Chapter 10

It was the morning of the ball, all the servants were running about the castle, making the whole palace look perfect for their Prince. King Rumplestiltskin had got up with the rising sun. His son was going to be thirteen, a man. How it made him feel old right down to is bones.

So he'd spent the morning in his office doing as much of the paper work as he could, deciding to hide so that he wasn't in any of the servants way. Now thought, his legs were starting to get stiff, if he had to dance the night away he needed it to be as mobile as possible, after all he didn't want to embarrass his son let alone anyone else.

As he strolled through the halls he enjoyed a moment of quiet contemplation. His thoughts turned to Miss French. As a gift, he decided to have a dress made for her for tonight, he hoped that she didn't find that too forward, he thought she deserved to be treated like a queen , even if it was only for one night.

"Good Morning your majesty" Glass greeted him as they walked towards one another, both meeting in the middle of the ballroom.

"Lord Glass, your here early, the Ball isn't until tonight" The King quipped, there was just something recently that he didn't like.

The Lord gave an over the top laugh, "I came to speak to you sire" he began to explain "As you know, tonight is when we wish you to announce that you'll be remarrying"

"ah, I had forgotten all about that" the King lied "I don't think it is an appropriate time, do you?" he began "Being my son's birthday and all"

"So you have a lady in mind?" Glass asked, his voice shaking a little, as if he had a little bit too much ridding on his answer. Taking a breath, the king shook his head.

"Sire we did have an agreement, that you would marry by the end of your son's ball" He reminded.

"Ugh" The king began, noticing Belle over Glass' shoulder, she was standing in the doorway, wearing her usual light blue and white dress with small red and pink flowers, she had a couple of books tucked under her arms, she saw him, sending him a warm smile and a little wave of her hand.

Glass turned to see what had caught the King's eye, he wasn't surprised to find Miss French standing in the doorway, "Good Morning Miss French" he greeted, this meant that Belle felt obliged to come and talk to the King and Lord Glass.

"Good morning my Lord, your highness" she gave both a short bow. "the palace is looking fit for a ball already" she smiled, looking around at her surroundings, the whole palace had been decorated in blue and gold, either through table cloths, tasteful streamers of some sort and fresh flowers along with gold ornaments.

"Yes, the staff have done an amazing job" Rumple agreed, the servants obviously had a lot of love and respect for their Prince if they were willing to put in so much effort for him.

"You've got quite a few books there" Glass motioned to the three hardback books tucked under Belle's arm. he couldn't fathom why a young lady like her would have any use for so many books, it was very strange.

"Ah yes" Belle's face flushed a little, she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed that Glass was speaking to her in an almost mocking way. "I enjoy reading" she began "There aren't many opportunities to get books back in Avonlea" she gave both men sheepish smile.

The King knew Avonlea was a small town on the edge of the Kingdom, he hadn't been to visit it for many years, probably because it was just a small simple village with simple needs, he could imagine that for a young adventurous girl like Belle, she might find it a little provincial. Perhaps he would see about taking a visit in the not so distant future.

"You are to be going back to Avonlea in a few days are you not?" Glass asked, his voice probably sounding too hopeful for both Belle and the King's liking.

Belle gave a small nod of her head "Yes, Lord and Lady Noland have decided to give Emma's education a break and so I'll be going back to my father in a day or two", she gave Rumple a quick glance, he looked a little paler than normal, in his eyes there was a flicker of something, sadness, disappointment, regret?

"If I don't get a chance to talk to you before you go, it's been a pleasure" Glass took Belle's hand almost suddenly and shook it gently before dropping it and then turning on his heels to leave.

"I'll return your books before I leave" Belle assured the king.

"No need" he assured "Borrow them for as long as you wish, you can always come and use the library anytime" he added, God was he really so sad as to use the one thing he knew she loved to give her an opportunity to come back.

"No need to act so sad, We have the ball to look forward to tonight" she reminded with a small smile, she still couldn't believe that he had asked her to accompany him.

"Yes, of course" The king nodded, perhaps a night of dancing and talking would sate him, maybe he'd be able to let her go, let her go off and be happy like she deserved. "What books are you planning on reading?" he asked her, she knew he hadn't judged her just Glass who was stuck in his ways.

Belle opened her mouth to speak when somebody started playing a beautiful melody on the piano in the corner of the ballroom, the song reminded her of something her mother used to sing, a tale as old as time it might have been called but she couldn't have be sure.

Without even much thought, Rumple offered her his hand. She gave him a small smile a she accepted his hand and let him drag her to the middle of the ballroom.

Looking into his eyes she could tell how nervous he was. Belle, in an attempt to help him relax, took both his hands in her own and began to guide him to slowly sway to the music, twisting and turning a couple of times once their feet followed the rhythm of the music.

