Beauty in the beast

Beauty's Curse

Once upon a time, there was a young king, recently crowned after the sudden death of his father. The kingdom was in turmoil, and the people watched eagerly as the young king stepped into the role of ruler, though his heart was heavy with the weight of responsibility. Despite his new position, the young king did not let the power go to his head. He was thoughtful, kind, and driven, yet there was something missing in his life—a love he had not yet found.

In the royal court, a young witch named Morganna had become infatuated with the king. She was cunning and beautiful, charming those around her, and had positioned herself as a trusted confidante. She saw herself as the best choice for the young king’s bride, convinced that none other could rule alongside him with such wisdom and grace. Morganna had spent years subtly sabotaging the king's would-be suitors, threatening rivals, and ensuring that her presence was always felt. Despite her beauty, her wit, and the hours she spent in his company, the young king remained indifferent to her romantic advances.


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The Arrival of Beauty

One fateful evening, the young king held an inauguration ball to mark his reign. It was here that Beauty, the daughter of a successful but financially struggling merchant, made her entrance. Beauty was radiant, with a charm that was both quiet and captivating, in stark contrast to the more pompous nobles present. Her beauty was not in the extravagance of her dress but in her warmth and the kindness she exuded. When the young king saw her across the ballroom, his heart skipped a beat. He was immediately drawn to her.

They spent the evening in each other’s company, dancing, chatting, and getting to know one another. They spoke about life, the pressures of the world, and dreams they held for the future. The young king was enchanted, not just by her looks, but by her intelligence and humility. Beauty, too, felt a connection with the king that she had never felt before. They shared their hopes and fears, the weight of their respective lives, and before the night was over, it was clear that their hearts were entwined.

However, Morganna, hidden in the shadows of the ballroom, had been watching the entire exchange. Her jealousy burned like fire. She was not used to being overlooked, especially by someone as important as the young king. As the night wore on, Morganna's mind began to churn with a plan. She would not let this common merchant’s daughter stand in the way of her destiny.


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Morganna's Devious Plan

The witch’s schemes had always been subtle but potent. She soon learned that Beauty’s family was in financial ruin and that Beauty's sisters harbored ill feelings toward their younger sibling. The witch, seeing a weakness, ordered Beauty’s sisters to spy on her and find something—anything—that could ruin her relationship with the young king. However, the sisters came up empty. They found no scandal, no betrayal, and nothing to tarnish Beauty’s reputation.

Frustrated and enraged by this failure, Morganna decided to act. She used her dark magic to curse Beauty and her entire family, transforming them into ferocious beasts. Beauty’s father, once a respected merchant, was now a towering creature, as were her sisters. The curse spread quickly, and soon, the family was terrorizing the land. They attacked villages, killing livestock, and striking fear into the hearts of the people.


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The King's Hunt

When the reports of the beasts’ attacks reached the young king’s ears, Morganna took the opportunity to manipulate him further. She convinced the king that he must join the hunt to rid the kingdom of these terrifying monsters. Morganna told him that only by killing the beasts would the curse be broken, and peace could be restored. She spun a tale of how the beasts were dangerous creatures with no hope of redemption, and only the young king could restore safety to the land.

Determined to protect his people, the young king gathered a group of soldiers and set off on the hunt, unaware that the creatures he was hunting were none other than Beauty and her family. As the hunt progressed, the young king’s men were able to slay Beauty’s sisters with ease, each one falling at the hands of the king’s skilled warriors.

When they finally reached Beauty’s father, the young king was ready to strike him down, his sword raised high. But just as he was about to deliver the fatal blow, Beauty—transformed into a wild beast—stepped forward and stood in front of her father. The king froze, staring into the creature’s eyes. There was something in those eyes—something human, something familiar. The young king couldn’t explain it, but he knew, deep down, that this was no ordinary beast.


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The Moment of Truth

As the young king approached the beast, trying to understand the conflict swirling in his chest, Beauty lowered her head in a silent gesture of surrender. The young king hesitated, his sword trembling in his hand. It was then that Morganna pushed her way forward, shouting, “Sorcery! The beast has bewitched our king! It has dulled his senses and intends to destroy him. Kill the beast, for it is no more than a monster!”

With fury in her eyes, Morganna lunged at the beast with a pike, but Beauty, swift and powerful, swatted the weapon aside with a single paw. The beast, now revealed to be Beauty herself, roared and advanced on the witch. Morganna was no match for the creature’s power, and with one final swipe, Beauty ended the witch’s life.

In the stillness that followed, the young king stood in awe. The witch was dead, and with her, the dark magic that had cursed Beauty and her family was lifted. Slowly, Beauty and her father began to change. The terrifying beasts they had become were no more. Beauty, now free of the curse, stood before the young king, once again in her human form.


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A New Beginning

The young king, still in shock, stepped forward. “It was you,” he whispered. “You were the beast all along.”

Beauty nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. “I never wanted this. I never wanted to be a monster. It was all the witch’s doing.”

The young king smiled softly. “I should have seen it. I was blinded by the hunt.”

Beauty’s family, now restored, knelt before the young king, offering their thanks for breaking the curse. The young king, moved by their plight, vowed to protect them and their future.

And so, the young king and Beauty, bound by fate and love, returned to the kingdom. The young king ruled wisely and justly, with Beauty by his side. Together, they built a life founded on love and mutual respect. Their hearts, once uncertain and broken, were now whole.

The kingdom flourished, and the people rejoiced, knowing that their king had not only freed them from the threat of the beasts, but had also found his true love in Beauty.

And they all lived happily ever after.


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