THE air was thick and teeming with anticipation as dark black and purple clouds began to gather on the horizon, signaling an impending thunderstorm. The Prince bitterly thought it a fitting metaphor for his mood. Prince Adam sat stiffly in his horse's saddle, Brutus riding alongside him. The atmosphere between the two men was charged with tension, mirroring the tempest within the Prince's tortured soul. As their horses trotted through the forest, the ominous clouds continued to loom overhead, turning darker with each passing moment.
The Prince turned to Brutus, his words weighed down by regret and sorrow.
"Brutus, returning to Belle, she's bound to hate me," the Prince lamented, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "I never intended to trap Belle and her friend in her room. But Gaston's unrelenting pursuit forced my hand, and it's clear the women believe they can reason with him. I cannot bear to see her suffer at his hands. He must be stopped, and they couldn't be part of that confrontation."
Brutus, understanding the immense burden his master bore, nodded solemnly. "I understand, Your Highness. It was a tough decision, but the right one. We'll free her father and confront the bastard who razed his home. I can't shake the feeling he hasn't forgotten me," he added with a grunt, a flicker of anger crossing the features of the handsome dark-haired soldier as he recalled the fury in the former soldier's eyes the morning Brutus had broken his nose.
The duo pressed on through the looming shadows of the forest, the air thick with tension and the distant rumble of thunder echoing the tumultuous emotions within the Prince's heart as he hated to leave Belle.
"I just hope Belle understands," the Prince sighed, frustrated, his gaze fixed on the darkening path ahead. "She deserves better than to live a life in fear of him. This man must be stopped before he inflicts any more harm."
Brutus nodded solemnly, offering a reassuring presence. "Your Highness, Belle is strong. Surely, she will understand the sacrifices you're making to protect her. We will find a way to make things right, sir. I swear it."
As they continued, the forest seemed to close in around them, the oppressive atmosphere matching the weight that now rested solely upon the Prince's shoulders. Memories of Belle's distraught face at Gaston's cruelty and the destruction he had wrought upon her family fueled the determination within them to bring an end to this nightmare.
"I can't fathom what drives him, Brutus," the Prince mused softly, his thoughts darkening like the sky above. "His desire for Belle and apparent thirst for power has blinded him to all reason."
Brutus, recalling the rage in Gaston's eyes during their last encounter, nodded in agreement. "Aye, my lord, he's a dangerous adversary, Your Highness. No better than a mad rabid dog incapable of being tamed. He needs a cage."
The wind began to pick up, carrying with it the scent of rain. The first drops fell, signaling the approaching storm. The Prince urged his mount to quicken its pace, driven by the urgency of their mission.
The Prince's gaze fell to the darkening sky, his heart heavy with the weight of his choices. "I only hope we can secure her father's release and deal with Gaston before this storm breaks or worse, the sun goes down and the curse is upon us once more in full view of Belle's entire village."
His heart clenched at the very thought, and suddenly desperate to divert his thoughts away from the impending challenges, the Prince attempted to change the subject, unable to recall when he'd had this long of a conversation with his friend before, but was grateful for Brutus's company, nonetheless.
"Speaking of the village, the girl from Belle's village seems to have eyes on you, Brutus, my friend," the Prince suggested, casting a sideways glance towards Brutus.
Brutus chuckled, a rare display of mirth amidst the darkening atmosphere. "Indeed, my lord. It seems I caught her attention. What can I say, many women have grown to appreciate my charms."
The Prince smirked, attempting to inject a semblance of normalcy into their grim situation. "Ever been with a woman before, Brutus, my friend?" he asked.
Brutus, usually stoic and reserved, blushed at the unexpected question. "No, Your Highness, I...I have not," he answered truthfully. "I've dedicated my entire life to serving and protecting you. There hasn't been time for such pursuits."
The Prince chuckled, and the tension between them was momentarily lifted. "Perhaps after all this is over, you should give it a try, Brutus. We all get weak over women, my friend, and love, companionship can be a powerful force."
The Prince had expected Brutus to take comfort in his words, though he was surprised and caught off guard when Brutus scoffed at his words, his skepticism evident in the narrowing of his eyes. "Love, companionship, Adam? You speak as if we're not cursed to become what we are when the sun sets, bearing the weight of our past mistakes. Do you truly believe this woman could undo the curse that's bound us all for so long, Adam?"
