A Kind of Beauty and the Beast Story

by Jessica Chapman

  "I suppose you are right about me, but I merely assumed that you are a more reasonable man than the gossip has said." Lila said in the most reasonable way she could manage.

  The King's eyebrows shot up with surprise, and he looked strangely intrigued for some reason, as did those standing next to him. Everyone waited in anticipation for what would happen next.

  Then the King shook his head and chuckled again.

  "Your boldness really is quite astonishing! I do not even remember giving you permission to speak. On top of that, you did not address me with any respect at all." He said, stroking his chin.

  Lila was in shock for a second. She had tried her best to remedy the situation, but it seems she just made it worse! Well if that was the case Daphne and she were already doomed, so she might as well try to get out of it again.

  "Well to me is sounded as if you were looking for a response, but I do apologize for my hastiness my Lord. Please pardon this country girl for her impudence!" Lila said with a clumsy bow.

  The King stared at her with even more interest for a quiet moment. Lila wondered what he was thinking, or more likely, what he was planning to do to them. His eyes were dark and curious, something that reminded her of a hawk stalking prey.

  "Are you really not afraid of me girl?" He asked, looking quite curiously.

  Lila remained silent, not exactly sure how to respond. Did he want her to be afraid? Or was he merely trying to trick her into speaking without his permission again?

  Suddenly the King smiled, seeing the frustration in her eyes.

  "I will allow you to speak. This time." He said with a laugh.

  Lila took a deep breath and stared back at his probing gaze.

  "Well, I am resolved not to judge anyone merely by what I have heard others say. Therefore, I do not really know enough about you to make an opinion of fear." She replied, hoping such an answer would be logical and pleasing.

  The King cocked his head and examined her with scrutiny.

  "But what if I really am as bad as they say? Then what will you do?" He asked with an amused smile.

  Lila thought about that seriously for a moment.

  "Well, it does not seem like you are to me." She said.

  "What do you mean?" He asked with surprise.

  "Well if you were as bad as everyone says, then you probably would have had me arrested already." She replied, hoping that answer was reasonable and would not prompt said outcome.

  To her surprise, the King suddenly burst out in laughter again. Everyone jumped, and both Lila and Daphne stood frozen where they were. Then he chuckled a little more and came towards her, his four guards watching intently from behind. Lila tensed up but stood her ground, not having anywhere to go anyways.

  "What is your name servant girl?" The King asked with crossed arms and a wicked grin.

  "Lila." She said quietly, wondering just why he was so interested in speaking with her.

  He smiled even more mischievously. "Well, I suppose since you have amused me I will forgive your ignorant disrespect and spare your arrest. For the time being."

  Everyone, especially Lila, looked at him with utter shock. Was he actually having fun and teasing her right now with such a cruel threat?

  Then the King walked passed her and towards the door to leave. The guards exited right behind him, and the father and son tutors followed as well. Both of them looked very relieved that the two of them were alright. The son even glanced her way curiously as he passed, his eyes so blue and thoughtful. But Lila averted her eyes, not able to handle being stared at by such handsome men, even if it was just because of an embarrassing scene.

  After they had gone, Lila just stood there for a few moments, mostly confused by what had just happened. But then Daphne turned to her in anger.

  "What were you thinking Lila!?" She whispered.

  "What do you mean?" Lila asked.

  "You could have gotten us both in big trouble! We could have been killed!" She snapped

  "How was I supposed to know that the King was here in the Library and just so happened to be within hearing range of our conversation?" Lila stated, not sure how this was her fault.

  Daphne's face was almost red with the beginning of tears now. "You should have just apologized and begged for mercy like a sensible person once you found that he was! Why did you test his patience?"

  Lila blushed. She had not thought of that actually.

  "I apologize. I suppose I was not thinking." She said honestly.

  Daphne was not satisfied with such an answer. She cried most of the day and refused to talk to her at all as they worked. She even ate separate from Lila. Then when they retired to their room things got even worse, as everyone was gathered around the lamp talking about how a maid had boldly talked to the King in the library without getting into trouble. Lila was greatly perplexed on how such news could travel so fast, especially when there had not been that many people present! Who had spread such talk? The guards or tutors perhaps?

  One of the maids scoffed. "I bet you she will be arrested before the night is up."

  Tam just shook her head. "Well that will serve her right! Just who does she think she is?"

  "Poor thing..." Yet another girl said.

  Lila feared that Daphne would expose her to the group out of anger. But she didn't say anything to anyone, and even got into bed early that night. Lila followed her lead, hoping she would wake up tomorrow and find out that her afternoon had just been a bad dream of some sort.

  ******

  That night Westan could hardly wait to hear what Mr. Jameson and Bartholomew thought about the events in the library that afternoon. As they were leaving the library after his studies that afternoon, he had overheard some servants speaking about him. Westan only intended to scare the girls a little, just for a quick laugh. But how much more interesting the conversation turned out to be! He started discussing it as soon as supper was over.

  "What are your thoughts on that servant girl today? Was she not interesting?" He asked curiously.

