How did this happen? He finally found his way back to the Dark Castle in order to pack. He didn't need to; he could easily magic his things to Lady Belle's castle, but he wanted the time to think. She hadn't answered his question as to why she wanted him, and he began to think she never would. There was an uneasy feeling in his stomach about this, but he couldn't say no, not only did he need this deal with Regina; he wanted more time with the magnificent women. She captured him, and they had only talked for half an hour. What was she doing to him? She had to be some kind of siren, that would explain it. No one caught his attention like she had, not even his late wife, Milah. His head pounded for an odd reason, but it didn't ache, which made him realize all the desperate souls that were crying out his name. He had blocked them from his mind while he was with her, but he hadn't done it on purpose. Nothing made sense. He had paid Regina a visit, giving her the awful creature that tried to kill him several times but hadn't touched Belle, though she was standing right beside it, introducing it to him. She called it Silk. He doesn't know why Belle named it. She looked at it so fondly, he began growing jealous of the creature. It had her affection, but he didn't. He growled and was glad to get rid of it. Once he had reached the Dark Castle he enchanted a bag so that it would never be full, and he could place everything he needed in it. Mostly his potions he might need in case little Queen Belle decides she wants to pull a trick on him. He didn't believe she was capable of hurting a fly, but she had a fierce reputation. No one dared to cross her. She was kind, but she did what she needed to do to keep her kingdom thriving and her people happy. He began to wonder if she was going to have him stop dealing while he stayed with her and added a mental note to ask her. Part of him was excited to see her but another part dreading it, especially with all the thoughts she put in his mind. She was breath taking, and it killed him. He was now simply standing in his tower, trying to stall his visit. It was only one measly week. He could surely make it that long. Perhaps she would even be too busy as to entertain him that he could be left in solitude, which would give him plenty of time to figure out different potions of sorts. She had asked him to be back for supper, and he knew he couldn't displease her, for some reason the thought about making her disappointed angered him. He hated seeing anything other than that beautiful smile on her face. He decided he might as well get this over with. A cloud of purple magic engulfed him, and he appeared outside her castle doors. He pushed them open without a second thought, his bag floating behind him and following his move. The young servant girl from earlier rushed after him when he simply didn't stop walking.
"Sir, Lady Belle has requested you to wash up before supper. If you followed me please, I will lead you to your room." Her voice shook as she spoke and kept her head down. She was obviously waiting for his reply.
"Are you just going to stand there or lead the way, dearie? You are wasting daylight." He said with a high giggle when she jumped at his words and began walking down a hallway. His eyes looked around as she led the way. The castle was spotless, and none of her workers were in anything but the finest of clothing. They all did wear similar clothing though, which made him curious.
"Why do you all wear identicle outfits? Surely with how fine your garments are she wouldn't make you wear the same thing?" He asked, not taking his eyes off the fine castle. He could tell she liked warmer colors, as the walls were mostly red, orange and yellow, hints of pinks here and there but not much.
"It is for our own benefit, sir. Many people come in and out of the castle. Mostly Royals, it helps us remember who is part of the help, sir. She hires poor people who need the money daily. They get lessons on how to read and write before they leave, sir." He was surprised by her answer, not expecting it. Lessons? They were taught?
"Who teaches them and why?" He was becoming even more curious about the master of this castle. She was surely a strange being.
"Lady Belle does, sir. She says it doesn't do anyone any good if you can't read a book and fall in love with a story. She makes time a few hours every week to teach us all, sir." The servant girl smiled before opening a door and letting him walk through. Inside was a beautiful bedroom with glass doors that lead towards a balcony. You can see the different animals roaming around in perfect harmony, which made him wonder why they all didn't slaughter one another. Another question to ask the lady. He thought to himself as he looked around. There was a large canopy bed, a roaring fireplace and of course a bookshelf. Another door led to a bathing chamber and then there was another mysterious door; he opened it to see it connected to another bedroom.
"Who sleeps here?" He asked; it resembled his own room but had far more bookshelves and had a large desk in it.
