Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

The Task at Hand

3rd person.

A servant walked through the castle. Their steps echoed against the walls, loud stomps pressed against the carpeted floor. No one could see the fury on the servant's face, but you could feel the tense air surrounding the invisible being.

Their hands clenched at their sides yet no one noticed. None of the other servants noticed. How could they? They couldn't even see each other in the light of day. The servant gritted their teeth. Their eyes stared out the window, glaring at the lovely rose outside in the garden.

Soon.

They promised and smiled wickedly.

Very, very soon.

       ~~~
Lucinda's point of view

I bite my lip, my eyes glancing up at the beast across the long table. A prince. Under all that fur is a prince.

I silently scoff and slightly shake my head to myself. I still don't believe it.

I glance to my side, and sigh. Isabelle's seat was empty, although, I could only blame myself for that. Even if he is a prince, even if he was human once, I don't trust him.

I don't think I'll ever trust him.

I look up at the beast. He's eating, I notice. I then look down at his plate. My eyes widening slightly. He's eating the goose raw. I gulp as I watch the red juice drip down his claws.

I remember those claws, those teeth, that fur... all colored in deep red, I only wish it was sauce on him then.

A shiver went up my spine at the thought of that gruesome night.

I don't understand why he interests me so. I tilt my head as I watch him. It's almost like he is a puzzle I need to put together. Or some kind of riddle I have to solve.

I tense.

His blue eyes, those strange blue eyes-the same exact ones I saw in that picture- were staring back at me. Glaring.

Oh good, what did I do now?

"Why are you staring at me, little village girl?" The beast snapped.

I clenched my teeth, my grip tightens on the fork.

If he was a prince, he must have been spoiled and never taught manners!

"Such an ironic thing to say, Beast, since I was considered anything but 'little' in my village," I said and shove my fork into my next bite.

I smirk as I notice him gulp and his eyes widen. "Explain yourself." He orders and returns back to his meal.

I sigh. "Where I come from, I am the tallest woman in my village, many of the men are below me. I also am one of the best hunters in my village." I said and take a bite of the goose.

I hum at the taste of honey. Never have I had such amazing food since we came to the castle. I open my eyes at a small groan. The table now has small claw marks, the said claws still deep in the wood. I gulp.

Stop that! I scold myself. He's may have fur and claws, but he's not completely a monster. After all, he did let Isabelle use his study... Did she ever thank him for that?

Probably not, considering she sees him as nothing more than a beast... but still..

I wipe my lips with the napkin, placing it back down over my lap. I clear my throat. "I wanted to thank you," blue eyes connect with mine. "For letting Isabelle use your study. She found many books in there, she particularly liked the records of this place. It was considerate of-"