Retelling: Beauty and the Beast

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Written by archangel_mai



How would it feel like if one day you fell in love and then the next moment, you lose everything? You lose the one you love, you lose your best friend….you lose your soul. I never knew how it felt until now. My story is one of great sadness and big dreams. My story is of a girl who never knew her true place in life until the day she met her soul mate, about the girl who grew up cold and alone. My story is of a guy who was everything but cruel and because of it, turned into a beast that everyone hated. My life was normal until it turned into a fairy tale that broke my heart. This is my life. This is my story…
I was fifteen when both my parents were killed. I was suppose to die along with them but I escaped. Seeing my parents get kill is the nightmare that’ll haunt me forever. I close my eyes and I see the blood, the cries, the lifeless eyes staring into space. A year later, I turned into a cold cynical princess. Three more years after this and I would be queen but until then, I had to be strong for the kingdom. I had to be the opposite of who I was so no one would take advantage of me and my kingdom.
So far, my plan worked. Ambassadors and kings came to talk to me, to try to cheat me of my throne but they go away angered and awed. I was only sixteen back then but I knew what I was doing. My father had been a great king and he had taught me everything I needed to know so that one day I could rule over his kingdom. No matter what, I will make him proud.
It’s been four years since the death of my parents and in three more months, I will be crowned queen. In three more months, I can stop this act and become me again but I must also be careful. Whoever murdered my parents could kill me and then what would happen to the kingdom. I must keep this up until I turn nineteen and become the official ruler of Klwah.
Everything turned strange the day I went out riding and never returned back to the palace. I had just finished an early meeting and was about to venture into the country for some fresh air to clear my mind. It wasn’t my plan to never come back but I got lost in a forest and the next thing I knew, I was riding toward a ruined castle. I looked around the whole place as I rode up to the palace. There seemed to be no one here but I needed a place to stay in, it was getting dark. I rode past the gate and it shut behind me. My horse started to fidget and get scare but I thought nothing of it, it could have only been the wind.
I left my horse at the hitching post to munch on some grass as I walked up the broken steps to the door. The door was closed tight from where I was standing but it opened when I touched it. I walked inside and was amazed. Outside looked ugly but inside was clean and organized. I closed the door behind me and walked into the large hall. There was a red carpet down the center and tall pillars on both side.
A stair led up and two on the side went down as I walked closer to the end of the hallway. I started to climb up the stairs but a voice from the shadows stopped me.
“What are you doing here?” said a deep rumbling voice.
I searched the shadows and said, “I’m lost. Its getting dark and I was wondering if I could get a place to stay in for the night. I’ll leave first thing in the morning. I won’t ask for something to eat, just a place to sleep then directions out.”
“Who are you?”
I paused. I didn’t know if I should tell him who I was or not. I couldn’t trust just anybody, I knew that from experience. However, the shadow person would need to know my name if he was going to let me stay. Taking a chance, I said, “I am Rose and you are…”
“None of your business.” There was pause then he said, “Follow my voice and I will show you to your room.” I walked up the stairs and he continued on speaking, hiding in the shadow. “You are going to stay in the North Wing. You are not allow to go anywhere and you shouldn’t need to since you’re only seeking a place to stay for the night. Food will be brought to your door as soon as possible. Next thing in the morning you will have a letter ready to tell you where to go to get back. Your room should be warm enough and the blankets should be clean. If not, ring the bell and I will notify the servants. Stop.”
I stopped by a door and turned toward it, then said, “Is this it?” But I was sure he was gone already because there came no sound from anywhere.
I opened the door and walked into the room and was shocked to the bones. The room was gigantic. No one bedroom in itself was this big in my palace. I walked to the bed and tested it out. It was very soft and big. I got off and went to the big window next to the bed. I opened the curtains and was surprised to see that the sun had already set and the moon was shining in its place. I looked at the ground and was amazed at its beauty. Trees grew everywhere and a pond on the ground was awash in the moon’s light.
The door knocked and I turned around. It must be my late dinner. I found that I was very hungry. I walked to the door and opened it but there was nobody on the other side. I looked down and there was a tray on the floor. I picked it up and then heard a gasp from close by. I looked around the hall but saw no one. Weird, I thought.
There seemed to be no one but I heard someone and this tray did not appear by itself. I turned around and kicked the door close then as gently as possible, so I might hear any other noise, I set down the tray and heard a sigh. I looked around the room, bewildered and on alert for anybody but there was no one. I felt the chair at the back of my knee so I sat down and ate my dinner. When I was finished, I was so tired. I went to the bed, got under the cover and fell instantly asleep. Who would have thought that I would sleep so fast? I hadn’t been able to do that in over four years.
