The sun was fresh on the horizon, and Adelina was already up. Now dressed in a red suit with greyish-purple tights, high heels and lavender gloves, she went out to town as usual with her basket in hand.

First, she paid a visit to the baker, fetching some bread. Afterwards, she went to the fountain in the town square, sitting down to read her book and map. As she read, a young boy and girl began approaching her.

"Ex- excuse me, miss," the boy, Norman, spoke up.

Adelina looked up to see the two children curiously looking at both her book and map. "Oh, why hello there, children. Is there something you want to ask?"

The girl, the mayor's daughter Winnie, nodded. "Yes, we were wondering, just what kind of book and map have you been reading?"

"Ah, you mean this book?" Adelina asked, turning it over. She flipped it open, allowing the children to see the pages. "This book is called Las Leyendas and is about a gifted Mexican boy and his band of misfit friends who go around the world and discover legendary creatures, all while trying to foil an evil overlord who tries to eradicate mankind." She then gestured to the map. "And the map has all of the places they go to written down on it, far off lands such as Eastern Europe, China, Mexico and more."

"Wow!" the two gasped, staring at the book, then up at her.

"Would you like to read a couple of pages?" Adelina offered, waving for them to join her. They both nodded and sat by each side of her, trying to get a good look at the pages and the map. The children's awe was so precious, that she couldn't help but smile. So the town wasn't a complete lost cause after all, for there were at least some young children – especially young girls, like Winnie – who held an interest in adventure and maps. She didn't usually read things out loud in public, but when there were children around, it was a much different case.

She encouraged them to read, holding the book open and flipping the pages as one of them read aloud while the other took a look at the map. "And so, the ship steered to the Japanese village," Winnie read aloud, failing to contain a squeal. "Oh, how exciting! I bet they'll slay a beast here!"

Adelina chuckled at the girl's enthusiasm. "Well, you'll have to continue reading in order to find out."

"Miss Adelina?" Norman asked, making her turn to him. He was holding up her map, pointing to the place circled. "Are… are you going to Russia? Because there's a large circle around it."

"Yes, Norman," Adelina said, nodding. "When my father gets back from the fair, I'll be going to Russia to start my own adventure."

Winnie gasped, her eyes glimmering with excitement. "You mean, just like Leo in the book?" She clapped her hands, jumping up and squealing again. "Amazing! If you ever come back, you'll show us pictures and tell us about it, right?"

Adelina smiled at this. "Of course."

"What in the devil's name are you doing?"

They all looked ahead to see Headmaster Hopkins storming over, a look of outrage on his face. "Filling the children's heads, especially little miss Winifred, with insane fantasies?" he demanded, seething. "Are you so lonely that you have to spread your delusions around like the plague?"

Winnie tried to step in and defend the woman: "Headmaster Hopkins, we–"

"Go home, niña," Adelina ordered softly, giving her a curt shake of the head. The children getting involved would only worsen the situation and dig them and herself even deeper into trouble, which was the last thing any of them needed.

This time, Norman tried to break in. "But Adelina–"

"Go to home to your mothers, now," ordered the woman once more, now a bit more firm.

The two seemed hesitant at first, but were cowed enough to scurry back home regardless. By the time they had gone off, the headmaster was seething with so much rage, that some folks were watching the confrontation.

"It's bad enough that this village has women like you prancing about with your maps and your fantasies of adventure," Headmaster Hopkins ranted angrily. "We don't need anyone else following in your footsteps, especially not the mayor's daughter!"

"But we have to do something," Adelina argued. "Not everyone will live by the provincial lifestyle. Some prefer adventure."

Headmaster Hopkins glared daggers at her. "Adventure is for men of higher, greater status," he said sternly. "Not for silly girls who refuse to abide by society's rules, indulging in some delusion."

"It's not a delusion," Adelina protested, trying to keep calm despite feeling her temper rising. Fully lashing out would only make things look worse and add fuel to the fire. She had to keep level-headed. "I've been reading maps and books of grand escapades, studying the mythology of each country, learning what they have to offer. There's so much more to the world and the children have a right to hear–"

"The children do not need to listen to your nonsense," Hopkins cut in. "Miss Portley-Rind is a noble lady and Mister Babcock is studying to become an active, working class member of the common society- a librarian, I hope. Lord knows we cannot rely on Professor Watanabe nowadays, what, with his recent indulgence," he uttered the last words with disdain. "All the children need to know is their place."

