The Beast

Chapter 1: The Talk

This is not just a simple story; it is a narrative that has the potential to grow into a legend, morph into a myth, and eventually become a beloved tale told at bedtime. How do we often begin such enchanting stories? Ah, yes. In a time long past, there lived a young woman named Brina; her hair, as dark as rich chocolate, was illuminated by the sun's warm glow, and her eyes sparkled with the deep blue like sapphires, captivating the hearts of men and stirring envy in the hearts of women. Yet, beyond her striking beauty, what truly set her apart was her remarkable kindness, a quality that radiated warmth and compassion, drawing people to her like moths to a flame.

Brina grew up as an only child, a circumstance shaped by the tragic loss of her mother to a devastating illness before she had the chance to welcome a sibling into her life. When Brina was just five years old, her father remarried, introducing two older stepsisters, Gwyn and Stephanie, into her world. Unfortunately, their presence often turned her home life into a challenging experience, as they frequently made her feel unwelcome and unhappy. Despite her difficulties, Brina remained steadfast in her commitment to kindness, treating her stepsisters and stepmother with compassion and grace, refusing to let their behavior diminish her spirit.

William, Brina's father, was a man of significant means, but he was resolute in his decision not to indulge his daughter or her new stepsisters. As Brina matured, her beauty blossomed, and she developed a deeper appreciation for her father's efforts and sacrifices. Curiosity often filled her mind regarding the reasons behind her father's decision to remarry, eventually prompting her to confront him with the question. In response, her father explained that he believed it was essential for her to have a mother figure in her life as she grew up.

Twenty-one years later, Brina sat on her bed, meticulously brushing her long, dark hair. The tranquility of the moment was interrupted by a gentle knock on her door, prompting her to call out, inviting the visitor in. The door swung open to reveal her father, William, his face illuminated by a warm smile that instantly brightened her mood.

"Hello, sweetpea," he greeted her in a tender voice.

"Hi, father," Brina responded, her smile reflecting their reunion's joy. She cherished these moments with him, especially since his absence often left her vulnerable to the relentless teasing of her stepmother and stepsisters. Whenever she confided in him about their behavior, he would confront Elena, only to have her dismiss Brina's claims, leaving her feeling foolish and misunderstood. Over the years, the weight of those experiences had silenced her, and she chose to keep her struggles to herself.

William closed the door to Brina's bedroom, crossed the room with a purposeful stride, and settled onto the bed beside her.

"Are your travels finished for now, father?" Brina inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, for the time being," William replied, taking a brief pause to gather his thoughts. "However, my journeys aren't the main topic I wish to discuss with you."

"Oh? What is it then?" Brina pressed, sensing the weight of his words.

With a heavy sigh, William began to speak, "Well, Brina..." but before he could continue, a sharp knock interrupted the moment.

"He's here, sir," one of the maids announced, her voice cutting through the tension.

William turned slightly, acknowledging her with a nod. "Thank you, Megan; please inform him we will be down shortly."

Brina's brow furrowed in confusion as she looked at her father. "Father? Who's here?"

William instinctively scratched the back of his neck, a telltale sign of his unease. "Your suitor," he said gently.

"My what? Father, you can't be serious!" Brina exclaimed, panic rising in her voice. "You wanted to tell me I have a suitor?"

"Brina, please, just take a breath. He's a handsome man, a business by trade. I believe he will take good care of you," William reassured her, hoping to calm her racing heart.

Brina pushed herself up from her bed, placing her brush on the vanity with a hint of frustration. Her gaze drifted to the wall as she pondered, "Who is he?"

Meanwhile, William remained on the edge of her bed, his eyes fixed on her back as he replied, "His name is Stephen." Turning to face her father, Brina's expression was one of disbelief. "Father, he's arrogant and insufferable. Why not just send me to the Beast instead? That would be far more bearable."

Rising to his feet, William's tone shifted to one of authority. "You will not speak of Stephen in that manner; he is going to be your husband. The Beast? Have you lost your senses, Brina? The Beast is not someone to take lightly; he earned that title for a reason. Come downstairs and meet Stephen; you may find that he’s not as bad as you think." With a dismissive scoff, Brina relented, "All right, Father. I’ll be down shortly."

Brina observed her father as he exited the room, firmly closing the door behind him. A wave of frustration washed over her, fueled by his recent actions. She had met this man named Stephen, undeniably handsome, yet he exuded an air of arrogance that made him insufferable. The women in town seemed to be infatuated with him, captivated by his charm and status as one of the most sought-after bachelors.

How could she navigate this situation without igniting a conflict between their families?

