Belle accepted the proposal as she was not only wise, but selfless as well. The wedding was set for the end of the week. Belle wasn't happy with how soon that was. She thought at least she had time on her side. Maybe even enough time to form a plan and escape the arrangement she had with the evil invader. But Rumplestiltskin made sure she wouldn't be getting the opportunity by setting the date so soon. After all Rumplestiltskin had no time to waste, conquering kingdoms was a long endeavor all by itself, precious time couldn't be spent on courting. Not to mention falling in love was the last thing on his mind.

"She's very pretty." Jefferson said to his friend.

"Aye she is." Rumplestiltskin said with a small hint of a smile on his lips "but it's her kingdom I want, not her looks."

Between the ramparts of a guest tower, Rumplestiltskin and Jefferson were looking down at her from above. Rumplestiltskin watched as Belle walked to the prayer grounds of her stronghold. She gracefully strolled through her castle's grounds as her people bowed with respect of being in the presence of their Queen. Two of her guardsman followed closely behind her for protection. Rumplestiltskin saw how happy the people looked as she spoke to each one of the citizens, even the ones with collars. She was mesmerizing to him, both beautiful inside and out.

"But she's very small. Like a child." Jefferson added bringing Rumplestiltskin back from his trance.

"Well she's 19, but she's a warrior." Rumplestiltskin confessed.

"Women aren't warriors."

"This one is."

Jefferson only sighed in response and shook his head in disagreement. Rumplestiltskin knew he only did that when he was trying to hold his tongue.

"Speak freely Jefferson." He commanded.

"Your Grace, are you sure we can't just imprison the Queen, take her kingdom and be done with Avonlea? You have other kingdoms to think about not a wedding."

"I don't imprison women unjustly and a marriage is the same thing as conquering it."

"Do you like this girl Your Grace?"

Rumplestiltskin pretended like he didn't hear his friend speaking.

"Your Grace?"

"Of course not. The woman is a slave holder." He takes one more look at Belle before she disappears into the prayer grounds. "Now stop badgering me about her." He added before returning into his guest chambers.

Belle was in her castle's sacred grounds, kneeling before the tree her mother and father were buried under. She wanted to talk to them, to apologize for being weak and giving control over Avonlea to an evil conqueror. She also prayed to the Gods for guidance and strength. Belle knew there was no way out of the union, but perhaps there was a way to show Rumplestiltskin that Avonlea was unlike the other kingdoms.

"I don't wish to disturb you Yellow Rose, but you've been in the prayer grounds for most of the day. Maybe you would like to talk about the wedding?"

"Go away invader, I have no wish to talk to you about anything."

"My Lady I know I'm not your favorite person right now, but if we are to be husband and wife we must at least be able to stand one another." She ignored him. Rumplestiltskin sighed deeply before walking to sit beside her under the tree. He said a prayer to the Gods too, he prayed for insight. He wanted to know how she was feeling. "You're afraid that your mother won't agree with your decision?"

"My mother and my father would be proud that I've saved the lives of my kingdom. They taught me how to be selfless and put the needs of my people first." Belle stood up from her parent's memorial and dusted off her dress. "Which is what I've done. Take a walk with me invader, so I can show you the true Avonlea."

The Gods granted her strength.

xox0xox

Their first stop was to the market, where vendors filled and lined the road selling their fabric, and tapestries, and embroidered stitches. The smell of fresh bread filled the warm summer breeze. Beautiful music was being played from harps and citterns and the sound of laughter brought a smile to Rumple's face. As they walked down the street, Belle's people bowed, showing their respect for their beloved Queen.

"Where is this chaos you speak of? Or the poverty? The brothels kept in Avonlea are protected, where is the prostitution?"

"You've proven me wrong Yellow Rose. Avonlea doesn't share the same chaos as the other kingdoms. But I still see slaves. I cannot overlook the collars around their necks."

Belle smirked and shook her head. "Follow me Rumplestiltskin."

He followed her to a small orphanage at the end of the plaza. Small children were running around playing happily. They saw their Queen enter and they all ran to Belle and hugged her.

"My Queen, we missed you." One of the young boys said.

"I know, I've been very busy." She said picking up one of the little boys in her arms. "You see little ones I'm getting married."

