𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

NINE

9|NEW BEGINNINGS

Celeste leaned her back against the wall, legs stretched in front of her as she sobbed loudly, her cheeks were soaked and eyes blood shot. She had seen his shadow from underneath the door and knew he was listening to her.

"Rumple?" She called out when the door finally opened. "So, what are you going to do to me? Kill me for having emotions?"

"Leave." He pointed to the door and turned his back on her.

"Leave?"

"I don't want you anymore, dearie." He said casually, not seeing the hurt in her eyes. She began to leave before stopping in the doorway, not wanting to give up on her only hope at love. She knew that with his reaction to her kiss that he loved her back and was scared.

"You know what." Celeste stormed back into the room and faced him, pointing a finger at his chest with anger. "I only kissed you because Regina said you loved me back. I didn't care that you were cursed or whatever. To me you are a man powers or not. I fell in love with you, not your old ordinary but this unique you. So if you want to act like a coward because you refuse to admit you love me too then fine, I'll leave."

Rumple grabbed her cheeks and forced his lips on her, the kiss tasty salty from her tears as she sank into the kiss. The pair fell back against the wall as her hands gripped his shirt, pulling him close.

"I'm sorry." She apologised once they pulled apart, untangling her fingers from his now disheveled shirt. "But look, you're still the same. You're still you."

He kissed her forehead, not saying a word, before grabbing her hand and dragging her out the small prison. He led her through the castle halls and opened a grand oak door which led to a large beautiful bedroom.

"Why am I here?" Celeste squinted her eyes as she glanced around the lavish room.

"This is your new room." Rumplestiltskin informed her, letting go of her hand and stepping back. "I'll see you at dinner. There is a dress in the closet."

"Thank you." She stared at him with surprise as he left the room and closed the door. Her first thoughts were to properly bathe after being locked in her prison for three days straight. She had not seen a mirror in months and began to question what she looked like.

Celeste grabbed a silk robe from her new walk in cupboard and adventured into the large bathroom, sparkles in her eyes when she saw the size of the bath. She quickly heated up some water over the fire and undressed from her dirty wreck of a dress. As her skin touched the hot water a sigh of delight left her lips, her entire body being submerged into the relaxing water.

As the water turned cool she finally decided to leave the comfort of her bath, drying herself off with an expensive cloth before wrapping the robe around her body, the cool evening air nipping at her bare skin. When she re-entered her room she noticed the fire lit and reminded herself to thank Rumple at dinner.

Celeste walked into her wardrobe and instantly found the expensive silk red gown he was talking about. She spun around in the mirror, admiring the dress from all angles as images of being a queen flashed through her mind. Stepping out her new room, the Princess made her way to the grand dining hall, finding Rumplestiltskin dressed up and sat at the head of the table. A plate of food beside him telling her where to sit.

"You look beautiful, love." He admired the way the dress sat on her slim form, showing off every curve and edge. "Please, sit."

"Thank you." Her smile was contagious as she sat beside him. The sat in silent while they ate, both occasionally stealing glances.  "The food was delicious." She said as she sipped the rich wine, enjoying the calmness that washed over her body.

"Are you enjoying your new room?" Rumple asked as he waved his hand and the empty plates disappeared.

"I am, thank you." Celeste said joyfully while he filled her glass. "I especially love the bath. I was watching the sun go behind the horizon."

"Your arms." He changed the subject, finally noticing the damaged he had down to her fair skin. The wounds had healed but left a row of scars forming. "Did I do that?"

"It doesn't matter, they don't hurt." She waved it off before looking at fire dancing in the fireplace. "I noticed you had a ballroom. Would you like to dance?"

"Of course." Rumplestiltskin offered her his hand and led her to the unused room. He waved his hand and the instruments in the corner began to play with magic. "Shall we?"