Our story begins with a merchant who was the richest known in the land. He and his wife has seven children (4 sons and 3 daughters). There oldest to youngest were Warp, Buzz, XL, Julia, Booster, Dorothy and XR and each loved their father. But like many events in life, tragedy happens.
His goods and all of his trades were destroyed and taken in the outset of the sea. Because of the misfortune, they were forced to live in a small farm the only thing keeping little wealth.
"Alright help me load up the wheat booster." Warp the oldest, asked as his younger yet slightly taller brother helped him.
"You know it isn't so bad to do work," booster grins as warp pats his back after loading up the wheat.
"I know but might try and tell that to our two sisters." Warp pointed out to them who were moping than collecting eggs.
"At least XR is more responsible." Buzz came up in with XL carrying rabbits and in luck, a deer.
"Well can't argue there. But she shouldn't be the one taking all the responsibility." Warp stated as he walked up to his sisters.
"This is dreadful Dorothy." Julia glared.
"If father hadn't been foolish to lose all his fortune or let me marry, I wouldn't be here."
"It goes to show." Dorathy stated. "Now look where we are now!" They turn to see XR smiling and coming out of the hen house.
"It's not that bad, could be worse." She spoke.
Both two glared at her but stopped when warp came into view.
"She's right about that, if anything we be dead." Warp stated as he ruffles her head.
"XR go take a break while the two hens can finish up their job." Warp ignored the clucking of the said hens and leads her to their brothers. If any fortune was saved, it was their youngest sister. She was in her brother's eyes, the most precious and valuable to them.
"But Warp they may-"
"Break a nail? Please they can handle it and you've done enough work for the day." Warp stated as he leads her to their brothers were talking.
"How are you feelin lil' sis?" XL asked.
"pretty great XL, I just miss seeing the pretty flowers, especially roses." XR said with a sad smile.
"Hey if we save or find some seeds, we can grow some and you can even make it your job to tend to them." Buzz spoke.
"Yeah!" Booster smiles. "We can even harvest a few fruits and vegetables too!"
"Well we definitely win for the loudest hens." Warp snickers as did XL.
Just as they were talking, they see their father Nebula coming.
"I have great news! One of my boats survived the storm and I must go!"
Both older sisters rushes and plea to their father of new dresses and jewel.
"My boys if all goes well, what would you like to have?"
"Honestly I like to harvest so maybe new tools?" Booster asked.
"Definitely hunting gear father!" Both Buzz and XL asked.
Nebula looks to his oldest. "What about you my oldest?"
"Eh maybe a book or a dagger when I go hunting with those two. But if no trouble, can you get some seeds of flowers?"
Nebula looked to his oldest and saw him pointed to XR. "I Dorathy make a surprise for her."
Nebula chuckles and pats his back. "You're a good brother. If only you don't lazy off a bit."
"Then I be like Buzz who works his head into the ground." Warp smirked.
Nebula goes to his youngest. "What may you like?"
"Nothing big, seeing you home safe is the best gift pops."
"There's gotta be something you want. You can even ask for something too."
XR took a moment. "Well… if not too much to ask, may you get me a rose.?"
Nebula smiles and hugs her, "Of course."
He gets on their horse and went off.
"Alright we still need to make up time! The sooner we get this to trade, the better!" Warp stated.
XR looked to the direction her father went and looked up to see her brother XL hugging her.
"Hey pops gonna be alright!" XL stated.
XR smiles but felt a small worry in her.
/
Nebula had after two days travel with nothing but his guilt. After arriving to his ship at the ports, his partners had took his profits and split them, leaving him nothing. Nebula knew he would regret leaving them in charge.
He didn't know what to do or how will he show up to his children with nothing?
Just as he was in thought, he saw the storm approaching and could hear the thunder booming as if it was just next to him. He decided to look for a place to stay for the night.
Nebula on his horse tried to find a place to stay every person turn away, seeing he had no money to pay.
Nebula decided with hope to made it pass through the dark forest seeing it was a shorter path to his home. Unfortunately because of the storm, he not only lost his horse but was lost and found no way of direction. Nebula then sees a light through the windy rain and followed it to find himself in front of a barricade wall. Nebula was amazed by the structure and knocked. It opened to him and he saw was shocking.
Clear night sky and a beautiful garden before him and across a grand castle. As if this land was enchanted by magic!
"I'm dead, I must be dead..." Was what Nebula thought but seeing the small cuts and the small pain here and there, he's surely alive.
Nebula proceed as he was amazed by the beauty. As he enters up the stairs to the doors, he knocks on them and waits. The doors opens and he enters in to see quite texture of the entrance and how large it was. Nebula enters and sees the doors closes behind him. He carefully places his coat on the hanger and walks in. He walks nearly everywhere he went through the castle, he was astonished by the rooms. Nebula could imagine the looks of his children would be and how his daughters would be.
Ge would imagine XR would enjoy books and the outside gardens. He frowned at the thought of worrying for his children. He walks out the hall but sees what was an empty table was a table of delight food! He sat down. And got one of every but looked around to find anyone around.
"Owner of the castle," he yells out, still quiet. "Thank you for the meal." Nebula did a prayer and began to eat. He was amazed by the delicious meal and wiahed to have his family here. 'Maybe I can bring my family here. I hope the owner won't mind…' but then he wondered where was the owner of the castle?
He looked through the halls once again and found no one up until he came up to the entrance and saw a room he can assume was the living room where he sees a fireplace and a large chair in front of the fire. He looks around and found no one there to see.
"I will just sit here and wait." He sat in the chair and waited. But as he waited, he slowly drifted to sleep, unaware of a large figure behind. It comes up behind and looks over the sleeping man and covers him.
"By the look of this man he shows sincerity and honesty." He looks at the hands and could see he was a hard worker but lack the years. Nonetheless, the figure could tell he was weary and decided to help the man….
Nebula women's up to still find himself alone but saw a trunk before him. Looking closely, he saw there was a note.
