Chapter 1


THE golden rays of the morning sun streamed through the arched stained glass windows of the castle, gently waking the sleeping residents who slumbered peacefully within their beds. Birds sang their melodious tunes outside, a stark contrast to the quiet, still beauty within. Belle lay nestled in the Prince's arms, the weight of Prince Adam's affectionate embrace grounding her in the reality of their love.

She often found herself marveling at how quickly her life had changed a year ago since the Enchantress's curse had been broken, yet each day, Belle still marveled at the transformation of her once fearsome captor who had been more Beast than the man she now lay entwined in an embrace with.

In the magnificent castle that had once been shrouded in darkness, Belle and Prince Adam had found their paradise. The true love they felt for one another had been effective in breaking the curse that bound the Beast to his monstrous form.

The castle, once crumbling and overgrown, now stood proud and beautiful, a testament to their love.

Belle, after marrying Adam and embracing her role as Princess to the realm had embraced her role as the castle's librarian with unwavering dedication. She spent her days among the towering bookshelves, teaching the village children to read and write, sharing her knowledge and passion for literature.

Her heart swelled with joy as she watched the young minds of the village bloom like the most enchanting of flowers. The Prince, now known by his true name, Adam, had taken it upon himself to restore the castle to its former glory. With a team of skilled craftsmen and the unwavering support of his former enchanted staff, the castle was slowly but surely being returned to its former splendor.

Each day, he discovered new wonders hidden within its walls, and with Belle by his side, every step of the journey felt like an adventure.

The castle's staff, once inanimate objects, had been transformed back into humans with the breaking of the curse. Lumière, the suave maître d', now oversaw the castle's dining hall with elegance.

Cogsworth, who had once been a stuffy clock, now managed the castle's schedules and kept things running smoothly.

Mrs. Potts, reunited with her son Chip, had taken on the role of overseeing the castle's kitchens, where her delicious tea and pastries had become legendary.

Life was blissful within the castle walls. Belle and Adam's love had only grown stronger since the curse had been broken, and their shared commitment to their newfound family, the castle's staff, was unwavering. Every evening, they dined together, sharing stories and laughter, making up for the lost years when the castle had been under the curse.

However, as the days turned to weeks, a shadow began to creep into Adam's heart. He started having vivid, disturbing nightmares that left him cold and unsettled. In his dreams, he saw an ancient enchantress cloaked in darkness, her eyes filled with otherworldly, haunting power.

She spoke cryptic words, and her presence was accompanied by an ominous prophecy that seemed to echo through the corridors of his mind. The dreams were relentless, and Adam couldn't shake the feeling that they held a deeper meaning, one that he couldn't ignore, and this morning seemed to be no exception as the Prince suffered from...yet another nightmare.

As Belle stirred, her eyelids fluttering open without a trace of sleepiness, she noticed the faint lines of worry etched onto Adam's face, even in his sleep. His brow furrowed, and he emitted a soft, troubled groan. Instinctively, Belle stretched out her hand and gently caressed his cheek, her touch as soothing as her voice as she tried to rouse her husband from his sleep.

"Shh, my love," she whispered, her voice as delicate as a lullaby. "It's just a dream, whatever you're going through, it's just a dream, Adam."

Adam's eyes fluttered open, and he blinked, his confused gaze meeting Belle's. His wintry blue eyes, once cold and filled with rage and despair, now radiated warmth and affection.

His marriage to her over the last year was one of the best things to have ever happened to him. He smiled, though his smile was strained and tinged with sadness.

"It was the same dream again, Belle, my dearest. The Enchantress and her wretched hex."

Belle slowly sat up, concern etching her features as she reached for a nightrobe to cover herself, draped neatly over a chair by her side of their marriage bed within their chamber.

"It's been a year, Adam, my love, and yet, those nightmares still haunt you?" she asked quietly and confused. "These dreams, Adam," Belle said softly, "they can't just be dismissed. We should find out what they mean, what message they carry."

Adam nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "You're right, Belle. We can't ignore them. We must uncover the truth behind these nightmares and face whatever challenges lie ahead. I thought they would fade with time, but they only grow stronger, Belle. I see her face, Belle, the witch's, and she's not just angry; she's filled with…sorrow."

Belle moved closer, wrapping her arms around him, and leaned down to press a chaste and gentle kiss to his forehead.

"You've changed, Adam, my love. You've become kind and selfless and learned to love me. You've more than made amends for your past mistakes," she attempted to soothe and supplicate him.

Adam's eyes met hers, gratitude shining in their azure depths. "It's because of you, Belle, my love. Your love, your belief in me, changed everything."

