"Oh, come on. He can't say no. It's my birthday."
Regina laughed as she took in the puppy eyes from both Snow and the squirming, fuzzy ball of energy in her arms. She knew Leopold opposed his daughter owning a dog, as he saw it a companion more fit for a young boy. He had given her a parakeet that morning, but by midday it had been eaten by the sour cat that roamed the castle. Feeling guilty, he had allowed Regina, along with Snow's nanny and the stable boy, to take the girl to the outskirts of the Enchanted Forest on horseback for a picnic. Regina knew Snow had her father wrapped around her little finger, but she still wasn't sure his guilt was enough to allow the scruffy little puppy.
"A puppy would be good for the princess," the nanny pointed out. She was an older woman, whom Regina had been told had also raised the late Queen. A bit stout, she had a pleasantly plump face that usually bore a smile, framed by a few grey strands escaped from her bun. "It would provide companionship, and help foster her nurturing nature."
Snow nodded earnestly at Regina before looking back down at the excited pup. "This is my nanny," she introduced. "Her name is Nadine, but everyone calls her Granny." The small dog gave a little bark in greeting.
Daniel studied the smile on Regina's face as the young queen watched the puppy earnestly lick the princess. "My Queen," he said with a sparkle in his eye, "Why don't we take the little mutt back to the castle with us? If Leopold refuses to allow it as a pet for the princess, I can always keep it with me in the stable. The princess can visit as often as she would like."
"Oh, would you Daniel?" Snow exclaimed. "You're my favorite!"
Regina shared a long, significant look with the young man. "Mine as well," she said with a smile. She then turned to the princess, who had hope shining brightly in her eyes. She bent over and petted the puppy, giggling softly when it licked her hand in earnest. "Oh, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to bring the little ball of fur back to the castle with us," she conceded.
Snow nearly dropped the puppy in her excitement. Jumping up and down, she squealed "I have a puppy, I have a puppy!" Suddenly, she stopped and turned to Daniel with a curious look on her small features. "Is it a boy or a girl?"
Daniel took the fluffy, tiny little thing from Snow's arms and checked before handing it back. "She's a girl."
Snow smiled. She looked fondly at the puppy as it nibbled her bracelet, gold inlaid with small rubies, a birthday present from her stepmother. "I know what I'll call her. Ruby."
"A fine name," Granny spoke up.
The puppy seemed to like it as well, for she wagged her tail as she vigorously licked the princess's face.
Regina smiled as she watched the giggling girl. "True love's kiss?" she laughed.
Granny frowned. "My queen, she's a girl."
"Yeah, and a dog," Daniel pointed out with a humorous tone.
Snow smiled as she contemplated Ruby. "Regina says true love is the most powerful magic of all."
"That's right," Regina said, placing a hand on Snow's shoulder and guiding her over to the horses. "But I think it might cause quite a scandal if the princess were to marry a fluffy little mutt."
Snow frowned as they all mounted their horses to return to the castle. "She's not a mutt. I think she could actually be part wolf."
Ruby simply tried to climb up the horse's mane.