  Mr. Jameson cleared his throat and replied first.

  "Well, I was glad you were not displeased with her. She seems to be a good girl, but she gave me quite a fright." He said with a nervous laugh.

  Westan frowned. It was not like he would actually have thrown the girls into prison for no good reason! He had merely been teasing them a bit, just for a little fun.

  Bartholomew spoke up next.

  "I think she was rather incredible! She spoke so boldly, although I think she did do so with respect and dignity. A fine example of outspokenness if I ever saw one." He said with a slight grin.

  Westan's agitation quickly melted. Bartholomew always seemed to see the good in everyone, a trait he was coming to feel quite fond of.

  Just then Westan remembered the girl's humorous face, and he chuckled again. Honestly, would it kill her to try taming that hair? It looked like a brush had never touched it before! She looked so wild, and her personality seemed to fit.

  "I must say that I have never seen hair so red or so many freckles on a person before. What an appearance she has!" Westan said with another laugh.

  Bartholomew also chuckled.

  "Well, I do not think her looks are unbecoming. Rather, I think such features give Miss Lila a certain charm." He replied.

  Westan nodded. "Indeed. How glad I am that the rain prevented us from using the garden today, else we would have missed the opportunity to meet such an amusing girl!"

  Indeed, amusing certainly was the right word for her. When Westan had surprised the maids earlier, he really thought they might gravel and beg for mercy like most people did. But instead the servant girl stood her ground and even tried to reason with him! Normally he might have been offended by such actions, but her calm and almost brave manner truly intrigued him far more than. The way her eyebrows betrayed her feelings so easily, and how hard she clearly had to struggle to keep her words under control truly was too entertaining to pass up. Such a feisty temper only
made Westan picture her as some kind of wild and proud horse. She just had her own thoughts about everything! He was not sure whether he had ever met anyone quite like her before.

  By the end of the night Westan was feeling quite jolly. He had not had so much fun in a long while! Ever since his new tutors had come everything had been getting more fun. He definitely hoped to see the servant girl and have some fun again. Perhaps he could even find a way to scare her.

  ******

  Lila was relieved to say the least, when the next morning actually came as it did every day. She lay awake all last night wondering if guards really were going to barge in and arrest her. But thankfully nothing happened, and she felt even more relied when Daphne finally spoke to her again.

  The two of them were dusting alone once again in the library, having let the group move ahead so they could talk. Lila even made sure to check all around the nearby bookshelves to ensure no one was eavesdropping, but she still felt the need to glance back over her shoulder a dozen times.

  "I am sorry for being angry, but I was just so terrified yesterday! All I could think of was getting thrown into prison and leaving my brothers and sisters to fend for themselves!" Daphne whispered extra quietly.

  "I am sorry too. I should not have been so bold and arrogant; I should have behaved better." Lila replied as quietly as she could.

  Daphne smiled. "I know Lila; I believe you are sorry. I also forgive you. Just please, think next time you are in such a delicate situation!"

  Lila nodded. "Indeed I shall have to. I barely got any sleep last night, wondering if what I had said to the King had indeed been foolish."

  Her friend gulped. "Me too. I feared greatly for our safety."

  Lila just nodded again, and then the two of them hugged and were friends once more. The day progressed slowly after that, with the two of them going back to talking like normal as they cleaned. At about noon their group went to east end of the castle to sweep the large garden hallway. All the maids were chatting and enjoying the sunshine after the previous day's rainy weather.

  "Ahhh! I sure do love summer, such lovely weather!" One of the girls said with a sigh.

  "Indeed. Although, I think the best view today is of the stable boys." Another woman giggled as she pointed outside.

  Everyone laughed as they went over to the window to gaze outside. Lila just rolled her eyes. She did not care to ogle unsuspecting men. Although, she would have liked to go and see how the flowers in the garden were blooming. This time of year was perfect to watch the plants. They were so lively and vibrant, so full of wonder and life. As soon as fall came they would wither away and die, retreating until the next rainy spring.

  Lila sighed. She was missing her life on the farm right now. Every morning during the summer she would run down to the stream and take a short swim. Then she would go back home and water the plants, picking anything that was ripe along the way. Afterwards she would cook supper and jar fruits and vegetables to keep for the winter. When the day was done and the sun began to set, she would race back down to the stream for another dip in the nice cool water. Lila missed such fun activities back home, especially being able to go for a swim on a hot day like this. Honestly, these maid uniforms were positively suffocating and the halls held no breeze!

  Just then, Lila heard a few shouts coming from the end of the hallway where the garden was. Both Daphne and she looked around with worry. All the maids suddenly dropped what they were doing and rushed over to the wall and stood there nervously, so the two of them followed. Neither of them was really sure of what was going on, but there was no time to ask questions it seemed. Everyone fell silent, and the rustling leaves of trees outside could be heard throughout the echoing hall. It was then that Lila heard many footsteps coming. She carefully risked a peek, wondering what all the commotion could be for. To her surprise she saw the King and his small entourage walking their way.

  Lila's jaw dropped. Was this really happening right now?

