XI
You're Leaving Me?
Rumpelstiltskin frowned at the girl's crestfallen expression over his announcement. "Yes, dearie. I sometimes need to leave for several days. It's not unusual for certain deals to take longer than others," he explained. And wasn't that odd … explaining his actions to his maid. What the hell was wrong with him? She was the help, for the sake of the gods, not his wife!
King George was in a bit of a right sad fix, having lost his arrogant braggart of a son, and had called upon him to fix it. He had no doubt he could, short of bringing the lad back to life. Dead was dead! It would simply take a bit of finesse, a little patience … and a bloody miracle. He was putting his money on his innate ability to manipulate.
He shrugged into his coat, thankful the snows hadn't yet reached the kingdom he'd be visiting. It always snowed on the Dark Mountain long before the rest of the realm. His little maid stood before him in her modest blue work dress and silver heels – a vast improvement over that hated golden gown – biting her lip and twisting her fingers as was her habit when she was nervous.
"But … I'll be here all alone. Y-You trust me not to try to leave?" she asked, her sweet voice whisper soft.
The Dark One giggled as if that were the most ludicrous thing he'd ever heard. "Trust you? Don't be absurd." He chucked her under the chin as he slipped closer to her, into her space to let his dark presence intimidate her. "Though you are now allowed access to the grounds, the gates are warded to keep you inside, dearie. I've no doubt you'll be here when I return."
Belle crossed her arms obstinately over her chest, her lips pursed with displeasure. "One day, you'll have to learn to trust me, Master," she grumbled.
"Well, today is not that day." He lowered his head until his nose was nearly touching hers, dismissing his errant thoughts of how perfectly matched in size she was for him. "And don't think to try to escape me, princess, because I will find you. And I doubt, very much, you'll like the consequences of putting me to the trouble."
His world tilted on its axis as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. Before he could think to respond, she pulled away and was straightening his lapels. "Please be careful. You'll find me right here where I'm supposed to be, Master. This is my home now, and I have no wish to leave."
Rumpelstiltskin arched a brow, befuddled. Would he ever understand her? he wondered. "Pfft! You're here because of our deal … nothing more."
"Believe what you will, you old grump," she snarked. "Have a safe trip."
His gaze darted down to her lips in a moment of insanity. The voice in his head laughed, and Rumpelstiltskin poofed himself out of the castle before he could do something stupid … like kiss her goodbye.