Adelina was beginning to grow frustrated with the headmaster and how close-minded he was. She had only let a young girl and boy read a book and map, allowing them to at least get a sense of some adventure – something different from the same boring old life this town lived by – and yet, she was being treated like a criminal on trial. Why couldn't Headmaster Hopkins, or the whole town for that matter, accept difference? Why couldn't they accept that she was different and that her love for adventure wasn't something to fear? Why couldn't they try to see her as anything other than the odd girl?

She tried to protest again, only for Hopkins to continue: "I think it's time you learn your place, young miss. You may think you're this great adventurer who has a map to every hidden corner of the world, but really, you are an ordinary farm girl. You are the daughter of an inventor, not some hero you find in those fairytales you read." He gestured at her book with disdain, then yanked at her map. "You can borrow all the maps you want, but they will bring you nowhere." She pulled her map back, while he went on, "No matter how much you dream, no matter how much you try to be special, you will always be the inventor's daughter, a lowly girl living on a farm. Either you accept your place within society and gather some dignity, or stop trying to infect the folks who actually have it with your indecency and leave this society be."

Adelina tried to say something, but the words got stuck on her tongue, so she gave up and simply nodded her head. There was no use in trying to argue with Headmaster Hopkins, for he would never try to see from her perspective, nor would anyone else in the village for that matter. They all saw her as the oddity, the outcast, the black sheep – the girl who disrupted their natural peace and order. What was the point in trying to convince them otherwise?

Once the painful lecture was over and Headmaster Hopkins left, she stood up and began to head home, feeling disheartened.

Among one of the folks who witnessed the lecture was Professor Watanabe, who tried to approach her. "I'm sorry for what happened with the headmaster," he said, voice filled with pity. "He's so old-fashioned, so don't pay any mind to him. If you want, I could–"

"It's fine," Adelina interrupted, though her voice sounded thoroughly dispirited.

Professor Watanabe frowned, but didn't say anything else and merely let her walk on.

It was then that a certain bounty hunter slipped away down a street, having also seen the confrontation.

"And so, gentlemen," Dunceby was speaking to the members of the optimates club, "that is why even if she is unworthy of such a position, it'll still be worth–"

"'Scuse me for interrupting," cut in Stenk, approaching the lord.

Dunceby and his men turned to the bounty hunter. "What is it, Stenk?" the lord asked impatiently.

"A certain maiden has fled the nest," Stenk said with a smirk.

"Ah." Dunceby grinned at this, turning to his men. "Gentlemen, I believe it is time."

Just as Adelina had entered her little home, most villagers began setting up for a party complete with tables, chairs, a small banquet and a band of musicians. Everyone was there- even the mayor himself, Lord Portley-Rind, came with his wife and daughter, who weren't nearly as thrilled about the party as he was… then again, the lord always enjoyed balls thrown by his fellow rich snobs, especially when the banquets consisted of his favorite food: cheese. That, and he was never really the brightest light in the chandelier either, hence why he even agreed to officiating the contract.

"Ooh, Adelina's going to get the surprise of her life," Mr. Collick chuckled.

"Indeed, this is an offer she won't refuse for certain," Dunceby agreed. He then looked to all the guests gathered, clearing his throat. "I would like to thank you all for coming to my little ball. First, I must go in there and bring out the newest member of the household," he joked.

The crowd – especially the men of his great society – roared with hearty laughter, while the three ditzy women were seething with jealousy by the banquet. He then turned his attention to his right-hand man. "Now, Mr. Collick, when Adelina and I come out of that door–"

"I strike up the band?" Mr. Collick asked, bringing out a baton. He went on to direct the band as they began playing a tune fit for the setting.

Dunceby's eyes narrowed and he raised his hand above his assistant's head, immediately making the shorter man stop. "Not yet," he grunted.

"Oh, right, my apologies, sir," Mr. Collick muttered, flinching back in fear of being struck.