  As the group came closer everyone bowed, and Lila bent a little lower, trying to hide her face from the King in case she should catch his attention. Not that she thought he would actually speak to her a second time. But still, there was no harm in being extra careful.

  Everyone stayed in their positions quietly, waiting for them to pass. Lila could hear that the footsteps were almost upon them. There were seven pairs of steps, which probably meant the same four guards and two tutors were in the group. She really hoped none of them noticed her either!

  Lila held her breath as the first pair of feet, which belonged to the King, advance towards her. Everyone near her was completely silent, and Daphne was nearly shaking again. Lila took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.

  Everything was going to be okay, they were just going to pass by! There was no way they would even remember a nobody like her!

  Lila looked up just slightly to watch as they came closer. The King's steps suddenly slowed down when he was just a few feet away from her, then he came to a halt. She felt her breath catch as his entourage also stopped almost right in front of her. Then Lila watched with astonishment as the King's very expensive pair of leather boots came within her vision.

  "Well, well, miss servant girl. Fancy seeing you again." She heard the young King say with a chuckle.

  Lila held back a groan and did not even dare glance at any of the many surprised faces that were forming on the faces of all those nearby. She just bowed a bit lower in acknowledgment of his greeting.

  "You may rise." The King said, sounding amused already.

  Lila wished to remain facing the floor as she was, but she reluctantly obeyed and raised her head. She even faked a polite smile, really hoping this would all end well just as the day before.

  It was quiet for a moment as the King just stared at her with intrigue. This time Lila noticed the tutor's son behind him, that he was staring intently at her as well. She averted her gaze from both pairs of probing eyes.

  "What, nothing feisty to say today? I just assumed you had some opinion to share with me." The King suddenly said with a smile.

  Lila felt her heart flutter nervously. She had to be more careful with her words this time! She did not want to test him a second time and risk punishment. Besides, all the maids' eyes were on her at that moment.

  "What would my Lord like to hear?" She asked politely.

  The King tilted his head and examined. Then after a few seconds he frowned, obviously not pleased.

  "What a shame, you are just as I thought after all." He said with a disappointed sigh.

  Lila frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

  Daphne squeezed her arm again, and Lila put her hand over her mouth with a gasp. But it was too late, the words had already been spoken.

  The King suddenly formed a genuinely entertained smile.

  "Oh, I was just starting to think that maybe you really were a coward after all, despite your brave talk before." He said with a chuckle.

  Lila was again surprised by another unfair comment of his.

  "Surely I must speak or be silent, yet you have not been happy with either!" She replied defensively, unsure of his reasoning.

  The King burst out in surprised laughter, both of the tutor's eyes bulged, everyone else gasped, and Daphne pinched her arm in anger.

  Lila sighed quietly. She had no control over her mouth sometimes.

  "I-I meant no disrespect your Majesty, I am just confused." She added quickly.

  The King smiled. "Well I see you can indeed be feisty with a bit of coaxing."

  Lila's eyebrows shot up with surprise. She suddenly wondered if he was saying all these things just to see how she would react.

  The King examined her and then laughed. "If you have something you wish to say, please express it to the rest of us."

  Lila blushed. She forgot that her face practically expressed its own words. She had to be careful to control her expressions around him too!

  "I-I am just honored your Highness remembered a servant
girl like me." She lied.

  He chuckled. "Well, it was easy to recognize you by your wild red hair. I saw you from down the hall."

  Lila frowned. How embarrassing to be remembered by the King because of her ridiculous hair. And how rude for him to say such a thing to a girl!

  The King smiled in amusement and looked at her curiously. "What is it now?"

  She shook her head and looked away. "Well, to be told I am remembered by the King only because of wild hair is quite embarrassing."

  He raised an eyebrow. "I see. Very well, then shall I remember you by your freckles instead?"

  Lila frowned even more. Why was he saying such unkind things and being so irritating?

  "You are being very rude!" She snapped, feeling extremely flustered.

  The King started laughing quite hard for a moment. He was really enjoying himself it seems. But Lila was ready to just kick herself! Why could she not seem to keep her mouth shut at all around this man? It was like he was trying to frustrate her! Even the tutor's son was grinning and seemed amused by her spectacle now.

  "I suppose you may be right, but I cannot seem to help myself. You are just too interesting!" The King said with another chuckle.

  Lila flushed deep red again. Was she really so unusual that the King has taken such notice of her like this? Why could he not simply forget her face and leave her alone already?

  "Well, well, your Majesty is having fun I see." A new voice suddenly said.

  The King's face lit up with surprise and he suddenly spun around to where the voice had come from.

  "Zacchaeus, I did not see you there." He said, sounding caught off guard and a little embarrassed.

  A man, one tall and weasel like, walked over to him from the opposite hallway accompanied by two guards. His eyes were cold and wary, and his expression was smug. Lila knew right away she did not like whoever he was.

  He bowed before the King. "I am only coming to check on your tutors. I hope they are doing a fine job."

  The King nodded. "Yes, I am very pleased with their work."