The Prince's expression softened, his gaze fixed on the woodland path ahead of them, the sun now hidden behind the encroaching storm clouds, that cruel reminder of their predicament. "It's not about the curse, Brutus. It's about finding something worth fighting for, even when the odds seem stacked against us. Love, so the Enchantress thinks, has a way of breaking through even her darkest curse."
Brutus leaned forward in his saddle, his voice low and full of disbelief. "And do you think Belle is the one to break this curse, my friend? A simple village farm girl who stumbled upon our accursed abode in the middle of a storm much like the one that's nearly upon us now?"
The Prince's eyes sparkled with a hint of contemplation. "There's more to her than just meets the eye, Brutus. She sees beyond the Beast that I become, and that may be the key to our redemption. If anyone can break this curse, it might just be her."
Brutus grunted, still not entirely convinced. "You sound like you're falling for her already, my Prince, and this girl has been with us a few weeks, at best. Is that it? Have you let your guard down for this farm girl, Adam, truly?"
The Prince felt a fiery heat creep to his cheeks as he forced himself to contemplate the truth.
Adam hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering between the path ahead of them and Brutus. The weight of centuries seemed to bear down on him as he finally admitted, "Perhaps, Brutus. Perhaps I am. Love is a force that defies logic, transcending time, and circumstance. Belle has a unique way of seeing the beauty within, even when, and perhaps especially when that person cannot see it in themselves, and that, my friend, is a power that all of us in the castle have underestimated for far too long."
Brutus grunted, crossing his arms, and shifting his weight in the saddle to ease an itch at his left breastbone beneath his armor. "Love may be powerful, my lord, but can it truly break a curse so easily that's endured for so many years? Something tells me we'll need more than just a pretty face and a kind heart to undo the enchantment that binds us all, Adam."
The Prince nodded in agreement, acknowledging the complexity of their situation. "I know it won't be easy, Brutus. But there's something about Belle, something that goes beyond the surface. She can look past the exterior and see the humanity within, a quality I once thought lost to me forevermore."
Brutus raised an eyebrow, a skeptical expression etched across his face. "So, what's your plan then, my Prince? Will you woo her with grand gestures as you court her, hoping she'll fall for the cursed prince and break the spell?"
A wry smile played on the Prince's lips. "Love doesn't always need grand gestures, Brutus. It's about connection, understanding, and acceptance. I need to show her that there's more to me than the beast she first encountered. We must find a way to break the curse together, for both our sakes."
Brutus sighed, his skepticism softening into a reluctant understanding. "Well, Adam, if this is the path you've chosen, I suppose I'll stand by you. But mark my words, love or not, breaking this curse won't be a stroll through the rose garden."
The Prince chuckled, a newfound determination in his eyes. "Indeed, my friend. But if there's even a glimmer of hope, I must pursue it. For all our sakes and for the chance to be free from this curse that has haunted us for far too long."
As Prince Adam and Brutus made their way through the bustling marketplace, the villagers couldn't help but pause in their daily activities, their curiosity piqued by the unusual sight of royalty in their humble village. The clattering of hooves on the cobblestone streets echoed, drawing attention from every corner. Prince Adam, with a stern expression, scanned the faces in the crowd, searching for any signs of the mysterious man who could be Gaston.
The villagers, sensing the gravity of the situation, began to part ways, creating a narrow path for the prince to follow. As he neared the remnants of Belle and her father's home, the devastation came into full view. The scorched remains of what was once a peaceful abode stood as a stark reminder of the darkness that had befallen the village.
Prince Adam's gaze hardened, his blood turning hot in his veins the longer he gazed upon the devastation, his determination to find Gaston growing stronger with every step.
The once-vibrant marketplace fell silent as the prince dismounted, his presence commanding attention, and he made no effort to hide his cane from the villagers as he leaned on it heavily for support as he stared numbly at the remnants of Belle's home.
The villagers exchanged worried glances, unsure of what fate awaited them with the arrival of their royal monarch and his entourage.
Prince Adam, however, paid little heed to the whispers surrounding him now.
Instead, he forced himself to focus on the charred ruins and the memories that lingered in the air, memories that he was not privy to, but ones that had brought Belle and her father happiness, once upon a time.
Brutus, ever vigilant, stayed close to his master, a hand on the hilt of his sword and ready to execute any command given to him.