The next morning, I got up and the tray was gone. In its place instead was a note. I got off the bed and opened it and surely enough, the directions back to Klwah. I fixed my hair and straightened my dress on my way out. I was going home but I stopped as soon as I was out of the door. I didn’t know where I was. I was in the North Wing but which way led me back to the door.
“Good morning,” said my host in his deep voice.
I looked around in the shadows and said, “Good morning.”
“Are you ready to go?”
“Yes,” I answered. I was more than ready to leave this eerie place.
“Follow my voice.” And so, as before, I followed his voice down all the halls as he struck up civil conversation. “How was your night? I hope you slept good. Was the room to your liking?”
“Good and yes. The room was very big and beautiful.”
“Rooms like that are quite common in the palace. This use to be a very active place a long time ago.”
“I’ve noticed. What happened to all the servants? The one who brought me my dinner left without saying anything. I didn’t even see who he was. Is this place this quiet? What happened to all the activity that made this place alive. Of course, not to say that this place isn’t clean but…”
“Things happened and everything changed.”
“And you? I haven’t even seen you,” I said as I climbed down the stairs toward the door down the hall. “Would you mind allowing me to see your face once before I go, to at least be able to see you to say thank you.”
“No.”
“Why?”
There was a pause as I believe he started thinking for an answer. “I….look like…a beast.”
I smiled in sympathy at that and said, “Don’t judge me by my look. I would never say a thing like that. Don’t be so harsh on yourself, no one looks like a beast. I’m guessing that you’re just shy, aren’t you….”
Then I froze. I had been moving toward where he was standing since I started asking him about how he looked. I had followed his voice as he had told me and had found him in the corner. I looked at his face, fur all over and two big fangs curling up from his mouth. It was a beast, a monster of some sort. I had been staying in a monster’s house. I screamed and then ran toward the door.
I grabbed for the knob but the door wouldn’t budge. I kept on pulling, too afraid to look back or do anything else. He was so ugly and so scary. How could something like him have a place like this? I had to get away. I haven’t been this scared since the night my parents got killed. I kept pulling until I heard his voice and my hand flew to my throat as I turned toward him.
“That door won’t open for you, none of the door will open. It’s no use trying. You are stuck here forever,” said the beast.
My heart fell as I heard what he said. I was to be with him forever? But I couldn’t. I had to go back or something would happen to my kingdom. I didn’t know who actually ordered the murder of my parents but I had to find out and stop it’s killing of me and ruling my kingdom. I felt like crying but I wouldn’t fall that easily to the beast.

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“I am your prisoner then?” I asked.
The beast turned around and looked over his shoulder, saying, “No. You are free to wonder the halls of the palace. However, you must stay away from the West Wing. It is forbidden. Do you hear?”
I nodded, too afraid to answer. With that, he walked away and disappeared into the shadows again. He wasn’t there in the shadows waiting, I knew that. Once I was sure that he was far away, I started back to the room I was given. I only took one step before I screamed out again.
Standing close to my foot was a small clock. It had two eyes and were blinking at me. It took one step closer and I stepped back, afraid of it, but I came upon a candlestick holder behind me. It startled me and I screamed out again. I wanted to get out. This place was too weird.
“Stay away from me. Whatever you are, shoo. Go away,” I said.
“You should have done good not to be so curious as to seek out the master,” said the clock and I turned to look at it.
“Don’t be so mean, you already scared the poor thing, showing her your face and all,” said the candlestick holder.
“How dare you?” said the clock as it walked past me and toward the candlestick holder. “At least I’m not the one to sneak up behind her and scare her.”
“Well…at least my scream wasn’t as loud as yours. At least I scared her last too, unlike you.”
“Why you…”
“Uh-uh,” said the candlestick holder, holding up his hand of a tiny flame and putting it below the clock’s wooden hand.
It must have burned because the clock screamed out and jumped almost as high as my waist. The clock blew at his hand then started to chase the candlestick holder around me. The clock swung it’s wounded hand while the candlestick holder laughed. I stared at them, bewildered. What kind of creature were these? They looked like ordinary things yet they talked and walked.
“Excuse me,” I said. They didn’t pay me any heed so I said, “Excuse me!” They both stopped so I continued, more bold. “What are you? Where exactly am I? Who are you?”
