A Kind of Beauty and the Beast Story

by Jessica Chapman

  "This is all so terrible! What an awful thing to hear..." Lila said, not even having to fake the emotion in her voice.

  "Well they have been caught, so justice will be done. Now be gone ladies; there is nothing for you here." The guard said a little gentler, apparently softened by her sincere distress.

  Daphne and her left right away and found a secluded spot to talk. Lila had to hold back her tears of disappointment as they whispered.

  "Then it is true! They really were arrested for treason!" Daphne said with shock.

  Lila shook her head, still unconvinced. These facts just didn't add up! Her gut was telling her something just wasn't right here. Perhaps they had indeed been faking their kindness all along, easily fooling a simple county girl like her. But what would they have gained from tricking her in that way? It was not as if she had any influence or title, or anything at all to which they could exploit. She could only conclude that Bartholomew's gestures and words had indeed been sincere, so this must all be some kind of misunderstanding!

  Still, Lila really could not be sure of her thoughts completely. She at least wanted to talk to the two of them and hear what they had to say, face to face. Only then would she be able to make her mind up on the matter! But they were probably in the dungeon as prisoners by now, and she was not sure gaining access to see them would even be possible.

  "Do you think we could speak with them somehow?" Lila asked aloud.

  Daphne looked at her with astonishment, eyes wide with fear.

  "But they are in the dungeon Lila!" She said with worry.

  "I know but I have to do this Daphne! I just cannot believe that the two of them have done these things. What if this has all been some kind of mistake?" She said.

  Daphne nodded gravely. "I agree; it is all so upsetting. But how will we even be able to see them? I do not think anyone can see a prisoner unless a guard accompanies them, and I doubt any of the King's men will be keen on taking us to see them without good cause."

  Lila sighed. That was true. But still, there had to be a way to see them. There just had to be!

  "Let us go and see what we can do." She said.

  Daphne nodded in agreement. Then the two of them made their way back downstairs and towards the dungeon.

  ******

  Westan sat in the corner of his room, scowling terribly. So it was official now! Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson really were nothing more than treacherous liars! Late last night Zacchaeus’s men had uncovered that they were both actually spies sent from the King of Chivele, and that they were actually plotting to kill him!

  At first Westan had hoped it to all be a misunderstanding. But after inspecting their rooms a poisonous dagger and assassination note had been found. It seemed Zacchaeus had been right about his instincts towards them after all, as he often was.

  His council man had then Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson brought before Westan as the charges were made before witnesses. Both men tried to deny the whole thing of course, but he had no real reason to believe anything they said with all the evidence being right there in front of him. So rightfully he had them both bound and taken to the dungeon where all the rest of the wretched criminals belonged.

  Zacchaeus came back to his chambers afterwards in an effort to console him, but it was no use. Westan felt like nothing more than a complete and utter fool. He had known better than to let his guard down, yet he had ignored such thoughts when it came to them and in doing so he had risked his very life!

  "Zacchaeus, I am sick and tired of being betrayed by these worthless peasants! How many more traitors must I endure?" Westan said with frustration, pacing back and forth.

  The man looked at him seriously. "Your Highness, this is a necessary hardship as King."

  "But I never had a choice in being King! I absolutely despise my life. Why can I not live without these cares?" Westan snapped.

  "Sire, how will you fulfill your duties living that way?" Zacchaeus asked.

  Westan scoffed. "Why do I need to handle such things? You do them well enough now without me!"

  The man nodded. "That is true, but I am not the King. I still need your permission for many matters. Unless you were to full relinquish such duties to me I am afraid that you must remain ever part of these dealings, and hardships."

  "Can I not simply put you in charge of everything then? Who would even care if I did anyways?" Westan shouted angrily.

  Then he turned away from Zacchaeus and kept pacing around the room in an effort to try and think clearly. Westan just could not handle anymore deceit or betrayal! It was far too painful and frustrating! Especially from good seeming men such as Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson.

  "My Lord, I would be quite happy to relieve you of this troublesome burden. But you would have to make my authority from you official. We could put it into writing perhaps." The man said.

  Westan felt his breath catch. He had said that out of mere anger a moment ago, but was Zacchaeus seriously offering him the option to give up all these duties for good? To go through his day however he pleased, with no more studies or responsibilities to worry about? He had not known that was possible!

  "W-Would that really be alright?" Westan asked.

  Zacchaeus came over and put a hand on his shoulder, a wide grin on his face.

  "Your majesty you know I am always happy to serve you. So if you cannot handle these duties then I should be the one to care for them." He said.

  Westan looked away with shame. Indeed, he was incapable of doing anything right it seemed.

  "You are probably right. But, will it really be allowed?" Westan asked.

  The man nodded. "Yes of course, with the proper documents that is. Once it is made official then there will be nothing that can dispute it."

  Westan nodded slowly, feeling a strange mixture of relief and sadness. His complaints and struggles seemed so strangely pointless now. He supposed that he just had to accept that no one would ever truly care about him, aside from Zacchaeus that is. But perhaps that was the way it was meant to be. After all, such burdens always came with being the King.

