Beauty and the Beast

by Amber McEachern

  Regulus Le Hagen pushed back his dark brown hair out from his hazel eyes as he pulled open the door to his father's chambers. He looked around the great room and then closed the doors behind him. He turned on his heels as he brushed off his dark brown cloak from his broad shoulder which had whipped around as he turned swiftly. As he started walking down the spiral staircase, he could hear his leather boots click with each step he took. He raced down the steps and opened the door that led to the kitchen.

  "Sir Le Hagen, can I get something for you?" Sorice Mandrake, the head chef ask him. Regulus shook his head and smiled slightly and then closed the door. He started down the connecting hallway that led to the dining hall where he heard his father's laughter. He burst through the doors and looked at all of the different faces of his friends and family, his father was hosting a feast, but he was not there to socialize, he had to find his father and warn him of the news. He continued to look at the faces and finally he saw his father in the far right, he was sitting with his daughter Jezebel, Regulus' sister, and her soon to be arranged husband, Emmanuel La Croix. He eyed his father and started towards him.

  "Cheers!" Regulus' cousin, Remus Le Hagen spilled his wine as he raised his glass. Everyone cheered along with him, along with his father. His father was much older than his son, but his hazel eyes were always full of life and laughter, but they were covered with wrinkles from his old age. His shoulder length white hair was pulled back into a knot and his short, thick beard was stained with red wine. His crown was crooked and slanted to the side, it was covered with uncut jewels and was stained gold. His burgundy wool tunic was brushed back off of his shoulders and he was leaning back in his chair. His feet were propped up on the table, and his leather boots were crossed.

  "Regulus, son, come join us!" He opened his hands and motioned to his friends. He brought his cup to his lips and drank. "Come eat this marvelous chicken with us and drink this luscious wine!" Regulus shook his head slowly and motioned to the small door to his right that led to the hallway that attached to the kitchen.

  "Father, I am unfortunate to decline your most generous offer, but I must have a word with you," his father looked at him and then at his daughter. He smiled at Emmanuel and the rest of his guests.

  "My fair daughter, my striking soon to be son, and my wonderful guests," he stood up and spread out his hands "I must leave you, I bid you all farewell," he bowed and laughed his bellow laugh.

  "Christian, you must stay and drink with us!" Christian looked at his brother Ivan Le Hagen, he laughed and shook his head. He followed his son to the door, as soon as they entered the hallway, Regulus closed the door quietly behind them both.

  "Now son, what has made you so crazed that made you interrupt our most wonderful feast?" Christian smiled at his son, "You know this feast is to honor Emmanuel and your lovely sisters soon arrangement," he stopped laughing as he saw the sorrowful look on his son's face. "Regulus?"

  "Father, I regret to inform you that Lazarus, son of King Alec, has taken our friendship to great lengths to advise that his father has declared war. He has notified me that since Kristopher and Antoinette committed suicide that the bond that holds our two families together as one has broken." His son laughed shakily, he shook his head in bewilderment.

  "Son, that is preposterous! We and the Vondrak’s are united," his son shook his head and lowered his head.

  "Lazarus was informed by his father that to unite two kingdoms, an heir must be birthed." Two years past, his older sister, Antoinette, and Lazarus' older brother, Kristopher, had been arranged to marry. After having three miscarriages in a year and a half, the two committed suicide.

  "This is absurd!" Christian slammed the wall with his fist. Regulus felt the castle shake with his father's anger. "So to unite the Vondrak’s and the Le Hagen's we must arrange another marriage to birth an heir?"

  "That is regrettably so not the worst," his father snorted and shook his head.

  "God's teeth," he whisper to himself. "What could be worse than this, son?"

  "They want Lazarus to marry," his father began to question his son, but he looked at him with shock. His kind eyes grew cold and wide.

  "No!" He bellowed in anger, "They know that Jezebel is to marry Emmanuel in two days time!"

