Chapter Text
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young Prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the Prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind.
But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the Prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress, one of magical powers. The Prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart.
And as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous Beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there, causing those to be deceased, ghosts of the castle. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his twenty-first year. If he could learn to love another and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a Beast for all time.
As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope.
For who could ever learn to love a Beast?
🥀
Vil hums as he leaves his cottage, followed by Epel.
"I hate going to the village," Epel complained, "people stare and whisper to each other and it's normally so crowded, and I hate that."
"I told you to ignore those rumors, Epel." Vil lectured, "I have told you before, you know Father cares about you as much as I do. No one else should change that, ok?"
"I know, but the town makes me very uncomfortable. And every day is boring here."
"Oh?"
🥀
Vil:
Little town, it's a quiet village
Every day like the one before
Little town, full of little people Waking up to say...
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
🥀
Epel sighs as Vil pulled him towards the village, already bombarded by many greetings, already putting Epel on the spot. "Ugh, I'm already so overwhelmed," He muttered to himself. "Come on, let's go to the bookstore, ok?"
Vil grinned and leads Epel into the village.
🥀
Vil:
There goes the baker with his tray, like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Every morning just the same
Epel:
Since the morning that we came
To this poor provincial town
🥀
"Good Morning, Vil!" The baker greeted, taking out fresh bread from the ovens.
"Good morning, Monsieur," Vil spoke, and looks back at Epel, "Epel, don't be rude."
"Ah, good morning, Monsieur." Epel mumbled.
"And where are you off to?" The baker asked.
"The bookshop," Vil answered excitedly, "I just finished the most wonderful story. About a beanstalk and an ogre and a—,"
"That's nice," The baker interrupted," Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!"
"And you call me rude," Epel sighs.
"Yeah, no one appreciates books anymore, I suppose," Vil groaned and opens his book as he begins to read, arms linked with Epel's.
"Yeah," Epel agreed.
🥀
Look there he goes, that boy is strange, no question
Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?
[Woman:] Never part of any crowd
[Man:] 'Cause his head's up on some cloud
[Townsfolk:] No denying he's a funny boy, that Vil
🥀
"The bookstore is just around here," Epel hums, helping Vil around the town, as he was greeted by many townsfolk as he tried to rush past them.
"Bonjour!"
"Good day!"
"How is your family?"
"Bonjour!"
"Good day!"
"How is your wife?"
"I need six eggs!"
"That's too expensive!"
Epel finally found the bookstore and pushes Vil inside as fast as he could, finally having a sigh of relief, leaving the streets of the town.
🥀
Epel:
There must be more than this provincial life!
🥀
"Ah! Vil! Epel!" The Bookstore greeted, "Anything new today?"
"Ugh, I wish," Epel laughs, looking around the bookstore.
"Good morning," Vil greeted, holding the book," I've come to return the book I borrowed."
"Finished already?" The Owner laughed.
"When has he not finished a book?" Epel joked, "He's always ready when he isn't working around the house, doing chores."
"Oh, I couldn't put it down! Have you got anything new?"
"Not since yesterday," The owner sighs, "sorry about that, Vil."
"That's alright. I'll borrow...," Vl looks around and takes out a big book with a grin, "this one."
"That one? But you've read it twice!" The owner gasped, "My, what a reader you are, Vil."
"It's my favorite. Far-off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise..." Vil drifted off, looking into the book, already distracted. "If you like it all that much, it's yours."
"Oh, how much?"
"Oh, free of charge!"
"But sir..." Vil hesitated.
"I insist," The owner smiles, "You are the best customer I had in years, so I'd be happy to give it to you."
"Well, thank you! Thank you very much!"
🥀
Look there he goes, that boy is so peculiar
I wonder if he's feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And his nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Vil
🥀
Vil looks around and sits by a fountain.
"This town is always so full, and people love to gossip, and...Vil?"
🥀
Vil:
Oh, isn't this amazing?
It's my favorite part because you'll see
Here's where she meets Prince Charming
Epel:
But she won't discover that it's him till...?
Vil:
Chapter three
🥀
Epel smiles and rests on Vil as he listens to him read to him, ignoring many people and their judgmental stares.
Epel knows why, and so does Vil. But unlike Epel, Vil didn't care and often lectured those who judged them when he does notice. But that couldn't stop many of those who are jealous or vain.
🥀
[WOMAN]
Now it's no wonder that his name means "Beauty"
Her looks have got no parallel
[SHOPKEEPER]
But behind that fair façade
I'm afraid he's rather odd
Very diff'rent from the rest of us
[TOWNSFOLK]
He's nothing like the rest of us Yes, diff'rent from the rest of us is Vil!
