Germany X Reader - Beauty and the Beast CH.3

Chapter 3 – A Beast

“Let me think.” You back up and find your back up against a wall. Gilbert put his hands on the wall, besides your head.

“You, ___!” You duck under his arms, stepping away from him.

“Gilbert, I'm speechless. I really don't know what to say.” He pushes chairs and other things out of the way until he reaches you, and traps you against the door.

“Say you'll marry the awesome me.” You reach for the doorknob.

“I'm very sorry, Gilbert, but I just don't deserve you.” You twist the knob and the door swings open. You duck under Gilbert’s arm, again, as he tumbled out the door and into the mud. You quickly shut the door afterwards, sighing in relief. You sneak out the back door, before running over to a little stable of animals.

“Think he’s gone? Can you imagine, he asked me to marry him.” You said to the chickens, huffing. “Madame Beilschmidt, can't you just see it? Madame Beilschmidt, his little wife. No sir, not me, I guarantee it. I want much more than this provincial life...

“I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell and for once it might be grand, to have someone understand. I want so much more than they've got planned.” You run over to an open field, overlooking a beautiful valley. You pause, admiring the view, until a neighing caught your attention. You looked over to see your dad’s horse gallop over, but he was missing something. Your dad.

“What are you doing here?  Where's Dad? Where is he? What happened? Oh, we have to find him. You have to take me to him!” You unhitch the wagon from his back, before hopping on and taking off into the woods.

~

“What is this place?” You looked ahead at the huge, looming castle. The horse snorts and begins to buck as if something scared him. You quickly dismount and comfort him, also grabbing your lantern.

“Please, steady.” You enter through the gate and noticed an untouched hat on the ground. You pick it up, recognizing that it was your father’s. “Dad…

“Hello?  Is anyone here?  Hello? Dad?” You opened the castle door and quietly closed it behind you. You ascend a grand staircase, in search of your father. You pass a couple open doorways. “Dad, are you here? Dad?”

You advance down a narrow hallway and notice a door, creak open. You walked over to find a thin set of stairs leading up to a tower. You hear a clanking sound and decide to follow it.

“Dad?  Dad? Hello? Is someone here?” You see a low glowing light ascend the stairs. You quickly follow. “Wait!  I'm looking for my father! That's funny, I'm sure there was someone… Is there anyone here?”

“___?” You hear a hoarse voice call. You rush up the stairs to find a cell with your weak father inside.

“Oh, Dad!” You rush over, taking his hand.

“How did you find me?” You shiver at his cold touch.

“Oh, your hands are like ice. We have to get you out of here.”

“___, I want you to leave this place.” He warned.

“Who's done this to you?” You were ready to have a word with whoever this was… unless, it was the beast.

“No time to explain. You must go... now!”

“I won't leave you!” Suddenly, you feel a clawed hand grab your shoulder and whip you around. You drop your lantern that you were carrying and it sputtered out. The only light in the room now, came from the cracks in the ceiling.

“What are you doing here?” You heard a gruff German accent growl.

“Run, ___!” Your dad yelled.

“Who's there? Who are you?” You asked, looking around for the voice.

“The master of this castle.” He answered slowly.

“I've come for my father.  Please let him out!  Can't you see he's sick?” You plead, making out the figure of the voice.

“Then he should not have trespassed here.” They growled once more.

“But he could die.  Please, I'll do anything!” You offer desperately.

“There's nothing you can do.  He's my prisoner.” The voice was stern, but you did hear a bit of remorse in it. Maybe… Maybe, you can convince him.

“Oh, there must be some way I can... Take me, instead!” You state, making sure your words didn’t hold any fear.

“You?!... You would take his place?” He seemed confused and surprised.

“___!  No!  You don't know what you're doing!” Your dad cried.

“If I did, would you let him go?” You asked.

“Yes, but you must promise to stay here forever.” You ponder a moment, looking at his silhouette.

“Come into the light.” Dragging his legs, he slowly emerges into the body of light. It was hard to describe, he had ice blue eyes, his fur was a dark gray and his form seemed to be a mix of a wolf and bull humanoid of some sort. Your eyes widened and you stumbled back a bit.

“No, ___.  I won't let you do this!” Your dad ordered, urgently. You regain your composure and step into the beam of light yourself.

“You have my word.”

“Done!” The beast replied quickly. He moved over to unlock the cell, as you collapse to the floor your head in your hands. You hear the cell door unlock and seconds later warm arms embrace you.

“No, ___. Listen to me. I'm old. I've lived my life-“ The beast grabbed him and dragged him down the stairs.

“Wait!” You tried to catch up with him.

“___!”

“Wait!” You lost them, since the beast was moving too quickly. You ran to a window to see a palanquin carry your dad off. You drop to the floor, tears running down your face.  It was too late to say goodbye now… You heard the cell door open, as you wiped away your tears. “You didn't even let me say good bye. I'll never see him again. I didn't get to say good-bye.”