I long for another human face just as I fear it.

Stay a little while longer, and let everyone congratulate you - including the ones who clearly don't want to: in fact, especially the ones who clearly don't want to. You don't have to say anything but 'thank you

I almost wish I'd had the forethought to eat a tree myself.

Yes, I am letting my own experience color my answer, which is what experience is for.

He will apologize, or I'll give him a lesson in swordplay he will not like at all.

Beauty: "You called me beautiful last night." Beast: "You do not believe me then?" Beauty: "Well - no. Any number of mirrors have told me otherwise." Beast: "You will find no mirrors here, for I cannot bear them: nor any quiet water in ponds. And since I am the only one who sees you, why are you not then beautiful?

Betrayal would be a different sort of sick.