'It could be worse' she reminded herself. It was an early morning in the dark castle and belle was in the process of preparing breakfast for her master, porridge with honey, just the way he liked it. It had been four months since she had arrived. Four months of fleeting looks, shy smiles and subtle blushes. Yet they had never touched. Well, almost never. There was one time, several weeks ago. Belle had fallen off a tall later and been rescued by him, caught before she hit the floor. He looked so unsure and nervous and had hurriedly placed her on the floor before exiting the room. They hadn't mentioned it since. But she thought about that moment often, too often. Each day belle was struggling more to hide her true feelings for Rumplestiltskin and she had decided today was the day she would tell him. She would be brave and hoped he would feel the same way.
It could be worse. She lay his plate on the dining table in front of him, catching his eye and smiling softly, before curtsying and turning around to leave and begin her other duties.
"Belle?"
She loved it when he said her name. She immediately spun around to face him
"yes?"
"Would you care to join me?" He chirped, a devilish grin spreading across his face as he watched her
"Me?" She stammered "with you? You've never...Yes"
"Come then dearie, I haven't got all day" He sniggered and motioned for her to sit down by his side
"Thank you" she sat down, feeling apprehensive to be so close to him. They both reached for the spoon at the exact same moment and their hands touched. Rumplestiltskins head turned slowly until their eyes connected. Neither one of them had moved their hand away. Belle knew this was her chance.
"I have been meaning to talk to you about something" she said gently, choosing each word carefully.
An expression of fear assumed him and he hastily pulled his hand away "I do hope I haven't done anything to upset you dearie"
"Not at all. I'm happy here, you saved me from Gaston and a life of misery. This is regarding
something more.." she paused "personal" as she uttered that word her hand crept towards his and she tenderly held it within her own. To her surprise he didn't pull away, instead he stared at her in amazement as she continued "You see, I know this was never our intention bu-"
She was silenced by a knock at the door. Rumplestiltskins head jerked as he returned from the daze that belle had inflicted on him. "Go and see who it is dearie"
She nodded obediently and left the room, frustrated that they had been interrupted when she was so close to telling him. She placed her petite hand on the handle of the large, foreboding doors and opened them hesitantly. "Hello?"
"Hello" responded a woman. "You must be Rumples maid? Unless he's hired you for some nighttime company" she chuckled and smiled in a way that made belle feel uncomfortable.
"My name is Cora" she continued then gestured to the woman stood beside her "and this is my daughter R-"
"I can introduce myself mother" Regina snapped before returning her attention to belle "I'm Regina. We are here to see your master."
"Yes there is much to do so excuse us" Cora proceeded to push past her and into the castle, closely followed by Regina. Belle was astonished by their rudeness and shut the doors before rushing after them.