The family stood stunned at their father's news. The words someone must pay racing through their minds.
"You can't go father. We need you here. Let me go in your place." Begged Rose. "It would be an adventure for me."
"No Rose. We don't know what his punishment is. I can't let any harm come to my family." Their father replied.
"Father you can't go. We won't be able to survive here without you. You know that as well as we do. Let me go….Please." Rose begged.
"No. I only came back to say good-bye to you all. And to give what little presents I could to you." Their father continued now giving each girl their gift. Cloth for Summer, and a necklace for Ruby. But as for Rose's gift it was lost. For though they didn't know it, no rose could leave the beast's garden. The girls all excepted their gifts with sad smiles and quiet thank you's. But running through Rose's mind was a plan, she would go to the beast, not her father, she would have the adventure of a lifetime.
"That was a little harsh don't you think Philip." Ivy said crossing her arms while glaring at Philip.
"Ivy. You know the consequences of taking a rose better then anyone else here. What was I supposed to do. Besides I seem to recall you yelling your head off when you found out." Philip replied glaring back at her.
"Well I think this will make for a very interesting and fun new experience." Brian said happily coming into the room and throwing himself down in the nearest chair. "Just think new blood in the house. It might even break the curse."
"I don't think so Brian. It's an old man who's coming to live with us. Not some young maiden. Besides we're invisible in case you'd forgotten. He won't be able to see us."
"Ok true about the invisibility thing. But hey one of his daughters might show up instead." Brian countered with a gleam in his eyes.
"Both of you out." Philip commanded " I need time to think. By myself." The two got up and left the room, Ivy pouting and Brian with a sly smile commenting on the smells coming from the kitchen.
What am I going to do Philip thought? I don't want him here, but what choice do I have. How I hate people they ruin everything. Then his thoughts drifted back to the few memories he had of living with his parents and he stayed there the entire night.
What do you think became of Philip. Lady Sophia asked her husband over dinner. Do you think he's still out there living by himself? He'd be all grown up by now.
I don't know my dear. He must be safe though. If I could just get my hands on the witch who did this. Lord Duncan replied.
We've tried that for years. We never found her or our son. No other sorcerer will help. I don't want to give up but what choice do we have. Lady Sophia went on a small tear sliding down her face. The loss of her only child still ripped her heart out. She knew that Duncan didn't like to dwell on the subject but she couldn't leave it alone.
We'll find him. I promise you that. Now please just finish dinner. Lord Duncan replied to his wife. He wasn't sure how much longer he could stand this. Her always going on about their son. He would find the sorceress and he would punish her that he knew. Someday, hopefully sooner then later.
That night Rose stole out of the house. Briefly thinking of taking the horse then deciding not to. She couldn't take something so valuable away from her family. So with a quick and silent good-bye to her family she ran into the woods looking for the beast and his palace.