Beauty and the Beast *Raji x OC* (IN PROGRESS)

The Letter

Dearest Lysandra,

Please accept my sincerest apologies that I cannot give you this news in person, but we will not be able to return home for another few weeks. Your father and I have received word from King Shenazard regarding our inquiry for a betrothal between you and Prince Raji. They have accepted our offer of your hand in marriage. How excited you must be! Knights from Shenazard Castle will arrive to you within two days to bring you to your new home within the castle. Please ensure that your belongings are gathered before their arrival so the Prince is not kept waiting. Your father and I will arrange a meeting with you upon our return, and I will be able to assist you in the wedding preparations. I expect you to behave properly and bring honor to our family name.

Best Regards,

Mother

I look up from the letter in my trembling hands and take a calming breath before letting out a short, nervous laugh. This cannot be real. Mother must be joking. I lower my gaze back to the letter, willing the words to change but it's still plainly written in ink. I have been betrothed to Prince Shenazard of Tanbarun. I have spent many years informing Mother of my distaste for arranged partnerships, and yet here I am, now trapped in an arrangement of her doing. I had no idea of her intention to try to wed me off to a Prince. She'd muttered different ideas of marrying me off to someone of a higher class, but her more vocal ideas contained the names of bachelors that lived around the village, not the Prince. Perhaps the King and the Prince will rethink their agreement and will call it off. I want nothing more than to remain in the comforts of my home and read books to bide my time.

"Molliana!" I call out as I let the paper fall onto the table.

I lift my head from the tabletop at the sound of hurried footsteps entering the room. Molliana is technically supposed to be my caretaker, but she has become the closest person to a friend that I have had beyond my pet cat, Orion. My parents have never been overly fond of our bond, but Molliana is only a few years my elder and we have quite a few things in common as well.

"What is it Miss Lys?"

"The letter that came in from Mother... It appears she has signed a warrant for my death."

"That sounds rather odd. I don't believe your mother would hire someone to kill you, then inform you of her intentions."

"Not that kind of death... I have unwillingly acquired a future husband it seems."

I sigh as her bright green eyes light up with excitement and she lets out a quiet squeal as she bounces up and down.

"Lysandra, that's amazing! Who is it? You should be excited! I told you that you would find a husband before long."

"It is anything but amazing. It wasn't exactly my decision on betrothal, especially with the chosen partner... It's Prince Raji Shenazard..."

"Oh my Goddesses! The Prince!?" She cheers, her ringlets bouncing in rhythm with her jumps. "How exciting! You're going to be a Princess!"

"Have you forgotten the reputation of the Prince?" I ask her, running a hand down my face. "He's arrogant, childish, and rather foolish. I don't believe I could handle that level of idiocy in my life."

"Oh nonsense, I'm certain he cannot be as bad as they make him out to be. Perhaps you will meet and your heart will have an instant connection to his." I watch as she dramatically places her hands over her heart and arch a brow at her words and antics. "Perhaps you're tied together by fate and just are unaware right now."

"Molliana, you are supposed to be my caretaker, yes?"

"Yes, of course. Why?" She asks as she stops moving.

"I need you to take care of me by shoving me down the staircase in hopes of stopping my life."

My request to Molliana to end my life failed horribly, so I spent the rest of my day in the library, hoping that something in one of the copious amounts of texts would garner a way out of this. That failed horribly as well and when I went to go to bed for the night, I found my belongings carefully packed by Molliana and placed in the corner of the room. Perhaps they'll change their mind still and no one will ever arrive to fetch me...

I wake up to the sunrise and the sounds of someone knocking on the door downstairs. I whisper quiet prayers to whatever beings may be listening that it is simply a grocer or someone random at the door and not the knights from the castle coming to haul me off to my doom. I don't hear anything further so I burrow myself further down into the blankets and pray for more peace to avoid my responsibilities. That peace lasts only a moment as I hear Molliana approaching my door followed by a knock.

"Miss Lysandra, you have visitors."

"Tell them that I am unavailable." I grumble, placing the pillows over my head in an attempt to hide as she opens the door.

"I can't do that. It's time! They're here to take you to meet your new fiance!" She cheers as she takes away my pillow fort of protection.

"New fiance gives the implication that I have an old fiance and I do not." I sigh. "I, however, do not wish to go with them so I am going to return to my slumber under the protection of my pillows."

"You can't not go. Your mother and father have entrusted you with your family name and upholding its reputation."

"I can defend our honor by not meeting this insufferable man and therefore keeping my comments and contempt to myself. I can't insult him if I am not in his presence."

"Lys-"

"I know, I know," I sigh and unbury myself. "I'll go if I must, but if I cannot stand him I will cancel the arrangement and come home to the safety of my bed."

"That's the spirit!" She chirps. "Now, let's get you ready to meet your Prince."

"Can you come with me?" I whine.

"Only if the King and your parents allow me. As of yet, it has not been mentioned. If I cannot, I will still be here or just a letter away if you need me. I will miss you."