A frantic king questions his guards about the whereabouts of his brother, King Athamas, and the princess, Helle. He learns Athamas took Helle to the beach at the Queen Mother's estate that morning, and the girl has been trapped on a boat for hours. Panicked, the king orders his captain, Belle, to search the coast while he rushes to confront the Queen Mother directly, pleading for his daughter's safety as he leaves.