Dear guest,
Here before you is an enchanted trunk. Place take as much as you wish but please do not disregard the kindness and hospitality given to you in life.
As soon as you packed in all that is needed, leave them for where they are and eat. As soon as you are ready along with a horse to help you; you will find a horse with the trunks.
Nebula understood and looked around to find no one.
"Thank you kind owner." He spoke and decided to look around. The first room he entered was of gold.
"We can buy the tools and guns we need and more. Maybe even have a trade again." He thought and began to collect the amount and surprised it did not fill up. He then thought of his daughters and looked to the next room and found dresses of many kind with jewellery that could please them. He places them in the trunk. As he finally sees that there are enough, he closes it and makes his way down to find the table with breakfast.
He eats quietly yet hastily to see his children soon. Finished, he rushes to see his horse there with the trunk. He was just about to mount on his horse when roses caught his eyes. There were so very beautiful and remembered his youngest asking for a rose.
He paused thinking about the letter. 'Surely he won't mind a mere rose gone from his garden….' just when he cuts one, he hears a growl and before him was a Beast! The devil himself!
"Thief!" The Beast growls. "How dare you steal! These roses are more precious than any gold in the world!" the Beast roars.
Nebula shook in fear. "Please sir forgive me! My daughter had asked for just a rose and seeing these roses… I had to to give one to her…" nebula had told the Beast every disaster that had happened and his reasons coming this way even describing his daughter.
The Beast was in thought and decided.
"I will forgive you and let you leave along with the rose."
"Thank you sir-"
"However, one of your daughters will come here, by their choice."
Nebula was shocked. "Please surely there is another way-"
"Consider this as a way to see how much your daughters love you and have the courage to save your life."
Nebula wanted to retort but was quiet and had his head down in defeat.
"I will allow a month to spend with your children until it is time and your daughter will come to stay here, to let you go free. If none do not, you come alone after bidding them your last goodbye."
Nebula was frozen in fear.
'maybe I can hide away-'
"And please do not even think of hiding from me," the Beast growls. "If you fail to keep you promise, I hunt you down and I will find you." He growls lowly.
Nebula nodded in silence and left with the horse.
"I hope pops come home soon." XR spoke as she was making soup for dinner.
"Hey pops will come home!" XL grins.
Buzz who was helping boil the rabbits for the soup smiles. "Yeah XL is right, pops will be fine."
Warp enters in to bring vegetables to the table.
"I'm pretty sure he's alright."
XR smiles but she felt something off. "I'm going to head out for fresh air."
XR left outside and wonders if her pops is safe. She sees a figure and was surprised to see it was him!
"Pops!" She yelled out and rushes to him.
Nebula looked up to see it was XR and smiles as she hugs him.
"It's great to see you pops! Are you alright?! I heard there was a storm last night and I was worried."
Nebula smiled and hugs her, trying not to cry.
"I got you a rose XR." nebula smiles. "It was a great cost."
XR frown, "Pops I'm sorry if my choice was hard for you."
'You have no idea..' Nebula thought as his other children came.
All were amazed to see a trunk with so much gold! The elder daughters were happy of the jewels and dresses but XR and warp saw the nervous and fear in their father's eyes.
XR looks to warp and he nodded and waited till everything was quiet.
"Hey pops, how was the journey?"
Nebula looked away and began to cry. He told them everything from the beginning (both elder daughters were distraught) and to the end, finishing up his explanation.
"Thanks to you XR, dad is food to the Beast!" Julia glared.
"Hey! XR wanted something simple compared to what we wanted." Warp looked to his father. "Let's storm over there and kill him! He's just a Beast!"
"Warp! We can't do that!" XR protested. "He was kind to shelter pops from the storm and gave us this amount to help us. He didn't kill him and even then it's wrong! I don't want you to be a murderer."
"XR is right and I made the promise to return. We are to keep our promises and respect."
"I should go." XR said.
"No way."
"No siree!"
"That's not fair on you."
"When hell freezes!"
"It's her fault!" Dorothy yelled.
Warp glared at her. "Why don't you go! You and Julia are always wasting space here, go where you can spoil yourself!"
"I would if it didn't have a Beast that'll kill us!"
Nebula was groaning in pain as he did not wanted this to happen.
All siblings stopped when they saw their father crying.
"I will go pops." XR repeated to him and smiled.
Nebula was quiet.
"We keep to our word."
What was one day then became a month and XR was riding the horse. She gave each of her siblings the small things she owned and smiled.
"Maybe if the Beast is kind, I can comeback."
Warp and the others gave her a hug and good luck.
Warp gave her a book she likes. "I bet the Beast doesn't have any books so keep at least one belonging of yours."
XR smiles but saw their pops was nowhere to be seen not their sisters.
"He… doesn't want to say goodbye."
XR nodded and was stopped by Buzz "Are you sure you want to do this?"
XR nodded and made her way to the horse. She mounted it and the horse as if in command, made its way.
XR was quiet but was surprised by the journey. As she rode the horse to her destination she was thoughtful of how the Beast may be.
"So horse? Is the Beast evil."
The horse gave what she can assume was a gruff. XR puzzled at the horse. "Is that a no?"
The horse kept quiet and XR sighed. "I'll take that he isn't evil." She was looking around and then saw it was becoming night. She wanted to stop and camp for the night but was surprised to see glowing floating lanterns of different color! She was in awed and the lit her way to the stone gated walls. XR was relieved to be there but soon enough fear was coursing through her. "You better be right…" she mumbles. The horse stopped and she got off, seeing the horse left her in front of the entrance. She wanted to look around the beautiful landscape but she knew what must be done and made her way to the doors. Before she could knock, the doors opened for her. She enters in and already her heart felt as if it was gonna burst from her chest. She stopped as she heard heavy steps and before her she saw the Beast. Controlling her fear, she walks up and saw the Beast bows.
"Good evening milady."
"Good evening Beast." XR replied and bowed.
"Did you come willingly?" the Beast asked.
XR nodded. "I am XR and I have come to keep my father's promise."
