“I am your prisoner then?” I asked.
The beast turned around and looked over his shoulder, saying, “No. You are free to wonder the halls of the palace. However, you must stay away from the West Wing. It is forbidden. Do you hear?”
I nodded, too afraid to answer. With that, he walked away and disappeared into the shadows again. He wasn’t there in the shadows waiting, I knew that. Once I was sure that he was far away, I started back to the room I was given. I only took one step before I screamed out again.
Standing close to my foot was a small clock. It had two eyes and were blinking at me. It took one step closer and I stepped back, afraid of it, but I came upon a candlestick holder behind me. It startled me and I screamed out again. I wanted to get out. This place was too weird.
“Stay away from me. Whatever you are, shoo. Go away,” I said.
“You should have done good not to be so curious as to seek out the master,” said the clock and I turned to look at it.
“Don’t be so mean, you already scared the poor thing, showing her your face and all,” said the candlestick holder.
“How dare you?” said the clock as it walked past me and toward the candlestick holder. “At least I’m not the one to sneak up behind her and scare her.”
“Well…at least my scream wasn’t as loud as yours. At least I scared her last too, unlike you.”
“Why you…”
“Uh-uh,” said the candlestick holder, holding up his hand of a tiny flame and putting it below the clock’s wooden hand.
It must have burned because the clock screamed out and jumped almost as high as my waist. The clock blew at his hand then started to chase the candlestick holder around me. The clock swung it’s wounded hand while the candlestick holder laughed. I stared at them, bewildered. What kind of creature were these? They looked like ordinary things yet they talked and walked.
“Excuse me,” I said. They didn’t pay me any heed so I said, “Excuse me!” They both stopped so I continued, more bold. “What are you? Where exactly am I? Who are you?”
The clock cleared it’s throat and opened it’s mouth to say something but the candlestick hold pushed him aside. Bowing, the candlestick holder said, “We are servants to the master. You are in the Mystic Palace and I am Sir Philip.”
The clock pushed Sir Philip aside and said, “I am Lord Alfred.”
Feeling secure for they wouldn’t be able to do much against me, I realized my manners and curtsy to them. Standing straight again, I said, “I am Pri…please to meet you. My name is Rose Hagamier.”
“Hagamier?” questioned the clock. “I’m sure I’ve heard that name before. I believe it belongs to some royal family….”
Afraid he would figure out who I was, I said, “My family’s not royal. We’re well off but not wealthy. Many people mistakes us for the royal family.”
Lord Alfred stared at me for a few second, deciding if my statement was true or not, nodded then said, “It must be hard then.”
Sighing in relief, I said, “Yes. We always have to do this or there would be gossip then trouble from the majesties.”
“How are they doing, in a matter of fact?” asked Sir Philip. “Haven’t seen them in ages…”
“You know them? The recent majesties?” I said, curious to find out if they knew my parents.
“Ah….” said Sir Philip but Lord Alfred poked him in the side and he stopped immediately. I saw it but I pretended not to. It was better that I not pry now and wait until Lord Alfred was far away to talk to Sir Philip. I would get much farther if I did that. Sir Philip looked like the type to talk and say anything that was asked of him. I would use that to my advantage.
“No,” said Sir Philip, “I have heard of them only.”
“I see,” I said, not believing one word.
“Let us show you to your room,” said Lord Alfred. “Memorize the halls and all the signs so that you will not get lost in the palace. It is a big place and you can easily get lost. I’m sure you’ll learn your way around in time,” said Lord Alfred as he turned around and walked toward the stairs.
Sir Philip bowed toward me and with a nod from me, I went ahead of him after Lord Alfred. I climbed up the stairs and into the hallway I’ve seen for the third time. They led me to my chamber in silence. I did as they asked and memorized all the hallways like I would for any meeting. When they stopped, they stared at me as I stared at the door.
I looked down at them and said, “Since I’m going to be staying here for a very long time…”
“Forever,” said Lord Alfred.
“…would you mind introducing me to the other…people here?” I finished after Lord Alfred.
They glanced at each other for a minute, deciding if they could trust me or something, before Sir Philip looked up at me and said, “Of course. Follow me.” With that, he lead me to another hall.
