The Cursed Prince

Chapter 959: Beauty And The Beast

Rowena wanted to say yes, but then her gaze and ears caught on something in the distance. It was a beautiful and elegant building, a number of people were gathered over there and all lined up.

A great number of the people who were lined up looked like they were in the wealthier and noble class. Men and women in fancier than usual outfits awaited despite the morning sun, some with parasols shielding them and others simply fanning themselves.

There were some posters posted on the outside, with tasteful and vibrant colors that attracted the eyes. While most of the people celebrated the festival by spending a day in the outside heat of the sun, these people were trying to enter somewhere away from the rest.

"Catch it for one day only–the greatest show you'll ever witness in your entire life!" a young boy went around the rest of the crowd, showing off a similar poster, but then the boy stopped in front of Rowena and Raphael in awe.

The two looked like they both had come out from a fairytale, and if the boy didn't know any better, he would have assumed that they were part of the great cast.

"Excuse me, Miss and Sir, would you like to attend a never before seen theatrical performance?" the boy explained and offered them a poster.

Rowena accepted the poster and saw that there was a beautifully painted intricate scene that depicted a couple together in what appeared to be some kind of ballroom and castle.

"What is this?" Raphael asked, rather intrigued as well.

The young boy cleared his throat and recited the lines he'd been told to say.

"Our talented actors will be performing a story written by our playwright–the beauty and the beast. A thrilling romance that extends beyond what the eyes can see, a never before seen–"

"Do you want to go there, Rowena?" Raphael asked.

"Aren't you hungry?" Rowena blinked.

"Oh, I'm not that hungry yet… I just didn't like the merchant." Raphael admitted with a slight cough. "He was trying to…"

"Grab my attention to sell me wares?" Rowena chuckled. "This has happened to me more than enough times that I've gotten used to it–or got myself a cape and hood to hide myself, but we rushed here."

"My apologies, shall I make it up to you by taking you there?"

Rowena eyed the poster with a critical eye and clicked her tongue. "It seems quite expensive, one gold coin for each person is a robbery–"

"The actors are wonderful!" the boy protested. "There will be an orchestra playing in the background, amazing talent, sharp wit and they'll only be performing for today before they leave. Of course, you pay this much for a rare opportunity."

"You know what? Fine." Rowena chuckled at last at the rather insistent boy. She glanced at Raphael and said. "I'll do my best to repay you next time. At a later date, surely I'll–"

"Please do not worry about the payment, I think I would have wanted a companion if I were going to watch a play, so I'm happy that it's with you."

"O-okay."

***

The boy's words turned out to be as good, or even better than promised.

When Raphael and Rowena purchased their tickets for the show and entered the building–the heat of the sun outside melted away and instead, the cool and even refreshing air inside welcomed them as they were led to their

seats.

"Why is it so dark?" Rowena wondered quietly.

"Please refrain from speaking too much while on the premises, especially during the performance, Madam." An employee helped them take a seat.

"Apologies." Rowena blinked but nodded.

While Raphael sat down in the seat right next to her, Rowena couldn't help but look at him.

"Is it you?" she whispered.

"Hmm?"

"It's a bit cold here," Rowena commented as she looked at the stage where the only lights hung above their heads. She could now guess that it was probably because they wanted the people's attention on the stage alone which was why they kept the building intentionally dark.

Thick red velvet curtains hid the performers behind the stage as anticipation filled the hearts of the guests. Raphael shook his head and reached for her hand, squeezing it slightly if only to show her.

"Nope, I'm warm as you can see," he said.

"A-ah, you're right!" Rowena blushed and pulled her hand away and rested it on her lap.

The two of them held hands earlier, but underneath the expanse of the darkness of the antechamber, it strangely felt more intimate than she thought.

"Ladies and gentlemen–thank you for coming all the way to witness a spectacular tale of love and romance. Of action and dashing! Of tragedy and horror! Come observe it all!"

A handsome man walked up to the center of the stage as he addressed the guests with a showman smile. "Please come and see this story come to life. The Beauty and the Beast."

The people applauded as the curtain slowly opened and soon enough, both Rowena and Raphael found themselves enchanted and enthralled by a tale that both had never actually heard before and yet somehow felt familiar.

Rowena watched with bated breath as the story reached its climax.

Not only were the actors beautiful and talented people chosen for their roles, the environment, stage, atmosphere, and even the music blended so well to create a symphony of delights.

While both Rowena and Raphael have actually seen true luxury and exquisite sights for both being true royalty, the story also held its own charms paired along with the genuine passion of those who performed.

When the story came to its end, when the 'Beast' was brought back to life by the 'Beauty'—tears sprang up in Rowena's eyes. Everyone stood up and gave it a standing ovation.

It was a story that taught a lesson, revealed a romance, and ignited the heart of those who spectated upon it. Both Rowena and Raphael glanced at each other silently for a moment, unable to say a word until they finally left the building.

"It was a lovely show, don't you think?" Raphael commented. "Though the fairy itself seems quite unrealistic–"

"You've seen one before?" Rowena asked.

"Uh, among my journeys with my friends." Raphael admitted sheepishly. "They're far more mischievous, beautiful type of people–"

"Then you must be incredibly lucky that you haven't been turned into a 'Beast' then," Rowena joked lightly.

"Huh?"

Rowena cleared her throat. "I'd expected that someone else would already harbor affections for you–so it's good that you haven't been turned."

Raphael

chuckled at the silly joke. "Perhaps. But similar to the Beast, I'm afraid that they're already interested in someone else…"

"Is that so?" Rowena asked, but then quickly caught herself and looked ahead. "So where was this restaurant that you saw, Raphael?"

Rowena and Raphael spent a better part of the morning going around the festival, attending a wonderful theatrical performance as the two of them finally sat down to have lunch—she couldn't help but look at Raphael's face.

She didn't think it was possible, didn't think it was fair for her to feel this way, but she was feeling a bit better, despite their awkward moment earlier. She could even smile again.