until Gaston showed up with the announcement that today was her "lucky day." Gaston informed Belle that he had decided to marry her right then Belle managed to her Gaston out her house with the excuse that she "just didn't deserve" him. Gaston retreated to the tavern to plot another way to convince Belle to marry him and heal his wounded pride.
Belle, soon found herself occupied with more important problems than Gaston's determination to marry her. Philipe, her horse, returned without her father. Concerned for her father's safety Belle took set off in search of him. Philipe lead Belle straight to the Beast's castle where Belle found her father wasting away in the dungeon. Fearing for her father's life, Belle made a deal with the Beast. In return for her father's freedom, she would remain in the castle as his prisoner.
Belle quickly found herself welcomed by the Beast's servants which included the teapot (Mrs. Potts) and her son (Chip), Cogsworth (the Clock), and Lumiere (the Candle). Belle was also informed by the Beast of her restriction from the west wing. However curiosity soon got the better of Belle and she ventured into the west wing. She found the room to be in a total state of disarray. As she made he way towards the rose the Beast suddenly jumped out at her, stopping her from touching the enchanted flower. The enraged Beast, yelled at Belle for daring to venture into his lair.
Belle, frightened by the Beast's temper took off into the night. She hopped on Philipe and galloped away from the Beast's castle. Moments later she encountered a pack of wolves. The Wolves attacked Belle and her horse and corned her. The Beast, who was not far behind Belle, sprang upon the wolves and managed to fight them away from Belle and her frightened horse.
Exhausted by the effort, the Beast collapsed. Belle, grateful for the Beast's assistance, took the Beast back to the castle and tended to his wounds. After at first blaming each other for the incident, Belle thanked the Beast for saving her life and the two began to warm towards each other...
While Belle and the Beast were growing closer, Maurice sought help from the villagers to free his daughter from imprisonment in the Beast's castle. The villagers laughed at her father, calling him crazy, and not believing a word of his "wild" tales of a beast. Gaston, however saw possibilities in the situation and plotted to use Maurice to get to Belle. He arranged to Maurice thrown in the asylum unless Belle would agree to marry Gaston. Seeing that Maurice and Belle were not at home, Gaston stationed Lefou at their house to wait for their return.
Meanwhile, Belle found herself enjoying her stay at the Beast's castle.