She stood on the tall wooden platform, struggling between defiance and terror. Men held up money for the auctioneer, who paced around her, pointing out her "bountiful qualities". She held up her chin, refusing to look at him as he demeaned her. Looking over the crowd was no consolation, as the crowd of older, leering men and jeering bystanders stared and yelled at her. She felt a sudden movement at her side, and swatted away the auctioneer's cane as he used it to lift up the side of her skirt.

"Aye, looks like we've got a lively one here, gentlemen!" he called out as they roared laughter in response. "Who's the best of you to tame her?"

Her scowl turned to stone fear as she heard a familiar voice bellow, "I will."

All heads turned to the tall handsome man leaning against a post. He strode purposefully through the crowd, "I'm the best man here for that job," he smiled widely at Belle, who closed her eyes and felt sick. It was her nightmare come true that Gaston was there as a bidder.

When her father Maurice became ill, she had no idea he'd gone into such extreme debt to keep them alive. In debtor's prison now, he had become seriously ill. Determined to free him and save his life, she'd had to sell herself to the highest bidder to pay off his debts and set him up with enough money to live comfortably. It wasn't, by any means, an easy decision, but once done, she'd resolved herself to it. She'd waited to do it until she thought Gaston was out of town, but to her horror, he was there. How, she didn't know. She felt doomed. His cruel and obsessive pursuit of her had haunted the last few years. She'd felt comfort in her father's support of her rebuff of him, realizing his smart, strong-willed daughter was not to be married off to him, and never considered it.

She shook her head, and now here she stood walking into the same fate her father had tried so hard to keep her from. At least he'll be free, she thought, trying to focus on that.

"-and another bid!" the Auctioneer riled up the crowd. She scanned their faces, trying to determine if any of the sweaty, contorted faces might treat her better than Gaston. His booming voice called out a bid, then he added, "She'll be under me tonight, screaming wantonly." Gaston grinned broadly and ran his gloved hand over his slick dark hair.

"Don't count on it," she spat out.

"Silence!" the auctioneer grabbed at the belt around her waist he'd tied earlier as a sort of restraint.

She glared at Gaston, who pushed closer to the platform through the crowd. He continued to bid, higher and higher, much the Auctioneer's delight. A life with Gaston, how could I bear it? She pleaded with her eyes now to anyone else who was bidding, anyone. But little by little, they shook their heads, and turned away, the price getting higher and higher. She started to panic.

A hand grabbed her ankle and she gasped, looking down at Gaston laughing at her, "Just getting a feel for you," he started snaking his hand up her skirt and she turned and furiously stomped his arm with her other foot. He laughed it off with the crowd, but his eyes turned dark and glinted with anger as he forced a smile, "Don't worry love, I'll have you so tired from cleaning and cooking for me that you won't have the energy to refuse." He stepped away and shouted out the highest bid yet. The crowd fell silent.

"My, my," the Auctioneer took his hat off and rubbed his sweaty bald head on his cuffs, replacing it, "Thank you sir, for your most generous bid." He pulled a horrified Belle towards him.

"Going once,"

"No – I beg you, I – I changed my mind." She pleaded.

"Not a chance," he hissed at her, "Going twice!"

"Wait!" a small voice called out from the crowd.

"Who is that?" the Auctioneer squinted, "There's no stopping the sale!"

A tall, thin figure stepped from the back, "I wish to make a bid."

Belle almost passed out from relief.

The Auctioneer huffed in frustration, "We have the highest bidder."

The man turned behind him and spoke with someone. In a tentative, then stronger voice, he said, "My Master wishes to counter-bid, is that not allowed?"

Belle strained to see who his master was, but he was hidden back in the shadows of the side of the building. She turned her gaze to the man making the bid, who looked confident in the crowd now, and called out a price.

Setting his jaw, Gaston countered, but in the span of a few bids and the stranger's dramatically increasing bid amounts, he was soon outdone. Furious, he turned to the Auctioneer, "This is a hoax! That man has no such funds."

