Chrisom Roses

Chapter 3

A/N: And Willa and her Beast are back! How I missed them! Hopefully, the reposting of the earlier chapters won't take me long and we will be able to get back to where we left off, but I really need to edit the chapters before I will feel comfortable to move on. I am bad at proofreading before I post, and I don't want you to suffer through my bad grammar or bad spelling. I hope my former readers won't mind reading the earlier chapters.

Disclaimer:

I do not claim the original fairy tale, but CR's plot and characters belong to me. Any famous songs, TV show/movies/books and manga names and brands that are mentioned in this work belong to their rightful owners.

Willa Field

-.-.-.-.-.-

One:

Imprisonment of a Midnight Angel

-.-.-.-.-.-

His hands trembled on the steering wheel as they drove through the woods, his guilt building with every passing tree. The man was going to fulfill a promise he had made to the Beast thirteen days earlier after he took one of his roses. The words the Beast growled out still chilled him to the bone every time they ran through his mind's walls:

"For stealing one of my roses, you will either have to give your life or bring your Beauty to live here with me forever. You have two weeks to decide, merchant."

Grant shuddered deeply as he looked over at his daughter, tears falling from his violet eyes, his body was filled with fear for what fate would land on his youngest daughter. While Grant knew that her mind was made up and it was impossible to change it once she has, he hated that he let her talk him into letting her go to the Beast, remembering the terrifying first meeting with the Beast and knowing how fragile she is. He has been kicking himself all the way to France, wishing he would just have gone on his own, but the ginger knew Beauty, and she would've found her own way there if it would spare his life.

And then, there are his older daughters' words when he arrived home. He hated with a passion the things his other two daughters had said of and to his dearest youngest. They were so cold to her, like their souls turned into ice and nothing would have warmed them.

He growled as the snide comments that fell from Zariah and Dania's mouths the moment the ginger finished telling his story echoed through his head like a bad song:

"Let the freak go, father! You have two prefect, normal daughters here, you don't need a monster like her! Let her go and let the Beast eat her!"

"Zari is right, dad. She's the one that asked for the damn rose in the first place! Why are you thinking about this? Let the thing go!"

He rubbed his tough cheek, the growing feelings still sat in the pit of his stomach. Why had they said such horrible things? Had the two older young women always been this cruel to their youngest sister? Grant grunted as he threw his hand through his dark red hair, hating the thoughts running in and out of his head. Why was he so foolish? His foolishness cost him his treasure.

He sighed deeply, listening helplessly as Willa's silent cries filled the cab, making her father shudder once more. He hated the sound of her crying, but he was powerless to soothe her. He shook his head, grabbing her small hand into his giant one as her form bent over in emotional agony and Grant Fed winced at the sight.

His mind was going back two weeks earlier, where this nightmare all started:

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Willa giggled, watching her father goofed off as he packed his suitcase into his truck's bed, and she closed the book she was reading and placed it on the lounge table and Willa wheeled her way to the dancing man, shaking her head amusedly.

"Oh, daddy, you are so childish sometimes." The eighteen-year-old girl stated sweetly, smiling at the much taller ginger when he turned to his daughter:

"Ah, yes, but that is what makes life so fun, my Beauty. Have I not taught you nothing?" Grant grinned his wide, gleeful grin as he lifted the bed's door.

"Whatever you say, daddy. Whatever you say."

Both laughed as they made their way to the front of the truck, preparing to say goodbye to each other for a little while.

Grant Fed was leaving for a week for a business trip, the trip was for a meeting with the highest heads in his company's food chain and he was headed to Paris, France to try to convince them to make a deal with their enemy. They might be a good ally in the upcoming years.

Grant still didn't know why his boss chose him to go, but the man would do anything to please anyone he knows. Which is why the ginger asked each of his daughters what they would like as a gift, eager to please the more than any other in his life. The older two were quite selfish, only asking for the best silk dresses and jewelry that France must offer. Zariah and Dania wanted everyone to know that they were a part of the highest society and they are the best women to choose as a wife.

But as for Willa, she didn't care about those things. She was easier to please by far, for the kind teenager was only interested in her roses and books. So, she had the simple request of a red rose because they were so rare for their hometown for this time of year, and being the loving father he was, Grant eagerly agreed as he hugged her close to his body.

He was so glad that his Beauty asked for something, she was usually so quiet and she hated to ask for anything. Willa was the kind of girl that wants to please everyone before she would let anyone please her. She was like her mother in that way, all she wanted to do was please everyone:

The ginger man smiled at that thought as he climbed into the cab of his truck, closing the door while looking down at his youngest.

