I got “Kiss From A Rose” on the radio today, literally hours after reading this!

Totally with you on them changing the storybook Belle was reading to the Beast in the Human Again special edition cut.

King Arthur was perfect. And Beast already had an appropriate reaction as Belle is reading it to him and when she finishes the story.

Then they had to fix what wasn't broken. Romeo & Juliet is also a long play, I'm sure Belle reading each character's line and having to state their names each line change so the Beast knows who is saying what would have gotten old really quick. But what really gets me is Belle's tears of romantic joy at the end (Romeo & Juliet is very brutal leading up to the last scene) plus the Beast staring at her like she just finished reading Three Little Pigs and saying "Read it again!"

Disney really didn't think that part through.

This was wonderful. It was well written and I enjoyed it so much! Definitely going to read the one shots.

A very intriguing darker take on this particular classic.
Your ideas regarding the prince’s backstory and how he ended up acting like a ‘beast’ even before he became one were simple but effective, dropping some interesting hints without giving away too much information too early. His parents’ darker history is plausible without appearing too over-the-top, as well as giving the former prince a motive for doubting love that doesn’t appear too forced or cliché. It even serves to add extra depth to his relationship with Belle without appearing too Freudian, as her situation just reminds the Beast of what happened to his mother even as there are clear differences.
Belle’s own changed history and motivations are also handled well, showing her taking more of an active role in asserting her own freedom where canon had her basically just wishing for a chance to do more without showing any obvious sign of doing it before she went to the castle (in her defence, obviously she had limited opportunities at this point in history). Her bonding with the Beast while talking over their views on Arthurian mythology also won this storyline a few points, as I’ve always enjoyed those tales myself.
The final confrontation and its aftermath are well-explored, as the Beast proves the lessons he has learnt have stuck by giving Gaston a chance to be better even if it ultimately fails. The household’s reaction to the birth itself all fits in nicely, as Cogsworth deals with the wider implications while Mrs Potts helps Belle cope with the more personal side of things.
Unexpected touch with the Enchantress appearing at the end, but I can’t fault it as a good way to reinforce what she was trying to do and show how the prince has grown from his experience. Even if she could see the future, it’s gratifying to know that she only foresaw possibilities rather than certainties in his case, particularly if it means that certain other parties can be dismissed as they would have never been worthy of that kind of second chance.

And once again I finished this story with tears in my eyes and my heart deeply moved. Can you imagine it has been nearly eight years since Ive last been here? This Christmas time I felt really inspired to re-read your incredible re-telling and it had been an emotional journey worth taking.
Thank you for having written this story. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm so very glad you didn't name the Beast Adam. I never cared for his name to be that (and it's NOT canon). Adam just seems so simple of a name and a little overused. Maybe I only think that because I have a brother with that name. But I like Alexander as his name. That name sounds more regal. You did a really good job on this story. I love it. This must be my 10th time reading it. I'm not sure if I reviewed tobthis already or not.

Of course I'm NOT offended. I actually like you put that Nativity in here, & the thing about Joseph is perfect for this

I'm excited to keep reading. But I do wonder why so many fics (in various fandoms, not just Beauty & the Beast) insist on forcing a rape baby in to the plot. History of rape adds to the story, but a rape baby changes the story entirely. It's such a common fanfiction Trope at this point and it always makes me want to stop reading the fic. I don't want to read about children, or motherly love, or another guy accepting a rape baby for the woman he loves. The rape on its own is enough of a conflict. I only care about the romance and the baby muddies the waters. I can't be the only one that feels this way?

I'm sure those comments were unnecessary, sorry, but I have no clue where else to express the frustration. You're a good writer and I'm still excited to see where you take this.

Well written. :)

This was really an interesting fanfic on Beauty and the Beast. I love all the details and the 'whatif' itself.

