A Rose for the Beast

Disappointment And Good Fortune

Rosalie peeked out the door, relieved to see an empty hall. She moved out of the room, listening to a commotion downstairs. As she crept down the corridor, the muffled sound became somewhat discernable, though still a good distance away.

The beast argued with Magda about something. Though she couldn't quite make out the words, the voices were easily recognizable. She made her way down the stairs to the landing quietly, grateful that the cloaked guards were nowhere in sight.

As she climbed the stairway to the left wing, Rosalie stuck her head out to investigate the hall. She grinned at the vacant corridor. Slipping past the previously shattered doors, she reentered Michel's chambers and stopped short. The broken mirror was gone.

Her hope plummeted as she frantically searched the room for any pieces that remained. She already needed to figure out how to get to Magda through the numerous guards she most likely had around her. Without a magically enhanced shard, she had no weapon against the queen.

A scraping noise emerged from the wall. She spun and raised her fists in a defensive stance. Her green eyes widened as the white wolf entered the room from a secret passage, followed by several gorillas, a group of monkeys, and the three bear chefs from the kitchen. What surprised her most was that they were armed for battle.

They all had specially made armor protecting their chests, backs, and shoulders that were lined with metal spikes. The gorillas each held a chained mace in their hands. Every chimp had small knives in theirs. Only the bears and the wolf lacked weapons, but their claws and fangs would subdue any enemy. The wolf limped toward her.

"What are you all doing here?! You shouldn't be moving!," she exclaimed, "What happened to my father? He was supposed to get everyone out!"

"Calm down, Madame. Those who were unable to fight left the castle with him. We stayed to defend our home, our master, and you," he said while slightly kneeling with his head down.

Rosalie was amazed and humbled at their loyalty. The animals wanted to fight and she understood why, but she never imagined they'd be as prepared for battle as they were.

"How long have you been planning a revolt like this against the queen?," she asked as she looked over her newfound army.

The wolf gave her a grin.

"Since the day she cursed us all to these forms. We never really had a fighting chance against her. But we have you now."

She frowned and her shoulders sagged as she peered back to where the mirror had been. Only the cloth that had covered it rested on the floor.

"I'm afraid I can't be of use. The glass is gone and Michel took the only piece I have. He doesn't want me interfering."

The wolf scoffed and shook his furry head.

"He doesn't want you to get hurt. Master Michel has a strange way of showing compassion and affection, but he did break out of an impenetrable dungeon to save you."

"I thought as much, but that doesn't matter now."

"Of course it does, Madame. Once he sees this," he nodded his head toward the group of warrior animals, "When he witnesses the true power of his people defending their home and sees your stubbornness as you fight the queen, he will realize that we have a chance to end it."

Like before, she digested the wolf's words and her spirits rose marginally, though she didn't quite agree. Regardless of Michel's feelings, she wouldn't know how to deal with his volatile nature. She had enjoyed the scenery and company of his animal servants--What the wolf said finally registered.

"Did you say the queen cursed you to those forms?"

Another cheeky grin spread across the wolf's face and he nodded once in response.

"So, you were all human before? But why did the mirror work on Michel and not you?"

"The mirror shows the user what they could become. Magda gifted it to him after cursing us. He saw himself as he was before becoming the beast. When she realized how much he yearned for it, the queen embedded another curse into it. She may have hoped that the single charity on her part would win him over finally. But to have such a small taste of freedom only furthered his hatred toward her."

Rosalie's brows rose as she considered that. The cursed object allowed her to envision herself, not as a different person, but as woman she dreamt of being. It was no wonder now why he had covered it up, blocking out the image of what he wished for most. To see an unattainable dream day after day, with no hope of achieving it must have been devastating.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts, gazing at the animals. They looked to her for instruction, ready to follow any command she gave. She contemplated the best course of action.

The wolf sat, wincing slightly. Despite the trauma his body had been through, he seemed determined to fight. She felt that same resolve building up her own confidence.

"Michel has Magda and the guards in the dining room, but once the rest of the servants breach the limits of our territoy, the queen will know. We must act swiftly. We shall follow you directly into the dining room and battle head on," the wolf advised.

"Actually, I have a slightly different plan," she said with a smirk.