The Beast watches her and puffs air."I am asking you not because of a promise, but for you alone of your choice."
"I did sir out of my own accord, even if you eat me, I would rather risk my life for my pops."
"My dear you are not to be eaten. I am not a monster."
XR was surprised and relieve only to ask once more.
"But what is my purpose in this castle?"
"You are now the mistress of this castle. This is your home now and any room is opened to you."
XR was blushing and frightened at the thought of him insisting.
The Beast shook his head.
"you are free to do and all I ask is for you to join me in meal time or even ask for my company vice versa. I am not as much as a Beast you believe me to be. I will respect you my dear, all I ask is you trust me." the Beast held his claw hand out to her and she looked to his red eyes of no lies. She shakily grabbed it and shudders from the feel. The claws although so sharp, his palm was soft as velvet, maybe even more.
"You must be hungry from your journey."
As the Beast lead her to the dining, XR was amazed by the style of dark red and silver and gold outlines the shape of birds and animals. As they enter in, she saw a feast of many delights. The Beast pulls the chair for her to sit and she sat as the Beast pushes her in carefully.
"I apologize for the amount but I did not know what you preferred."
XR nodded and began to place one of everything as did the Beast.
XR was a bit amazed if not surprised by the well mannered Beast.
"Tell me XR, what are of the favorite things you love?"
XR was about to answer when the Beast added. "Aside your family."
XR slightly glare but took it to thought. "Well… I love gardening and reading and crafting. Well the simplest things that you probably believe is not right for a lady to do."
"I beg to differ. My mother once told me a lady with brains is fairer than a lady with beauty."
XR smiled but frowned. "Guess I'm not pretty then."
"You are very beautiful." The Beast replied. "Though I am amazed no man has asked for your hand." The Beast spoke.
XR was surprised and rolled her eyes. "I have my brothers to protect me from such. There was one man that tried to court me but I saw he was only after just the idea of having me for a trophy. That is why I prefer to believe I am not pretty enough."
"He was a fool to act upon such things when you are more than just beauty."
XR smiled and giggles. "You kind of remind me of my big brother Warp. I bet you two would argue a storm."
The Beast chuckles and XR looks to her meal and began to wonder how they were.
The Beast saw her sad had thought of something. "The storm has broughten the snow as you may have seen but it does not snow here as much. It is quite a scene to see the snow fall."
XR smiles and began to feel tired. The Beast gotten up and helped her stood and lead her to her room.
"This will be the room you will be staying. If you need me, just call and I will be there. Goodnight." He spoke and bows before leaving. XR enters into the room she will be staying and was in awed by the beauty. She walks to the bed and hearing the faded footsteps, she laid back down on the bed and began to cry silently. She misses her family and already she is homesick.
'Please be ok…' Was the last she thought before she fell asleep.
XR woke up to find herself in the room and decided to get up. She stretches, feeling she had no trouble sleeping and it was very nice.
'Best get dressed."
After looking for a dress that was simple and easy to walk around, she decided to explore the rooms but felt her stomach growl and decided to eat first. She walks down only to see the front entrance opened and there she saw the Beast watching something. XR walks up to see the snow by the walls and was in awe by how it fell.
"Quite beautiful is it not?"
XR nodded and was curious how come no snow has fallen here.
"How is there no snow here?"
"It is magic." He answered.
"Are you magical? A sorcerer?" She asked.
"Not as strong as my mother but in some way yes." He spoke.
"So then… were you born this way?"
The Beast look was sadden and she felt guilt.
"I shouldn't be pestering-"
"I was human." He spoke looking out.
"Can I ask how you came to be?"
"Unfortunately I cannot for I cannot remember." He frowns.
"Oh… I'm sorry about that." She spoke softly.
"You are curious and I prefer you to express yourself than fear me." He smiled as what XR could guess and held her hand. "You must have not had breakfast yet." He spoke in his gruff voice. XR smiles and followed him.
As they were eating, XR was wondering now what is here to do.
"XR would you love me? Marry me even?"
XR was nervous to answer.
The Beast sensing her nervous, "I want only your honesty little one, I will not be angry."
"No."
The Beast looked almost hurt but changed it. "Do you still fear me?" he asked.
XR seeing what he was implying shook her head. "N-no! No it not for that reason." XR gave him a smile.
"It's just I barely met you!" XR blushes from her outburst. "I wish to get to know you first before I can tell you."
The Beast smiles and continue on to eat. "Thank you."
XR was was a bit relieved but confused.
"For being honest with me. I feel happier you are honest than to please me." He spoke and finished his meal. "I must go and tend to some errands. Please enjoy exploring my dear all I ask is be safe and careful." And he walked out.
XR was glad but knew the Beast was hurt by her answer but she could not lie about her feelings.
"But he has been kind and sincere…" she sighed as she finished her meal and decided to put away her plate. She enters to see the kitchen and was surprised to see the Beast cleaning as the plates were magically put away. Th3 .e plate flew out of her hands along with the utensils and he began to clean them.
"Did you made breakfast? And dinner?" She asked.
"Yes," he answered as he places the plate in mid air to be put away.
"I guess there are perks with magic." 'I wonder if teach me but would that be too much to ask?'
The Beast look to her in surprised. "If you are not against such I can teach you as well." He said.
XR was surprised and smiled. "Yes please! Can we learn right now?"
"I will teach you but the lessons will be tomorrow, for now please look around and explore the castle. Please enjoy yourself." He spoke and bows to her and leaves.
XR follows behind but saw he disappeared and frowns.
"Guess I'll explore alone. She made up the stairs and started on the right side of the castle and then make her way to the left where her room is. When she opened the first door she was amazed there was a room for crafting. There was so many materials here to make into! She closes the door and walks to see what other amazing new rooms to see! Each room of the last has amazed her! There were so many rooms that were made differently and she was excited to make something.
Just as she was making her way to the left side of the castle, she looked through the window and saw the Beast tending to the garden. She saw the snow falling into the garden only it turned to rain! She was so amazed by it she wanted to go outside.
