Marinette awoke to the sound of running water. Following the noise she saw that the fountain was filling up the pool with water that was very fragrant.

In desperate need of a bath she took off her night dress and went to bathe herself. The water felt warm and soothing. She had never been in a bath so relaxing in all her life. When she was finished two doves flew in from her window carrying a white towel for her to wrap herself in.

"Thank you." She said to the doves.

She saw a yellow and cream colored dress on a mannequin waiting for her.

Lying next to it was a gold chain necklace and bracelet with a yellow rose comb.

She slipped on the dress and jewelry than brushed her hair and pinned it up again with the comb. As she looked at herself in the mirror she saw something floating in the air. When she turned around it flew under her bed. Curious, she looked under the bed to see a small red dot shivering. Before it could fly away again she grabbed it. The dot had two blue eyes and arms and legs. It kind of resembled a ladybug, the poor thing looked scared to death.

"Hey it's okay." She said gently. "Don't be frightened I won't hurt you. What is your name?"

"Tikki." The creature said.

"What are you?"

"I'm a kwami...I...I...I hope you like the dress I made."

"You made this?"

"Yes...I made the other dress you wore yesterday too."

"How?"

"I made them from the roses here, my master insisted that they be the most beautiful dresses."

"They're wonderful, thank you."

"You're welcome."

"My master told me to inform you that your breakfast is ready."

"Thank you."

"I must go now."

The Kwamis were mystical little creatures of nature who served as the castle servants. They would also be Marinette's best friends during her time here. After breakfast she decided to explore the castle. She found a corridor of doors leading to different rooms. The first was a grand library filled hundreds of fantastic books.

She sat in a chair and read a few of them then went exploring again. The second room was a gallery of magnificent paintings and extraordinary artwork.

The third was a room that was filled with all the instruments in the world.

"I'd love to here some music." She said.

Then all at once the instruments began to play by themselves much to her amazement. Music wonderful and sweet filled the room and she could not help but dance to it. As she danced she wondered how this was possible than she remembered the beast's words from dinner last night.

"You shall have whatever your heart desires."

When she was done dancing she went into another room. This one was her favorite, it led to the castle gardens, which was filled with endless flowers and fruit trees.

Marinette began to smell the sweet perfume of each flower that bloomed there. She smelt the bright tulips, shy violets, the lovely lillies, the golden daffodils, the cheerful cherry blossoms, the shinning irises, and of course the beautiful and romantic roses. She saw a nearby fountain, that looked like a portrait of the beach with real water spilling out She sat on the fountain and gazed at the sparkling water flowing down from it. She remembered her mother telling her how fountains were magic and that they would grant any wish as long as it was pure and good.

"I wish I could see my family." She whispered.

The water began to glow and the water's surface showed an image of her father in their house. He was crying, crying for her. Marinette couldn't bear to see her father so miserable it made her shed a tear. When her tear landed in the fountain the image faded and the only thing she saw on the water's surface was her reflection. She hated to see her father suffer but at least he was safe and that's all that mattered to her.

Then many strange but lovely birds were perched in the trees. She had never seen such birds like them before.

"You are all beautiful." She said. "Will you sing for me?"

The birds did as she asked and they sang a most lovely song. Marinette listened with amazement and enchantment. She could not help but wonder how could such beautiful things exist in the home of a monster?

"I see you like the music of my friends." A voice said. She looked up and noticed that among the birds was another kwami. This one resembled a peacock. "Hello I'm Duusu. I tend to the master's garden

"Hello. Are these birds your master's pets?"

"Heavens no! If these birds were kept in cages like pets they would surely die. No they are free to leave but they choose not to because this garden is always in summer and it never gets cold."

"How strange and he never thinks to imprison him?"

"Not at all."

"And yet he keeps me locked up like I'm a pet." She said upset.

"I pray that maybe someday you can forgive him for how he brought you here. You must understand despite his impulsiveness, temper, and frightening appearance he has a good heart."

"I doubt it. What I don't understand is why won't he make me do any work? Am I not his slave?"

"It is complicated. Now I would love to stay and continue talking with you but I have to prune the roses."

She flew away and went to do her work. Marinette left the garden and went back to her room. She went to the balcony of her room and gazed at the view of the castle grounds. She had to admit the castle was so beautiful and so full of wondrous things. If only she wasn't held prisoner here then she could be happy.

At seven o'clock she went to eat dinner. As usual it was delicious and she enjoyed every bite of it.

"I noticed you were exploring some of the rooms in my castle." She heard the creature said. "Did any of them please you?"

"I cannot lie, they were wonderful."

"Is there any in particular you liked better than the others?"

"If you're asking if I favored any then yes. My favorite was the garden."

"It pleases me that you enjoy the castle."

"Your castle is magnificent but it is merely a gilded cage used to keep me trapped."

She heard him sigh in disappointment.

"I cannot blame you for being angry with me but can you try to be happy here?"

"How can anyone be happy if they're not free? Can a nightingale truly sing a song of joy if they're trapped in a golden cage? The cage maybe gold but it is still a cage. You can't just give me gifts and exiciting rooms and expect me to forget about my family, my freedom, and my life."

The creature sighed again.

"I understand. Please forgive me, please. I just..."

"You just what?"

No answer.

"Are you there?"

No answer. He was gone

She finished the rest of her meal and went back to her room but not before stopping in the library to get a book to read while she was trying to sleep. It was a book of legends, one of which was about seven magical stones that could grant wishes but if used selfishly they would come at an awful price. It wasn't long before she fell asleep, once again she dreamed that she was in a garden and once again found her prince sitting beside her.

"I'm glad you're here." He said. "I've been alone for so long and I have longed for the company of someone as kind and good as you. I pray that some day you will love me and that I will prove myself worthy of your love."

"I'm glad you're here too. I'm not sure what I'd do if you weren't here."

"I could say the same but it hurts me that you're so unhappy here. You may find it hard to believe but your joy is the only thing that the residents of the castle care about. They try so hard to make your stay here comfortable and happy."

"By they you mean him right? The beast?"

"Well the kwamis care too but...The beast especially cares."

"Then why can't he let me go? I'll never be happy as long as I'm kept here."

"Marinette tell me, if he were to let you go would you come back? Be honest."

"I...I...I don't know."

"You must be patient and please try to be happy."

"Alright I will but only for you."

"Oh...I see."

"You seem sad why is that?"

"It's because I'm trapped here."

"By who? The beast?"

"By a curse."

"Well maybe I could help you."

"If you want to help me then you must find me."

"How? How can I find you?"

"You must look but not with your eyes. Distrust all appearances, let your heart guide you and instead of your eyes."

"I don't understand."

"You must look for me with your heart. Trust what you feel and not what you see, if you look for me with only your eyes then you'll never find me."

"But how can I look for without my eyes?"

He didn't answer, he just stood up and walked away. She wanted to follow him but for some reason her legs wouldn't move.

"Wait! Come back! Where are you? Who are you?"

But there was no answer and when she awoke she found that it was morning and that she was back in her room.

"I will find you my prince. I promise."