"Will you three be okay this week, sweetie?" He asked tenderly, feeling the guilt of leaving them once again, even though he knew that he couldn't help it. The girl smiled her sweet smile and nodded up at her father, hiding her growing fear of being alone with her eldest sisters. Willa needed to be brave for her father, she would not be weak.

"Don't worry, father, we will manage. It is only a week, daddy. We'll be fine." Willa reassured him, holding onto his hand for a moment more before letting go of her only protection.

He smiled back at her, not noticing the pain clearly placed into her gray eyes, and drove away from their farmhouse.

Willa watched as the truck faded from view with a heavy heart. It was going to be a long week, the young beauty thought sadly as she shook her head, moving her cloudy eyes back to the house worriedly. Beauty was just waiting for the screeching yell that will start her week of hell, licking her lips nervously.

And after a few more moments of tortuous waiting, her eldest sister strode out harshly with her strange large hands placed on her hips and a cruel smirk placed her thin lips. Her violet orbs held the hatred she had for Willa clearly in them:

"Willa, get your ugly ass in here right now! You have a lot of work to do this week." She sneered as she waved towards her youngest sister, waiting for her to obey, just as she always did. That b***h was always a good slave, Zariah thought with a smirk.

Willa sighed deeply and sadly, grabbing her wheelchair's wheels, and moved back to the farmhouse as she kept her head down like a good slave should.

"Yes sister, I'm coming." She stage-whispered so she could hear her, coming up to the porch where her sister grabbed her handlebars so hard that Willa could feel her brain moving with every movement of her head and pushed her inside.

Let hell week begin, Willa mused miserably, closing her eyes in acceptance.

-.-.-.-.-

Grant sighed deeply, walking along the beaten path of a woodland park away from the city. The meeting hadn't gone well, the bosses had said that it would be business suicide if they were to sign an agreement with their enemy and flat out kick him out.

Which he knew that that fact will anger his branch bosses and that might end his career in its tracks, ending the money his elder daughters loved so much.

Grant growled in frustration and rubbed his face harshly. He was so busy worrying about what would happen when he arrived home and went back to work that he hadn't realized that the week was over the next day and he didn't buy the things the eldest daughters asked for.

And knowing them, they will be furious with him, and his Beauty would be so sad that she didn't have the plain rose she asked for, but she would keep quiet and smile like she wasn't hurt about the rose, unlike her bratty older sisters who will probably pitch a fit when they would realize their father was empty-handed.

As the man shuddered at that thought, he realized something that filled him with shame: Zariah and Dania were spoiled to the core, despite his and his wife's attempts at teaching then to be kind in return to people. But they were worse now after Anna had died four years ago. It always surprised him how Willa turned out to be so kind and sweet when her sisters were so mean and sour. But, Grant knew that more of his wife was in their Beauty than their elder two:

Beauty was the complete opposite from her sisters, everyone knew that and that is why Willa is so popular at her schools. Everyone flew to the young ginger rather than the two other strawberry blonde and ginger. And their father is blind to the older sisters' hatred for their younger sister and the abuse they put her through just because everyone adored her and only a few enjoyed their company.

He mused those and other thoughts as Grant continued down the path, not noticing the growls coming from behind his back until the wolfs were on his heels and his eyes widened when he finally looked over his board shoulder. With a mere gulp, his feet took off into a run as a loud scream bounced off the surrounding trees, barks and growls following behind him:

His footsteps echoed through the woods and off the stone path, his breaths were being heavy and painful but he didn't dare to stop now while the growls were getting louder with every torturous moment that had past.

However, Grant knew that he had to stay alive for his three beautiful daughters, he was all they have. He couldn't die now and he will fight to get to back them!

He growled deeply despite the rushing fear in his chest and ran harder then, searching for any shelter from the wild animals that wanted to take a bite out of him. But the ginger man would not let them have his body or his life. He had to fight and run like hell, not only for him but for his daughters, and he was going to just that.

After a few moments more of running, the dark ginger finally spotted a gated castle a foot away from him and he giddily screamed out as the castle came closer while the forty-year-old ran faster. His chest hurt so much when he finally reached the gate, but he didn't have time to catch his breath, for the wolfs were almost at his back and he could feel their breath on his neck:

So, Grant ripped one side of the gate open and ran into the giant yard, closing just as one of the wolves jumped at him, wanting to rip the man to strands. But they wouldn't be getting a great meal from him that cold night.

As his breath returned to its normal rate, he sunk to the snowy ground while Grant watched the wolves angrily went off to find another source of food; seemingly mad that they had let such a great chance slip through their paws.

