This chapter is on the short side, but believe me, I have the next chapter up and ready very soon!

Kit had been pondering his response to his father's letter very seriously. He just couldn't believe the king would be so harsh with him. He'd practically rebuked him! Kit hoped he could change his mind. Taking a deep breath, he started penning down his reply. He only hoped it would make things better, not worse! He knew that if Ella and his father could just meet, the king would like her!

When he'd finished, he proofread his letter:

"My Dear Father,

I have received your letter and read your response to my proposal. I must confess, I didn't expect you to be completely thrilled at the first, but I was rather taken aback by your blunt and adamant words. With all due respect, Father, Your Majesty, I have been rather hurt by your rebuke. I have taken your words into consideration, please know that. Father, I understand that you want me to not make such a life-altering decision lightly, but please, please do not be angry with me! I am trying to respect your input, as I have most of my life. But I ask you to please not immediately dismiss this girl, not before you have gotten a chance to get to know her. That's all I ask right now.

I hope you are well and that you will not look on me unfavorably for long.

Your Kit"

The young prince exhaled heavily. He'd written it, now to send it again...and wait, again.

Kit and his captain decided to go to the tavern when they noticed Ella walking down the street. She had a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She looked to be heading home from Pere Robert's. Kit hurried toward her. "Excuse me! Miss! Uh...Ella! Miss Ella!" He called as he caught up to her. Ella turned and smiled with relief when she saw him. Both men noticed that she looked a bit troubled.

"Are you all right, Miss?" The captain asked.

"No." Ella shook her head.

"Is something wrong?" Kit asked concerned.

"Yes. My sister, Belle is in trouble." Ella said sadly. "Our horse returned home today without our father. Belle felt that something wasn't right and she left to find him. Tonight, my father returned home...without her! He says that she's locked up and that he's going back to get her out!" Ella bit her lip to stay calm.

"Locked up?" Kit furrowed his eyebrows. "Where? By who?"

"I don't know." Ella shook her head. "He didn't say. But I could see that he was deeply afraid for Belle and now I'm worried too. Monsieur Gaston and Lefou accompanied Father to search for her, but that was an hour ago. I'm trying to be strong for Father, but I feel so afraid for both of them." Kit stared at her thoughtfully. He didn't like to see her afraid like this.

"I will go after them and try to help." He said confidently.

"You...you will?" Ella's eyes lit up.

"Yes." Kit smiled. "Try not to worry. We will help find your sister."

"Thank you!" Ella smiled gratefully. "That is very kind of you."

"Captain, will you please see this young lady safely home while I gather a search party?" Kit suggested.

"Certainly, Your Highness." The captain nodded.

"Oh, thank you, but it isn't necessary." Ella spoke. "It's not far and it's a small village."

"As you wish." The captain nodded. After assembling some of his soldiers, Kit went to the tavern to ask for volunteers to help Maurice find his daughter. To Kit's surprise, many of them laughed it off and called Maurice crazy. No one seemed interested in helping so Kit decided to do it himself. But as he left the tavern he couldn't help feeling bothered by the villagers' reactions. Why would they refuse to help a neighbor, whose child was in danger? He was their friend, wasn't he? Kit thought it unfair, but he didn't have time to worry about it. He led his small army out of the village into the woods, but he was leading them in the opposite direction of that Maurice had gone. He wasn't sure what kind of trouble Belle was in, or if he believed the rumors that Maurice had said a beast was holding his daughter prisoner. All he knew was that they needed help and Ella was worried about them. So, he decided to help them, even if no one else would.

Neither Belle nor Ella could've known or imagined the danger their dear father was in at the moment! The danger he was in...from Gaston!