Regina watched as the princess climbed into bed as smitten as she could be. Regina knew it was because of Rumplestiltskin. Ever since Belle had brought him up at breakfast the other day, she sensed there was something going on, but tonight had proved it.
Regina had watched as the girl was brushing her hair. She saw the look on Belle's face and the color of her cheeks when Rumplestiltskin was so close, whispering in her ear. The girl appeared to have feelings for him. And from the looks of it, Rumplestiltskin wasn't too far behind her. 'Of course he covered up the mirror. He knew I would be watching, or at least that there was a chance that I was watching. He knows me too well.' She was not happy.
Many years ago when Regina was still Rumplestiltskin's apprentice, she had offered herself to him freely and he turned her down. A beast of a man who could not gain love from anyone, much less a woman, turning her down. She never understood it. She was a very attractive woman, the fairest in the land. What more could he ask for? It infuriated her.
The next day, Regina was quietly eating her breakfast alone in the dining room; when King Maurice came down to greet her. "Good morning Your Majesty," he said.
Regina looked up, "Why, you don't have to call me that, Maurice. We are both equals."
"Yes, I apologize. It's just a habit. I hope the accommodations have been to your liking?"
"Yes, thank you."
"I've come to inform you the beast has returned."
Regina stopped eating and a smirk appeared on her face, "Oh?" she said innocently. She already knew from the night before Rumplestiltskin had returned.
"Yes, you will be allowed to see him after lunchtime today. Sir Lucan will escort you there. Then you will see for yourself what an accomplishment I have achieved."
"I look forward to it."
"I'll leave you to it then," Maurice went to leave, but had one last thing to say, "Oh and there's no need to be frightened. He can't harm you unless I order him to. He's completely under my control."
"That's good to know. Good day."
"Good day to you too," King Maurice took his leave.
Regina smiled to herself as she finished her meal. She could not be more thrilled.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Belle strolled into Rumplestiltskin's room around her normal time the next day. She was in a very good mood. She had enjoyed the playful side of Rum she saw the night before, and hoped she would see it again. Rumplestiltskin was spinning just like any other day and smiled when she came in. She could see he was in a good mood as well.
"I half expected to find you missing again today," Belle teased.
"Contrary to what you may think dearie, I do not have a lot of free time. I must meet my gold quota for your father or he may grow suspicious."
Belle frowned at the thought. She had a seat on the floor and started bundling gold thread. Rum had been in seemed to be in such a good mood, she didn't want to talk about a sore subject. She tried to think of something to veer the conversation to, but he spoke first.
"So dearie tell me, if you thought freeing me was as easy as letting me back out into the world, why did you not do so before?"
Belle blushed, "I…uh…I was being rather selfish really."
Rumplestiltskin looked at her puzzled trying to decide if she was making up a lie to cover that she was her father's spy, or actually telling the truth.
"You intrigued me from the first time I saw you. I wanted to get to know you. I feared if I let you go I'd never see you again, that you wouldn't want to have anything to do with me. I thought…maybe…if I gained your trust first…your friendship…it would be different."
He continued scrutinizing her all the while trying to ignore the funny feeling that was bubbling up inside of him. 'No one ever wanted to get to know me.' "You sure your not in it for the power dearie? Everyone wants power."
"Oh I don't care about that. I hate that my father is using you in such a way. I…"
Belle was interrupted by the sounds of the locks. She swiftly retreated out through the passageways.
The door opened and Regina strutted in. Rumplestiltskin was not surprised. He had actually thought she would have visited sooner. He continued to spin.
Regina sneered at him as if she was the one holding him prisoner. She walked over to the tea set and poured herself a cup. She used the un-chipped cup, but she took note of the chipped one, "Two cups Rumple, you must've been expecting me."
"What do you want Regina?"
"I just wanted see if the rumors were true. Tell me Rumple, how did you finally let yourself get caught, especially by someone so idiotic as Maurice?"
"It matters not, dearie," Rumplestiltskin gave her an evil look wishing she would take the hint and leave. He never enjoyed her presence.
"You know if you just took me up on my offer a long time ago, you might not be in this predicament."
"I would rather be here in this prison than anywhere with you."
"Suit yourself Rumple. I'll have control over you soon enough. Now that Maurice has the dagger, I'm just one step closer than before."
"No matter how much you wish it, you will never control me. King Maurice would never give up so much power."
