"Would you like to go to a ball?" were not the words Belle had expected to hear come out of her husband's mouth.

"That depends. Who is it for and why are we going?" as far as she knew Rumplestiltskin didn't get invited to many balls.

"It's the wedding ball of Princess Ella and Prince Thomas!" said Rumple sounding incredibly pleased.

"Ella. Isn't that the woman you made the deal with to go to the ball a few months back?" she asked.

"Yes, after searching the realm for the woman the fit the glass slipper Prince Thomas finally found his bride."

"Why didn't she just tell him who she was? And why did the man need a glass slipper to tell who it was he fell in love with?" asked Belle curiously.

"I don't know perhaps he felt simply knocking on doors and asking to see people's faces was too passe," shrugged Rumple and Belle laughed.

"Well, I suppose I wouldn't mind attending if you are the one taking me. Although something tells me we are less attending and more crashing this ball are we not?"

"If you want to put it indelicately then yes," said Rumple sipping his tea. "I just plan to show up and remind the woman of what she owes me."

"Yes a child she inadvertently signed away. Something tells me she isn't going to be too happy about that." said Belle dryly.

"I don't make deals expecting people to be happy with me," scoffed Rumple. "Besides we already established most people don't have your good sense when it comes to dealing with the Dark One." Belle shook her head.

"Apparently common sense isn't so common. Although for the record I made a deal with you and am MORE than happy."

"Well, you've always been an exception dearest," chuckled Rumple.

"I take it you're dressing me?" she asked

"If you have no issue with it," replied Rumple. Belle shook her head. Rumple had superb taste in clothing actually. She saw no problem with letting him dress her. She'd always been happy before. She actually guessed his good taste in fashion and fabric in part was down to his background as a spinner.

"None whatsoever," she replied.

"Then we'll leave tonight at 8pm," said Rumple with a grin.

OUAT

Truthfully the only ball Belle had fully enjoyed was the one for Grace's birthday. But that had in part been down to Rumple. Now given that she didn't have to parade around like a horse for inspection and that she'd have her exceptionally witty husband by her side to provide commentary Belle felt she'd be able to have a rather wonderful time.

She wore a poofy yellow and white off the shoulder gown that was once again reminiscent of the one she'd worn on the day they'd met though this one had a large bustle in the back. The craftsmanship was flawless. She wore her hair mostly down aside from being pulled up with pearl clips on either side.

Belle descended the stairs to find Rumple waiting. He wore a cream-colored coat and waistcoat and brown pants. To her he looked exceptionally handsome.

"Wow Auntie Belle you look lovely!" exclaimed Grace from the side.

"Thank you, Grace. It's all down to your Uncle Rumple really." said Belle modestly.

"Your natural beauty is unparalleled my love the clothes are a mere addition," corrected Rumple eloquently.

"To be fair you could probably wear a potato sack and he'd call you gorgeous," snickered Alice.

"As if Jefferson wouldn't do the same," replied Rumple and Alice rolled her eyes. The topic of Jefferson was no longer as taboo now that they knew they would see him again.

"We'd best be off don't want to be too much later." said Rumple.

"You mean late to the ball we weren't invited to in the first place," giggled Belle.

"Indeed. Now I'm giving us both glamours for the moment we don't want to reveal ourselves just yet," said Rumple. "Yours is in the form of this pendant, touch it and the glamour disappears." Belle glanced over in the mirror and saw that she now appeared as a blond with hazel eyes. Rumple for his part appeared like a rather generic in her mind noble. He was tall with sandy hair and blue eyes. She wrinkled her nose.

"I prefer the normal you," she replied and Rumple laughed pulling her close.

"You must be the only one."

"No!" piped up a voice from behind and they turned to see Grace shaking her head. "I like the old you too."

"I'm going to have to jump on the wagon Rum," added Alice with a laugh.

"It seems people mind the true you less than you think." Rumple sighed although she could tell he was touched.

"Well I suppose that's family for you. True family that is."

