Westan suddenly gasped and quickly backed away from the cell. He examined the man from head to toe, finally recognizing his familiar brown eyes and warm smile.
“It, it cannot be!” He whispered with disbelief.
Westan shook his head, thoroughly confused. There was no way this man was his uncle! How could it be that he was still alive!? As much as he wanted it to be true, Zaccheus simply would not have allowed it to happen!
"No! Zaccheus said that he made sure my uncle was executed after my parents’ death! It cannot be possible!" He shouted with growing confusion.
The man suddenly sank to his knees and bowed with his face on the ground.
"I know how you must view me Westan, but please let me explain myself! It was not I who killed your parents! Never would I have harmed my brother, or your mother! I have been framed for this crime! Please forgive me!” He said with a pained voice.
Westan felt his heart ache and stepped closer once more. Could he really believe what he was hearing? Perhaps this man was just pretending to be his uncle! But why would he do that? After all his uncle had been labeled a traitor and was thought to be executed years ago.
“I know my uncle did not kill my parents, Zaccheus did! But how can I believe that you are claiming to be my uncle and living down here all along when I heard that he had been executed so many years ago? I simply cannot believe it!" Westan said with despair.
The man suddenly looked up with surprise, and smiled slowly. Then before anyone had time to react, he reached through the bars and grabbed his shoulders, gazing at him with eyes brightened by hope. Westan had to stop his men from attacking.
"So you are finally free of that deceitful man? Ever since that day I feared for your safety! How wonderful it is to hear such news at long last!” He said with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Westan felt like his whole world had fallen apart these last few days. Everything he thought he knew kept fading away, replaced with something entirely new and different. Now he was standing here with a man whom he now knew could be none other than his uncle!
Westan suddenly felt a happiness stronger than any he had ever known fighting to overwhelm him. The guilt he felt also seemed to lift off his heart like a lead weight.
"Let him out, NOW!" Westan commanded, no longer having any doubt.
"A-Are you sure my Lord?" Garret asked hesitantly.
Westan smiled, so excited that he could hardly contain himself.
"Yes, this man is my uncle and he is an innocent man! So let him out already!" He shouted with joy.
His uncle remained silent as a guard came in, took off his shackles, and brought him out of the cell. Then he rushed over and wrapped his arms around Westan gently, resting his own head upon his. Garret looked extremely uncomfortable by such a move, but he held back his men and himself again, although Westan could tell it took a great deal of effort.
"Never did I think I would hold you again! What a wonderful day!" His uncle whispered.
Westan's cheeks went red and he suddenly felt many emotions fighting to overwhelm him again. He wanted to laugh, to cry, and to curse all at once. He was happy to see that his uncle was alive, so angry at Zaccheus for all the terrible things he had done, and so upset with himself for allowing such things to happen!
"Uncle, I am so sorry! Please forgive me, I know this is all my fault!" Westan said with tears, feeling like he could never even begin to apologize.
His uncle pulled himself away to look at him with warm and understanding eyes.
"Do not be sad Westan. Zaccheus is the one who has done this to me, not you. I am just grateful that you have finally been able to break away from his grasp! I am so proud of you, and your father would be too." He said gently.
Westan was surprised that his uncle was in no way angry with him. He certainly did not feel that he deserved such praise or forgiveness.
"But I should have figured him out sooner! I should have known better than to trust him…" Westan said with shame.
His uncle smiled and patted his head like he was a small child.
"You were young and vulnerable, Zaccheus knew that well. You could not have known what he was, nor could you have stopped him even if you had." He assured seriously.
His uncle's words comforted Westan like no others could. He felt so relieved and strong now. So free of guilt and regret! It was all so amazing. He couldn't believe that Zaccheus had been captured and that his uncle was still alive! It all just felt too good to be true.
When Westan pulled away he noticed his uncle's appearance again. He was filthy, half starved, and very weary looking. It must have felt like an eternity for him down here.
"Come, let me get you out of here!" Westan said, trying not to dwell on any more painful thoughts.
His uncle smiled. "Indeed, I would be most grateful."
Garret did not look completely pleased about this situation, but he made no arguments as he led them all back up to the castle. Westan didn’t pay much attention to him though. His one and only uncle was alive and well! Nothing at that moment could dampen his joy or hope for the future. Anything was surely possible now.
###
To be Continued in Part 2!
(Keep reading below for a full sneak peek!)
Lila succeeded in saving the innocent men Bartholomew and Mr. Jameson from an unjust execution, but will such sacrifice end up costing her the one thing she cherishes most in life? And what are these sudden charges against her?
Meanwhile, Gam sues for peace with Chivele, but an unwanted arranged marriage may be the only means by which to do so. Can King Westan keep it together long enough for peace to be made, or will he end up failing his kingdom and letting down all those he has come to care for?
Thank you so much for reading! I really hope you enjoyed it! If you did, please leave me a positive review at your favorite retailer! And keep reading for a sneak peek at the upcoming sequel!
Thanks!
C.J. Young
About the Author
Hello! My name is Jessica. A little bit about me? Well I’m artistic in many ways: writing, drawing, painting, and crafting. I also love to watch anime, read manga, and bake sweets! Oh, I also seem to have a knack for winning stuffed animals from claw machines.
I currently live at home with my mother, my two younger sisters, and my disabled younger brother. I work a job to help support them all, and follow up my passion of writing in my free time.
I started writing a few years ago just as a hobby. At first I couldn’t figure out a lot of plot points, so I often just worked on it lightly. But the most I developed each story and character, the stronger my need to write more often became. This is the first story I became seriously determined to finish and publish. It has been a long process, but I am very happy with my final product and proud that I was able to see it through to the end.
