A Kind of Beauty and the Beast Story

by Jessica Chapman

  Lila gasped with shock. The King, have her cared for in any way possible? Well that did not sound like something he would do at all.

  “Are you quite ready for a bath now?” The servant woman asked, looking a bit impatient.

  Lila nodded slowly, supposing the woman’s words must be true, for she was indeed here with a servant tending to her. So she followed Dita’s lead and watched carefully as the woman poured pre-heated buckets of hot water into the tub which filled the room with warm steam. Afterwards she added rose petals and scented oils to the water, making the whole room smell quite fragrant. Then she took Lila over to the changing screen and had her take off her clothes and put on warm robe before she brought her back over to the bathtub and motioned for her to get in.

  Lila was a bit nervous by the prospect of getting into a warm bath. She had never had such an experience before, as such luxuries as this were only attainable for the wealthy. Carefully she bent down and felt the water with her hand first, curious as to its temperature. It was more than lukewarm, but not too hot on her skin. So she took off the robe and slowly stepped in the tub with her feet. A strange sensation washed over her legs and sent a surprisingly relaxing feeling all through her body. Lila almost giggled at the surprisingly and comforting feeling of it all. Then once she got used to the temperature she slowly sat down in the center of the flower shaped tub, letting the warm water completely cover and sooth her aching body.

  Lila let out a relaxed sigh. So this is how rich people lived! Indeed, she could see the appeal of having a luxury such as this! She wondered if cold baths would ever feel the same to her again. She spent the next half hour washing herself and enjoying her once in a lifetime warm bath, but after a while the water started cooling down. Dita beckoned for her to get out, and eventually Lila was coerced out of the water. She received a towel to dry herself off, after which she was given another thin robe to wear. Then the woman brought her back to the dressing room and had her sit down in front of the mirror. She refused to look at her own shameful reflection as the maid started trimming her jagged hair in an effort to fix the uneven cutting she had made.

  “Thank you very much Ma’am. I appreciate all your care today.” Lila said quietly.

  The woman laughed. “No need to thank me Miss, I am happy to care for and serve all of the King’s most honored guests.”

  Lila blushed. Now she was an honored guest? What an embarrassing way to be viewed! Not that Lila was complaining about the care she had received, after all she truly had enjoyed herself today. But she just felt it was all a bit unnecessary, since she was just a servant girl who had been trying to prove two men’s innocence.

  “There, all done!” The woman suddenly announced.

  Lila reluctantly turned and looked at herself in the mirror. Well her hair certainly looked better than before, since it had been made even looking. But the shorter her hair was the tighter her curls got, so right now Lila looked as if she had a red tumbleweed on her head for hair.

  She sighed and looked away again. She supposed she would just have to wear a bonnet on her head until the hair grew back properly.

  “Oh do not be so downhearted! Your hair is quite lovely! Most noblewoman would kill to have such lovely curls by nature. Come now Miss, let us get you into some dry clothes.” The woman said gently.

  Lila got up and followed the woman over to the changing screen again to get dressed. But waiting there on a clothing stand was a lovely blue gentlewoman’s dress, with her own clothes nowhere in sight.

  "I am afraid I do not see my clothes; did I misplace them?" Lila asked, looking around again.

  The woman giggled. "Please Milady, I cannot possibly allow you to put the clothes of a servant back on! You are a guest of the King himself now."

  Lila blushed wildly, realizing the elegant and uncomfortable looking garment might just be here on purpose.

  “But I cannot possibly wear that dress!” She protested.

  The woman shook her head. “Well I suppose you will remain in that robe then, for there is nothing else for you to wear besides this.”

  Lila looked at the dress for a moment. It was a pale blue color and trimmed in white lace, with blue ribbons and bows everywhere, something that would look extremely ridiculous on a country girl like her.

  “Please Ma’am, this is simply not appropriate for someone like me!” Lila protested again.

  Dita frowned with disappointment.

  “Look Miss, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way.” She said.

  Lila scowled and crossed her arms defiantly.

  “Then it is to be the hard way, for I am positively NOT going to wear this.” She replied.

  ******

  "Are you sure about this?" Westan asked the informant.

  The guard nodded. "Yes, I am sure Zaccheus will use that secret passage. It is the only way that leads out to the market square where it is easy to blend in with the crowds."

  Garret grunted. "No one is to allow any man, woman, or child, to leave the castle's gate. Zacchaeus will not be able to escape us this time."

  Westan nodded. Indeed, there was nowhere left to run. His guards had already been sent to block off any exits or passages that led outside the castle. It was only a matter of time before Zaccheus was caught and charged for the crimes he had committed.

  “Very well, go and prepare everyone, each man should be ready for anything. I will not tolerate another successful ambush or escape by the enemy.” Garret said.

  The informant bowed obediently and left right away to relay the message.

  Westan rubbed his forehead. This had been a very long and extremely tiresome day. What he would give to have a relaxing nap and be able to forget all of these trouble for a bit.