Please enjoy yourself.
His words were floating in her head and puzzled what to do. She looked to the clock and saw she still had time to look around if she is quick enough. She made her way to the west wing and was amazed by the first room full of glass mirrors she enters in but was puzzled to see no reflection. She noticed each one had a different shape.
"I wonder what is this rooms for." She decided to leave to see what other mystery rooms holds. She opens one to see it was a grand library and smiles. She misses reading so much and looked to the clock and decided maybe she could read just one one book.
"Just one book…"
The Beast looked to the time and began to prep dinner and as he looked again he saw the time would be to escort her to dinner. He could not help but fall for her already.
'The way she smiles and although afraid at first, she is honest. I hope maybe she will share the same feelings.' He does feel bad for asking her those questions.
"She barely came here and only a day Seeing the food ready he decided to search for her. He walks up the stairs and stopped and smelled for her scent. To him, she smelled like the earth and lilies and knew already where she is. He opens the door to see she was in the library and saw her in one of the chairs asleep with a book on her lap and many other books on the table. He felt this place suited her as he gazes at her. He smiles and decided to eat dinner alone and instead to let her sleep. He carefully picks her up and walks to her room and gently as he could, lays her on the bed. He smiles and covers her, making sure she was tucked in.
"Goodnight my Lily. Dream of beautiful dreams." He left the room.
XR woke up to find herself in her room and saw it was still dark and saw by her bed on the stand a meal for her that was warm. She saw by the meal, a note.
Please eat and get some rest.
XR frowns and felt guilty that she slept through most of the day.
"At least he is kind to let me sleep." She thought. Her thoughts were stopped when she heard music playing. She leaves her meal and leaves her room to hear the sound of the organ. She knew the day before the Beast left to this direction, further down from her room. She hears it getting louder and stops to a door where the music was coming from. She opens the door quietly to see the Beast playing. She began to cry to hear the music, as if it was reading her heart. As soon as he finished she began clapping in joy.
The Beast turned to see her there.
"Forgive me if I disturbed your slumber-"
"You play beautifully."
The Beast looked to her and was a bit dumbfounded.
"How long have you played?" She asked.
The Beast frowned. "I cannot remember but although they have became the claws of a Beast, these hands remember how to play." The Beast closes the lid over the keys and sighed. "I remember my mother teaching me to play." He caressed the organ, "How I always got frustrated and impatient yet there she was calm and patient with me."
"I never got to meet my mother."
The Beast frown. "I apologize,"
"Don't be, you didn't cause it." XR said.
"I meant about your father, how I made him fear me."
"I know." XR replied. "My pops means well and it's ok, water under the bridge."
XR walks up to the Beast and gave him a smile.
"I haven't eaten my meal yet and I bet you didn't even eat your own so let's dig in our food. I'll meet you downstairs." She left the Beast who felt his chest beating, smiled at how much she made him fallen for her.
A week later
Noon.
For the past few weeks, XR has surprisingly settled in alright. She not only has she settled but she was getting acquainted with the Beast nicely. She only gets to see him during breakfast lessons and lunch but sometimes dinner when he loses time after tending to the gardens and other things. He does play for her at night the instruments and even presented her small dolls dancing to entertain her as he plays. As that moment, XR was listening to the Beast as he was teaching her how to visualize the apple with her eyes closed.
"Just take deep breaths and concentrate on the apple. Try to imagine the form not by memory but with its energy."
Although trying, she was confused. "What is the purpose of this?" XR asked curiously.
"In order to use spells, casters must concentrate and visualize it. If you can do this, casting will be easier."
XR closes her eyes and tried to do so but puzzles seeing just swirls.
The places a clawed hand on her shoulder, "That will be it for the day. You do not have to push too hard on yourself."
XR pouts and was curious, "How long did it took you to grasp it?"
The Beast took a moment and look to her. "About maybe a few months but I was 6 when I did this." XR was shocked. "Such a young age!"
The Beast chuckles. "My mother believed children will have a better grasp because a child has a better understanding to the wonders."
"I wish I could be a kid to do such." She mumbles.
"Anyone can grasp it XR, it is just a matter of having an open mind and patience."
XR nodded but frowned. "Do you remember your name?"
The Beast paused and for a moment XR saw a small pain look in his eyes.
"... No I cannot for the life of me."
"Oh, I'm sorry..." XR frowned but had an idea gave him a smile. "... May I be excused?" She asked and he nodded. She gave a bow and left heading to the library.
She looked through the bookcase to find something to make for the Beast and pouted.
'He always make dessert for me…' she found one of baking books and looks through it to find one that would be really good to bake.
'He's been really kind to me and gave me my space. He doesn't push me and treats me with respect.
She found one that was a cherry pie but she doesn't know if he has cherries. She sighs and placed it back and notice there was one book with a bookmark in it and reaches for it. She grabs it and saw it had no words or any design but opened it to find it had different recipes of sweets and seeing the one that has the bookmark and saw it was of cookies. She smiled and saw it was easy to make.
She rushes to the kitchen and peeked to see the Beast was not here and relieved and placed the book on the stand and began to get the ingredients for it.
"This will be a piece of cake!" She grins.
Twenty minutes later.
"Come one this has to be perfect!" She groan as she saw it was a mess! What was at first a simple baking somehow became a huge mess. "Now I know the Beast will be upset."
"Upset about what little one?"
XR turned to see the Beast confused and felt embarrassed. As she was walking to show him, she didn't see the mess on the floor and so slipped backwards and the Beast rushes to help her but saw the bowl coming straight at him.
SPLAT!
THUMP!
XR rubbed her lower back and looked to the Beast to see he was covered in cookie batter and flour.
She was always a clutz and her brothers would do most of the cooking and she only stirred or rinse the vegetables or wheat. When she wants to make something good, it becomes a disaster as of now. She would get scolded by her pops and get teased by her sisters and although her brother don't say it, she could tell they were disappointed.
