The doors slammed shut behind her with a thunderous crash. Jessica didn't care. She managed to hold herself together for a few more moments; then her resolve imploded like a pierced bubble. She stumbled out into the spacious, dark foyer, before collapsing on her knees. She covered her face with her hands and wept. With her sobs echoing through the empty room, she cried until her cheeks were stained with tears and her eyes were red and puffy. It wasn't just her disappointment or her fear. Three years of bottled-up emotion leaked out, splashing on the floor in a briny, warm mess.

At last, when her shoulders ceased to heave and her eyes could summon no more tears, she splayed out on the floor and lay there in silence. Jessica lost track of the time then. She could have just as easily cried for two minutes as for two hours. Life had just become a lull. She had shut the castle doors on her problems, but hiding them behind heavy pine panels wouldn't erase them. Yet she lacked the resolve to face them. At least not now. Right now, she thought that she could let her hidden sadness spill out, without anyone to see it.

But then someone actually did hear it, and they spoke up. "Excuse me, miss, but why are you crying so?"

At this point, she was so distraught that she'd explain her story for relief, even to a figment of her imagination. "My mother's been dead for three years and my stepmother treats me like a slave and she tries to marry me off to horrible people and I went to a gala by mistake and now a wealthy and powerful man wants me to be his wife but I hate him because he's a horrible person and he's hunting me down and I hate my life!"

"My word!" the voice exclaimed. "Shh, shh. Easy, now. I'm sure there is a solution to each of your problems, dearest. Don't hate your life. Yours is unique, after all."

Jessica wiped the tears off her face. "I guess...but there's so much for me to sort out right now. Too many things for one girl to handle. I can't take it anymore. I'm so alone."

"I feel very alone, too. We've all been alone," he said, voice soft. "And faced with overwhelming problems? That as well. I understand."

She sniffled. "Thanks...I think. But who are you?"

"My name is Jesse. Jesse Lederrucken. Who may you be?"

"I'm Jessica. From the village down the hill?"

"I see. What brought you to the castle? Did you run here to escape that rich man you hate?"

"Will you judge me?"

"Not at all, miss."

"Yes, I did. It doesn't matter how much estate he has. He's a horrible, horrible person who only cares for himself. To him, the only worthwhile thing about me is that I can bear his sons. And I don't want to do that."

"Indeed it is sad when that is the mindset of a man," Jesse agreed. "I hope our castle will shelter you."

"Our castle? What do you mean, our castle?"

"I'm not its only inhabitant."

"Where is everyone else?"

"I will show you them. But first, I suppose I will have to step out into the light, eh?"

Jessica realized that she had been talking to a faceless voice this whole time. "Um...Yes, please."

"That's very well and good, young lady, but you have to promise me one thing before I do so."

"What is it?"

"I...er...how shall I put this? You may be a bit, erm, surprised when you see the man that I am."

Jessica had no idea what that was supposed to mean. "Uh...I guess I'll be okay. I've seen a lot."

"Splendid!"

Some lanterns in the room flicked on, drenching the place in a golden glow. A leather-bound journal launched out of the shadows and skidded across the floor, coming to a stop at Jessica's feet. She glanced down at the book, bemused.

"Jesse?" she asked. "Where are you?"

"Jesse is right here!" The book whipped its cover open of its own volition and said, "Hallo!"

Jessica screamed.

"Oh, dear, young lady! That is not necessary!"

Heart pounding, she stammered, "You're a book. A talking book!"

"Regrettably," was Jesse's response. When he talked, he flapped his front cover open and shut like a crude mouth. "Well, the book part anyway. Not the talking part. I like to be able to talk. Talking is nice, heh-heh!"

"What the...How...How is that even possible? Books don't talk!"

"Don't be silly. Every book worth its salt talks. That is the purpose of words," Jesse replied. "I'm just the only book that has an audible voice, heh-heh."

"Sometimes we'd prefer that it wasn't audible," said a couch under a lamp; its cushions curved and squished together like speaking lips. "Jesse talks far too much. And about the most asinine things."

Jessica tried not to stare at the talking couch. "I...Uh...Maybe I should go-"

"No, no, please don't do that!" Jesse flapped his pages frantically. "I don't want to scare away a guest."

"Guest?

"Ah, yes, little lassie-that is what you are, is it not?"

"I...guess so. So, um, can every houseware in this castle talk?"