Belle felt a shy smile play on her lips and without thinking, she leaned forward to press her lips to his, and together, they shared a tender kiss, their love reaffirmed at that moment.

Yet, beneath their affection, a lingering unease lingered.

As Belle and Adam parted, there came a soft rapping knock at the door that promptly interrupted their intimate moment alone. They turned their heads in the direction of the noise, a painful reminder that the world continued to exist outside of their chambers of the West Wing. The door creaked open loudly and on the other side of the panel, their youngest Head of House and maître d', Monsieur Lumiere, stood in the doorway and discreetly cleared his throat, reminding the couple of his presence.

The formerly enchanted candelabra now reverted to his normal form as a human man had a knack for impeccable timing, at least as long as Belle had come to know Lumiere and the other servants, though he did his best to maintain an air of decorum.

"Ahem, Princess, Prince, pardon the interruption, but your breakfast awaits," Lumiere chimed in, presenting a beautifully arranged breakfast cart with a mouthwatering spread of delicate pastries, fruits, and freshly brewed coffee.

He discreetly glanced away, affording the couple a modicum of privacy, though a light pink blush speckled along his cheeks as he came to understand he had interrupted them during an intimate moment alone. Belle, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue from their shared moment, gave a grateful smile and a shy nod to Lumiere before guiding Adam toward one of the chairs by the window to sit down.

As they sat down in their respective chairs and began to enjoy their meal, Belle gently broached the subject that had been weighing on both their minds before Monsieur Lumiere's impeccable arrival.

"Adam, darling, I can't help but wonder if there's something more to these visions. Perhaps there's a way to unravel the mystery and free you from the lingering effects of your curse if any still exist," Belle suggested, hopefully, her brown eyes filled with determination.

Adam, picking listlessly at a croissant and looking to have no real appetite this morning, quietly considered his wife's words, an eerily placid expression resting on his features.

"You may be right, Belle. There might be a way to find closure and break this lingering enchantment. It's certainly gone on too long. But where do we begin, love? The witch is long gone, D'Arque saw to that, and her spell is nothing but a twisted web of dangerous magic."

Cogsworth, who had been eavesdropping nearby just outside the door, took it upon himself to enter into the chamber and chime in, "Master, if I may interject, my dear boy, perhaps there's a clue in the enchanted rose's magic. It was the source of all our curses, and given that it still exists, perhaps it might hold the key to understanding your former curse and the witch's sorrow," he suggested hopefully, though the wizened old man's expression was now as grim as a graveyard.

Belle nodded as she sipped tentatively at her coffee, her hands wound around her mug as her eyes gleamed with hope. "You're right, Cogsworth. We should examine the rose, try to study its magic, and see if we can uncover any hidden secrets. It's worth a try, at least, sir."

Belle, Adam, and their advisors spent the rest of breakfast discussing their plan.

They knew it wouldn't be easy and it might take time, but they were determined to free Adam from the haunting memories and finally lay the curse to rest.

As Lumiere moved to refill their coffee cups and Cogsworth offered his support alongside Mrs. Potts when she came into the room to help Belle dress for the day, Belle and Adam felt a renewed sense of purpose in their quest to discover the truth behind the lingering effects of the cures and the meaning behind the Prince's dreams. As the hours passed that morning, Belle, Adam, and their loyal servants and friends dedicated themselves to helping their master unravel the mystery that surrounding his nightmares.

Belle could not count how many hours they had spent confined in the castle's library, pouring over ancient tomes in the vast library, seeking any information about the Enchantress who had cast the spell and the magic of the enchanted rose that still existed and Belle and Adam kept confined underneath its glass dome to serve as a reminder of the trials and tribulations they'd faced.

As Belle and Adam continued their research, taxed and to the brink of frustration and exhaustion as their efforts were coming up futile, it was Cogsworth who, with a sense of urgency, was the one to stumble upon a particularly cryptic passaged in a crumbling manuscript.

Cogsworth exclaimed, "Your Grace, I think I've found something! This passage speaks of a long-forgotten ritual that can unveil the memories and intentions of a curse's caster."

Adam, his eyes filled with hope, asked, "Can it truly help us understand the witch's sorrow and her true purpose, Cogsworth?"

Cogsworth nodded grimly, "Indeed, my boy, it suggests that by performing this ritual, we may uncover the truth about what has eluded us for far too long, sire."

Belle, determined to end her love's torment, remarked, "Then let's gather the ingredients and perform the ritual, Cogsworth, monsieur. We must try everything we can to relieve Adam of this."

