(1-7) He's not lying

There would be no reason for the beast to lie. If the beast truly wants to take you and your sister captive, telling you two that the palace grounds are cursed would not prevent you two from attempting escape.

You narrow your eyes at the beast, "Are you the one who cast the curse?"

"No," the beast answers.

"Who else would cast a curse on your castle?" you question.

"I cannot tell you," the beast replies. "However, I have prepared a guest room for your stay. As I had believed only one daughter would come, I have only prepared one room. If my two ladies would stay in that room as of now, I will prepare the other room right away."

"Who says that we are staying?" you oppose.

"You cannot leave," the beast counters patiently.

You bite your lips.

"My ladies, I vow by my life that I will not harm either of you," the beast declares.

After a few seconds, you ask again, unrelentingly, "What is your purpose in forcing us to come and stay in your palace? You knew that the palace was cursed, but you still requested our father to send his daughter here. Or, more specifically, you threatened our father. Why is that?"

What could the beast's intentions be? After all, his demeanor varies greatly from what your father had described of him. Could the beast be silently scheming a malicious plan? What if he is only treating you and Belle politely because he wants to fatten his prey before devouring them? Millions of questions prevent you from trusting the beast before he provides a definite response.

The beast is silent for a moment before answering, "I'm afraid I cannot tell you."

"How are we supposed to trust your words then?" you frown in irritation.

"I apologize, but you have no other choice. I would have no reason to deceive you, as you cannot escape the palace grounds whether I decide to harm you or not. But of course, my promise stands true. I will not harm either of you."

You can feel your palm starting to sweat. Do you two really have no other choice? Can you trust the beast's words?

You look dejectedly to Belle, hoping for some guidance.

Belle looks back with an expression of distress mirroring your own. "Cora, I'm sorry. It's all my fault for dragging you into this," Belle softly apologizes.

You sigh. Having received no guidance, you pat her hand and whisper your decision, "It's okay. We're going to figure something out. Let's follow the beast for now."

Belle nods her head, and you look back to the beast.

"Fine. Take us to our room."

The only thing you regret, aside from coming here in the first place, is coming here unarmed.

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Continue to (1-9) Your Room