The children all groaned at the disappointing news. This brought more warmth to Rumplestiltskin's heart. While Belle was greeting the children Rumplestiltskin took the time to notice some details. The children looked well fed and happy. Nothing like the orphanages he visited in the kingdom of The Underworld ruled by King Hades, where the children were starving and wearing thinning rags. King Hades was an evil man and when Rumplestiltskin opened the neck of the King, it felt like justice to him.

Suddenly a woman with graying hair rushed from a back room. "My Queen Belle," She gave Belle a loving hug. "Don't you look lovely. I'm so happy you visited. Is this him? The man you're supposed to marry?"

"Yes this is Rumplestiltskin."

"My Lady" he said with a bow as was his custom. "It's a pleasure to be here, but it saddens me to see the collars around both you and the children's necks."

"This old thing." She said rubbing the iron metal around her neck. "Aye my family and I were slaves before we moved here from the kingdom of Misthaven. Queen Cora mistreated us, she gave the slave owners too much power and they used it to their advantage. We used to work from sun up to sun down without any food or water. The masters would rape the young girls until they were unfit to produce any children and then they were killed and thrown in the sea. Noble bastards born to slave women had it the worst. I'll never forget their screams. I left as soon as my daughter was old enough to walk and we fled to Avonlea. Where we were treated with respect no matter how low born we were. Queen Colette, Gods rest her soul, provided a haven for me and the other slaves. We wear these collars as a proud reminder of where we came from so we may continue to be productive citizens in our new home."

"So you never once felt like a slave here?"

"Never. My granddaughter is even a handmaiden for her majesty."

"Your story has moved me a great deal. Please come to me if there is anything I can do for your orphanage."

"Thank you Sir."

Belle and Rumplestiltskin left the orphanage and went back to her castle. Belle hoped that their journey into town would show Rumplestiltskin that Avonlea was a kingdom uncorrupted. They stood inside her throne room in front of her ancestral seat.

"Perhaps I was too hasty in judging Avonlea." Rumplestiltskin said.

"So do you mean you'll call off the arrangement?"

"Of course not." He scoffed. "I'm still conquering all the kingdoms. All includes Avonlea." He begins to pace around her.

She exhaled out of disbelief. After all that he'd just seen, why wasn't it enough? "Then why don't you just kill me like you've done to the others?"

"If there was a King in Avonlea, I would have." He with a shrug, still pacing around her.

"I just don't understand. It-it's not fair."

"Yellow Rose do you think that badly of me?" He asked, stopping his pace around her to wait for her answer.

She spun around to face him, giving him a fearsome look."Yes you're a murderer, a king killer."

"I am, but why would that deter you? As my wife, I'm promising you a Queenship of all of the kingdoms. That involves slaying Kings."

"I don't want all the kingdoms, you do."

"I do. I want all of the kingdoms and I want you."

"Me?"

"Only a Queen such as yourself is worthy to rule by my side. I've never met a woman as selfless as you. Be my Queen, stand beside me and we can liberate the kingdoms together. Wouldn't your mother want that?"

"Don't use my mother to gain sympathy from me. You don't know my mother or me."

"I believe she would want you to. She opened up her kingdom to refugee slaves. Yellow Rose we can rid the kingdoms of chaos and bring balance to the world. Show your kingdom that your mother's dream didn't die along with her."

xox0xox

The late afternoon sunlight shone through the stain glass windows of Belle's throne room and hit the marble floor placing the large room in an ethereal glow. A band was playing her house song. The pews where filled with her dainty, refined citizens on one side. On the other side were his indecorous people, the women were bawdy and the men were not chivalrous. But the whole room fell silent when Belle entered the hall. They all stood up together as the queen began her descent to the alter where he waited for her. Her dress was a crisp white, the bustier hugged her slender frame and the skirt flowed with the trim and lace scattered among the small yellow roses to match the bouquet in her hand of the same flower. Upon her auburn hair, she wore a golden rose tiara. The room was quiet, but Belle still felt like she could hear their voices.

"Why is she doing this?"

"A conqueror for a King?"

"Her mother would be so disappointed in her."

She exhaled and looked down the aisle to her betrothed who was staring at her like she was the only person that mattered. It was then the voices in her head stopped, and she heard her mother's ballad instead. When she finally made it to the altar, Rumplestiltskin smiled and took her by the hands.

"I, Rumplestiltskin, in good health and a sound mind pledge my life, my honor, my sword to Queen Belle of Avonlea. I promise to do no service that may bring dishonor to her house or her name. I stand before the eyes of Gods and men and claim this woman as mine."

