Discaimer: I do not own These characters at all although I very much wish I did. Mainly so Cora could be my Bitch and so I could love Regina and make her happy Yay!

Anywho, This is my first fanfic for OUAT so be gentle haha but I hope you enjoy and if I gain feedback supportive or otherwise I amy consider writing more chapters as I have a few more following ideas.

Much Love CofBxxx

"Mummy! Mummy!" The little girl bounded into the study room, her dark her bouncing against her back like springs, she ran up to the large oak desk in front of the windows placing a thick book over a couple of letters in order to engage her mothers attention.

"Regina! What have I told you, countless times before?" Her mother asked exasperated.

"To walk gracefully!" The young girl replied excitedly grinning at her mother whilst shuffling her feet, she was determined not to be deterred by her mother.

"And?" Her mother looked up from the papers she was reading to look at her daughter over her glasses.

"To call you mother," Regina replied as her eyes cast down.

"That's right Regina, I don't know where you learned that ridiculous name but you will address me properly. I only tell you this for your own good darling." She paused as she gazed over her daughter. She was a pretty child with large chocolate brown eyes, dimples in her smile and long curly dark hair down to her waist and yet Cora understood that there would still be a long way to go and that her daughter was going to have to prove herself. "One day child, you will be queen but before then you need to learn to behave like one." Her mother took off her glasses and set them to the side, she offered the small child a smile.

"Yes Mother," Regina bowed her head respectfully.

"Now, Regina, what is the meaning for this nonsense? And why is it so important that you feel the need to interrupt me whilst I work?" She asked her, Cora had barely had time to finish her sentence before Regina began speaking animatedly.

"Oh Mother! I have just finished reading my first proper book with Miss Annabelle and she says that for six years old I am doing exceptionally well for my age. It was a wonderful book mother. It was about a princess who lost a ball in a pond and then a frog saved it, and the girl was rude and she had to give the frog things because he had saved her ball and then she kissed the frog and he –"

"Enough!" Cora held her hand up in the air stopping Regina from speaking as she looked levelly at her daughter before gazing down at the book upon her desk. She lifted the book in the air scanning her eyes over it before addressing her daughter "There are no such things as fairytales. Now, please bring me Miss Annabelle, Regina, I must speak with her."

"Of course Mother, but aren't you pleased that I read my first book?" Regina asked her quietly looking up from between her thick lashes.

"Of course dear, now leave me please and go groom your horse. I hear she needs more care." Cora frowned at her daughter, instantly making Regina run from the Study. Cora sighed before burning the book in her hands, she had a book, a bigger book that was far more powerful. She moved around the room to a cupboard across the far side before opening a low drawer and retrieving an old, large book; she fingered a couple of the pages thoughtfully before hesitantly placing it on the top of the desk. She then walked in front of the desk pacing angrily as she waited for Regina's tutor. Cora didn't have to wait long before there was a soft knock on the door.

"Enter." Cora commanded as the doors opened, seemingly by themselves. Miss Annabelle stood in the doorway, her hands clasped across her torso as she walked gracefully across the wooden floor. The only sound that could be heard was the soft click of heels in time with the grandfather clock. The tutor stood opposite Cora, her soft face was etched with worry and Cora found a thrill run through her body in anticipation.

"Miss Annabelle would you care to explain to me why my daughter is reading books that contain fairytales?" Cora was careful to make her voice as even as possible and she watched as Annabelle thought about her answer.

"Fairytales are good for a young girl such as your daughter Madam. They help to stimulate her imagination as well as helping her to develop her reading skills. I see no harm in these stories."

"No harm? I need Regina to concentrate; I need her to excel in all her lessons and not to fantasise over ridiculous tales that will never happen. Such things do not happen to girls like my daughter and I will not let you build her hopes up!" Cora lifted her hand before flicking it towards the far wall, watching as the young woman in front of her flew across the room. A large smile grew on her lips as she heard the sickening thud of flesh and bone impact upon the stone wall. Annabelle lifted her head drowsily to look up towards her employer, she stared up at her a tear rolling down her fair cheek as she lifted her hand to the back of her head, feeling the sticky blood that had begun to trickle from her new wound. "Get up."

The command was simple but Annabelle's body felt tired as she struggled to control them, hearing the impatient sigh she forced herself upright quickly, though her unsteady legs threatened to collapse at any given opportunity.

"Please, Miss Cora, I promise I won't let her read them anymore." Annabelle pleaded. In the doorway Regina stood quietly watching the situation she found her tutor in. She stood her body hidden by the door whilst her head peeked around and she felt afraid for her tutor, her friend, she knew she shouldn't watch and that she would be in trouble if she were to be found out. She was close to Miss Annabelle as she was one of the very few people that she had a lot of contact with. In fact, she spent most days in Miss Annabelle's company and she enjoyed it very much learning about lots and lots of different things from languages to sums but her favourite was reading. Regina found it enthralling that a book containing simply pages and ink could transport you to a different world entirely.

"Of course you won't allow her to carry on reading these ridiculous books. Not if you want to keep you job at any rate dear." Cora flicked a finger upwards watching as the woman's body before her lifted from the ground and flailed as she struggled against her magic. Annabelle screamed, her sobbing becoming louder with fear and panic, she had cared and tutored Regina from an early age and had seen firsthand what Cora was capable of and the rumours where even worse. "I want you to teach her only the most important lessons and to read books that will educate her fully. Am I understood?"

Miss Annabelle didn't pause for an answer screaming her affirmation as her body began to feel like it was slowly burning. The small child in the doorway was rooted to the spot completely engrossed but a small voice inside her shouted at her to help her tutor. She heard the thud again followed by a body gathered on the floor. Regina continued to look at her mother though, searching for the kind yet stern face she knew so well.

"Regina, I told you to go to the stables." Her mother sighed, her voice lowering dangerously before remembering the other person in the room. She stepped closer to Annabelle whispering in her ear. "You are lucky today; I'm only letting you live because I know you have the best reputation for teaching."

Cora looked the younger woman up and down slowly before stepping back and excusing her. It didn't take long for the young woman to run from the study. Cora smiled slightly watching her run, frightened, panicked, pathetic. Regina would not grow up like that, she will be superior. Cora looked back at her child the smile still on her face, she would be capable of leading a nation soon. Cora walked around the desk, before sitting upon her chair. She then beckoned Regina to come over, as Regina did she made to move onto her mother's lap craving the close contact as she sought to find the goodness in her mother again. Cora brushed her off though helping her stand in front of her whilst holding her hand.

"Regina darling, you must understand, what has happened today is only for your good and that your tutor would not have been hurt if she had not been teaching you rubbish. You will do well to understand that if I ever find that you have been reading or acting in this way again then I will not be responsible for my actions. I want the best for you dear, and sometimes that means I have to hurt other people. Now, you have the rest of the day off lessons but I suggest you care for your horse."

Regina nodded solemnly, she understood now. It was her fault that Miss Annabelle was hurt and in order to help her then she must follow her mother's rules. She also learned that day that she probably saved Miss Annabelle's life though all that did was fracture their relationship as she no longer had that special relationship with her.