Belle's cleaning had become greatly easier. The once abandoned looking castle was now pristine. She was sitting on an antique chaise her legs curled beneath her, lost in another book. Rumpelstiltskin sat spinning his eyes not watching the spindle but focusing on Belle's content expression. She could be in any part of the castle, he had given her a real room now yet she stayed silently keeping him company.
After a long while the beautiful girl shut the book gently, her finger running along the leather bound spine. The sun was lowering in the horizon, she looked out the window to the snow-covered mountains. Then she stood without a word and left the room feeling his gaze watching her. She hurried in the kitchen putting together a tea tray for the both of them.
Rumpelstiltskin heard tea cups quiver on the tray as the girl placed it down carefully. The wheel stopping suddenly as he turned to look to her over his shoulder. The girl had adapted to his routine and she was a welcome addition.
Walking to the table and pulling her chair out for her, which earned him her earnest smile. Taking his own seat as he reached for the chipped cup. Belle thought it was peculiar that he had preferred to use it though she had stopped questioning him about it for she had never gotten a straight answer.
"Are you enjoying your book Dearie?" He asked as she poured out the steaming amber liquid into both of their cups.
"Oh, yes." She nodded half-heartedly placing the teapot back upon the tray.
He studied her face for a moment, "Not a good story?" He questioned not hearing the normal passion in her voice when it came to the books she devoured.
"No it's a wonderful story it's one of my favorites, though I've read it twice." She shrugged gently.
"Belle," he paused, "Are you unhappy here?" Dreading the answer.
Asking herself the same question, after a moment shaking her head. "No, I just…I suppose I get lonely. Especially when you disappear. I find myself daydreaming that there are still secrets to uncover here. I've read so many times about enchanted castles."
Of course the girl wanted company, he couldn't possibly be enough to keep her content. He drank down a quiet sip of tea watching her mimic his actions in the awkward pause.
"I do have my business to attend to ." He spoke with indifference. The halls of his estate never felt so alive before…her. He knew how lonesome a castle could be but his expression remained neutral.
She nodded and he could see was in dire need for new company. Wondering how to comfort his beauty, suppressing a giggle as a brilliant idea bubbled to the surface of his mind.
"What must you do tonight?" She asked breaking Rumpelstiltskin from his thought.
"There's a boy who wishes that he could take care of his poor mother. I am going to grant that for him." He stated simply.
"At a price," Belle added.
He gave her a knowing smile and nodded. "Of course, everything comes with a price Dearie."
Her cherry blossom pink lips inverting into a small frown. He was a devious dealer but there was more to him, there was a goodness. She wished inwardly that she could force him to see that he didn't have to be wicked.
Seeing that he had upset her, not wanting to speak anymore of his business he set his teacup down. The light of the day had been blanketed by the night and he hadn't noticed. He waited a while longer as they both finished their tea in silence. Soon rising to his feet and looking at the girl lost in her own head. "Goodnight, Belle." He bowed courteously before vanishing.
She relaxed in her seat feeling slightly lethargic. Returning to the Chaise lounge and absorbing the last few chapters of her book. Falling into sleep while she read, drifting into a pleasant dream.
"Wake up." A soothing feminine voice nudge Belle back in to a bit confused as her eyes met the stout tea pot. "Come on, sit up." came the same voice.
Gasping as she had realized the words were being spoken by the same china teapot she had steamed earlier. "Oh my…" Belle whispered.
Without touching it the tea pot lifted from the floor pouring Belle a fresh cup. "What's the matter, Dear?" Questioned the teapot.
Belle looked back in astonishment as the teapot nudge her drink into her hand. "I suppose I must be dreaming." The girl asked rather than stated.
"The master asked us to tend to you tonight." Came the soothing voice again. "Come downstairs darling."
Us? Thought Belle as she followed the hollow clinking pace behind the teapot. The stone walls echoing the noise as she was lead down into the dining hall.
As she entered the room she noticed that the table was fully dressed and set. Such an elegant dinner just for one. Taking her seat as the arms of her chair placed her napkin upon her lap. Giggling nervously, she had never experienced magic like this on her own. She was excited and enthralled by the scurrying silverware and place mats setting themselves before her.
"Enchante Madamoiselle." A candle stick approached her bowing in half in an impossible manner in the middle of it's golden frame.
"….Enchante." Belle repeated extending her hand as several carts rolled themselves into the dining room.
The candle stick took her hand kissing it before straightening back upright.
If this was a dream Belle could not wait to see where her mind lead her. If it was not, how had she not met such a charming candelabra before?