  "Father? Brother?" Both Christian and Regulus looked and saw that Jezebel had opened the door, "What has angered you so?" Regulus envied his younger sister as she was so innocent and sincere it took no more than a smile to charm anyone who met her. She always got whatever she wanted, but she was far from spoiled. Her name was just as beautiful as she truly was. She had mid-back length onyx hair that was always pulled back into a single braid and her small tiara always sat on top of her small head. Her bright green eyes always seemed to draw everyone in, who ever saw them had a sensation of drowning in pleasure. Her nose was small and slender and her lips were full and always a dark pink, almost a red color. Her skin was a fair white. Today she was wearing a crème colored corset under her gold gown. The neck line was low and revealed the top of her small breasts. The sleeves lowered to reveal her narrow shoulders and clung to her small arms where white lace covered her delicate hands. Her gown clung to her waist and then it loosened and flowed out where it reached her feet, there was a small train that followed behind her.

  "Jezebel, it is none of your concern," her father waved his hand as if trying to shoo her. She shook her head and sighed. She took a step and rested her hand on her fathers shoulder.

  "Father, I just heard you and brother speaking of a marriage between I and Lord Lazarus." Emmanuel shoved past the other guests and shook his head. Emmanuel was not the most appealing of men, however his looks were astonishing, but he was a beast within. He had dark olive skin that contrasted against his dark blue eyes and dark blonde hair.

  "Damn you!" He screamed, Jezebel placed her hand on him.

  "Emmanuel, please" he sneered and shook her hand off.

  "Get off me, woman!" He spat at her. He glared at Christian and Regulus, "I am arranged to marry Jezebel. The wedding will not be in two days time, but tomorrow! I was promised her hand and I will be damned if I do not retrieve my reward!" Regulus pulled out his sword and pointed the tip at Emmanuel.

  "Retrieve your reward?" He mimicked him, "You do not love her! You and your blood thirsty parents are only using her to stay out of poverty! You are a filthy beast and you do not deserve my sister's hand." Christian grabbed his son's hand and slowly brought the sword down.

  "Son, I agree, but we gave them our word and our word is an unbreakable seal," Regulus shook his head.

  "But what of Lord Vondrak? What of the war?" Christian looked at Reyes Geiger, his servant.

  "Fetch me my coat and horse," he look at his children, "I am going to see an old friend. "

  * * *

  "Father, where are you traveling" Jezebel, Regulus, and Emmanuel were at the front gate. They were preparing their father for travel.

  "Are you traveling to the Vondrak’s?" Regulus asked, "May I accompany you?" Christian shook his head.

  "No, I am not going to see Alec Vondrak, I am going to the Vestible Forest." Jezebel gasped and then shook her head.

  "Father, no! Angelus Le Doux is a bad man! He is a sorcerer." Her father caressed his daughter's face and smiled slightly.

  "You remind me of your mother every new day," he climbed onto his horse and started on his journey. "I will be back in five days time," Jezebel watched her father fade in the thick mist of the fog. She fell into the embrace of her brother.

  "Jezebel, don't fret, father will be back soon," they turned back and started towards the castle. She looked back and prayed silently for her father's safety.

  * * *

  "Whoa, Alka," Christian climb
ed off of his horse and tied her to a branch. He laid out the water and apples for her. "I'll be back in two days time, save your food and water." He turned around and started walking into the Vestible Forest. Horses have a sixth sense and can sense danger, so Christian always had to tie Alka at the entrance of the forest or she would have ran, leaving him on his own. It was just morning he should arrive at Angelus' castle soon, just before nightfall. Before going to far, he checked his bag and made sure that he had everything. One could only see Angelus once, and if he had forgotten the gold he would be doomed.

  Christian pushed the branch out of his way and gazed at the immense black iron fence that surrounded the massive castle. The castle was three stories. There were three separate castles, each the size of his own, they were each attached to each other by a covered bridge that acted like a hallway. The bridges were protected by a roof that kept off the rain and snow. The middle castle stood before the other two, it was the entrance. The castle was black as night, ivy grew on the front and sides. The gate was protected by a gargoyle on either side. Christian looked up and winced inwardly, the sky was pitch dark with clouds that hid the setting Sun. Each day the clouds stayed and every day they hid the Sun.

