Chapter Five

Insecurities

A/AN: Thank you all for the reviews and favorites/follows! This chapter will be more Belle/Bae centric, so I hope you all enjoy getting to see the little prince and beauty interact. Please review, and I'm excited to say you Rumbellers are in for a treat during the next few chapters! I'll be off the entire week next week so expect an update everyday! This should be out by Tuesday morning, and I hope to have the next one up by Thursday.

Johanna winced at the sight of the festering wounds on Regina's back, the whip had marred her beautiful ivory skin. She laid on her stomach with her backside completely exposed. Johanna washed the gashes with water gingerly, clenching her eyes shut every time Regina cried out from the pain. She finished her work by rubbing a cool salve over the raw skin, bandaging it afterwards. She remembered doing this for Belle secretly after the queen had gave her a severe lashing. She was one of the few maids left since King Maurice's death. Cora had hung most of the former castle's staff from the gallows, claiming them all traitors.

She remembered the young raven haired girl and her mother coming to live with them after Maurice claimed she'd saved Belle from drowning. He had married the woman when Belle turned ten and things hadn't been the same ever since. Cora was manipulative and caused Maurice to make foolish decisions that would've made Lucinda turn over in her grave.

Johanna quietly prayed that the chestnut haired beauty had found someone who would treat her kindly. She also prayed that one day she would take her rightful place as queen on the throne of Avonlea and that this tyranny would end.

"Thank you…" she heard Regina mutter quietly. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she'd forgotten she wasn't alone.

"You're welcome milady. I will be back in a couple of hours to check on you so just rest now child." Johanna said soothingly hoping a kind word would soothe the girl's broken spirit. Regina was a good woman unlike her mother. She just hoped there was enough good left in her to keep Cora from poisoning her soul.

"Don't leave…Please stay." Regina pleaded catching Johanna off guard as she was about to exit her chamber.

"Of course milady." Johanna nodded as she sat on a stool facing Regina who had her head against a pillow.

"Do you think I'm going to die?" Regina inquired to the ginger haired maid brokenly, hollowness evident in her brown eyes.

"No my dear…As long as I tend to your wounds, then you'll fair just fine." Johanna reassured her, lightly patting her arm.

"But what if I want to die? I don't want this life…I don't want to rule a kingdom or marry someone I barely know. I want to be free." Regina whispered in a heartfelt confession.

"Regina you're far too young and beautiful to give up on life so easily. I know your mother can be cruel to you, but you mustn't give up hope. One day you will be free of this place and of her. I'm sure of it, and I'm going to help you find your happiness." Johanna swore with determination in her eyes, remembering the blue eyed princess.

"What are you going to do?" Regina inquired curiously.

"I'm going to help you escape as soon as your well enough. I'll send you somewhere where you'll be free." Johanna returned giving her a small smile.

"Thank you…" Regina respired before falling into a deep sleep. Johanna frowned at the careless oath she had just made. She truly wanted to help Regina but how would that be possible with Cora constantly breathing down her throat? She hoped Belle was out there planning to come through for them all in the end.

~X~

Belle watched the nine year old boy scrunch up his nose as he read the text aloud from his book of Latin. Belle had translated a list of the Latin words into English parallel from the script. Baelfire was required to read the word in Latin and then in English multiple times and then she would give him a test. They were starting with languages with a common alphabet first before they moved onto those who used different characters in their writing. Belle had started him out on all the Latin words beginning with A and once he mastered all of those, they would move to the B column.

She and Baelfire spent close to four hours a day in the library researching the written text, finding sums, spelling, and if they had time Belle threw in a history lesson. Bae was currently struggling with the word "Acerbus".

"Accer-ubus?" Bae repeated aloud becoming frustrated with not being able to correctly pronounce the word.

"The word is Acerbus and we derive it from our English root word bitter." Belle explained with a sweet smile.

"Well isn't that fitting? That silly word makes me feel bitter." Bae scoffed narrowing his gaze at her.

Belle chuckled at the stern looking boy, "Why don't we call it quits for the day? We've only got five minutes left, and you've worked hard today, so I guess I can give you a little leniency just this once but don't tell your father." she winked.

"Thanks Belle!' You're the best!" Bae smiled as he shut the book and darted out of the library like his pants were on fire.

