Beauty and Her Beast

Agnes rushed to the kitchen's instructing the staff as to Albert’s wishes, making sure that everything was being handled.

She then ran to her master’s chambers, her heart pounding by the time she reached his door. Pausing only long enough to catch her breath, she slowly pushed his door open.

"Christian," she called softly, not knowing how he would feel about her allowing the stranger to stay.

When he didn't respond, she moved further into the darkened room searching for her master.

Turning a corner, she saw his hulking form pacing in front of the cold hearth in his forbidden tower, shards of ceramic and glass littering the floor around him.

“Agnes!” he bellowed when he saw her. “What is that man doing in my house?”

“My lord,” she said, ignoring the foam forming on his mouth. “He is the first man the castle has admitted to pass through its gates in over fifty years. I had hoped…”

A growl from Christian cut her off as he smashed his arm into the stone surrounding the fireplace.

Standing her ground, she watched him rage through the debris that had been his bedroom furnishings a lifetime ago rending the last few sticks of wood into splinters.

When his fury was spent her lord flung himself into a chair pouting, his breathing ragged and labored.

“You hope he's the one who can help me?” he asked sarcastically. “Haven’t you given up yet? I have.

"It's been centuries since this curse was placed on my head,” he sighed, "how could one man help me?"

Kicking aside pieces of wood, Agnes moved to stand nearer her master, her mouth set sternly.

“If you give up Christian, then what of the rest of us?" she demanded. "We are all tied to your curse as well.

"None of us can remain forever," she continued, her voice tired and sad. "Just this morning another housemaid slipped into nothingness. Our time is running out."

Christian’s great shoulders slumped even lower.

“I know,” he sighed, settling his chin on the top of his great furry paw. “But I have been watching him.

"He is the least likely kind of person who would do anything to help a creature like me," Christian continued, staring blankly at nothing. "His eyes have devoured everything that glitters since he walked through the door.

"I can see the greed in his heart,” he added with a sigh.

Agnes walked to his side gently laying a hand on his furry head.

“I know my dear boy, but we are running out of time,” she said, bending down and kissing him on the head. “Give him a day or two, he may surprise us. He may just be the one we've been waiting for.”

Christian nodded his great, misshapen head.

“A day or two," he agreed, reluctantly. "Then he must leave.”

“A day or two should be more than enough tome to reveal his true character,” Agnes allowed. “Perhaps he is not as terrible as you believe.

"I mean, you are not the monster you appear to be," she said, gently stroking his mane.

Christian gave a mirthless chuckle.

"We both know that I am a monster," he said dryly. "I have given up trying to convince myself I'm anything else."

"Christian," Agnes gasped, never believing he would give up. "You can not give up hope.

"I won't give up hope," she added vehemently.

“You are wasting your hope on that man,” he said, shaking his head. “You’ll see. He will disappoint you.”

“Hope is never wasted,” Agnes replied, raising her head in dignity. “Hope is all I have left.”