17.Prelude of Beauty and Beast（202）

Prelude of Beauty and Beast

On a freezing, windy night during winter, a poor woman came to a castle seeking shelter from the bitter cold. Inside lived a prince who was mean, selfish, and unkind.

As a gesture of gratitude, the woman offered a rose.

Mocking the rose, the prince rejected the woman's request.

The woman warned the prince not to judge based on appearances, as true beauty comes from within.

When he turned her away once more, the beggar woman transformed into a stunning enchantress, instantly capturing the prince's heart.

He pleaded for forgiveness and begged for her affection, but it was too late.

The woman was actually a witch, and she was furious with the prince's cruelty. As punishment, she turned him into a hideous beast.

The entire castle was under a spell, along with the rose which would bloom on his twentieth birthday.

To break the curse, he must learn to love a girl and earn her love before the last petal fell.

If he failed, he would remain a beast forever.

Ashamed of his monstrous appearance, the beast secluded himself in the castle.

As time passed, he sank into despair, believing no one could ever love a beast.