His brows slightly furrowed at the cracking voice, at the...the unimaginable thought that passed through her lips. She...she truly thought that he could ever forget her? That he could forget the woman that brought sun, warmth, and true strength to the cold fortress he called his abode for so long? That he could forget the one woman among them all who stood up to him, who was never afraid of him, even when he tortured a man in front of her?
His hand reached upwards, palm pressing against her own. Yes. Even now, his Belle was impossibly warm, searing the cold, hard flesh that he wore for far too long. Yet, he could hardly treasure it, when his love once more showed far too much kindness than any beast, much less, could ever deserve. "Belle--sweetheart...I am the one who should apologize." The tears struggled to fall now, even as he tried holding them back. After all, was this not all his fault? "I'm so sorry, Belle... I--" Let her go. Abandoned her. Told unspeakable lies. "You were right. I-I am a coward." The imp swallowed back the lump forming in his throat, a tendril of fear curling about his heart. Of course he was, even now, he couldn't help but fear the possibility of her rejection, of...of what she'd do when she realized that no prince would come, that there was only a crippled, cowardly beast in her arms. "And I'm so sorry."