A Rose for the Beast

The Cunning Distraction

Rosalie led her militia of animals down the west wing hall. She paused at the top of the staircase, turning back with a finger pressed to her lips. The argument between Magda and the beast had migrated into the entrance hall. Quietly peeking down, she saw a large number of guards surrounding the quarreling pair.

"Enough!," Magda's voice echoed around the chamber. "We have less than an hour until our wedding," her face contorted in anger as she looked over the cloaked hunters. "Why are you still here?!"

The question urged the guards from their stoic trances, each one rushing off to finish preparations. Rosalie's lips lifted into a smile at their good fortune. She signaled with a wave of her hand, sending the chimps and apes to take position. She hoped the guards would remain preoccupied, but in case they heard the commotion, she needed the animals in place.

"Now, we will not argue any further. I'm not marrying a hideous beast," Magda said without noticing the primates suspended from the columns above.

"This beast is just a visual presentation of the monster that you created within me. Regardless of my outward appearance, I'll always be this hideous inside," the beast stated.

Rosalie shook her head and moved to step into view. The wolf nudged her with his head, stopping her.

"Allow me, Madame. I'll draw her attention away from the stairway. You'll need to retrieve the glass shard from Michel quickly."

Rosalie wanted to disagree, if only to spare the animal from more injuries. But she knew she would be useless without the weapon. Magda probably wouldn't allow her to get close enough to take the dagger from Michel. The wolf had proven to be both brave and cunning, despite the odds. She placed her trust and hopes in him and gave the wolf a single nod in response.

His head lowered a bit as he began to slip past her down the stairs. She reached out suddenly and wrapped her arms around his neck. The animal froze and they were both silent during the awkward hug. She pulled away slowly and wiped a stray tear.

"Be careful, wolfy," she whispered.

The wolf grinned and she couldn't help, but smile in return.

"I will. And my name is Raoul Loupe, Madame."

With that, he trotted down the stairs on quiet paws. Rosalie peered down to see the moment Magda realized they weren't alone.

"Why the hell is there a mangy mutt in here, Michel?!"

"Apologies, my lord," the wolf said, not bothering to address the queen, "It seems I've been remiss in my duties."

Magda fumed, face going red at being ignored. Michel barely turned to acknowledge the wolf. The animal pranced slowly, circling the pair until their backs were to the staircase. He sent an almost imperceptible nod toward her. The queen continued to simmer with hard fist clenched tightly at her sides, but the signal didn't go unnoticed. The beast jerked his head in the same direction.

When the golden irises found her sneaking down the stairway, they flared. Rosalie ignored the tightening in her chest as she descended the stairs silently. The wolf cleared his throat loudly to draw the attention back on him.

"As I said, I have neglected my duties and allowed an intruder inside the castle," Raoul said.

Magda bristled, turning to scan her surroundings. Rosalie made it down to the landing, carefully placing herself behind the individual stair posts below the banisters.

"What intruder? Find them at once!," the queen shouted.

"I already have."

Magda made a confused sound at the wolf's response. Rosalie peeked down the last few stairs where Michel glanced around, only just noticing the apes and chimpanzees hanging overhead. He said nothing, though he seemed apprehensive about what may happen. Rosalie shared in that same feeling as the wolf spoke again.

"The intruder is you, Magda," he growled.

The queen's eyes widened as the wolf launched himself at her neck. His jaws missed by a hair and latched onto her shoulder instead. The force of his weight caused her to stumble backwards. Tripping over her own feet, she fell to the floor with the wolf chewing at her collarbone.

Rosalie took the opportunity to move further down the stairs. Michel turned and glared at her from the bottom of the staircase, slowing her stride a bit.

"I told you to leave," he said through gritted teeth, obviously angry at her slight rebellion.

Despite his menacing appearance, she met him head on, glaring right back.

"And I told you that I'd save you," she said waving her hands to encompass the scene around them, "You're welcome. Now, give me the shard so I can finish this."