The Best Tea Cup is Chipped Book 1

The Thief

Belle had been in the Dark Castle for a little over two weeks now and was becoming quite certain that the stories of the "Evil Dark One" were significantly exaggerated.

Oh, he still made some rather morbid jokes, that oddly enough she was coming to find a bit amusing, and wasn't always the friendliest person (especially in the mornings). But he was interesting to talk with and they had almost developed a sort of banter.

Beyond that he also never mistreated her unless you counted making her sleep in the dungeon. Which was far from comfortable but it wasn't as if he chained her up. In fact, he no longer locked her cell. That had been an interesting evening.

*Flashback Belle POV*

Belle entered her cell for the evening and the door swung shut. However, oddly enough she didn't hear the click of the lock.

Puzzled Belle moved to the door and pushed on it experimentally. It swung open. She stepped outside into the hall and then shook her head and went back inside the cell closing the door. Belle had no intention of breaking her word to him.

Even had she not been determined to stay to protect her people, she still considered herself of woman of her word. Come to think of it Belle was also 99% sure this was some sort of test. The man did love to play games with people and she'd just won. The thought brought a slight smile to her face.

*Flashback Rumple POV*

She'd stayed. She'd realized the door was open and she had a chance at escape and she had simply returned to her cell. It seemed the former Princess really did intend to stay true to her word. Of course, she'd claimed as much, hence his desire to test her. But he'd not actually expected her to pass.

He had believed that she surely would have come to regret her choice to trade her freedom for her people by now. But no, his new maid really was as selfless as she seemed. The former peasant in him found it pleasant to see a noble act so refreshingly different. He really had acquired a unique young woman.

*End of Flashback*

Belle had never brought up what Rumple had done with the door but from that moment on he no longer implied she had any intention of breaking her deal with him. And that meant something to her. If she was going to be here forever she'd like to at least be on amiable terms with her employer.

One evening after Belle had completed her chores, she glanced at the calendar and with a jolt realized the date. It was the one year, anniversary of her mother's death.

Feeling particularly unhappy Belle went to the dungeon and began to cry. She missed her mother. The two of them had always been closer than she had been with her father. After all it had been her mother who instilled her love of books in her.

Belle hadn't realized how loud she had apparently been crying because the door to her cell was suddenly flung open. She looked up to see Rumplestiltskin.

"When you so eagerly agreed to come and work for me, I assumed you wouldn't miss your family quite so much." he sneered.

Tired, sad, and upset Belle glared and without really thinking snapped back.

"I made my sacrifice for them of course I miss them you Beast!" something briefly flashed across her employer's face before for it was replaced by a scoff.

"Yes, yes, of course. But the crying must stop. It's making it very difficult for me to spin. You know, I do my best thinking then!" he seemed to struggle for a moment before he waved his hand and suddenly a small gold pillow appeared in it. "Perhaps this will help."

"For me?" she asked in surprise. He threw it at her and she caught it.

"Not so beastly now am I?" he snarled.