Beauty and the Monster-A Namjin AU story

Chapter 16

There was a sense of gloom and despair that enveloped the castle. The servants had gathered in the living room by the roaring fireplace. Namjoon was tucked away in the corner of the palace.

"At least he finally learned to love," Taehyung lamented as he waltzed across the carpet, Hoseok in his arms.

"A lot of good that does if he won't love him in return." Yoongi was leaned against the stone wall. 

"No." Jimin's voice was stern and unmovable. "I still have hope."

Jungkook, who was leaned against his father, was the first to hear the noise.

"Do you hear that? His he coming back?"

"I knew it!" Hoseok and Jimin exclaimed.

They were all too wrong. Outside the palace, an army of townspeople had formed a mob outside the door. The mob pounded against the gates, forcing them open.

"Invaders!" Taehyung cried.

Yoongi was the first to rush into action. "So much for true love...man the barricades!"

Maestro Cadenza formed a barricade to hold the door, but it would not last for long. 

"Go get the master!" He yelled.

Hoseok raced to the west wing. "Master! The palace is being invaded!"

Namjoon did not turn around. "Let them come."

Not if the servants had anything to say about it.

The battle was afoot.

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Back in the village, Seokjin and his father were desperately searching for a mean of escape.

"I have to warn Namjoon," he said.

Maurice looked at him quizzically. "Warn him? How did you get away from him?"

"He let me go. He sent me back to you."

 "I don't understand..."

Seokjin placed a hand on his father's shoulder. "He took to our old home. I know what happened to mama."

Maurice sighed, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand memories. "Then you know why I had to leave her. I've always tried to protect you. Probably too much."

"I understand."

"It's dangerous," Maurice warned.

"I know."

Maurice turned his attention to the locks. "I could try to pick the locks. It's only gears and springs."

He worked at the lock until they heard the click of their freedom.

Seokjin hugged his father one last time before mounting his horse and disappearing into the night. 

*******************************************************

Back at the palace, the mob had finally broken in. 

The people instantly felt the stillness in the air. There was something strange within the walls; they could feel it.

There was also a feeling-and this was the oddest feeling of all-of deja vu. The castle felt familiar, like a childhood dream. They couldn't grasp the picture, only the feeling. 

Lefou spotted a teapot and teacup. He walked up to them, a mocking smile plastered on his face.

"Oh, hello there. You must be the talking teacup. And you must be his grandfather."

Jimin was supposed to lie low until the very perfect moment, but all of that was forgotten the moment Lefou spoke one single word.

"Grandfather? Attack!"

The result was instantaneous. Plates flew across the room, drawers and dressers sprang up and crashed down onto the mob. The mob was large, but the servants were far more passionate, and their strength quickly took over the crowd. 

Jimin, highly affronted by the "grandfather" comment, was spewing piping hot tea at the villagers. He had lost sight of Jungkook until he came bounding back to his side.

"Papa!" he squealed, eyes shining with excitement, "You'll never guess what I did! I beat a ton of them!"

"Way to go, Jungkook! I'm proud of you." Jungkook's smile was so wide it could have cracked his china surface. Without another word, he was off into battle again.

Just then, Jimin noticed Gaston push Lefou to the side and dash up the stairs. Before he could sound a warning, a villager knocked him into the air.

He landed in Lefou's hands.

"Thank you! But aren't you on his side?"

"Well, I used to be on Gaston's side," Lefou smirked, "But we are so in a bad place right now."

"You're too good for him, anyway," Jimin reassured. 

"I aim, you spray?"

"Way ahead of you."

The servants soon sent the mob away in a frenzy. Yoongi shook his tiny metal fist as the last of the crowd scurried out the door.

"And stay out!"

The furniture cheered in celebration. The intruders were defeated!

If only they knew of the gun that was being pointed at their master's head.