Chapter One

Chapter One

“No.” Sir Maurice’s deep voice vibrated through his throne room. Everyone, except for the guests, almost jumped out of their skin from the shrill fear it instilled on them. Annoyed by the lack of response from the cloaked visitors, the king felt the need to reword his rejection to make it clearer. “I do not allow any of my daughters to go with you. This shall be the end of this nonsense.” He stood up from his throne, ready to leave the room, until a smaller hand landed on his balled one. The ruler’s dark eyes narrowed as it caught the pleading look from his youngest daughter. “Belle, no.”

“Please Papa...” The princess, Belle, begged. “At least hear them out first, please...” She then lowered her voice, almost like a whisper, but she knew their guests’ keen hearing sense would pick it up anyway. “This is our last chance, Papa.”

The king sighed, slumped back to his throne whilst pinching the bridge of his nose. His daughter was right, as always. “You are as hardheaded as your mother.” Despite the words, a small smile graced his lips. It did not last long, for his expression hardened again when he turned to face the silent group of visitors. “What, in the name of God, would you need my daughter for?” He spat, the words felt like acid burning his tongue.

Anita, the werewolves’ pack leader, silently contemplated before she answered. “Let’s just say that she will be a caretaker... For our pack.”

Sir Maurice gasped, bolting from his seat and into his feet again. “No!” He was all but shouted, enraged by the proposition. “I will give you as many women as you wish, but none of my blood.” His face flushed red from anger.

The dark haired leader simply quirked a brow, soon followed by a mocking chuckle. “It’s nothing like your crude belief, Your Majesty.” Her eyes twinkled in amusement when she saw Belle blushed, finally catching up to what her father had implied. “I need a tutor for my pup. And this young lady here,” Anita stared at Belle straight on the eye, sizing her then gave an approval nod, “seems like she would be perfect for the job.”

The color instantly left the king’s face. He had to take a few deep breaths before speaking again, much more composed than before. “I shall offer the best scholar and nanny in this kingdom, then.” Sir Maurice concluded. He understood the parental urges in getting the best for their child, thus his willingness in helping her, in exchange for protection of his land, of course. “Your...” He was troubled in finding the correct name to address Anita’s child, he obviously could not call them by ‘pup’ like she did, as endearing as it might sound. “Offspring will be taken care of, you have my word.”

This time, the other two werewolves behind Anita fought back the urge to laugh. Their big smiles could be seen although the rest of their faces were safely hidden under their cloak. Their leader did not hold back a bark of laugh, though. Belle, not knowing what was so funny, smiled nonetheless. It was not everyday anyone would openly laugh in the intimidating presence of Sir Maurice, even more when said man was losing his patience.

“What-“

Anita cut him off with a wave of her hand. “My pup is no younger than the princess here.” She looked at Belle again, ignoring Sir Maurice’s clear annoyance. “So, princess...”

“Belle, Isabelle French.” The brown haired girl did the curtsey bow.

“Princess Belle, would you accept the offer?”

Sir Maurice quickly put himself in front of Belle, as if to protect her from Anita. “I don’t give my consent in this matter. You would have the scholar and whoever you want, but not my daughter. Take it or leave it.” He stated firmly, eyes blazing in protective nature.

“Papa...”

“I see...” Surprisingly, Anita did not pursue further. After all, it would take a lot from her pack to protect the kingdom from ogres. She thought it was fair for her to have the princess, but then again, she did not lose anything over the failed proposal. “Then this is goodbye, Sir Maurice and Princess Belle.” She nodded to each of them politely, her two pack members followed suit. “My pack and I shall migrate to Queen Regina’s land by tomorrow night. It was nice living in your land, may you find another way to protect it longer.”

The ruler balled his fists together and gritted his teeth whilst nodding at the werewolf in acknowledgement. Like Belle had said, this was their last chance. He could ask the Dark One for help, but it always came with a price and he knew the slimy imp would ask for an even more ridiculous deal. Yet the king could not bring himself to stop Anita and her two guards from leaving, it was as if his feet were planted into the floor. He could not sacrifice Belle for his land. While Sir Maurice kept his eyes shut and the turmoil shook his inner mind, Belle took the chance to slip away from his side and run down the throne.

“Wait!”

Anita stopped, right on the threshold of the double door. She looked uninterestingly over her shoulder, before fully turning to face the flushed princess. Belle did not say anything, until she invaded her personal space and surprisingly, shook her hand to seal the deal. Thankfully, the two other werewolves had not smelled any fear or malicious intent from the princess since the beginning, or else she would have her body ripped into shreds even before she reached Anita.

Sir Maurice had his eyes flew open when he heard his daughter’s shout and footsteps getting farther from him. “Belle, no!” He stalked down the throne, determined to stop her but it was too late.

“I’ll go with you, Anita.” The brown haired princess said, loud and clear. She then turned to see her panicking father with a smile on her face, despite the stinging tears began welling on her eyes. “I’m twenty years old, Papa. I can make a decision by myself.” Wiping the unshed tears, she willingly followed Anita, who seemed pleased by the turn of event, out of the room.

“Belle!” Despite his desperation, he could not order his guards to capture Belle or the werewolves. It was a genuine deal, and Sir Maurice knew better than messing with the beasts. “Belle...” He stood still on the hallway, watching the form of his beloved daughter went farther away and finally vanished behind the corner. Then the king knew he had lost his princess forever.