"Enough of that off with you two troublemakers," said Alice shooing them and with a wave of Rumple's hand the two of them had appeared in on an empty balcony.

OUAT

Rumple had been touched by the words of Belle, Alice, and Grace. But they really did need to get to the ball. They arrive on a balcony and Belle pushed aside the curtain. The two of them slid into the crowd that was watching Ella and her Prince dance.

"They look happy," she said.

"Yes, but that happiness comes with a price," replied Rumple. The woman had gotten what she wanted but he knew she wouldn't pay up. Belle paused. "Give them a little more time tonight before you break the news just till after the fireworks." Rumple tilted his head.

"You have a kind heart and you are my wife for the latter reason I'll agree."

"Thank you," said Belle with a smile. She glanced around the room and Rumple suspected she was recognizing many of the individuals there from before the Ogre wars.

"Ugg I remember Prince Hans over there," she said pointing to a red head. "From the Southern Isles. Tried to woo me by pretending to be into my interests. Not that I bought his lies. He claimed to have read Her Handsome Hero but couldn't even get the main character's name right."

"A social climber and a liar then," said Rumple with distaste. Next Belle pointed to a brown-haired man in a feathered cap.

"Then there's Florian, nice enough fellow, I suppose he wouldn't have been a terrible match out of the lot but heavily relied on his mother's opinions. She was already lecturing me on the best way to treat her son after the first meeting."

"Is there anyone at this ball you weren't potentially going to be matched with?" asked Rumple have grumpy half amused.

"Probably not," said Belle her eyes then alighted on the couple key to Rumple's entire curse.

"Oh, and then Prince James over there with Snow White, truthfully from what I've heard he's not at all like I remember. The James I met was the second most arrogant man to ever live. Gaston being the first."

"That would be because that's not Prince James darling. It's his identical twin David. James died and I convinced his shepherd twin to take his place to slay a dragon. Then the poor fellow got stuck as a Prince where he met Snow White and well the rest is history." Belle gave him a disbelieving look.

"You're kidding."

"I'm not," he replied in a sing song voice.

"You really do make the strangest deals," muttered Belle and his blackened heart warmed at the fondness in her tone.

"Oh dear there's Lady Megan. Truly a horrid woman. She's notoriously awful to her household staff". Rumple glared. He'd heard of that one and having an immense dislike for those that mistreated the people they thought beneath them had refused to deal with the woman.

"Oh!" Belle gasped.

"Another ex-suitor?" he asked dryly.

"No no it's my old friend Elisa."

"Ah yes the one who's brothers were cursed to be swans."

"Yes she nearly died at the stake trying to save them." said Belle sadly.

"You want to talk to her as the real you, don't you?" said Rumple practically reading his wife's mind.

"Elisa won't talk I promise," said Belle. Rumple paused. Belle could be naive about people's intentions at times. But she was also a fairly good judge of character.

"Very well, very well, I have a few desperate souls to listen to." He wouldn't make any deals but he could listen around for who might be on the verge of desperation. "I'll find you on the veranda in half an hour." Belle leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"You truly are the most wonderful husband in the world."

Rumple watched Belle sweep off towards a woman with dark blond hair and brown eyes. Trusting Belle to handle herself he slunk off to search out potential deals.

OUAT

Belle beamed as she wove through the crowd finally coming up behind Elisa. The woman was a few years older than her and had married into a kingdom just to the south of Avalonea and of about the same size.

A beauty but a shy one Elisa had had a difficult time making friends among the court, however upon visiting Avalonea she and Belle had struck up a fast friendship largely over a joint love of books. Elisa's husband Siegfried was a kind man who was utterly besotted with Elisa and had been grateful to Belle for her friendship with the woman.

Tentatively Belle tapped Elisa's shoulder.

"Your highness?" she said.

"Yes?" asked Elisa turning around a gentle smile on her face.

"I was wondering if I might have a private word."

