what made her gasp was the fact that when he got out, he immediately looked up and they locked eyes. He gave her a small grin and bowed his head in respect, but something about him was different and familiar to her at the same time.

"What is it? What is it that is so different about you? But then why do I feel like I've seen you before?" She whispered to herself. She then walked out of the room and began to walk down the stairs towards the outdoors. Adam was already at the bottom of the stairs, approaching his brother.

"Aron, it has been a long time brother." He smiled.

"Well, well…Adam. You have done well for yourself. A wife and a beautiful castle. I must say, I was expecting you to be more… 'beastly' from what I read in your letter."

"Shhh! Aron, that letter is between you and I."

"I understand. Well, the problem should be solved now. May we go inside, I am famished." Aron smiled with a handsome grin. Adam rolled his eyes playfully and took his brother inside and towards the guest table. As different as they were, it was good to see him. When they were inside, Aron locked eyes once more with Belle.

"Well, well…you are the beautiful one that I saw looking at me through the window are you not?" He grinned.

"Yes I was. It's nice to meet you Aron."

"And you as well Belle…my brother described your beauty in his letter, but I had no idea," He grinned, now kissing her hand. She blushed at the kind gesture, but Adam cleared his voice in somewhat annoyance.

"Well then, now that you are acquainted with Belle, I want you to meet the rest of my family." Adam said, now pointing to some maids and butlers.

"Family? Do you not mean servants?" Aron said in confusion.

"No, they are all family to me. They stood by me in my trouble and now I consider them more family than servants."

"I see. What an interesting concept. I'm sure if mother and father were alive, they would be surprised at your choice of 'extended family.'" Aron said in a somewhat disgusted tone.

"You don't approve?" Belle asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"I should say not. We are royalty Belle. Not commoners. I know that you are still learning about royalty because you unfortunately were not born into it as we were."

"Unfortunately?! I was not born into royalty, but my family is just as good as yours!" Belle said in anger.

"My dear Belle, royalty and titles will always be higher than any form of family." He said, not even raising his voice.

"Aron, enough! That is no way to speak to Belle or about her family! They are just as much of a family as we are."

"If you say so brother, I…" Aron was interrupted as Chip walked over to meet the new guest. With a disgusted face, Aron faced the young child. "And who pray tell, is this?"

"Hello. My name is Chip."

"Well…Chip, as you call yourself, will you be a good lad and wash my boots? They haven't been washed in an hour or so." Aron said, now gently sitting and motioning for Chip to take off his shoes. Chip was surprised and appalled at the rude man's conduct!

"Chip, don't you move a muscle. Aron, that will be quite enough. Chip is not a servant. I treat him as my own." Adam said angrily, now standing in front of Chip.

"By heaven Adam, what's gotten into you?! You and I always used to make the young boys in town wipe our shoes and boots!" Aron said, now becoming annoyed.

"I've changed."

"You most certainly have! Do you plan on being this way for the rest of your life?!"

"Yes. I've learned much since your last visit."

"Apparently so. Well then you will not like the news that I bring to you."

"What do you mean? In your last letter, you said that you would help me clear a path in the forest so that travelers could make it to our town safely."

"Well, I've changed my mind." Aron said, now lazily sitting in a nearby chair.

"What?!" Both Adam and Belle said in shock. The woods that were between Aron and Adam's castles were dense and dangerous. They were filled with wolves and terrible beasts. Many travelers had died because of the deep snow, rivers, and animals. To prevent any further death, Aron and Adam spoke about putting their money together and starting a project to create a safe path for the travelers to journey on. The problem now is that Aron went back on his word.

"You can't do that Aron! We need your help," Adam said in anger.

"I will think about it. In the meantime, I'm famished, brother. And by the looks of it, you need more food on you too. Or have you fed it all to your servant-like family." Aron growled lowly.

"Aron that's enough." Adam said, now clenching his fists.

"Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to go into town and get some champagne." Aron whispered angrily, now turning and walking from the room. Belle and Adam stared at each other in silence while Chip looked at them in concern.

"What's going to happen now?"

"I'm not sure Chip. But something tells me this is going to be a very difficult visit." Adam said, now kneeling down and gently patting Chip on his head.

guestsurprise: What do you think so far guys? The story has begun!

newbienovelistRD: Awesome! I can't wait for more! :D