"Most of them. I can't say as if the bricks in the south kitchen wall are capable conversationalists, however. It's like trying to discourse with a brick wall...oh...wait…"

Jessica giggled. Jesse was amusing. A castle of talking housewares! Who would have imagined? If this was what insanity felt like, at least it was fun!

"You need a place to stay, don't you?" Jesse bounced up to her feet. "We have many spare bedrooms in the castle. Stay as long as you wish! None of those villains chasing you will think to look in this dusty old place."

"Why, thank you. That's very kind."

"We've been very lonely. No visitors in almost a decade!" Jesse said as he hopped along a hallway, leading Jessica. "Now, it's so cold and quiet in here. Not at all like it was before…"

"What was it like before?"

"Lively, beautiful," said the book-boy. "There were many feasts and dances held here...the House of Porter was known for their life and laughter."

"House of Porter. What happened to them?"

"Oh, that." Jesse sighed. "That's a long story, lassie...you really ought to sit yourself down before I tell you that one. Luckily, your room can be right here…"

He jumped up and bounced against the door of a bedroom.

"You need some help?" Jessica asked with a chuckle.

"Um...Ah...Yes, that would be nice." He let Jessica open up the door for him. "There you go! Home sweet home for as long as you need! I'll go tell the master that you're here."

"Who's that?" Jessica stopped short, standing in the middle of the pink carpet.

"Well, the one who owns this castle. Scion of the House, y'know."

"The Porter house is still alive?"

"Barely." Jesse's tone turned glum. "He's the last one left."

"That's so sad." She sat down on the bed. "What happened?"

Jesse ruffled his pages. "The story is right in here. The master wrote it down, the whole story thus far, when he was young and the memory was fresh."

A yellow quill feather sprung off of a desk, launched itself over the bed, and landed next to Jesse. "He totally did! I should know. I was the quill that did it."

"Oh yeah?" Jesse teased. "I'm the journal he recorded it on."

"Which is more important?" challenged the quill.

"Well, I keep the words after they're written, so that should be me." He had a playful tone; they didn't seem to be actually fighting.

"Bogus!" she retorted. "You wouldn't have the words in the first place, if it weren't for me."

Jessica watched them go back and forth. "...Huh?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Jesse chuckled. "I forgot to make an introduction. This is Nell."

"Hello!" Nell wiggled back and forth. "I'm a feather pen."

"She's the quill to my book...literally."

Jessica didn't want to be rude, but she did want to get to the point. "Can I see 'the master's' story?"

"Of course." Jesse flipped through his pages, landing on an old journal entry. "See it here."

Jessie read it aloud: "I have learned to never judge by appearances, for true beauty comes from within. A single act of unkindness has been the undoing of my family. A beggar woman came upon our manor by night, seeking shelter from the brutal cold, but my father turned her harshly away. She then revealed her true identity; she was a sorceress of great power and beauty. Disgusted that my father would turn away a needy person to let them die in the cold, she vowed that there would be punishment for his heartlessness. But it was the innocent who suffered for his sins. The curse was placed upon the manor, the servants, and me...his son. Only true love will save me from my curse. But who will find me? The people live in fear of my manor and the monster that lives therein. For who could ever learn to love a beast?"

"Ay, lassie, there is a dreadful curse upon the manor," said Jesse, when Jessica paused in her reading. "We've been housewares for almost a decade. Waiting for that special someone who will love the master."

"What happened to him? He was cursed, too?"

Jesse seemed a bit uncomfortable and changed the subject. "You should get settled in for the night. Of course, that's a feminine thing, so I'll be on my way out. Mrs. Sparks will see to you."

"Wait," Jessica said, but the book-boy jumped off the bed and hopped towards the exit. She didn't catch him before he bounced out the door, with Nell wobbling after him. As soon as those two left, a flint-and-steel firelighter rolled into the room. The two pieces glowed with a strange blue aura. Jessica pulled her feet up atop the bed, not sure what to make of it.

"Oh! Good evening to you, missy!" said the flint bit of the firelighter; she had a deep womanly voice. "You must be Jessica."

"Right," Jessica replied, a bit haltingly.

"How lovely to make your acquaintance. I'm Mrs. Ellegaard Sparks. I'd shake hands, but...well, you know."

"You're a flint and steel?"

"Not quite, dearie. I'm only the flint bit. The steel part is my son, Joseph. Joseph! Say hello to the nice lady."

