teamBLAZE: thanks, I hope you enjoy this story so far! and yes, Katniss Everdeen is a major inspiration of Reine in this story. I hope this will give new flavour to the classic tale of Beauty and The Beast! ^^

The Harvest Goddess was true to her words, at least up until now. Mme Rousseau never asked for Reine's whereabouts, which worried Gwen initially lest it was because their mother simply didn't want to know the truth, but she realized that all she could do now was to play the part and led her daily routine normally.

If Renaissance Rousseau were almost never seen outdoors without her bow and arrows, Guinevere Rousseau's equivalent would be a book. Even when walking in marketplace, Gwen's eyes would always be fixated on the scribbled pages of books—sometimes tales, other times books regarding herbs.

Being a small town which was nourished by gossips, of course this didn't pass their watchful eyes. When Gwen walked to the marketplace—which could always be translated as Reine having one of her long hunting trips, or simply a visit to the local library—people would often stare at her then whisper among themselves.

"There goes the second daughter of Rousseau family…"

"Oh, what a real beauty—her looks are only paralleled by her sister."

"Yes… very beautiful. Very fair, very delicate—unlike her sister."

"But I'm afraid she's also rather odd—always a bit distracted, don't you think?"

"Poor Rousseau family… their daughters are blessed but cursed at the same time!"

Unlike Reine, who had the ability to focus on just one thing at a time while blocking out everything else in her vision field but her prey—a skill she had to master to further hone her hunting skills—Gwen could hear everything that they said while still registering the train of words before her eyes—all the while walking without bumping into anyone.

So, yes, she knew what they said about them.

And it hurt her.

For a moment Gwen looked up and all the townsfolk abruptly turned around, trying to act that they weren't looking at her in vain. Gwen stared at the far distance, to the direction of the cursed castle.

I know there's something more than this provincial life.

Gwen sighed and she continued walking, and reading, of course.

"Oh, hello there, little woman."

Gwen immediately registered that voice and groaned internally, while outwardly, she still maintained her 'on the book' look and kept walking.

Zack wasn't used to be ignored, though, and he immediately stalked up to the girl and pushed her book down, forcing her green eyes to meet his dark brown. "Bon jour, Guinevere," he greeted her again, this time with a more melodious voice that sent Gwen's stomach to tighten in unpleasant knots.

Gwen plastered a smile on her face, "Bon jour, Monsieur."

"Oh, don't need to be so formal!" Zack immediately dismissed her, "You see, I proposed to your sister yesterday—she was too shy to say yes—maybe I should bring her to somewhere more private, but, you see…"

"I wouldn't use the word 'Reine' and 'shy' in the same sentence unless it's negative." Gwen replied before going back to her book, only to be interrupted again by Zack.

"Oh, are you jealous, Guinevere?" Zack flashed one of his smiles that would probably swoon majority of the town girls while smoothing his hair. "Even after I'm married to Reine, I would still shower you with my affection—you'll be my sister after all, Gwen."

"Uh… well…" Gwen tried to contain her nausea, "I'd be… grateful, Zack, but, no thanks." she swiftly ducked under his arm and walked pass him.

Zack tried to catch Gwen, but the crowd in the market made it impossible for him to do so. Soon, the young lady in peach-coloured, knee-length dress was unreachable within the crowd.

"I told you so." A lanky man appeared beside Zack, "She won't help you to get her sister—she's too dazed and distracted with her… books." he was promptly hit on his head by the muscular man.

"Shut up, Won." He said, "I'll win Reine—I'll tame her—and she will be my wife! You hear me?"

The Beast sat in his dark room, only accompanied by the enchanted rose which, despite being contained in a glass lid, still emanating its ethereal glow, demanding attention to itself—as if it wanted to constantly remind the forgotten prince that he was sustained with a borrowed time.

"Why…?" he groaned, "Why…?! Two humans… within one day… what's going on?!"

Much to his surprise, a faint figure made an appearance before his eyes. He could only see a shade of something between blue and green—even his sharpened eyes couldn't make out the figure—but he knew whom it was. Her soothing voice soon filled his ears.

There is no coincidence nor there is an accident. There are only strings of events, arranged by the Fate, for you to keep learning and be a better person.

The Beast roared in frustration, and the apparition vanished as quickly as it had appeared earlier. He knew it wasn't a conjuration of his mind—he had learned that it was real. However, he still needed to learn to have faith—although faith could be something more like a luxury for someone in his position.

Could he afford to have faith now? Now?

Frustrated, the Beast decided to go out from the West Wing to find some fresh air. The last time he had some sort of conversation with the newest addition to his castle, she had left him with more questions than answers—and a little bit of curiosity, for a lack of better word.

Truthfully, in a tiny part of what remained in his human heart, he wished he could bump into her again.

And as if Fortune was on his side, he saw the young woman walking through the hallway again, still with her bow and arrows fastened on her body. She even wore her hunting gloves together with her dress—it didn't really match but she didn't seem to be bothered by it at all. This time, she was reading a different book.

Her head suddenly perked up and she offered a polite smile, "Hello."

That again. She carried herself so—if not graceful—easily around him.

"I found a registry of birth of the family that owned this castle in the library," she began speaking. "Maybe we can find your name here… hmm… Gray? Vaughn?—no, I think I should look for more recent births—do you remember when you were born?"

"No."

"That's sad—let's see… the most recent birth recorded is… twenty four years ago…" she trailed off. "Neil…?"

His fox-like ears perked up at the mention of that name. Something in his head seemed to click at it—it sounded right, and it created new warmth in his frozen heart. Obviously, the huntress' sharp eyes didn't miss that reaction. Her face beamed into a warm smile, "9 December, huh?" she murmured.

"What?"

"What do you want me to call you, then?" Reine asked. "Prince? Neil? Your Highness? Beast is out of question, though," she quickly added.

What's wrong with this woman? The Beast asked himself inwardly, One moment, she's ready to shoot me with her arrow. Another, she chided me like I'm a little boy. Then, she is all happy and… I don't know what.

"So?" Reine asked, "Is that so hard to decide?"

The Beast saw the excited sparkling in her green eyes and scowled, "Do whatever you want."

Reine curtsied to him; her first act of genuine respect. "I would be much honoured."

She then left, humming happily to herself. Yet, Neil couldn't help but to hear her voice, surprisingly soft and clear.

That time, he thought that the feelings inside of him, the longing nostalgia he felt, was simply because she had revived his name.

There are only strings of events, arranged by the Fate, for you to keep learning and be a better person.

Reine has managed to revive the Beast's name...

what will she do next?

Stay tuned to find out!

Thanks for reading!

Please rate and review! ^^

A/N: the earlier scene with Gwen walking with a book is actually based on the song Little Town, the opening song of Disney's Beauty and The Beast ^^