Belle woke for the first time in her new home. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and pushed herself up to sit, and then pulled apart the curtains on the bed. Nobody had closed the drapes last night and the sunlight revealed even more glinting golden threads woven into the carpet and inlaid in the woodwork. Especially now, Rumpelstiltskin's handiwork was visible. She took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. Her husband. The magician, the deal-maker, the monster. Why hadn't he come for her last night? She had been waiting for him. She didn't remember climbing under the heavy covers or braiding her hair. Perhaps he had come after she fell asleep? She pulled her thick braid out of the ribbon that held it together. She had never seen it before, the bright gold was completely different from the discarded ribbons and bits of found twine she used to collect to pull her hair up in a pinch. Belle slid out of bed and padded to her hope chest. She opened the lid and breathed in the musty smell of home. She didn't realize how long she'd been on the floor until she felt her stomach grumble.
After managing to dress by herself, Belle left her room in search of food. It had been no easy task since nearly all of her dresses laced up the back. She had looked for a mirror to tidy her hair, but found none. She brushed her hair—one hundred strokes, as always—and pulled the hair near her temples behind her head and secured it with the golden ribbon. Throwing the rest of her long hair over her shoulder, she opened the door and stepped from the safety of her bedroom into the corridor. She turned right, hoping it was the way to the great hall. Just as she had that thought, she spied an archway up ahead. Had it been there before? She wondered. Saving that thought for later, Belle peeked around the corner into a room so magnificent that it could only be the great hall.
The vaulted ceilings and high windows could have made the room airy, but the thick, dark tapestries and massive fireplace maintained an intimidating feel that echoed the exterior of the Dark Castle. Belle stood in awe for a moment before noticing a place set at the end of the table. She was delighted to find an array of breakfast foods to please even the most finicky eater. Belle picked up a kind of pastry she'd never seen before. It had a shiny glaze with a circle of jelly in the center. Belle carefully bit into it, making sure she got a bit of jelly for the full effect. Her eyes fluttered closed as she enjoyed the sweet honey taste mixed with the tangy raspberry filling.
Rumpelstiltskin peeked around the doorframe, watching her face while she enjoyed her pastry. This is going to be fun. He grinned and disappeared in a puff of smoke, only to reappear sitting cross-legged on the table barely an inch from her plate.
"Careful, dearie," he said, catching a glob of jelly that threatened to fall onto Belle's dress. She jumped in her chair and dropped the pastry in her lap.
"You frightened me!" She gasped. She seemed to look him up and down, taking in his appearance for the first time since he had appeared in her father's courtroom. He grinned at the blush that began to bloom on her cheeks, whether from staining her dress or getting caught staring he didn't know.
"I have that effect on people," he replied with an exaggerated air of pride and a flick of his wrist. "I trust you found your rooms suitable," he glanced at her trying to rub the raspberry out of her dress.
"I do," she said as she looked up. "Though I was surprised not to find you in them last night.
He looked taken aback. Belle hadn't meant to sound so forward. She felt her face grow hot again but she couldn't look away from his face.
"I thought you would be relieved," he finally spoke, "to not find a monster waiting in your bed."
Belle took a breath. "I was more confused to not see my husband." Rumpelstiltskin turned sideways and reclined back to lean on an elbow. He seemed very interested in a plate of fruit when he said, his voice deeper than usual, "I would not share a bed with a wife who does not will it. It gives me no pleasure." And with that, he poofed to the seat opposite Belle, suddenly surrounded by a feast matching hers.
"Have you tried the maple bacon? It may have come from a magical pig I acquired from the southern islands."
Belle accepted the abrupt change of subject with a quick chuckle. "Will it turn me purple if I eat it?" She asked cheerfully.
"Only if you choke on it. Is that a goal of yours? I've only seen you make it to red, but it was a valiant effort." This only caused her to go red again, which she tried to hide by taking a drink from her goblet.
He snickered and helped himself to another slice of bacon. "Does it snow for very long here?" Belle inquired.
"Yes, the winters here are very long. Summers are short, and sometimes fall is skipped altogether." Belle looked down, disappointed. Rumpelstiltskin leaned forward. "What's the matter dearie?"
"I'll miss the warmth. And the sun."
"Well, it would hardly do for the Dark One of legend to live in a summer garden," he said, reclining in his chair. "Do you prefer spring?"
Belle smiled, remembering. "Midsummer's eve. I loved the festival, and the flowers. If every day could be midsummer's eve…no, that would make it less special." She sighed, slightly embarrassed for getting lost in memories.
"You'll find nothing less than special here," he said, eyes glittering. Belle met his gaze and blushed, though she didn't know why. There was a heat in his eyes that spread down into her belly. She finished her breakfast in silence, and didn't notice exactly when her husband disappeared from the table.