Chapter Four

Scars

A/AN: Man this chapter has been burning a hole in my head all day, so I'm finally able to get it out on paper so to speak. I would just like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments and reviews. A special thank you to the OUAT fan fiction and creations group for their continued support and ideas for this story. I hope everyone enjoys chapter four, and I'm sure if you don't loathe Cora by now, then you will by the end of this chapter. Review please especially to those of you who did in the beginning who I haven't heard from in awhile!

Belle had been surprised when she'd returned to her room. She'd decided to explore her room a bit more and discovered a wardrobe now full of beautiful lavish gowns befitting a queen. She'd felt the heat rise in her cheeks, immediately cupping her hands over her mouth in utter consternation. She felt tears begin to cascade down her cheeks at the sight before her. Surely these weren't meant for her? She daringly ran her finger down the lace trimming of an aquamarine gown. She allowed her curiosity to get the better of her and pulled the dress off the hanger. She shed the golden gown, and laid it gingerly on her bed. She pulled the aquamarine gown over her body, zipping up the back. The gown dipped down to the lower part of her back. The dress had two thin straps that held up the front with thousands of glimmering sequins that cascaded down the front masquerading the illusion of water droplets. The gown fell fluidly down her body stopping a few inches below her knees. Belle felt like all she needed to complete her ensemble was a crown atop her head. She realized the moment she zipped up the dress that he'd did all this for her, but why?

Belle always heard rumors growing up of a blood lusting king who'd burned thousands at the stake for their defiance. She'd been petrified once she'd discovered she was in Albanaach, the homeland of the notorious "dark one" as he was called. She just couldn't wrap her mind around what was fact or fiction about him. He reminded her of a book all your friends told you never to read because it was terrible, but you did it anyway just to spite them, only to discover they'd been further from the truth. The story you'd heard horrible things about turned out to be one of the most marvelously spun tales you'd delved into. She longed to know Rumplestiltskin's story more than anything, and she was certain there was more to it than meets the eye. His story could've been one only claimed to have been read about but really had never been cracked open before. She hoped she could be the first to truly unravel his tale and put those rumors in the back of her mind to rest. Bloodthirsty killers didn't fill the wardrobe's of peasant girls with beautiful dresses.

Belle spun around in the mirror a few times admiring the dress, deciding to wear it to afternoon tea when she would once meet again with her mysterious master. She felt heat pool in her belly of thoughts of him admiring her in such a dress. She couldn't wait to see what he thought.

~X~

Rumplestiltskin made sure everything was in perfect order when Belle came down for tea. He also hoped she'd found the array of ball gowns he'd made his seamstress work tirelessly on. He had requested Mrs. Potts make various types of tea since he wasn't sure which kinds Belle liked. He also requested she make different kinds of little desserts for their occasion. Mrs. Potts had questioned his intentions, but he told his elder maid that he just wanted to make his new houseguest feel comfortable. Mrs. Potts had chortled lightly and muttered something under her breath.

Rumplestiltskin sat at the table he'd requested be brought into the library staring at the double doors. He wore his usual attire of black leather pants, black silk tunic, with his red dragon hide vest. He tapped one of his black leather boots nervously, praying the night went well.

Rumplestiltskin felt his breath hitch in his throat when the beauty waltzed in, wearing the aquamarine dress he had customized for her. The dress clung to her body like a second skin, accenting each of her womanly curves more so than the gold one had. The gown made her befitting of a queen that he would have no trouble bowing to, worshipping the very ground she walked upon.

Belle gave him one of her brilliant smiles, immediately drawing him to her eyes that reminded him of summer skies. How could such a beautiful creature even be human? She looked like one who had fell from the heavenlies.

"I want to thank you for all of these beautiful gowns, but I was also wondering why you did it?" she questioned him now sitting directly in front of him.

"I thought you would like something a little more personal." he offered, fastening his gaze on her beautiful oceanic depths, drowning in them.

"It was very kind of you, but I'm afraid I don't deserve such exquisite garments. I'm only a peasant you see." she replied, something melancholy flashing in her brilliant blue orbs. He longed to tell her that she so much more than a peasant, a queen in his eyes.

"I want you to have them. Please take them." he insisted giving her a reassuring smile.

"All right but do you mind if I have more casual clothing when I work with Baelfire? I don't feel right prancing around the castle in this garb." she requested biting her lip nervously.