* * *
I walked back to my room, knowing where it now laid. I had met everybody tonight and had also had dinner with them in the kitchen. They were an odd assortment of creatures but they were friendly. There were tea cups, tea pots, rugs, cushions, dusters, drawers, pots, pans, silver wear, tools, musical instruments, chairs, and trays like the one who brought me my dinner last night.
I saw everybody except for the master but I didn’t want to see him again. They say he was nice but I couldn’t believe that someone that ugly could be nice. He hadn’t yelled at me or anything cruel but I knew that evil must be lurking beneath. I walked into my room and closed the door.
Plopping down on my bed, I rolled over to look at the ceiling and wondered how I was to escape from here. The place was nice but I couldn’t stay. I had to go back to my kingdom or something terrible would happen. I knew that something would happen. I had to take care of Klwah. Closing my eyes, I slept that night in peace.
The next morning, I woke to sun shine and being naked. I was lying under the cover and totally naked. I started to freak out until the door opened and the dresser drawer came in. She came to beside me and popped open a drawer. Inside was a nice blue morning gown with white lace trimmings. I hesitantly picked up the dress. It was so soft. With a look at the dresser, I took out the dress.
“Its so beautiful…how did I get naked?” I asked the dresser, Mrs. Plooping.
Mrs. Plooping giggled and said, “Sorry deary, about that. Your dress was dirty and I had to get it clean so I hope you don’t mind if I had taken it out to be washed.”
I stared at Mrs. Plooping then said, “Of course I don’t mind. Thank you. Would you mind helping me into this then.”
With that, Mrs. Plooping helped me to dress and looked into the mirror. The gown was beautiful and fitted me perfectly. I stared at it in wonderment. My hair was hanging down my back unbound but it didn't matter. It was about time I didn’t pin my hair up into any intricate style.
“Would you like me to do your hair up?” asked Mrs. Plooping.
I looked at her in the mirror and said, “No. I think I’ll keep it this way today.” I turned to face her and asked, “Is there a garden here?”
“Yes.”
“Is there a way I can get to it?”
“Why yes, deary. The garden is within the palace walls and there are rose briars all over the tall walls so there is nothing to worry about,” said Mrs. Plooping as she walked to the door.
I followed her. I didn’t want to remain safe. I wanted a way out. She led me to the first floor, chatting all the way there. I trailed after her, aware of everything around me and still answering her questions when she asked any. The double doors to the garden was near the back and it was quite a walk there but the walk was refreshing.
When we got to the door, she smiled and walked off, leaving me to open the door and exit by myself. It was good that she left me. She wouldn’t know then what I was planning to do. I opened the door and stopped in my track by the wild beauty. The flowers were growing wild but it only added onto an air of mystery and romance. I walked into the beautiful scene, stunned to the bones. The major flower here was the rose, blood red ones that bloomed so beautifully.
I followed the trail, my short train dragging behind me and my soft slippers scuffing the ground. I didn’t know where I was going, I was only following the beauty and my heart. I was so amazed by its beauty that I almost cried from it. I stopped when I laid my eyes on a fountain among the roses. A cupid with an arrow stood on top where water use to flow from its arrow but now no more.
I walked to the fountain, as if I was in a trance. I got to it and looked into the crystal clear water. I had a sudden urge to touch the shining water and I did. Softly touching the surface with my finger, the water rippled for a few seconds then cleared. I stared into it and I suddenly saw the beast’s face. I stepped back, startled, but it was only an image. Something was happening to him and he was roaring in pain, fire exploding everywhere around him. I stared at it and I felt his pain, his anguish. Suddenly, there were people with pitch forks and torches everywhere. The beast, in pain, was lying on the ground with his eyes closed. They were getting closer to him and yet he still laid there, obvious to everything. The people came upon him then and surrounded him. He finally opened his eyes and there was great sadness as he looked up at them, surrendering to them.
In the blink of an eye, the image disappeared and all I saw was myself again. How strange? I turned from it and saw the beast turning the corner toward the fountain, and me. He walked on all four with his head down, looking sad. Then he lifted his head a few feet away and saw me. He stopped suddenly and some emotion flashed across his eyes before it was gone.
“I didn’t know you were here,” said the beast. He turned around and said, “I’ll leave you.”