"Certainly, and you are?" Belle smiled knowing her glamour was still up.

"A friend of someone you hold dear I believe." She saw Elisa's face become puzzled as they stepped outside onto a secluded corner of one of the balconies. Making sure nobody was around she touched the pendant around her neck.

"Hello Lis." she said. Elisa clapped a hand to her mouth stifling a gasp.

"Belle! How are you here?"

"Magic?" quipped Belle. Elisa crossed her arms.

"Last I checked necromancy wasn't possible. Your father said you'd been taken away and killed by the Dark One!"

"That's a lie." said Belle sharply feeling a rush of anger towards her papa.

"Evidently. So what on Earth is going on?" Belle pulled her friend over to sit down on a stone bench.

"It's a long story."

"I have time?" said Elisa.

"I went with Rumplestiltskin willingly to be his maid in return for him saving our kingdom from the ogres. Over time I realized he truly wasn't as awful as people believed and the two of us fell in love."

"You fell in love with the Dark One?" her friend said incredulously.

"Yes, he's not entirely what everyone thinks. But yes I did."

"And he treats you well?" asked Elisa. Belle smiled fondly.

"Better than any man I've known. He gives me the freedom to make my own choices, an intelligent mind to match wits with, and most importantly love." Belle watched Elisa scan her face.

"In that case I'm happy for you. But why would your father lie?"

"Because he disapproves of Rumple. When I was help prisoner by the Evil Queen he even conspired to conceal my presence from Rumple." Cold fury washed over Elisa's face.

"That horrid man!" exclaimed Elisa. The blond shook her head. "I thought I had it bad with a step mother that made me mute and my brother swans."

"I don't think it's a competition," laughed Belle. Elisa chuckled.

"Perhaps not my friend. But what are you doing here?"

"I'm here with Rumple, he has a deal and he offered to let me come along to have some fun. We were supposed to stay disguised but I couldn't help it when I saw you." Elisa gave Belle's hands a squeeze with her own white gloved ones.

"I'm glad you did. I admit I was so scared for you when the ogres attacked and we could do nothing. Siegfried's father refused to send aid to Avalonea as he said men fighting ogres would do no good." Belle sighed.

"He was probably right. I don't blame you. And I appreciated your letter after my mother died."

"It was a great loss. I was terribly grieved when we got the news of your supposed death. I'm glad to know that my friend is alright."

"Well if you ever find the opportunity you will always be welcome at the Dark Castle for tea." said Belle.

"I would like that, though I don't know how well it would go down politically for the crown prince's wife to be having tea with the wife of the Dark One. If only life were simpler. Nonetheless now I know you are alive I shan't give up our friendship." said Elisa with a sigh and Belle understood. One thing she didn't miss about being noble was all the maneuvering that had to be done. The way one had to watch exactly how one acted all the time for fear of how it would look.

"I'll be sure to write you at the very least," she said.

"I'll be sure to reply." They continued to chat for a while until Belle heard footsteps and looked up to see Rumple in his glamoured form.

"Rumplestiltskin," said Elisa standing up and addressing him. Her husband raised an eyebrow at Belle but removed his glamour.

"Princess Elisa."

"I hear you managed to win my friend's heart."

"Shockingly enough that does seem to be the case dearie." replied Rumple. Elisa arched her brow and met his amber gaze head on. Belle watched somewhat anxiously as her husband and friend stood toe to toe.

"Mind you don't break it."

"Perish the thought your highness." Elisa nodded her head.

"In that case I believe I'll let you go," she turned back to Belle and the woman hugged.

"It was good to see you," said Belle.

"And you," replied Elisa before finally heading back to the party.

"Well that went better than expected." said Rumple.

"I think she approves of you," giggled Belle.

"I'm honored," chuckled Rumple. Suddenly an explosion sounded behind them and Belle looked to see bright colored sparks exploding in the air outside.

"It's lovely," said Belle drawing closer to her husband.