"There are some other less formal outfits in the back of your wardrobe, but I would like for you to wear the dresses I had tailored for you when your in my presence." he commanded in a kingly manner.

"Why do you want me to wear the dresses?" she inquired daringly with a raised brow. She knew he could command her to do anything he wanted and there was nothing she could do about it. She wasn't an equal anymore since she'd been stripped of her royal title.

"Because I enjoy looking at beautiful things." he supplied, his eye roaming over her curves hungrily but not in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks, realizing that a king desired her. She felt proud and renowned. She could easily seduce him, bending to her every whim and woe, but she wasn't Cora.

Belle stood up bravely walking around to where he sat, entrancing him with her every step. She smirked finding her way into his lap. She gazed into his solitary brown eye, running her fingers down the lines of his face, intricately tracing each scar with her fingertips. He sat there frozen allowing her to explore his face with her hands.

Who was this mysterious woman that elicited desires within his heart that had lain dormant for ages? He longed to touch her unblemished porcelain skin, the very epitome of perfection, but he was a beast. A beauty would never desire a beast. She stopped suddenly gazing longingly into his eyes.

"Your life has been one of pain hasn't it?" the sound of her voice so soft and fragile, he thought she would break.

"I've suffered much loss in my life, but I still have my son and that's all that matters." he supplied, testing the waters as he allowed one of his hands to graze the small of her back. He ran his fingers over the exposed skin, stopping when he felt the deep impressions. She looked at him with panic in her eyes, like he'd discovered one of her darkest secrets.

"Belle who did this to you?" he asked softly, his fingers still dancing over her naked flesh. She'd completely forgotten the dress exposed her ugly red scars. She could feel the tinge of anger in his voice, but she couldn't dispel her secret now.

"My mistress used to beat me when I couldn't finish my chores on time. She made me do back breaking work." Belle half lied the sound of the whip cracking angrily against her skin reverberating in her mind. She closed her eyes tightly feeling the tears threaten to fall. She couldn't cry. She wouldn't. She was surprised when she felt two calloused hands cradling her face. She opened her eyes to see Rumplestiltskin staring intently at her.

"I will always protect you Belle." he swore looking tenderly into her eyes, and Belle felt safer than she had in a long time as she gazed into her master's eyes, the tea quickly forgotten. They spoke a thousand reassurances and promises without a word being uttered between them. Rumplestiltskin would always protect her. She just had to find a way to get him to protect Avonlea as well.

~X~

Regina walked back to her chambers with downcast eyes feeling more empty than she'd ever felt in her entire life. She was exhausted and wanted to forget everything. The only thing she longed for was restful slumber, but she wouldn't have it. She rounded the corner to see her mother standing there with hollow eyes.

"Regina I warned you never to defy me again, but you didn't listen. I guess I'm going to have to revert to a more drastic measure if I'm ever going to make you understand." Cora sighed shaking her head disapprovingly.

"What are you talking about mother? I've done nothing wrong!" Regina growled growing irritate by her mother's obtrusive behavior.

"You bribed a guard into letting a prisoner go. I think that calls for ten lashes at least." Cora snickered as two guards grabbed Regina by her arms.

"Mother what are you saying?" Regina wavered, the fear evident in her eyes.

Cora grabbed her daughter by the chin, forcing her to meet her gaze, "I've been too easy on you Regina. I'm going to show you what I do to those who betray me. I'm going to break you of your rebellious tendencies until you submit to my will, even if I have to beat you to a bloody pulp!" she hissed pushing her backwards as the guards drug her away.

"I hope he was worth it Regina!" Cora taunted watching her thrash against them violently, trying to break free until one hit her hard on the head, making her body go limp in the process.

"Everything comes with a price I'm afraid…" she tisked rolling up her sleeves, grabbing her favorite whip. She was certain she would enjoy breaking Regina even more than she did Belle. She would thank her one day for ridding her of these foolish tendencies all for the sake of love. Love was weakness, and she couldn't have any of it parading around in Regina's life. She would never be loved if Cora had anything to do with it.

A/AN: Well there's chapter four! I hope anything wasn't to rushed between Rumple and Belle but it just felt appropriate. Please tell me what you liked and what you didn't! Your feedback is greatly appreciated!