  "Sir Le Doux has been expecting you", Christian jumped as Angelus' servant, Sigmund Volpe, appeared in front of him. Sigmund opened the door and turned around as he started back towards the castle. Christian followed him and held onto his gold. He followed the man into the castle and heard the door close behind him.

  "Sir Le Doux will be with you shortly, please wait for him in the dining hall where he has prepared you a meal for your long travel." Christian nodded at him and started down the hall before him, he had been here before so he knew where to head.

  "Ah my friend," Christian turned around and saw Angelus walk through the door, "I hope you have not been waiting long?" He shook his head and tightened his grip on to his gold. He wanted to get this over with, but if he tried to rush, Angelus would get very angry. "What can I do for you this most lovely evening?" Christian looked at him was shock, usually he would try to talk nonsense for a while until he had to get to business. He shook his head nonetheless.

  "Angelus, I need your help!" He exclaimed, Angelus nodded his head. He started towards him and outstretched his arm. Christian willed himself not to flinch as Angelus placed his open hand on his shoulder.

  "Yes, I have heard that Alec Vondrak wants to declare war unless your most precious daughter, Jezebel marries his son, Lazarus." Christian should have known, he probably knows all of it, but was only playing with him. But he nodded his head anyways.

  "Jezebel has been promised to wed Emmanuel," Angelus nodded his head.

  "So you want me to stop Alec Vondrak?" Christian nodded. He held out the bag of gold.

  "I have gold," but Angelus shook his head.

  "I have this wonderful castle, I have all these valuable possessions. I do not need your gold." Christian shook his head in confusion.

  "Then what is it that you wish for?" Angelus clapped his hands together and smiled wickedly.

  "Your daughter."

  * * *

  Jezebel awoke with the start, she clutched her heart and let out a cry. She had just had the most horrible dream, she looked around her dark room and started out of her large bed. She slipped on her slippers and started for the door that led to the hallway. She stopped at the edge of the stairs that were at the end of the hallway to the left. She could have swore that she heard her father's voice. She smiled and ran down the stairs to her father's study.

  "So did Angelus Le Doux help us?" Jezebel stopped outside the door as she heard her brother talking to her father.

  "He gave me a proposal, but I declined." Jezebel leaned against the wall and sighed. Her father sounded so tired and sad.

  "What? Why?"

  "He didn't want the gold," her father hit something and whatever it was crashed.

  "What did he want? Father?"

  "He wanted your sister." Jezebel heard her brother gasp. She, as quietly as possible, walked backwards back to her room. As soon as she was back in her room, she sat down in her bed and burst into tears.

  * * *

  "He wants Jezebel?" Regulus asked his father. "Does he want to marry her?" His father shook his head and then shrugged his shoulders.

  "He said that he wants her to take care of his castle," Regulus snorted.

  "A servant? He wants Jezebel as a servant?" His father shrugged his shoulders again.

  "I don't know, but I said no anyways. I'm not about to let that monster take my daughter." Regulus snorted and then sighed.

  "But what of the Vondrak's? If Jezebel doesn't marry Lazarus, which Emmanuel has made very clear will not happen, then they will declare war." They both turned around as the door burst open and they saw Opal Dupree, one of Jezebel's maids.

  "Sir Le Hagen, I am sorry to disturb you, but its Miss Jezebel."

  "Is she okay?" Opal shook her head.

  "She has left to see Lord Le Doux." She held out her hand, which held a piece of parchment. Christian grabbed it from her hand. He looked at the fine writing and started to read.

  "Father, I overheard you and brother speaking about Lord Le Doux's proposal. I know that my decision will sadden you and brother deeply, but I must do this to save you all. I am traveling to Lord Le Doux's castle and I am going to accept his offer. I know that I may never see you again, I hope that you all know that I love you deeply. Farewell, Jezebel." He looked up from the letter.

  "She's gone!" Regulus shook his head.

  "Father, she has just left she has not gone far!" Christian nodded his head and looked at Opal.

  "Get my horses ready!" He exclaimed, "We are going to get my daughter before she makes the worst mistake of her life!" Opal nodded her head slightly and then turned around to get his horses. Five minutes later, Christian and Regulus were outside, waiting for Opal.