"I'm terribly sorry.." But she saw the Beast was trying to hold his laugh in rather than being enraged. She saw how he looked and began to laugh as he did. She couldn't help it as did he and both simply laughed. The Beast stood up and helped her up.
"If you wanted something sweet I could have made it for you."
XR blushes, embarrassed as she looks to him. "I wanted to show you my appreciation by making you something. Look at how that turned out…" XR frowns but felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Let us make it together shall we?"
XR smiles and nodded.
"After we clean up."
XR chuckles nervously and saw the Beast grabbing the mops, buckets and rags to clean up. As the Beast mopped the floor, XR cleaned up the table. She saw she was done but saw the Beast still cleaning up so she grabbed an extra mop and helped out. As soon as they finished, the Beast looked at the book and was surprised. "Where did you find this book?" he asked her astonished.
XR looks up from cleaning. "I found it in the library. It was within the cooking section. Was it wrong to take it out?"
The Beast shook his head and was smiling. "It is alright, I was just simply curious.'"
XR raised a brow but didn't push to ask further. She saw the Beast pulling out a small wooden container and saw they were chocolates.
XR was amazed and helped grabbed the needed things. She followed what the Beast told her to do and surprisingly she didn't made a mess. He asked if she wanted other kinds and she nodded asking for blueberries and cherries. He pulled them out and they were able to make a variety of cookies and the Beast passes her a knife to carve the shape ou the cookie dough.
She made choppy star shapes and off center circles and was a bit envious of how the Beast carved them perfectly to diamond and a very pretty stars.
"Years of practice?" She asked and he nodded. "But it brings back some vague memories when I was a child."
XR perked at this and smiled. "Thank you for being patient with me, I can be a bit handful."
The Beast what she already knew was a chuckle. "You are young, that is a given."
XR smiles and looked to the brick oven. "Do you remember anything before you became...?" she went quiet and felt nervous not out of fear rather sbe did not want to step out of line.
"Small parts but mostly when my mother was around." The Beast spoke. "I am sorry I threatened your father."
XR was quiet and knew she may push it but needed to know.
"Why is the rose very important?" She asked.
The Beast was sadder than before and looked to the garden. "My mother…. When she died, my father buried her where your father ripped the rose from."
XR was shocked as she then did remember her pops did heard a woman scream.
"Before she passed away, she asked my father to plant roses where she would be buried and to always tend to them. My father although loved her, could not stand to live here knowing he promised her, left."
XR wanted to cry, "So you took his responsibility… that's why you were protective of them and I was the one that harm her." she then felt tears coming down. The Beast grabbed his handkerchief from his coat pocket and wipes the tears away ever so softly.
"It is not your fault. If I had explained than act like the Beast I am, you would not be here and be with your family. I do not blame you or your father but myself." The Beast spoke.
XR wanted to reply bit smelled the sweet aroma of the cookies. The Beast grabs a thick cloth and opens the small door to pull them out.
"They smell wonderful XR. It reminds me of precious moments." The Beast pulls out the pretty star and blew at it to cool down and hands it to her. "For you."
XR carefully grabs it and saw they were warm than hot and took a bite. She felt her mouth water in delight. "It tastes very good!" she said happily between chews..
"They taste delicious because they were made by you." The Beast replied as he grabbed the star she made. She smiles and felt something in her heart she couldn't understand.
XR was reading in the library with the Beast, each reading of tales and poetry. She was happy spending her time with the Beast.
From time to time in the months, she had gotten to understand the Beast as did he and not a day went without the Beast. She had gotten a better understanding of magic from his teachings that even she was able to help him. She even surprised him even more when she helped him in the garden but called too much rain, drenching them both to the bone. XR had also brought the rose her pops given to her and planted it back into the rose garden. She remembered all that happened on that day.
As the Beast was tending to the lilies, XR sat before the Beast's mother. She had wondered ever so much what was his mother like just as she too never met her own mother.
"I'm terribly sorry for my actions and my pops. I know your son means well and I know he loves you very much. He misses you and I wish to help him remember what he lost."
XR was still bewildered from that night.
XR found herself in the garden but saw she wasn't alone. There by the tree, was a woman. XR walked up to her and saw she was very beautiful with reddish wine hair.
The woman looked up to her with red brown eyes that had so much knowledge and kindness. XR felt she seen eyes like hers somewhere but couldn't figure where.
"Hello there." The woman spoke.
"H-hello!" XR spoke loudly and blushes. The woman giggles and pats on the grass and XR sat.
"So you are the girl I have heard so much about."
XR tilted her head in confused until she realised she must be the Beast's mother.
"Yes I am child." She spoke.
XR looked surprised.
"he tells me so much about you and how sweet and kind you are dear one."
XR wanted to ask so many things and how she can help him.
"I cannot tell you child for what is upon my son is too strong."
XR frowns and looks down in hurt.
"However I can only give you advice and heed it well. Do not take appearances as they are and look into your heart. You will find the answer."
XR smiles and hugs her happily and wanted to say thank you but couldn't.
"It is different here child. I am glad to meet you and to sadly say you must go. He will come here soon and he gets very shy around you. Despite his features he truly cares about you."
XR nodded and left.
At the time XR thought she was dreaming it all but after that, she never had the dream again no matter how much she tried.
"Are you alright XR?"
XR looked up to the Beast across from and reassured him with a smile. "I was thinking of my family." She then felt that longing in her heart.
Her family. Not a day goes by without thinking of them and wondered how her father is.
"... There is a way to see them." The Beast spoke.
XR was surprised as the Beast got up and so did she as he reached out for her hand and she gave it. They had gotten close and already she trusts him with everything and no longer fears him for she knew he is kind and very dear to her.
He leads her to the room she first went to on her second day. She was at first puzzled but now she realized they were no ordinary mirrors.
"All you need to do is ask who or where you would like to see."
XR looks to the oval shape mirror and took a deep breathe.
"Would like to see my father please."
The mirror glowed and appearing before her, her father lying in bed, coughing.
