The petals are falling.

One by one.

Each soft thud on the floor is a countdown, a reminder. Of how little time he has left. Of how unfair it all is.

He stares at the mirror — your face no longer reflected in it.

Gone.

Because he let you walk away. Because he believed the lie he told himself.

“She deserves someone whole.” “Someone human.”

And now the castle is colder than ever.

He walks slowly through the darkened hall, cloak trailing behind him, raindrops leaking in from the cracks in the tall stained glass windows. Each step echoes louder than the last.

Until he reaches the west wing. The rose is nearly bare.

He falls to his knees in front of it, trembling, broken — the beast, yes, but more than that now. Something between.

And then the words come, like a whisper from a dream:

“My life is so unfair... Everyone sees me as if I’m the beast out there.”

He clenches his fists. The pain is too much now. Not from the curse — but from the ache where you used to be.

“No one can truly see the human inside me.”

“Except her…”

His voice cracks.

“You taught me all about unconditional love. You saved me. But I—”

“I let you go.”

Another petal falls. He sobs.

“I wanted you to know how much I love you, so—”

And then— A voice behind him.

Soft. Familiar.

“Then tell me now.”

He turns, breath catching in his throat.

You’re standing there. Soaked from the rain. Eyes full of tears.

“Tell me now, before it’s too late.”

And with everything left in him, he rises — chest heaving, voice shaking.

“I won’t lie. I want to be with you every day and night.You warmed me. You woke me. You saved me from the dark. Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme… and I am yours.”

The last petal drops.

And nothing happens.

Until your hands reach for his face. Until you whisper,

“You were never a beast to me.”

And just like that—

The curse shatters.

The light breaks through the stained glass.

And he’s just Felix.

Real. Human. In love. With you.