But as their forms faded away into the smoky fog, the ginger laughed mockingly and a grin formed on his lips, these words falling from his lips:

"Ha! You won't beat this old man, you beasts! I am stronger than you thought!"

Then, after his laughter died down, he let his violet orbs roam the land around him, finally realizing that the snow only covered the ground on the other side of the gate, the snow with him was from the soles of his boots, and the white fluff was piled high against the barred fence as if it wanted to keep the man in.

He c****d his head in confusion, turning his eyes up to the sky, which was oddly stormy on one side of the fence and beautifully clear on the other with the stars starting to fade in as the moon chased the shining sun from the sky, and he gasped at the sight as Grant made his way to the double doors of the grand castle.

Such a magical place, he mused in wonder, his feet carrying him up the steps:

"Hello, is the master of this castle here?! The snow is piling up and I can't get out, I need a place to stay just for the night. Please, I'll be out of your home in the morning!" Grant shouted kindly, knocking on the door when he reached it, listening for the reply to come:

But instead of a voice replying to his request, both of the doors flew open and the castle seemed to come into life. The opening glowed as the candles lining the walls by one and one on their own, bucking the man in with every flicker of their flames; they seemed to want him to be welcomed and warmed by the walls, but they made him afraid of entering the spooky looking hallway.

The man nervously backed up from the glowing opening, shaking as he gulped down the thump in his throat that was formed from fear before he decided to step into the castle. Because Grant knew he had no other choice, the castle was the only choice he had right now.

He was too far from his rental truck and if he tried to leave now, Grant might freeze under the cold night's air or the wolves might try to get a bite from him—or worse—they might eat all the old man and his daughters would be orphans. At least in the castle, he would be warm and he could rest a full night before the ginger had to brave the forest once more.

And the castle seemed harmless enough, what would happen in one night? He thought to reassure himself as he walked into the door, pushing the fears down to a dark, forgotten place.

But unknown to the man, this decision will lead to the ripping apart of his family, the one thing he cared for the most in the world…

-.-.-.-.-.-

The sun spilled into the man's temporary room, shaking him from the best night's sleep he had since he needed to start to sleep alone without his beautiful Anna.

Grant smiled at that thought as he moved to the edge of the bed, sitting while his violet eyes stared out of a huge window by the bed as the memories of last night returned to the walls of his mind upon seeing the chest and the piles of gold goods:

It was something out of those girlish cartoon movies his girls loved when they were growing up.

Talking household items met him in the long hallway, greeting the old ginger merrily and cheerily, then and food magically appeared when they led the man into the huge dining room, saying that he was the master of the castle for the night and in the morning; he would find a chest by the giant window and he could put anything in it from the piles of gold goods to bring home to his family.

"How did you know I need money? Moreover, why are you all even alive?" The ginger had questioned a female duster, c*****g his head. She chuckled as she shook her long head:

"It's a long story, monsieur. One that you shouldn't concern yourself over. Just rest and tomorrow you'll be with your girls." And with that, the items left the ginger to his meal and the fire roared on.

After dinner, Alec, an ancient-looking clock, led the ginger to a giant bedroom with a gentle smile placed onto his face, saying that the man could stay in there for the night. But just before he turned to leave, Alec turned up his icy blues up to Grant's violet eyes, pinning him underneath a cold warning stare:

"In the morning, take the chest and there will be a car waiting for you to take you to your truck. Don't take anything outside of the room and don't look back, sir. Good night, sir. Heed the warning I'm giving you."

The man still heard Alec's words burning in his mind as he pulled back on his clothes and piled everything he could in the chest, wondering what the clock meant by that.

But as soon as the chest was filled to the trim, the words were fading from his mind and a smile formed across his lips as he hoisted the oddly light chest onto his shoulder, and then Grant walked out of the grand bedroom and through the hallway.

Not sensing that his life and his family wouldn't be the same again after this, the man walked out into the sun, thinking that at least his older daughters would be happy with all the gold to buy anything their hearts desires. But then, he remembered his Beauty and her request for a simple rose:

As Grant loaded the full chest into the car, a sigh escaped his lips while his eyes roamed the lands one more time before leaving it behind, hating that he would have to go home without the one thing his sweet daughter asked for.

But just as the man was getting into the cab of the black car, he spotted the most beautiful garden of mixed roses, colors ranging to red and purple to mystical blue and gold. A gasp slipped out of his mouth as Grant closed the door and like in a daze, he walked towards the gated garden, whispering underneath his breath:

"I'm sure the master wouldn't mind if I take one of his roses for Beauty, he has many more. One won't hurt." He whispered to himself as he carefully picked a blood rose, not heeding Alec's warning.