Prince Adam moved through the debris, his keen eyes searching for clues or any shred of Belle's old life that could be salvaged and returned to her, perhaps as a token to apologize for leaving her the way he had. The air was heavy with a mix of sorrow and anticipation as the villagers observed the unfolding events.
As Prince Adam continued to comb through Belle and Maurice's home, Brutus, ever watchful, noticed a familiar face who had appeared in the crowd of curious onlookers.
His keen eye locked onto the short, stocky figure of the man he thought he'd heard Gaston call LeFou, the man who had been at Gaston's side during the incident that led to Brutus breaking the man's nose that morning.
Recognizing the potential, Brutus barked once, drawing both the attention of Prince Adam and the villagers. Brutus observed the man with a discerning gaze.
"You...I remember you, it's...LeFou, isn't it?" Brutus stated coldly as he moved closer toward Gaston's acquaintance, who was immediately taken aback by the sudden attention from the Prince's guard and began to stammer nervously, trying to avoid eye contact with the imposing figure of Brutus. Brutus, undeterred, moved closer, his deep growl resonating through the air.
Prince Adam, sensing something was amiss, approached cautiously.
With a commanding tone, Brutus snapped at him, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light.
"You were with Gaston the morning I brought Belle's father back. Was he responsible for this?" Brutus snarled, angrily gesticulating towards the remnants of Belle and Maurice's home with an angry flourish.
Prince Adam, his eyes narrowing, assessed the situation quickly. The tension in the air was palpable as he tried to discern where Gaston might be hiding.
LeFou, realizing that he couldn't escape the scrutiny of Brutus and the Prince, finally managed to stammer out a response, "I-I swear, I don't know anything about it! The fire just happened one night and I came outside after it was too late to do anything about it! I swear!"
Brutus, still suspicious, circled the man with a predatory grace. "Don't play games with me, monsieur, I can tell when a man is lying," he growled menacingly. "If you're involved in this, you'll answer for it."
Prince Adam, his expression stern, intervened. "Brutus, let's find out the truth before taking any drastic measures. We need information, not just intimidation."
LeFou, now sweating profusely, looked at Prince Adam with a glimmer of hope.
The Prince parted his lips to speak, though before he could say a word to the man now cowering in fear of Brutus as the tall guard loomed over him by several feet, nearly dwarfing the man, the angry cut of a man's voice could be heard coming from somewhere behind the crowd that had now gathered around them.
It cut through the air like a sharp blade, and the onlookers parted, revealing a man with a scowl etched on his face, storming toward the gathering.
Prince Adam turned his attention towards the approaching figure, suspecting the man now advancing upon their position might be Gaston. The tension in the air heightened, and the subtle tremor in the man LeFou's eyes confirmed the Prince's suspicions.
The man, whose silhouette hinted at a looming menace, drew closer to Prince Adam and Brutus. With narrowed eyes, the Prince assessed the situation, trying to discern whether this newcomer was indeed Gaston. The tension between the Prince, Brutus, LeFou, and the rest of the crowd thickened as the man drew nearer.
LeFou, caught during the brewing conflict, looked from Gaston to the Prince with palpable anxiety. The Prince, maintaining his regal poise, gestured for Brutus to step back from the intimidated individual and gave LeFou room. Before the Prince could address the man he suspected to be Gaston, the newcomer's voice rang out with unrestrained fury.
"What's going on here?" he bellowed in a hoarse voice, his colorless grey eyes narrowing as they locked onto Prince Adam. The crowd around them seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the clash of wills between the two formidable figures. Brutus, standing firm beside the Prince, maintained a vigilant stance, ready to intervene if needed.
Prince Adam, meeting the newcomer's gaze with an unwavering resolve, spoke calmly, "We're looking for a rat named Gaston, monsieur. Rumor has it the man set fire to my chambermaid's home and has ordered her father kept locked away in the asylum not far from this very village. I would like to know why. It would be in everyone's interest to cooperate."
The man's smirk wavered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise that quickly turned into a dismissive scoff.
"I am Gaston, Your Highness, though I'd pretend you hadn't just called me a rat," Gaston retorted, his tone dripping with arrogance as the edges of his mouth turned down in a frown. "I'm no rat, Prince. I'm a man of action, not idle gossip."
Prince Adam's gaze remained steady, unfazed by Gaston's attempt to deflect.
"Actions have consequences, monsieur," he responded coldly. "If you're innocent, you have nothing to fear from our investigation. But if you're involved in the accusations against you, the truth will come to light."