"Howdy!" the steel part of the firelighter chirped. "I'm Joseph, but my friends call me Stampy. Heh-heh!"

"Hello, Mrs. Sparks. Hello, Stampy." Jessica waved shyly. "I'm sorry. I'm still trying to adjust to living housewares."

"I understand, dearie, I understand. You must be so scared. What happened to you?"

Jessica explained the situation with her stepmother and the ball gone awry. Mrs. Sparks nodded sympathetically and tut-tutted. Stampy seemed confused by her story, so he just sat quietly through it.

"Poor thing," Mrs. Sparks said when she was done. "That's a lot for one girl to take in one night. You can stay in the manor as long as you need; it'll be all right in my book. Let's get you out of the dreadful dress. Put on something more comfortable, yes?"

"Yes, that will be good," Jessica replied. "Thank you."

At that, an armoire in the corner suddenly sprung to life. "A new set of attire for the guest? I think I can manage that!"

Mrs. Sparks sent Stampy into the hallway while Jessica picked out a new dress and changed into it. Happy to be rid of the corset, she slipped into a much easier-fitting blue dress with short sleeves. She also kicked off her foot-crushing white shoes and exchanged them for sturdy boots.

"Looking wonderful, dearie," Mrs. Sparks said as Jessica let her hair down and sponged the extra makeup off her face. "That's much more natural for you, isn't it?"

"Yep," Jessica said. "Thank you very much. You're very kind."

Mrs. Sparks smiled proudly.

"I have a question, though."

"What is it?"

"Mrs. Sparks, what happened to the master? Jesse says that he was cursed."

Mrs. Sparks looked very uncomfortable. "Um…"

Jessica's eyes narrowed. "What happened?"

"It's, uh, it's a little...hard to explain…"

"Then show me."

"I don't think you'll want to see."

"I'll judge that."

"How about you accompany us for dinner?" Mrs. Sparks asked, to change the subject. "We'd love to have dinner with you."

"Dinner? But you're all housewares."

"That doesn't stop the kitchen staff from working. They love to cook. Would care to join us?"

"Hmm...I already had dinner at the gala. I'm sorry."

"That's nothing to apologize about," said Mrs. Sparks. "We'd be delighted if you'd come with us for breakfast tomorrow, though. The head chef makes a lovely oml-Where are you going?"

Jessica had one foot out the door. "I'm not tired yet. Would you mind if I explored the house a little bit?"

Mrs. Sparks seemed uncomfortable. "Well...erm...if you're careful…"

"Just make sure she stays off the second floor!" Stampy piped up. His mother gave him a scolding look. While Mrs. Sparks was distracted with talking to her son, Jessica slipped out of the room and down the hallway, until she encountered a spiral staircase heading to the next floor. Now that Stampy had mentioned a second floor, it piqued her curiosity. Her boots squished on the floorboards as she ascended the stairs.

The second floor of the castle was far quieter than the first. Here, there was no backdrop of talking and activity from the living housewares. It was as silent as a church. Jessica padded down a short corridor, until she found a room whose door had been torn off its hinges.

"Hallo," she said softly. "How did this happen?"

She slipped inside. The room was spacious and dark. Moonlight shone in through tall, leaded windows. If the giant grandfather clock read correctly, it was past midnight. A cold draft blew in, making the wispy curtains and wall tapestries flutter. Old, broken furniture and battered books littered the ground. Jessica took care not to step on anything.

She let out a gasp when she heard something clatter on the floor. She hadn't bumped into any of the debris. Was someone in here with her?

"W-Who's there?" she asked nervously, wishing she had a lantern with her.

No answer. Warily, Jessica made her way to the other side of the room. Perhaps some object had rolled off a table in the breeze and fallen on the floor. Hopefully.

The most compelling thing she found was a painting leaning against the wall. It was a portrait depicting a young man...the boy in the picture couldn't have been older than ten. He had blond hair, innocent blue eyes, and a sweet smile. But that was hard to see behind the vicious claw marks scoring the portrait. Some vengeful animal had torn up the portrait. Jessica shuddered.

A piece of furniture clattered as it was overturned. Jessica whipped around in surprise. That was too much for a gust of wind to cause. She backed up against the wall.

"Who's there?" she asked, voice stunted. "Sh-show yours-self."

Whoever was skulking around in the room replied, in a very soft voice, "Uh-uh."

"Come into the light."