The clock cleared it’s throat and opened it’s mouth to say something but the candlestick hold pushed him aside. Bowing, the candlestick holder said, “We are servants to the master. You are in the Mystic Palace and I am Sir Philip.”
The clock pushed Sir Philip aside and said, “I am Lord Alfred.”
Feeling secure for they wouldn’t be able to do much against me, I realized my manners and curtsy to them. Standing straight again, I said, “I am Pri…please to meet you. My name is Rose Hagamier.”
“Hagamier?” questioned the clock. “I’m sure I’ve heard that name before. I believe it belongs to some royal family….”
Afraid he would figure out who I was, I said, “My family’s not royal. We’re well off but not wealthy. Many people mistakes us for the royal family.”
Lord Alfred stared at me for a few second, deciding if my statement was true or not, nodded then said, “It must be hard then.”
Sighing in relief, I said, “Yes. We always have to do this or there would be gossip then trouble from the majesties.”
“How are they doing, in a matter of fact?” asked Sir Philip. “Haven’t seen them in ages…”
“You know them? The recent majesties?” I said, curious to find out if they knew my parents.
“Ah….” said Sir Philip but Lord Alfred poked him in the side and he stopped immediately. I saw it but I pretended not to. It was better that I not pry now and wait until Lord Alfred was far away to talk to Sir Philip. I would get much farther if I did that. Sir Philip looked like the type to talk and say anything that was asked of him. I would use that to my advantage.
“No,” said Sir Philip, “I have heard of them only.”
“I see,” I said, not believing one word.
“Let us show you to your room,” said Lord Alfred. “Memorize the halls and all the signs so that you will not get lost in the palace. It is a big place and you can easily get lost. I’m sure you’ll learn your way around in time,” said Lord Alfred as he turned around and walked toward the stairs.
Sir Philip bowed toward me and with a nod from me, I went ahead of him after Lord Alfred. I climbed up the stairs and into the hallway I’ve seen for the third time. They led me to my chamber in silence. I did as they asked and memorized all the hallways like I would for any meeting. When they stopped, they stared at me as I stared at the door.
I looked down at them and said, “Since I’m going to be staying here for a very long time…”
“Forever,” said Lord Alfred.
“…would you mind introducing me to the other…people here?” I finished after Lord Alfred.
They glanced at each other for a minute, deciding if they could trust me or something, before Sir Philip looked up at me and said, “Of course. Follow me.” With that, he lead me to another hall.
* * *
I walked back to my room, knowing where it now laid. I had met everybody tonight and had also had dinner with them in the kitchen. They were an odd assortment of creatures but they were friendly. There were tea cups, tea pots, rugs, cushions, dusters, drawers, pots, pans, silver wear, tools, musical instruments, chairs, and trays like the one who brought me my dinner last night.
I saw everybody except for the master but I didn’t want to see him again. They say he was nice but I couldn’t believe that someone that ugly could be nice. He hadn’t yelled at me or anything cruel but I knew that evil must be lurking beneath. I walked into my room and closed the door.
Plopping down on my bed, I rolled over to look at the ceiling and wondered how I was to escape from here. The place was nice but I couldn’t stay. I had to go back to my kingdom or something terrible would happen. I knew that something would happen. I had to take care of Klwah. Closing my eyes, I slept that night in peace.
The next morning, I woke to sun shine and being naked. I was lying under the cover and totally naked. I started to freak out until the door opened and the dresser drawer came in. She came to beside me and popped open a drawer. Inside was a nice blue morning gown with white lace trimmings. I hesitantly picked up the dress. It was so soft. With a look at the dresser, I took out the dress.
“Its so beautiful…how did I get naked?” I asked the dresser, Mrs. Plooping.
Mrs. Plooping giggled and said, “Sorry deary, about that. Your dress was dirty and I had to get it clean so I hope you don’t mind if I had taken it out to be washed.”
I stared at Mrs. Plooping then said, “Of course I don’t mind. Thank you. Would you mind helping me into this then.”
With that, Mrs. Plooping helped me to dress and looked into the mirror. The gown was beautiful and fitted me perfectly. I stared at it in wonderment. My hair was hanging down my back unbound but it didn't matter. It was about time I didn’t pin my hair up into any intricate style.
“Would you like me to do your hair up?” asked Mrs. Plooping.
I looked at her in the mirror and said, “No. I think I’ll keep it this way today.” I turned to face her and asked, “Is there a garden here?”
“Yes.”
“Is there a way I can get to it?”
“Why yes, deary. The garden is within the palace walls and there are rose briars all over the tall walls so there is nothing to worry about,” said Mrs. Plooping as she walked to the door.
