A/N: Thank you all for your support of this story. I've enjoyed knowing that even with a few chapters many of you are excited. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
His eyes fluttered open at the sound of Lady Belle getting up from her bed. She wasn't being loud, but his ears had picked up her movement for reasons he didn't know why. He had a surprisingly nice rest and felt full of energy. He quickly got up and went into his bathing chamber. It would do him no good to not be clean for Lady Belle. He willed magic to fill the tub with water before using an oak smelling oil to wash him. He could hear Lady Belle and her servants helping ready her for the day. He got out and adorned his outfit before going to knock at the door that connected his room to hers.
"Come in, Dark One." He heard her soft voice say, and it brought a smile to his face, but he didn't know why she still called him that. He opened the door to see her silhouette behind the screen, the sun shining through it. He could see her ladies helping her with her dress before she came out from behind the screen. She sat down at her vanity while Lucy braided her hair then pinned it up, a few curls framing her face.
"Good Morning, Lady Belle." He bowed respectfully, realizing he had just been staring and not saying anything. She graced him with one of his smiles before slipping on her heels.
"I trust you slept well?" She asked before rising and coming to stand near him. She put her hand in the crook of his elbow and began walking out of the room. He felt at ease when she touched him, as if there was an amount of stiffness around him when she was gone.
"I did, thank you. As did you, I presume." He kept his eyes on her face, unable to talk them off her beautiful, ocean blue eyes. There was so much that she held in those eyes, kindness, a fiery attitude and curiosity. She was a mystery, and he felt it was his destiny to solve it.
"Oh, very well, especially since I knew that the Dark One was just a door away." She said with a soft laugh as they entered the grand hall to break their fast. He saw several different foods at the table, and a steaming pot of tea that was calling his name. He pulled out her chair for her, and the servants poured them both a cup of tea. He had to resist the urge to snap at them and say he could serve her, but he resisted. He was unsure of why he felt the need to serve her and please her, but he did.
"Please, only people who fear me call me the Dark One. Call me Rumpel." He said, and was really unsure of why he said it. He just didn't want them to be so formal with each other, which was another mystery to why that mattered to him. Gods beard! This woman is killing me! He took a sip from his tea while the servants put food on their plates.
"Why Rumpel? Why shorten it?" She asked around a sip of tea, her eyes on him, and he didn't mind. He had to swallow his bite of food before he could answer.
"Its too long of a name, Lady Belle." His answer made her arch her brow before taking another sip of tea and eating a few bites. They ate in silence, both giving each other the time to fill their stomachs.
"We have a meeting today with a neighboring kingdom and with the fairies. I wish for you to attend these meetings with me, as my equal. Feel free to chime in if you need to say something of importance, please no threats. I do not know what the fairies what, and I need everyone to be on alert. I do not trust them." She spoke to him seriously as men came to clear the table.
"Why do you not trust them?" He suddenly asked without a second thought. He was getting bad about just blurting things out around her. She took the last sip from her tea before sitting back in her chair. He was already relaxed in her company, even around her many servants.
"Its the way that Rheul Ghorm sees things. In black and white, every sin must be cleansed with her. Darkness is forbidden, yet what she doesn't understand is everyone is filled with something dark, and everyone is filled with light. People are born pure but as they begin to experience the world, darkness seeks its way in. Most people have learned to balance it while others can't. They give way to the darkness, but the light never goes away no matter what. She doesn't see that, she believes once darkness has found a way in you, the only solution is to kill you or torture it out of you. It isn't right." Her words never faltered and its as if she had thought about this for a while and just simply knew why. He hated the fairies, always self-righteous when Rheul was just as dark as he was, only he could admit it. He admired how honest she was and how she believed there was light inside all darkness. Did she think that about him? That he could be good? He threw the thought away; no one thought he was good, and he didn't care. A small voice at the back in his mind was saying that he cared if she thought he was, but it went away as Lucy came across the room and bowed.