Belle snickered gathering up their books and writing utensils. She had been living in Albannach for almost two weeks now and had settled into a nice routine. She would tutor Bae four hours a day, five days a week. She and Rumplestiltskin had settled into a nice evening ritual of tea and conversation. They usually discussed Bae's studies but something had began to change between them. Ever since that night she'd sat in his lap, he'd began paying special attention to her. Sometimes he would squeeze her shoulder lightly or brush his hand against hers. He never went past friendly touches or caresses but something burned inside Belle. She wanted to be held by Rumplestiltskin just like the night he'd comforted her when he discovered her scars.

Belle was surprised when she felt someone encircle her waist from behind and press their nose against her right shoulder, nuzzling her. She felt a shiver creep up her spine as she pressed her body against the figure who'd embraced her.

"Who do you insist on sneaking up on me like that Rumplestiltskin?" she respired, closing her eyes as she relished the closeness of their proximity.

"Because you're such an easy target my darling Belle." he purred lightly in her ear. He'd taken to calling her by that endearment since the night he'd held her in his arms. She knew he couldn't mean anything by it because she wasn't a princess anymore. She couldn't let her fantasies tell her that he could ever care for someone like her since she technically wasn't royalty anymore and it wasn't like she could tell him she was. There was just too much at stake. He was kind to her but perhaps that was just the way he was with everyone.

He told her he enjoyed looking at "beautiful things" so all he probably saw her as was an object of his lust. He could take her if he wanted, and she shuddered at the thought of that. She knew one day he may want her to warm his bed, but she didn't allow her mind to linger there. She was sure that once that happened, he would throw her out. Belle surmised he'd probably bedded plenty of women. He was a king after all so it wasn't like they were in short supply. Belle forced herself to focus back in the moment of his gentle affections, trying her best not to worry how much longer it would last.

"Yes I suppose I should just post a sign on my back then." she chortled lightly now facing him, wisps of brown hair falling in her eyes.

Rumplestiltskin gazed gently at her wondering what it would be like to feel her petal soft lips pressed against his own. He hadn't been with another woman since his wife had left him. He preferred to stay away from the opposite sex because they tended to bring only trouble with them. Milah hadn't loved him. She'd only married him because he was a king. She utterly despised him and had no trouble reminding him of his defect daily. He wasn't sure when she started taking on multiple lovers, but he knew Baelfire was his. He would always claim the boy no matter what. His son meant everything to him and would always be his first love.

Belle didn't seem to be that type of woman at all though. She was kind and always had good things to say about him, but he couldn't get too close no matter how much his heart protested. Rumplestiltskin was a sensible man and knew all women did was betray you in the end. He wouldn't let it get that far.

"I'm here because I needed to ask you something Belle." Rumplestiltskin retorted pulling away from her, now standing just a few feet in front of her, his arms to his side.

"What would that be?" Belle inquired gathering up the rest of the tomes, holding them against her chest.

"Do you remember me telling you about a village called Elameth I visited two weeks ago because of a wolf problem? It turns out the beast is still terrorizing the town and something needs to be done about it. I will be journeying there in the morning, and I would like you to accompany me. Baelfire will also be going, and I don't want him to fall behind on his studies since I don't know how long I'll be there." Rumplestiltskin told her shifting his gaze slightly.

"It sounds like quite the adventure." Belle grinned growing excited by the prospect of going on a wolf hunt.

"Don't worry yourself too much. You won't be going any wolf hunts I'm afraid. They leave those to the men. Your job is to watch over Bae while I'm gone out with the hunting party and to keep him caught up on his studies." he supplied, extinguishing any hopes of joining a hunting brigade.

"Of course your highness." Belle bowed reverently, reverting back to formalities. He was still a king after all.

"Have your suitcase packed by tonight. You will need light and warm clothing for the journey. We won't be participating any festivities I'm afraid, so you won't need any of your dresses." he remarked heading for the doors.

"I'll get right on it." she affirmed, cleaning up the area she and Bae had been working in.

"Oh and Belle we won't get to have tea together this afternoon. I need to prepare for tomorrow's journey. I'll see you in the morning." he informed her before walking out the door, leaving an unsettling feeling in her heart she hoped would one day be filled.

A/AN: Some Rumple/Belle inner turmoil going on there! They're both having doubts about the other. Do you think they'll ever open up to each other and lay aside their insecurities? The next chapter will be loaded with fun. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!I also wanted to point out that I know Johanna was Snow's maid but she just seemed appropriate for this chapter. Please review and stay tuned in for the next!