“How long am I going to be here?”
“Excuse me?”
“How long do I have to stay here?” Roz placed her fork on the plate and folded her hands in her lap.
She could feel the cool metal of the butter knife pressed against the side of her hand. Uncertain if it was visible, she moved her napkin to recover it and refolded her hands.
The beast shrugged. “I don’t know. Until you remember. I would feel responsible sending you home without you knowing what happened.”
“Why can’t you just tell me?”
“It would be better for you to remember it yourself.”
“Is this a stall tactic? Are you keeping me here on a made-up excuse?” Her eyes glared at him from across the table.
Confused, the beast shook his head. “I wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“Really? You have allowed your people to die while you sit well-fed and safe in your castle.” Anger began to rise in Roz, and she placed her palms on the table.
Shaking his head, the beast told her, “I can’t help them. Nothing I do would make a difference. This is the Second Kingdom’s fault.”
Even as he said it, Beast wanted to smack his forehead and bite his tongue with his multi-fanged teeth. He knew whose fault it was, and he couldn’t blame it all on the Second Kingdom.
“What? This is all their fault? What did you do to make them curse you?”
“I don’t want to talk about this right now,” he snarled.
“Tough. I want answers. If you won’t tell me what happened to me the other day that made everyone leave me behind, then you need to explain yourself and what you did.”
Growling, he opened his mouth to tell her to back off, but Buford and Mrs. Hausmeister entered. Both sent looks from one end of the table to the other. Buford advanced to his side of the table with two steaming bowls. The butler set one in front of him and carried the other to Roz.
Mrs. Hausmeister offered Roz a basket filled with rolls. Their buttered tops and heated smell had Roz sucking in breath after breath and reaching for one of them. The hot bread burned her fingers, and she dropped it to her salad plate.
“Careful, dear. They’re hot,” Mrs. Hausmeister warned and winked at her.
“They smell heavenly,” Roz breathed.
Beaming, the cook carried the bowl to the other end of the table as Buford approached and placed the steaming bowl in front of her.
“Soup?” she questioned.
“Yes, Miss Roz. It’s a potato soup with carrots, onions, and celery. I hope you enjoy it.”
“Thank you, Buford. It smells divine.”
The two servants exited, and in her hunger, Roz refrained from grilling the beast. Instead, they both began to eat their soup and roll. The smooth, full-flavored soup had Roz’s taste buds excited. She’d never savored something so rich and creamy.
Sighing, she picked up the roll and bit into it. It melted in her mouth. Literally, it melted in her mouth.
“This is the best food I’ve ever eaten.”
“Mrs. Hausmeister is known for her cooking throughout the kingdom. When I was a boy, she used to make biscuits so light and fluffy, I imagined they were flying off my plate.”
Unable to help herself, Roz giggled.
“They were round spaceships. Delicious and one of a kind. I don’t think we’ve had any in years.”
Sobering, Roz thought of her family. They’d never eaten biscuits. She wouldn’t have any idea what one would taste like.
Taking another bite of her roll, she didn’t respond. It was difficult to picture the beast being a little boy. A human little boy, in fact. Swallowing, she shook away the image.
“I’ve never had biscuits,” she told him.
Wide eyes, the red was bright in the artificial light. Roz could see the color from across the table, and it unnerved her. Throwing her shoulders back, she looked down and took another bite of soup.
“I didn’t realize you had never tried them. I don’t know if she has the ingredients to make them, but I’ll ask.”
“You don’t have to go to any trouble for me.”
“It’s no trouble,” he countered.
Looking back up, Roz shook her head. “I don’t understand you.”
“Pardon?”
One hand running through her hair, Roz brought her other hand to her lap and gripped the butter knife. She had to remember her end goal.
“I don’t understand you,” she repeated.
“What do you mean?”
She could hear the genuine confusion in his voice and in the frown on his face. Shaking her head, Roz clung to her hidden weapon.
“You’re being kind to me. You’re making sure I have food. You haven’t put me in your dungeon.” She ticked the reasons off on her fingers. “You showed me your library.”
“Am I supposed to be cruel?”
“I know I keep repeating myself, but can’t you comprehend how I might think you would be cruel? At the risk of being annoying, I’m going to ask again. Why are you sitting up here and allowing the kingdom to suffer?”
Slamming his fist on the table, Beast told her, “I said I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“When? When can we talk about it?”
Shaking his head, Beast shoved his plate away and stood up. Towering over the table, he rubbed his forehead.
“I think I’m done eating right now.”
“You’re just going to leave? Are you a coward?” Roz stood as well. She held onto the napkin, hiding her knife, and stared him down.
“I don’t want to talk about any of it. Can’t you grasp the concept?”
“So, you are a coward.”
He reached down, picked up his empty glass, and threw it at the wall. Roz yelped and pulled her knife close to her chest. The glass shattered on contact and cascaded to the floor in sparkling pieces.
“I don’t want to talk about it!” he roared at her.
Gasping, Roz nodded. “Fine.”
“I’m going to go upstairs. Please enjoy the rest of your supper.”
