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Everyone in Storybrooke had their own theories about the relationship between Belle and Rumpelstiltskin. The theories ranged from she was under his spell to the idea that they were actual true loves. But the two of them stayed quiet about exactly what their relationship was, other than there was some attraction between them.
The entire town knew of Rumpelstiltskin presence in their home land. Many had made deals with him, all at a price, and all had ended up losing something dear. As he had always said, magic came at a price, and the people of Storybrooke now remembered the prices they had to pay. Only Belle seemed unafraid or not angry at him, and only Belle willingly spent time with him. The townspeople didn’t understand, so most days they were the chief topic of gossip.
But no matter the talk Belle and Rumpelstiltskin weathered the storm, and the town’s oddest couple grew stronger, grew closer together. When their wedding was announced a year after the curse broke, people were not so much surprised as curious. Even after seeing them together for so long, the fascination with the beauty and the beast had not dimmed in all that time.
And when they exchanged their vows the whole town was there to see it, to stare at the strangest union in town, and wonder how it was that Rumpelstiltskin, the man who no one believed had a heart, had managed to find true love and not only keep it but let it flourish. And quite a few envied the man, an emotion most had never dreamed feeling towards him. But in the end, they were all pleased by how the beauty had tamed the beast, and thankful for it most of all.