The next morning, Rose woke up at the crack of dawn as she always did. The sun was just barely risen over the horizon. She loved to watch the sunrise. It was a sign of hope for her every morning that she would spend more time with her papa. She grabbed her blanket and went downstairs. She headed out to the garden and went up to her hill. It had a perfect view of the sunrise. She laid her blanket on the ground and sat down. She watched the sun slowly rise. She had told Rumple that she did this every morning. Sometimes he would join her and they would watch it together. Other times he slept in or got up earlier to work on something in his tower. She felt a pair of hands cover her eyes.

"Guess who." She smiled.

"Papa." He removed his hands and sat down next to her on the blanket. She snuggled up next to him. They sat quietly and watched the sun. Rumple lightly stroked Rose's head and noticed the small tangles in her hair.

"Flower, you forgot to comb out your hair this morning. Again." She smiled again. She always "forgot" to comb out her hair in the morning. She pulled out a comb from her pocket and handed it to him.

"I like when you do it." He smirked as he took the comb from her and gently started to comb out the tangles in her long straight hair. Rose enjoyed this. She was old enough to do more things on her own, but she liked to have Rumple help her or do it for her. It was way of getting to spend more time with him. Rumple knew this, but he didn't mind. He loved being with her and he wanted her to know that he did love and care for her. "Papa?"

"Yes?"

"Did you bring someone home with you yesterday? Or was that a dream?" Rumple almost forgot about the woman in his dungeon. He brought her to the Dark Castle to be the new maid and Rose's caretaker. He would have to let her out later on.

"That was no dream, dearie. I did bring home a woman. She's here to take care of you." Rose turned and looked to him.

"So, I won't be by myself anymore?" His large reptilian eyes met her bright emerald ones.

"Never again. She's here just for that purpose. I don't want you to feel like you have to be alone. You will never be alone in this castle ever again."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"And you never break your promises." He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Why don't we let out our new house guest?" He stood and helped her up. She picked up her blanket and held Rumple's hand as they headed down the hill.

"Papa? Why is she in the dungeon if she's not bad?" He carefully thought of his answer. She has lived with him her entire life, but she still didn't understand his impish ways. He was known for being a trickster and a cruel monster. Rose never saw that side of him. He tried to think of an answer that wasn't a lie. He didn't want to lie to her, but he couldn't always tell her the full truth.

"Because, flower. We still don't know if we can trust her. I want to make sure that she is somewhere where I know she can't hurt us. Until I'm sure we can trust her, that's going to be her room. Does that make sense?"

"A little. When will we know we can trust her?"

"Well, I'll let you be the judge of that." She knitted her eyebrows in confusion.

"Me?" He stopped and kneeled to eye level with her.

"Yes, you. She's going to be with you more than me. I want you to know when we can trust her. You're a very smart and observant girl, Rose. You'll know."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I trust you more than anyone. Besides, the enchantment is still on the castle, so she couldn't hurt you if she tried. She doesn't know about it, but don't tell her. If she knew, it might be harder to tell if she's trustworthy. Okay?" Rose felt a little uncomfortable. She wasn't sure she would be able to tell if she could trust this woman. She had never known another person besides her papa. She didn't know if she could do it, but if her papa believed in her, then she could give it a shot.

"Okay." He smiled at her.

"Good." He stood up and they continued into the castle. Rose put her blanket down on the table as they entered the main room. They made their way down to the dungeons. Rumple flicked his wrist and one of the doors opened. Rose saw the same woman in the gold dress lying on the make shift bed of straw. She wasn't sleeping and sat up when she saw them. "Good. You're already awake."

"It's not really comfortable down here."

"Yes, yes, I know. Today, you will prove your worth and your trustworthiness. I have errands to run and I will be gone for most of the day. You are to tend to my daughter's every need and want without question. If anything goes wrong, she will tell me about it. She will decide if you're worth keeping around, so I suggest you keep her happy. Do you understand?" She stood from the bed.

"Yes, I understand."

"Good." He kneeled to Rose. "Remember what I told you and tell me everything when I return, alright?"

"Yes, Papa." He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Good girl. I'll be back tonight around dinner time." He stood and headed up the stairs. Rose turned her attention to the woman in the gold dress. She entered the dungeon and smiled at her. She figured if she was going to see if she could trust this woman, she needed to get her to know that she could trust her.

"Hi. I'm Rose." She was hesitant to speak.

"I'm Belle."

"Hi, Belle." They stood there in awkward silence. Rose's stomach growling broke the quiet. "Can you make me breakfast?"

"Um...Yes. Of course. What do you want?"

"I like porridge with strawberries. Can you make that?"

"Yes, I can."

"Good. Come on." She turned and headed up the stairs. Belle stood where she was for a moment before following the child up the stairs. They went into the kitchen and Belle lit the stove. She started on the porridge and it needed to sit to cook. Rose then handed her a small basket.

"What's this for?"

"I said I wanted strawberries in my porridge. We gotta go pick them." Belle took the basket and followed Rose to the garden. Each fruit had its own orchard. Rose led Belle to the strawberry orchard. Belle placed the basket on the ground and started picking. She looked over and saw Rose doing the same.

"What are you doing?"

"Picking strawberries."

"I see that, but why? I'm supposed to take care of you. You shouldn't do anything you don't want to." Rose put some of the strawberries in the basket.

"But I want to. Papa and I always pick them together. He doesn't like them, but he helps me anyway." Belle was puzzled by this. This child couldn't have been more than four years of age and was living like a princess. Being the daughter of the Dark One, she could get anything her heart desired with a flick of the wrist. Belle even had to admit she was a bit of a spoiled brat when she was her age. She never had to lift a finger for anything. This child wanted to do things that servants were meant to do. That wasn't the only thing that confused the former princess. How was she the daughter of the Dark One?