From a window, the clock and his friends gasped in horror, knowing how important the roses were to their master, and they tried to scream a warning at the man. But sadly, it was too late, his fate was sealed.

He was about to walk back to the car, smiling happily, when a monstrous growl thundered into the peaceful silence, striking fear into the man's soul.

A moment later, Grant was staring into glowing, anger-filled gold eyes as the creature—a cross between a wolf and a mountain lion—growled harshly, foam dipping from its scout and his gold orbs were filled with angry flames as he towered over the cowering ginger:

"So, this is how I get thanked for all of my kindness?! I gave you a place to stay and more riches than you ever dreamt of owning but you still stole from me?! How dare you touch my precious roses!?" The beast roared as he raised a claw to strike the trembling man in front of him.

The ginger dropped to his knees while the rose was still clenched in his fist, a terrified sob escaped from his throat as he stared into those glowing eyes, pleading in a loud whimper while little droplets of rained down to the ground.

"Please, sir! It was not meant as an insult to you, I swear! This was all my dearest youngest daughter asked me for, I couldn't bear it returning home without a rose when it was the first time she ever asked for something. I am sorry if you thought that I meant any harm, please!" Grant pleaded with the Beast as his voice danced with fear and worry.

But, the Beast just stood there, a paw in the air, staring at the kneeling man. Was this it? He questioned as the hope began to rise within him, was the man's daughter the one he was waiting for? The beautiful creature that has been haunting his dreams all these years? As those questions danced across his mind, a tiny smile slipped over his muscle:

"What is your youngest daughter's name, merchant?" The change in the monster's tone made Grant's head snap up to meet the Beast's now curious gaze and he wondered if he should answer that question because God only knows why he was asking about Beauty, but the fear ruled him and his mouth opened on its own:

"She is Willa, my Beauty, sir. She is eighteen."

"Beauty, huh?" He whispered to himself before returning his heated gaze on the shuddering man.

"For stealing one of my roses, you will either have to give your life or bring your Beauty to live here with me forever. You have two weeks to decide, merchant.If you do not return in that time, I will come for her or you on my own. I have my ways to find you. Don't try to run, because believe my words, I'll find you, merchant."

And before Grant could loudly refuse and give his life to the Beast, he was suddenly alone in the car, on the path to his rented truck. Unwilling, the man entered a contact he would not break and the deal was sealed.

-.-.-.-.-.-

When the castle came into view, the gate was opened for the truck. He was waiting for us, Grant thought grimly as the truck crossed into the magical place. Once he found a place to park, Grant grabbed his daughter's hands and brought them up to his chest with a worried expression laced to his facial features:

"It isn't too late, Beauty, I can get out and let you drive away. Please rethink your decision." He begged Willa quietly, but his begging only made her smile a sad smile and shake her head slowly.

"I made up my mind, daddy, I'm giving you and my dearest sisters the freedom from having to take care for me—"

"Don't say that! We love you!"

But he had a sinking feeling that his older daughters could care less about their baby sister. Seeing their happy grins when they left for Paris, as if she was an unwanted burden they couldn't wait to get rid of, Grant expected there was so much more to worry about his spoiled two older daughters and he hated to think what they did to the youngest of the family when he wasn't around to see. Was he that blind to reality?

And by the doubtful sigh from Willa, he knew that his beloved Beauty suffered much at her sisters' hands:

"Father, dear daddy, you might love me and it is painful to let me go, but my dear elder sisters hate me without a second thought. This is the best thing I can do for you and them, so please let me do this. I don't want them to hate me even more for letting you die and I could not bear living with the knowledge I did let you die at the claws of the Beast for something I asked for, daddy. My mind is made up, please stop trying to change it." She whispered sadly, lifting the hood of her cape around her head, for the younger ginger was ready to get this over with.

With a sigh and a nod, he got out and walked around to the bed to lower Willa's chair to the grassy ground. A few moments later, she was lowered into her chair and was pushed to the entrance, feeling out of breath. Was this her end? Willa wondered as she looked around the castle's lawn with over her heart, trying to calm her wild heartbeat. But when the Beast appeared with a gentle expression on his face, it started again for a whole other reason. It felt like she was happy to see him, she was safe now. She felt like she knew this terrifying-looking beast, but why?

With those feelings sitting in her heart, she was so confused, but also so excited, not really knowing why.

The ginger lowered her head and breathed through her nose, calming herself. But, soon her breath returned to her smoothly and her racing heart slowed, allowing her to look up at the Beast again.