"That is Lady Belle's room. She demanded you sleep in the room connected to hers." He could tell the girl was just as confused as he was about her masters wishes. Another youthful girl entered the room, carrying a tea tray that also had some pastries. The tray shook in her hands, but she didn't drop it. She curtsied to him and made a small bow to the servant who showed him to his room before leaving. Lady Belle was an odd woman, that much he could tell. She treated her servants with kindness; she showed the magical beasts who would kill her with as much respect as she would treat anyone, and it was all so very different, especially her obsession with books.
"Lucy, I see you've shown the Dark One to his room." Queen Belle was suddenly standing in the doorway of what would be his room for the next week. She had changed and was wearing a dark-red dress, that flowed and was adorned with the same gold necklace she received from him. Her hair was partly up; he imagined keeping out of her face and pinned back with lovely jewels of gold. There was a sense of irritation around her that was slowly fading as she came into the room. She looked ravishing in her dress and it only brought to his attention certain thoughts that weren't appropriate for this moment. He took a deep breath and willed himself to think straight.
"M'lady," Lucy bowed deeply when Lady Belle entered the room. Belle only took her hand for her to rise from the sign of respect. "I was going to have Fredrick alert you, but he said you were in a meeting with King George, and I didn't want to interrupt."
"It is quite alright, Lucy. Thank you, why don't you go downstairs and have an early dinner with everyone else. I will see to Rumpelstiltskins needs for the rest of the night. Thank you." Lucy beamed and thanked her master. She bowed to both, her and him before rushing off.
"I think I work them too hard." Belle said on a laugh before coming to stand near Rumpelstiltskin. She took in his appearance; he wore a dragon hide coat and black leather pants with lace-up boots. To anyone else he would look intimidating but to her, he looked dashing. "How are you liking your room?"
"Little bit bright, dearie, I am a man of the dark if you didn't know." He said, smirking to himself more than to her. She simply laughed, and it reached her eyes that seemed to see right through his little quip. He enjoyed hearing her laugh, it was music to his ears.
"I gathered that but all the rooms are filled with light, if you must, simply shut the curtains." She answered back just as fast as he did after her laughter had died, but her smile remained. How could she laugh with him standing near her. Most people found it hard to force a smile but yet, she acted as if they were old friends. He didn't really care why, just glad she did.
"After you've washed, please join me for dinner in the grand hall. We are having lamb stew. It's one of my favorites." She said before going into her own room that was connected and shutting the door, but not locking it. He could hear her letting out a light hum as she moved around the room. He went to shut his own door that lead to the hallway. He paced slightly in his room, wondering what he was going to do about her. He decided to go out onto the balcony and watch her little creatures, curious and doing anything to get her off his mind. He watched as three unicorns passed right by a sleeping dragon and its babies, he waited for one of the many creatures to eat them but nothing did. No animals fought or slaughtered one another. They worked together in perfect harmony which was equally as strange. Suddenly guards came and spoke to the creatures softly, a dragon woke and roared its fire. The knights road away on horses with the dragon right behind them, he wondered what was going on. The creatures went back to what they were doing and he went back inside. He kept his same clothes but ventured out into the hallway and down to the grand hall to see Lady Belle already there. How had he not heard her leave her room? He must have been to engrossed in what the creatures were doing. He sat down and Lady Belle moved to serve him, pouring him a cup of tea, adding some honey and lemon before handing it to him and she did the same but added a small amount of sugar. He felt as if he should be serving her, he suddenly shook the thought away even if it still lingered. He was curious to know how she knew how he liked his tea and it was evident on his face because she spoke.
"I asked Lucy how you took your tea." Was all she said before serving him a large bowl of lamb stew, it made his stomach growl. She served herself before sitting down right next to him despite all the other chairs she could have sat in. They ate in silence for a moment before he decided it was simply too much to bare.
"How come none of your animals eat each other? And don't tell me they are all vegetarians because I've met a dragon before and she doesn't like salad." He asked before taking a sip of his warm tea, he realized the pit in his stomach was now gone in her presence.
"I've asked them not to. They are fed properly and get enough time out to destroy and kill things that they do not hurt one another. If they do, they are asked to leave and not come back to their place of safety." She answered efficiently before taking a spoon full of her stew.
"What do you mean they get enough time to kill and destroy things?" It made him wonder if that was what the dragon was doing that he saw the guards take away.
