Four weeks later

"What is it Papa," asks Marie noticing his furrowed brow.

"I need to ride to Paris right away," replies Antoine.

"Why so soon Papa," queries Marthe.

"Remember our ship, 'The Mermaid'?"

"How could we not, it's been so unlucky you wanted to change the name," Marthe laughs.

"Don't laugh Marthe, sailors say mermaids use their beauty to lure men to their deaths," Marie cautions.

"What would sailors know, they are ignorant, superstitious, fortune hunters. What were you saying about 'The Mermaid' Papa?"

"This letter says, it has just docked at port laden with cargo from China."

Marthe and Marie beam with delight. "That ship's luck may have changed forever. Imagine it Papa, there could be enough money from the cargo for us to afford to move back to Paris leaving this dusty, rural place, sadly lacking in entertainment."

"Ever since we got here, I can't sleep, worrying about wild animals from the enchanted forest prowling and hunting around this cottage. Being here is like being at death's door."

"Stop being overly dramatic Marie, you're missing the theatre and the nightlife in Paris." She turns to Antoine, "Papa when the cargo is accounted for, could you buy me the latest Parisian gowns, hats and gloves?"

"I'd love jewellery and the latest theatre programme."

"You're rather quiet Beauty, what do you want me to bring back for you," her father prods her shoulder playfully.

Replying in a hushed voice, "Father nine ships are still missing. You have back taxes and delayed tariffs on customer orders to pay. Return to us safe Papa, that's my heart's desire."

"Beauty you've been looking for plants for that flower garden out front," pipes Marthe.

"You talked of little other than the vibrant roses you so enjoyed on palace grounds, isn't that so," echoes Marie.

"Papa it won't cost anything if you bring me a cutting from a rose bush growing on the public roads between here and Paris, would it?"

"It won't cost me a thing Beauty," he smiles indulgently at her.

The sisters' wave off Antoine as he rides away on Philippe the horse. His form disappears around the curve of the drive leading away from the farm. Later that afternoon, there's no ship awaiting to be cleared by port authorities. Realisation hits Antoine right in the gut, he has been the victim of an elaborate hoax.

He had gone to the trouble of hiring farm hands for the day to do his hard labour chores on the farm for the day. Having raised the expectations of his beloved daughters, he was poorer than when he left home. Deflated, Antoine steers his Philippe on the return journey home.

He's within thirty miles of the farm, when grey clouds make him ride faster. He takes a short cut through the forêt de Fontainebleau and looks out for wild roses. About three miles into the forest, he ends up in woods so thick, he can barely make out the way ahead. Having completely lost his bearings, Philippe, blindly follows the jagged forest terrain.

The sky opens up and large drops of rain splash down hard from all directions. A blizzard bellows interjected by white powdery snowed drops. Gale force winds howl louder than the pursuing wolves. The force of the winds knock Antoine off his horse twice. He picks himself off the ground quickly, his life in peril from the pack of snarling pursuing wolves.

Antoine throws rocks but the wolves crazed with hunger, get bolder the more tired he and Philippe become. A miserable demise in the tempestuous storm. He's no more than a couple of miles from home when falls of again.

The leader of the pack catches up with him.  Staring into the snarling animal's golden eyes, Antoine thinks he might never see his beloved daughters again...

It takes your vote and comments for this story to be ranked on wattpad. If you enjoyed reading this chapter, please share it with your friends, vote, comment, review etc...Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this chapter. Love y'all!

Want to keep informed of updates as they happen, add Beauty & the Beast to your reading list. Thanks AS x

May, 16, 2015