Beauty and the Beast: The Tale Continues

Chapter 58 - The Finale, Part 1

Author's Note: Disney is the rightful owner of all this. I just own the story.

An hour or so had passed since Raphael had chosen to take his life, and neither Belle nor Adam had moved from their spot on the prince's balcony.

Once his wife had stopped with her crying, Adam wanted to say something that would make her feel better… but the problem was that he had no idea what he could possibly sa in regards to what had just happened.

"You… knew he would do this… didn't you?"

At first, Adam was confused about his wife's statement, but then, he realized that someone else had just appeared.

"I warned you about this, my dear…"

Standing in the spot where Raphael had been, was the Enchantress, who currently held the former soldier's gift for Belle in her hand.

To the young prince, it was almost like deja vu now that Agathe had suddenly appeared in front of them, but he had a strong feeling that she wasn't here to change the outcome of what happened.

"But can't you… I don't know… use the same magic you did on Adam to Raphael?"

To Belle's disappointment, Agathe shook her head, and replied, "I'm afraid that I cannot, my dear… Raphael's decision was his own to make. It would be pointless, even, for me to even try and attempt to do it."

The young woman was about to respond rather negatively towards Agathe, but then, she suddenly felt very tired, and to Adam's surprise, Belle was now asleep in his arms.

"What… what did you do?"

A small smile appeared on Agathe's face as she replied, "I simply gave her what she needed."

When Belle opened her eyes, she saw that she was back in "limbo", but this time, Agathe was not with her.

Instead, the young woman found herself looking at her now-gone friend, who looked more healthier and relaxed in comparison to his previous appearance.

"Hey there, princess," said Raphael, giving Belle a warm smile.

At first, Belle didn't respond to him, but then, before he could speak to her again, she delivered a strong slap to the side of his face.

"Alright, I admit, I did deserve that," said Raphael, even though he didn't seem to have been affected by it, and Belle quickly took notice of this, so she began to lift her leg up-

"Okay, wait, I may be dead," he added, while holding up his hands in defense. "But I don't exactly want to know whether or not if that will cause me pain."

Setting her foot back down, Belle frowned at her friend, and replied, "Well, you've certainly caused me plenty of pain today."

Raphael sighed, knowing exactly what she meant, and he said, "I know, Belle… I also spared you from going through even more pain. This was the right thing for me to do."

"But why?" questioned Belle. "Why would you end your own life?"

"Because you don't deserve to go through something like what happened today ever again," replied Raphael. "What I did today… to your library, to yourself… it was wrong of me to do that… and I'm sorry."

Then, to her surprise, he started to walk away, and she asked, "Wait, what… where are you going?"

"To live in peace, princess," replied Raphael, who was also beginning to fade away. "Enjoy your life…"

"Raphael, wait, I-" Belle started to say, but then, everything became black, and when she opened her eyes, the young woman found herself back in Adam's arms.

"Belle?" The former creature asked, looking concerned. "Are you alright?"

"Um… I think so…" said Belle, who also saw that Agathe was no longer around. "I just had the strangest… dream…"

As he helped her up to her feet, Adam smiled a little bit. "Well, you can tell me more about it once we get to our bed… I don't know about you, but I am feeling really tired after everything that happened today."

Belle chuckled, and as they walked back inside the castle, she said, "I know what you mean..."

She then looked down at the special rose that was in her hands, and let out a sigh.

I hope that you're happy wherever you are now, Raphael.