Though Belle's words were easier said than done. The search for the ritual's ingredients was not without its challenges. They scoured the castle for rare herbs, searched for a lock of Adam's fur that had covered his body when he had still been entrapped in his cursed Changeling form as the Beast, and contemplated who among them had a pure enough heart to bear the curse's memories.

Lumiere, in a rare moment of seriousness, said, "Belle, Ma Cherie, you have the purest heart among us. Your love for our master and your unwavering kindness have already made a profound difference."

Belle, though slightly apprehensive, nodded in agreement, her expression solemn.

"Very well, monsieur. If there is truly no other way, then I will be the one to bear the burden of these memories. If it can help us understand why Adam suffers these nightmares, then it is worth the risk. I will do it."

In the chamber designated for the ritual, Belle and Adam reluctantly allowed themselves to be led beneath the castle. Standing side by side, their hands intertwined, the soft fragrance of the lit candles in their ornate holders offered Belle a sense of calm. However, the flickering flames of these small fires cast peculiar, restless shadows along the chamber walls and played tricks on Adam's face. Belle found herself unable to tear her gaze away from these ever-shifting patterns, which danced eerily across his features.

To avoid staring at her beloved, Belle shyly averted her gaze downward, focusing on the joined hands that held them together. She observed how the golden hue of their thick wedding bands sparkled in the unusual, wavering light and found that the sight of their matching rings gave Belle the courage to do what needed to be done to help her beloved rest more soundly at night.

Her brow furrowed as she noticed out of the corner of her gaze the dark purple shadows that were only growing deeper underneath Adam's eyes as the days passed him by in a haze.

She was sure her husband had not received a full night's rest in months.

A good night's sleep was foreign to poor Adam at this point in their marriage.

Cogsworth, the most scholarly of the three Heads of House and the one best versed in the intricacies of the incantation required to complete the ritual flawlessly commenced the procedure.

In his grasp, he held the ancient manuscript that held the key to their hopes.

As he recited the words with utmost precision, the room seemed to fill with mystical energy, an ethereal force that Belle could sense. It was as though the very castle itself was lending its support to their endeavor, breathing life into their purpose.

As the incantation reached its climax, Belle was transported into a vision, a memory from the enchantress's past. She saw the enchantress's face, not just filled with anger but also profound sadness. In the vision, the enchantress revealed her motives behind the curse, her voice echoing with sorrow.

The enchantress's voice trembled as she spoke, "I wanted to change him, to make him see the importance of kindness and love in a world that had forgotten them."

Tears welled up in Belle's eyes as she felt the weight of the enchantress's despair. She returned to the present, her connection with the enchantress severed.

She looked at Adam, her voice filled with empathy and determination.

"Adam, it was not just anger; it was sorrow, a plea for a better world. We must honor her intentions."

Adam, profoundly moved by the revelation, nodded. "We will find a way, Belle, I promise. Together, with our friends, we will bring an end to this curse's remnants and bring happiness to our castle once more."

But as the candlelight flickered, illuminating their tired faces, a shadowy figure appeared outside the open doorway they had forgotten to close.

A piercing chill filled the room as the temperature plummeted. The once inviting flames now danced wildly, casting eerie, flickering shapes on the walls. Beast and Adam exchanged uneasy glances.

In a voice that seemed to echo from another realm, the figure outside spoke.

"Beast, you cannot hide from your past forever."

Belle's heart raced as she thought she recognized the voice. Adam, too, felt a shiver of dread coursing through him. He took a cautious half-step towards the figure now standing in the doorway.

"Adam," Belle whispered as she tugged on his sleeve in a futile effort to keep her husband by her side, her voice heavy with concern, "Who is this woman and what does she want?" she hissed.

Adam shook his head, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I don't know, Belle, but something about her feels…otherworldly. Magical, love."

The servants rushed into the room, Lumiere at the forefront, his expression filled with concern and fear. Mrs. Potts trailed closely behind, her young son Chip by her side, looking apprehensive and fearful as the boy's gaze briefly locked with the shadowy figure's cold eyes. Adam moved to stand protectively in front of Belle, his narrowed eyes never leaving the mysterious shadowy figure hovering in the doorway.

With a sense of foreboding, the Prince demanded, "Who are you, and why have you come here?"

The woman, a witch, stared back at them with haunting, ice-blue eyes, a twisted smile playing on her lips. She raised a hand, and the castle shook with a deafening roar of thunder.

