Beauty in the Beast
Yes! Aria will finally know the truth, which will lead to her meeting Kai in this chapter & we'll also get to see the ninjas! Oh, & I just HAD to include the dinner request scene from the Disney movie! XD Enjoy!
Chapter 3: First Impressions
The merchant braced himself when he finally told his son and daughters of the ship's fate and their newfound poverty and they were understandably upset about it. Bella complained all day, Tony was snappish for the first several hours, and Aria was quieter than usual. But they weren't really rich from the start so things eventually got a little better.
But the merchant still refused to tell them, especially Aria, of his deal with the beast. But while the merchant waited with unease for the seventh day, Bella and Tony were slightly envious that Aria got to have her gift but their father firmly told them he just happened to have found one of the rare flowers growing in the wild, convincing them to let go of their envy.
As the days went on, the Byeolkkoch flower's unique beauty seemed to increase and under its radiance, so did Aria's. But underneath that pretty face, the wistful girl grew suspicious. Every time she or even her siblings questioned their father about the flower, he would fall silent and even a little anxious, as if he knew something he didn't want them to know and it got worse as the week went by.
Finally, on the sixth night since the merchant made the deal with the beast, he saw no point in hiding the truth. The guilt was already killing him from the inside out.
"My children, I have something very important to you." He finally gathered them together so he can see them for possibly the last time.
"This is the last time I'll ever see you." The merchant openly cried, "Aria, the Byeolkkoch flower I got for you… I didn't find it growing in the wild… I stole it."
The merchant's children, especially Aria, were shocked that their father had done such a thing.
"Why, Papa? Why would you steal?" Bella asked in disbelief.
"I wanted to make at least one of you happy and I found the Byeolkkoch flowers growing in his garden. I didn't mean to steal from him."
"Who's 'him'…?" Tony inquired.
The merchant felt a pit in his stomach remembering the deal he made with that thing.
"The garden I picked the Byeolkkoch flower from belongs to no man… but a monster."
"What are you talking about?"
"The garden was part of a castle that belonged to a beast. It was the most hideous creature I've ever seen and every night, I've seen his face in my nightmares…"
"A beast…?" The already shocked Aria had no idea what to think.
She never thought a beast would actually exist in real life…
"But it's true. I got lost on the way home and I happened upon his castle and he didn't come to me until I took the flower after spending the night there. He gave me an ultimatum: either bring my daughter to the castle for wanting his property, or I will go and pay for my theft within one week and now, it's almost up. I chose the latter so I won't let Aria reap the penalty for my crime and to see you all one last time…"
The merchant broke down in bitter tears for the first time in front of his children, breaking yet another promise; his promise to his late wife to always be strong for their children.
His children can do nothing but fruitlessly console their father but no one was as upset as Aria.
'Papa might die and it's all my fault for begging for that stupid flower in the first place… Why is it that I keep screwing up everything…? I'm such a fool…'
The merchant continued to weep as he held his children for one last time…
It was on the morning of the seventh day that the merchant finally had the courage to approach his eldest daughter for whom he stolen the beast's property before he can go to his death.
"Aria… I'm so sorry for gambling your life when I should've protected you."
Unlike what he expected, his daughter remained silent. Aria seemed to do nothing but blankly stare out the window but her father knew better. Even when she was quiet, many thoughts ran in her head and the more silent she was, the more turbulent the storm in her mind was…
So many emotions were going through the blue-eyed girl's head, especially guilt.
Her father practically sold her to a monster so she can have what she wanted but he still chose to forfeit his life for her sake. It was all her fault for asking him for the flower in the first place. If there was anyone who should be punished, it's her.
It's as if the fates were mocking her by granting her desire for a life outside Sperontae in what can only be the most twisted way possible, especially with her already ill reputation soiled.
And she was going to accept it not out of her desire to leave but to face punishment.
"Forgive me, Papa." Aria whispered.
"Why? I should be the one asking for the forgiveness I don't deserve." Her father was confused, knowing it was his fault for stealing in the first place.
The olive-skinned girl stared at her father mutely for several moments before she took her key and locked the door before he can follow her out.