Once he was feeling a little more confident Rumple pulled Belle a little closer, for a moment her breath hitched, he was so close that his warmth just radiated through her. If she hadn't been so focused on the feeling of being in his arms then she might have noticed how fast his heart was beating, she might have been able to tell how much she too effected him.

Looking into her eyes Rumple felt lost, like floating in an endless ocean, the way her brown curls framed her face, the way her cheeks had flushed a little pink as they danced, it was in this moment he realised that he was truly and hopelessly lost to her. In this moment, with her, he was free, felt lighter than he had in years.

As he felt the music fade away he decided to take a little risk, to live a little, with a little encouragement Belle wrapped her arms gently around his neck, he took this opportunity to lift her almost effortlessly and spin them a little bit around the room. They're faces were so close, they looked into each other's eyes, the windows to the soul.

Belle let out a giggle as he set her back on her feet, he would dream of that laugh in his sleep, in his day dreams even. Belle also felt the same freeness, she could be herself, she wouldn't be judged by the man in front of her, he seemed to look past her apparently pleasing exterior.

The last few notes of the song played out, they spun a couple more times on the dance floor, her blue and white dress fanning around her legs, he then carefully dipped her, both letting out a small smile. Before both find that they were a little out of breath, their skin almost zinging.

Spotting the open balcony, Belle lead them out into the cooler air to hopefully have a private moment alone, away from prying eyes.

Neither noticed Jefferson walk into the ballroom from where he'd been spying them at the door, "Well done Maestro Cadenza" He tapped the pianist on the shoulder, in thanks for his playing the music, the two men then once again disappeared, leaving the two dancers to themselves.

Rumple and Belle stood next to each other, their breaths still deep and their heart thumping in their heads, he put his hand on the railing in front of him to ground himself, he was surprised when Belle put one of her hands on top of his.

"Thank you" she smiled at him "These past few weeks have been so..." she found it hard to find the words "I'll never forget my time here" she concluded, it would be hard to leave in the next day or so but she'd always have their friendship to look back upon to help her get through whatever waited for her at home.

"Miss French..." he began but was stopped by her squeezing his hand with hers.

"Belle" she encouraged with a small flutter of her eyelashes that sent butterflies in his stomach.

"Belle" he couldn't help but grin, it felt so good to say "Will you meet me, in the rose garden, before the ball?" he asked.

Belle looked at him with confusion "Of course" she nodded squeezing his hand once more in assurance that whatever this was, she was feeling it too.

...C\_'/...

"You look beautiful" Lady Noland gushed to her friend, she wasn't surprised the King had gifted Belle with a dress and what beautiful dress it was, a silky gold material with slight glitter in the skirt that shimmered as it caught the light.

"Thank you" Belle couldn't help but smile, the dress was so pretty, she almost worried that it was too much for the ball but it was a gift after all. "You don't think it's too much?" she asked.

"No" Lady Noland shook her head as she reached out to pin back some of the governess' curls, "Its perfect" she assured before sitting on the bed to watch Belle slip into the golden high heels that accompanied the dress. "So you and the King have become close..." she began.

Belle nodded "Yes, I like him a lot" she confirmed as she turned to face Mary Margaret.

"You don't have to accept his advances just because he is a king" She reminded "Money and titles cant by you happiness"

"I know" The brunette nodded "He's been a gentlemen" she assured, of course there had been times when she thought they might kiss but so far not even that had happened. It was all so slow and gentle, just two people getting to know one another.

Mary Margaret smiled at the women that had become her friend, perhaps she was wrong, that this relationship she had with the King wouldn't end in heartbreak. "I should go and help Emma into her dress" she noted looking at the time on the clock across from her, she stood taking Belle's hands in her own "I look forward to seeing you dancing tonight" , with that the raven haired women left the room, closing the door with a soft click.

The governess smoothed down the silky bodice of her dress and looked at herself once more in the mirror, she certainly looked far from a Governess in this dress, it was beautiful, far prettier than anything she felt like she'd ever deserved.

"It's a little much isn't it?" Belle spun around, the gold skirt fanning around her legs, a few loose curls falling from her head.

"Lady Mills" she greeted with a small bow, her heart was hammering in her chest. She hadn't even heard her come in. Cora was dressed in a deep blood read gown with black gems falling off in an almost tear drop fashion. "Why are you here?" she asked, moving to step back from the older women which made her only step closer.

"I want you to leave" she stated obviously, her voice almost dripping with venom.

Belle shook her head, this lady was psychotic "I'll be gone tomorrow" she explained.

"I want you to leave tonight, before the Ball" Cora encouraged, "A night can make such a difference" she added with a sly smile.

"What are you talking about?" Belle asked, her eyebrows knitting in confusion.