The assembled crowd exchanged uneasy glances, caught amid a brewing conflict between the realm's Prince and the brash, self-assured Gaston.
LeFou, still on the sidelines, shifted nervously, aware that the outcome of this confrontation could reshape the dynamics within their village.
Gaston, refusing to back down, crossed his arms defiantly. "Accusations mean nothing without proof, Prince. I suggest you tread carefully if you want to avoid making enemies of your people," he warned, a predatory glint in his eyes.
Prince Adam remained resolute in the face of Gaston's warning, but his attention was drawn to a subtle shift in the atmosphere. Gaston's confident facade wavered as his eyes met Brutus, and a shadow of recognition flickered across his face.
Gaston blanched, a momentary vulnerability replacing his usual bravado. His gaze lingered on Brutus, and an uncomfortable silence settled over the square.
The crowd, sensing the shift, watched with rapt attention as the dynamics between the Prince, Gaston, and the formidable guard unfolded.
Brutus, standing tall and unyielding, met Gaston's gaze with a stoic expression.
It was clear that there was a history between them, a history that Gaston couldn't quite escape.
Prince Adam, seizing the opportunity, pressed on with the investigation.
Adam, undeterred, maintained his composure.
"We seek the truth, Gaston, not enemies. If you're innocent, prove it. If you're guilty, the consequences will be yours to bear. Why was Belle's father ordered to the asylum, Gaston, without due process and just cause?" Prince Adam questioned, his tone unwavering but laced with a hint of urgency.
The eyes of the crowd shifted between the two, their curiosity heightened by the mention of Belle's father and the troubling accusations against Gaston.
Gaston's confident demeanor faltered for a moment, a subtle flicker of uncertainty crossing the former soldier's handsome features before he regained his composure.
"Oh, that old man is mad, Prince, gone off his wits after all this time, spreading vicious lies about how I'm the one who set fire to their home when it was merely a stray ember on their bed of straw. Locking him up was got the greater good. I did everyone a favor by having him locked away so that he would not be a danger to himself or others. In time, Belle will come to forgive me, I know it," Gaston declared, a self-satisfied smirk beginning to tug at his lips.
Prince Adam's brow furrowed with skepticism. "Mad or not, monsieur, accusations of arson are serious, Gaston. And locking someone away in an asylum without proper evidence or due process is a grave matter. I won't tolerate injustice in my realm."
LeFou, still lingering in the background, exchanged uneasy glances with some of the onlookers. The air crackled with tension as the crowd awaited Prince Adam's response to Gaston's justification.
Prince Adam continued, his voice carrying a note of authority.
"If Belle's father is truly mad as you say, he should receive proper care, not to be kept confined in an insane asylum without a fair assessment. I demand an explanation for your actions, monsieur," the Prince growled through gritted teeth, struggling to maintain his composure as he felt the familiar fire seed of anger that was his temper starting to well within him.
Gaston, however, remained defiant. "I did what needed to be done for the safety of our village. If you're so concerned about justice, Prince, then prove that I set that fire or release me from this baseless accusation."
The stakes were high as the Prince and Gaston challengingly locked eyes, each unwilling to yield. The fate of Belle's father, the truth behind the accusations, and the delicate balance that existed back at the castle now teetered on the edge of revelation.
The village square held its breath, waiting for the next move in this intricate dance of power and justice unfolding between the men.
Prince Adam, though skeptical, issued a decree for the immediate release of Belle's father. "Monsieur, accusations of such gravity demand a fair investigation. I won't allow baseless claims to determine a man's fate. Release him at once," he commanded, his gaze unwavering.
Gaston, however, refused to assent. "The man poses a threat to Belle and our village, Your Highness. You could not possibly understand this as you have not been around him as long as those of us here in the village have. I did what was necessary to protect us. I won't release him until I'm certain he's not a danger to himself."
The tension in the air thickened, and uneasy glances were exchanged among the onlookers. The crowd held its collective breath, waiting for the Prince's response to Gaston's defiance.
Prince Adam's expression darkened. "Monsieur Gaston, I will not compromise justice for the sake of fear. If there are valid concerns, they will be addressed through a fair and thorough investigation. Locking away an innocent man without proper process is not the solution."
Gaston sneered, crossing his arms defiantly. "Your high ideals won't protect this village. As I said a moment ago, monsieur, if you're so concerned about justice, prove that I made a mistake, or release me from this accusation."
