Dimitri was a young man and the crown prince, chosen by the fates out of his brothers to become king of the kingdom. So naturally his father wanted him to learn how to become a man. Dimitri was a soft boy who cared for others and was very helpful. He enjoyed flowers and gardening, was fascinated by animals, and enjoyed helping the servants with their chores. His father didn't mind this too much, but it wasn't how a king should be. He needed Dimitri to be strong and brave.

He was somewhere around thirteen years old when his father decided to take him and his brothers out on a hunting trip. It was rather boring, sitting around and waiting for a deer to show up. Dimitri eventually snuck off from the group to go play. When he did he found the most magnificent deer in all the land standing in a clearing. He wanted to touch it, so he made his way over. The deer noticed him and dashed off, but Dimitri was determined to be its friend so he chased after it.

Hours passed by and soon it was dark. Dimitri called out for his father and brothers, but to no avail. He couldn't hear anyone nor see anything. He was completely lost. Giving up, Dimitri sat beneath a hollow tree and began crying. He was scared and alone.

Just when he thought no one would ever find him he heard a soft voice of a young woman who appeared to be around the same age as him, though something about her felt more mature.

"Young man, are you alright? What are you doing out in the forest at night?"

Dimitri sniffled and said nothing as he rushed to the woman, crying into her arms. The kind woman took him back to her tower and had him sit by the fireplace. She made him some warm stew while he calmed down. Dimitri managed to explain to the woman who he was and what happened. The woman simply smiled and told him it would all be okay now.

While eating, Dimitri felt himself getting extremely sleepy. It wasn't long before he passed out. When he woke again he found his hands bound behind his back and a collar around his neck, chaining him to what he assumed was a bed. It was too dark for him to make out anything. He pleaded to be let go, but the woman only laughed. She informed Dimitri that he would be staying there until he learned how to serve her and to give in quickly. From that point forward the witch Stella kept Dimitri locked away in her tower. She tormented him and manipulated him into becoming her perfect little beast to serve her. Her goal being able to control the king when he finally took the throne.

Years later on one stormy night, Stella returned to the tower. She removed the hood she was wearing. Dimitri was quick to greet her, smiling up at her softly as he rushed to her side, taking her cloak and hanging it on a hook beside the door.

"My lovely goddess, I've missed you so much. Would you like for me to draw you a bath? Or perhaps you need a massage?"

It had only been a day since she was gone, but to Dimitri being away from his goddess felt like centuries. He tilted his head as he noticed a strange looking book in her hands called The Book of Fates. He kept quiet as he awaited his mistress's commands.

"No, my dear beast. For now some tea will do just fine. I'd like to read in peace."

He nodded and bowed his head before disappearing into the kitchen to brew her some tea. Stella sat down at the table, lighting a candle before she began flipping through the pages. After several minutes, Dimitri returned with her tea. The further into the book Stella got, the worse her expression became. She looked pained and worried. When she closed the book she looked as if she had seen a ghost.

"My goddess, is everything alright...?"

She was silent for a moment before cutting her eyes at Dimitri and smiling wickedly. She walked over to him and caressed his cheeks.

"I'm better than alright, my dear beast. Don't you worry about me. Everything will be fine. For now, how about we rest together. One last time before we reunite."

Dimitri tilted his head, unsure what she meant, but he smiled and nodded. Stella guided him to bed where he snuggled into her arms, his head against her chest as he fell asleep to her petting him.

Once Dimitri was asleep, Stella quietly got out of the bed. She cast a spell in the other room that caused someone to swap places with her before taking the book and leaving. When Dimitri woke he found someone else in Stella's place, thinking they were Stella because that's who he saw them as. He was happy at first, but they seemed completely different than he remembered. Eventually they fled, abandoning him in the tower alone.

It had been five years since he was abandoned in that tower. Dimitri eventually wandered out into the forest and returned to the kingdom where Clara, a kind healer mage, found him. She helped him heal and remember who he was before he was kidnapped. Once reunited with his family, they helped him relearn how to be a prince, preparing him to become king. The memory of Stella still haunted him, and he was obsessed with finding her.

Dimitri sat upon his throne, watching as his subjects danced within the ballroom below. The palace was hosting a masquerade for the kingdom where all were invited. His father's health was fading, so the masquerade was also intended to help Dimitri find a bride.

"Your majesty. Don't you think it would be easier for you to find a wife if you were to go down into the crowds?"

Clara, his best friend and advisor, stood beside him. She brushed her blonde hair back, her soft blue eyes gazing down at him.

Dimitri rolled his eyes from behind his mask. Why did he even need a wife? He could never love anyone after Stella ruined his perception of love. Clara frowned.

"Well, if you don't want to mingle with others, then perhaps you would be so kind to dance with me, your majesty?"

Clara's smile was gentle with a soft blush across her cheeks.

"Mayhaps in a bit, Clara."

His eyes drifted over the crowd once more as he contemplated the offer. But he froze, a pain striking his chest. His eyes widened as he turned his attention back towards a pair of eyes that had caught his attention. Even with a mask on he recognised those eyes. Stella. He watched as someone waltzed so elegantly through the crowds.

Without saying a word he rose from his throne and made his way down towards them. She was here. Was it to taunt him or did she forget him? Either way he didn't care about her reason. She was here and he would not let her go again. She would be his. She had no choice in the matter. He wanted her. Needed her.

Once he was next to her he reached out, roughly grabbing her wrist and yanking her towards him and pulling her into a dance. The crowd around him began to gasp and whisper as they watched the scene before them. No one seemed to interfere.

"There you are, my dearest Stella. I've been searching everywhere for you. Why did you abandon me?"

He whispered in her ear with a slight growl in his tone.