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Why would she want him?
This beast; this creature - why would she want him?
His reflection - much as he had fought it, tried to deny it, this truly was his reflection - stared back at him, the beast within now the beast without.
What was worse was the knowledge that if she'd known him before - when his beastly side was not so apparent - she still wouldn't want him; she would have had no time for his arrogant ways.
Ironic that he should go from such vanity to such shame.
"Mirror." He asked softly, a gentle growl. "Show me Belle."
She appeared before his eyes, a dizzy smile on her face as she gently dabbed perfume behind her ears. She seemed uncertain, nervous - but happy.
"She's smiling." He mused on it out loud. "She's... excited." It was a far cry from the unwilling guest he had been presented with at the beginning of her stay.
"Are you ready, your majesty?" Cogsworth looked at him, smiling slightly. "Most handsome, sire."
He looked at her visage again, and felt an ache within; she deserved so much better than him. She was so much better than him.
"I think it's up to Belle to decide that."