He left before she could say another word. Hiding the knife in her outfit’s pocket, she watched him disappear from sight without a backward glance. Taking the opportunity, she snuck from the dining room and out into the hall.
Watching the beast ascend the staircase, she made her way across the hall, down a side hallway, and into the library. Her gaze took in the hundreds of bookshelves and wondered where she should even begin. Taking a chance, she started on the left side.
It wasn’t ten minutes later when the door cracked open, and Buford slipped inside. She paused in her search and just looked at him.
“You won’t find what you’re looking for, Miss Roz. There are no papers tucked away with the answers. The only one who knows what to do to end the curse is the Second Kingdom. The king might know, as well, but he had a horrible time after waking up. When he was changed, his memory of Queen Ada’s words was erased.”
Shaking her head, Roz asked, “Why would she erase his memory?”
The butler shrugged and sighed. “I don’t know. He’s been trying to recall everything she said ever since. He might know more now than he used to, but he hasn’t shared everything with me.”
“He could know and not have told you, Buford. The beast only cares about himself.”
“Miss Roz, I’m surprised at you.”
“What?” Roz grit her teeth and narrowed her eyes.
“If you really think the beast only cares for himself, you don’t know him at all.”
“That’s the point. I don’t know him. I don’t know anything about him or the curse or this Second Kingdom. I want answers, and he won’t share them with me.”
“Give him time.”
“Buford, we’re all running out of time! Haven’t you noticed the soil in your own garden? Don’t you know what’s happening in town?”
He shook his head. “I’ve noticed the soil, but I don’t know what’s happening in town. The king is
the only one who knows, and he only shares certain pieces of information with us.”
“See! He’s not being forthcoming. Buford, my people are dying. They’re getting sick. We don’t know why.”
“What’s going on?” Buford asked.
“People are starting to become angry. Uncontrollable anger which no one understands. They can’t recognize people or places, talk to themselves, hallucinate, and become violent. They’ve hurt their family members. My best friend’s parents are both sick.”
“I’m so sorry to hear this. I didn’t know.” His downcast eyes gazed at the floor.
“They’ve stopped eating. It’s only a matter of time before they die. They’re really sick, and we don’t know what to do. Our soil is turning to sludge, and crops are having a more difficult time growing. We need the curse to end.”
Buford nodded. “I see.”
“Are you sure you don’t know what’s occurring? Has the beast said anything to you?”
“No, Miss Roz. He hasn’t.”
“So, you don’t know why he’s keeping me here either?”
I know the reason for him keeping you here,” Buford admitted.
Surprised, Roz bit her lip and waited for him to say something more. When he didn’t she took a step forward. “Buford, what is it?”
Clearing his throat, Buford shook his head. “I can’t tell you, but please believe me when I say, it is for your safety.”
“How am I safer here than at home?”
“If you don’t know, I can’t tell you,” Buford stated.
“Why? I need to know. I want to go home!”
“Miss Roz, I understand. However, I agree with the king on this one. It’s better if you figure it out on your own instead of being told.”
Nodding, she crossed her arms and looked around the room.
“Are you hungry? Supper is still ready, if you are.”
“Thank you, Buford. I don’t think I want anything else to eat.”
“May I escort you to your room then?” Buford offered.
He opened the door and nodded at it. Shoulders slumping, Roz realized she was still a prisoner. Shouting at the beast hadn’t helped. If only she’d held her tongue and hadn’t asked questions the beast didn’t want to answer.
“Sure,” she agreed.
Following him upstairs, Roz stepped into her room.
“If you need anything, pull the bell,” Buford told her. “Mrs. Hausmesiter will check in later and bring you a snack if you get hungry. We’ll keep a plate warm for you in case you change your mind.”
“Thank you, Buford.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Roz.”
The door closed and locked behind him, and Roz sighed. She slumped into a chair and stared at the door. She’d ruined everything. Now, the beast would take longer to trust her, and she was no closer to escaping.
However, thanks to Buford’s honesty, she now realized the only one with answers was the beast himself. She also knew she couldn’t return home until her memory of the night she’d been left here returned. Roz trusted Buford enough not to do anything imprudent.
Crossing her arms again, Roz narrowed her eyes at the door. “I’m going to remember that night. Then, I’m going to find out the solution to this whole curse if it’s the last thing I do.”
She sat there for the next hour working her way through the night they’d come to attack the beast. Every time she ran through it in her mind, her brain fizzled out at the moment they entered the beast’s room. Her head falling into her hands, Roz was afraid she might never remember.
20
“Just a little more,” she whispered.
Wiggling the butter knife in the hole, she moved the bobby pin she’d found in the bathroom hoping to hear the tumbler click. The first night she’d attempted to break out, she’d been able to use the bobby pin and fork to get out.
She probably should have taken the fork instead. The butter knife was a little harder to deal with and wasn’t working as she’d anticipated.
“You might be a great weapon, but you’re a terrible escape tool,” she muttered.
She kept trying to wedge the knife between the door and the frame as she used the bobby pin to dig into the doorknob.
“If only I had another bobby pin,” Roz said and twisted it further into the hole.
