A Love You Can't Design
"As I have told you time and time again, I will only re-marry for love" King Rumplestiltskin of Mist haven's voice bellowed around the council room, his fist slamming on the wooden table that all the men sat around.
"But Sire..." one of the council men began to stutter "If something were to happen to Prince Ba..." he began but the king's fist slamming on the table interrupting him.
"Nothing is going to happen to my son!" The king's voice then boomed once more.
A braver council man spoke up, having dealt with the king since he'd been a stubborn prince. "God forbid something does happen to your son...then who will the kingdom depend upon when you pass" the King turned his back on his council to look out of the window, his hands folded behind his back.
Out of the window, Rumplestiltskin could see the prince in question practicing his sword skills with the knights down below. the boy was soon coming up to being thirteen, he was becoming a man, he himself would be thinking of marriage and leaving the home, that scared the king more than anything.
The council member continued, "That is why we encourage you to find a suitable women with whom will make a fine queen and will produce a child or two, just for insurance for the Kingdom".
Rumple sighed, the council did make a point, if something did happen with his son at least he would be able to mourn him without worrying what could happen to the kingdom.
Also not that he would admit, but he was lonely, and had felt so long before his first wife Milah ran off with that pirate. in evenings he would sit in his personal library, in the armchair in front of the fire and read, in silence.
Silence. He hated it, long had the times of hearing Balefire's laughing and giggling had gone. He loosened his shoulders and turned to face his council "And how would you suppose I meet a women?" His voice sounded defeated.
"I Uhh, have a suggestion" the nervous council man suggested, raising his hand slightly. "Lord Noland and his family are due today to stay for a few weeks as you know" Rumple nodded, he was expecting them this very afternoon.
"Perhaps we hold a ball to celebrate their arrival and if you do not find a lady to your liking there, there is always the annual ball at the end of the month to celebrate Prince Balefire's Birthday" he finished.
Rumple nodded "Fine" he almost whispered " But...I choose the women in question and I don't want any of you to interfere" all the council members nodded "Good, are we done here?"
"Yes sire" the men chorused before standing as the king left the room. He huffed and puffed all the way though the castle until he reached the comfort of the library, which had a hidden doorway to his study. He sighed he hated balls and gatherings at the best of times. Now he would have to put up with two in the space of a month.
His house would also soon be filled by the Noland's, they were tolerable enough people and were distant relations to him. So he would enjoy the solace of just he and his son. Rumple groaned as he lowered himself into his armchair that was placed into the corner of the library opposite to the fake shelf of books to which his private study was behind. He picked up the book that sat on the arm of the chair.
"Come now Rumple, it won't be that bad" Jefferson Hatter, who Rumple had grown up with like a brother after he had been taken in as his father's ward.
The king jumped a little, not having heard Jefferson come in "You might actually find a girl that's quite tolerable" Jefferson continued as the king just pretended to be interested in the book in front of him and so Jefferson continued to pace in front of him with his hands behind his back. "You may even grow to love her" he continued "What about that daughter of lady Mills, what's her Name..." Jefferson eyed the kind knowing that simply at the mention of this women he would become annoyed and disgusted all at once.
"Don't mention her name!" the king almost yelled as he jumped out of the arm chair, slamming the book down "And never in a million years would I go near that annoying, pushy women, let alone her mother!" Jefferson smiled, he'd gotten the reaction he wanted.
"Yes Yes Zelena and Cora are rather dreadful aren't they" Jefferson sighed as he flopped down into the arm chair Rumple had recently vacated "Makes me feel sorry for the other daughter...
"Regina, yes very sad... Now did you have another purpose other than to natter my ear off?" the king, crossing his arms over his chest.
Jefferson smiled "I heard that the council are forcing you to find a bride, thought you might want to
talk about it"
Rumple ran a hand through his greying hair "I don't see what the fuss is about, Baelfire and I have been fine since Milah ran off with that pirate" he groaned. "And they've barely given me anytime to find a women that would love me more than my status" he added.
Jefferson eyed his friend, he knew that Milah had hurt Rumple, that the way his father had treated him had also shaped him into the King he was. Hard on the outside, soft and gooey in the middle.
"Perhaps you'll find someone when you least expect it" Jefferson suggested.
"Who could ever love me?" Rumple mumbled in response.
...
"Thank you for inviting me, lady Noland" Belle French spoke from where she sat in the carriage with Emma beside her and Lord and Lady Noland opposite her.
"Nonsense, I'm glad that you agreed to come, Emma can be a bit of a handful" Mary Margaret Noland spoke in a hushed tone so that the Blond ten year old who was busy looking at the world that passed them.
"Emma is a wonderful girl, she has such imagination and strength" Belle assured, she'd grown fond of the girl having been her governess for the past three years since the previous governess had found the girl a little bit too much to handle.
Belle's father was part of Lord Noland's council and he'd spoken of his daughter who was very bright and was looking for a governess position. Belle was very fortunate that she lived and worked in the Noland's manor and was now invited to come and visit the king with them. She'd never met him before, she'd heard that King Rumplestiltskin was a very sour man, that he had been since his wife had left him, and was now even more guarded than ever, the only love in his life being his son Prince Baelfire.
"Mamma, there's the castle!" Emma pointed to the large structure not far from the road they were travelling on. The ten year old had never been far from the manor she'd been born in, let alone met the king or Prince before.