  Just then, he heard a sigh from the other end of the room. He turned and looked over at the group of guards who had betrayed him last night. They were sitting in the corner under another guard’s careful watch, all of them still tied up and gagged. They had not been taken to the dungeon yet for fear they too would escape and aid Zacchaeus in his escape.

  But Westan could not help but wonder about the young boy on the right. His head was hung in despair and he looked completely hopeless. He was the one who tried to fight against the traitors to free Lila and him. The boy was young, and could not be more than perhaps sixteen years old. He was no doubt frightened by his imminent fate for his unforgivable actions.

  Westan sighed. He did not want him punished as severely as the rest, for the boy had sincerely been surprised by the traitors when they attacked him. But the boy had still been working for Zacchaeus, and that made Westan curious.

  “Garret, bring me that young man over there. I have a few questions for him.” He said.

  The man nodded and went over to the tied up traitors. The boy suddenly started shaking with fear as he was grabbed and dragged over to where Westan sat. Garret put his sword to his back and made him bow before removing his gag to speak. The young man bowed low and then looked up at them both nervously.

  "What is your name?" Westan asked.

  "I-Ivan, my Lord." The boy said with a trembling voice that was barely louder than a whisper.

  "Why were you taking orders from my counsel man?" He asked curiously.

  The boy gulped and spoke with his eyes to the floor. "I apologize my King! I only accepted the position because he offered me plenty of money! You see I have six siblings to care for and feed! I was only ordered to report on your daily behavior; I had no idea it would lead to a rebellion!"

  "I see." Westan replied, taking the information in thoughtfully.

  Then the boy suddenly looked up at him and spoke again.

  "I accept any penalty of yours my King, but please, spare my family any punishment! I know I deserve nothing but I assure you that they knew nothing of my treachery at all! I beg of you to show them mercy! I know I deserve death but please spare their lives!" He begged with a tearful face.

  Westan looked at him for a moment with shock. Of co
urse he would never do that! To think that this boy actually thought that he would punish innocent children for whatever crime he committed just because they were related by blood! But it seemed that was the kind of person Zaccheus had him depicted him as. Or maybe, that really was the type of person he had been once.

  Westan examined the boy again with scrutiny, thinking of what he should do. He certainly did seem sincerely sorry for what he had done, and his information had proven useful. But still, something had to be done with him.

  "Because you did try to defend and save me, I will spare your life.” He said.

  Both Garret and Ivan looked up at him with surprise and shock, but Westan ignored their looks and quickly continued.

  “But you will have to pay for your crimes, so from now on you will be my own personal servant, my most dedicated slave. You will do all of my private bidding and be at my beck and call, without any question or hesitation. You will not dare disobey or betray me again in any way, or I will revoke this merciful sentence.” He declared.

  The boy’s anxious face suddenly became confused, as if he had perhaps misheard. Garret also looked perplexed and started glaring at Westan with disapproval. But he ignored them both again and continued once more.

  “Until I feel you have redeemed yourself you will not be permitted to leave the castle for any reason. You may write your siblings to explain your absence to them, or they may come and stay here if need be. Any future earnings of yours will be decided by Garret, and they shall be based on how well you perform the tasks I give you." Westan finished.

  The boy's expression immediately changed from one of utter shock to absolute relief. He could not even seem to make any sort of reply.

  “Do you agree to live by these terms?” Westan asked seriously.

  The boy nodded fervently, looking more grateful by the second.

  "My Lord, I do not feel this is wise." Garret said with great disdain.

  Westan shook his head. "But this boy tried to protect me when the rest of the men attacked us. Although he worked for Zacchaeus he does not deserve the same treatment as the others."

  The man grunted with aggravation. "Very well, if that is what you wish then sire. But he cannot be alone with you at any time!"

  "That is fine. I trust he will behave himself though.” Westan said.

  Garret shook his head. “You can never expect such an outcome for a known traitor.”

  Westan smiled. “Alright, relax Garret, we have taken precautions and given him proper warning. Now untie him quickly, I have a task he can perform right away."

  Garret nodded and bent down over to the boy as he took out a knife and started cutting the ropes on his hands.

  "If you make one false step or even think about running away, I will hunt you down and make you wish you had been executed with the rest of these men instead!" He threatened very seriously.

  The young man’s face went pale and he nodded with understanding. Then as soon as he was free he came and bowed in front of Westan with his face on the ground.

  "Th-thank you my King! You are good and gracious! I know I do not deserve such mercy!" He exclaimed, sounding almost as if he was in tears now.

  "Yes very good. Now then, about my task." Westan said.

  “Yes of course, whatever you wish me to do sire! I am your servant, your slave!” The boy replied.

  Westan smiled slightly, quite proud of his decision for a change. He was going to work hard to be a better King and change the image Zaccheus had painted of him.

  ******

  "Please, get me out of this thing now!" Lila said breathlessly.

  She knew corsets were a fashion statement in Gam, but how any woman ever wore them for longer than about ten second she didn't know! This stupid dress was so constricting that Lila could hardly even move let alone breathe!

  "But it looks so wonderful on you Milady!" The servant woman, whose name was Dita, said with a squeal.

