: Some years later, in the small town of Villeneuve──Belle, the book-loving daughter of an inventor named Maurice. On Maurice's way to a convention, he lost in the forest and seeks refuge in the Beast's castle, but the Beast imprisons him for stealing a rose from his garden as a gift to Belle. When Maurice's horse returns without him, Belle ventures out in search of him, and finds him locked in the castle dungeon. Then she pushes Maurice out and locks herself in the dungeon. The Beast agrees to let her take her father's place and forces Maurice to leave immediately.