🥀
Epel looks over at two other men and gasps, "We should get going, Vil. He's back from his hunting trip."
Vil groaned in disgust, "Alderic?"
"Yep, with his stupid sidekick too," Epe huffed and gets up from the fountain, "Let's go before he sees us, and by us, I mean you." He pulls Vil up and rushes away.
The previously mentioned Alderic walks by, followed by Cedric, holding on to his shotgun.
Alderic was known for two things, one was his hunter spirit, and he was known for hunting and bringing those dead animals for food if he wasn't so self-absorbed with his beauty. That was the second thing, he was the most handsome man known to man, and he knows it and flaunts it endlessly, much to Epel's dismay.
His younger brother, Cedric, was a different story, not known for much other than following Alderic around, and not a hit with the ladies, so he's one of the better hunters, aside from Alderic, of course.
"Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Alderic! You're the greatest hunter in the whole world!"
"I know," Aledric laughs, admiring his reflection on a pan, "Aren't I just the best."
"No beast alive stands a chance against you," Cedric panted, lifting the bag "And no girl, for that matter."
"It's true, Cedric. And I've got my sight set on that one," Alderic mentions over toward Vil, who's trying to ignore his gaze.
"The inventor's son?" Cedric stammered.
"He's the one, the lucky boy I'm going to marry." Alderic declared, fixing his hair. "
But he's-," "The most beautiful boy in town."
"I know, but-,"
"That makes him the best. And don't I deserve the best?" Alderic smirks, looking back at Vil.
"But of course! I mean, you do! But I-," Cedric stammered again.
🥀
Alderic:
Right from the moment when I met him, saw him
I said he was gorgeous and I fell Here in town, there's only he
Who is beautiful as me
So I'm making plans to woo and marry Vil
🥀
As he walks by, he flashes a smirk and flexes by 3 young women getting water from the well, causing all to swoon, even close to fainting.
🥀
[BIMBETTES] Look there he goes Isn't he dreamy?
Monsieur Alderic
Oh, he's so cute!
Be still my heart
I'm hardly breathing
He's such a tall, dark, strong, and handsome brute!
[Woman 1:] Bonjour!
[Alderic:] Pardon
[Vil:] Good day
[Woman 2:] Mais oui!
[Woman 3:] You call this bacon?
[Woman 4:] What lovely grapes!
[Man 1:] Some cheese
[Woman 5:] Ten yards!
[Man 1:] One pound
[Alderic:] Excuse me! Please let me through!
[Cheese merchant:] I'll get the knife
[Woman 6:] This bread -
[Woman 7:] Those fish -
[Woman 6:] It's stale!
[Woman 7:] They smell!
[Men:] Madame's mistaken
[Women:] Well, maybe so
[Townsfolk:] Good morning!
Oh, good morning!
Epel:
There must be more than this provincial life!
Alderic: Just watch, I'm going to make Vi my wife!
[TOWNSFOLK] Look there she goes The boy is strange but special
A most peculiar mad'moiselle! It's a pity and a sin
He doesn't quite fit in
'Cause he really is a funny boy A beauty but a funny boy
He really is a funny boy
That Vil!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour!
🥀
"Why hello, Vil!" Alderic greeted, causing Vil to drop his book in surprise, getting it dirty into a muddy puddle below him.
"Ugh, you don't know when to quit, do you?" Epel huffed, "What do you two want?"
"If it's another attempt to woo me, I am not interested." Vil hissed, grabbing his book, and begins to clean it, "And besides, we got what we came for."
"Another book?" Alderic mocked, snatching the book from Vil, "Vil, come on, you are one of the most gorgeous people I've ever met but reading? You'd get ideas, and when you have ideas, you'd become a nutcase like your papa."
"Don't bad mouth Papa like that," Epel yelled, "Don't you ever say his name with your disgusting mouth."
"For such a cutie, you have a huge mouth, Epel."
"Leave him alone," Vil pushes him away, "You are not insulting my younger brother to get to be with me," He grabs Epel's hand, "Come on, Epel, we are leaving."
Vil and Epel rush back to their cottage, hoping that Alderic didn't follow them.
Epel peaks out the window,"He's not here, that's good."
"Good. The nerves of that man, thinking he can insult anyone he wants because of me," Vil sighs, resting on a chair.
"Boys, back so soon?" called Oliver.
"Yes,"
"Could one of you please help me down here?" Oliver chuckles, "Your old man got himself stuck again."