"I am Lenore, sister of the Enchantress who cursed you all those years ago, Beast," she declared, her voice carrying a weight of ancient grudges. "And I have come to seek justice for my sister's suffering, she died at the hands of one of your own, your man D'Arque, Prince, and you did nothing to stop it from happening. You may have transformed back into a man, but you are nothing more than the wretched disgusting Beast my sister cursed you as, monster. You thought you could escape my sister's curse, Beast," she taunted, her voice dripping with malice. "But you forget that I am the guardian of her memory, the keeper of her pain."

Belle gasped, her heart sinking at the revelation. Adam clenched his fists, torn between his love for Belle and his desire to protect their friends.

As Lenore's malevolent presence settled over the castle, the clock began to tick ominously, marking the countdown to a harrowing decision that would challenge the very essence of love, sacrifice, and redemption, all while Adam and Belle grappled with the revelation of Lenore's true identity.

The revelation of Lenore's true identity sent shockwaves through Beast and Belle. Their eyes widened in disbelief as the weight of her words settled upon them. The enchantress's sister stood before them, her presence casting a dark cloud over the room.

"You are the sister of the enchantress?" Beast asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and fear.

Lenore nodded, her dark eyes fixed on Beast. "Yes, and I have carried my sister's pain and suffering for far too long. It is time for you to face the consequences of your actions."

Belle stepped forward, her voice gentle yet firm. "We understand that you are angry, but please, there must be a way to make amends. We can't undo the past, but we can try to find a path to forgiveness."

Lenore's sinister smile did not waver. "Forgiveness, you say? Very well. Beast, the curse I have cast upon this castle is unbreakable. Unless you willingly offer yourself in exchange for their safety, there is no hope."

Beast clenched his fists, torn between his love for Belle and his sense of responsibility for the castle's inhabitants. The servants watched with bated breath, their loyalty unwavering.

Lenore continued, her voice dripping with malice, "You see, my sister believed in the power of love to change a heart. But I have witnessed your love for Belle, and it has not softened my heart. Instead, it has fueled my desire for vengeance."

Belle's eyes glistened with tears, her heart aching for the impossible choice that lay before them. She turned to Adam, her voice quivering with emotion. "Adam, we must find a way to break this curse together. We cannot let our love be used as a weapon against us."

Adam nodded, determination in his eyes. "You're right, Belle. We'll find a way. We won't let this witch tear us apart."

Lenore's laughter echoed through the room, a haunting sound that sent shivers down their spines. "Very well, Beast, try to break my curse if you can. But know that time is running out, and your fate, and the fate of this castle, is in your hands."

Belle felt an overwhelming sickness settle in her stomach under the malevolent gaze of Lenore.

The room's air grew heavy with tension, and without a word, she turned and fled, her footsteps echoing through the stone corridors. Panic welled up inside her as she left Adam behind, unable to call out to him in her despair. She had made her choice, but already, she feared the worst.

As Belle rushed through the castle's labyrinthine passages, the torches lining the walls flickered ominously, casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance with malevolence.

She found herself in the forbidden wing, a place she had been warned never to enter. Her heart pounded as she continued down the darkened hallway, driven by fear and desperation.

Belle's footsteps echoed through the forbidden wing, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The walls seemed to close in around her, adorned with unsettling tapestries and grotesque sculptures.

She knew she should turn back, retrace her steps, and find Adam, but the turmoil within her pushed her deeper into the unknown.

The corridor ended in a small, deserted alcove bathed in eerie moonlight filtering through a cracked stained-glass window. It was the only source of illumination in the otherwise pitch-black corridor.

Belle stumbled forward, feeling her heart racing faster with each step. She had to hide, catch her breath, and regain her composure before she faced whatever awaited her in the castle.

But as she reached the alcove, the sickness inside her reached a breaking point. Her body revolted, and she doubled over, her hand clutching her stomach.

The vile taste of bile filled her mouth, and she vomited onto the cold stone floor. It was a wretched, guttural sound that echoed through the narrow passageway.

Tears blurred her vision as she wiped her mouth, trembling with fear and shame. She had never felt so vulnerable, so utterly alone. Her thoughts raced, and she feared the worst.

Had she made a terrible mistake by coming to this castle? Was this a cruel trap set by Lenore, or had Adam's curse already begun to take its toll on her? Belle's breaths came in shuddering gasps as she huddled in the alcove, praying for a moment of respite.

The castle around her seemed to pulse with malevolence, and the shadows played tricks on her mind, taking on sinister shapes that whispered dreadful secrets.

She was trapped in a nightmare, and there was no way out.

Already, she was beginning to fear the worst.