Beauty and the Beast

by Amber McEachern

  "I am not staying here until I have your word that the war against my family will cease and that they will be safe." He nodded his head and bowed slightly. He laughed, his laugh was more of a giggle and made him sound maniacal.

  "You are a clever girl," he nodded again. "I give you my word," he snapped his fingers and giggled again. "The problem has been solved!" Jezebel stared at him with shock.

  "What? Just that quick? If it took no time from you, then why am I to be here with you?" He shook his head and giggled again.

  "You said that you would not stay unless I gave you my word and solve your predicament. I have, now you must keep your word." Jezebel shook her head and cried out.

  "You tricked us!" He shrugged his shoulders.

  "You know what they say about making a deal with the devil," and with that, he turned and left. "Eat what you must and then you will be taken up to the tower. Don't eat, then you will starve and your word will be broken." He stopped outside the door way and turned to Sigmund. "Make sure that she gets up to the tower." Sigmund nodded his head. He watched the master walk away into the shadows.

  * * *

  "This is going to be your home from now on," Jezebel stared past Sigmund and looked into the small room.

  "This is not a room at all!" She exclaimed in shock. In the corner was a loose stack of hey and across from that was a bucket of water. "I cannot stay here!" He shrugged his shoulders.

  "You may be able to stay somewhere else, but for tonight, you will sleep here!" He simply stated. After he shoved her into the brick room, he closed and locked the door and then walked away from her, leaving her to be alone.

  "Oh father, what have I done?"

  * * *

  "Father!" Regulus burst into his fathers' chambers, "I have news!" His father looked up at him from his bed.

  "Son, whatever it is, please wait until tomorrow to speak. I am to drift off to sleep soon." Regulus shook his head.

  "Father, it is Alec Vondrak! He is dead!" Christian sat up and looked at him with shock and slight fear.

  "Dead?" His son nodded his head.

  "He died in his chambers. Their doctor says that it was of natural causes." Christian shook his head. He knew that Lord Le Doux had something to do with this. "And I have more news!" His father looked at him. What more could there be? "Lazarus is now the rightful heir and he is taking aback the declaration of war! Father, we are saved!" The King shook his head slightly.

  "Yes, you could say so, but your sister is still absent."

  * * *

  "What is this I hear about Jezebel taking prisoner by Lord Le Doux?" Emmanuel ran into the dining hall where Christian and Regulus were eating their breakfast. "How could you do this to me?" Regulus shook his head, he could not take this anymore. He stood up from the seat beside his father and drew out his sword.

  "I am tired of your idiocy you ass-hat!" Emmanuel gasped and tightened his jaw as he glared at the man.

  "How dare you speak to me in such manner!" Regulus shook his head.

  "Jezebel has sacrificed her freedom for our lives, she is now living with a monster and all you can talk about is how she wronged you? You do not care about anyone other than yourself! You are a selfish damn prick!" Emmanuel shook his head and grunted.

  "Know what? You will regret your last words! I will go rescue Jezebel from Le Doux and then I will marry her!" He turned around and left the dining hall, where he then left the castle. He climbed onto his horse, Shakra, and started for the Vestible Forest.

  * * *

  "Wake up, deer," Jezebel rolled over and squinted her eyes shut. She finally opened her eyes and looked at the stout woman. "My name is Sonja Rosenberg. The master had ordered me to take care of you." Jezebel looked around and saw, regrettably, that it had not been a dream. She was laying in the small stack of hay, her outfit was covered with it along with her hair. She looked back at Sonja and glared at her.

  "If he wanted me here so bad, he should be taking care of me himself, not forcing you to do it!" Sonja shook her head and frowned.

  "Madam, please watch your tongue. Please come down and join the master for breakfast." She gave her a faded dress, “Please wear this dress for breakfast." She started to leave and stopped outside the door. “This is Sheeba Morelli, she will help you get dressed," as she started to leave, the other woman came into the room. Sonja stopped Sheeba, "Make sure that she looks presenting and bring her down for breakfast." Sheeba nodded her head and started towards Jezebel.