Epel and Vil shared looks and stayed silent for a small moment. "I helped him last time," Epel reminded, walking toward the kitchen.
Vil sighs and walks downstairs to the basement, watching his papa fix a screw in a large machine before it exploded with dust.
"Well," coughed Oliver, "It's ready." He dusts himself off, "Thing's got clogged with dust so I was trying to clean it up."
Vil coughs and laughs softly, wiping himself off, "Looks perfect, Papa."
Oliver smiles and looks at Vil, "So, enough about me, how's your day?"
Vil looks down and sits down, "Papa, I have a question for you." "Of course, my boy, what is it?"
"Papa, do you think I'm...odd?"
"My son? Odd?" Oliver laughs, Where did you get an idea like that?"
"I don't know," Vil muttered, "It's just that, well, people talk.."
Oliver pats his son's hand and gives him a reassuring smile, "they talk about me, too."
🥀
Oliver:
No, we're not odd, it's true
No fam'ly could be saner
Except for one uncle who...well, maybe let that pass In all, you say or do
You couldn't make it plainer
You are your mother's son; therefore you are class
Vil:
So I should just accept
I'm simply not like them
Oliver:
They are the common herd
And you could take my word
You are unique, creme de la creme
No matter what you do I'm on your side
And if my point of view Is somewhat misty-eyed
There's nothing clearer in my life
Than what I wish and feel for you
And that's a lot
No matter what
🥀
Vil smiles and hugs his Papa tightly.
🥀
Vil:
No matter what they say
You make me proud
I love the funny way
You stand out from the crowd
Oliver:
It's my intention
My invention
Shows the world out there one day
Just what we've got
Vil:
No matter what
Oliver:
Now some may say all fathers just exaggerate
Vil:
That every son's great?
Oliver:
You are!
Vil:
And every son tends to say his father's tops
Oliver:
He pulls out all the stops
To praise him
Both:
And quite rightly!
Oliver:
No matter what the pain
We've come this far
I pray that you remain
Exactly as you are
This really is a case of father knowing best
Vil:
And son too!
Oliver:
You're never strange
Vil:
Don't ever change
Both:
You’re all I've got
No matter what
🥀
"Thank you, Papa,"
"Of course," Oliver grinned, "Trust me, we are a small fam'ly of weirdos, and that's what makes our family strong."
He stops for a moment and smiles, "Smells like apple pie, how about we eat before I travel?"
"That was today?"
"Yeah, I couldn't ignore their demands, Vil, and trust me, this is the first time my inventions were well known." Oliver beams and walks upstairs.
Vil smiles and follows.
🥀
"Are you sure you got everything, Papa?" Vil asked and helps with the jacket.
"Vil, I am pretty sure," Oliver chuckles, "I have traveled before."
Epel hands him his pouch of small inventions, "We know, but we can't help but worry about you. You're getting old and you should be relaxing."
"I understand, and besides these old bones won't stop me," Oliver smiles and hugs his boys tight, "I'll be back soon and I'll write. I promise." Oliver gets on his horse and starts to ride off, the wagon behind him creaking as he rode away.
Epel and Vil waved toward their Papa until he disappeared into the forest.
"Is it normal to be so worried?" Vil asked. "Oh yeah," Epel answered, "but I can trust him. He's one of the strongest people we know."
"Stronger than Alderic?"
"Oh, defiantly stronger than Alderic." Epel looks and sighs, "Speak of the devil himself,"
He points towards a head in the distance.
"You're right, we should get inside," Vil walks inside, "and find a plan to get rid of him."
"Let's."
Epel and Vil rushed inside, staying silent as much as they could, thinking of a plan to get rid of the snarking man.
"Vil," Alderic called out, fixing his hair, "I know you're in there, my love." He knocks on the door again. "Vil, don't be shy now. You know I don't bite."
Vil silently scoffed and looks through the peephole, "Just a moment." Vil sighs before opening the door and shows a shy grin.
"About time," Alderic laughs and walks inside, "Now, today was a bad start, and now I come to make things right."
"And how do you suppose to fix it?"
"Oh, Vil," Alderic grinned and grabs Vil's hand, "Just listen to me."
🥀
Alderic:
You've been dreaming, just one dream
Nearly all your life
Hoping, scheming, just one theme:
Will you be a wife?
Will you be some he-man's property?
Good news! That he-man's me!
In this equation, girl plus man
Doesn't help just you
On occasion, women can
Have their uses too
Mainly to extend the family tree
Pumpkin, extend with me!