Brina squared her shoulders with a heavy sigh, straightened her back, and lifted her chin defiantly. Taking a deep breath, she crossed her bedroom, steeling herself for what lay ahead, before finally stepping out and going downstairs.

As Brina made her way down the staircase, the conversation sound reached her ears, unmistakably featuring her stepmother, Elena, alongside another voice. A voice she could identify instantly, having encountered him numerous times during her trips to the market for fresh produce. A wave of exasperation washed over her as she braced herself for the inevitable interaction with him, fully aware that she would have to endure his presence again.

As she gracefully entered the parlor, everyone rose to their feet; Stephen, captivated by her beauty, found it impossible to divert his gaze. Meanwhile, her step-sisters, Gwyn and Stephanie, exchanged knowing glances filled with disdain, fully aware that Brina was destined to be Stephen's wife.

"Stephen, allow me to introduce my daughter, Brina," William declared, and at that moment, Stephen's face lit up with genuine joy. With his short dark hair and warm brown eyes, he stood tall and undeniably handsome, though his arrogance somewhat dulled his appeal. "Oh, I know her well," he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "I've seen her several times at the market, but I had no idea she was your daughter, William." In response, Brina shot him a scornful glance, clearly unimpressed by his self-satisfied demeanor.

"Since you two are already acquainted, I suppose an introduction is indeed overdue," William remarked. "But tell me, Brina, what were you doing at the market? We have maids to handle those errands."

Brina raised an eyebrow at her stepmother, aware that her father would likely see through her excuse. "I was simply curious about the marketplace, Father," she replied, masking the truth. In reality, she had been working alongside the maids, as her stepmother had instructed, tending to the fire and reading a book by its glow, her clothes stained with soot.

"Hm," William mused thoughtfully. "Very well, let’s proceed to dinner, shall we?"

He guided everyone to the dining room, taking his place at the head of the table, with Elena seated to his right. Brina settled to her father's left, and Stephen, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair for her. She shot him a look of disdain but accepted his gesture with a graceful nod as he pushed her chair in. Across from them, Gwyn and Stephanie took their seats while the maids began to serve various dishes, filling the table with a feast.

Brina kept her gaze fixed on her plate, avoiding any eye contact as the conversation unfolded around her. "So, Stephen," Elena initiated, breaking the silence, "What kind of business do you do?" Stephen flashed a charming smile that could easily win anyone over, prompting Brina to glance up and notice Gwyn and Stephanie gazing at him with dreamy expressions. "Stocks, Bonds, investing, and other things," he replied confidently. Brina couldn't help but roll her eyes at the display. "That's quite impressive, Stephen," Elena remarked, her tone laced with genuine interest. "Absolutely," Gwyn and Stephanie chimed in together, their admiration palpable. Inwardly, Brina felt a desperate plea for divine intervention. She quickly turned her attention to her stepmother, her voice steady but firm. "My question is, who orchestrated this betrothal?" Elena's smile took on a mischievous edge as she responded, "That would be me. You're twenty-six now, Brina; it's high time you considered settling down and starting a family." Brina shot back, "And what about your daughters, stepmother? They’re twenty-seven and twenty-eight. Shouldn’t they be the ones to marry first?"

"Brina, my daughters is not your business; no one could ever meet their standards," Elena said with a charming smile.

Brina fixed her gaze on her stepmother, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "But Stephen is certainly a more suitable match; why would he seek my hand when you have two lovely daughters eager to marry him?" she replied, returning the smile with one of her own.

William's jaw tightened, his irritation evident as he struggled to contain his frustration with Brina's boldness. In a sudden burst of anger, he slammed his hands on the table, causing the dishes to rattle ominously.

"Let’s maintain some decorum in front of our guest, Brina," William admonished, his tone firm.

Brina let out a soft sigh. "Yes, Father," she responded, her tone steady yet contemplative.

William turned his attention to Stephen, curiosity evident in his voice. "So, Stephen, what is it that drew you to my daughter?"

Stephen leaned forward, his expression earnest. "William, what caught my eye about your daughter is that she stands apart from the crowd. Unlike many women I encounter in the market who fawn over me, she maintained a certain distance. I asked her name, but she chose not to share it, which only piqued my interest further. I made it a point to seek her out whenever I could in the marketplace."

William looked at Brina, surprise flickering across his face. "Brina, you didn’t tell him your name?"

"No, I didn’t," Brina replied, her honesty unwavering.

"Why would you do that?" William pressed, seeking clarity.

"Because, Father, he simply isn’t my type. With a throng of women vying for his attention, I can’t fathom why he would choose me as a potential wife. It’s clear he is the object of desire for every eligible woman around," Brina stated with confidence, her conviction evident in her words.