  "I'm not attending breakfast with that brute!" Sheeba was washing her in the wooden tub, they were in the bathing room. She was washing her hair and combing out her tangles and the hay.

  "I do not have any solutions, but Lord Le Doux was persistent to have you for breakfast," her accent was strong and her look was emotionless. "But I do know that what Lord Le Doux wants, he gets." She pulled Jezebel up and started to dry her off with the towel. She handed her the dress and still held the emotionless look. "Hurry up and get dressed." Jezebel looked at the dress, it was a deep red velvet. The neckline was low, but not as low as her others. The back of the dress was low, it would reveal half her back. Sheeba handed her a white corset.

  "Put this on," Jezebel stared at the corset and sighed. She knew that she would not be able to get out of this, so she put on the corset and turned around.

  "You don't have to pull so tight,” Jezebel gasped. She pressed her hand to her chest. Sheeba shook her head.

  "Must make you presentable."

  "There is quite a difference of looking presentable and resembling a twig!" She gasped, she felt the strings of her corset being tied. She turned around to face Sheeba.

  "Now put on your dress," Jezebel stared at her and stepped into her dress and then pulled it up and put it on. After Sheeba helped her with her dress, she helped her with her shoes. They were pointed toe, dark red. They had straps that laced up her ankles. "Now your hair and makeup." Jezebel cried out numerous times, not only was Sheeba emotionless, but she was also rough. She pulled out chunks of her hair.

  "I prefer my hair in a single braid," Sheeba was parting her hair and was frowning. "Your hair is too long," Jezebel grabbed her hair and turned around. Her eyes were full of fear and she started to shake her head.

  "I admire my hair this long, my mother loved my hair!" She started to braid her hair. Sheeba threw up her hands and stood up.

  "Well, I guess we'll see how Lord Le Doux wishes your hair to be." After she finished up her makeup, she had her follow her to the dining hall where Angelus was waiting.

  "Ah, Miss Le Hagen, I am glad that you could join me for this most wonderful meal." Jezebel couldn't help, but smile a little, she grabbed her hair and started twirling the ends. Before she knew what was happening her hair was grabbed by Sheeba. Sheeba forced her head onto the table and pulled her braided hair out stretched. She held a dagger in her hand and brought it down. Jezebel screamed, she didn't mean to, but she screamed for Angelus' help. Seconds before the knife pierced her hair, Jezebel watched Angelus flick his finger. She turned as she heard Sheeba scream. Sheeba was thrown backwards by an invisible force and hit the wall. Jezebel winced as she heard the breaking of bones, Angelus look at Sigmund. Sigmund only nodded at the untold command and walked over to Sheeba's lifeless body. He picked her up and started away. Jezebel look at her hair and then at Angelus.

  "She is not dead, so do not fret my dear," she nodded slightly. He smiled and giggled, “Anyways I was not going to sit motionless and let her ruin your beautiful hair!" She stared at him and then finally nodded.

  "Thank you," he nodded in return and pointed to the food that sat in front of her.

  "Eat."

  * * *

  Emmanuel La Croix burst through the doors to the tavern. He looked through the crowd and finally found him. He walked over to the table to the far left and sat down. He pulled out the sack of gold and jewels and set it in front of Faustino Du Pompadour.

  "I need an army of your greatest and fiercest warriors," F
austino nodded and then touched his thick, dark beard. He opened the bag and looked at the riches.

  "For what?" Emmanuel looked away and frowned.

  "I need to rescue my wife," Faustino shook his head and pushed the gold away.

  "I've heard how Lord Le Doux bargained to save Christian Le Hagen in exchange to have his daughter, Jezebel. Lord Le Doux is a ruthless killer. If I sent my troops there, I would be sending them to their deaths." Emmanuel nodded and reached into his bag. He pulled out a second sack of golden and jewels and set it next to the first. He leaned forward and smiled a horrid smile that resembled the Devils.