"Rose, do you want to be here?"

"Yeah. I like picking fruit. It's fun."

"No, I mean here in the castle. Are you here willingly?" She gave Belle a confused look.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean...Do you want to be here with him? Have you always been here?"

"Yes. He's my papa."

"But how? You're not related by blood and you act nothing like him. How is he your papa?" Rose stopped picking and looked to Belle.

"He just is. I asked the same. My skin is different from his and he has magic. He told me that I wasn't his by blood, but he took care of me. He loves me and I love him. I know people think he's a mean monster, but he's my papa."

"And he's never told you how he came to be your papa?"

"He said he would tell me when I'm older. I don't really care. All I know is he's my papa and he loves me. I don't need to know where I came from. I just want my papa." Belle was intrigued by the small girl. She was pure and sweet, the complete opposite of her father. How did the Dark One raise such a child? Belle wanted to ask more questions, but was interrupted by said child. "Come on or the porridge will get too thick."

They went back inside with a basket full of strawberries. Belle finished the porridge and sliced up the strawberries. She served Rose her food and started to clean up. After breakfast, Rose brought Belle to her room to show her all of her stuff. She showed Belle her toys and the stories that she gave them. Saved her favorites for last. The two dolls she's had since she was a baby. Of course, she still didn't know they were her mother and grandfather, but they were still her favorite toys. The more time Belle spent with Rose, the more she saw the light in the Dark Castle. The child truly was innocent, sweet, and kind. She at first thought it was an act, but she saw the sincerity and truth in the child's eyes. She didn't have an evil bone in her body.

Hours went by and it was lunchtime. Belle prepared sandwiches for the both of them. Once they were done and the mess was cleaned up, Rose yawned. She usually took a nap after she ate her lunch.

"Belle, I want to take my nap. Will you read to me by the fireplace?"

"Um...I suppose so. Is this a normal routine?"

"If Papa's home, he would read to me by the fireplace. Can you? Please?" Belle was at a loss for words. Rose had been kind with her demands all day, but this was the first time she said please. This was the sweetest child she had ever met. They went up to Rose's room. Rose picked out a book and grabbed her blanket from the bed. They went to the den where the fireplace lit itself. Belle sat down on the small couch and opened the book to the first page. She was taken aback when Rose laid her head in her lap and snuggled herself under her blanket.

"Uh...Rose?" She looked up to Belle with her innocent emerald eyes.

"I'm ready. You can start reading now." Not knowing how to react, she turned to the book in her hand and started to read.

"The Ugly Duckling. Once upon a time, there was a peaceful pond in a peaceful forest..." Belle continued to read the story to the sleepy child. Halfway through, she heard Rose's breathing slow. She looked down and saw she was asleep. Belle closed the book and placed it on the small table beside the couch. She lightly stroked Rose's hair. Belle didn't think it was possible, but Rose looked even sweeter and more adorable she was sleeping. More and more questions flooded Belle's mind. Where did she come from? Where were her parents? How did Rumpelstiltskin get a hold of her? Why did he keep her locked up in his castle in secret? Belle started to doze off after a few minutes just realizing how tired she was after caring for a four year old all day.

Hours later, Belle woke up in the den. The fire was out and the room was very dim. She reached her hand beside her and felt nothing. Rose was gone. Belle quickly got up in search of her. She looked in her room and the kitchen. She opened the door to the garden and saw it was night. Rose wouldn't be out there this late. Belle went back into the castle and continued her search.

"Rose? Rose! Rose, where are you?!" She got no reply and grew worried. What if something happened to her? Rumpelstiltskin was going to kill her if she didn't find the young child. "Rose! Can you hear me? Where are you?!"

"Where is who?" Belle quickly turned and saw Rumple standing in the doorway. Belle's heart dropped into her stomach.

"I...I was..." He cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"Where's Rose?" Her courage seemed to be hiding from her at the moment. She had been brave when she agreed to live with him forever. She was thinking of her people and their safety. Now, she was afraid she would be killed or severely punished for losing the Dark One's daughter. She lowered her eyes.

"I...I don't know." Rumple's eyes widened. His large reptilian eyes looked even bigger.

"What do you mean you don't know?!"

"I...I don't know. She...She was taking a nap in the den. And I dozed off and when I woke up, she was gone. She couldn't have gone far if she can't leave..."

"I gave you one chance! You were to take care of my daughter and you've lost her! And for that, I..."

"Papa!" Rumple turned and saw Rose coming over to him. He sighed in relief as he picked her up and hugged.

"Rose, where have you been? I was beginning to worry."

"I was in the garden. I left my doll." She showed him the doll.

"You know better than to go out in the garden at night by yourself." He turned his attention back to Belle. "You should have been with her instead of napping. A punishment is still in order for you."

"No, Papa. Don't punish her. Please. She was good. She's really nice and I like her. She played with me and read me a story. Please don't punish her." He looked into her pleading eyes and broke under their gaze.

"Alright, flower. I'll let this one go, but don't let this happen again, okay?"

"I won't. I'm sorry."

"It's alright." He put her down and turned back to Belle. "Consider yourself lucky this time. Next time, I won't be so merciful."

"I...I understand. It won't happen again."

"Good. You can get started on dinner." She nodded and went to the kitchen. Rumple took his daughter's hand and led her to the den. "Now, flower. Why don't you tell me about your day."