The Beast saw she was shocked and the hurt in her eyes and he knew already she needed to go back. He wanted to ask her does she love him but to see the pain in her eyes, he couldn't do that to her, especially when he loves her too much.
"Your father needs you more than ever."
XR looks up to him, surprised as he holds her hands.
"XR I… I want you to go back and with gifts to give to your family along with the gifts I would like to give to you."
The Beast lets go of her hands and went to a chest that was by itself across the room. He opens it and then closes it to walk back and gives to her a small mirror.
"I would like to give you this mirror so that if you miss seeing the garden, you can. I want you to go to the treasure room and take as much as you want to help your family. My second gift," he pulls the ring from his finger and places it on her index finger and saw it shrunk to fit. "So that your travel to home will be safe. Turn the ring forward until the garnet is on the center and you will be home. If you wish to comeback, just turn round the ring backwards and say 'I wish to return home and see my Beast again."
XR smiles and hugs him.
"I promise to return to you in a month tops!"
The Beast although knew may not be true, only smiled and hugs her back. "Do not be concern of me but only your father. You will find four boxes in your room. I will see you in supper. I need to write something for you, to insure help for you."
XR wanted to say something but she felt she couldn't say anything so she could only nod and left to get started.
As he promised, there were four chests and decided to grab the gold for her family she saw it was never ending within the chest but saw fit it was enough. The second chest was of another amount of gold and jewels. The third was of the dresses she made for her sisters along with the special made ribbons for them and her brothers and pops. The final was of the her personal items she cherished and made with the Beast along with the two gifts and the recipe book she saw on her table. She saw there was a letter.
So that your family will taste in delight of the love you have put in and be as grateful as I have.
XR hugs the book close felt the tears she had been holding inasmuch release and she cried so much. She has not cried this much since the first day being here but this feeling was even more heartbreaking than before. She then noticed a wrapped gift and saw on the little note:
Wait until you are home with your family."
'But isn't this home too?' She thought but followed the instructions. When suppertime came she cleaned herself and wore a pretty red dress and opened to see the Beast there to escort her and saw he was amazed by her and smiled.
"You look very beautiful tonight but you are always beautiful."
XR blushes and smiles as he takes her downstairs. As they are he talked to her as if it was normal and XR followed but did not want to cry before him. Both did not knew what each of how they feel or the sadness flowing in their hearts. The Beast was ready to perform for her but was stopped as she held his hands.
"Will you dance with me?" She asked him. The Beast smiles and bows before her and dances with her.
For a moment as they danced, XR felt she was dancing on air and felt her heart beating in her ears. As they finished XR wanted to say something but both heard the clock chime it was close to midnight.
The Beast smiles and leads her back to her room. He bows to her and smiles.
"Goodnight XR."
"Goodnight, I will see you in a month. I promise." XR smiles and the Beast smiles and holds her hand and kisses her hand.
"Then I will wait." The Beast let's go and closes the door.
XR lets go of the breath she kept and blushes from the feeling. She felt her heart beating and she didn't know why! Shaking away the feeling, she changes to her sleep wear and puts the dress away. She didn't wish to think of leaving the Beast. She turns the ring forward and drifts to sleep, unaware of the tears falling down.
XR woke up to the sounds of voices and heard her brothers and sisters talking. She gotten up and saw the four chests and smiled a sad smile thinking of the Beast. She got up and rushes out to see her brothers arguing but they stopped to see her standing there looking healthy and smiling.
All her brothers hugs her carefully and cried. Never has she seen her older brother Warp cry that way.
"We missed you!" XL cried through tears. She cried a bit but surprised not as much as she had thought. "Where's pops?" She asked.
Warp and the others looked to each other and lead her to their father and saw him coughing up a storm.
"Pops!" She cried.
Their pops looked amazed and cried as she hugs him.
"I thought I would never see you again from the dreaded Beast. Had I not been a coward, I would not have you suffer for a mere flower that won't be missed."
XR frowned and was solemn. "Pops I need to show you all something, I brought gifts."
She showed them a chest with so much gold and saw a scroll with a wax seal, branded with a rose. Nebula saw a note with it explaining its purpose and saw XR opened the second chest with dresses and special ribbons to her sisters and brothers who her brothers adored it so much.
"What is in the final chest?" He sister Julia asked curiously.
"Oh those are personal things the Beast gave me." Dorothy opened it and saw there was a beautiful silver necklace with a heart shape opal with sapphire embedded around it.
"Such beautiful crafted work! May I try it?"
She grabs it but saw it rusted and curls as if it was spoiled. She threw it with disgust to XR but saw it shined again beautifully. Dorothy glared at her.
"Hey those belongs to XR." XL glared.
XR was amazed at the necklace and smiled thinking of the Beast.
"So tell us what's it like to live with a Beast? Did he treat you fair." Warp asked.
XR told them everything that happened and her siblings were amazed (Warp insisting he wasn't crying) and her father felt horrid and guilt.
"If I had known about it, I would not have done that to him. The poor fellow."
"But pops he doesn't blame you for that. He understood and felt awful the way he acted."
Nebula nodded and smiled. "I am glad he did no harm to you and treated with you with respect."
"XR smiled but then thought of the Beast and wondered if he was alright. She opens the chest and grabs a black mirror. Her sisters snickered but was shocked when XR asked for the Beast and it showed him tending to the gardens and her brothers were amazed by this.
XR smiled to see the Beast was alright but saw the small hurt in his red eyes. After hearing from her siblings were, nebula explained the purpose of the scroll and told her they must seek put the man to help them get their fortune back. Warp helps them up and insisted to help them make sure they weren't going to get conned. As they headed to the bank and trades, Warp met with a woman who he clashed heads. "How can you not enjoy the romance between two star crossed lovers?!" the red orange hair beauty glared at him.
"The guy was a jerk and she was being used." Warp spoke. "He was in love with his friend and he didn't love her until he regretted thinking he caused her death. If he waited long, the idiot wouldn't have caused her death."
