Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-27060727-20160929050506/@comment-25926288-20161127001516

I think he loves Belle, just not truly loves, and definitely not more than his power.

Before the Dark Curse, I think it went Power = Bae >>>> Belle.

From seasons 1 to 3A, I think it went Bae >> Power >> Belle.

Now, I think with hypothetical Bae, it would go, Bae > Power > New Son >> Belle. Belle has never been greater than Bae to Rumple and when I say greater I mean not close by a mile. At any point if Rumple had to choose power or Bae, he'd choose Bae or at his worst, both. Belle at her best is tied with power and has never been greater than for a brief few flickers.

Rumple is man that has dealt with Love for Bae for 175 years, Lust for Power for 150 years, and then Belle for 35ish years (but 28 don't really count). Just putting that in perspective for ya. Only when his lust for power is conquer by himself can anything change.