Evermore [The Beast/The Prince x Reader]

chapter fifteen

"Can you tell me what you miss most?" he asked.

They were both leaning over the frosted railing of his balcony. She was now wrapped in his cloak; he had enough fur on his body to keep himself warm. The thick snow fell gently around them, kissing the stone floor beneath their feet and catching themselves on their eyelashes.

She glanced at him with furrowed eyebrows. He pursed his lips and glanced up.

"For example," he said, "I miss the guests."

She smiled. "Of course you do," she said. "Beautiful women, all dressed up and falling at your feet, begging for attention." She rolled her eyes.

He chuckled. "What do you miss?"

"Parties," she said. "Dances."

"What, am I not a good dance partner?" he joked, making her laugh.

"Oh, you're probably the best I've had, actually," she assured him. She glanced at him, squinting so that the snow wouldn't get in her eyes. "What else do you miss?"

He sighed. "The parties as well."

She smiled. "Going outside..."

"Having a human face," he added.

"Having humans in the castle itself," she said.

He chuckled and nodded. "Yes, it is rather odd to speak to a candelabra the same way you once spoke to a man, isn't it?"

"It is," she agreed. "But I do love Lumiere, and all the others. They have gone out of their way to make me feel at home."

"Do you miss your family?" he asked.

"I do," she replied, "but not as much as I should. There was a reason I never stayed home. I always travelled. That's how I found this place. I don't regret it - my coming here."

"I'm glad," he said. He turned towards the table. Wrapping his giant claw around the back of it, he lifted the mirror and held it out to her. "Here."

"What is this?" she asked, tracing her fingers over the intricate details around the glass. "It's beautiful."

"It was a gift," he said. "You can see your family, if you'd like. Just say it."

"It's magic?" she asked, eyes gleaming. He nodded. "I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose, but a magic mirror - in my hands? This is... absurd. It's like a fairytale."

He smiled. "Perhaps it is."

She returned the smile. Then, she lifted the mirror. "Show me my family, please," she said.

The surface of the mirror sparkled and glowed. Her eyes widened as her reflection changed into a perfect view of her foyer. Her mother and stepfather were sitting on the love seat, hand in hand, a tray of tea on the table. Her young half siblings were playing on the floor.

"Look at them," she whispered, "why, they've grown half a foot since the last I've seen them."

She smiled. He watched her, mesmerized by how perfect her features were. Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked at her mother.

"My mother is becoming grey," she laughed, sniffling. "I wonder if my stepfather has mentioned it. Of course, he probably knows better than to. The woman is fierce and very, very vain."

He laughed. As the image disappeared, she pressed the mirror to her chest. She sighed longingly and placed it carefully back on the table.

"Thank you, your majesty," she said. 

"Any time you wish to see them, you may. Take it, if you wish."

"Oh, no," she said. "I couldn't."

"You could," he said. "There's no one I'd like to see."

She smiled sadly and shook her head. "There could be, you know. Someday."

He was silent for a long moment. Then, after a long, drawn out sigh, and then, he whispered. "I miss my mother."

She glanced at him with immediate concern. He dropped his head and shut his eyes tightly. Her heart ached for him; for she had a mother that was still alive, but didn't ever get along with her. In her heart, she felt it no different from not having a mother at all.

He shook his head. "It's ridiculous. She's been gone a long, long time. But I... I had these parties to hide my heartache... so the others wouldn't see how broken I truly was. And now, it seems, as I am forced to look at the same, empty halls... she lingers still. Not as an angel, but as a ghost. A ghost in my heart."

"It's okay that you miss her," she whispered, and she touched his arm. "And it's okay if you want to talk about it or not. I meant it when I said that I'm here for you, and I intend on keeping that promise forever."

"You are kind," he said, glancing at her, "and I can never bring myself to realizing the extent of you selflessness. I do not deserve to call you my friend."

She smiled sadly. "Do any of us deserve anyone or anything? None of us are good. We all have our faults."

He nodded. "Did I ever mention that you are wise?"

She laughed softly. "Perhaps you should say it more often, your majesty."

He chuckled and rolled his eyes. She bit her lip and took his arm with hers. He allowed it; offering a small, surprised glance in her direction. She blushed as she looked down at the yard, her cheeks a soft pink.

"Are you cold?" he asked, bringing her closer. "We can go inside."

"I don't want to go inside," she said. "I feel like I've seen it too much lately."

"I agree," he said. He thought for a long moment. "Do you... want to run away, perhaps?"

"Run away?" she asked, surprise in her voice. "How?"

"The Enchantress... when she cursed me, she left behind several enchanted objects. The rose, the mirror, and a book."

She scowled. "Oh, you know I'm not a fan of reading-"

"It's not like that," he said. He gently wrapped his paw around her upper arm and glanced down at her. "Will you come with me, mademoiselle?"

"Anywhere," she whispered, and she took his hand.