I have many other books in the works, including the sequel to A Kind of Beauty and the Beast Story. So please keep up with my Facebook for all future details! Thanks for your support!
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Sneak Peek!
"I am sure this news does not please you Westan." His uncle's note read.
It was true, Westan defiantly was not pleased to find out that the only way to make peace with the King of Chivele was for him to agree to an arranged marriage! Why of all things did it have to be that?
"But please, do not panic or feel pressured." The note read on.
"As your uncle of course I want you to be a good King, but I also want you t
o be happy. I want you to think about this and decide for yourself what to do. I will not tell you what I want you to do, or what I would do in your place. You must be the one to make your own choices. I trust you will do what feels right to you." And that was the end of his uncle's letter.
"Hmm, an arranged marriage is not a bad idea. That would certainly secure peace better than a mere treaty." Garret said, mauling the information over in his head.
Westan crumpled up the note and threw it to the ground.
"No, that is a horrible idea! How can anyone expect two people to marry one another when they do not even know each other?" He snapped.
The man looked at him with serious eyes. "Sometimes it is the only way. Besides, peace is usually thought of as more important than a few people’s preferences."
Westan's face blush scarlet red. How dare this man talk like he understood any of it! It wasn’t like he was the one who would have to live out the rest of his life with someone he had never met before! So what could Garret possibly know about this situation?
Westan quickly turned and stormed off in a rage, fearing he might do something rash otherwise. Not one servant or guard followed him, probably because everyone could see he was dangerously upset. He broke into a run, heading back up the garden entrance, down the hallway, up the staircases and straight back into his room. He slammed his door shut and locked it to make sure no one could come in. Then he threw open his curtains and tried to unlock the windows to his balcony. But after his last dangerous incident with the flag pole Garret had made sure they were secured shut until further notice, and Westan could not seem to make the locks budge at all. Eventually he gave up with a roar and flopped onto his bed in anger, feeling completely helpless and overwhelmed.
Why? Why an arranged marriage? Why was he being forced to marry some girl he had never even met before? All he wanted was to be a normal person! He just wanted to make friends and find love like everyone else did! Was it so much to ask? Was it too much to wish?
His uncle's words were still swimming through his mind. "You must be the one to make your own choices, not anyone else."
So at least Westan technically had a choice. He could refuse the proposal. But then that would mean war for all his people with Chivele! More death and struggling and violence, and he certainly didn’t want to be the cause of that!
So then, was he to be forced into this by his circumstances? Was there no way out of this situation? What was he to do with a wife he didn't even know? Were they really expected to live together and have children?
Such thoughts filled Westan with fear and apprehension. He wasn't ready for such responsibilities! He didn’t want this fate! Why was being King so unfair?
******
"Lila? Lila, are you quite alright?" She heard someone saying.
"Hmm?" She mumbled, still half asleep.
"Lila, I think perhaps we should escort you back to your room. It seems as though you need some rest." The voice said.
"No! I do not want to go back." Lila groaned as she roused a little.
Finally, she opened her eyes only to see Bartholomew leaning over her. His hand was on her shoulder as he gently nudged her awake, with his face only about a foot and a half away from her. From this distance his eyes were so blue and brilliant, his face so handsome and close to hers.
Lila blushed terribly and sat up, almost giving herself a head rush in the process.
"I-I apologize; I did not mean to startle you." He said.
"No, no, I just did not realize that I had fallen asleep. I am sorry, that put you in an awkward position." Lila said, still trying to calm her racing heart.
"I am better now. In fact, perhaps I will take a walk." She added.
"Very well, if you say you are up for the task. Where shall we go?" Mr. Jameson asked.
"Oh, I was thinking that I might just walk around by myself for a little. I will not go far." Lila said, ever so desperate to get away and clear her head.
"Well I suppose you may. We will not detain nor follow you uninvited." He replied.
"No it is not that! I just need a few moments to collect my thoughts and wake up." She said politely.
"Of course then." Bartholomew said as he got up and walked a few paces away in the opposite direction.
Lila let out a sigh of relief as the two of them walked further away, giving her plenty of space. She hoped she had not hurt their feelings, but she just needed to be alone for a little while. So she began to explore her nearby surroundings.
The garden here was so lovely and well cared for. She wished there were as lush and grand places like this back home. After a moment she could no longer see Bartholomew or Mr. Jameson, so she decided it would be alright to explore a little further.
Lila slowly walked around the large tree and saw a couch on the other side. It looked expensive and quite comfortable, and probably belonged to the King. She was still a bit tired, but she dared not touch it.
Just then Lila saw something interesting that really caught her eye. It appeared to be a large bush full of beautiful blue roses. It was as tall as her house, and appeared to go on forever. Lila could not resist going over to investigate.
She had never seen roses in such a bright and vibrant color! They were so lovely and magical looking that they didn’t even seem real! Carefully she picked a single rose off the bush. She inhaled its scent deeply, letting its wonderful aroma waft over her. It smelled so fresh, so sweet, and so unique.
It was then that Lila noticed there was something underneath the bushes leaves. She carefully moved them aside and saw a lovely marble wall which they had obviously grown over.
She walked along its side curiously, wondering just how far it went. After a moment she came to an entrance, with tall marble walls overgrown with rosebushes on either side of her. It almost looked like a hallway that lead to somewhere special.
What was this place?
A Kind of Beauty and the Beast Story Page 18