Chapter 26 - Longing Desires
Later that morning, all the book animals gathered with the Pagemaster in his throne room. "If you wish," said the Pagemaster, "I will reward you with fifty million pieces of gold for returning my granddaughter."
The animals all looked at each other with thoughtful faces until Sci Fi spoke up. "That's a very nice offer," she said, "But I'm afraid we can't accept any pieces of gold. After all, we are your loyal servants, and we already serve you well within our respective sections."
"I agree," said Mystery, "I think only your gratitude is a big enough reward."
The Pagemaster looked at his servants in a puzzled way before he asked, "You mean you've come all this way with my lost granddaughter, and you want nothing? Surely there is something I can give to repay all of you in helping Bethylasia?"
"Unfortunately, no, sir," said Fantasy, "We've done all we could, and I think it's time for Becca, I mean, Bethylasia to continue living the life she has been missing."
"Wouldn't you all at least care to attend the ball tonight?" the Pagemaster asked.
"A ball?" inquired Horror, "What kind of ball is it, my Pagemaster?"
The old wizard smiled and said, "It will be a bittersweet occasion. We will remember my family and wife who fell at the hands of Malaria, but we will also celebrate the return of my granddaughter, who can break the curse!"
"Well if it involves celebrating our heroine," said Sci Fi with a small smile, "I guess my pals and I will come. Too bad we won't be checked out by Becca." The marten sighed sadly before telling her friends, "I think we should go now." So all the animals bowed to the Pagemaster, and his dismissed them. When they all left, the Pagemaster thought about something.
Meanwhile, Bethylasia was outside the palace, wandering in the garden with Sheila. The kitten now had a big pink bow around her neck, along with a tiny pearl tiara on her head. When the princess and her pet reached a water fountain, Bethylasia sat down at the edge of the fountain, and Sheila joined her. When the kitten saw her reflection in the water, she shook her head, causing her tiara to fall off into Bethylasia's lap. The girl picked up the tiara and looked at it with a thoughtful look. "You know what, Sheila?" said the princess, "I know I should be happy here and feel honored to have a royal family that I'm going to save. But I'm not sure if this is where I really belong. In fact, I'm not even sure if I should stay a princess for the rest of my life! It's not that I'm next in line for the throne – my imaginary father and Alexander are – but even if I was, I know nothing of ruling a kingdom!" She sighed and looked at her reflection in the fountain's pool before singing:
Look at me,
I will never pass for a perfect girl,
Or a perfect princess
Can it be?
I'm not meant to play this part?
Bethylasia got up from the fountain and began walking among a path lined with roses, lilacs and delphiniums while wondering if she should stay a princess or return to the real world and be whom she really was.
Now I see
That if I were truly to be myself,
I would break the family's hearts!
The princess and her kitten made it to a koi pond near a labyrinth, and Bethylasia looked down at her reflection in the water while watching the fish swim to and fro.
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection someone I don't know?
Somehow I cannot hide
Who I am, though I've tried!
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
Bethylasia turned her head away from the pond, and then picked a peony from a nearby bush before finishing:
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
Bethylasia picked up Sheila, and then made her way back to the palace while thinking about her song.
Author's Note: The song "Reflection" is from Disney's Mulan ((c) Disney)
