"I only need a few more," he responds, somehow glossing over her concerns about the queen. He has no fear of the Queen of Hearts- he never has and he never will. Cora was the only one who had any sway over him and she's long dead and buried.

He glances behind him and then places the hat inside his coat, reaching out to take both her hands in his. "Belle, I made a promise to you- one I intend to keep, but I must finish this first. The consequences if I don't are far too dire."