The Princess Maid

The Princess Maid

Belle had lived all of her life as a servant. Always following the rules and doing as she was told, it's all she had ever known. She lived in a beautiful castle as a maid who did all the cooking and cleaning.

Belle grew up in the castle with her mother and her father, who were servants as well. To Belle, living in the castle and doing all the chores was her everyday normal life.

Belle and her parents tended to one man in particular in the castle. This man was named King Charles. He was very demanding and always expected perfection and nothing less. He would yell and scream if anything was out of order or if anyone or anything was late.

He woke up at the same time each day. He ate his meals at the same time each day. He did the same thing at the same time each and every day. King Charles could become easily angered, and was often mean to the servants if something wasn't to his liking.

King Charles was a handsome man who always took pride in his appearance and how he lived. He always wore the fanciest suits and ate the finest cuisines.

Before King Charles became king, he was a prince. He lived in the castle with his mother and father, who were king and queen. They lived an extraordinary life full of riches and jewels. As a boy, King Charles was never able to do normal things that every other boy was doing. Instead, he was to stay in the castle and learn about the duties that his father was performing. King Charles never had much of a childhood. Some say this is why King Charles is so selfish and lonely today.

King Charles became king at a young age. His parents passed away in a tragic accident. He was left all alone in the giant castle.

Ever since his parents passed away, King Charles turned cold and isn't very likeable. He expects everyone to tend to him and never thanks anyone in return. People of the kingdom stray away from the castle and King Charles.

Unfortunately, on his eighteenth birthday, he was painfully cursed by a witch who turned him into a beast, looking similar to a lion. He had been this way for four years. After becoming cursed, he was no longer the handsome king that everyone knew. Instead, he had giant paws, sharp teeth, and a roar so loud that everyone in the kingdom could hear. To cope with his looks, King Charles forced his anger and frustration on his servants.

The only way that he could transform into a handsome prince again is if he changes his ways. He was to become nicer and more respectful towards everyone. He was also supposed to fall in love with a girl. But how could anyone love him if he looked like a beast?

To fulfill her days, Belle would help her parents clean the castle as well as prepare the meals. She was mostly content with where she was at, but she sometimes felt like something was missing.

As the days went by, Belle had noticed that Prince Charles was taking a special interest in her. He started talking to her more than usual and wanted to learn more about her.

One night during dinner, King Charles asked Belle to sit and eat with him. During the meal, King Charles had grown very fond of Belle and asked if she would go on a walk with him.

During the walk, they began talking and soon found out they had similar things they both enjoyed.

Later the next day, the king asked Belle to dance. Belle wore a beautiful light blue dress and he wore a sharp yellow tuxedo. They were the perfect pair. They danced the night away!

Later that evening King Charles began to express his feelings towards Belle. She could tell that he was changing. He had become kinder and nicer to her and her parents. He had even suggested that they all eat dinner together from now on.

As weeks had gone by, Belle began to have feelings for the king. She liked who he was becoming, and wanted to see how he felt about her.

Belle asked the king if he would join her on a walk outside. He smiled as they walked outside.

"I can see how much you have changed over the months," said Belle to the king.

"You have made me want to become a better man," King Charles responded.

As they continued on their walk, Belle soon realized that the king had the same feelings for her that she had for him.

As the walk came to an end, the king turned towards Belle and leaned in to kiss her. As they kissed, something magical happened. The king began to transform back into the handsome man that he once was. He no longer had giant paws or sharp teeth. He was the most handsome man that Belle had ever laid her eyes on.

As happy as could be, Belle and the king went back inside to tell her parents the good news. They decided they were going to be a couple.

Belle's parents were ecstatic that she had found someone who she loved. Together, Belle and the king were inseparable.

King Charles knew Belle was the girl and that he wanted to be with for the rest of his life, so he asked her to marry him. Without hesitation, Belle said yes!

They soon married and ruled the kingdom together as King and Queen. They were as happy as can be!

Belle's parents still lived in the castle and helped out where need be. They were the perfect family.

Belle and King Charles lived happily ever after in the castle where it all began.

Bibliography: "Beauty and the Basilisk" by Josef Baudis (link)

Authors Note: I took the fairy tale "Beauty and the Basilisk," and added my own little twist on it. In my story, I incorporated some of the names from the Disney film "Beauty and the Beast." As I was retelling this story, I decided to keep some of the original characters but also add in some different characters than what were in the original story. The original fairy tale "Beauty and the Basilisk" was about a mother who found herself to be lost. In the midst of being lost she stumbled upon a palace in the forest. She became trapped in the garden of the palace and was told by the prince, the basilisk, that she was to exchange her daughter for the roses that she picked from the palace's garden. The daughter reluctantly agreed to the exchange. The basilisk, who was once a handsome prince , demanded that the she nurse him back to health each day, until one day he demanded that she cut off his head with a sword. Hesitantly, she agreed and cut his head off. When she did, the basilisk transformed back into the handsome prince that he once was. When writing "The Princess Maid" I wanted to incorporate some of the same story line as the original fairy tale as well as adding my own ideas.