Roses father kept his head down trying to keep the snow off his face. Little did he realize the snow was slowly stopping the closer he got to the beast's palace. Finally his horse turned a corner and came to a complete halt. He looked up and gasped. Before him stood a palace so immaculate he couldn't even digest it and not a flake of snow touched the ground. In fact the air here was nice and warm. Roses father just stayed rooted to the spot not sure what to do.
Brian was standing by the gate waiting to see what the man would do. Finally tired of waiting Brian slowly walked up to the horse. He patted the horse's neck then slowly grabbed the reigns to guide the horse into the palace grounds. The horse followed along fully trusting Brian. The man on the other hand was looking more and more worried. Brian knew what must be going through his head, Survival over propriety. Finally survival won. Brian grinned, survival always won.
"Come on boy, lets drop your master off then we'll go take care of you." Brian whispered into the horse's ear.
Finally they reached the front door of the palace. Brian stopped the horse and waited for the man to get off, but he didn't move. Come on stop being stubborn Brian started thinking after five minutes. Then slowly ever so slowly the man climbed off the horse.
"Wait here." He said to his horse as he climbed up the stairs. Brian waited till the man had gone inside then he pulled the horse along to the stables.
"Hello" Roses father called out "My name is Ben. I got stuck out in the snowstorm on my way home. Is anyone here? Please I'd like a place to stay till the storm stops."
Alana looked up from setting up a table by the fireplace. She'd set up a full dinner for the man, but now hearing him she looked around the rest of the room. All the servants were pausing in their jobs. They hadn't expected him this soon. Ivy's father quickly double checked the fire to make sure it wouldn't go out, Ivy herself was quickly arranging a vase of flowers, various other servants were quickly double checking their work. Then looking at each other they all rushed out of the room leaving only Alana to finish the process.
She quickly double-checked the dinner she'd prepared then ran over to the door leading to the hallway where the man calling himself Ben was standing. Slowly she opened the door to the room hoping the man would get the message and come looking in. He didn't fail her. As he walked in she left leaving any remaining details to Brian.
Brian walked into the huge living room only to find the man fast asleep in the chair. Most of the food was gone and the fire was slowly dying. He walked over and added another log to the fire then set off to the kitchens.
"Hello everyone." He said happily taking a seat at the table and filling his plate with food. He grinned knowing everyone was dying to know what had happened. "Beautiful day isn't it."
"Brian tell us." Ivy said glaring at Brian.
"tell you what." Brian asked innocently looking around.
"Don't make me take away your kitchen privileges." Alana warned.
"Ok." Brian said feigning horror. "There's not much to tell though. He's asleep, apparently on a full stomach. He seems pretty plain. Philip said give him whatever he needs in the morning. Just the usual."
In the morning Roses father awoke. He looked everywhere for his kind host, but to no avail. Walking out he found his horse by the door. Strange he thought, but he climbed on. He was almost to the gate when he noticed the most beautiful roses he'd ever seen. Remembering Rose's one request he picked one.
"Philip." Ivy yelled running through the halls. "He stole a rose. Our guest stole a rose." She yelled finding Philip sitting alone in the library.
"He stole a rose!" Philip cried running from the room and outside. He quickly caught up to his guest and yelled "HOW DARE YOU. AFTER ALL I GAVE YOU AND YOU STEAL FROM ME." The man was to scared to move looking at Philip, the beast. "The rose. You picked a rose. Do you know what you did." Philip continued calming himself. " For this you will pay." He slowly walked up to the man.
"Please." The man pleaded. " I have a family at home. Three daughters. They can't survive without me."
"Then one of them must pay." Philip snarled. " One of your family must come and live in my house. Forever."
The man looked down defeated. " Please may I go home to say good-bye?" he begged. Philip stared at the man. A million thoughts running through his head.
"Yes, but someone must come in a weeks time." Philip said "If not, I will come and get them." He gave a false warning. With that he turned and walked away. Roses father turned from the frightening beast and headed home.
"Oh what have I done?" He cried to the morning air.
"More then you know." Ivy whispered watching him disappear. "More then you know."
A/N: So here's the next part. Sorry it took awhile. I hope you like it and Please Review.