A magnificent castle founded on the top of a hill could be seen over the horizon, with grandiose walls surrounding it's premises.

A magnificent castle founded on the top of a hill could be seen over the horizon, with grandiose walls surrounding it's premises.

The gates of the castle were wide open and the carriages of rich nobles trooped in. The air seemed lighter,  the sun seemed to have a noble glow to it. Cherry smiles and laughter could be seen and heard all around.

Inside one of the castle rooms, a beautiful young lady stood watching the crowd of nobles below through the window of her room. She rubbed her fingers against the flat end of a wooden necklace that had three sevens grafted on it's surface. It was a departing gift from someone dear to her.

Her eyes were dull and lacked excitement. The merry seemed to be non-existent within the walls of her luxurious room.

"Lady Rose! Are you dressed yet? The ceremony is about to begin" the sound of a knock was heard in the room, accompanied by the voice of one of the King's servant. 

Silence prevailed until the door creaked open as Rose's personal maid and friend walked in. Seeing her mistress still gloomy caused a sigh escape her lips.

"Lady Rose, you're not dressed for the ceremony. Your father wouldn't be pleased"

"I don't have a dress" Rose replied, her voice soft and pleasing to the ear. She walked to her bed and layed on it.

"Your wardrobe is filled with lots of beautiful dresses. Lying has never been your forte"

"How long would you remain gloomy. It's been ages since anyone saw you smile genuinely" The maid replied feeling downhearted.

"I don't want to go, Haret" Rose said.

"This is an opportunity to meet another man. A nice gentleman. As a princess countless men are swarming over you but it wouldn't remain this way. Sorry to say, but you would certainly get old and lose your beauty" Haret said helplessly.

The room fell into silence once more. The silence was broken by the sound of Rose sobbing.

"Haret, I feel heartbroken. It's been seven years since he promised to return to me...what if...what if he isn't coming back...I'm so miserable" her tears rolled down her beautiful face as she clenched her fist around the necklace.

It had been seven years since the commoner, William was banished from the kingdom. His crime being that he kissed the King's only child, Rose.

The news of his daughter being defiled by a commoner filled the King with fury. He wanted the young man's head on a pike. Haret remembered how Rose pleaded and begged her father to spare his life claiming he was the one she loved. The King couldn't allow that to be the fate of his daughter and at the end, William was banished.

Haret climbed the bed and cradled Rose trying to comfort her. After a long comforting and cheering up, Haret finally got Rose to wear a dress.

She joined the ceremony, putting on a purple ball gown and a tiara on her head. The only thing that seemed out of place was the wooden necklace on her neck with three sevens grafted on it's end.

"You look beautiful, Lady Rose"

"You are as refreshing as the morning dew"

"Your eyes are like beautiful shining pearls"

"Shall I dance with you, Milady?"

She received several compliments and proposals from young nobles which she responded to with dull eyes and a plastic smile on her lips.

The ceremony ended and most of the nobles were gone. The sky was already dark and filled with countless stars. She looked and saw the King with his men, they seemed to be having a discussion.

She decided to take a walk to the garden being guided with the light from the burning touches and moonlight. The castle garden was one of her favourite places. It was filled with beautiful flowers and lovely trees.

"Finally, some peace and quiet" she said, her face gloomy once again.

Suddenly she heard the sounds of footsteps behind her which made her turn to take a look.

"....grwhre izz dizgr grrlace...gre whitgh gaidg ong gre seventh yearg ofg gre seventh mong ang ong gre seventh gay..."

"...isg gre a fogrest?"

She could barely make out what she the person was saying.

'Is he perhaps drunk?' she thought.

When the figure was 5 metres away from her, her whole body stiffened. What stood before her could only be described as a monster or beast.

It's back was hunched yet it stood over 7 feets with large arms and legs that had sharp long claws. It was covered in fur and from it's mouth two fangs protruded.

What caught her attention though, was the wooden necklace it held between it's claws. It was the same as hers. There was only one person other than her who had the necklace and that was...

"William..."

"Grose..."

They called out at the same time. It seemed that fate had brought both of them together once again on the seventh year on the seventh month and on the seventh day.

The two misplaced lovers found solace in the embrace of each other and the only witnesses this time were the stars and moon.