I followed her. I didn’t want to remain safe. I wanted a way out. She led me to the first floor, chatting all the way there. I trailed after her, aware of everything around me and still answering her questions when she asked any. The double doors to the garden was near the back and it was quite a walk there but the walk was refreshing.
When we got to the door, she smiled and walked off, leaving me to open the door and exit by myself. It was good that she left me. She wouldn’t know then what I was planning to do. I opened the door and stopped in my track by the wild beauty. The flowers were growing wild but it only added onto an air of mystery and romance. I walked into the beautiful scene, stunned to the bones. The major flower here was the rose, blood red ones that bloomed so beautifully.
I followed the trail, my short train dragging behind me and my soft slippers scuffing the ground. I didn’t know where I was going, I was only following the beauty and my heart. I was so amazed by its beauty that I almost cried from it. I stopped when I laid my eyes on a fountain among the roses. A cupid with an arrow stood on top where water use to flow from its arrow but now no more.
I walked to the fountain, as if I was in a trance. I got to it and looked into the crystal clear water. I had a sudden urge to touch the shining water and I did. Softly touching the surface with my finger, the water rippled for a few seconds then cleared. I stared into it and I suddenly saw the beast’s face. I stepped back, startled, but it was only an image. Something was happening to him and he was roaring in pain, fire exploding everywhere around him. I stared at it and I felt his pain, his anguish. Suddenly, there were people with pitch forks and torches everywhere. The beast, in pain, was lying on the ground with his eyes closed. They were getting closer to him and yet he still laid there, obvious to everything. The people came upon him then and surrounded him. He finally opened his eyes and there was great sadness as he looked up at them, surrendering to them.
In the blink of an eye, the image disappeared and all I saw was myself again. How strange? I turned from it and saw the beast turning the corner toward the fountain, and me. He walked on all four with his head down, looking sad. Then he lifted his head a few feet away and saw me. He stopped suddenly and some emotion flashed across his eyes before it was gone.
“I didn’t know you were here,” said the beast. He turned around and said, “I’ll leave you.”

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I felt so angry at how I was acting yesterday toward him. I felt so much sadness for him, partly due to what I saw in the fountain. Taking a step toward him, I said, “I don’t mind sharing the space here. I’m sure there’s enough room for the both of us.”
He stopped and looked over his shoulder at me. Hesitantly, he turned around and walked to where I was standing. He paused when he reached me then walked on. He walked to the fountain and got on his hind legs, which made him a couple of feet taller. He touched the water as I had and stared into it, seeing something that I couldn’t see. A moment later, he turned around and walked back. He walked past me then said, “Breakfast is ready. I’ll escort you to it.”
Not so scare of him anymore, I followed after him. He didn’t hide in the shadows when he got inside as he did before but walked where I could see him. We walked in silence until somehow we came into the dining room. He sat at one end and I at the other as food was pushed out and set upon the table.
I tried to find civil conversation but I couldn’t let anything out. I ate and ate until the food was gone then we sat in silence, looking at anything but each other.
Then suddenly, he said, “I would let you go home if I could but the palace has a mind of its own and will not let you out now that you have seen me. I’m sorry. If I had been paying attention, you wouldn’t have seen me and be stuck here. It’s my…”
“Fault? No. You told me you looked like a beast and you hid for my safety. It was my fault. If I hadn’t have been so curious, I wouldn’t be in this situation but home.”
We lapsed into silence again. He looked out the window and I at the ground. I still felt guilty. I knew that this whole situation was my fault. I hated my curiosity now more than ever. I looked up at the beast and saw that he was gone. I looked all around but he wasn’t there anymore. Feeling lonely, I got up and walked to the door.
I left the dining room and went walking around the castle. If I was to live in this place, I had to know some of the places. I didn’t know how long I walked but I knew that it was past midday. I didn’t know where I was going and I didn’t know in which wing I was in but I knew that I had to walk around or I would go crazy. He didn’t seem to have accepted my apology. I was truly angered at that. I put myself out to apologize to him and he didn’t say anything but just disappears.
I stormed around the corner, anger blinding me and making me unable to see where I was stepping for I was upon Sir Philip before I could stop. He screamed in surprise and I fell backward on my butt from the surprise. On the ground, I looked down at him as he placed his hands on his ‘hips’.
“You should pay attention to where you’re going Miss Rose,” said Sir Philip.
“I’m sorry. I’ll remember to do that next time.”
“Where are you going in such a rush,” he said as I got up.
