"Belle," 완두콩 exclaimed, jumping on her bed, "I can't believe you're falling in 사랑 with a hairy animal. 당신 must have been understating when 당신 said none of the men in your little town understood you."
"Oh, well, it's true that Beast and I have become fond of each other, but I would never think of using the word love." Belle was flipping through a book she'd borrowed from the Beast's library. "After all, I'm still a prisoner here."
"True," Princess 완두콩 was trying on dresses from the talking wardrobe she'd befriended. "So, be honest, why aren't 당신 miserable here? I mean, don't 당신 resent that monster? If it weren't for him, you'd be 집 with your 프렌즈 right now, free as a bird."
"Well, to be honest, I don't really have many 프렌즈 where I'm from," Belle sighed. "The only person who makes an effort to include me is a man who's ego is far bigger than his brain. Everyone seems to find me odd and I can't understand why."
"That sucks," 완두콩 felt genuinely. "Well, at least you're pretty. I'm an outcast as well. All my 프렌즈 were stuck-up bitches who have no doubt forgotten about me 의해 now. I ran away weeks 이전 after being told my entire kingdom hated me and wanted me dead."
"Well, maybe it's fate," Belle suggested. "Have 당신 considered that all of the hard things you've gone though, like feeling alone and misunderstood, might be the first steps towards a brighter future?"
"Okay, what book are 당신 reading, anyway? Oprah's guide to success?" 완두콩 laughed. "I guess being exiled has had it's benefits...I mean, I've become 더 많이 independent and I never would have met Conrad otherwise. Maybe 당신 should take your own advice, Belle..."
"What do 당신 mean?"
"Just keep in mind that maybe being taken to an 마법에 걸린 사랑 성 where another misfit lives might me be part of your destiny. Just a thought. Oh, and 의해 the way, this golden 겉옷, 가운 is the one I think 당신 should wear to 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 with Beast tonight. It's gorge." 완두콩 blew a 키스 and left the room.
Meanwhile, in the West Wing, Beast and Conrad were exchanging thoughts. Lumiere was also present.
"So, tonight's the night, huh, big guy?" Conrad teased. "Confessing your love?"
"I don't know if I can go through with this," Beast admitted his insecurity.
"You don't have time to be timid," Lumiere insisted.
"He's right," agreed Conrad. "Besides, I'm the one who should be nervous...Tonight, I'm proposing to Pea."
"Congratulations, Monsieur!" Lumiere applauded.
"I better go and get ready," Conrad hurried to his room. But inside was not Princess Pea...but a tall woman with grayish blonde hair and a crown. It was 퀸 Annalynne.
"Hello Conrad," she smiled.
"Your majesty," Conrad bowed nervously. "Where is Pea-I mean, your daughter, the princess?"
"She's in a carriage far away right now," replied the Queen. "There have been negotiations between my kingdom and the South Valley Kingdom. Their heir, Prince Bartholomew, has asked for Pea's hand in marriage. Of course, as you've journeyed alongside Princess 완두콩 for the last few weeks, I'm sure 당신 can imagine how thrilled she was. She insisted she be taken to the South Valley to meet her fiancé immediately."
"She...she wants to marry Prince Bartholomew?" Conrad tried to hold back a tear. "But, your majesty, I've fallen in 사랑 with your daughter. And I'm almost certain she feels the same way."
"Is that so?" Annalynne's voice stung like ice. "Well, I must say, she was rather talented in hiding this emotion if what 당신 say is true. She was practically overjoyed when I gave her the news. I believe her exact words were 'Fantastic! I can finally go back to living the good life!' It's a dream come true for her, don't 당신 see?"
"But, I-"
"Which is why if 당신 truly 사랑 her, you'll leave her alone," the 퀸 insisted. "Come now, Conrad. It's time to let go of this childish fantasy. She is a princess. I don't think it's necessary for me to point out how far beneath her 당신 are. Perhaps if 당신 end up taking after your father, you'll get to work for her someday. But that's the closest you'll be getting. Anyway, there's another carriage coming for me at the gates in five 분 so I'd best be on my way."
Conrad was left standing alone in the room, heartbroken that 완두콩 had abandoned him so suddenly. He knew that it was unlikely he would ever see her again...which is why he opened the window and tossed his ring into the snow.
(End Of Part 21)