"Aria! Aria, no! Don't do this!" The merchant begged and banged against the door but she was in no mood to listen.
While Tony and Bella scrambled to free their father, Aria grabbed her cloak and the Byeolkkoch flower and went outside to mount her father's horse. Her father was finally freed by his son and the family rushed outside just in time to see Aria riding away in the far distance.
"ARIA!" Her family's screams echoed and it may be the last she'll ever hear from them…
It's been hours since Aria ran away to pay the price for coveting the beast's flowers. She found herself deep in a forest far from Sperontae, further than she's ever been. She always dreamt of leaving her village but finally seeing the world outside her home still unnerved her. Yet she had to keep going not because she wanted to. It was because she had to.
"Take me to the beast's castle." She commanded her horse.
The tame creature reared up with a neigh and galloped through the thick forest, remembering the route it had taken from the dreaded monster's castle.
Aria can't help but let her jaw drop at the sheer size of the palace. A whole town could fit in the castle and there will still be a lot of space left. The blue-eyed girl would've thought that such a place existed only in fairy tales but she was standing in front of one.
Aria gently knocked on the door like her father had and was also surprised that it was open.
"Hello…?" Her voice echoed across the spacious chambers of the castle.
With her echoes as her only response, the frightened maiden continued down the halls, calling out for the beast or anyone that could be dwelling in the castle, showing the Byeolkkoch flower as proof of her identity as the merchant's daughter.
"I've come here, beast. Now show yourself." Aria called out to the beast but again, her answers were just her own echoes.
As she wondered further into the castle, more evidence of something terrible lurking within its walls became apparent. The furniture deep in the palace were broken as if demolished by brute force and claw marks ran deep into the walls, tearing the fine wallpaper. She also noticed that every mirror was shattered as if they were loathed by whoever lived here…
Eventually, Aria found herself in a vast room in shambles but she can only guess that she was in the throne room since it was the largest room she's been in so far…
"You actually came…" A low rumbling voice growled from the shadows where the actual throne would've been but Aria can't tell because of the darkness.
The owner of the voice remained hidden in the shadows but Aria can see his vague silhouette in the tiny bit of light seeping into the room and can tell the creature was at least twice the size of a grown human man.
"Yes. I'm the one who wanted your flower so I also decided to give it back…" Aria held out the flower in her hand but the creature remained in the shadows.
"Did you come here out of your own free will?"
"Yes… but I never got a chance to say goodbye…" Tears welled up in her bright blue eyes as she thought about the family she abruptly left behind.
The creature took a step closer but his body was still hidden in the shadows but Aria can see its eyes glowing in an amber hue like flames. She peered at the figure suspiciously. If she was going to be held captive here, she should at least know her captor's face, no matter how ugly.
"Show yourself." Aria said boldly.
The beast was ashamed to show himself before her. Not even he can deny that she was really beautiful… and he was just a monster…
"You will only repeat your father's actions…" He tried warning her off.
"If I'm going to spend the rest of my life here, at least let me know the face of the beast I must spend the rest of my life with." Aria responded, still determined to see him.
With much reluctance, the beast stepped forward once. The blue-eyed girl was startled by the large clawed foot and knew there was more to come. After a moment, the beast took another step forward and slowly revealed himself to her. His tail swung slowly behind him and his hunch didn't deter his impressive height and his horns looked like they could pierce the heavens and his claws could easily cut steel.
Aria clasped her hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming in terror and fell back on her bottom but much to her surprise, the beast didn't budge. Deep down, the beast grew more ashamed of his ugliness. He felt a tiny glimmer of hope when the merchant mentioned her but knew it was for naught because no one would ever want to be with a monster.
What Aria didn't know was that the beast wasn't the sole inhabitant of the castle. Hidden in the shadows, the beast's servants lurked, observing the human girl.
"This is great! She could break the spell!" One of them whispered.
"Stop being so selfish!" Another hissed, "She's another living being! Not a tool!"
"Agreed, but her presence delivers a sense of hope." A third joined in.
"You…" The beast started, not knowing the girl's name.
"My name is Aria."
