She glowed as she spoke of love and the mysteries it held.

She is so innocent, so pure, and so much more different than I am. I consider love to be haunting, a disease.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I couldn't help but think: I would not mind the ailment, if she were the one to infect my mind.

Then, I felt something strange; something I haven't felt in a long time. As Belle turned to me, I felt like my chest might explode. I heard a loud thumping reverberating through my entire being, thumping faster and with more force with each passing second.

Could that be… my heart? Do I still have one?

The possibility of what might be happening to me finally sank in. No, it can't be. I can't possibly be falling in lo… NO! I have to set her free before this goes any further I need to save her… from the beast… from myself.

"But um… You were going to tell me about your son." She smiled.

Here's my chance. "I'll tell you what. I'll make you a deal. Go to town, and fetch me some straw. When you return, I'll share my tale."

She looked extremely confused. "T-town?" She stuttered. "You trust me to come back?"

To my surprise, I found myself fighting back tears as I uttered, "Oh, no. I expect I'll never see you again."

And I truly expected I never would. I stood at the second story window, watching her walk away, and taking my newly unearthed heart with her.

Why did I let her go? I could've finally had a chance at happiness; a concept that seemed foreign to me after Bae's mother left. Maybe I should go after her and tell her how I feel? No. No, that's ridiculous. There no possible way to explain what I'm feeling, so why even try? I made the right choice: sending her away. If she stayed, she would've felt trapped for the rest of her life. She will be much happier in her village.

I still stared out the window long after her green cloak disappeared into the distance; frozen with the faintest, but rather unlikely hope, that she would return. Because, honestly… who could ever learn to love a beast?

The hours passed at a painstakingly slow pace. Darkness finally devoured the sky, and still, I stood. Consumed by regret, I began to fear I might waste away at this window, but I was glued to this spot. I had to wait. I just had to.

Just as my last insignificant sliver of hope began to fade, I saw something emerge from the woods.

A broken whisper escaped my lips. "Belle."

I raced down the staircase. Maybe, just maybe… I do have a chance, after all.