Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

Prologue

Once upon a time, in a distant land, there lived a young prince in a magnificent castle. Despite his opulent life, he harbored a selfish and unkind heart. One fateful wintry night, an elderly beggar woman sought refuge at the castle, offering a single rose in exchange for shelter. Regrettably, repulsed by her appearance, the prince callously dismissed her. To his astonishment, the beggar transformed into an enchantress, revealing his cruelty. In retribution, she cursed him, turning him into a beast and casting a spell over the castle and its inhabitants.

As years drifted by, the desolate beast concealed himself within the castle's walls, convinced that his monstrous form would forever repel love. Meanwhile, in a nearby village, a compassionate girl named Belle grapples with the feeling of being an outsider, thwarting unwelcome advances from a conceited suitor, Gaston. Belle's father, Maurice, stumbled upon the Beast's castle, facing a less-than-welcoming reception. Hearing of her father's plight, Belle valiantly offered herself in his place.

Amidst Belle's adjustment to castle life, tensions simmered between her and the Beast, exacerbated when she discovered the enchanted rose symbolizing his curse. However, when Belle encountered peril from wolves, the Beast gallantly intervened, fostering a fragile reconciliation. Over time, their bond blossomed, the Beast embracing kindness and Belle discovering a profound connection.

Meanwhile, Maurice sought aid, but Gaston, fueled by ego and rejection, plotted to coerce Belle into marriage using Maurice as leverage. Amidst turmoil, as Belle tended to the wounded Beast, their growing affection became apparent. Yet, for the curse to break, the Beast selflessly released Belle to rescue her father.

The situation escalated as Gaston incited a mob against the Beast, prompting Belle's race to save him, aided by the enchanted mirror and Chip, a spirited teacup. A tumultuous battle ensued, where the Beast's newfound benevolence spared Gaston, only for the latter to betray him fatally. As the final petal descended, Belle declared her love, triggering a miraculous transformation that restored the castle's inhabitants to their human forms.

However, contrary to the traditional happy ending, the tale continued. Belle and her Beast exchanged vows amidst a grand gathering of 6,000 cherished friends. The celebrations, monumental and joyous, marked not the beginning of a honeymoon but a pivotal juncture. The Beast, driven by a noble vision, united kingdoms and ascended to rule as the king of the United States of Auradon. In an unforeseen turn, he exiled intriguing figures, villains, and sidekicks to the Isle of the Lost, shrouded by a magical barrier, leaving them devoid of magic, Wi-Fi, and any apparent means of escape.

Amidst the echoes of the Isle's shadows and whispers of forgotten corners, a faint glimmer of hope beckoned—a possibility hinting at the potential for a remarkable journey to defy fate, unveiling untold chapters of unforeseen possibilities and a newfound path to freedom.

~* ✨ ♕ ✨*~
470 words
(03/01/2024)