Chapter 6: Part 2

Tears burst from her eyes and she whelps. She should just die. It would be easier. Just roll over and let her body fall. Gently, Emilia secures her three working paws onto the tree then slowly lifts her body.

Once on the other side, Emilia uses the roots to lower herself safely to the ground. She travels through the forest looking for the perfect way out of the challenge grounds without running towards the kingdom. 

The lake will be near soon, but she can stray away by circling the perimeter of the woodsy valley. Strolling towards the lake, the newbies are in a circle traveling safely and smart. Victor’s back has a brown fur coat trailing behind the group. 

Did none of them think of Emilia? Did they forget about her? Or do they not like her? Why would anyone with any intelligence or self-preservation about themselves want to be around her? They should all stay far away from her.

“Sucks doesn’t it?” A familiar soft voice asks. Emilia turns around to find a dusty white beast cleaning her brown patches of fur. Blue eyes finally open and look at Emilia expressing a familiar softness.

“Chloe?” Emilia asks, and the beast gives a faint smile.

“Hey Em.” Chloe responds.

Emilia turned the sweetest person in the kingdom into a beast. Emilia deserves to die. Emilia dashes off hearing Chloe call after her, but a sharp pain sears through her ankle. She flops on the ground as Borden grips her ankle with his teeth then drags her.

Victor and the other newbies wait beside the lake as a beast takes each newbie to the lake one by one. A beast guides Victor to the lake last giving him his own sector of the lake. The beast taps the water that shows Victor’s reflection creating ripples. 

The ripples extend outward as the setting changes from Victor’s reflection. The king and the first crown prince, Victor’s brother, Prince Eric, laugh together. The wind warms Victor’s fur brushing against his ears, comforting him. Victor lays down and watches as the people of the MoonLight Kingdom wave at their beloved prince.

Prince Eric was what the MoonLight Kingdom needed. He was the one that should lead the kingdom. The wind whistles in his ears. Your father has witches trying to bring your brother back from the dead. If you sacrifice yourself, you can bring Eric back.

“But what about me?” Victor asks.

Your brother is gone. I am so sorry. It must suck to take on the responsibilities of the crown prince. Lakey says, You should let them go. You don’t have to marry a princess to keep the peace if you stay a beast. You don’t have to constantly protect people as a beast. You don’t always have to be a leader. You can spend time with Emilia. Stay a beast. It’s a lot more fun.

Besides, the kingdom can use someone more useful. They’re a lot happier without an awkward prince anyway. Your father certainly is. Windy goads.

The king is dancing with Victor’s mother, the queen in the ripples. The two ignore their subjects and enjoy themselves.

“But—”

My dear, I know I’m just a lake, but you can be that happy as a beast. The lake coaxes.

Let’s be honest dear. You’re not strong enough to be a king. You’re not a good leader. You couldn’t even kill Emilia when she attacked you. The weakest beast in the world, turned you. The wind reminds him of his father’s words: the army is weak because you are weak. Remain a beast. Save your people.

“It’s not like my father, or anyone, loves me anyway. Everyone ran away from me when Eric was alive. When he died, everyone turned to me. They put on fake smiles and rolled their eyes.” Victor admits.

Remember the lady who called you an idiot? The wind reminds him. Victor nods and cries. People in the court often called Victor an idiot or weak when they assumed, he couldn’t hear them.

“Emilia likes me.” Victor reminds the wind and the lake.

Probably for your money. The wind says.

But as a beast, you can be free with her. Lakey says.

Besides, you were in the way as a human. The Wind reminds him.

You’re better off here with us. Lakey gently suggests.