For me, this was the most frustrating story to read and
review, partly thanks to my bias. It centers on Belle and Rumplestiltskin, my
favorite characters on Once Upon A Time.
More than that, the story attempts to explore the pair’s relationship while
living in the Dark Castle, as well as Belle’s individual past. And it fails so much. What should’ve been a golden
nugget of canon expansion, especially for the often neglected Belle, turns out
to be fool’s gold.
The beginning has plenty of promise. We see a bit of Belle’s
daily routine as she sets out to do some grocery shopping for Rumple’s larder.
Rumple is his usual self—snarky, distrustful, and obstinate in hiding his
affection for his maid under the previous two traits. Belle engages in teasing
banter with him before setting off with a charmed broached that alerts Rumple
if she tries to run away. At this point, Belle seems to like Rumple and wants
him to trust her. Keep this in mind, as it because a somewhat baffling plot point
later.