"I choose my allies wisely, I do not just pick anyone. Those I see are not fit for my use, sometimes like to retaliate against me. So I pick one of the many creatures I have to do to them what they wish. I would like to simply use my words but it isn't always efficient." She was calm as she spoke, which made him realize she didn't rule as lightly and kindly as he thought, but then again, no one could. If you tried to be kind over everything, your kingdom wouldn't survive, but if you ruled with sheer force and intimidation, your kingdom would fight back against you.
"Is that what your dragon is doing, teaching someone a lesson?"
"King George didn't take to kindly about me rejecting his offer to destroy Snow White's soon to be Kingdom. He is in an alliance with Regina and I want nothing to do with that women." The way she spoke about such things was astonishing to him, each word surprised him, for some reason. She was a rare breed, not completely light but not overpowering darkness. She was well-balanced and smart for how young she was. She couldn't be more than twenty-two, yet she had the mind of a hundred-year-old woman.
"And what about your King? How does he feel about all this?" Rumpel truly didn't know if she was courted or not, no one ever heard of her king or spoke of one, but maybe she wanted to keep him safe. Lady Belle laughed, before shaking her head, making her curls bounce slightly.
"Oh no, I do not have a king and see no reason for one. I am doing quite well without one, don't you think so?" She asked, but he wasn't sure if she really wanted an answer or not. She surely didn't need anyone to help her rule. She was doing wonderfully by herself. He only nodded, agreeing with her.
"Why do you want me here?" He finally asked, needing an answer before his mind came up with a crazy notion as to why.
"How about this, at the end of the week, I shall tell you. No sooner, no later but I promise to answer." She asked around the sip of tea she was taking. He searched her eyes for answers but when he got none, he leaned back in his chair.
"Deal, dearie, but if you don't answer me, I get to skin you alive." He ended his sentence with a high-pitched giggle, but she only arched her brow and smirked, obviously not taking him seriously. He was enjoying her company and was greatly surprised he didn't frighten her, but then again, he didn't really want to. He already got what he needed from her and had the Death's Breath safely hidden away, especially from Regina. She didn't know what it could do, and he only made it seem as if he needed it for some potion, she was none the wiser.
"During this week, are you expecting me not to make any deals?" He forgot that he needed to know, he didn't want to breech the contract in any way and while, there were many loopholes in it. He didn't want to use them.
"Oh, you will be quite busy. I am not sure you will find the time to make any, but if you do, then by all means, but you can only be gone an hour or two." What did she mean he would be too busy? What did she have up her sleeve for him?
"Do not worry, Dark One, its nothing too brutal but you will be with me most of the time and I will tell you each morning what will happen throughout the day." He sighed internally and his interest was peaked, what did she do all day? That young servant girl said many people came through here, probably visiting or wanting something like he had. He certainly would enjoy being in her company. The demon in him wasn't so rambunctious while with her. She finished her tea and stood up, her dress swaying with her hips as she walked over to grab a book from the shelf. She walked over to the cushions by the fireplace and gestured for him to sit with her.
"I usually read after dinner, if you would like I could read to you, or you may pick a book from the shelf." She made herself comfortable on the couch while he took the couch across from her and lounged on it, knowing nothing was going to attack him. He didn't give her an answer, but she went ahead and read out loud. Her voice was soothing to him. He wasn't entirely sure what she was reading but there was princes' and princess' fighting for a crown. He listened to her read and all too soon she shut the book and let out a small yawn before saying excuse me.
"It has been quite a long day. We must retire to bed; we have a extensive day ahead of us." Both rose and walked to their conjoined rooms. He said nothing and neither did she, they both lost in their own thoughts or just simply were comfortable in the silence they shared. They reached the long, white wooden doors, and she turned to facing him.
"Goodnight, Dark One." She said, giving him a respectful nod of her head.
"Sweet dreams, Lady Belle." He bowed, and they both entered their rooms. He couldn't sleep. He had adorned his sleeping attire and crawled into the rather comfy bed, but his mind refused to let him sleep. He could hear the steady sounds of her breath in the room so close to his, they shared a wall. It soothed him to hear her sound asleep. She was beauty and grace, respectful to everyone. She had this fiery passion that made no one cross her. He wasn't tense in her presence now that he spent more time with her. She made him feel peaceful and he was not sure why. He finally fell into a fitful sleep with her on his mind, but wondering what lay ahead for him.