We'll be raising sons galore
Vil:
Inconceivable!
Alderic:
Each built six foot four!
Vil:
Unbelievable!
Alderic:
Each stuffed with ev'ry
Alderic gene!
Vil:
I'm not hearing this!
🥀
Vil tries to reach for the door but is swept back when Alderic grabbed his waist and pulls him back to his arm. "Please let me go," He groaned.
🥀
Alderic:
You'll be keeping house with pride!
Vil:
Just incredible!
Alderic:
Oh so gratified
Vil:
So unweddable!
Alderic:
That you are a part of this idyllic scene
🥀
"Picture this," Alderic hums, "A rustic hunting lodge, my latest kill roasting over the fire, my little wife massaging my feet, while the little ones play on the floor with the dogs. We'll have six or seven!"
Epel from behind gagged as he silently opens the door, leaving Vil to distract and push him, so he started to touch his chest. "Dogs?"
"No, Vil! Strapping boys...like me!"
"Imagine that!" Vil faked a swoon.
🥀
Aledric:
I can see that we will share
All that love implies
We shall be a perfect pair
Rather like my thighs
You are face to face with destiny!
All roads lead to...
The best things in life are...
All's well that ends with me!
Escape me?
There's no way
Certain as "Do, Re,"
Vil, when you marry...
🥀
"So Vil, what would it be?" Aledric insisted, "Is it "yes", or is it "oh, yes"?"
Vil giggles and pushes Aledric towards the door and watches as Epel lifts his foot slightly, ready for impact.
"You make a good compelling argument," Vil stammered, "I...I just don't deserve you!"
"Who does? Me- ah!!" Pushed by Vil, Aledric tripped over Epel's legs and onto the muddy hills below, immediately sinking into the mud, and the band he ordered, started to play as Cedric tried his best to serenade, unaware of the situation.
"But thanks for asking," Vil laughs and closes the door.
Epel laughs, "He got what he deserved." He looks out the window, "I wish I could take a photo."
"Is he gone?" Epel nodded, "Pretty sure."
"I need some air," Vil moaned, walking outside the porch, grabbing some of the seeds, and walking by the animal barn. "Oh, can you imagine?" He complained, feeding the chickens, "He asked me to marry him! Me, the wife of that boorish, brainless-!"
🥀
"Madame Alderic!"
Can't you just see it?
"Madame Alderic!"
His "little wife", ugh!
No sir!
Not me!
I guarantee it!
I want much more than this provincial life!
🥀
Vil looks over at the sun slowly setting and walks over to the hill and sits down, feeling the breeze, just trying to ignore everything around him, words around the town that caused distress.
🥀
I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more than I can tell
And for once it might be grand
To have someone understand
I want so much more than they've got planned
🥀
Night slowly falls as Vil reads his book, with the only light provided was a candle.
"Chapter 3," he hums and he continues to read until a harsh breeze shook him. He looks by a nearby window, opens up, and snow falls inside. He rushed over and tries to close the window, with the help of Epel.
"A snowstorm," Vil sighed, "Poor Papa, I hope he's alright."
"Same here," Epel agreed, "Maybe he's in a nearby shelter..."
🥀
In the deepest forest ahead, Oliver coughs and shivers as his horse trudges through the now snowy path, but with the heavy impact of the snow, it was now harder to see his path. But this man was determined to get to show his creation to the world, and he knew he was on the right path.
🥀
First prize is nearly mine
It's quite my best invention
So simple, yet complex; So massive, yet so small
This triumph of design Will be my old-age pension
That is, provided I can find the fair at all
🥀
Small sounds around him as he continued, but an unfortunate thing happened, as he fell out of his ride. He begins to look around but the snow was really starting to pile up, and small growls begin to grow in sound.
🥀
I must have missed a sign
I should have paid attention
Drat!
That's not a nightingale, and not a mating call
🥀
Oliver looks around and gasps at beady yellow eyes looking at him hungrily.
🥀
Wolves!
🥀
Oliver begins to speed off, ignoring the barks and growls of the wolves chasing him, and he slowly slowed as his body surcome to the cold and he suddenly faints on the snowy ground.
"Shoo!" called out an unknown voice, trying to sway the wolves away.
"Are you ok?' asked another voice, a gentler one.
"...who," he coughed.
"Oh, Trey, he's so cold, let's take him to the castle."
"Sure," the other voice hesitated, "but, what if Leona...?"
"Who cares about him at this moment? He's going to die in this cold."
"You're right. Let's take him inside." Oliver's eyes shut as he felt his body being lifted.