Beauty And The Beast (Jaeyong AU)

V

🥀

"Your Majesty, that was a little harsh, no?"

"Harsh? It is not me who is being unjust here. None of this would've happened if that old fool kept his hands to himself." He sets the candlabra, Baekhyun, down onto his desk.

"But still, that's no way to treat a sweet boy now is it?" The candlabra speaks, noting the beast's expressions. "Sweet?" The latter raises his head and gives him a withered look. "He's just as foolish as his father, coming all the way here just to be subjected for a lifetime of imprisonment."

Baekhyun sighs, shaking his head. "Still, I think you should give him credit for how brave he was for taking his father's place. Not everyone is willing to perform such a noble deed."

The beast groans softly. "And what point are you trying to prove here, pray tell." He massages his temples.

"The curse, Your Majesty." The candlabra rolls his eyes and says this like it's the most obvious thing. "The boy might be able to help you break it."

The beast takes a moment to mull over the thought, his gaze eventually panning towards the single red rose emitting a soft glow under a glass cover. Several petals had already fallen off which causes his previous anxieties to resurface.

"We don't have much time left."

"I'm aware, Baekhyun."

🥀

Taeyong sits in the prison cell, humming a soft tune to himself as he waited for the transition from the moon to the sun. When he'd asked the beast to leave him alone, he didn't mean it quite literally since they were highly likely the only beings in this large and gloomy castle.

He hears the whispers again. It was closer this time.

It certainly wasn't the beast for this voice was a little pitched. Whoever it was seemed to be arguing with another person.

"Hello..?" He calls out cautiously, a part of him entertaining the thought that it might be some sort of supernatural occurrence.

"Is someone there..?"

"Quite certainly there is."

Taeyong shrieks as a candlabra hops from the void above and lands right into his lap along with a ornate clock which he catches in the nick of time.

"I could've died, Baek!" The clock straightens himself, looking annoyed at the candlabra called 'Baek'.

Baekhyun proceeds to ignore the clock's grumbling, smiling at Taeyong who was still in shock from watching these objects talk.

"Long story short, we're cursed and it involved lots of magic." He casts another grin, hoping that would pacify the boy's curiosity for now. Taeyong merely nods, unsure how to react appropriately at the moment.

"I'm Byun Baekhyun, ordered to escort you to your new sleeping quarters." The candlabra does a little bow. "And this," he gestures towards the clock, "is my most noble sidekick, Do Kyungsoo."

Kyungsoo the clock also does a little bow. "Pleased to meet you, young sir. I must correct Baekhyun's statement for I am less of a sidekick and more of a babysitter for this irresponsible grown man." He says curtly, giving Baekhyun a smirk.

"Whatever, his presence is not very significant--"

"Baekhyun, I implore you to get straight to the order given. The young sir is freezing in the cell."

"Right! My apologies!"

The candlabra hands the boy a set of keys which were the ones the beast held before. He takes it, frowning slightly. "Should you both be aiding me like this, won't your master punish you?"

"Rest assured, young sir. Our.. master has given us orders to accommodate you in the finest room in this castle."

Taeyong blinks, confusion etched yet again on his dainty features. Was he hearing things right? Why would the beast make such arrangements for a.. prisoner? He doesn't question the oddity of it all and proceeds to open the cell door with the key.

"Very good! Now follow us, young sir." Baekhyun hops ahead along with Kyungsoo while the boy scurries behind them timidly, gazing around in wonder at the magnificent grandeur of the castle.