The Best Tea Cup is Chipped Book 1

Pain and Comfort

Belle nearly dropped the bowl she was holding and gasped.

"Samuel! What...What about your leg?" He took a step closer to her and instinctively Belle took a step back finding herself pressed against the sink.

"I'm sorry for the trickery Belle but I had to get in here somehow." He said.

"But your fever and the wound!" she exclaimed.

"A simple herb mixture meant to last for a few days and a self-inflicted cut." said Samuel with a shrug.

"Why are you here? Why in heaven's name would you risk yourself doing something like that just to get in here?"

"It's quite the adventure. I fought for a while but I soon realized we were fighting a losing battle and that most of those in charge didn't care about that fact. So I and a few other faked our deaths and deserted. Then we came across this group "The freedom fighters". They're a group that want to swap the status quo and give those same people who were willing to throw us lower class people to the wolves a taste of their own medicine. We're going to get rid of the class system so everyone is equal."

Belle was filled with horror a the way her old friend spoke of punishing people. Not to mention that she'd read about the societal model he spoke of and it never worked. Someone always ended up on top anyway.

"And how will you accomplish this?" she asked slightly faintly.

"With this," he held up a grey and brown box with a red gem on top. "One of our leaders collects magical artifacts. I'll use this box to trap the Dark One. Then we'll work out a way to control him and use his power to defeat our enemies."

If Belle had been disgusted by Samuel's plan originally she was terrified by the way he spoke of hurting Rumple. She couldn't bare for that to happen. That said if Samuel tried and failed Rumple would almost certainly kill him. And she could understand why, though she had no wish for it to happen.

Belle knew she needed to think fast and get Samuel out of here.

"Belle, I am sorry for tricking you but you must understand it was necessary. Now you must help me. If you did so you would be a hero, just like you always wanted."

That stung. Using her childhood desire for heroism against her.

"You'll also be free of that monster without fear of retribution." His face softened and for a moment she saw her old playmate again. Which made this all the more difficult. Still there was no question in her mind of what she needed to do.

"Yes, yes Samuel, you are quite right. Follow me and I'll take you to his Sanctum you can hide there and surprise him when he returns." Samuel beamed.

"Oh thank you Belle. I knew you'd see it my way." Belle swiftly led him through a side passage way and down several flights of stairs to a door a the back of the castle.

"Quickly in here."

"You're sure?" Samuel said. Belle gave him a sad smile.

"Yes, I'm sure." Sure about my decision. He now had his back to the door. In one quick motion she pulled open the heavy wooden door and shoved Samuel outside before slamming the door shut and bolting it.

"Belle! Wait! This isn't a Sanctum! Belle what are you doing?!!" Samuel called from outside.

"I'm sorry Samuel but I can't let you do this. I can't let you hurt him. Now you have to go before he gets back. Please!" she said. Her back pressed against the door and her eyes closed.

"Belle let me back in!" yelled Samuel pounding on the door. But Belle shook her head.

"I can't it's for your own good!"