"Yes, it is and it's also time to tell Princess Ella her price." added Rumple. Belle nodded.

"I know."

"Wait for me by the edge of the dance floor," said Rumple as they returned inside, their disguises back in place.

"Alright." Belle watched Rumple weave off to intercept Ella in the dance an idea concocting in her own head.

OUAT

Rumplestiltskin had been a little shocked by Princess Elisa's reaction, or perhaps lack of might be the better word, to the news her friend was married to the Dark One. But apparently Belle had been right in her judgement. He had to say he could respect someone who was willing to look him in the eye without fear as the Princess had.

Then it was time to deliver the news to Ella, he grinned as he watched the horror dawn on her face the woman realizing exactly what she had signed away. Ella stumbled off the dance floor and Rumple returned to Belle. He held out a hand.

"Care for a dance?" Belle smiled.

"Certainly," they began to dance to the new swift tune. As they glided around the floor Belle said.

"Rumple why don't you remove the glamours?" there was a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Are you sure Belle?"

"You've already spoiled Ella's night might as well make scene before we leave," said Belle. "I'd like everyone to see me dancing with the man I love. The true one I mean and I don't care what they think."

Rumple couldn't help but think he and Pip must be rubbing off on his wife.

"We'll have maybe a minute of shock value," he warned.

"Then let's make it count," she replied. Grinning he removed both their glamours and there were audible gasps from the crowd at the sight of the Dark One. People cleared off the dance floor however Belle was still smiling as the two of them twirled around the floor. Music continuing to reverberate through the room despite the fact that the musicians had mostly dropped their instruments in shock.

They did a final spin around the floor. Rumple spun Belle out of his arms and she twirled in place before sinking into a curtsey her right hand in his left. As she looked up at him and the music stopped shouts rang out he drew her towards him, snaking an arm around her waist. As Prince Thomas raced his way the pair of them disappeared in a swirl of crimson smoke.

OUAT

They reappeared in the library and both fell down onto the couch laughing.

"That was quite the scene dearie," he cackled.

"Everyone looked utterly shocked I think Hans might actually have chocked on his wine!" laughed Belle.

"I do believe I'm becoming a bad influence on you."

"Only a little," chuckled Belle and they both went into another round of laughter. Once they'd finally calmed themselves from their mirth Rumple couldn't help but ask Belle a question that had been bothering him.

"Do you ever miss it?"

"Miss what?" asked Belle.

"Being royalty. Living a life with balls and parties and constant social interaction." said Rumple. He was well aware of how isolated marrying him had made Belle. His wife tilted her head.

"Is that why you invited me tonight? To give me a taste of my old life?"

"Perhaps," said Rumple with a slightly shrug of his shoulder.

"Oh Rumple," sighed Belle.

"I won't say I'm ungrateful for the fact that I was born into royalty. It gave me privileges like an excellent education and in general a lack of needing to want for anything growing up. But, I can't say I regret leaving it. Had I stayed I would have been forced into a marriage with a man who didn't respect me and made to spend the rest of my life doing nothing but bearing and raising children. Dancing may be fun but I've never been one to care for the politicking and the confines that come with being royalty. I don't regret being born into royalty but I also have no regrets about leaving that life. I saved my people and am also much happier off than I would have been had I remained a princess."

Rumple listened to her speech and felt a weight lift off him. He still felt bad for how isolated she was up here unable to go out without an escort for safety's sake but at the very least she didn't have any regrets even after getting a glimpse of her old life again tonight.

"I'm glad." he said. Belle laughed.

"So I am you silly man. So am I."

Author's Note: So Elisa is a nod to the fairytale of the Wild Swans. It's an interesting one if you want to look it up. I've come to the decision after some input from you lovely readers that I shall be tying this book off after the curse hits. We'll see how long it takes for me to deal with cursed storybrooke. Thank you everyone who contributed your thoughts on that and on the story in general! If you like the story please do leave a comment below I'm truly grateful each time I get an alert regarding one! Until next week!