Belle kept close to Erik, still trying to help him with the rope. She shook her head on a firm negative when Gaston told her to get over there and stayed where she was. Well, at least until Gaston yanked her away. Belle was about to open her mouth to protest when she felt Gaston's hand on her face. She had never had anyone hit her before, and Gaston's hand was heavy even if compared with someone else's. Belle fell on the snow, looking up at Gaston in shock and disbelief. She took a deep breath, seeing a few red drops fall from her lower lip on the snow, where she had accidentaly bit it. When Gaston said those insulting words, Belle was still recovering, but she protested anyway. "I did not!" The girl looked at her father as she stood up, still a bit shaken. She took a few steps and placed herself near Erik again. "Father... he... he saved my life." Her voice sounded slightly faint, but Belle spoke firmly. "Hadn't it been for him, and I would have been eaten by wolves in this very same forest", she said, pointing at the woods. "He... he cares more about me than any of you!", she completed, kneeling besides Erik. "And I will stay with him. No matter what."