"Aria, you will stay here from now on. You might as well know my palace or you'll get lost."
Aria was surprised that the beast didn't try to attack her but she also didn't want to jinx herself by asking him.
"I'll take you to your new chamber and don't fall behind." The beast walked off and growled at the last words, intimidating his new prisoner, giving her no choice but to follow...
Aria was too caught up in her despair to take in her surroundings. She knew she'll never see her family again and she'll be locked away in this dreadful castle for the rest of her life with no one but a hideous beast to accompany, no, she will accompany the beast.
"You'll be staying here." The beast abruptly ended the 'tour' and pointed to a pair of tall double doors that were surprisingly intact.
Aria cautiously opened it but the splendor of the elegant furniture, large bed, and tall windows were lost to the downtrodden girl.
"You are now my prisoner," The beast repeated, "And you will do as I command."
The olive-skinned girl gulped, not wishing to even think what the beast may do to her.
"It's not long until I eat. You belong to me now so you will join me for dinner, whether you like it or not!" The beast growled and callously shoved the blue-eyed maiden into the room before slamming the door shut.
Once the booming footsteps faded, Aria finally collapsed onto her bed and cried bitter tears.
Aria always wished to leave Sperontae one day but she didn't want it to be like this. She'll never see her family and friends again and she was but the beast's property. She wished this was just a twisted nightmare but it was all too real. She cried for what seemed like an eternity when she finally met a kind soul.
"Don't cry, young lady." A feminine voice said behind her, alarming the prisoner.
Much to Aria's surprise, the owner of this voice was a cat but she wasn't sure if it was a real cat because asides from the obvious, the black cat's tail was more like that of a fish and instead of paws, it had flippers. Tiny fins stuck out beside both of its ears and a long fin ran down its back.
"W-what are you…!?" The tearful girl inquired.
"I'm Nya." The hybrid creature purred.
Aria felt like she was going to faint. It was one thing to be prisoner to a monster but now there was this strange cat-fish hybrid that shouldn't even exist.
"What… H-how did you…?"
"I live here," Nya answered flatly, "You may think it's just you and the beast but it's far from it."
"There are others?"
"Yes, all servants of the beast. You're the only human here."
The door knocked and Aria flinched, assuming it was the beast.
"Go away!" She cried.
"It's just me!" A bright and jovial voice echoed behind the door before it opened, letting some bird-like creature swoop in.
Aria didn't know what kind of species it was because it was a bit larger than an eagle but had a rich blue plumage similar to a blue jay but with lighter blue marks like lightning bolts on it.
"I must be dreaming…!"
"Nope!" The bird jested, "This is all real! By the way, I'm Jay!"
"And why are you here?" Aria asked.
"My master is expecting you."
"I'm not eating with him."
Jay's feathers started to shake in fear of his master's cruel temper. Even before he was cursed, nobody dared to disobey him.
"W-w-why not…?"
"Why would I want to eat next to my own captor?"
"But you came out of your own free will didn't you?"
"Just because I was willing doesn't mean I'll like it. I chose this path to save my father."
Nya and Jay fell silent, knowing that this all happened because her father only wanted to make her happy with the Byeolkkoch flower she wanted…
"Is that the new girl?" A childish voice suddenly joined in.
Scampering into the room was another strange creature. It looked like a cross between a small dragon and a puppy with green and gold fur but parts of its limbs were covered in scales and its tail was like that of a dragon's. Tiny horns also crowned its head and a row of spikes ran down its back and it even had wings though they were way too small for flight. The little thing hopped next to Aria's bed asking questions nonstop.
"Lloyd, be polite." Nya interrupted the pup-like imp.
The tiny creature pouted but Aria helped him onto the bed, much to his embarrassment.
"So are you coming down to dinner?" Lloyd finally asked.
"I'm not hungry." Aria said truthfully. Being a prisoner can really ruin an appetite.
"But what about the beast?" Jay pleaded, not wanting his master to go on another rampage.
"Too bad." The new girl crossed her arms defiantly.
"He's gonna get mad…" Nya warned her.
"So be it." Aria still wouldn't let up.