Willa was expecting to see his expression changed to something to fear, but he was still looking at the young woman like she was his whole world, and that look almost made her melt. She swallowed slowly before Willa nodded to her father, urging him to push her forward to meet him. Grant didn't want to, but he knew he had to, and he slowly did as he was told.

When they were face to face, the small ginger gingerly looked up at her new roommate and she saw the Beast smiling back at her lovingly:

"Hello dear Willa, you kept me waiting quite a long time. Did you come here at your own free will, my rose?" He required in a soothing tone, it was odd to hear him talk so sweet while looking at his beastly appearance. But she felt safe around him, so his strange looks did not strike fear into her and his kind tone only soothed her more:

"Yes master, I did. Please spare my father's life, I agree to stay here with you if you promise that my family will be safe and happy."

This earned her a laugh and a shake of the head, the Beast knelt to tenderly touch her cheek with a strangely soft claw. Her father shuddered in fear, but Willa just welcomed the touch, only wincing when he passed over an old bruise.

"You truly are too adorable, Willa. Yes, they will be well taken care of, although I don't think your sisters deserve my kindness." He growled as he touched a tender bruise on her cheek. Realizing that bruise was from the older girls because he knew that no one else would hurt her, Grant growled lowly also, planning on giving them a punishment they'll never forget.

"Master," Grant started, making the Beast look at him with a deadpanned expression laced to his face:

"Please, promise me you'll keep Willa safe because I failed to. You are the only one that can do it now, so please take care of my Beauty."

"Don't worry, mon bon monsieur, she is in good hands with me, my staff was told to be prepared for her and I put her room on the ground floor so we don't have to worry about carrying her up and down the stairs, because I know how uncomfortable it is for her."

Willa gasped at this, surprised at both how prepared the Beast was for her and how much he already knew about her. How could he know that she hated to be carried up heights? She wondered in awe, staring wide-eyed at the male. As if he read her mind, he gave her a smile that should've made the beautiful ginger scream in fear, but it made her smile back shyly.

"Oh, my sweet rose, I know that my knowledge of you and your habits is a bit alarming but I have to know everything about you to be able to take care of you well—"

"Does that mean you know everything about my condition?" Willa questioned in a whisper, looking down at her lap ashamed. The Beast tucked a claw under her chin, tenderly bringing her eyes back to his:

"Yes, and I don't care. You are beautiful. Now say goodbye to your father and we will go, everyone is waiting to meet you. They are very excited to meet their new mistress." The Beast stood and moved the ginger back to her father, smiling sweetly, his head urged her to say goodbye:

She looked at the Beast once more before she jump-hugged her father tightly, humming sadly in his ear, tears forming in her eyes.

"I'll miss you, daddy…" She whispered into his ear, pulling back to look at him. He smiled sadly, tucking a stray hair back behind her ear before landing a kiss to her forehead and sighing as he lowered her back into her chair, kneeling in front of the beautiful ginger

"I know sweetie, but I think this is where you should be. Zariah and Dania are so horrible to you, I see that now. Willa, he will take care of you, I don't think he is the monster I first thought him to be. You will be loved and adored here, and that's all I need to know." He caressed her cheek before Grant turned to the no longer fearsome Beast once more, smiling kindly as he walked to the rented truck for the last time.

"Thank you, sir, you might have saved me a cruel awakening. Take good care of my Beauty where I couldn't, she is my treasure." He stated in a tender tone, his violet eyes turned down to the ground sadly. The beast stared as the man climbed into the cab, feeling the love he had for his youngest and he nodded firmly:

"She is the princess of this castle now, I'll make sure she is happy and comfortable here, I promise." This earned him another smile and a nod of the head.

"Well, I'll leave her in your hands then, sir. Beauty, I love you, sweetie. Behave for me, ok?" He asked tenderly, feeling the guilt of leaving her once again, even though he knew that he couldn't help it.

The girl smiled her sweet smile and nodded up at her father, hiding her growing anxiously of being alone with the Beast the first time. Willa needed to be brave for her father, she would not be weak.

"Don't worry, father, we will become good friends, I know it. It is going to be okay, daddy. I'll be fine, I'm sure of it." Willa reassured him, grabbing hold onto his hand for a moment more.

He smiled back at her, not noticing the pain clearly placed into her grey eyes, and drove away from the grand castle.

Willa watched as the truck faded from view with a heavy heart, but with also a sense of safety. It was going to be alright now, she thought as she looked back at the Beast; the wind lowered her hood, freeing her ponytail….

Two souls would be healed.