Chapter Eighteen

Asking Master Himself

(Beast POV)

I heard footsteps coming behind me, they were soft, but I could hear them nonetheless. Unaware of who I footsteps belonged to I whipped around, only to find Rose. She was wearing a thick green cloak that came from the wardrobe woman in her room along with a dress that matched underneath. The cloak made me stare, her eyes seemed like they were the forest itself during spring. It has been several days since the dungeon incident. She was looking better every day compared to when I first brought her here, but thanks to me her arm was still hurt and her side was still injured, but it was newly bandaged. I had decided many days ago that for hurting Roses arm and waist that that was punishment enough.

"What are you doing out here? Are you not supposed to stay inside!?" I growled at her, but I wasn't truly mad at her. Actually I enjoyed her company.

She looked up at me with those emerald eyes.

"I just came to talk to you, not to run away. Is that so wrong?" she said in a hurt tone.

I stood looking at her, until I finally gave in.

"As long you are not here to run away then you are allowed outside. But," I pointed out. "If I am not outside alongside you then you must stay inside, is that clear?"

She nodded, clearly pleased. It made my anger melt away when I saw her happy instead of crying or afraid around me.

"Yes Master, I will only come outside if you are outside!"

We walked over to a stone bench, which was frozen due to the snow, and sat down for a while.

I looked down at Rose.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

She looked down at the ground. I could tell by her face that she was afraid of her question and yet she looked like she had to get something off her shoulders,

"I wanted to ask you how you became the way you are. I tried asking Lumiere and Cogsworth but they said that only you would answer the question."

Somehow I knew that she would ask this particular question sooner or later. It's not every day you come across a beast in an enchanted castle.

I sighed, the memories still fresh in my mind as if it were yesterday that my whole kingdom was changed into this castle of dread.

"It all started when I was young. I was the prince in this castle and to all who served in the castle. Despite my age, I was also harsh and cruel to those around me, not caring about anyone but myself. All of this started and became this way after my parents died. It made me angry that they left me alone and without them, so no one ever dared discipline me. So I thought that I ruled everything.

One winter's night an old woman came to my castle, asking for shelter from the cold along with some food. I denied her saying that I wouldn't send such an ugly creature into my home. After I slammed the door on her, she turned into an enchantress. She changed me into this…this. Saying that I had to-" I stopped and looked at her. She was looking at the snow at her feet with a sad expression, understanding what came next. I didn't want her to know about the rose's part in the enchantment, it would only make her feel like this creature loved her. I couldn't bear the thought of what she might say if she found out I loved her. I wouldn't be able to live any longer if she rejected me, my life would wear away and all hope would be lost.

She then wiped her eyes before tears showed. I could tell that she was trying to be strong about it, and it confused me because it should be me feeling dreadful not her.

"Let's play a game Master. So that you don't have to feel so sad all the time." She said suddenly and enthusiastically.

I stood up,

"A game? Princes don't play games."

I turned around and looked away from her. This sudden urge came onto me that wanted me to accept her offer. I closed my eyes and sighed to myself.

She just wants to play a game with her, what is so wrong with that?It's childish! She is a young girl and we are grown men! We do not play petty games, and since when do Masters play with possessions?You're wrong, for one she is not a girl, she is a woman, and two, and she is not a poss-…she is her own being! Rose is a human. Ah, Rose may be a woman and a human, but she is still ours.

I won the battle that time; the beast had no control when it came to times when I was calm and happy. After a few moments I peeked through one of my eyes. She was gone!

"Rose!" I shouted, fearing she ran off again.

I heard footsteps behind me again, and as I turned around the next thing I knew a sudden coldness stung my face. A snow ball had hit me!

"Got you Master, you're it." She laughed at my awestruck expression.

She laughed even harder when I was wiping the snow off of my face with my clawed hand. I looked at her first with anger rising, but then, I laughed remembering that she was only playing.

"It seems as though this prince will play a few games."