  ******

  "Are you crazy? I could lose my job or even my head for this!" The guard snapped.

  Lila scowled and crossed her arms angrily.

  Currently, Daphne and she were at the dungeon's entrance trying to bribe the watch guard to walk them down to where Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson were being kept. But it was proving more difficult than she had thought.

  "Is there nothing we can do to persuade you? Please, it is very important that I see these men!" Lila said, becoming quite flustered.

  The man glared at her with aggravation. "What business could you have with the traitor's anyways?"

  "I told you; I heard about their actions and I wish to confront them personally!" She snapped.

  The guard crossed his arms angrily, not looking too convinced of her excuse. Lila knew using such reasoning was dangerous, but it was the best she could come up with. After all, if she told this man the truth he might arrest her on grounds of conspiring with the traitors.

  But suddenly the guard looked to Daphne who was standing beside her, and she saw something in his expression change.

  "Well, perhaps there is something that could persuade me." He said with a grin.

  Lila eyes narrowed.

  "Like what?" She asked stupidly, already aware of his intentions.

  The man shrugged. "How's about your lady friend there share a meal with me in exchange?"

  Lila frowned. How dare he try to bribe her with such an idea! She would never agree to let her friend go along with such a questionable arrangement! The two of them would just have to find another way around this man.

  "If you would take her down to the dungeon, then I would indeed be more than happy to join such a noble guard for an evening meal." Daphne said in an ever so sweet way.

  The man smiled with excitement and Lila dropped her jaw in shock.

  "Very well then miss, I suppose I could make an exception for you. Ju
st this once." He said, quickly grabbing some keys from his pocket.

  Lila turned and stared at her friend with horror. She couldn't even believe Daphne of all people would agree to such a thing! Was this really the same shy and timid girl she knew?

  Daphne smiled at her nervously and ushered her on. They both knew this really was the only way for them to gain entrance.

  Lila nodded at her encouragement and turned towards the guard again.

  "Very well, I am ready when you are." She said.

  "Alright, just be quiet and follow me closely. If we are quick, we will not be noticed." He said.

  Daphne put on a fake smile. "Thank you kind sir. We are very grateful for your help."

  He smiled back bashfully. Then he grabbed a torch as he opened the metal door and started leading the way down the stairs with enthusiasm. Lila followed closely, descending into the dark tunnel while Daphne stayed put upstairs. Once the two of them reached the dungeon below she was indeed grateful that her friend had not come, for it was positively the most terrible place she had ever seen in her entire life. The whole place was dimly lit, rat infested, and reeked of the most horrible stench there ever was. It was so grim, with hungry prisoners filling each and every thick bared cell. Lila never could have imagined such a loathsome place on her own even if she tried and found herself shivering from the thought of being imprisoned here. Truly she understood Daphne's fears now.

  Eventually the guard came to a certain cell and stopped. Then he gestured towards it.

  "They are in there. You have two minutes." He said very seriously.

  Lila nodded and went over to the cell doors as he stayed behind to keep watch. She looked through the thick bars hesitantly, nervous about what she might see. Crouched in the room's corner were two men with heads hung in despair.

  "Bartholomew, Mr. Jameson?" She called to them anxiously.

  Both heads snapped up and looked her way with astonishment. Two familiar men, both with clothes torn and tattered and who looked beaten, stared back at her with astonishment.

  "M-miss Lila?" Bartholomew asked with a voice full of disbelief.

  Lila's heart sank, both at the realization of their arrest and at the sight of their appearances.

  "So it is you." She whispered.

  "Wh-What are you doing down here?" Mr. Jameson asked.

  With a pained groan Bartholomew got up and came over to her, his hands still tied.

  "I came to see if everything I heard was true, if you really tried to kill the King!" She said hopelessly.

  "Certainly not!" Mr. Jameson replied with indignation.

  "Lila, we would never do such a thing! Surely you must know my father and I are innocent!" Bartholomew said anxiously.

  "But here you are! And they say you were caught with evidence too!" Lila replied.

  "Please Lila, you must believe us! We know nothing about such items! They have been planted in our rooms as false evidence. We are being framed!" He said desperately.

  Lila said nothing in return. She really did want to believe them, but it wasn't easy. How did she know for sure whether or not they were telling the truth?

  "Why would anyone try to frame you for this?" Lila asked, her arms crossed.

  Bartholomew met her eyes with all seriousness. "I believe it was because of my research. You see, a few weeks ago I came across some suspicious looking documents signed by the King. However, I quickly realized that it did not match his handwriting, so I decided to look further into it secretly. When you saw me at the library a while back I was looking at some older writings of his and found that the documents still did not match the signatures. I concluded that someone must be illegally signing documents in the King's name, and possibly without his knowledge. I suspected Zacchaeus, his most trusted advisor, as some of his work appears quite similar. I was trying to get a newer sample of his writing but I suppose he was made aware of my investigation. He must have set this whole ploy up so I would not be able to expose him!"

