'What do you think the servants have been up to today?' Leon asked Rose, as they sat down to dinner that night in the grand dining room, enjoying a feast large enough to feed a whole village.

They had become accustomed to having dinner together and it was a pleasant time, where they could talk or eat in comfortable silence, which they enjoyed, as more and more food was brought out for them.

'They seemed very reluctant to tell me when I asked them before they shooed us away. Why were they so keen to get us out of the castle? Are they doing something secret that they don't want us to know or find out?' Leon said.

He had noticed the servants' strange behaviour that morning, when they had been anxious for him and Rose to leave, telling them not to make any messes as they were coming inside and had wanted to know why.

'You could say that,' said Rose, sipping her soup and not making a mess, having now learnt how to use a spoon properly, along with other utensils.

'It's so nice to not be living in a place that was such a terrible mess and they wanted to clean it up for..the thing that we are having soon.

It's what they do when they want to plan something special and want to keep it a surprise. You may be thinking, how they can do that without falling on their feet or fighting?

But they don't complain as they love their jobs too much to care and they do it, regardless.' Rose said and then remembered what she had wanted to tell Leon and that was to ask him to the ball.

'Speaking of which, Leon, I am going to be hosting a special event and I was wondering if you would do me the honour of..'

She was soon interrupted by Leon letting out a very ungentlemanly belch, as he sipped from his goblet, with an apologetic look on his face.

'Oh, Leon, how dare you belch in front of me!' said Rose, 'And I thought I had bad manners! Don't you know it's considered impolite to do that in front of a lady?'

'Sorry, Rose, it's what I do, and I apologise if it had caused you any offence,' Leon said, 'and this coming from the beast who once couldn't hold a spoon properly and made a mess eating porridge and a strawberry cream cookie?'

'Likewise,' said Rose, feeling somewhat hypocritical but giggled to show Leon that she wasn't really angry at him and he smiled at her.

'I bet you were a real charmer with the girls back in the village,' she said, as the dessert platters came out and the dinner dishes went back into the kitchen, 'which wouldn't be surprising due to you being so handsome and all.'

'Well,' said Leon, hesitating, not wanting to tell Rose about Amandine as she may react badly ,but he could trust her now and he wanted to let her know that the woman meant NOTHING to him, so he said,

'Yes, I was, with Amandine anyway,' and waited for her reaction.

'Who's this…Amandine?' Rose said, curious, yet suspicious that she may be part of Leon's life in some way.

'Oh, just the most despicable and annoying woman I've had the misfortune to know and to have her unwanted attention, although she never gave me a glance when we were children. Everyone in the village loves and admires her as she's the illegitimate daughter of Gaston's brother… Do you know Gaston and Anton at all?' Leon said.

Rose raised an eyebrow at that. She had heard tales from her parents and the servants about the man who had terrorised her mother and father and his brother who had tried to kill her father before she was born.

She was surprised to hear that there was a relative of his in the village, more so one who was born out of wedlock.

'I've heard about them, but I never imagined that one of them would have a daughter and why does everyone admire her when she was born out of wedlock?' said Rose.

'Because she's the last surviving relative of Gaston and the most beautiful woman in the village,' said Leon, rolling his eyes.

'I know it sounds ludicrous but that's what it's like, even though under normal circumstances, she and her mother would have been shunned and frowned upon, but I guess they made an exception for Amandine.

All the boys want her and the women want to be her, but I know that she's really a cruel, manipulative, selfish, spoilt, rude and abusive woman who will hurt others just to get what she wants,' he said.

Rose didn't say anything for a moment, as she first thought that Leon loved this Amandine and felt that she wouldn't compare to her.

But from what he had just said, it was confirmed that he had no love for the woman whatsoever, judging by the distain on his face and how he spoke about her tormenting and harassing him.

'But why did she want you, when she could have any boy in the village?' she said.

'She just wanted to marry me, for my looks and she could have it all. She wanted to possess me, treat me like a slave catering to her every whim and have beautiful, spoilt children with her,' said Leon, screwing up his face, which made Rose chuckle slightly.

'But Rose, I have NO FEELINGS for this cruel woman and never will. She means nothing to me. She'll never be the kind, gentle and sweet woman you are underneath that fur,' Leon said, giving Rose that beautiful smile she loved so much.

Rose smiled at him and felt her cheeks blush under her fur, as his words put to rest any doubts she had about being able to compare to the woman Leon had mentioned, even though she didn't know her.

'That's so beautiful, Leon, do you really mean that?' said Rose.

'Of course, Rose, I like you very much,' Leon said, as he got up from his chair and went over to her, touching her paw, stroking her hair and nuzzled her nose, 'You're everything that Amandine will never be, no matter how hard she may try.'

