III

Not So Beastly

Belle was miserable. Hot tears coursed down her cheeks as violent sobs wracked her petite frame. She'd been at the castle for a mere three days, and already she felt as if her heart would shatter from homesickness. It wasn't her new schedule of chores which made her long for home. Rumpelstiltskin was very low maintenance. At times, she wondered if he wanted her to work just to keep boredom from setting in.

No, it was the loneliness. The Dark Castle was devoid of servants, its lone occupant, the Dark One. Certainly, she didn't miss her unwanted betrothed … never him. But she did miss her papa, her maid, Sarah and the palace's housekeeper, Mrs. Potts. If she were honest, she would admit she cried for her beloved mama. It hadn't been long ago Colette had been ripped so violently away from them. Mere weeks between her death and Belle's plea to the sorcerer to come and save them.

Another keening, sorrowful wail escaped her. She'd made the right decision to go with him. She refused to allow herself to regret it. What was her life – one now destined for servitude – when it would save so many others. Wasn't it her duty as daughter to their sovereign to sacrifice? She was strong, and she would endure, she tried to convince herself. Another sob. Then why did it hurt so much, to know she would have to withstand such loneliness? Since that first night, she'd hardly seen her master. He avoided her for reasons unknown to her. Was she really expected to live and work in the castle, floundering about in solitude … forever, as she'd promised?

So lost in her despair, she didn't hear his booted feet trekking down the stone staircase. Therefore, it was quite a shock to her system when the door to her cell swung open. Belle pushed herself to her feet and brushed away her tears, trying in vain to make herself presentable. It was rather difficult when she hadn't had a decent bath in days and her gown was beginning to fray at the hem.

"When you so eagerly agreed to come and work for me, I assumed you wouldn't miss your family quite so much," her master drawled, striding confidently into the room.

Is he serious? "I made my sacrifice for them," she croaked, her voice still heavy with tears. His callous disregard for her feelings sparked her ire. Did he possess not a shred of compassion? "Of-Of course I miss them, you beast!"

"Yes, yes, yes," he tittered impatiently, "but the crying must stop. Night after night. It's making it very difficult for me to spin. Y'know, I do my best thinking then."

She stared back at him, uncaring if his blasted wheel – which was a little slice of hell to clean – fell over and smashed him in his bloody head.

He acted as if he didn't know what to do with her, and that just wouldn't do. "Here," he said finally. A flourish of his hand, a cloying wisp of violet smoke, and a lovely ivory damask pillow appeared in his palm. "Perhaps this will help?"

Belle's brows drew together warily, wondering at his game. "For me?" she asked skeptically. Well, who else would it be for, you silly goose?!

Rumpelstiltskin tossed it at her. "Not so beastly now, am I?" he snarked as she caught it to her chest.

"Thank you," she murmured testily. He could've been a little nicer about it if he were going to try to be civil with her. "Maybe now I can actually get some sleep." Bedding down on a pile of straw – albeit clean straw – wasn't very conducive to rest.

His hands fluttered before him. "No, no, no! It's not to help you sleep, dearie. It's to muffle the cries so I can get back to work!" he barked.

Belle dropped her new pillow onto her makeshift bed and advanced on him, taking in the widening of his eyes. "Why must you do that?" she hissed through clenched teeth, one long finger waggling beneath his nose.

"Do what?" he inquired, quickly masking his shock at her boldness.

"Be so unpleasant!" she snapped, reconsidering her loneliness. She was thinking it would be better than his surly indifference and unwillingness to bend. "I am here by my own choice, Rumpelstiltskin, and here I will stay to serve you until you no longer want me. I have shown you nothing but kindness and respect from the moment I met you. The least you could do is treat me in ki –"

A snap of his fingers cut her off, her voice disappearing into the ether. He giggled as he watched her fight to speak. "You're a lippy little wench, aren't you?" He circled around her, amused. He admired her fire. She was a challenge, and would be a lovely companion if he'd let her in.

Belle glared angrily at him, her cerulean eyes flashing hotly.

"I will not allow you to be insolent, dearie."

"And I won't let you intimidate me … master," she mouthed, turning so he could read her lips. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and she forced herself to calm. When had he gotten so close … or had it been she to intrude into his personal space? She was so near; she could see the pulse fluttering frantically beneath his jaw. He wasn't as unaffected by her presence as he'd have her believe.

He leaned in, and she could feel his warm sweet breath fan over her lips, their noses nearly touching as his visage darkened. "We'll see about that, princess."

A/N: Oh, our darling imp can be such an ass! Please review!