In the living room, Adelina was sitting in a chair, going through her map and book again. In an attempt to take her mind off the confrontation from earlier, she looked through the places on her map and imagined herself there, exploring every inch and corner of those far-off lands. She imagined she was far away, free from the life she led in the village.

She wondered why her father hadn't returned from the fair yet. It had been a day since he had left… he couldn't have gotten lost, for he had Chief with him to track down the way back home. Perhaps, he had gotten sidetracked- yes, that was it. He was just taking his time. Nothing to worry about, so she carried on with what she was doing.

That is, until she heard a knock on the door. She put her things away and went to the door, peeking through the window to see who it was. She let out a groan, seeing that it was none other than Lord Piggot-Dunceby. Well, it was best to get it over with, and so she opened the door.

"Lord Piggot-Dunceby, what a… placentera sorpresa," she said, forcing a courteous smile.

He had an unsettling grin on his face. "Aren't I always full of surprises?" He stepped into the house, looking around, then back at her. "I heard that you ran into some trouble with Headmaster Hopkins. Nevermind him, he's another old codger who thinks he owns everything. However, the villagers will always be wary of the change you drag along with you."

Adelina's lips curled into a frown, irritated at the blame being placed upon her shoulders. "All I was doing was letting two children examine a map and book," she protested. "I wasn't committing a crime, I was simply allowing two children to have fun."

"The only children you ought to worry about are your own."

"But I'm not ready to have children yet. I don't even know if I'll ever be ready for marriage."

"Not to worry, I think I may have a solution to your issue with the villagers," Dunceby said, smiling pointedly at her. "And it involves neither of those options."

Adelina felt uneasy at this, not liking where this was headed. "What do you mean by that?"

"You know, there isn't a girl in town who wouldn't kill to be in your shoes. This is the day–" he stopped, looking into a mirror nearby. He licked his teeth clean, then looked back at the woman. "This is the day your dreams come true."

She raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think you could possibly make my dreams come true, Dunceby?"

"You and I are not completely different," he tried to reason. "We both have needs, wants…" He tried bringing an arm around her shoulder, making her shudder in disgust. "Picture this: a mountainous mansion, a fine roast cooking on the stove, a wall of pictures of great men who have traveled far and wide and conquered many places, and my little, loyal maid running the place while I discuss business with my men." She looked positively disgusted by this, but he continued, "And of course, dozens of villagers will flock in each day to see the greatest sensation, a man higher than Lord Portley-Rind himself."

"Imagine that," Adelina muttered, trying to move away.

But Dunceby kept going: "And do you who the little maid will be?"

"Hmm, let me think..."

"You, Adelina!"

She stared at him, eyes wide as she backed away from him. "Dunceby, I – I must say, I'm speechless… I have no idea how to answer such a question…"

"Simple," he said, gesturing out towards the door. "Outside, the entire village is gathered outside. The mayor is there, ready with the contract. Once you sign it, you shall be my maid– the one who will provide the map to all the places I've yet to conquer, the one who will make the discoveries that the town will know as the great Lord Piggot-Dunceby's."

"So what you're saying is that you want me to be your slave?" she asked, backing away in disgust. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. This old goat wanted to make her his servant, just so he could use her for his own personal gain. He was using her love of maps as a leverage to take away the little freedom she had, and the worst part was that he was excited about it. "Dunceby, I would never be your servant even if working for you was a last resort!"

He had a frightening look on his face, before sighing. "Adelina, do you know what happens to young women after their fathers pass on?" he asked her. "Without a husband or a steady job, they end up begging for small scraps of food…" He pointed towards the path leading to the cottage, where a homeless spinster girl was shaking an empty bag, asking for money. "Like poor little Aggie."

Adelina looked at the girl, a pitying look on her face as she watched her thank Hanzo for giving her a few coins. She felt bad for her. No one knew exactly where she had come from or who she had been before, but what was known was that her name was Agatha, though they preferred to call her Aggie. It was rumored that she had been exiled from her old hometown after being accused of a crime she didn't commit, forced to wander the streets.

It must have been horrible to have no home, no family– nothing but a ratty old cloak that hung over her head, shielding her face from others.