A few more minutes, and it popped. “Yes!” She put the knife into her pocket again and added the bobby pin for later. Slowly turning the knob and opening the door, she peeked her head out.
The beast’s door was closed. The hall was dark, and no sounds could be heard coming from his room or down the stairs. Since it was two in the morning, she suspected everyone was asleep.
“Only one way to find out,” she whispered and headed to the staircase.
Remembering the last time she’d gotten out and the beast snuck up on her, Roz kept peering over her shoulder. There was nothing behind her. Clicking on her flashlight, she ignored the library and continued down the same hallway until she came to the last door on the right.
Inside, Roz found it dark and empty. She closed the door and flashed her light over the area. From the left, there was a small table. It was empty on the top with a drawer underneath.
Opening the drawer, she found a set of keys and a picture frame. Pulling the frame out, she shined her light on it. Staring, Roz looked at the face of a little boy and his parents.
“Are you the beast?” she asked.
Gazing at the photograph, the eyes of three individuals stared back up at her. The father was dark haired, almost black and threaded with gray. His eyes were a dark brown. His chin was square, and his jaw was hard. It looked as if he was angry.
Glancing at the woman, she looked into blue-green eyes. Their brightness was fixed on Roz as if she was hiding a secret. Her hair was an auburn color, and her face was oval-shaped and thin. The one thing Roz noticed about her was how happy she looked. Her face was the exact opposite of her husband’s.
Next, she looked at the little boy. He was smiling. It was the first thing she perceived. His face was as bright as his mother’s, and his eyes were an exact match. They were the same blue-green, and Roz had feeling she was staring at the ocean.
She’d never seen the king before, but Roz knew from his face shape, he was the beast. This little boy looked nothing like the black and red-haired beast with his blood eyes. Roz put the picture back and shut the drawer.
“Wait.” She opened it back up. Picking up the keys, she wondered if one might go to her room. Pocketing them, she reclosed the drawer and allowed her light to scan the area once more.
A dresser sat in the middle with two bay windows on each side. They were cushioned nooks with a miniature table beside them. Both were great places to hide away and read.
The dresser was what she was looking for though, and she took the opportunity to search through it. Coming up empty handed, Roz only found several of them bare with nothing inside.
“Show piece,” she muttered.
The next wall had double doors leading out to a back porch and on either side of them were two chairs with a short table in between them. The right wall held the beast’s desk. Bookshelves lined the wall behind it.
Roz took a minute to observe the pictures around the room. They were large landscapes and abstract paintings. Most of them were unrecognizable. To the right a long, glass table sat. A lamp and two statues were on it, and on the wall over it, she saw another painting.
Drawing close, she saw it was of a horse galloping along a cliff. Shining the light over it, Roz noticed the initials in the right-hand corner of the painting. There in tiny letters were the initials ER.
“Ezra,” Roz whispered. “I wish I knew what the R stood for, but we never learned last names in school.”
Her fingers reached out and touched the frame. It was such a beautiful piece. The colors were vibrant. For a second, she wanted to be there, in the painting. How free the horse looked, and when she brought the light up to the horse’s
face, she could see it’s eye staring back at her.
She couldn’t believe it, but the horse’s gaze seemed free. It held the same brightness the beast’s mother’s eyes had, and if she wasn’t mistaken, there was a blue-green circle around the pupil.
“What are the odds,” she whispered. “Get back to work, Roz. You don’t have a lot of time to take in the scenery.”
Walking around the desk, she started pulling drawers open. One after another held papers, pens, pencils, paperclips, and various office supplies. One held a book of what looked to be a royal family tree. Another drawer held a book over the last world war. The same one which left them with the two kingdoms.
Dust covered most of what hid in the drawers, but not a piece of it littered the top of the desk. Maids or someone was in here to dust every day, but they stayed out of the drawers.
Perhaps that means he doesn’t come in here. Another dead end.
Sighing, she turned around and faced the bookshelves. They were filled from one end to the other. She’d need to hold every book under the flashlight.
“This is going to take forever,” she muttered. “I better get started.”
Starting on the left, she began to pull every book off the shelf. One at a time, she checked the title, flipped through the pages, gave it a shake, and replaced it before picking up the next one.
Two hours later, she had replaced the last book. Nothing had been found. There weren’t any hidden papers or maps or anything tucked inside any of those books.
“I must have missed something,” Roz spoke to the bookcases. “I don’t know what or how, but I know I must have missed something.”
Shaking her head, she clicked off the flashlight. Dawn wasn’t bright, but it was evident outside all of the windows. It was time for her to get back to her prison.
“Prison, sounds about right.” Taking one last look out the windows, she considered leaving. “However, I need answers. That or I need to just kill him. My options are limited, but there’s no way I’m leaving here until I’ve accomplished one or the other.”
She opened the door and checked out the hallway. One last glance at the bookshelves had her sighing again.
“I guess Buford wasn’t lying to me. There isn’t anything for me to find here,” she murmured. “Unless I’m missing something, the only answers I will receive are those from the beast. After last night, I don’t see him being forthcoming.”
The Four Tales Page 37