"It is my sweetheart" Lady Noland smiled at her daughter softly. She had first thought getting a governess would take away the time she would spent with her daughter, but in fact she found Belle to be a blessing, the calm demeanour that the petite women possessed seemed to make the rambunctious eleven year old focus on her lessons and quell any tantrum.
Emma stood up from her seat, anxious to be at the castle already, to be in a true palace. "Sit Emma" David told his daughter, guiding her gently to sit back in her chair.
"Yes Papa" the little blond girl sat back in her chair, a small pout ever present on her lips.
Belle noticed this and leant across to talk to the girl. "Do you remember us reading about the palace?" The girl nodded to her governess "It has the largest garden maze, decorated with Roses' of all different species"
"And a copy of every book ever published, in and about Mist haven" Emma finished with a sigh. all she'd wanted to know about was the Army but her teacher had told her all about the castle and the occupants as well.
"Emma Promise me you'll stay out of trouble" Mary Margaret told her daughter as she tucked an unruly blond curl behind her ear.
"Yes Mama" Emma sighed, she never saw what she did as getting in trouble, she saw it as going on adventures.
"I'll make sure she stays out of trouble M'lady" Belle assured with a sweet smile, knowing she'd helped Emma on a few of her adventures that her parents didn't know about. The young brunet believed that Emma's imagination should be nurtured and on occasion run wild.
They sat for the rest of the short journey in silence until the sound of gravel under the wheels of the carriage made everyone look out of the window as the double doors to the castle opened and out walked a short stout lady, followed by two more servants, a young gentlemen with a top hat upon his head then prince Baelfire walked out, his head held high dressed in a shade of dark Navy. There was a small pause before the king himself walked out.
Belle eyed the figure for a moment. She'd spent many hours in the Noland's small library reading about King Rumplestiltskin, of how cruel his father had been to him, how his mother had died. How he seemed to be the first reasonable Monarch in century's but also was known for a stubborn streak and was famous for his first wife's scandalous affair with a pirate.
Her first thoughts upon seeing the man was that he was shorter than she'd expected, his hair longer, greyer but ever as distinguished as she thought he would, dressed in brown leather trousers, knee high black boots, black over coat and a brown waist coat hidden over a green silk shirt.
The Noland's footman opened the doors of the carriage first, Lord Noland got out first then helped his wife before helping Emma down, the three then turned to face the King and Prince, leaving the footman to help Belle out, she stood behind the family, looking at her surroundings in awe.
"Lord Noland" The king greeted David, taking steps towards him before bowing,
"Your Majesty" Noland Remove his hat and bowed, he rose then spoke again "My Wife Lady Mary Noland and our Daughter Emma" he motioned to the women beside him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Noland, Emma" The king smiled at the young girl before a pair of fine blue eyes caught his eyes.
Belle was surprised to find the King staring at her as much as she had been staring at him, his dark eyes spoke of the things he had suffered but she could she something light in him, underneath.
David noticed the Kings gaze "This is Miss French, she is Emma's governess, I hope we are welcome to bring her" he continued.
"Yes, very welcome" Rumple gave Belle a small bow which she returned with a curtsey, the king then turned to Emma "Education is invaluable, there is nothing greater than a women with a sharp mind" he added.
He then turned to the group of four "My Staff, Mrs Potts" he motioned to the short, stout lady "Will help the lady's with anything you require, Mr Lumiere and Mr Cogsworth" he motioned to the two men "Will be happy to help you in anyway, doing errands and the like" he continued as he approached the man in the top hat.
"This is Lord Hatter, my father's ward" Rumple watched as Jefferson bowed to the family, eyeing Miss French a little more than he would have liked. With a proud look in his eyes he approached his son "And This is my Son Prince Baelfire" The almost thirteen year old bowed to the family, his face solemn and expressionless.
"Now my men will take your bags to your rooms, I must sort some urgent business, the castle is yours to explore...Ah Lord Hatter will be more than happy to show you around once Mrs Potts has shown you to your rooms" The king quickly explained before disappearing through the double doors and retreating to his study.
He tried to lose himself in letters, letters that didn't need replying too, the truth was that he had not urgent business. He just needed a moment to himself, to process the fact, he'd just seen the most beautiful women in the world. Bright blue eyes, pale complexion, chest nut brown hair and an accent he wouldn't soon forget. But he had to.
His chair pushed back with a screech as he stood up abruptly then went to his spinning wheel for solace. Spinning. It had been a rather strange hobby to take up, he wasn't sure what about it caught his attention, the detail of each spin, the motion of the wheel going around, again and again like time ever moving around yet he still sat spinning.
He spun as often as he could, it kept him from thinking, from remembering, from realising how empty and cold his bed was, how he craved a companion, someone to love and love him. His love for his son was the strongest love he had but as the boy grew the King knew that his son would soon be a man and no longer needed him.
Grumbling to himself he decided that he would spend the rest of the afternoon in his study, until dinner where he was sure he would be tormented by the beauty that he was sure could never be as captivated by him as it seemed he was by her.
...C\'_/...
A/N: Thanks for reading, i've written the next two chapters. it is taking me a while as i work alot and have a lot going on right now but ill try my best to keep going, so please be patient. Also suggestions would be great, I have a rough idea of whats going to happen but still suggestions are always good. Thanks again x