Cora let out a hearty laugh "For her girl who always has her nose stuck in a book you are not very bright" she cleared her throat before continuing "Do you know why the King wants to meet you in the garden?"

"How did y..." Belle began before deciding to just shake her head.

The older women smiled "He's going to ask you to be his mistress" she deadpanned.

The younger women let out a gasp of shock, "No" she shook her head "He's not that man" she responded, the man she knew, the man she possibly loved wasn't the type to take a mistress, to have an intimate relationship without feelings.

"Oh believe me my dear it's true, you see he's proposing to my Zelena right now" Cora stepped forward, reaching out to twists Belle's head in her hands so that the young beauty could look out of the bedroom window.

There she could see the King and Zelena walking along the path bellow, her heart broke as he stopped for a moment to pull a box out of his pocket and opened , Belle could make out the glint of a ring with a precious blue sapphire. The brunet watched as Zelena nodded her head before reaching up to kiss the King's cheek, the same way she had only hours before.

Belle could look no more, she closed her eyes and turned her head away, Cora let go of Belle's head with a triumphant smile. "You see she'll be his Queen, you'll just be his hore" the Lady practically spat "I think we both know you deserve more than that"

Cora let out a laugh before heading out of the room, shutting it beside her,

Falling to the ground Belle, felt like she couldn't breathe, only now did she realise how much she truly cared for Rumple but if Cora was right then there was nothing to stay for, even if Cora was lying Belle realised that she could never be in this world of royalty and politics, she needed to get back to reality, to her provincial little town, to her father, she needed to go home.

...C\_'/...

The king wandered the palace grounds, hoping some fresh air would calm his nerves. Even though he was a King, he was still very much a coward, in his head he was trying to think of all the right things to say, but he couldn't make any sense.

"Your Majesty, Cogsworth told me I could find you here" a familiar voice spoke to him.

"Miss Mills" he turned around to greet her, once again the redhead was in her classic green colour, but without her mother by her side something seemed different, as if she was more relaxed.

"I've come to apologise" Zelena began, taking the King's arm and leading him down the path in front of them. The younger women was relieved the King seemed to follow her, it was all going to plan.

"What do you have to apologise for?" he asked as they walked, he hoped this wouldn't take too long as he was supposed to meet Belle soon.

Zelena sighed "for my mother's actions" she began "After Regina chose to settle for that former outlaw, she's put immense pressure on me to find a husband and she knew how fond I am of you" she fluttered her big eyelashes at him but he still paid her no attention, much to her disappointment.

"Ok" The King nodded, hoping the redhead would continue, something still didn't feel right, he just couldn't put his finger on it.

"So when she heard the rumour you were looking for a wife, she encouraged me to pursue you" she continued "I realise now that it's Miss French that you have fallen for" she finished.

"I..." the King began, not sure how Zelena new of his feelings or how he'd never known a member of the Mills family to apologise, ever.

"You are going to propose tonight?" She asked him.

"I...was...Ugh Yes" he responded, still dumfounded by her apology and how she knew so much.

Zelena looked over the King's shoulder at something then turned her gaze back to his and stopped walking, "Can I see the ring?" she asked "I've heard that the family sapphire is the finest in all the realms" The king nodded before taking the box out of his pocket and opening it carefully to show her. It was a simple gold band with a large sapphire in the middle, surrounded by small diamonds.

The redhead gave an over the top gasp before profusely nodding her head "Oh yes, it's beautiful" she grinned. To his surprise she reached up to kiss his cheek, "I do hope you think better of me now" she grinned to the stunned King before turning and skipping away, humming a merry tune to herself.

The stood dumfounded for a moment, could Zelena really have changed that much in a day, how did she know about his feelings towards Belle or that he was going to propose or at least see if he could get her to stay a little longer.

...C\_'/...

He couldn't find her anywhere, Rumple had waited for Belle in the Rose garden for almost an hour before he was ushered inside to greet the guests, all he wanted to do was find her.

Jefferson walked past him so he took the opportunity to talk to him "Have you seen Miss French?" he asked, his voice almost frantic.

"I'm afraid I haven't" Jefferson replied "Is something the matter?" his voice was full of concern.

"She was supposed to meet me in the rose garden almost an hour ago but hasn't shown" The King explained. His hand going to his pocket to make sure the ring was still there, it was.

"You'll see her at the ball I'm sure" Jefferson assured, slapping his cousin on the shoulder, he was about to walk away when both men saw the Prince rushing towards them.

"Son, what's the matter?" The king asked, steadying his son by holding his shoulders.

"It's Belle" He began, his chest heaving from all the running. Balefire's next words cut the king like a knife through the heart "She's left"

...C\ _'/...

A/N thank you to Melstrife, Grace5231973, Kristen0901 and Something-Clever-Or-Not for your feedback and also for helping me find that fanfic i was looking for!

hope you like this chapter