Regina ran to the stables as the clock hit 6am. It was the only time her mother allowed her to ride because it didn't interfere with the rest of her day. She was only 8 years old, but has been training nonstop for 2 years. When Regina was 5 she fell in love with a young horse that her father had recently bought and vowed to take care of him. He was meant to be a guard horse, but Regina begged him and Rocinante was hers. She bolted into the stables and ran into a man she didn't recognize.
"Hello." she said politely looking at her shoes. "I am very sorry. It isn't ladylike to run." she continued frightened about what punishment she would get this time. The man just smiled kindly at her.
"It is quite okay. No harm was done. My name is Alexander." he said sticking out his hand for the young girl to shake. She grabbed it lightly.
"Nice to meet you Alexander. My name is Regina Mills. Are you the new stablehand?" She questioned.
"Why yes I am? Is this your horse right here?" he said pointing to Rocinante.
"He's been waiting for you. I got him all set for you to ride. The maids mentioned how you always ride early in the morning."
He helped Regina onto her steed and she giggled as her horse happily neighed. She waved goodbye to Alexander as she set out on her daily trail.
It was slightly chilly that day in the forest so Regina pulled her coat tighter. She kept a slow and steady pace because she was still tired from waking up early. The sun was barely in the air and the animals were not yet fully awake so it was quiet. She hummed quietly to herself enjoying the view of the forest.
She turned her head quickly as she heard leaves rustling behind her. Regina motioned her horse to turn and she looked around trying to locate what made the noise. It was silent for a minute, but the small figure ran out of a nearby cluster of bushes and Regina raced after it.
"Faster Rocinante. Let's catch up." She said holding on tightly. The figure had stopped at the edge of a cliff and turned to face her. it was a young boy only a few years older then Regina herself.
"What's your name?" she asked, but she never got an answer as the boy smirked and jumped off the cliff.
Regina gasped as she foolishly jumped off her horse and stumbled to look over the edge. She saw the boy walk out of the water onto the beach and wave as he ducked under some trees. Regina walked back to Rocinante noticing her torn dress.
"Mother will kill me." she said to herself as she used a fallen log to jump back onto Rocinante's back. She slowly rode back to the stables noticing that her mother was waiting for her.
"Regina! You are 20 minutes late for breakfast! Your filthy and what happened to your dress! Get cleaned and change right now! Alexander will put that beast back into its stall." Cora said waiting for Regina to jump off the horse and walking behind her back to the house. Cora pushed Regina into her room and slammed the door.
Regina stumbled and fell onto the ground. She got up and looked over the bruises that were starting to form on her knees. She washed the dirt from her hands and face and changed into a new outfit as quick as she could to hopefully catch the end of breakfast. Last time she missed breakfast entirely, she wasn't allowed to eat lunch as a punishment.
She got to the table and was thankful that her father had left some food for her as the maids had already began to clean her mother and father's plates.
"I suppose you can finish your food here, but if you are late for tea you will have to miss lunch and dinner. We can't have you thinking that you won't be punished for being late." Cora said stoically.
"Cora honey…" Henry said trying to get Cora to reason with him.
"Not now Henry. I have an appointment." She turned and ignored him as she continued to walk through the doors.
Regina ate slowly. She sat quietly as the Carla the maid poured her a glass of milk and gave her a sad smile. Regina finished her food and retreated back to her room to read until she was needed.
The rest of the day was planned and uneventful. It went exactly as her mother wanted it to. Regina was not late to any of her planned classes. She was respectful and barely said a word to her mother. She finished her piano lessons and thanked her tutor before retreating back to her room and getting ready for bed.