Just then, her mother's voice echoed up the stairs.

"Beauty, breakfast is ready! Come down before it gets cold!"

Beauty blinked and glanced at herself in the mirror one last time before turning away.

She walked out of the bathroom and made her way downstairs.

The scent of bacon and eggs wafted through the air, and her stomach growled in response, momentarily distracting her from her worries.

Entering the kitchen, Beauty saw her father sitting at the head of the dining table, hidden behind the morning newspaper, and her mother bustling around, setting down plates of food.

The kitchen was filled with the warmth of morning sunlight streaming through the...