Lies were all part of the plan
Finally, he was almost there, almost to his Baelfire. Cinderella was summoning him to change his deal, or summoning Belle and giving her a headache, and he could hardly wait to get started. To get finished. He'd told Belle to fetch him when any of the royals called, and she'd come to him hesitantly a few moments before. She had been very angry with him in the past few months, ever since Ella's wedding, speaking to him only when she had to. He felt as though he had ruined something spectacular (again), but soon he would be able to explain it all. Perhaps put that ring to use. For now he put it out of his mind, had her transport them to the dark orchard where Cinderella was waiting.
Mist filled the air as he stood by the treeline, Belle stood directly in front of him, glaring, breathing in his face. "You're starting to show." He had registered Belle's gaze flickering as someone moved up behind him, but the brunette soon returned her glower to him. Ah, if looks could kill. The Princess came from between the trellises, lowering the hood from her golden locks. Her stomach swelled with her unborn child, and he couldn't stop the image his mind created of Belle pregnant. With his child.
She watched as he stalked towards the future Queen with his roundabout steps, flinging his flask over his shoulder. Twins? There were no twins. There was one child, a healthy little girl, blonde like her parents. She called out to Rumple, but he silenced her. She huffed at him. He hopped forwards, his hands fluttering, and gently rested his hands on the woman's stomach. Would he treat her with such care if she was pregnant? Or would he accuse her of trying to trick him or replace his lost son, and throw her out again? The Princess was now offering to give up both children and Rumple was so enthused; she just had to tell him there was only one. He raised his hand, a gesture that confused Cinderella, and commanded her to stay put. But now the Princess was striding forwards, spouting lies, and Belle reached out to her. If she could just... Rumple's face fell as she said they could always have more children, and she knew he was thinking of his son. The Princess came prepared, however, and presented a lengthy contract to him.
She was beyond surprised when he didn't even bother to read it like he normally did, only took the quill (admiring the object she could hear humming) and signed at the bottom. Almost instantly he was shrouded in light, any magic he possessed immediately cut off from him. The dagger's commands fell away, since the thing was concealed within his vest, but she was thankful his fake-scaled skin and healed leg remained. The ruse was difficult to maintain, but he would be free soon, of that she would make sure. As Cinderella screamed her husband's name, Belle screamed her love's. She dashed forwards, and realised a little late that she had dropped her shroud and trodden it into the dirt. Cinderella and her Prince could now see her. The blonde backed away from her as she shook Rumple's arm and yelled at him, trying to pick apart his magical shell. But all too soon a carriage drew up, and she feared also being caged. She heard Rumple in her mind telling her to continue screaming and, with no better plans, she did.
The Princes (Charming came along, but didn't recognise her, thank the Gods) leaped off their horses to point their swords at her, so she screamed at them too. All present covered their ears, and eventually the Shepherd asked "What in the name of the Gods is this?" Rumple gave a sharp toothed grin. "This, dearie, is a banshee." Well. That was rude. "Supposed to come and let me know when my deals aren't going how they're planned to. Of course it arrived a little late." He glared at her and she screamed back, affronted. It? "How do we shut it up?" The gruff voice was another one she recognised, and she found the grumpier version of Dreamy before her once more. "Oh don't worry. They don't last long. It'll disappear in a moment or two." He looked pointedly at her and she heard his voice echo in her mind. "It is essential to my plan that I become caged, but I wish for you to remain free. Please, my Belle, remove yourself from this place."
She stared at him sadly and her screams died down. Now she just stared and he saw tears collecting on her lashes. Not five seconds later she removed herself with magic, a dramatic blue swirl arriving to collect her, and he prayed to all the Gods that she would return to the castle. For the first time since they made the connection, Rumplestiltskin heard her voice in his mind, and his heart swelled to burst. "I love you, Rumple. Please be careful." And then they dragged him into his cage, and the moment was ruined. It took no time at all for the simpering blonde to come and demand her Thomas back. "I did warn you dearie; all magic comes at a price!"