"Such is the world we live in," Dunceby continued, as if he'd proven a point. "For a woman such as yourself, there aren't many choices." He walked on towards her as she kept moving away, backing up to the front door. "So, what'll it be?"

Adelina had other plans, though. "I'm very sorry, but…" She fumbled for the doorknob, confidence surging as she found it. "But I refuse to work for a snob like you!" She twisted the knob, allowing the door to swing open, ducking as he fell out into the mud.

Mr. Collick struck up the band and they played a nice tune, making a couple of folks dance. Adelina slammed the door shut, listening in until the coast was clear. The band kept on playing, until Dunceby's head popped up from the mud. Mr. Collick cut off the band, watching as the lord wiped his face clean.

Stenk stepped close, leaning his head down in amusement. "So, I take that it went well," he said cheekily.

Dunceby stood up, grabbing the bounty hunter by the collar. "I'll have Adelina for my maid," he growled. "Make no mistake of that!" He threw him into the mud, then stormed off.

"Touchy," Mr. Collick murmured, then went after his master.

With Dunceby gone, the little celebration was called off and everyone left. Once everyone was gone, Adelina cracked the door open, checking to see if the coast was clear. She let out a sigh of relief, seeing that there was no one around.

"Can you imagine?" she scoffed, taking the food for the other dogs she had to feed in the farm. "He asked me to be his maid!"

Rex, King, Boss and Duke all barked and growled in outrage upon hearing her rant.

"Me, the maid of that ignorante, arrogante, egoísta!" she ranted angrily, pouring the dog food into each of their bowls. Then, she decided to vent out her frustration further through song.

Madame Adi,

Can't you just see it?

Madame Adi, his little slave

She grunted in disgust, kicking Duke's bowl in frustration, making him and the other three yelp and scurry back in fright.

No sir,

Not me, I guarantee it!

I want much more than this provincial life!

Adelina placed down a bag of dog food on the post, then raced out into the open field. She gazed ahead at the beautiful valley, at the setting sun and took in all of her surroundings, relishing in them.

I want adventure in the great wide somewhere,

I want it more than I can tell…

She came down on her knees, sitting in the grass. She plucked a dandelion, quietly making a wish: to be free from this dull life.

And for once, it might be grand,

To have someone understand

I want so much more than they've got planned…

She blew into the dandelion, watching its puffs float around into the distance. She allowed herself to relax for a moment, until she heard a familiar bark. She turned and saw Chief running to her, looking terrified as ever. What was more disturbing though was the fact that her father was nowhere to be seen.

"Chief! What are you doing here?" Adelina caught the frightened hound in her arms, trying to calm him down by stroking his fur. "¿Donde esta Papá? Where is he, boy? What happened?"

She saw the distressed look in his eyes and noticed how frantic his barking grew. Something was wrong. "We have to find him," she said quickly. "Take me to him, Chief!"

After going back into the house and grabbing her white wool coat, she and Chief set off into the forest.

After hours of wandering through the dark woods, Chief led Adelina to the gates of a mansion. The sky seemed to grow even darker as she arrived.

She looked ahead at the dark, gloomy building. "Is this the right place, Chief?" she asked the dog.

He barked in confirmation. She went over to the gates, cautiously opening them. "Don't worry, Papá," she whispered. "Ya voy."

In a spare room of the mansion, Coraline was berating Susan for his foolishness.

"Couldn't keep your mouth shut for one second, could you?" she ranted at him, scolding him despite being twice his junior. "Nope, you just had to invite him to stay, just had to let him have some soup, sit in the master's chair and pet the cat!"

The yeti shrugged. "I was trying to be a good host."

Adelina quietly pushed the door open, not wanting to cause too much of a disturbance. "Hello? Is there anyone here?" she called out, hoping someone would answer, yet she received no response. "Papá?" She and Chief ascended the staircase. "Papá, are you here? Please, come out."

In the kitchen, Sariatu was preparing a tub of water.

"Mother!" Kubo cried excitedly, dashing over to the older kitsune. "Mother, I saw a girl in the castle!"

Sariatu turned to her son, shaking her head. "Kubo, now is not the time for stories," she said firmly.

"But Mother," he whined, "I really did see her."