  "I do not care I can barely catch my breath! I cannot possibly wear this horrible garment any longer!" Lila snapped, feeling quite irritated by her lack of air.

  "As I said before, there is nothing else for you to put on." The maid replied with arms folded.

  “But-” Lila began.

  The woman quickly cut her off. “Now, now, it is not that bad. Besides, I am sure you will certainly become fond of it if you just give it a chance.”

  Then she turned and walked away, clearly not willing to discuss a change of clothes anymore. Lila scowled and flopped down in the nearest chair. Well sort of; it was more like just sitting down quickly, for the corset kept Lila's back perfectly straight no matter what she did or how she moved. She actually felt unable to breathe deeply in it too, so it felt like she wasn’t getting quite enough air. This made her feel slightly light headed.

  She really had not wanted to put the dress on in the first place, but after a couple of hours wearing nothing more than a thin robe Lila knew she needed to wear something in order to leave the confines of her guest room. After all, she could not see the King or check up on Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson dressed in a bath robe! But now that she had come to put the dress on there was no possible way to get it off.

  Dita came back into the room with a brush in one hand and some hair pins in the other. She came over and started pulling the coarse brush through Lila’s hair, not an easy or painless process for either of them. But eventually the maid was able to tame her wildly short and frizzy curls into some ringlet locks, which she pinned back with the blue hairpins. She also insisted on adding a blue necklace to the outfit, and a bit of makeup to her face. Lila was not fond of any of these ideas, but since she could hardly move it was hard to resist.

  After about an hour or so Dita finished dolling her up, and Lila turned to look in the mirror once again. She barely even recognizing her own reflection this time and nearly screamed when she saw herself. The gentlewoman's dress made her figure thinner and almost attractive, while the makeup enhanced the appearance of her face and hid most of her freckles, and the ringlets encircled her face quite elegantly and even looked becoming. She actually looked like a proper young lady right now, one who had never seen the work of a farmer and had servants to wait on her!

  "Please, that is enough. No more!" She said with horror.

  Dita laughed. "Now, now, do not be silly Miss. You look positively wonderful!"

  "No! I cannot stay here any longer! I must go now and speak with the King!" Lila said desperately.

  The woman smiled apologetically.

  "I am sorry you feel that way Miss, but the King must first summon you before you can speak with him." She said.

  Lila frowned. "And how long is that going to take?"

  Dita shook her head. "I am sorry, but I do not know."

  “So let me send a letter to him asking for a summon.” Lila replied.

  The maid shook her head again. “Miss that would not be appropriate at all!”

  "Oh I do not have time for this!" She snapped, standing up to leave.

  The woman made no move as Lila stormed across the room to the door. She swung it open and went to walk out, but a tall and muscular guard stood in her way.

  "Sorry Milady, you are not permitted to leave these quarters yet.” He said.

  Lila was in shock. "Not permitted? So now I am not even allowed to leave this room?"

  The man nodded seriously. "Yes ma’am. I have orders to keep you safe and well cared for as one of the King’s special guests.”

  “But you are treating me more like a prisoner! I demand that you let me pass!” She snapped angrily.

  "Miss, this is no way for a Lady to act!" Dita said as she came over and grabbed her by the arm.

  Lila's face blushed with fury. "I am NOT a Lady! Now let me go, I have to speak with the King! I have to leave!"

  The man laughed. "You have spunk lassie! But I am afraid that I cannot let you leave without the King's approval, and until the traitors are caught he and his men will be very busy."

&nb
sp; Lila raised an eyebrow. "So, I am stuck here until he captures Zaccheus and then summons me, is that what you are saying?"

  The man smiled and nodded. "I am sorry Miss."

  Lila sighed angrily. She was regretting her decision to help the King more and more with each passing minute!

  She turned and stormed back in the room and flopped back down in her chair. The man burst out in laughter as Dita shut the door and came back over to her.

  "We must be patient Miss that is all. The King will see you when he can." She said with a warm smile.

  Lila rolled her eyes. Just what was he thinking, having her set up in a room like this? And why could she not leave or even see him? How long would it be until she would be released? Just how did she end up as a pampered prisoner of a guest?

  ******

  The next day Westan put on his regal cloak and his father's gold necklace, planning to wear them every day from now on no matter the occasion. He decided that if wanted to act more like a proper King he should look more like one too. When Westan looked in the mirror that morning he was immediately reminded of his father. He had always dressed this same way as well, looking like a strong King and standing with dignity at all times. He remembered standing by his father's side in the mornings as the servants would dress him. They would talk and laugh and play around. Westan would imitate his stance in the mirror or insist on wearing something that matched. When the servants got annoyed and tried to send him away, his father would always allow him to stay a little while longer. Sometimes he would even put Westan on his lap and let him wear the crown. He used to say it would be his someday and that he would be a great King like all his forefathers. How wrong his father had been though.

  "Oh father..." Westan said with a sad sigh.

  Suddenly a knock came at the door and pulled from his thoughts. He quickly put on his crown and came around from his changing curtain and sat in his desk chair, trying to looking strong and dignified. Garret, who was still keeping him company, stood up from his seat and went over to check the door.