Prince Adam's eyes flickered with determination as he turned to Brutus. "Brutus, bring Gaston back with us to the castle. He will remain in the dungeons for the time being until such a time that a fair trial can be arranged at the courts, or he is taken to the Bastille, whichever comes first by order of the king himself. His fate will be decided through proper channels, not by hasty actions."
Brutus hesitated, his brows furrowing with concern. "Your Highness, sir, with all due respect, as your friend and the man responsible for your life, I cannot condone this. Bringing this man back to the castle is not the best course of action. This man is dangerous and is not a man to easily accept restraint and could very easily retaliate," Brutus cautioned.
The Prince regarded his trusted friend and sworn brother with a steady gaze, considering his counsel. "I understand your point, Brutus, my friend, I do, but we cannot abandon due process. The trial will be conducted with utmost fairness, and for now, the dungeons are the safest place to hold him until the courts have a chance to convene."
Brutus nodded reluctantly, his frustration evident in a sigh. He understood the Prince's unwavering commitment to justice. Stepping forward, Brutus proceeded with Gaston, retrieving a length of rope from his horse's saddlebag.
With measured steps, he approached Gaston and made quick work of binding his wrists together, ensuring the former captain couldn't escape the impending trial.
The tension in the air persisted as the guard began to lead Gaston away from the village, each step echoing the weight of the justice system at play.
The disgruntled murmurs of the crowd followed the procession as Gaston, his arrogance momentarily shaken, was escorted to the edge of their village.
LeFou, still lingering in the background, cast a worried glance at Gaston. "This might not end well, Gaston. You should have considered the consequences of your actions."
Gaston scowled but remained silent, his mind calculating the potential outcomes of the impending trial.
The Prince, with an air of authority, addressed the onlookers. "I assure you, justice will be served. A fair trial will reveal the truth, and the guilty parties will face the consequences."
The villagers, though uncertain, began to disperse, each grappling with their thoughts on the unfolding events. Prince Adam led the way back to the castle, with Brutus keeping a vigilant eye on the proceedings, wary of the challenges that lay ahead. The atmosphere remained tense, and the delicate balance between the castle and the village teetered on the brink.
As they reached the castle gates, Prince Adam spoke with a measured tone, addressing Brutus directly. "I appreciate your concern, Brutus. But we must trust in the justice system. It is the only way to ensure a fair resolution to this matter."
As Brutus prepared to escort Gaston inside and below to the castle dungeons, he paused just outside the entrance, casting a troubled look over his shoulder at Prince Adam.
"Adam, with all due respect, I must say this is the stupidest decision you've ever made, and you and I have been friends for a long time, so I can speak freely with you. Mark my words, my friend, this decision of yours may come back to haunt us."
With that, Brutus dutifully resumed his course, casting a scathing look toward the castle's newest prisoner as he began to lead Gaston toward the castle dungeons.
The disgruntled former captain, though bound, still exuded an air of defiance that sent a chill down the spine of those in their proximity.
As the castle's front doors creaked open, Brutus glanced back to Prince Adam one more time, his eyes conveying a mixture of concern and warning.
"This is a dangerous path, Your Highness," he muttered, his voice edged with apprehension. "I hope you know what you're doing."
But duty bound him, and he proceeded, disappearing into a side corridor, down a winding set of stone steps that disappeared into the shadows of the castle dungeons with Gaston in tow.
The uneasy air outside in the courtyard lingered as Prince Adam was left alone to grapple with the weight of his decisions and the impending trial that would test the very fabric of justice in the realm. Alone in the courtyard, Adam grappled with an internal uncertainty, a compelling instinct urging him to seek validation for his recent actions. He longed for assurance that bringing the man accused of burning Belle's home to face a fair trial wasn't a foolish decision.
The potential ugliness of the impending trial loomed, perhaps even surpassing the night the Enchantress had cursed him. Remaining outside, the prince lingered as the wind stirred and tousled his auburn ponytail. Raindrops began to moisten his face, offering a sense of liberation.
Surveying his castle's exterior, he sought something elusive, an unidentified yearning. Then, he discovered it. The East Wing's second-floor window revealed the blurry yet beautiful face of his curse's only hope. Against the approaching storm's dull greys, her dark chestnut hair stood out. In a fleeting stare, their eyes locked before Belle concealed herself behind a curtain.
At that moment, Adam swore he glimpsed a smile on Belle's face.