  "Where are our horses?" Christian saw Opal coming towards them without the horses. She shook her head.

  "She has let the horses loose."

  "The horses are gone?"

  "I'm afraid so, sir."

  "Damn it all to hell!"

  * * *

  Angelus Le Doux looked at his mirror and smiled. He watched Jezebel climb on her horse and start off his way. He waved his hand and the picture disappeared and then his reflection replaced hers. He turned around and put his hat on his head.

  "Sigmund," he smiled his devilish smile, "get the table ready. We have a guest arriving soon."

  * * *

  Jezebel got off her horse, Rateh, and smacked her butt. She watched Rateh start back home. She looked up at the sky and cried out, the Sun was beginning to set. She would have to run to Angelus Le Doux's castle if she wanted to get there before nightfall. If she didn't, she would be arriving there sometime before sunrise. She took off her shoes and put them in her knapsack. She took out her brother's spare boots and put them on. She took a breath and then started to run.

  Jezebel bent over and tried to breathe, she had been running for some time now. She looked around the darkened woods and began to panic. She had forgotten which way was left and which way was right; she had gotten turned around. It was well past nightfall and the moon was covered by the clouds, along with the stars. There was no visible light, she kept running into the trees, getting smacked with branches, and tripping over the loose roots and rocks that covered the ground.

  Finally, off in the distance, she saw a faint light. As she got closer, she saw the castle begin to take shape. She came to the iron fence that lay open. She hesitantly walked past the gate and made her way to the entrance. She gasped aloud as the door swung open.

  "Hello, Miss Le Hagen, Lord Le Doux has been expecting you with great anticipation. Lord Le Doux has set the table for your long travel, please follow me." Jezebel followed Sigmund down the hall. She looked at the walls and saw portraits on the wall. Under the portraits were names: Giovanna Le Doux, Malachi Le Doux, Valentine Le Doux, Arm
ando Le Doux, Vladimir Le Doux, Carmella Le Doux, Lucius Le Doux, and Rosalyn Le Doux.

  "Who are they?" Sigmund looked at the portraits.

  "They are Lord Le Doux's past family. This castle has been in his family for centuries.” She nodded and looked around the rest of the hall. To the left, across from the portraits were sets of armor. They were lined side by side. The floor was covered with a crimson red carpet and the walls were tainted gray.

  "How old is this house really?" Jezebel cringed as she saw a large spider web to her right. She ran into Sigmund and he sighed.

  "Watch where you are going, most of this that you see are family heirlooms and cost a fortune, most cost more than your life and some are priceless. To answer your question, this house is to be over five centuries old." He looked at her and shrugged his shoulders, "But no one really knows." Finally, they were in the dining hall.

  "The Master will tell you this again and only once. I am telling you now, so you will not make a mistake and anger him. You may browse the castle and look around, but do not go into the cellar or into the Master's chamber. If the master catches you in either place, your fate will be worse than death." He looked at her and raised his eyebrows. She nodded, "The master will be down shortly. Stay here and wait for him." She watched him turn around and walk away. Jezebel looked at the table. It was covered with sheep, chicken, eggs, cheese, shellfish, bread, turnips, beans, and pears. They sat on silver and gold dishes. In the middle of the rectangular table sat a bottle of olive oil she looked down at her stomach as it craved food, she had not eaten in almost three day, for she had been too worried about her father and was in a hurry to arrive here, so she was hungry.

  "You are welcome to any of this marvelous food, that is why I had it all made." Jezebel looked up, towards the doorway. She saw Lord Angelus Le Doux smiling at her. Angelus looked like a normal man, but he was cruel at heart. He was tall and well built. He had white hair that was jaggedly cut to his shoulders. His jaggedly cut bangs covered his forehead and partially his left eye. His eyes were a clear crystal blue; they resembled the ocean. He was wearing a dark brown tunic vest over a long sleeve white tunic. He had on deep red wool pants and black leather boots. He was wearing black gloves, a black cape, and a black top hat tilted to the side. His skin was a pale white, Jezebel could see the faint blue of his veins. His smile was horrendous and resembled a mischievous cat. His teeth showed when he smiled, they were stained white, but they were pointed like daggers.