SCREEEEEE!*

I’ve always loved BatB ever since I was a child but for whatever reason this year I dived headfirst into the hole that is BatB fanfic and I’m so happy I found this one! Your take on this story while blending what we already know was amazing. The fluffy bits were my favorite, of course. Soft!Beast makes me want to sob ANYWAY, I know I’m late on this story by many many year but I’m grateful to have read it during a time when things have been a little rough. So thank you for that!

I LOVED this chapter so much!

She smiled at him, but it wasn't the mocking smile he was used to seeing. Instead it was kind, and he thought he detected a hint of pride. "You've become the ruler, and the man, you should have been had you not lost your heart at the deaths of your parents. You learned the lesson I set out to teach you—and more. In fact, you've surpassed my expectations."

He jumped down out of the cart, shaking off Belle's restraining hand on his shoulder. Slowly, he walked up to stand eye to eye with the enchantress. They were nearly of an equal height; she stood barely an inch taller. He remembered how she had loomed over him the night she'd cast the spell. She looked straight into his eyes without flinching.

"You think I didn't do you a favor by transforming you?" she asked, very quietly.

"I lived for ten years as a monster with nothing but a desperate, impossible hope that nearly drove me mad. Now that the spell is over, I don't even recognize myself in the mirror anymore. I was nearly killed because I looked like an animal, not a human. I wouldn't call that a favor," he said boldly.

"The hunter tried to kill you because he saw you as a rival for Belle's hand, not as an animal," the enchantress replied. "And that being the case, my spell saved your life. If Belle hadn't declared her love when she did and the spell hadn't restored everything, including your human body, you would have died. There was nothing I could have done about that. And do you really want to know what your adolescence as a spoiled human boy would have looked like? Or the tyrannical, womanizing man you would have grown into? I can show you, if you wish to see that. It's worse than anything you ever experienced as a Beast, believe me. The most terrible part of it is, you would have been desperately unhappy and not even known why, and you would have taken it out on anyone and anything that came into contact with you.

"Now, look around. You're about to marry a woman you love more than your own life, and who loves you back just as fiercely. You changed your ways for her, in order to become someone worthy of her love and respect. You have a beautiful daughter you'll help raise into a fine young lady, and more children if you and your wife so choose. You have a household full of servants who are loyal, and not because they fear you. You've become a good man who strives to do the right thing, not merely ensure justice is done. All of that came about because of the consequences of my spell. Now look me in the eye and tell me I didn't do you a favor, Prince Alexander."

"And Gaston?" he asked.

"What about him?"

"He was just as selfish and cruel as I once was. Yet you didn't transform him, or send him on a quest like Queen Guinevere did for Sir Gawain, even after what he did to Belle."

"Not everyone can be saved, Alexander. You've learned this by now. He made his choices, but unlike you, and Sir Gawain for that matter, he did them knowing the possible consequences. Though it was noble of you to offer him another chance." She sighed, and looked away briefly. "Seeing the future is a burden sometimes, knowing there are those that can't be helped even if I were to intervene. It all depends on human choices in the end, not on any sort of magical help—or punishment—I can bestow."
—-

A happy ending for all.

Wow, Merlin was the enchantress? Intriguing.

Great fic, stupendous.

Let's go, Lumière. This is turning out to be a longer day than I expected."

But Lumière didn't move. He was staring at something in the road ahead.

"Lumière? Is everything all right?" asked Belle.

"Lumière?" Alexander tried. Still no response. Exchanging glances, Belle and Alexander made their way to the front of the cart, Maurice and Lefou not far behind. They peered over Lumière's shoulder. Alexander suddenly gripped Belle's arm, hard.

A gorgeous blonde woman in flowing green robes stood patting Philippe's head. The horse was calm under her touch, which reassured Belle a little. However, both Alexander and Lumière were acting as if she had two heads. Neither man could take his eyes off her, and Belle could feel Alexander's palm sweating through her dress sleeve. Lumière was shaking slightly.

"It's her," Alexander finally managed. "The enchantress."

—-

She showed up! The enchantress, and a angry LeFou, but that was evaded.