In the grand ballroom, a golden chandelier shined brightly with a mural of angels painted above it. The tiles of the ballroom were an ornate pattern of polished marble.
The grand staircase had velvet carpeting with golden trimmings on the side that collected at the center then descended to the ballroom.
Pietro was the first to descend. He had dressed formally for the occasion. His outfit was a golden fabric tuxedo jacket with a matching gold bowtie and cummerbund. He had a white tuxedo shirt with some nice silver studs and cufflinks along his French cuffs. On his lower half, black slacks with a gold satin stripe on the side made a matching set. The bookworm had dressed with sheers and patent leather dress shoes, both which were black.
Meghan watched on the sideline, feeling rather proud about putting the outfit together.
Cole, on the other hand, was dressed as formally as he could be. Given his animal physiology, his clothes had been altered to fit. He had a white ruffled dress shirt, blue jacket with yellow trimmings on its lapels, a yellow waistcoat, and black slacks with a golden satin line that reached his knees.
Both descended down the staircase, bowing before each other. Cole took Pietro's arm, leading him to dinner. Courtney sets the mood with her singing.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the beast
Both eat with proper etiquette while the coat rack plays violin rather elegantly. Finding the music very enchanting, Pietro stood up and guided Cole to the ballroom. Cole gulped, somewhat nervous about the interaction, but Pietro's comforting gaze made his worries go away. Soon, Cole led Pietro across the ballroom, moving in a perfect dance sequence.
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before, ever just as sure
as the sun will rise
Tale as old as time,
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange, finding you can change,
Learning you were wrong
The more the two danced, the more comfortable Cole was at leading. Pietro even gently laid his head on the Beast's chest which made him smile and look at Pavel and Alana happily. Both possessed antiques applauded the progress.
Certain as the sun,
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast
For the first time in his life, Cole actually found himself in love. Pietro had 'tamed' his temper. Ever since the bookworm had saved him, feelings have developed and he was prepared to say them. He just hoped Pietro felt the same way.
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the beast
Courtney finished the song and noticed her little brother looking somewhat tired. "Feeling sleepy, Carlos?" She questioned.
"Just a little bit." Carlos admitted.
"Bedtime then." Courtney insisted.
"Fine, fine." Carlos reluctantly agreed. He hopped off, but not before seeing Cole and Pietro head to the balcony.
As the cursed prince and bookworm walked out to the balcony, they looked to the night sky. Cole looked at Pietro and finally asked the question he had been pondering since their night. "Pietro, are you happy here… with me?"
Pietro looked to the Beast, hesitating at the question. While he has grown to like the mansion and everyone within, especially Cole, he missed his dad. "Yes." He answered but was aware of how his tone sounded.
"What's wrong?" Cole asked.
Pietro knew that he couldn't hide his worrisome ideas and confessed what was on his mind. "If only I could see my dad again, just for a moment. I miss him so much." He wiped a tear at the thought of his dad without him. He didn't want him to be alone.
Cole looked disappointed at the confession. But then he had a revelation. "There is a way." Cole revealed and Pietro was interested in what the Beast was offering.
Leaving the ballroom, the pair entered Cole's lair. The Beast found what he was looking for: the magic mirror.
"This mirror will show you anything, anything you wish to see." Cole explained and handed it to his crush.
Instantly Pietro spoke, "I'd like to see my dad, please."
The magic mirror shined to life, green mystical energy swirling in the frame before honing in on its target.
And to Pietro's horror, Eric was suffering.
He had been meandering the forest these past few days but was sick and exhausted. He let out a cough before falling to the ground in the forest.
"Dad…" Pietro gasped. He knew he was no doubt looking for him but in his current state, he was in trouble. "He's sick, he may be dying. And he's all alone."
Cole saw the concern in his crush's eyes. If there is anything he learned during his time with Pietro, it was compassion. And then he made a decision. One that would affect his life forever.
"Then… you-you must go to him."
Pietro let out another gasp upon hearing that, "What… what did you say?"
"I release you," Cole said, his tone with regret at the choice, "You are no longer my prisoner."
"You mean… I'm free?" Pietro said in amazement.
"Yes." Cole allowed. No matter how much it hurt him, he couldn't bear to see Pietro in pain. And this sacrifice was for the best.
"Oh, thank you." Pietro said, touching his hand to Cole's cheek then hugged him. He looked at the magic mirror, "Hang on, dad. I'm on my way." He was about to return the mirror but the Beast rejected it.
"Take it with you, so you'll always have a way to look back, and remember me." Cole said.
Pietro was touched by the offer. "Thank you for understanding how much he needs me." With that said, he ran out the lair, passing by Alana in the process.
The clock was blissfully unaware of the situation and giddy acknowledged the next step. "Well, it seems everything has gone according to plan. I knew you had it in you. Ha ha!"
"I let him go." Cole clarified, full of heartbreak and sadness.
"Ha ha ha ha, yes. Splend work-" Alana took several seconds to realize what Cole had just said, "YOU WHAT?! WHEN?! HOW?! WHY?!"
"I had to."
"Yes-yes-yes-yes, but why?" Alana stammered, still processing the information.
"Because…" Cole took a deep breath and finally admitted the truth. "I love him."
Alana rushed to tell the other enchanted staff and after telling them, they shared the same reaction.
"HE DID WHAT?!" A combination of Pavel, Courtney, Lauren, and Carlos shouted in disbelief.
"Yes, I'm afraid it's true." Alana lamented, depressed by the outcome.
"Pietro's… leaving?" Carlos repeated.
"But he was so close." Pavel said, silently cursing their luck.
"After all this time, he's finally learned how to love."
"That's it, then!" Pavel realized, "That should break the spell!"
"But it's not enough. He has to love him the same." Courtney dejectedly said. Too deject to see that Carlos had hoped away from their conversation.
"Now it's too late." Alana admitted, knowing that without Pietro to reciprocate the feelings, they would stay like this forever.
Pietro had fled out the mansion with Ethan trailing him. Ast they left, Cole looked over the balcony.
The Beast loved Pietro and it pained to see him leave. However, his dad needed him and allowed it. Like some stories he had read, 'If you love something, set it free.' Cole let out a sorrowful roar at the loss of his love.
"Dad? Dad?" Pietro called out in the forest. He and Ethan had been searching for a few minutes and were a reasonable distance away from the mansion. Eventually, the pair came across Eric, who was unconscious and looking malnourished.
"Dad!" Pietro ran over to him, trying to wake him. "Please, please." Pietro checked his dad's pulse, which was still beating and that relieved him somewhat. With his effort, he and Ethan managed to make a makeshift sled to carry Eric back to the suburbs.
Once back, Pietro unlocked the door and began to help his dad regain strength.
However, he was unaware of a camera recording him.
"Oohhhh, ho ho! They're back!" Nicole eagerly said and sent the video to Avery. Time for their new plan.