With much reluctance, Jay flew off to tell his master of Aria's defiance, knowing he was going to find out sooner or later anyway…
In the dining room, the beast paced in circles on all fours. He already sent Jay to get her but it's been such a long time and his already short patience wore thin. If there was one thing he hated more than anything, it was anyone disobeying him.
"What's taking her so long!?" The beast already raised his voice, intimidating the two servants with him.
"Your Grace, maybe you shouldn't have forced her to eat with you. She just got here and she's very distressed." One of them started.
"She's my prisoner and I treat her the way I see fit!" The monster snapped the creature.
"Zane's right," The mole-like creature the merchant saw before added, "She should at least get used to being here before getting to know her."
"That doesn't matter, Cole!"
"Think about it. She may be your only hope." Cole whimpered.
"What hope is there!?"
"But don't you remember what she said? If she loves you back, the curse will be broken." Zane, the other servant, reminded his master.
While Cole resembled a mole made of rock, Zane looked like a white wolf whose fur gave off a supernatural shimmer like sunlight on snow as if his coat was made from it.
"Do you actually think she will love THIS!?" The beast roared in the wolfish servant's face.
"Beauty is only skin deep and if you give each other a chance, perhaps you'll see something in each other. It just takes some time." Zane tried reasoning with his hideous master.
"But please remember…" Cole started…
"Control your temper." Both servants said at the same time.
Before the beast can respond, the door creaked as someone was waiting at the other side.
"She's here!" Cole exclaimed.
The door opened… only for Jay to fly in, stoking the flames of his master's cruel temper.
"Where is she?" The beast clenched his crooked teeth.
The large bird shook and stuttered, fearful of what the beast will say or do…
"Uh… you see… there's been some stuff going on… and Aria's still getting used to this place and stuff… you know how circumstances come up randomly… well… things happen… and…"
"GET ON WITH IT!" The beast roared, frightening Jay even further.
The bird-like creature flew under one of the chairs before he finally broke the ice…
"She… said… no…" He whispered before he and the other servants braced themselves…
"WHAT!?"
The beast's roar shook the whole castle before he barged out of the dining room on all fours to where his prisoner stayed. The beast barged down the halls towards Aria's room with Jay, Zane, and Cole struggling to keep up.
"Your Majesty! Please! She's new here!" Jay flew after his master but not even he can catch up with a raging beast.
Nya and Lloyd were already outside the doors when the beast arrived to nearly knock them off their hinges with his large fists.
"I TOLD YOU TO JOIN ME FOR DINNER!" The beast roared.
"I lost my appetite!" Aria argued back behind the doors, enraging him further.
"YOU COME OUT… O-OR… OR I-I'LL BREAK DOWN THE DOOR!"
The servants cringed while the beast howled and clawed at the doors, creating an awful sound like a knife on a plate.
"Please, Your Grace!" Cole pleaded, "That's not the best way to earn her love!"
"It's her fault for being a defiant little brat!" The beast snarled.
"Be gentle and maybe she'll accept you." Zane persuaded him to take a gentlemanly approach.
The beast glared at his servants before attempting to get his prisoner to come out.
"Will you join me for dinner… please…?" He requested quietly albeit with extreme difficulty, as evidenced by his constant growls.
"No!" Aria still wasn't convinced.
"YOU CAN'T STAY IN THERE FOREVER!" The beast immediately exploded with rage.
"Yes I can!"
"FINE! GO AHEAD AND STARVE FOR ALL I CARE!"
The beast ran off towards the other end of the hall and slammed the door with so much force parts of the ceiling crumbled down on his servants.
"They're hopeless." Cole sighed.
"I know this is a very inappropriate time to say this but I thought that was actually kinda funny." Lloyd chortled.
The servants can tell that Aria and the beast were off to a great start…
Awwww! Can't you just feel the love between them? XD
After this, we'll see more canon character cameos & LightningDanino23's OC as well as how Morro's faring after his humiliation, the developing relationship between Aria & Kai, & even a further backstory on how Kai became a beast & who this sorceress is but should I show it as Kai's flashbacks or Aria's dreams? Let me know in the reviews!