Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT

Style

X -x-x-x-x- X

The very first thing she noticed was how impeccably dressed he was.

It was obvious he had money, for he was clothed in the most expensive articles she had ever seen; even in her kingdom she had not seen this many wondrous materials in one outfit.

Not only that but it didn't look like anything she had ever seen before in design. Perhaps he had his own seamstress or he made them himself. Dragon hide and leather - lace with the finest silk.

He certainly had style, she'd give him that.

And confidence. The way he sat in her father's chair oozed arrogance and defiance, qualities she didn't admire but certainly didn't sneer - she herself had some of those attributes - but it was almost comical how everyone backed up and stared at this creature lounging in the chair like it was the most normal thing in the world. Everyone was terrified but she...

She was curious.

Certainly they were mistaken. This couldn't be the horrible monster that she'd heard about. Why wasn't he making everyone bow to him and setting the room ablaze with hellfire and brimstone? He seemed very calm. Even when he demanded she was his price and they denied him, he simply walked away instead of killing everyone.

That's when she knew.

She knew in some way, he wasn't going to hurt her. She wanted to be brave and it was easier than she thought it would be as she came up to him and promised him forever.

Up close she saw his inhuman eyes and scaly skin. Her father called him a beast. Was he really? Why didn't he threaten them? Threaten her?

Then it was all over as she walked out with him, demure just as a princess should be and not showing a hint of being frightened.

But doubt crept in and she began to wonder; what if he did hurt her? What if it was all an act? What if he just wanted what he wanted and as soon as he got her alone...

He placed his hand on the small of her back in the most gentle of ways - much more gentle than when Gaston pushed her backwards practically choking her.

He didn't shove, he didn't pull, just a gentle touch.

And she knew from that moment on, no matter what he did to scare her, he wouldn't hurt her.

"Is it alright if I take some clothing with me?" she tentatively asked as they walked side by side.

"You'll have all you need at my castle. Although the thought of you cleaning away in that dress is amusing, don't you think?" and he giggled like a child.

She snorted through her nose and held her head high, not to act like a snob but to hold in the chuckle that dared to escape.

He certainly had style, she'd give him that.

~End