Belle knelt on the tiled floor, her back aching from being curled in the same position for too long, the soapy water sloshed in its bucket as she dragged it from one spot to the next. Whatever made her think he wasn't serious about scrubbing the floor? The words played through her mind as she nursed her chapped, wrinkled hands, before beginning to scour the next muddy boot stain from the ground.
The hall was easily one of the largest and dirtiest rooms in the house, and Belle sighed in the knowledge that there were probably many more like this one, only a fraction smaller. She had pinned her brown hair back after the first hour, the long tresses dipping in and out of the water every time to lent forward, her pale cheeks now pink and wet. Even her knees were damp despite her skirts, now speckled with water marks, and she feared she would have to ask Rumplestiltskin for another set, still unable to locate any of the 'others' to whom she was directed. Besides, he was the one who presented her with the new dress before, carrying it out in front of him as if his touch would somehow tarnish it. It seemed to Belle to be a shame to be scrubbing floors in such a dress, surprised at how well it seemed to fit, to how much detail was woven in to all the right places.
"Are you finished?"
Rumple smiled, appearing in the doorway as Belle had realised was his habit, leaning in against the frame with once leg hooked over the other.
"Not quite, I've still the entrance to do, and there by the stairs." Belle replied.
"Ah, then let me help you."
He straightened himself before gesturing outwards with both hands, fingers uncurling as if he were revealing some wonderful object. The floor directly changed, suddenly cleaner than before, even the patches scrubbed by Belle stood out like faint shadows on the tile. She looked around in confusion, running a finger along the floor beside her before staring wide-eyed in his direction.
"You...you could have just cleaned it? Just like that?" Her voice filled with a mix of bewilderment and anger. Rumple gigged and pressed his palms together before answering –
"Yes. Just like that." He spoke each word deliberately, almost mockingly.
"How dare you! Do you know how long I've been here?" Belle stood and pulled loose her hair in frustration "Why? Why would you make me waste my time on something that you could have just" She clicked her fingers "Snapped clean in a second? Why? Tell me!"
"Because I could. Because it pleased me. Why do I do most of what I do, Dearie? Hmm?" Rumple said, his voice intentionally calm.
Belle reeled in anger, her temper quickened from hours of work and little sleep. In a fluster of movement she kicked the bucket over in one kick of her leg, the water gushing out into a great soapy pool.
"Does this please you?" Belle shouted.
"It doesn't displease me. Although I would advise you refrain from doing it again, that temper of yours could get you into trouble, dearie." Rumple said in a matter-of-fact tone that disturbed her.
Fists clenched so that her nails dug into the tender skin of her hands and unsure of what to do next, she felt the water slowly soak the hem of her dress. With a frown Belle stepped forward out of the puddle, her head beginning to pound from all the thoughts, emotions, a feeling of anguish rising over the anger. She gave a dejected sigh before wiping the remains of soap from her cheeks, feeling the small bubbles pop on her fingertips. Rumple watched, engrossed in every small movement, as Belle walked over to the toppled bucket and picked it up, turning to leave the room.
"What are you doing?" He murmured
"What you asked me to do, I'm scrubbing your floors, and your spinning room is as good a place as any to waste my time." She spoke candidly. "Unless you want to come with me, in which case I dare say I'll finish the whole house in an..." she clicked her fingers again "instant."
Rumple scowled and raised his eyebrows as she began to walk away.
"No need." His voice was sharp. "I require you elsewhere."
"Ask one of the others, I can hardly do anything else, my clothes are wet." Belle replied.
"Never mind the others they are none of your concern." Rumple said quickly "And never mind your dress, I will find you another."
Belle put the bucket down on the floor, turning to face him.
"Why?" Her voice was low.
"Why?" he repeated, gesturing his words with a flick of his fingers.
"Why am I here?" She continued.
Rumple looked at her with intent, enjoying every change of emotion that arose from her tone. She met his eyes with equal severity.
"To be my slave, to do my bidding." He stated, stepping closer "To prepare my meals, to clean my house, to wash my clothes. What else?" his voice was almost childlike, flicking from one phase to the next with a melodic quality.
"But why? You've just shown me you can do all that yourself, what use am I when you have magic?"
"I have more important things to do with my time, dearie." He smiled "You, however, have all the time in the world."