However, deep down, he had fallen in love with her, without realising it and didn't want her to know it yet. For now, she was his best and dearest friend, until the time was right to admit his true feelings.

'Thanks, Leon, I like you too. You've been so kind to me, even though I had been beastly to you the first time we met and treated you badly.' Rose said, smiling at him and nuzzled his nose, in return.

And I love you with all my heart, she thought; now ask him to the ball. You can do it, there's no time to be nervous and he'll say yes, you know he will.

She also wanted to do so away from the servants, as she thought of a perfect place, where they wouldn't be disturbed, somewhere that her parents went when they had wanted some privacy.

'Leon,' she then said, 'there's a sitting room in the West Wing that I would like to show you. Why don't we go there and talk? Don't worry, it's no longer forbidden, so I won't yell and chase you out into the forest again.'

Both she and Leon grinned sheepishly at that, remembering that disastrous night and Rose felt ashamed that it had happened, all because she couldn't control her temper but it had led to the beginning of their relationship, which was going from strength to strength.

'And I also want to ask you something important in private, so that the servants won't be snooping around. I want it to be just the two of us, if you don't mind.' Rose said.

'Of course, Rose, I'd love to see the West Wing,' said Leon, 'Provided of course, you're not going to throw me to the wolves again if I was to touch anything precious to you,'

'No, I won't be doing that again,' said Rose, as Leon took her paw and walked to the West Wing.

Rose led Leon down the wing, which was no longer the sad-looking and neglected place he had first seen and opened a door which led into a room set like a huge circle, with stained glass windows and portraits on the walls, bookshelves and two red semi-circle velvet sofas, facing each other in the middle.

'This is such an amazing room, Rose,' Leon said as they sat down, fascinated by how the room was set out.

'Oh, thank you,' said Rose, 'It's a sitting room, where my parents used to go when they wanted some privacy and to read..'

She stopped mid-sentence, realising what she had just said, as Leon looked at her, his expression saying, 'Oh? You have parents?' even though he had heard about them once, through Katrine and Madame Armoire.

It got him wondering again. Was she born into a family of beasts? Or was she found by humans, who had been repulsed by her appearance and abandoned her, thinking that she was a vicious, bloodthirsty monster, waiting for the kill?

Or maybe..she had once been human?

'Rose, is there something you're not telling me?' Leon said, 'What did happen to your parents and why would they cruelly abandon you?'

Rose faltered, unsure about what to say. She couldn't tell him that her parents were in a small room, trapped in stone, although she didn't know that Leon had seen them but hadn't realised that they were.

And he seemed to believe that they were cruel and heartless, when they were anything but, so she decided to go along with it, to hide the truth from him. He didn't need to know it yet.

'They abandoned me, because they disappeared years ago and I never saw or heard from them again,' she said and while it was true, they had no choice in it, being cruelly turned into stone by the Red Enchantress.

'But it wasn't because of my appearance, it was circumstances that they couldn't control and even if they had the choice to stay, it would've been difficult for them to cope with me being a beast.' Rose said, although that was a lie.

She knew her parents would've loved and supported her, no matter what, especially since her father had been a beast himself, but Leon seemed convinced by her story and was angry inside that they could have done such a cruel thing to their daughter, just because she was a hideous monster, when she really wasn't inside.

Maybe that was why the way she was when he had first met her. She had carried the hurt and abandonment throughout her life and forgot how to treat people because of it and was fearful that she would be hurt again.

'How could your parents abandon and hurt you like that?' he said, but Rose's face convinced him not to say anymore, remembering what Katrine and Madame Armoire said about mentioning it, but Rose just sat there, rather that roaring and crying or smashing furniture.

'I don't know and it's something I'll never understand,' Rose said, 'You're lucky, Leon, you've always had your mother, and who loves you very much and who you would do anything for, like giving up your freedom for her.'

If Rose had been in Leon's shoes, she would have done the same thing; much like her mother did during the first enchantment, as Irena told her.

'We've always been there for each other, more so since my father died and I had promised him that I would take care of her, even though she insisted that she could do it herself.' Leon said.

'She's a very independent woman and a very caring and loving mother to me.'

'Yes, I feel bad for locking her up in the dungeon, seeing her as an intruder who wanted to hurt me when all she wanted was shelter, 'said Rose, feeling a pang of guilt about Madeleine and how she cruelly took her son, her only family, away from her.

'And you've never mentioned your father. Do you mind if I ask how he died?' she then said.

'He died when I was ten. He went to watch the Gaston Games, which is an annual event in the village and all the boys compete in the sports he was famous for'.

