This is the fourth Belle diary entry in our Storybook Chronicles series — the night everything changed.

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Belle’s Diary – Entry Four: I Had to Go After Him

Dear Diary,

I found the castle.

But I don’t understand any of it.

The forest was worse than I imagined. Twisted trees, shadows that moved when they shouldn’t… and Philippe galloped like something was chasing us. Maybe something was.

Then — out of nowhere — towers. Iron gates. A castle I’ve never seen on any map.

Inside was… silence. Until I heard him. Papa. Weak, coughing, locked in a cell like a criminal. I begged whoever lived there to let him go, but no one answered.

Until… he appeared.

The Beast.

He stepped from the shadows, huge and cloaked, eyes like coals. I should have screamed. I almost did. But instead, I made a choice.

I traded places with Papa.

I don’t know what happens now. The gates closed behind me.

I’m his prisoner.

But at least Papa is safe. Belle