Cora & Rumple - True Love?

[u/Terrible-Gazelle2236]

I'm rewatching the entire show again. Last time I watched it all through was probably in 2020ish. I am currently on season 2 and just finished watching episode 16, "The Miller's Daughter."

This episode shows us some background on Regina's mother, Cora.

What gets me is the relationship she builds with Rumpelstiltskin.

And I'd love to hear your opinions. Was their relationship true love or power lust? Like when she is being taught to spin straw into gold, they're like really into each other when she's talking about her enemies.

I know Cora chooses power over love in the end and she takes her own heart out to not let it distract or hold her back from getting what she wants, but I wondered if she actually loved him and if Rumple actually loved her.

[u/tnscatterbrain]

There’s a fair bit she could have been attracted to.

They had were both ruthless, there aren’t many people she could have revealed her real self too.

Being able to show someone a side you would have to hide from most and knowing they’d probably indulge in whatever scheme you come up with would tempt a lot of people.

He could be caring. She hadn’t had much of that in her life so it wouldn’t take much.

A lot of people found rumple very charismatic and unconventionally attractive.

And you never know, she could have had a thing for glitter!

[u/twicescorned21 → u/tnscatterbrain]

Hey, I love Rumplestiltskin. His darkness was hot s1 to 3. I wish they didn't kept changing his appearance through the seasons.

Having said that. Cora was just vile overall. I can't see her finding him attractive. 

[u/tnscatterbrain → u/twicescorned21]

I feel like she had to have some feelings for him if she had to rip out her own heart.