Beauty and the Monster-A Namjin AU story

Chapter 3

Seokjin was tending to the vegetable garden until he heard the wild clomping of hooves from the dusty road.

His instinct told him father isn't on that horse and he knew in his gut that he was right, but he didn't want to believe it. When he saw Philippe racing towards him with no rider on his back, his heart sank and he felt sickened. The worst scenario was coming true.

"Philippe!" He grabbed onto the reins with sweaty hands and desperately held the horse in place, trying to soothe him. Something must have given him a spook, and he didn't like to imagine what.

"What happened? Where's papa?" Seokjin was no Disney princess-he couldn't talk to animals. He had to find the answer out on his own. He climbed onto the horse's back. "Take me to him at once!"

They sped off down the dirt path, leaving a trail of thick dust in their wake. The winding path down the wood's was unfamiliar, but Seokjin could trust Philippe with his life. Even when the warm summer air turned to freezing wind and brittle ice, there was no losing face. He had to press onward.

Finally, they reached the ominous, yet magnificent castle. He had never seen a castle before, and under any other circumstances, he would think it the most beautiful thing in the world. But his father, the one he loved more than anyone, was inside that building. There was nothing fantastical about this place.

He left the horse in its stable and took slow, steady steps up to the castle gates. He wanted to throw the iron door open and rush to his father, but he was not alone. Seokjin could feel it. 

He certainly wasn't alone. Yoongi the clock and Taehyung the candelabra watched him enter from the table by the door. 

"Look, Yoongi!" Taehyung squealed, trying to keep his volume at its lowest, "A boy! A handsome boy!"

"Yes!" Yoongi crabbed, "I lost my hands, not my eyes. I can see him. What's it to you?"

"But what if he's the one?" He pressed, "The one who'll break the spell!"

Just then, Seokjin heard the echo of an unmistakable cough from upstairs. He grabbed Taehyung off the table and raced up the stone stairs.

Uptop the stairs stood a lone tower. He thrusted the heavy door open to see his father behind rusted bars. Seokjin's greatest fear had been confirmed.

"Papa!" He rushed to him and held his hands through the bars. "Your hands are ice cold."

"Seokjin!" The old man's voice came out as a croak. "How did you find me?"

"Never mind that. We need to get you home."

Maurice's eyes widened in fear. "No! You must leave here at once! The castle is alive!" His hands were shaking. "Now go! Go, before he finds you!"

"Who?" His question was answered by a growl from the darkest corner of the room.

"Who are you?" The voice demanded.

"Who are you?" Seokjin replied indignantly. "Actually, I don't care. I've come for my father."

"Your father is a thief," He snarled, "He stole a rose."

Seokjin glanced at his father. He had asked for that stupid rose....!

"I asked for the rose. Punish me, not him."

"No!" Maurice shook his son's hand, "He means forever. Turns out that's what happens when you pick a flower around here..."

"A life sentence for a rose?" Seokjin glared.