"Not another word," his mother said scoldingly, picking him up by the scruff of his neck. "Into the tub." She dropped him in, starting to bathe him.

Eggs came in though, confirming the kitsune pup was right: "I saw a woman in the castle! An actual living woman!"

Kubo poked his head out of the water, squirting some out. "See, Mother? I was right!"

Coraline and Susan were still bickering, or rather, the mitla was ragging him on while the yeti covered his ears, not wanting to argue further.

"You reckless, foolhardy, unwise, foolish–"

"Papá?"

The two stopped, turning to see where the voice had come from. They caught a glimpse of the new arrival walking down the hall.

"Did you see that?" Susan asked Coraline. "I could've sworn I saw…" he trailed off, and they both went to peek around the corner. He gasped, seeing that the new arrival was a woman. "So it is a girl!"

Coraline rolled her eyes. "Of course it's a girl!"

An idea came into Susan's head. "That's it! She's the one, the lady who can break the spell!" he cried cheerily, rushing after her.

"Susan, wait!" Coraline exclaimed, scurrying after him.

Adelina wandered through the hallway. At one point, she sensed that there was something behind her, but when she turned, she saw nothing but an open door. She and Chief stepped through the door, into a cold grey hall lit by torches.

"¿Hola?" she continued to call out. "¿Hay alguien aquí?" Chief sniffed around and began climbing up a rickety staircase, seemingly led by a golden light. "Wait, we're looking for mi padre!" She followed after him, yet she found not a single person when they came to the top. "Strange," she murmured, not noticing a certain yeti watching her while standing still as a statue. "I could've sworn I heard something… please, if there's anyone here, speak up now!"

"Adelina, mija?" a voice echoed from one of the doors lined up.

She instantly recognized the voice. "Papá!"

Chief barked and ran over to the door, scratching at it. Adelina grabbed a torch and went over to it, kicking it open to reveal a small room with a single mattress in it.

On that mattress was her father, who immediately took her other hand. "H-how did you know where to find me?"

Adelina felt his quivering hands. "You're chilled to the bone!" she exclaimed, and he was sent into a coughing fit. "We need to get you out of here."

"No, Adelina, what you need to do is leave this place immediately," he told her.

"Who did this to you?" she questioned.

"There's little time left," Félix said, looking around. "You need to go, now!"

"I'm not going to just leave you here to rot!" she insisted.

"What are you doing here?" an angry voice growled as something seized her shoulder, whipping her around. Her torch fell from her hands into a puddle, making the light die out, leaving the room in mostly darkness, save for a single beam of light pouring through the cracks of the ceiling.

Corre, Adelina!" her father shrieked from behind her.

Chief growled at the direction from where the voice seemed to be coming from. Adelina stood in front of her father, trying to find the source of the voice. "Who's there?" she asked, keeping calm. "Who are you?"

"The owner of this mansion," replied the voice, its shadow shifting. Adelina could see that the shadow belonged to a large, tall hairy creature, which seemed to be carrying a cane with it since she heard something tap against the floor as it moved. The only thing she could fully make out were its two blue eyes, focused on her.

"I've come here for my father," she stated her business. "Please, release him. Haven't you heard the way he coughs? He's getting sick!"

"Then he should've known better than to come here," the creature replied coldly.

Adelina glared at him. "How can you be so heartless? It isn't his fault he wound up here. Where else was he going to find shelter?" she retorted. "Are you really going to let an old man die for a simple mistake?"

The beast stood there, caught back by how quick she was to bite back. No one had ever talked to him that way before. She had quite a temper, and her looks didn't kill either. Back then, he never really thought of courting any woman, yet now that he was in this state and this woman was here, standing her ground despite being face to face with a monster… it was intriguing, to say the least.

"Let him go," she ordered. "I will do anything within my power, just let him out."

"I'm afraid there is nothing you can do for him," the figure said, turning away from her. Though the coldness in its tone seemed to have faded, that didn't make it sound less disconcerting. "He trespassed here, so now he must suffer the consequences." He began to head for the stairs.