"I, Queen Belle of Avonlea, in good health and a sound mind pledge my life, my honor, and my virtue to the conqueror Rumplestiltskin. I promise to ask for no service that may bring him dishonor to his name. I stand before the eyes of Gods and men and claim this man as my husband."

It was time for the part she feared. He wrapped his heavy crimson cloak around her and took her into his arms. Their lips locked and she actually felt a sense of security. But she winced back, giving him questionable look when she felt his tongue dip into her mouth.

And their people stood and cheered. "Long may they reign, Long may they reign!"

xox0xox

After the wedding, it was time for the feast. Loud music and talking filled the large dining hall. Brothel women were brought in, some half naked. Her eyes watched Rumplestiltskin from across the room who was bent over laughing at one of his friends slapping the backside of the whores. Thankfully the night was coming to an end because Belle just about had enough of it all. She excused herself from the feast and fled to her bedchambers.

Once there her handmaiden, Ruby began to undress Belle from her wedding attire. Belle noticed she was very quiet this evening, unlike any other time they'd been together. That was the last thing Belle needed, what she needed was someone to talk to.

"Say something Ruby." Belle commanded sick of her silence.

"You looked beautiful today My Queen." Ruby said with sadness in her tone. "You're going to make him very happy."

"Is that what upsets you? Rumplestiltskin?"

"You won't need me anymore my Queen."

"Ruby I'll always need you." Belle said stepping out of her wedding gown naked. "And I'll always love you."

Belle pulled Ruby flush up against her warm body. Ruby didn't hesitate and merged with Belle's lips in a passionate kiss, her tongue gaining access into the Queen's mouth. Belle's hands fondled the slave's breasts before pulling the straps of her garment down to reveal her tantalizing naked form. Ruby tossed Belle on the bed before climbing on top of her Queen, licking a trail from Belle's navel to between her thighs.

"Oh Fuck Ruby, don't stop." Belle moaned while balling her hands into the sheets of her bed.

Ruby didn't stop and continued to outline Belle's essence with her mouth. She began to moan into Belle's mound sending vibrations throughout the Queen's entire body until she was trembling from her arousal. Ruby slipped two fingers in and out of Belle causing her to cry out her name into the openness of the dimly lit room.

"Ahem." A voice clears his throat bringing Belle back down to earth. Belle gasped out in shock as she noticed Rumplestiltskin was watching her and Ruby from the foot of her bed. She couldn't believe the nerve he had to sneak into a private moment, and disturb them for the second time.

"What the hell are you doing invader?" Belle asked while covering herself and Ruby with the blanket. "Your bed chamber is in the other tower."

"Have you forgotten already Yellow Rose?" Rumplestiltskin asked wearing a fiendish smirk from the foot of her bed. "We're husband and wife now, this is my bed as much as it is yours."

"You've lost your mind."

Rumplestiltskin began to undress in the low- lit room, dropping his belt and sheath to clatter on the floor next to him. He brought his tunic over his head and dropped it beside him revealing his lean chest and stomach to Belle.

"What in Gods name do you think you're doing?" She asked just as he was about to unbutton his trousers.

"Consummating our marriage." He said before turning to address the other woman in the bed. "Run along Ruby, I can take it from here."

"Yes your Grace." Ruby said, quickly jumping out of the bed and grabbing her clothes before leaving the bed chamber.

"W-wait I'm not having sex with you, I don't love you."

"You don't have to love me. But a wedding needs a bedding." He giggled. "Besides we're not technically married if we don't do this."

"Good, because I don't want to be married to you. I won't have sex with a man I don't love and barely know. How is this any different then rape?"

Rumplestiltskin thought to himself for a moment, she was right. He wasn't the type of man to do anything against a woman's wishes. Especially Yellow Rose.

"Fine, but I will sleep in your bed. I won't have my men finding out about this."

"There's a chaise lounge that's comfortable over there." Belle said pointing in the distance of her chamber before throwing a pillow at him.

Rumplestiltskin only chuckled and made himself comfortable on the chaise. He watched her as she drifted off to sleep, the shimmering moonlight kissing her pale skin causing it to glow. He smiled when he heard her soft snoring, the soothing sounds brought him contentment and he fell asleep to the sleeping sounds of his Yellow Rose.