  Lila was in pure shock for a moment. What Bartholomew was saying made perfect sense! As the King's tutor, surely he was quite familiar with his writing style and signature. And she remembered how suspicious the council man seemed to her at first glance. But still, could this whole setup possibly be true?

  "This is all very hard to believe you know..." Lila said honestly.

  Bartholomew's blue eyes gazed anxiously at her. "Please Lila, we have done nothing of the sort of which we are accused! I would never think of endangering the King! The only reason I decided to probe this situation any further was out of concern for him! Ever since Zacchaeus talked to him that day when we were gathered in the hall near the garden, the King has been acting very strangely. He seems quite troubled and never returned to his usual self. This was about the time when I noticed the suspicious documents, and from then I knew something must be wrong."

  Bartholomew's eyes were so sincere and that Lila just had a feeling he really was being truthful. The whole story was far too intricate and detailed to be simply made up anyways! But even if she did believe him, then what? What could she do about it all? They were both here as criminals, and would be charged for treason with a mountain of evidence against them. They stood no chance in front of the King if their enemy was his most trusted advisor! His manipulation surely ran deep.

  "Save your breath my son. We stand condemned before her and everyone else." Mr. Jameson said hopelessly.

  Bartholomew gazed at her with desperation.

  "Lila please, I beg you to believe me! I promise that I have held back nothing from you!" He said.

  Lila wished more than anything else in the world to put him at ease and to say that she believed him. But the guard was still standing there listening to all of this. If Lila planned on trying to clear their names, then she had to be discrete about it.

  Lila crossed her arm and refused to look either of them in the eyes as she spoke.

  "How can you expect me to believe all this? You are both just liars and criminals!" She yelled.

  Bartholomew's face fell and he looked completely crushed. Mr. Jameson sighed from his corner and shook his head in despair.

  Lila quickly turned and began walking away. She could not bear to look at them in such a state any longer! Besides, there was not much time to formulate a rescue plan.

  "Lila wait! Please wait!" Bartholomew called after her in a voice full of agony.

  Lila felt an ache in her heart at the sound of such a desperate plea. But she dared not turn around, else she might lose her will to keep up the act.

  "Let those filthy rats rot! Good for nothing rubbish is what they are." The guard snorted as he led the way back.

  Lila had to hold her tongue at hearing such harsh words. She instead tried to focus on coming up with a rescue plan. When they returned upstairs she ran into Daphne's arms and took a few much needed breaths of fresh air as her friend stroked her head.

  "I told you those men are guilty as charged. No sense in crying over their fate girly." He said with a shrug.

  Then he turned to Daphne with a large smile. "Now, about supper tonight Miss?"

  "I am too busy tonight. Tomorrow will be better for me." She said nervously.

  The man frowned and crossed his arms.

  "Very well, but I had better see you then. I shall not have any pity for ladies who have gone and tried to use me for suspicious activity." He said with narrowed eyes.

  Lila felt her heart skip a beat. Was he threatening them?

  "Oh sir, you are persistent! How charming." Daphne said with a smile so real even Lila was fooled into thinking she was serious.

  The man blushed and nodded, looking more at ease. Then the two of them left, running straight to their rooms where no one was likely to be yet. Once they were alone Lila sank to the floor and let out a loud sigh.

  The condition of the prison, the appearance of Mr. Jameson and Bartholomew, as well as the look on his face when she pretended not to believe him had all been far too much for her to be
ar! Both men looked so heartbroken, so hopeless. It was something she had never seen before!

  "Oh Lila, are you alright? What did they say?" Daphne asked.

  "They say they have been framed, and I believe them. They are indeed innocent!" She replied.

  Her friend looked surprised and frightened by such news. "Oh my, what are they to do then?"

  Lila knew she had to something to help them, to prove their innocence and expose Zacchaeus. She just didn't know what though. Was it even possible to clear their names at this point? Would the King even listen to someone like her on a matter such as this? She supposed she would just have to somehow think of a way; the lives of two good men depended on it!

  ******

  "Zacchaeus, I do not think this is completely necessary." Westan protested with shock.

  His council man had returned with the documents for him to sign, which would instill authority and power over to him. But in signing it Westan would actually be handing over all of his power, and he was not so sure he liked the sound of that.

  Zacchaeus looked at him with surprise. "My Lord I apologize, but I was not expecting you to actually read it."

  Indeed, usually Westan did not bother trying to read anything Zacchaeus asked him to sign. But ever since his lessons with Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson he was now able to read simple documents like this easily.

  Zacchaeus cleared his throat. "I understand your hesitance sire; it's written structure might seem unnerving. However, it must be worded this way if you want people to fully accept my authority."

  Westan gulped. This whole arrangement was starting to make him feel very uncomfortable. If he signed this then he would be free from his duties, but at the sake of all his other freedoms!

  Zacchaeus shook his head. "My Lord, if you do not sign this document then we cannot make it official. You will remain in this same position you have despised all these years."