Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-11058666-20141228031222/@comment-25926288-20150331222847

His addiction and implied love of power/ lust of power is greater than his love fore Belle to overcome, at least for now. He loves power and abuses the use of it. As of Season three, it was

Love for Bae >= power addiction, and his love for Bae >> love of Belle. Belle was sort of his conscience and doormat. Bae never stood by while Rumple did any magic or evil. However, he knew he could get away with that with Belle. He regretted it but he did it anyway.

I think we may learn about the darkness consuming Rumple which is happening now, especially with Bae's death and his flickering love for Belle.