Beauty and the Beast (Klance AU)

Chapter Three

"What is this place?" Lance asked, directing the question to Blue. Blue snorted as she seemed to quiver in fear. Lance dismounted from the saddle and started to pet her side, hoping to calm her down.

They were in front of the enchanted castle, apparently where Lance's father was being kept. It made Lance wonder why he never noticed such a place before. It was rather odd seeing a castle here, possibly without the village being aware of it.

"Stay here, Blue. I'll check it out, and I'll be back for you. Don't worry," Lance said softly as Blue's breaths were much softer. He looked at the large gate, hesitating a little before pushing it open, a gap big enough to squeeze through.

Inside the castle, Coran and Hunk were discussing the situation that happened only earlier with their master. Hunk didn't seem interested much, being stubborn and loyal to his master, while Coran was protesting against the decision of Master Keith.

"Couldn't keep quiet, could we? Just had to invite him to stay, didn't we?  Serve him tea, sit in the master's chair, pet the pooch," Hunk listed as he kept rambling on the matter.

"I was trying to be hospitable," Coran said as he crossed his arms, even fixing the tip of his wax mustache. They didn't seem to hear the front entrance open and close.

"Hello?  Is anyone here?  Hello? Papa?  Papa, are you here?" Lance called out quietly, not wanting to disturb any possible occupants. He quietly made his way up a grand staircase, hoping to find his father quickly to get out of there. Little did he know was that he was being watched by a little teacup.

"Allura! There's a boy in the castle!" The cup said once she made her way back to the kitchen. The teapot rolled her eyes as she knew that the cup was always playing games.

"Now, Pidge, I won't have you making up such wild stories," Allura said once she turned to her.

"But, really, Ms. Allura, I saw him!" Pidge pouted as Allura wasn't having any of it.

"Not another word. Into the tub," Allura said as she raised Pidge up, dropping her into the soapy-water filed sink. From the doors of the kitchen came a feather duster, demanding for Allura to know about the exciting news.

"Allura!" The feather duster said once he got near her. Allura turned to him, raising an eyebrow in question.

"Alfor? What is it?"

"A boy! I saw a boy in the castle!" He said happily, even running off to tell others in the castle. Allura was dumbfounded as Pidge poked her head out of the water.

"See? I told you."

"Irresponsible, devil-may-care, waxy eared, slack-jawed--" Before Hunk could continue his ramble, both he and Coran heard Lance's voice from the down the hall.

"Papa?"

They stood quiet and still as Lance walked right past them, wondering where else to look. Once Lance was out of sight, Coran couldn't seem to hold his excitement.

"It's a boy!"

"I know it's a boy," Hunk said with sarcasm as Coran continued to talk.

"Don't you see? He's the one, the boy we have been waiting for. He's come to break the spell!" Coran said before chasing after him. Hunk's eyes had widen as Coran started to follow Lance.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute!" Hunk said as he quickly followed after Coran.

Lance wandered through the hallways, not sure if he was getting anywhere with finding his father. He also didn't seem to notice that Coran and Hunk were following his every move. Without his knowledge, Coran and Hunk helped lead him to his father in secret, pushing a door open that lead to the dungeon tower. Lance heard the squeak of the door opening and turned to it. Maybe the wind?