“No where, just walking,” I said as I walked past him into the hallway.
Realization finally dawning on Sir Philip for some reason, he ran after me and to ahead of me to stop my progress. I drew back, curious why he was acting like this. “You cannot go there,” he said,
“Why?”
“It is…not safe. Any hallway would do but this.”
“Where does this lead to…”
“No where,” he said as he grabbed a fold of my dress and tried to drag me away.
I stopped and he was pulled backward by the force. I glared down at him, wanting to know what he was hiding. “Tell me, Sir Philip.”
He must have recognized authority in that glare because he began to cower and say, “No. No…I cannot. I…can’t. No.” With one last glance up at me he looked down and said, “Please do not make me. The master will be very displease if he found out that you were in the west wing. He doesn’t like anybody there, it’s forbidden….ahhhh.”
After I heard the word ‘west wing’, I knew that I had to go. He screamed as I moved away quickly from him and turned back to the way I was going. He tried to stop me, pleaded even, but I was stronger than him and I wanted to know why the west wing was forbidden. Sir Philip was making a big deal out of this so there must be something hidden in the west wing.
I guessed at every turn of the corners but I knew that I was going the right way because every time I made the correct turn, Sir Philip would wail louder. I was afraid that the beast would hear it but he hadn’t heard it after so long so I just ignored him. I turned the last corner and came upon a big wooden double door. Sir Philip had stopped wailing and was now trailing behind me. I touched the wooden door and it creaked as it opened up.
Beyond, the room was dark and dull but not so much after my eyes got adjusted to the dimness. The room was a wreck. Everything was in tatters or torn. All the furniture were broken and dusts were so thick on the ground. I stood in the middle of the room, staring at everything around me. There was a balcony at the opposite side of me and the sky was dark outside as I stared.
I looked to my left and there was a frame there with the picture in tatters. Curious, I walked to the picture. I could tell bits and pieces of the picture; amber eyes, brown hair, a nose, a smiling mouth. I reached up to smooth most of the picture in place, trying my best so I could see every feature. Half way there, a large shadow fell across me and I looked at the balcony. There, standing inside the door, was the beast. I shrank back as he walked closer and I could see the anger in his eyes. He was truly mad.
I stumbled backward on Sir Philip and looked down to see if he was okay. He was hiding behind me and I knew that he was scare. I looked back up at the beast and almost screamed. His face was right in front of me, glaring down at me. I could see his blood red eyes and feel his breath on my face. Suddenly, without any warning, he roared and got on his hind legs. He knocked over a standing chair close to me, making me back up farther. He stalked after me, hitting everything in range.
I was really scare by this time. I turned as soon as possible and ran for my life. I somehow knew every corner and was turning the right way. I didn’t know how long I ran but when I stopped, I was in front of the door to the garden. Too scared to be reasonable, I pushed the door and ran out. I ran through the paths until I came upon the wall with the rose briars. I picked up a stick and heedless of everything, I started to try to clear the briars away.
I was too scared to notice anything happening around me. All I knew was that I had to get away. The beast was wild with anger and I didn’t want to be near him or be here. I would die if I stayed here. I raised the stick and was about to hit the briars but it was snatched from my hands and that was when I realized that the rose briars were alive. They were tall and everywhere. They had surrounded me when I was too busy to notice.
Slowly, the briars began to close around me. Their thrones seemed sharp and blood thirsty at that moment. They got closer and closer and I had no idea how to stop it. The sky was dark now, indicating that it was late dusk. I didn’t know what to do and there was nothing there to stop it. I opened my mouth to allow more air into my lungs but at that moment, the briars closed in until they were pricking me hard and instead, I screamed. I screamed in pain and in help.
I didn’t know who I was expecting but no one came. The briars pressed deeper and I screamed again. They were all up and down my body, pinned to every ounce of skin. I glanced down and I saw blood seeping from every contact. I was about to scream again but the briars loosened and looking up, I saw why.
The beast was tearing at the briars that came at him as he came to help me. They were pricking him but he didn’t scream unless it was deep, then he would knock it away. The briars still held me captive but they were more focused on the beast. They attacked him and tried to keep him away but he eventually reached me. Tearing me from the clutches of the briars, the beast held me close to his body as he pushed his way out. I was exhausted by the lose of blood but I knew that the beast was more hurt than me.
He raced to the door and once inside, he closed the doors behind him. I could still hear the banging of the briars as they tried to get inside. He either felt confidence in the door or was too exhausted, because he walked slowly on, still carrying me in his arms.

(What do ya think?)