As the days passed, the tension between Beauty and her sisters grew. Beauty could feel their jealousy and resentment building like a storm inside them. She tried to ignore it, but it was impossible to pretend that everything was fine. Finally, she decided to confront them.
"Please, sisters, we must talk," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.
"What do you want?" said Belinda, sneering at her.
"I want to know why you are treating me like this. I have done nothing wrong."
"Oh, you haven't, have you?" said Beatrice. "You're the one who gets to live in a palace and marry a prince, while we're stuck here in this miserable little town."
"That's not my fault," said Beauty. "I didn't ask to be chosen by the prince."
"Of course not," said Belinda. "You just happened to be the most beautiful and charming of us all."
Beauty took a deep breath, trying to keep her temper. "I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry if my good fortune has caused you pain, but it's not something I can control."
"You could have refused the prince," said Beatrice.
"I couldn't. I have to do what's best for our family, and this marriage will help us all."
"Our family?" said Belinda, raising an eyebrow. "You mean you and Father. Don't pretend that you care about us."
"That's not true," said Beauty, feeling a pang of hurt. "I care about you both very much."
"Well, we don't believe you," said Beatrice. "You've always been the favorite. Father always gave you the best of everything, and now the prince has chosen you. It's not fair."
"I know it seems that way," said Beauty. "But please, try to understand. I don't want to lose your love and respect."
"You already have," said Belinda, turning away. "We're done talking."
The conversation ended there, and Beauty felt a heavy weight in her heart as she watched her sisters walk away. She knew that their relationship would never be the same again, and it pained her deeply. But she also knew that she couldn't change the way things were. She could only hope that someday her sisters would forgive her and see that she had never meant to hurt them.
Days turned into weeks, and the time for Beauty's departure drew near. She packed her belongings and said goodbye to her father and her sisters, who barely acknowledged her. Then, with a heavy heart, she set out on the long journey to the prince's palace.
As she traveled, Beauty thought about all the things that lay ahead of her. She would be marrying a man she barely knew, living in a place she had never been, and taking on the responsibilities of a princess. It was a daunting prospect, but she was determined to do her best.
Finally, after many days of travel, Beauty arrived at the palace. She was awed by its grandeur and splendor, with its marble pillars and gold-trimmed walls. A servant showed her to her chambers, which were spacious and luxurious, with a four-poster bed and a balcony overlooking a garden. Beauty felt both excited and overwhelmed as she unpacked her things and tried to settle in.
That night, she met the prince for the first time at a grand banquet in the palace hall. He was handsome and charming, with sparkling blue eyes and a winning smile. He greeted her warmly and introduced her to the other guests, who were all eager to meet the new princess.
As the evening wore on, Beauty found herself enjoying the festivities more and more. She danced with the prince and laughed with.