Very short this time. Regina returns, both enlightened and confused, and Belle gives the queen some much-needed advice.
As He Lies Sleeping
Part Four: Regina
She's deep into translating the Altarian text when the door opens again.
She looks up as Regina enters.
'I thought I said I didn't want you here,' she says: 'why can't you respect that?' She's suddenly feeling hysterical. Why won't Regina just respect her enough to do the decent thing? Can't she see it makes her upset and angry to be around her?
Regina holds her hands up in a gesture of peace, though, and Belle's heart stops beating so hard, especially since Regina stays near the door, a good distance away.
'I came because Robin told me what he told you, about what Rumple said to him,' Regina says quietly.
Belle nods. 'Good, so maybe now you understand what I was trying to tell you yesterday.' At least Regina is acknowledging that maybe she was wrong about Rumple.
'I guess I do,' Regina says contritely. 'Rumple's plans were never exactly straightforward, though.'
'Yes, well, I'm glad you understand. Goodbye, Regina.' Belle has nothing more to say.
'I just…' Regina begins.
'What?' Belle asks, on edge. She just wants the queen gone.
'You didn't tell Robin about me taking your heart.'
'No,' Belle agrees.
'Why not?' She looks confused: she obviously thinks everyone resorts to blackmail to get what they want.
'Not everyone is like you, Regina,' Belle says: 'not everyone wants revenge on people who've wronged them. Some of us would rather live for ourselves and the people we love than waste time plotting schemes that can never make us happy. And you needn't worry about me holding it over you as leverage: that isn't my style either. I won't tell anyone and I won't use it against you: I don't much like myself when I use things against people and I've sworn never to do that again.' She looks towards the back room as she speaks. The last time she used something against someone was when she used the dagger against Rumple. She hated herself for that and that's something she never wants to feel again.
'Maybe you'll take some advice, though,' she says now, looking back at Regina. 'If you really want to change: if you really want to be a better person, you might want to start by being honest about the things you've done. Redemption isn't just about doing good things for people, Regina, it's also about owning up to the bad things you've done.
'Now, if you'll excuse me, I have translating to get back to.'
She looks back down at the book and, a moment later, the bell jingles as the door opens and closes behind Regina. Belle breathes a sigh of relief.
No idea if Belle will tell people what Regina did to her, but this scenario is plausible for her character. We'll see if Regina takes her advice to heart. Next time, Belle tries to give a disgruntled Killian some advice, based on her own experiences and mistakes.