"Mistress, King Christopher and his son Gaston are here, waiting in the throne room." Lucy spoke so softly, he wasn't sure if Lady Belle even heard her, but she gave her a nod and rose from her seat as did he.
"Tell them I will meet with them shortly." She gave her order to Lucy, who then left the room. She turned her attention on him as he held out his arm for her to take. She gave him a smile and rested her hand in his elbow. They took slow steps out of the room, her mind preoccupied by something as he gazed upon her features. She was the picture of perfection from her blue eyes to her red, rosebud mouth. He could simply stare at her all day, but soon they were standing in front of the doors to throne room. She turned to him, taking her arm away from him and her eyes were serious.
"I am going to meet with them, after a few moments, I want you to enter." He nodded, curious but didn't ask any questions. She gave him a soft smile before he stood aside so he would be unseen when she entered. The doors shut shortly after she entered, he could hear them greeting each other and could tell she went to sit upon the throne. He waited until they both complemented her on her appearance, which made him snarl and scare the servant who was walking down the hallway. Soon, he threw the doors open and strolled right past everyone. King Christopher and Gaston drew their swords, but he paid no attention to them for a bright smile drew on Lady Belle's lips. He knelt down in front of her and kissed her hand.
"Lady Belle." He greeted softly before she pulled him up and moved him to stand by her side. The men across the room had wide eyes, and their jaws dropped. Which made him giggle in delight.
"You'll catch flies, dearies, if you keep your mouth open like that." He giggled again, unable to help himself.
"King Christopher, Prince Gaston, this is Rumpelstiltskin. He is my guest for the week." He loved the way she said his name. It was refreshing and sent a chill down his spine. "Pay him no mind, please, let us discuss what you wished to talk about." She used her hand to gesture forward for them to go on. An amused expression upon her face that she tried to mask, but he saw right through it. It took them a minute before they could regain their composure. After King Christopher cleared his throat, he began to speak.
"We have been allies for almost two years now, Queen Belle; our kingdoms support each other quite well. My son Gaston has been at the top of his class and has been crowned a knight; he is worthy of you. I would like to join our kingdoms with each other in holy matrimony. Gaston is a wonderful man, and you both would be very happy with each other." It took everything in Rumpel not to snap at them both. He wanted to stand in front of Lady Belle and refuse their offer for her, but he did not and could not. He didn't want to see the disappointment in her face when he went against what she asked him to do, he couldn't. It was if it was against all his rights. She listened closely, and the amused expression upon her face fell. She was in deep thought, and he was worried she would accept the offer. She simply watched them both. Gaston still had his hand on her sword as if ready to draw it and slay the beast. He narrowed his eyes at the young man as if to dare him to try anything. There was nothing but silence throughout the room, except for the breath they all drew and the occasionally shift of weight from the two men she was watching.
"You make an interesting point, King Christopher and I am not surprised by your offer, but I must decline." She held up a hand as Gaston tried to interfere. He took a step closer to Lady Belle and the Dark One growled, making him step back. "I do not feel that this is the right time to marry anyone. You are right; however, our kingdoms work together very well, and you should be immensely proud of your son in the work he has done for his people. I do not see the benefits for my kingdom or yours. If your offer still stands in two years and my hand is not taken, I will graciously accept your offer." The Dark One snorted as if he was going to let that happen. Lady Belle put a hand on his as if to silence him. King Christoper bowed; he was disappointed, the look upon his face said so, but he knew that it was better than her simply denying his son. He began to turn and walk out of the room, but his son had other plans.
"You do not see the benefits? Your kingdom is rich, and you have many allies as do we. Our crops thrive more and more over the years, the profit we make on those alone could keep us alive for many more years. Our army is fierce; we fight to the death. Your gift for those beasts could kill a kingdom in one blow. Together our kingdoms could rule this world. You would simply need to wear lovely gowns and take care of your creatures while I did the rest. You would not have to worry your fair little head anymore. You need a king to rule." Gaston nearly yelled at her. Gaston stepped nearer and nearer, but the Dark One stopped him, standing in front of Lady Belle. The expression upon her face was no longer welcoming. King Christopher was standing there, shocked and unable to move.