The shadow shrank back to the corner of the room. Their movements were stiff, submissive. Whoever it was seemed more worried about Jessica than she was worried about the stranger.

"I'm afraid," he said, barely above a whisper. "You'll hate me."

"No...I don't even know who you are. Please, I don't mean any harm."

The shadow slowly emerged into the moonlight shaft. The first thing Jessica saw was a pair of fluffy yellow paws. Her eyes widened. Next came a head with pointed cat ears, and then a set of narrow shoulders. A bespeckled, furry body came next, then a set of limber back legs, and finally a long, flexible tail. Ragged clothes barely covered the ocelot-monster's form. His ears folded back, and he looked up at Jessica nervously.

"Y-You're…" Jessica trailed off, making a connection. "Oh, oh my...You're the master of the house, aren't you?"

"What's left of him," the ocelot said. His voice was quiet and fragile.

"The curse turned you into a...um..."

"Beast."

"I'm not going to call you 'beast.' What's your name?"

"I'm Lukas."

"Jessica."

He started to retreat to the shadows.

"Don't hide from me. What happened to you, Lukas?" Even though she already knew part of the answer, she wanted to hear it from him.

"I was put under a curse," he said. "My father turned away a beggar who was a sorceress in disguise, and in retaliation, she cursed me to be a monster. Every day I become more like an animal. You really shouldn't stay here. I'm an ugly beast."

"No," Jessica said, in an oddly forceful tone. "You're too gentle to be a monster."

"Go back to your family." Lukas turned aside. "This place is a lost cause. I'm sorry."

Putting aside that she really couldn't go back to her family, Jessica felt something else drawing her to here. She felt sympathy for Lukas, the curse victim. If what he was saying was true, he were suffering for something that wasn't his fault.

"Is there any way to break your curse?"

Lukas paused and looked back towards her, ears perking a bit.

"Is there?"

He was quiet for a moment, and then he said, "There is one way. My twentieth birthday will be my last chance. If I don't find love, and someone who loves me in return, by then, I'll become a beast forever. No-one could ever love me."

He suddenly bounded away from Jessica, running off to another room. He leapt over a pile of furniture with perfect precision, then landed without a sound. He had the flawless reflexes of a cat.

"Hey, wait," she said. "I can help you."

"I-I...I have to go!" His nervousness had gotten the best of him. "Stay here if you want, but don't let your hopes get too high. I'm sorry, Jessica."

Jessica ran into the hallway to catch up with him, but he was gone. He could move a lot faster than she could, apparently. Also, Jesse abruptly stopped her in the hallway. She almost tripped over the book.

"Oof!"

"Sorry, lassie! I didn't mean to get underfoot."

"Where did Lukas go? He ran away from me!"

Jesse was so startled that a couple pages fell out of his binding. "What? You were speaking with the master?"

"With Lukas? Yes. I heard everything."

Mrs. Sparks and Stampy rolled out of a nearby room and joined Jesse. "What's the hubbub?"

"The girl! She was talking to the master just now," Jesse explained breathlessly. "Tell me! Did he tell you how his curse might be broken?"

"Someone has to love him?"

Jesse's cover flapped open, apparently pleased that she got it, and Mrs. Sparks glowed brighter for a second.

"Yes! That! Do you love him?" Jesse leaned forward eagerly.

"Woah, woah," Jessica stammered, waving her hands. "Slow down. I just met him. I hardly know anything about him. Plus, he's really shy! He ran away from me."

Jesse and Mrs. Sparks groaned in disappointment. "This might be harder than we thought."

"But I can stay, right?" Jessica crossed her arms. "I...I need a place to hide. Aiden, that boor, is still looking for me."

Mrs. Sparks turned to Jesse. "It's true. The girl needs to stay."

"I won't argue with that," replied the book. "And she has a room and everything. The girl stays!"

"My name is Jessica," she said, unamused. "Don't call me 'the girl.'"

"Jessica. Right." Jesse nodded (as well as a book can nod, anyway.) "Please help us. We know the master is shy and reclusive. But he needs your help. We all do. Can you get him to overcome? To find love?"

She thought about it for a minute. Ivor didn't know where she was. No doubt he was worried. But she couldn't go back, because as soon as Mevia found out what happened, she'd send Jessica to Aiden without hearing another word of it. And she felt a strong need to help Lukas and his servants in their plight. Charity motivated her. After considering it, she made her decision.

"I'll stay."