It was a slow Sunday morning, Elise had went to the market to retrieve some bread and was walking back home happily when she realized, her dad wasn't there.
She had known him for too long to know that he would never go anywhere without telling her beforehand. With that thought in her head, she became frantic. Dropping her breads on the counter, she ran outside and knocked on every door of her neighbors asking if they had seen him, none of their heads gave a nod. She became very worried and started panicking, that is until she knocked on another door. The man gave her a look of disbelief, "i saw him walking down the path that leads to that mansion, he said he was looking for flowers," he said. "What mansion?" "you don't know?" he raised his eyebrow, Elise paused, and shook her head, "ah, well, there has been a fuss going around about a mansion not far from here, some people say its haunted, but most believes that a cursed being lives in there with his—also cursed—furniture and cutleries," Elise tilted her head, what am i, a six year old? Am i supposed to believe this story? "i know, i know, it sounds ridiculous, but i know someone has tried to go there, who ended up dead," Hearing that, Elise felt a sudden rush of determination, maybe it is real? Risking her death sounded like nothing to her, she was prioritizing her dad.
Without her realizing, she was already on her feet running towards the mansion. Then she stopped at the entrance. It looked ominous, as if it was made a long time ago. She knocked on the door twice, then another, and until the fifth she didn't get an answer, she slowly opens it.
Inside was filled with fancy looking furniture with intricate designs, it awed her. She was so distracted that she didn't hear the footsteps that were coming to her. Then a cough. She almost screamed her lungs out when she saw a big beast full of fur. Her eyes widened, she felt like she was frozen, she didn't move an inch. "Who are you?" he growled, his claws were shining as if it were polished. "I-i.. I came here in peace, to look for my dad, he went missing," she was trembling. There was a glint in the beast's eyes that she couldn't read, he cleared his throat, "the old mad man?" she winced at the name, "i kept him in the dungeons, he seemed like an intruder. Perhaps you would like to join him too?" Elise gulped, her throat felt dry, "n-no thank you, i just want him back safely." the beast scoffed, "you think it would be that easy?" he took a few steps forward, "you see, as you may have heard from the people's stories, i am cursed," he said while gesturing to his body, "maybe, we could make a deal, you help me break the curse, and i will release your father." Elise tried to process the words properly, "help you?" he nodded, "as in, me, staying here for a while?" he nodded again. Maybe it won't be a bad offer? And with that, she agreed to the deal.
The beast had let Elise meet her dad in the dungeons, and apparently, the beast would still keep him there as he felt he was intruded. "Weird, he should've put you in here too," his dad joked, but she questioned the same thing. They let it slide, because right now, the most important thing is knowing her dad is safe. The beast also promised to keep him warm and fed, he said he would treat her dad nicely, even if he's in the dungeon.
-
Days passed, Elise learned that the beast isn't as scary as the stories from the people, he was actually nice. Their bond became closer each day. But, Elise still hasn't figured out the way to break his curse.
Another thing Elise also learned was, the supposed inanimate objects in his mansion could talk. It freaked her out at first, but they told her that they were once people, but they were cursed, like the beast.
One night, the beast asked her to have a dance with him. She agreed, and changed into a nice dress he had prepared for her, "fancy night tonight?" asked her cupboard, "yeah, he asked me to go dance with him." Her cupboard chuckled, "very bold of him, he's usually shy, you know." Belle smiled at that.
The night went nicely slow, beast had taken her to the balcony. "Elise, there's this one thing i haven't told you yet. But i think now's the time." Elise tilted her head and rested her arms on the railing, "what is it?" "it's about the curse," he paused, a glint of uneasiness sparked through his eyes, he took a sharp breath, "this curse was supposed to be broken when i found someone who i love, and felt the same towards me. Which i found impossible at the time. I've tried so many times to love and to be loved, they didn't work. But this time," he looked at her in the eyes, "I may possess that feeling towards you." Elise smiled, "i can say the same towards you."
Elise was taken aback at the sudden light that came out of beast. He shone so bright that it almost blinded her. She was confused at the sudden surprise, she took a few steps back. The light slowly disappears, the night sky turns into morning.
Beast dropped weakly to the ground, Elise rushed towards him. "are you okay- what?" Elise's eyes widened. Beast wasn't in his furred figure anymore, his claws are gone, his fangs disappeared, and his body isn't massive anymore, he was in a human form. "Elise!" he chirped, "the curse is broken!" Elise had her mouth open and it curled into a big smile, she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so happy for you." she pulled back and studied his features, he had blue eyes, pink lips and sharp jaws. The word in her head spelled out 'breathtaking'. She released her breath she didn't know she was holding. "I will fulfill the deal and let you and your dad free," he said sadly.
So he did. Elise was at the front gate with his dad when her eyes looked back and lingered on beast's. He had a look of hope, and she almost immediately understood. "Don't worry, i will come back for you, it won't take a long time," she smiled at him, his eyes sparkled and smiled back. Maybe being brave wasn't so bad after all.