Rose rolled her eyes at the idea that such a thing existed, an event dedicated to a boorish and cruel man but let Leon carry on, as he continued talking,

'He didn't want to go, as he hated the Games, but his friend persuaded him and I'll never understand why Papa went along with it.

During the shooting event, a competitor who had a terrible aim, accidently shot him in the heart instead of the target.' Leon said, sadly, as he remembered that terrible day.

'I'm so sorry, that must have been awful,' Rose said, gently wiping a tear from his face.

'Yes, I still miss him very much. He taught me to be myself, to look past appearances and to do what I want as long as I was happy doing it. He didn't care that I was not athletic and didn't like hunting and fishing, he loved me as I was and encouraged me to be myself and to follow my dreams.' Leon said.

Seeing that he was keen to change the subject, Rose then said,

'Leon, what was life like in the village before you came here? What sort of things do they do there? I'm anxious to know.'

'Well, every year we have the Gaston Games in July', said Leon, 'and a Christmas festival in December, a spring dance in May and every October twenty-third, we light candles in honour of the lost royal family, as well as the princess's candles on her birthday.'

That made Rose's ears twitch. The lost royal family…it was her and her parents and Leon was talking about and was surprised that they still remembered them after all these years and lit candles for her birthday and to honour them.

And what Leon didn't know was that Rose was actually the princess and had been cursed by an evil enchantress, who also turned her parents, the king and queen, into stone. He didn't need to know it yet, not until the curse was broken.

'The lost royal family?' she said.

'Yes, this region was ruled by a king and queen years ago. They were kind and benevolent rulers, who had done many wonderful things not just in the village, but the whole kingdom as well.

They had a daughter, who was beloved by all for her beauty, modesty, charm and kindness. Every so often, they would visit the village and the princess would play with the children and give them clothes and toys that she didn't need or want.' Leon said.

'Did you ever play with her, Leon?' said Rose.

'No, I didn't,' said Leon, 'I would watch her from the crowd, but I was always too shy to approach her and the other children told her not to play with 'the social outcast,', which I was, so I just sat and read my book while they played games.'

'I think that's silly,' said Rose, 'The princess wouldn't have cared about that. She would've played with EVERYONE, regardless of social status and she would just tell the children that it was ridiculous and to let you join in. I know that she would've played with you, Leon, don't ask me why, but I just do.'

If I only had the chance years ago, I definitely would, she thought, it wouldn't have mattered that they saw you as odd, I would let you join in.

'What did happen to the royal family, Leon?' Rose said, quickly changing the subject.

'They disappeared without a trace. Some said that they had gone to Paris, that they drowned in a shipwreck or that a vicious beast slaughtered the king and queen and kidnapped the princess.

But some of the rumours were ridiculous, so it was hard to believe them.' Leon said, as he noticed Rose's face, as she grimaced, thinking that he was talking about her.

'Rose, if you are thinking that I'm describing you, then you are wrong. This beast that I'm talking about is a silly rumour that was spread and they used this 'beast' as a way to scare children into obedience and not to stray far from the village.

But that is definitely not you. You have been nothing but kind and caring to me over the two months we have known each other, once you allowed your temper to fade and became my very best and dearest friend, apart from Sabine and Jean-Luc.' Leon said.

'And you have been very kind to me too, Leon,' said Rose, 'You've brought out the best in me and made me forget that I'm a beast and to think you HATED me at first, when you came here!'

'Yes, we didn't give each other the best first impressions, did we?' said Leon, 'I had always wanted to escape the village and have adventure, find someone who loves me for who I am and to be who I want to be, but I never expected to find it in an enchanted castle of a beast!

But I have, Rose, I've found what I had wanted in you and the servants, even though sending my mother away and imprisoning me hadn't been the best way to do it, but I've found something in you, the friend I had always wanted and everything I had wished for.'

'As have I,' said Rose and they nuzzled their noses, truly comfortable with touching each other, 'We've come a long way since then,'

'We have,' Leon said, and started to sing, as his hands held her paws, Rose doing so gently, so that she wouldn't hurt Leon, but it didn't matter to him.

When I first saw you

I couldn't help but think that you were a monster

Especially when you sent my mother away, never to see her again

I thought that you were cruel, cold and heartless

And had a horrible temper

'But you told me to control it, when no one else was able to!' Rose said, as she sang,

When I first saw you

I was touched by your bravery

When you sacrificed your freedom for your mother

But I soon realised that you were just as stubborn as me

And was very quick to judge

And when you looked at me, you wanted to be anywhere but here

Didn't want to be with me because of who I was

They both sang together,

But now that I've got to know you

You are not what I thought you were

I've seen the real you

Deep within inside

But do you see what I see?

What is in you, that you seek?

Do you know it's there?

