Chapter 8
At dinner I managed to convice the Beast I was feeling much better, though I barely touched my food. My thoughts drifted towards my parents.
That night, after the inevitable question and my departure, I tossed and turned in my bed. The looks on my parents faces haunted me. What if Beauty's Father had told them I was dead? Or worse?
Finally I drifted off to sleep, but sleep troubled with nightmares is worse than being awake. I woke several times, a scream of helplessness rising in my throat. The dream I usually had never came, I just dreamt over and over of my parents. My mother was always sobbing her heart out, and my father limping and trying to do my chores, but he wasn't strong enough. He had to keep one hand on his crutch.
I finally woke, tears stained my cheeks. I got up, sniffing wearily. I washed my face, and felt refreshed, but still deeply saddened. I felt guilty for causing the Beast so much worry, so I tried to put on a cheery demenor. I pushed away my sadness and tried intensly not to think of it.
I went to breakfast, and the day was like most of the days I had been here. But I could only bring myself to smile and nod, I couldn't laugh.
"Beauty, is there anything I can do to help?" he asked in the library, after he read to me. I had barely laughed at all, not even a smile. I could hardly bring myself to listen to the book he read to me, a comedy play I should have loved.
"Beauty? What's wrong?" asked the Beast.
I reeled back into reality, I had hardly realized he was speaking to me. I also hadn't realized my eyes had filled with tears. Embarassed, I wiped them with the palm of my hand.
"I..." I sighed realizing it was useless to beat around the bush, "I miss my parents."
The Beast was silent for a moment. "Beauty,"
"Yes?" I sniffed.
"Would you like to see a room I've never shown you before?" he asked slowly, standing.
I stood also. "I think I would like that." I noticed the Beast seemed nervous, as if he wasn't sure he should be doing this.
He held out his arm, and we walked out of the library together. The Beast took me down a side hall, smaller but more richly furnished than the main hall. It was all gold leaf and white marble. I was cheered slightly by the light colors.
Suddenly to huge doors stood in front of us, beautifully carved with nymphs, fairies and nature. The Beast opened to humungous door easily, but it was solid wood and must have been very heavy.
I tried to look past him into the room, but he stepped in front of me. "Close your eyes." he said playfully.
I smiled, sighed, and closed my eyes obediantly. I felt the Beast's giant furry paw engulf my hand, and he gently led me into the room, one paw and my back.
"Ok, open them." he said, excitement in his husky voice.
I gapsed in pleasure at what I saw. It was the most beautiful room in the entire castle, it made the others blanche in comparison.
It was a room of wonders, not fit for words. I had a feeling it was different for every person. Much later, I could only describe it like this: for me, it was like being inside the sun, during the sunset.
The Beast was smiling at me, and when I could finally tear my eyes away, I was smiling too.
"Oh, Beast..." was all I could say.
"This room used to be used for only the most joyous ocaisions. Now it's all yours."
I expected joy, but instead my heart was stabbed with guilt. I didn't understand why.
"Beauty," the Beast had turned from me, and seemed nervous. "This room hasn't seen a women so beautiful as you in many years. I would do the room dishonor, if I did not ask you to a dance."
I froze. "Beast, I would love to, but I am not much of a dancer." In fact, I wasn't a dancer at all.
"Neither am I." and he held out his hand.
Hesitantly, I took it.
He placed his paw my mid-back, and gently stepped. I hadn't noticed that music had begun.
And then all at once, we were flying. It seemed like a dream, and I didn't want it to end. When I looked at the Beast, I didn't see the ugliness. I just saw the kindness, and the compassion of the person I had only begun to know. I wished I had seen him like this before.
We must have danced for hours, but I could have gone on and on.
And then I heard a small whisper. "Rose..."
I stopped. "Beast, did you hear that?"
"Rose..." much more menacingly.
"Beauty, are you alright?"
"ROSE!" screamed the voice of a girl. I screamed also, and covered my ears. My knees buckled, and I almost fell.
"Beauty!" said the Beast, catching me.
"I wouldn't touch her, Beast. You don't know where she's been." said the voice, snickering.
The Beast layed me gently on the floor, and then stood. "Show yourself, Cathrine!"
Laughter filled the air. "You think you are so powerful, Beast. But you are weak. Not fit for the throne. But I am not weak."
Cathrine appeared in front of us, still inside her portrait. She was not a little girl, but a girl about my age. Her voice now matched her looks.
"Be quiet! How dare you speak here with your forked-tounge!" The Beast roared.
"I am not the only one who should not be here, Beast." said Cathrine. I tried to stand, and falied. The Beast caught me once again.
"Your dear 'Beauty' is not who you think she is. She lied to you."
"No!" I screamed. "I didn't have a choice!"
"You chose to decieve him! And now you have condemned him to death! The prophesy is dead now, and so is he. Not that you care." Cathrine spat.
I was about to shout back, but the Beast stepped in front of me. He didn't look at me. "Beauty." he growled. "You had better go."
"But, Beast." I whispered hoarsly, tears streaming down my face.
"Just go."
And I did.