Regina leaned in through the bars of the spinning wheel, "We shall see," she sneered. She set her teacup down and left almost as soon as she had arrived.
Belle came back in once the coast was clear. She had stood outside the door and heard the whole conversation.
"I thought you were gone for the day, dearie."
Belle glared at him, "Don't call me that anymore."
"Oh, still on that are we?" he grinned.
Belle marched up to him looking him straight in the face. She was as serious as she could be and a bit angry. He had never seen her angry before. "I mean it Rumplestiltskin. I'm not joking this time. You will not call me dearie anymore. To hear you call her the same nickname you use for me, it's…it's…well it doesn't make me feel very good!"
"I call everyone dearie, dearie." He said in a lower tone than normal.
"If you continue to call me that, putting me on the same level as that woman, you will regret it. I'll leave. You'll never see me again, and all you'll have left is a chipped cup. I'm your friend Rumplestiltskin, whether you like it or not, and you're mine too whether you want to admit it or not. Tell me, what's your choice?"
He glared at her with stone cold eyes, "Very well."
Belles features softened and the anger dissipated. She didn't think he'd give in so easily, and hoped he'd stick to it. She resumed bundling the gold quietly while waiting for her anger to dissipate.
Belle sat quietly for a while wanting to speak her mind, but she was afraid of what Rum might say.
"You've been so quiet dearest, not still mad are we?"
Belle smiled. Dearest was a much better endearment, even if it was similar to dearie, "No, I'm not mad, I was just thinking."
"And what about?"
"Regina, you knew her before?"
"Yes, we go way back. I take it you know her too or you wouldn't be so angry with me over a nickname?"
"Yes. Snow White and I were best friends…that is until she died." Belle saddened.
"Oh she's not dead dearest. The Queen only thinks she is."
Belle looked up at him surprised, "What?"
"No. She's been living with seven dwarfs in the woods somewhere, letting the queen assume she's gone."
Belle was hopeful. The thought of her friend still being alive was wonderful, "How do you know?"
"She came to me for a potion once. A potion to forget her true love."
"Why would she want to do that? It doesn't sound like Snow." Belle had always known Snow to be a dreamer. One who waited for her true love to come. She couldn't imagine her wishing to forget him.
"Not my job to ask dearest, I'm just the dealmaker."
"Oh," she remembered the first night she met Rum, he had told her people always came to him for deals. She was learning more about him everyday but still the question she really wanted to ask was tugging at her.
"I sense there's still something else on your mind," Rumplestiltskin inquired.
Belle decided she would just say it, "Were you and her…I mean Regina…you know…"
Rumplestiltskin burst out into a laughing fit. When he calmed he spoke, "Ah, do I detect a hint of jealousy? Surely not! But still, I never touched that witch, nor would I. She tried many times, but she never cared for me, just my power."
Belle sighed a sigh of relief. She didn't know what had come over her. 'Jealousy? Could I be jealous?' She wasn't sure but she was glad her fear was not true, "Power. That's what my father wanted you for as well."
"Power goes to people heads. I should know; I possess the most in all the realms."
"Rum? How is it my father can keep you confined to the castle, to order you around? He doesn't possess magic."
Rumplestiltskin was quiet and his facial expressions seemed depressed.
"It has to do with that funny looking dagger doesn't it? Regina mentioned it as well."
He nodded, "Whosoever possesses the dagger, controls the Dark One."
"So if you were to get it back then you would be free?"
"I would have my free will back, yes."
Belle thought for a moment, then stood so she could look him in the eye, "Then I'll find it for you. I'll do everything I can."
"Your father has hidden it well. You may never find it."
"I will, even if it is not until the day I become Queen when he has to pass it down to me, I will find it and I will set you free, but on one condition."
Rumplestiltskin smirked, amused, "You sure are turning out to be the deal maker yourself aren't you?"
Belle giggled, "Well wasn't it you who told me that everything comes with a price?"
"Quick learner, very well, name your price."
Belle put a hand on his shoulder and looked deep into his eyes, "Promise me, you won't harm my father. Promise me, and I promise I'll find the dagger and give you your freedom."
As he looked back into her deep blue eyes, something told him she was telling the truth. Something told him that maybe she really wasn't a spy. The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable. As much as it pained him to say it, after all King Maurice had made him do, and what he may make him do in the future, Rumplestiltskin found himself uttering two little words, "I promise."