  "Pick your strongest, yet least important men and tell them nothing." Faustino looked at him and then at the gold. He grabbed the gold and pulled it towards him. He looked at Emmanuel again as he frowned.

  "I hope that this Jezebel's worth it," Emmanuel nodded slightly and then got up. He stared at Faustino.

  "Get an army ready in two days time and have them meet me at the entrance of the Vestible Forest.” Faustino shook his head.

  "If you want me to get a decent army, then you will need to give me at least three days or maybe even four days time.” Emmanuel looked at him and glared at him.

  "If I give you four days, then this army better rescue Jezebel and kill Lord Le Doux." He started walking away, but stopped, "and if it does not." He left the tavern leaving Faustino to imagine his fate if he shall fail.

  * * *

  Angelus Le Doux watched Jezebel as she was cleaned the table. Sonja was deathly sick and Jezebel was helping her out. Angelus was standing in the shadows. It had been ten days since she had been staying with him.

  Jezebel stopped and smiled. She started cleaning again and then brushed her hair out of her face.

  "Am I amusing you?" She heard Angelus gasp and then giggle as he walked out of the shadows.

  "How did you know?" She turned to him and smiled. His hair was speckled with water and his eyes sparkled. She shrugged her shoulders.

  "I've been here for a while now, I think I can tell when you're near." He shook his head and giggled again. He pointed to the study. "Would you care to join me?" She looked at the table and then at the rag in her hand. She set the rag down and then shrugged her shoulders.

  "Sure," she followed him to the study. The study was in the second castle. It was connected to the library. Once they got to the study, Angelus sat in his chair and pulled out a cigar. He smirked at her and held out a second cigar. "Would you care for one?" She stared at the cigar and thought for a moment. She started to shake her head and then reached out for it.

  "Sure," he smiled after he lit the cigar, she put the cigar to her lips and looked at him. She watched him inhale and exhale. She copied him and started to inhale. She started to cough and looked up at him. She could see that he was fighting back his laughter. His hand was pressed up against his mouth and she could see him snickering. She let out a slight laugh and then she broke out into laughter. He let out his giggles and then he began to laugh along with her.

  "Can I ask you a question?" He asked her after their laughter died down, she nodded. "Why did you do this?"

  "Do what?" He looked around the room and spread out his hands. "Come live with me," she nodded her head. "Did you do it for that abominable Emmanuel?" She sighed and then started to respond, but she couldn't find the right words, so she started over.

  "Emmanuel is not like other men. He has a hard exterior and a hard interior. He did not want to marry me for love, but for riches and power. He will never find love; not with me or anyone else because he does not seek it." He looked at her and cocked his head. "But you do?” She nodded her head and shrugged her shoulders.

  "Yes. I do not care if I am in love and flooded with riches and power or if I live in poverty on a farm. Love is a powerful thing. It is the light in night and the life in death." He looked at her and smiled slightly. "What about you?" He looked at her again.

  "About what?" She laughed.

  "About love," she bowed her head and then looked up at him over her eyelashes. She watched him swallow and then shrug his shoulders.

  "I don't know," he started. "I guess love is only for certain people." She shook her head and gasped.

  "Love is for everyone, even you," he looked at her and then looked away. He opened his mouth to speak and then looked past her, Sigmund stood at the entrance of the doorway.

  "Sir, on my way to town, I overheard dreading news," Angelus nodded for him to continue. "Emmanuel is coming here in one days time with an army." Angelus chuckled under his breath and looked at Jezebel. He waved his hand at Sigmund and heard him leave them.

  "Do you wish to leave here and to be rescued by Emmanuel?" He lost his smile and stared at her. Finally she shook her head.

  "If I leave with him, he will marry me," she quickly looked away from him. "I do not love him," she felt her face flush over.

  "You speak as if you love someone else," she looked up at him and nodded her head.

  "I do," she paused and gulped, "but I also fear him." He nodded and sighed.

  "I suspect that your love is fading?" She looked at him and her lips twitched. She finally shook her head.

