Before Beauty-chapter #1

So, this is a story about what happened before Belle came into Beauty and the Beast. Ester is the 'beautiful enchantress' that turns Adam into the beast. Soon I will upload more chapters. Thanks for reading! 

-ChloeJoelle

 Chapter One

I look out my small, dome shaped window at the peach colored sky and the setting sun.  It’s drizzling slightly, but not as cold as one would expect.  Far below me is the dark soil, soft and moist from the growing rain.  Rising up from the ground are many, tall trees changing their colors from summer to fall.  It’s late September and I know that in the coming month, at this time everyday, I will see a faint, golden glow coming from somewhere in the forest, as I do every October.  Every time I see the mysterious light, I wish I were allowed into the woods.  I don’t know what makes the glow, though this October I intend to find out.

I sigh and turn back to my large bedroom.  I had asked Juliette to let me dress alone tonight, so that I can have a little time to myself.  In my nightstand drawer, I find a pale green hair ribbon and a comb.  I carefully detangle my wavy, dark-blonde hair and smooth it into a loose braid that falls to the middle of my back.  I brush off my long, green, velvet dress and go back to my nightstand.  I slowly pick up my little, golden tiara and stare at it, trying for the hundredth time to make it disappear.  When nothing happens, I sigh and walk over to the large mirror, where I gently place it on my head.  The cold weight of the crown is depressing enough for me to let loose an unintentional tear.  I won’t make it downstairs tonight, I just can’t!  But try as I might, I can’t think of a good excuse to stay in my room.  

I wipe my face, and quickly depart from my room.  Juliette has been waiting for me in the hall.

“Are you alright, m’lady?”  she says with a concerned look.

“Yes, Juliette, I’m quite fine.”

As we descend the stairs, my heart lifts gradually.  Juliette always makes me feel better.  We reach the bottom of the staircase and I hear my father’s stern and commanding, yet weary voice.

“Ester Rose?”

“Yes, Father, it’s me.” 

“What took you so long, Sunshine?  You know how important it is that I talk to you tonight.”  My father has gotten less patient with age, though he still calls me Sunshine, and I don’t think that will ever change.

“I’m sorry, Father.”  I walk over and peck him on the cheek.  He smiles at the kiss and his firm eyes go soft.  

“That’s okay, Ester,”  he says.  “I know how hard all of this has been for you.  Please sit.”  I walk to the other end of the table and sit in the beautifully carved chair opposite my father.  Juliette stands in the doorway, waiting to be needed.

“Tea, m’lady?”  one of our kitchen servants asks as he comes up to me.

“Oh yes, thank you, Marcus.”  I say gratefully.  Tea always calms my nerves.  So does Marcus’ kind smile.

“O’ course, m’lady.”  He pours the hot, steamy liquid into my small, china cup.  Full to the brim.  He dutifully offers me sugar and cream, and I politely refuse them both as I always do.  

My father clears his throat, takes a sip of his own heavily sweetened tea, and says, “Ester Rose, we need to talk about your marriage.”  

I had been expecting this.  “Yes, Father?” 

“I am getting old, as you know, and you need someone to help you rule this kingdom when I’m gone.”

“Yes Father, I am to marry Prince Adam Phuther Moore.  His father is King Moore of Transphava, which is a nice place, twenty miles south of here, and you and King Moore have yet to decide when and where the wedding will be.”

My father the king’s eyes grow large and larger, and I worry they will never stop.  “You can read minds, Sunshine!?”  Though this may seem like an absurd accusation, it is not surprising coming from my father.  

“I like to always consider that, as a possibility,”  I say. “But you also told me about all of this last week.”  

The king chuckles softly, and says, “You really had me fooled, there, Ester Rose!”  I can see Marcus through the kitchen doorway, trying to hide his laughter.  “Well, you aren’t entirely right,”  says my father,  “King Moore and I made wedding plans two days ago.”  

The playfulness in my eyes is immediately murdered by his words.  I knew this was coming, but I’m still not ready.  I suppose I never will be.  “When is the wedding, Father?”  I’m not sure I really want to know the answer.  

“November sixth,”  he says, eyeing me warily.

“November sixth!?”  I am shocked.  That is less than two months away!  “Father, I can’t be married on November sixth!  I’m just barely seventeen!  I’m not ready!  I’m still a child!  I won’t do it, and you can’t make me!”  My voice had been growing louder and louder, I realize now.  My father’s face stiffens and I wait for the reprimanding.

“You are not in charge yet, Ester Rose!  As long as my heart still beats, I am your father, and you will do as I say!  You do not have the right to yell at me in my own castle, and tell me what I can and cannot make you do!  Do you understa--” he starts coughing and the servants in the room move toward him.  He picks up his teacup with shaking hands, and takes a long sip.  It stops his coughing fit, and he tells his servants that he’s fine, motioning for them to go about their business.  They go back to standing in the doorways and working in the kitchen.  

“Yes, Father, I understand and I’m very sorry.”  I say in a small voice.  He looks at me weakly and says:

“Look, Sunshine, I know this is hard for you.  It’s hard for me too!  You think I want you to get married?  I don’t.  You are still my baby girl.  But when I go, I want you to have someone you can count on to help you.  You will have big responsibilities, Ester.  And I know you will be a wonderful leader, but help is a good thing.  Trust me.”

“I do,” I say, “I will always trust you.  And if you think it’s a good idea for me to marry Prince Adam... when do I get to meet him?”  

My father grins at me.  “October first,” he says. “I haven’t met him either, but his father is a good man.  I’m sure he will be too.”

“I should hope so!” I reply.

“Oh, don’t fret Ester,” he says. “I’m sure you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

I smile at him, and he grins at me with his old teeth.  “I love you, Sunshine.  You can go to your room and get ready for bed if you wish.  I’m glad we talked about this.”

“Me too, Father,” I reply.  I get up, kiss him on the cheek, and bid him goodnight.

Juliette escorts me upstairs, and helps me change out of the tight dress and into silky bedclothes.  I take my tiara off and instantly feel lighter and happier.  Juliette undoes my braid, and then leaves.  It’s a relief to be alone again and in bed.  I think about what Prince Adam might be like.  I don’t expect to fall in love with him, but I hope that he is kind.  

I dream of the golden glow through many trees, and the secrets of the forest.