The woman smiled and held her hand to shake, "I am Mira Nova."
Warp grins and held her hand and kisses it. "Warp Darkmatter Nebula."
Mira laughs softly and warp chuckles.
XR was confused and her pops could only laugh. "Looks like your brother has fallen for her."
Both Nebula and XR met with two men who she saw was Mr. Zurg and Mr. Nova.
At first they didn't want to speak to them but the minute Mr. Zurg saw a scroll with the seal of a rose on it, he was shocked.
He with shaking hands opens it and read it. The elder man was reading it and she him began to cry.
"In all my years I thought I would never hear from him."
XR was confused but saw the man fixed himself and asked for her to leave.
What felt like hours passed were only a few minutes and saw her father come out with the other men who he shook hands with.
She didn't know why but she felt everything was going to be ok and held the ring in her finger giving a whisper of gratitude. The man Mr. Zurg had helped them not only gain trades that were lost but also gain even more, settling back in their manor. She was amazed her brother booster decided to keep the farm and live there with the better tools he bought. She promised to write to him and try to visit him before she had to leave.
"I am just glad the Beast treats you fair. He doesn't sound too bad." He said and waves off to head to their farm.
Her brother Buzz decided to make trade in the new lands and become an officer to help keep peace. XR didn't want him to leave but he insisted and promised to write to her
"Tell the Beast he's gonna get a letter of my lecture to treat you well. Be safe XR." He left off in the ship. She gotten a letter from him saying he met the love of his life and helping make a better life there and to give the Beast his letter he written. Her sister Julia had found out of her lost love from the war and has ask if she can help make the dress for her when he comes. Dorothy has yet to interact since she came back and rather saw she was nuisance since men had came to court her. Alas XR would always reject them because she was always thinking of her Beast.
Her sister Dorothy had despise her for coming back. She was truly grateful for her bringing their family back to the high class but men would only come to see her after the unexpected riches and rumors. What was worse for her was from time when handsome rich suitors come, they seek for her! What is worse, she gets rejected and not even give a second glance.
"Why does she care so much for the Beast!" Dorothy glared as Julia scoffs. "It doesn't matter now if rich men comes for you. They only want is a trophy wife and have a mistress on the side." She spoke as she was putting her things in the chest XR gave her.
"What are you doing? Running away?"
"I am leaving. I am engaged."
"When?!" Dorothy asked.
"Earlier this week." Julia Stated with a happy sigh. "Roderick came back from the war and he asked me to marry him!" Julia smiles.
Dorothy was shocked. "Isn't he a bread baker? I thought he died."
"At first I thought so too but when XR showed me through the little mirror, I saw him helping the other men being treated! I am going to see him!" She then glared at her. "So what if he is a baker." Julia shook her head. "I would rather be happy with him baking bread together than planting flowers on his grave and I learned my lesson about all this but it seems you haven't." Julia walked out. Dorothy glared at the thought but then had an idea.
XR came back from seeing booster and smiled to be home soon with the Beast. She enters in the manor to see her father by the entrance.
"Pops I wanted to say-"
"Please don't go!"
XR stopped where she was.
"Please XR don't go just yet; we only get to see you for a month and I am not ready to see you out. What if I can't see you anymore after this? Just please stay for a little while longer. Just a week more?"
XR want to say she made a promise but saw her brother XL coming in.
"Please XR. They are having the harvest festival this week and it has been so long since then."
XR felt guilt and just when she was holding her ring close, Dorothy entered in. "Please don't be selfish XR. I'm sure the Beast won't mind you gone for a week why see for yourself I have your-" but Dorothy slips forward and the mirror broke into a million pieces. "Oh no what have I done?! Oh please XR forgive me?!" She cried. XR wanted to cry but knew it was just an accident but the idea she couldn't see the Beast was more painful.
"... Maybe I can stay for a week until I can fix the mirror." The fear in thought of never seeing her family was too much.
"Oh thank you XR!" Dorothy smiles and hugs her, smirking. 'If I make her late, the Beast will be angry and Hate her!'
Meanwhile
The Beast tried to keep hope she may come back but did not see her. "Maybe she is asked to stay for a few days…" He thought but he felt the pang in his chest, hoping it is just that.
It has been a week and three days and XR kept feeling worried but here she is in her father's carriage going to the festival. Each time she wanted to say goodbye to them, she felt guilt eating her especially when she made the promise to come back willingly.
'I hope he is ok….'
The Beast ever so much did not dare to go near the mirror room. He did not wish to see her happiness and ruin it. He did not dare go near her room, everything in his castle reminded him of her. Nothing brought him peace to this mind. Worried she has forgotten him just as his father forgotten his mother. He couldn't stand to be here so he exit out to the garden and already his heart was breaking.
'She could not have merely forgotten... Has she?" He whispered that part as he could not tell anymore.
Who would love a horrid Beast as he is and would be near him were floating in his head. He made his way to the garden and walked to his mother's roses. He would not dare call it a grave as it would be no better stating she is gone. To him, she was alive, she never left him alone. He kneels by her roses and cried remembering everything about XR. How she was helping him out here, reading and talking and just enjoying each other's company. Not ever remembered being alone. He hummed a tune his mother would hum for he didn't have the heart to play even a note from the instruments. Not without seeing her smile in his mind to break concentration.
It pained him to believe she had forgotten and left him. He couldn't hate her, he loved her too much to enact such a horrid emotion to her.
Above all, he was more concern if she was alright.
"I hope she is safe…"
"Here we are!"
She looks up to hear her father shout.
XR smiled to her father as he helps her down. She looked around and was happy to see the festival. As she was walking into the harvest festival with her brother and sister and father, she saw her older brother warp with Mira cutting out the insides of a pumpkin and carving it out. She waves to warp and saw him wave back but looked confused.
"What's wrong?" Mira asked, worried about him.
"XR said she was leaving yesterday but she's still here…"
"I'm sure she has her reasons let her have fun." Mira smiled but she too knew there was something odd seeing the sister happier than usual.
