Belle POV
Oh he's come back, and he's looking so very angry what have I done? Was I crying too loud? Had I done something when I was upstairs? I quickly stand up, I can tell as I move that some of the blood must have congealed.
"Turn around." He snaps.
Oh no, is he going to beat me as well, I'm not sure how much I can take. But do as he says. I can feel myself shaking. Once I've turned around I can't see what he's doing or what he has. I hear him sigh and he slowly comes towards me. I can feel him right behind me. I can then feel the laces on my dress are being touched and moved and he whispers in my ear " May I?"
I will admit I wasn't expecting that. All I can do is nod. I can feel as the dress becomes looser and looser, but I can also feel the pain as the dried blood on the dress is pulled away. Next thing I'm aware of is him saying "Come, follow me" I'm holding my dress up maintain dignity but it isn't likely to come off.
He then leaves the room and goes up the stairs and I simply follow, absolutely terrified about his intentions. After a while of corridors and stairs he finally stops. The door he stops outside is the same as every other door we have passed but this is the only door on this corridor.
He opens the door and gestures for me to go first. The room is lovely and homely, there is a carved fire place, with 2 arm chairs sat opposite each other, a table, and red velvet curtains and a matching rug. On the same wall as the fire place there is a door.
Rumpelstiltskin is standing by the door next to the fire place where the fire is burning merrily.
He opens the door and in the room there is a bed much bigger than the one I ever had at my fathers castle. I can feel the dread rise within me as I walk further into the room. There is another fire place in this room, with large wardrobe and another door to the side of the bed.
"Lie down, dearie" He doesn't sound as high pitch yet. "On your front". I do as I am told, fear and dread racing through my veins. "Don't worry dearie, I don't want an unwilling partner, I'm simply going to clean out your wounds, I could do this with magic, but it doesn't work as well as the old fashioned way. " He explained.
To begin with this eased my fear, but then I was startled by how he knew, but I decided against asking.
He quickly unlaced the dress and the corset "I'm afraid there ruined, blood is notoriously difficult to get out" suddenly he clicks his finger and a wash basin with water appears next to me in a puff of purple smoke. He picks it up and using the cloth that must have been in their starts to clean my back.
It does sting but it's not unbearable. Occasionally he will wipe a very deep wound and it will cause me to gasp or hiss out in pain,he will stop and ask if can continue, he's been more courteous to me in the last hour than my father for a great deal of years. "I'm afraid this will leave a scar but magic should be able to deal with the worst of that." I simply nod, not really knowing what to say. With a click of his finger I'm in a nightgown. Does that mean I was naked for a second then, best not think about such things. "You might want to get some rest dearie, it will help you heal faster".
As soon as he finished speaking my stomach makes a rather loud groaning noise, well he's been nice for so much now, maybe I could ask him for some food, just a piece of bread, whats the worst, he says no, he starves me for longer. It's got to be worth a try.
"Thank you for everything, but could I possibly have something to eat? I don't mean to sound rude" I know i'm starting to ramble at this point but I can't seem to stop myself "but I haven't eaten anything for an absolute age."
"How long?" He seems to be holding a breath.
"Umm, 4 days ago I had some soup." I answered honestly.
With a click of his fingers a tray appeared on my lap, which held a bowl of soup, warm fresh bread, a glass of water, a glass of milk and a small bowl of strawberries.
"Oh thank you" I couldn't really thank him properly.
"I have a question, why would anyone do this to you, you are a princess after all?"
"Oh" I'm not really sure how to answer that " Well, my father wanted me to marry Gaston, and I refused so he made me submit"
"Has he done this sort of thing before?"
"Yes" that came out in no more than a whisper.
"How long ?"
"Since my mother died,when I was 8."
He suddenly seems to radiate an anger that makes me want to cower, he seemed to sense this and took a calming breath.
"I've decided to change my deal, you don't need to be a care taker, and this will be your suite of rooms and from when I leave here in a few moments I will not enter without your permission. Now eat up and get some rest, I've got to go away on business I will probably be away until tomorrow but don't worry the castle will provide anything you need, just simply ask it. Goodnight, dearie".
As he got to the door I replied with "Goodnight Rumpelstiltskin, and thank you."
Okay I know it's late in the day but I've been a bit busy today. Hope you enjoy, please rate and review and thank you everyone for reading my work.