  "On the contrary my love grows because I have found that his cruel nature is only an illusion. He is that one book who's cover should not be judged." He looked at her and smiled, but as soon as it appeared, it disappeared.

  "He sounds like a monster," she shook her head and frowned.

  "That is only what he wants all to see. He is known by many as a monster and after so long, he has begun to believe it himself."

  "What if he wishes you not to love him?"

  "No one can make someone feel a certain way. I cannot even make myself feel another way."

  "So you wish you did not feel this way?" She smiled at him and then laughed slightly.

  "No, I don't feel that way. I love him," she opened her eyes wide and put her hands up to her mouth. Angelus looked at her and shook his head.

  "You love him?" She hesitated and then nodded her head silently. "Why?" She looked at him.

  "Why do I love him? Because I know who he really is and I like it."

  "What if that is the illusion?" She shrugged her shoulders.

  "Well I guess I'll have to just wait and see." She bit her lip and looked down. She jumped and both she and Angelus looked at the doorway.

  "Sir, madam, dinner is served." Angelus nodded and smiled at Jezebel.

  "You go and start, I'll join you in a moment," she smiled at him and then nodded.

  * * *

  Emmanuel opened the door to King Christian Le Hagen's study. Christian was sitting down, talking to his son, Regulus. Regulus shot up and drew out his sword. He turned around and glared at Emmanuel. Christian shook his head.

  "Emmanuel, it is a pleasure to see you, but in the future times, please knock before barging in." Emmanuel nodded slightly and then smiled.

  "My apologies your Majesty," he looked at Regulus and Christian. "In three days time I will have Jezebel's hand in marriage." Regulus shook his head.

  "You are not worthy of my sister!" Christian set his hand on his sons shoulder.

  "Son, be still." He looked at Emmanuel, "I must ask, with no disrespect, but how are you managing to marry my daughter when she is a prisoner?"

  "I have a plan," Regulus shot forward.

  "What are you planning?" Christian held his son back and looked at Emmanuel.

  "What is your plan, if I may ask."

  "I have asked Faustino Du Pompadour to build an army of many strong man. The army and I will go into the Vestible Forest to attack Angelus Le Doux. I will kill him myself and rescue Jezebel!” Regulus shook his head.

  "No!" He screamed. "If you do that, you will be killing her yourself!" Christian shook his head and started forward.

  "Emmanuel, please think of what you are about to do. Think of the outcome!" Emmanuel nodded.

  "I have and I see myself marrying your daughter. The army and I are attacking
in one day's time." Regulus screamed and started for Emmanuel, his sword was pulled out stretched and pointed at him. Emmanuel turned around and threw his dagger at Regulus. The dagger hit him in his chest and went in deep. Emmanuel turned quickly and left.

  "Son!" Christian knelt down by his son and held his head in his lap.

  "Father," Regulus coughed up blood, the dark crimson liquid oozed and sprayed out. "Please don't let him marry her." His eyes grew heavy and closed and then his head hung limp. Christian looked at his son and then laid him down on the ground as he called in Reyes Geiser, one of his men.

  "Sir!" He screamed as he saw Regulus on the ground.

  "Reyes, I want you to get my son ready for burial and I also want you to ready me for battle." Reyes nodded and then left. "Emmanuel, you die by my hand. I swear it on my life!"

  * * *

  Jezebel put down her fork and smiled across from Angelus. He looked at her and nodded towards her plate.

  "So was the food enjoyable?" She nodded happily.

  "Yes, it was heavenly," he nodded and chuckled.

  "Wonderful," he looked over at Sigmund as he walked over to him quietly. He leaned over and whispered in his ear. Angelus looked at him and waved him away, then he looked at Jezebel.

  "My dear," he started hesitantly, "I have some dreadful news."

  "Emmanuel is dead?" She gasped and brought her hand to her mouth. "Oh my, did I just say that?" She started giggling. She stopped as she saw Angelus' still face, "What's wrong?"