"Rumpel, could you please stand aside." She asked, but he did not move, both him and Gaston glaring at each other.
"Rumpelstiltskin." She said more forcefully but did not raise her voice. He took one step to the side and helped her rise as she held out a hand for him. Gaston took a step back as he saw the dark look upon her face.
"My creatures are not used for world domination. They do as I ask by their choice, and I do not push them. To use them for such evil would be an insult to myself and them. My kingdom thrives because my people are happy, they trust me. They come to me when they are in need, and I do not fail them. I do not need a King to rule for me. I am doing quite well on my own. My kingdom is rich, that is true. I do not rule by myself; my people help me, and it would be insulting to them if I let you even have an ounce of control over them. King Christopher, if this is the man, you think will make me happy, you are sorely mistaken. Rumpelstiltskin, please see these men out." Her eyes held something dark in them, and Rumpel thought she looked positively radiant in this moment when she was fierce as could be. He let out a growl and pulled Gaston by the collar of his vest out of the throne room, his father not far behind. Though Gaston was much taller than he was, he was tripping and stumbling to try to keep up with his long strides. As soon as he reached the castle doors, he flicked his wrist, and they flung open. He threw Gaston out, having him land on his bottom.
"Don't return or I will turn you into something slimy." He said with a giggle and had the doors shut. The grin across his face didn't last knowing Lady Belle was distressed. He immediately went in search of her, trying to sense her. Lucy saw him and carefully went over.
"She is with her creatures; it calms her." She said softly before returning to her cleaning. Rumpel used magic to make him appear yards away from her. He saw her, sitting in the grass as baby Minotaur rolled around, its parent looking on it, watching but making no stop of what was happening. Lady Belle was laughing as it rolled around and then began running around her. She looked calm; the ignorance of that buffoon must have been erased by being with those who trusted her so much. It was like she sensed him near for she turned her head and gave him a small nod with her head, acknowledging his presence. She gestured for him to come near. As he began coming closer the mother Minotaur let out a huff of its breath, becoming alarmed. Lady Belle raised her hand towards it.
"Its okay, he won't harm him. I give you my word." She said softly and very sincerely. The mother Minotaur laid back down in the grass, but did not move her gaze off of him. He stood near her, as she stroked the baby creatures head. He had small horns growing and was bumping them against Lady Belle's thigh. Usually, the mother would've rammed right into Lady Belle for even thinking about touching her baby, but her presence soothed them. He understood; her presence made him calm and made him protective, like he was with Bae, his son. His mood must've changed for she turned; looking at him.
"What distresses you, Rumpel?" She sounded caring, and it was if she really wanted to know. She was caring, even to someone as dark as him, and it made him appreciate this deal more.
"How did you know?" His question made her laugh, but it wasn't loud. It was quiet and almost barely audible.
"I just do." Was all she said, and he knew he would get nothing out of her. He did not have a chance to answer before a young man came running out. By the time he reached them, he was out of breath, but he tried to speak.
"Fredrick, please breathe then tell us what we need to know." He nodded at her request; it took him only a moment before he is speaking.
"They are here, the fairies." Her eyes closed for a moment before nodding and rising. She told the baby creature she would return as soon as possible and for it to stay with its mother.
"Get all the creatures deep into the forest." She told both the mother Minotaur and the man who came to tell them the news of whom arrived. He rushed off to get help, and they both began walking back inside the castle. He could tell this upset her, she held her head even higher than usual. Lucy informed them they were in the throne room before she turned again to Rumpel.
"Make sure my creatures are deep within the forest and out of sight." There was a hint of worry in her eyes before she blinked it away. He only nodded, kissed her hand and told her that he would make sure they were safe. That made her smile before entering the throne room. There was a sense of panic around her and he knew it had to do with those blasted fairies. How dare they give Lady Belle any sort of discomfort, how he already wished to pull out their little wings and crush them, but his anger was at another level due to the panic he saw upon her perfect features. Why was she so worried about her creatures?