It doesn't matter what anyone else sees

It's what I see, you as the friend I never had

The true person inside, that you want to be

But do you see what I see?

'And that is true, you shouldn't let those who treat you cruelly get to you,' said Rose, 'I don't see you as the villagers do, I just see you, as you are,'

'As do I,' said Leon.

Rose then sang,

I've been a beast for as long as I can remember

Not fit to face an unforgiving world that wouldn't take kindly to me

Made my servants terrified of me, the ones who loved me dear

And shed many a tear about my misfortune

I nearly gave up hope until you came

You taught me what I forgot, brought out the best in me

And you became my best friend, when you saw beyond me

Leon sang,

I've been a peasant boy, living in the village all my life, yet I've never fitted in

Always reading and dreaming of adventure

I had wanted to escape, find the thrill I've only read in books

Yet I never imagined that I would be a prisoner of a beast

But then you became kind to me

Understood me when no one else did

You've encouraged me, never teasing or ridiculing me

You have become my best friend, my sweet beast

'Aw, that's so sweet, Leon,' Rose said, touched by his words.

'And I mean every word of it,' said Leon,

They both sang,

But do you still see what I see?

What is in you, that you seek?

Do you still know it's there?

It doesn't matter what anyone else sees

It's what I see

And what I still see is you, as the friend I never had

The true person inside, that you want to be

But do you still see what I see?

And now we both see

That we can be who we want to be

Do you see what I see?

Rose and Leon sat closer to each other and nuzzled their noses as they finished singing. They had hardly noticed that the servants, who had followed them into the West Wing, were outside the door, peering into the glass panels and waiting for Rose to ask Leon to the ball, or that it was now late at night.

'Well, time certainly does fly when you're having fun,' said Leon, looking at the clock on the wall, 'it's nearly midnight and we better get to bed, if we want to read more fairy tales tomorrow.'

'Oh, Leon, before you go, I want to ask you something,' Rose said, 'It's what I was going to say before you interrupted me with that rather ungentlemanly belch at dinner,'

'Guilty as charged,' Leon said, grinning, while Rose giggled, 'Now, what do you want to ask me, Rose? I won't belch this time, I promise,'

Rose cleared her throat nervously and said,

'I'm hosting a ball for two the day after tomorrow, which is why the servants were busy cleaning up the castle this morning and I was wondering if you would do me the honour of being my escort?'

The servants leaned against the door, anxious for Leon's reply.

'Say yes, monsieur! Say you will go to the ball with her!' they whispered.

'Rose,' Leon said, and she bit her lip in anticipation, 'I'd love to. You have been so kind to me, that I couldn't say no. My answer is a definite yes.'

The servants whooped and cheered from outside, while Rose gave him the biggest smile and her heart leapt excitedly in her chest and she said,

'Thank you, Leon and I will definitely be your escort as well.'

'My pleasure, my sweet beast,' said Leon, as they parted ways for the night, 'Goodnight, Rose and thank you for everything you have done for me. I'll be looking forward to this ball for sure,'

'I will too, Leon and thank you for being such a kind and caring friend to me,' Rose said, as they nuzzled again and he went back to the East Wing.

Rose was heading to her bedroom in a happy daze about Leon accepting her invitation to the ball, that she didn't notice the servants hanging around at the sitting room door until she turned around and saw them, with guilty, yet excited looks on their faces.

'What are you doing here?' she said, 'Have you been here the whole time?' but she didn't mind and was too happy to lecture them as she hummed the song she had sung with Leon.

'Oh, don't mind us, dear,' said Mrs Potts, 'we were just..passing by when we saw you and Leon in the sitting room and were wondering if you had asked him.'

'Well?' said Babette, 'Did you ask him to ze ball?'

'Yes I did,' said Rose, grinning from ear to ear.

'And did he say yes?' Babette asked.

'He did!' Rose said, excitedly, 'He said yes!' to the delight of the servants as they whooped and cheered and hugged each other, pleased that their efforts had not been in vain.

'See, what did I tell you?' said Babette, 'I knew he would, you were worried about nothing!'

'And all you had to do was be your sweet self!' Rebecca said.

'Ah, Mistress, what a happy occasion this is,' said Lumiere, 'I can just see it now, you and the boy dancing together, just like your dear mother and father did. They would be so proud that you have found your true love.'

'If only he would admit it,' Rose said. The servants headed off excitedly, while talking about the ball and singing,

'Tale as old as time, true as it could be!'

'Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly!'

Rose laughed as she watched them leave and went into her bedroom, not looking at the rose or thinking about the curse as she lay down on the bed and let out a happy sigh.

She was excited about the ball now that Leon was to be her escort and when the moment was right, she would confess her love for him.