XR smiled and saw booster on his stand and with a girl smaller than her helping out giving vegetables and fruits.
"XR?!" Booster spoke with surprise. "Why are you here? I thought you were going to see the Beast?" He whispered, not wanting to cause a commotion.
XR was about to speak when Dorothy spoke. "Booster, pops wanted to spend more time with her! Would you deny him that?" She glared. Booster was shocked a bit at Dorothy being protective, something she wouldn't do without a reason. As they left, warp walks up to him with a glare. "Something is wrong booster."
XR looked around the festival and frown. It was nice and fun but she saw certain things that made her think of the Beast.
'I miss him so much…' she kept wondering about him for two days.
Has he been eating?
Is he alright?
Does he think of me?
The last one made her wonder even more. The conversation she had with her brother made her wonder about the Beast's question
XR would you love me? Marry me even?
Before she had said no but now… "I don't know."
"Don't know what?" Dorothy asked.
XR smiled and shook her head. "Nothing Dorothy." She knew her sister would be annoyed of her thoughts.
"We will be meeting Jenkins and his friend Bob to meet."
XR raised a brow and glared and let go. "I don't intend to be with anyone right now Dorothy or be escorted by some spoiled rich boy." XR spoke.
"Now come on milady, we just wish to talk to you." XR glared at the man as he tried to grab her hand but she moved away. "I need to see my brother-"
"I heard how you brought so much fortune to your family." The man grin. "I even heard you were taken away by a monster. Tell me was he a gentleman or an animal?"
Dorothy smile was now in disgust. She did not wanted this for her younger sister. "I think this has gone long enough-"
"But we haven't even gotten some fun." The man smirked as he reached out to grab for XR. She punched him hard and he glared at her. "He must have liked it wild if you're like this." The man grabbed for XR, nearly crushing her wrist.
XR was scared and in her mind she was crying out for the Beast. Before he could act, his wrist was gripped by a stronger hand.
XR looked to see it was Warp who was looking to kill.
"You dare touch my sisters?" Warp glared at them.
Both men were ready to fight when the other brothers came to view.
"N- no sir!"
"Then beat it!" Warp barked and they ran.
Warp looked to XR who was shaking in fear and cried.
"I want to go home."
"I'll take you home-"
"I want to go home to my Beast." She said between tears.
Warp nodded as he picked his sister up and carried her off with their brothers behind. Dorothy followed behind, too shocked to speak and too much in guilt.
Beast!
The Beast perked up and frowned. He swore he heard her cry for him but believing it was in his head sulked.
Nebula was laughing and talking to his friends when he dropped his drink to see his daughter in being carried by Warp. Before he could asked, Warp was the first to answer.
"We're heading back home." He stated.
/
Dorothy made her tea as XR drank it. The older of the two frown. "I am so very sorry."
XR was quiet as she continued. "I didn't believe they could go that far even when they were taught to be well mannered."
XR just drank her cup waiting. Dorothy brought along a wet warm cloth to sooth her sister's wrist. "I am so stupid to think it was going to be simple and I almost-" Dorothy stopped, she couldn't say it much less express it even further. Both heard footsteps and saw their father and three brothers enter the living room.
"I don't blame you for it all, not even for that." XR said. "I need to be with him. Goodbye Dorothy." XR hugged her and for once, Dorothy didn't want her to go but she knew she needed to.
"I love you pops and my brother but I need to go so this is goodbye."
Nebula hugs her as did each brother. She walks up to her room and changed to her white simple dress. She turns the ring backwards and smiled.
"I wish to return home and see my Beast again." She laid back down drifting to sleep.
XR woke up to see she was in her room and saw the grand dresser and beautiful painted stars on the ceiling. She jumped out of bed to open the door to found no one there. She walked out through the hall to hear no sound. As if the castle was dead. She looks around everywhere and shouted for him.
"Beast!" She then thought of the garden and rushes out and she sees him there on the ground by the roses.
"Beast!" She cries out and rushes to his side. For a moment she thought he was dead and began to cry.
"No please don't die!" She cried out. As she was crying, she was unaware of his chest expanding out and he slowly opened his eyes and he saw her crying.
"XR…? Is that really you….?"
XR looked up and smiled with tears coming down.
The Beast reaches but stops in fear she was merely an illusion. XR holds his claw paw hand and place it by her cheek. The Beast sat up and smiled with relief. "... It is you. I thought you have forgotten-"
"I didn't!" She said between tears. "Not a day or a second goes by without you in my thoughts." She smiles and hugs him. He hugs her back and felt her flinching, mainly her wrist.
He holds it carefully and saw a bruise growing around it. "What happened to your wrist." He asked.
"I… I don't want to talk about it." XR curls into his lap and saw him murmuring and kisses it and her wrist was healing. XR didn't feel the pain and smiles.
"Thank you and I am terribly sorry." She said but blushes when she heard him purr.
"I am just happy that you are home." The Beast said softly and XR smiles.
"Beast…" She spoke.
"Yes?" He asked.
"I… I love you."
The Beast looked down to her.
"I wanted to tell you that night but I couldn't." XR spoke and looked up to him, "but now, I needed to tell you. I love you Beast and I don't want to leave you again." She nervously closes her eyes, leans up, and kisses him. Unknown to her, the Beast transform into a man. He kisses her back and hold her close. XR pulls away and opens her eyes and saw her Beast was no longer a Beast but a handsome man!
"B-Beast?!" She asked and blushes deeply.
The said man opens his eyes but saw he no longer with claws but hands. And he was shocked.
"I'm no longer a Beast." He said in awe. XR blushes and both suddenly saw the sky bursting with lights and they heard a familiar voice.
"All hail prince Nosferatu and his soon to be princess Xerena!"
XR blushes after hearing her name and her now name Nosferatu holds her close.
"Would you do me the honor in marrying me?"
XR wraps her arms around his neck and grins. "Are you still my Beast?"
Nosferatu smirks and growls lowly and XR giggles and cups his face.
"I do my Beast."