The Auctioneer held tightly onto the belt around Belle's waist as she watched the scene deciding her future unfold around, and without her. The stranger walked through the parted crowd and handed the Auctioneer a large bag. He opened it, and nodded, taking the belt off Belle and pushing her towards the stairs, "Sold!" She turned and ordered, "Keep up our end of the deal." He snarled, but took out a handful of money for himself, then gave the bag back to her. She snatched it away from him and handed it to the prison warden, who'd been waiting and watching the events at the edge of the platform with keen interest. She got close to his face, "Make sure you do as we agreed, or I'll make sure my new owner takes care of you." He took the bag, "Consider it done." Satisfied, she stood up and walked towards the stairs.

Gaston stood in shock, his mouth wide open, then growling in anger, he turned and disappeared. Relieved, Belle walked down the steps towards the stranger as he bowed and held his hand out for hers to steady her. She took it in hers, and stepped with him through the crowd and around the corner.

She felt a sense of freedom that soon evaporated as she saw a waiting carriage. She slowed down slightly, but took a deep breath and continued towards it. "Please enter," he opened the door for her. She steeled herself for who would be inside, and bowed her head under the entrance as she stepped up. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she was surprised to see it was empty. She plopped down on the seat as the man entered behind her and sat across from her. As the door shut, the carriage started to move.

"I'm Lumiere," he took off his hat and bowed his head towards her.

"I'm Belle. Thank you for rescuing me."

He chuckled, "I wouldn't go that far."

Fear gripped her stomach. She swallowed hard, "Is your Master that bad?"

He shifted in his seat, "He is, complicated."

"Oh," she bit her lip, afraid to ask more. She looked down at her hands held tightly in her lap. They traveled for what seemed hours in increasing darkness.

A sudden jerk shook her awake. She looked around, disoriented, then heard Lumiere, "We're almost there."

In the darkness of the carriage cabin, she found the courage to ask, "Please, tell me about who paid for me."

Lumiere leaned forward, his head down, "He used to be a handsome man. Very rich. I have served him for many, many years."

She frowned, he was carefully choosing his words, which gave her more anxiety about what he wasn't saying. "So now he's very old and disabled?" Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, he might just want comfort and companionship, like being with her father. She smiled hopefully.

He shook his head, "No, not like that at all." He ran his hand over his hair, his hat fallen on the floor. "He has been cursed. I cannot tell you the details, but he is no longer the man he was. He is a beast."

She furrowed her brows, trying to make out what he was saying. She stayed silent for him to continue.

"He must live as a beast in his castle, until, perhaps one day the curse is broken."

A sudden realization washed over her . The beast. She had heard rumors of a beast animal living in a grand castle in the woods nearby since she was a girl. She'd always dismissed it as a story made up to keep children from venturing off, but could it actually be true? "What do you mean, a beast – is he very mean and cruel?"

He shook his head no, "Not like that. He is an actual beast in form. But –" he looked up, "He is not without character and kindness. He has treated us servants well these many years. He is trapped, in the mind and the body of a beast and it has affected him, as you can imagine. At times his mind is lost, and he is overtaken by base instincts."

Anxiety gripped her, "What does he want with me?"

He shook his head, "I'm not sure. I was surprised as you when he asked me to bid for you. I would say he is likely sympathetic to your plight." He glanced up at her, thoughtfully, "and he has been very lonely."

She looked out the window and thought over what he had told her. She pressed her lips closely together. Knowing she had chosen this fate, and actually being in it were two very different things.

"Might I ask why you were up for auction?"

She sighed, "My father has been ill, and went into debt. That was the prison warden I gave my portion of the money to. That will pay his debts and set him free. I hope some of it will go to help him get back on his feet, but I doubt he will give him the difference. My father is a very kind man, and has been an excellent to me. He could have married me off to Gaston years ago, but refused to let me go so someone so cruel."

