This is IT!

Thank you EVERYONE for reading and the feedback. I have really enjoyed writing this story and hope you enjoyed it too.

Please Review, I want to know what you think of the end, also should there be a sequel?

Epilogue

The West Wing 3 years later.

"Where is she?" He asked weakly.

"She is coming Master."

The door opened and in walked a woman of unsurpassable beauty. Her chestnut curls hung to her waist, pulled back at the sides and held in place by a small band of silver and amethysts. The mauve of her elegant gown brought out the deep violet of her eyes and her head was held high with self-assured confidence.

She glided gracefully across the floor and sat in the chair across the bed, holding the hand he reached out whilst the other as always clutched the source of his pain, his damaged and broken heart.

"I am here." She said softly her sadness over his pain clearly etched on her face.

He's breath was shallow and his hands were cold but he smiled at the sound of her voice and his light blue eyes saw her clearly.

Gripping her slim hand in his shaking one he gave her his final gift.

"It has all been arranged…it won't be long now…and I'll be gone."

Tears filled her eyes at his words.

"Don't say that, please."

He tried to grip her hand more tightly but his head shook at the foolishness of her request. He was ready for this, he had been ready for a long time.

"Don't…Don't cry for me…I have left it…all…to you."

Jacqueline looked at the man who had been a father to her these last three years and she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You can't…"

"It is already done…you…are now Princess of this principality…and I know, you will rule it well."

Smiled at her with utter faith in her abilities, and Jacqueline found herself wanting to tell him something. It was something she had discovered many years ago, but had never found the right time to tell him.

Smiling at the old man with all the love and warmth she possessed she began.

"When I was a little girl my mother told me a story…Once upon a time, in the forest, there was a dark castle, were lived a Beast…Who was so kind and good that none feared him… There was a prisoner in the castle, a young girl, whose father was very sick. The Beast had been very kind to her even though she was his prisoner and he didn't have to be. When he learned about the girl's father he let her leave, so she could take care of him."

There was a long silence and Jacqueline saw tears glistening in his weary eyes.

"It was you wasn't it? The story was true all along, you were the Beast, and she was the girl you loved."

He couldn't speak as the tears flowed down his worn cheeks and collected in his once red beard that now shone white as snow. With tears in her own eyes Jacqueline kissed his cheek.

"I want you to know something. She never forgot you, she never forgot. And I know that for the rest of her life, the only man Belle ever loved was you."

For the first time in 28 years he released his pain stricken heart from his grasp, and reached up his hand to touch her face. Wiping her tears away with his thumb.

"You, are my daughter, and I am so proud of you…I love my girl."

"I love you Papa…I love you so much."

With a peaceful smile on his face he laid back against the pillow and closed his eyes, never to open them again.

Letting go of his hand she looked at the table, where the book she had been reading him the day before still lay.

"For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Standing she exited the room. On the other side of the door stood servants, dignitaries, and courtiers, all waiting for her.

She stepped out with the dignity of a Queen and all bowed as she approached. Stopping in the middle of the group she addressed the assembly.

"The Prince is dead."

Once again they all bowed, somewhere among the group she heard the familiar voice of Monsieur Lumiere ring loud and clear.

"LONG LIVE THE PRINCESS!"

"LONG LIVE THE PRINCESS!" They echoed.

A lanky man in black carrying a large book stepped forward and knelt before she gave him the signal to rise.

"Yes Minister Longfellow?"

"Mademoise-Princess Jacqueline, I know now is a time of grief but I am afraid great lady that there is news that cannot wait."

She nodded for him to continue.

"It is the Emperor Napoleon Your Highness, he has broken the peace treaty he forged with your father and now he marches towards our borders intent on conquest!"

All watched her face for signs of reaction. None expected the confident little smile that formed on her lips or the cool strength in her gaze.

"He wants to break his word and trample my people under his foot? Well Minister…..Let him just try!"

He would not win, for she was a pawn no longer, she was a queen.

The End