Cinderella, Henri, and Anastasia cautiously made their way through the dark forest, desperately searching for the long forgotten castle. Anastasia could not help but shiver. She had a strong sense that something terrible was about to happen. " How much farther, Your Highness?" She wondered. " The castle should be just beyond that hill over there." Henri reassured her, pointing at a place to the east of them. " And Ana, how many times must I insist you address me as Henri? We are family, after all." Anastasia blushed. "Yes, Henri."
Just then, a wolf's howl echoed around them, and the trio's horses reared up in fear. Cinderella was thrown backwards, and she rolled on the ground, wincing in pain. Screaming his wife's name, Henri managed to calm the horses down, thus rushing to her side. " Are you alright?" " My arm seems to be broken." Cinderella groaned. Frowning with worry, Henri gently pulled her up to a standing position. " Right. We ought to turn back. You need a physician now."
"NO!" Cinderella insisted. " You know how long it took us to come this far. I must finish what I started. Besides, there is a simple solution; I'll just create a sling, and then we'll be on our way. I'll be fine; there is no need to worry. If there does happen to be someone still living at the castle, I am certain they will be glad to help should my condition worsen." Henri and Anastasia exchanged a knowing look, and then sighed. " Very well, O Mighty One." Henri teased. " Let us move on then." Cinderella then proceeded to rip up the hem of her dress and tie the scrap around her arm and neck.
TWO HOURS LATER
The trio stared in horror at the sight before them. A once glorious castle was now nothing more than dark, cold, and dusty ruins. Opening the wrought iron gates, they made their way through the courtyard, jumping at every sound. At last, they came upon what seemed to be the front doors, and Cinderella slowly creaked them open. " Alright." She whispered. " I say we separate and search for any sign of life. We'll cover more ground that way." The other two nodded. " Ella, why don't you start down here, while Henri and I search upstairs?" Anastasia suggested.
As Cinderella went from room to room, Anastasia and Henri climbed the creaky, never-ending staircase until they reached the next floor, thus splitting up once more. Henri quietly approached what appeared to be the east wing, or what was left of it. Meanwhile, Anastasia entered the west wing, gasping at the sight that greeted her. Everything left in the room had been ripped or smashed to pieces, except for one thing.
On a small nightstand stood a beautiful, glowing red rose, firmly encased in a protective glass display. Entranced, she stretched her hand out towards it. But before anything happened, a furious growl sounded behind her. Whipping around in fear, Anastasia searched the room. At first, nothing seemed to be amiss, but then she looked again.
There, standing before her, was a large, vicious- looking beast. It was then that she let out a bloodcurdling scream. In response, the beast tossed her over his shoulder and stormed through the palace, accidently running into Henri in the process. For a moment, Henri stood paralyzed with fear, but he shook it off and faced the beast head on. " Let my sister go, you monster! We mean you no harm; we were simply passing through. The wolves residing nearby forced us to take shelter here. Leave us be, and we will go now."
" You are not going anywhere!" The beast threatened. "No matter the reason, I do not take kindly to trespassers; particularly those who go poking about where they do not belong!" With that, he slung Henri over his other shoulder and went down into the depths of the palace, proceeding to lock them up in a dank cell. "Please! My wife is out there somewhere! She is injured, and desperately needs us." Henri pleaded. But his cries were all in vain, for the beast simply stormed off again without a word.
Meanwhile, Cinderella had heard the commotion and followed it as quickly as her strength allowed. " Ana? Henri?" She called. " Where are you? Answer me!" " Your companions must suffer the consequences for trespassing. As must you." The beast's voice boomed. Cinderella gasped. " Who are you? What did you do with them?" Stepping around to face Cinderella, he answered, " I am the master of this castle."
Showing no fear, Cinderella demanded, " You will let them go at once! We truly meant you no harm!" The beast's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of the young woman. " It cannot be! Helene? Is it truly you?" " I beg your pardon?" Cinderella exclaimed. Then it dawned on her. " Wait- was Helene indeed the lost infant princess?" " Yes." The beast said sadly. " How do you know of this?" Cinderella smiled. " I know, because I am her. Although, my given name is Cinderella." The beast attempted to smile back. " Yes, of course. I see it now; you look so much like our beloved mother. Though I do not remember her well, at least her face can never be forgotten." " You mean to say that you are-" Cinderella started in surprise. The beast grunted in response. The young woman embraced him tightly. " Oh, my dearest brother, this is truly a miraculous day. I am overjoyed to have found you after all these years. Now come, let us release the others, and then you must explain everything."