"Gaston?"

"The other man who was bidding against you," she smiled weakly, "I know whatever lies for me with the beast will be a better fate than that."

Lumiere nodded, "I believe so."

The carriage stopped suddenly. He looked out the window, "We're here." He opened the door and the cold air of night flew in. He hopped out then held his hand out for her again. She slowly stepped out and gasped at the sight of the huge castle spires against the moonlight. It was surrounded by deep high forests. She turned her gaze back to Lumiere and silently followed him into the castle.

The curtain in a window high above moved slightly. Heavy footsteps on the floor paced in front of a dim fire.

Belle was soon whisked into the kitchen where a feast was being hastily prepared for her. She sat down at a small wooden table, and a portly older woman clucked over her. "I'm Mrs. Potts, dear," she placed different plates of foods on the table, "I don't know what you like to eat, but I've got enough different choices I'm sure you'll find something you like." She smiled.

"I am hungry, thank you." She quietly picked up some bread and started eating. Mrs. Potts chatted away to her about different foods she liked to cook, while Belle did her best to swallow down the food. It was good, but her apprehension prevented her from fully enjoying it. She looked around the room, trying to get some clues as to the owner of the castle, but there was only food stuffs and pots and pans.

An out of breath Lumiere burst into the room, and bowed quickly, "When you are finished, I'll show you to your room."

She stopped mid-chew. Taking a drink, she stood up. "I'm ready."

Mrs. Potts was already clearing the table, "I'll see you in the morning, dear. Rest up."

She gave her a sideways glance, wanting to ask more, but refraining. She turned to the doorway and left the kitchen. Out in the main part of the castle, she followed Lumiere, taking in as much of the décor and items in the castle as possible. She could tell it had been grand once, but was now in a state of neglect and dingy disrepair. She trudged behind him on a richly carpeted stairway down a long hall where he suddenly stopped at a doorway and gestured inside, "Your room."

She tentatively stepped inside, surprised by how nicely this room was maintained. It was large, with a fireplace crackling. The walls and bed were richly decorated with fabrics and ornaments. She walked around, inspecting the room. "Are there any books here?"

"Books?" Lumiere looked surprised.

"Yes," she said with a hint of frustration. "Books, to read."

He stood up tall and said proudly, "We have many fine books in the castle. I'll bring you some tomorrow."

"Really? Thank you," she leaned over and spread her hands over the bed. "So soft. It looks very comfortable."

He cleared his throat, "Yes, well, we do not have any clothing for you, but will remedy that tomorrow. We weren't expecting you to join us here, so please forgive our unreadiness."

"I don't think anything about today was expected, Lumiere, but – thank you for your kindness."

"Of course," he bowed and hesitated at the door, "I caution you to avoid wandering around the castle until the master has allowed it."

"I won't," she promised.

Satisfied, he shut the door. She waited to hear a lock turn, but did not. Pleased she wasn't a prisoner, she knew however, that she was there permanently, unless the Beast released her. She felt her exhaustion from the emotionality of the day weigh on her, and she undressed to her closest layer, putting her clothing on a chair. She pulled her hair out of its bun and let her long dark locks fall around her shoulders and down her back. She sat on the bed and looked into the fire, dying down on the far side of the room. "It could be worse," she said, imagining being stripped naked with Gaston forcing himself on her. She shuddered at the thought. "Definitely this is better. It has to be." She wasn't sure how tomorrow would go, but this was her new reality.

Late that night, in the dim darkness with a few embers burning, a dark figure stood against the wall, watching Belle's soft breathing. He quietly, slowly approached, watching. As she continued to sleep, he reached out a thick paw, taking a wayward strand of dark hair and picked it up, sniffing it. His eyes rolled back in memory of other times. She suddenly shifted and let out a soft moan. He dropped the lock as if he had been burned and quickly retreated back into the shadows.