"But there has to be something I can do…" Adelina trailed off, thinking of a way to free her father from his captivity. An idea suddenly hit her. It was a calamitous one, yes, but if it guaranteed her father's freedom, then it was her best bet. "Wait!" she cried out, grabbing his attention. "I'll take his place."

The beast froze in his tracks. "You…" Surprise flashed in his blue irises as he looked back at her. "You would… really do that? You would give up your freedom for his?"

"Adelina, no!" her father yelled. "You're insane!"

She ignored him, focusing on the beast. "If I were to take his place, would you release him?"

"Yes," he replied, his voice quieter than a whisper. "That is a reasonable bargain. Very well; you take your father's place and I shall let him go, but you must promise to stay here forever."

She pondered for a moment, before realizing that if she was going to stay here for the rest of her days, she would at least need to know who she was talking to and see him first. "What is your name?"

"I am Sir Lionel Frost," he answered. "And your name is Adelina, correct?"

She nodded. "Sir Lionel," she began, "could you come into the light?"

"I could, but I do not think you will like what you see," Lionel spoke hesitantly. "Still, since you ask so politely, I shall comply with your request." There came a cane first, tapping down on the floor, then a large paw with five long claws. It was followed by a thick black-furred leg, clad in plaid blue pants. Another leg followed, along with two arms clad in a matching suit and waistcoat, the paws of both arms covered with grey gloves, fur and claws sticking out through the holes. Last of all came his head, and it was then that Adelina finally recognized the beast before her. His head was that of a wolf's with a long snout, sharp fangs, pointy ears and of course, those piercing blue eyes- the only human quality about him. The whole body stood straight, towering above her, appearing to be around at least six feet.

Adelina knew exactly what kind of creature he was, for she had read about it in a book long ago. He was a werewolf, a creature that stood on its legs like a human, yet was a beast in nearly every sense of the word.

She looked into his eyes for a moment before stumbling back, nearly frightened. She glanced at her father, seeing how terrified he was.

Félix took his daughter's hand. "Adelina, no! I will not allow you to do this!"

Adelina regained her composure. She stood up and walked over to the Lionel, looking him in the eye. It was either her father's freedom or hers and in the end, she knew what was more important. "We have a deal, Sir Lionel."

"Very well then," the lycanthrope accepted her decision. "You have my word and I have yours." He moved aside, allowing her a moment with her father.

Adelina's legs gave in and she fell to the ground, her head in her hands. Félix came over to his daughter, hugging her. "Listen, mija, you don't have to do this," he tried reasoning with her. "I'm old, I've lived a long life–"

The old man didn't get to finish as he was seized by Lionel, who started to drag him downstairs.

"Wait!" Adelina cried, watching her father being ripped away from her.

"Adelina!" Félix yelled.

"Wait!" Adelina shouted, rushing over to the window, watching Lionel drag her father to a wagon.

"Please, have mercy on my daughter, please!" Félix begged.

"She is no longer your concern," Lionel dismissed him. "Take him back to his village," he ordered the wagon, to which it complied.

The carriage scurried as quickly as a mouse with the old man inside it.

Adelina watched from a window in the towers, tears clouding her vision as the carriage soon disappeared. How foolish could she have been to wish for life outside the village? At least there, she had lived with her father, but now? She had no one, no one except for Chief.

She slumped to the ground in sorrow, with Chief in her lap, whining softly.


This has gotta be the longest chapter I've ever written by far, so I really hope y'all liked this.

As for some explanations for certain things:

1. The reason why the whole headmaster confronation and the spinster thing was kept in was because I wanted to write something leading up to the Belle reprise and Adelina's ultimate frustration with this provincial life. I tried not to make it too out of place and actually fit, by taking out the inventor plot and just making it so that Hopkins saw her odd for the same reason the villagers did, but was more extreme. Dunceby… well, Dunceby's just a jerk, so a bit of manipulation isn't far outta his game, is it? Nah.

2. Lionel being a werewolf was planned since day one, and shoutout to that one commenter on AO3 for guessing! Though, it was more based on Wolverine than Van Helsing, but I admit the latter was helpful appearance wise while the former was just inspiration.

Anyway, again, I hope ya liked this and hopefully, the next chapter won't be as much of a nightmare to write. Until next time, bye~