A huge Beast appeared in the city.
Then the mayor's property—the prince's statue—was lost because of it.
The mayor cursed loudly and ordered all the kingdom's guards to do their utmost to capture the Beast.
Carrying the statue on his back, the Beast soon arrived in another stretch of wilderness.
Fine snow wrapped around the branches and leaves, and only a trail of tiny yet deep footprints remained.
The Beast set down the statue, looked at the prince's statue, and pulled Swallow from the thick fur on his chest.
The weather was too cold. Swallow was only one step away from freezing to death.
"Let's hide him here for now." The Beast glanced around. There was no sign of habitation nearby.
"I still have things I must do."
"When I return, if I'm not dead, perhaps I can take him somewhere with a more stable living environment. I might even be able to lift the curse on him." Soldier had to find a gemstone.
But at that very moment, the prince's statue changed.
Its body cracked open, and a Lead Heart fell out from within.
The prince's image appeared upon it, smiling at the Beast.
Before, he would have been deceived by appearances and assumed that Soldier, in his Beast-like form, was a bad man.
But now, after witnessing the helplessness of the greedy monster, he knew that someone like Soldier was truly a good person with a conscience.
"Brave warrior, take this Lead Heart." Happy Prince spoke.
"This is my heart of happiness."
"Anyone who touches this Lead Heart will feel happiness," Happy Prince said.
"Everything I possessed has helped those who needed help. It is time for me to rest in peace."
As he spoke, Happy Prince turned his gaze toward Swallow.
He asked Soldier to place some