In the entrance hall, I hide behind a tall oval vase as the guests continue to arrive. I don’t want to scare anyone else.

“This better be quick,” one of the guests grumbles as she slams her way through the foyer, banging the marble with her cane.

Oh! It’s Grumpy Great-Grandma!

At the same time, Beauty makes her way down the grand staircase. I gasp. She looks totally gorgeous. Not that I’m surprised. She’s wearing a long, flowy, silky white dress and a white veil. Her hair is loose around her shoulders.

“Ready!” she chimes, stepping onto the floor.

“There you are,” snaps Grumpy Great-Grandma. She points her cane at Beauty. “Where have you been? I need more bananas! Right now!”

“Oh, hi,” Beauty says. She bites her thumbnail. “Right now?”

Grumpy Great-Grandma bangs her cane against the marble floor. “Yes! Right now!”

Beauty pivots. “Okay, let me just look in the kitchen …”

“Beauty, no!” I say, jumping out from my hiding place. “You need to get to the Great Hall. You’re getting married. We can find Grumpy Great-Grandma a banana afterward!”

Grumpy Great-Grandma stares at me. Her eyes widen. She screams. She drops her cane, spins on her sneakers, and runs right back out the castle door.

“Guess her hip isn’t that bad,” I say.

“Careful, Grumpy Great-Grandma, careful!” Beauty calls. “Should I go after her?”

The music starts in the Great Hall. I recognize it from this morning. It’s “Slow Dance.” I also see bursts of color through the door. Apparently, Mr. and Mrs. Butler are using the disco ball.

“No, Beauty!” I say, closing the castle door. “You’re getting married. Now. Let’s go.”

“Where’s Mr. Beast — I mean, Mike?” she asks, looking around.

“I’m here,” he says. He’s standing by the kitchen door. He’s wearing a black suit with a gray sweater over it. He’s also wearing a gray scarf. He seems to be really missing his fur.

Jonah is next to him in a suit, the messed-up suspenders, and a purple bow tie that I think is on sideways. He looks adorable. Even Prince is wearing a bow tie.

“Hi,” Beauty says shyly.

“Hi,” Mike says. But he’s not smiling. He’s looking at his hands.

“Ready to get married?” Beauty asks.

“I, um, guess so,” he says. Now he’s wringing his hands.

Last chance, I tell myself. They’re not really in love. I can stop the wedding. I can undo my curse.

No.

I stand up tall. I will not break up their wedding for myself. I don’t want to be that kind of person.

“Let’s go,” I order. “Both of you. To the Great Hall. To your wedding!”

“All right,” Mike says.

“After you,” says Beauty.

Neither of them moves.

“Wait,” Jonah calls out.

We all turn to him.