Chapter 1

Moments of vulnerability haven't been praised in our society. The unnerving need to remain composed at all times has driven me to the point of no return. As I stand here, face void of all emotion, rendered speechless, the only noise is the dripping from the staff. As I stare down at the gold encrusted bulb, I think back to the day that I received it.

It was a warm summer day and she had just returned from a long riding lesson. She was fatigued beyond measure and the cool sensation from the wind against her sweaty face had made her tired. She returned to her chambers ready to find her maid to run a bath so that she would be ready for dinner.

Upon the bed sat a lovely parcel wrapped in lavender ribbon. Curiously she inched closer and closer to the bed in order to get a better glance at this interesting package. There was also a note; she picked that up first assuming it was the safer of the two. Scribbled on ivory parchment were the words, 'For the rough days, to lean'. Her face scrunched, she was even more curious about what lie beneath the lavender ribbon. she opened the package and found a lovely golden staff with what appeared to be the shape of orchids wrapping around, forming a bulb that encased a huge amethyst stone.

The staff was as lovely as she could have ever imagined but it seemed like a present that was very early. She was a princess, however she was third in line and she still had yet to come of age. 'Two more years' she thought with hankering. She longed for her first ball, anything to get away from the mundane activities she was forced to partake in while in the castle. That's why she loved to ride so much, it was the only time she felt completely free.

Thinking back to the note, she realized that there was no mention of who the sender of such a lovely gift was. She wondered whether to tell her mother or keep this lovely surprise to herself. Knowing her luck, Cora would dismantle it and have it burned the first time she ever laid eyes on it. Something about having this to herself made her feel a lot better. Maybe one day it would be in fashion for less regal purposes. Stowing the staff under a creaky panel in her flooring, she decided to get ready for dinner. She did not want to hear her mother's mouth if she was late.

As she continued to stare at the staff, her grip became firmer and firmer. She heard footsteps pacing down the hall and from the sound, she knew exactly who it was: her mother. Before she could make her way to the door to try and deter her, she had swung the chamber door open eyes cold as always. She looked at the scene in front of her and her eyes remained the same cold, and uninviting.

"Regina, darling?" she questioned, voice even and shockingly calm.

"Mother I can, I…I—", she started but was unable to finish when her mother raised her hand, silencing her.

The dripping of the staff brought her back to focus. Her grip had loosened and for the first time, reality of what she had done. A sick twist developed in her stomach and she felt herself doubling over.

"Posture, Regina!" were the cool words that she had heard next and this shocked her very much. Even for her mother this was an insane amount of indifference. Nevertheless, she squared her shoulders back staring at her mother with growing curiosity.

"Mother, I'll hang for this surely you are aware" Regina groaned realizing the heaviness of the words as she spoke them. Fear washed over her like cold water and her body began to tremble at the thought. This was undoubtedly the highest act of treason that this realm would ever see.

"Regina, Regina, my dear! You most certainly will not", grabbing her face as she uttered the last words. "As far as I am concerned, the King finally succumb to all that heavy drinking. As far as the truth goes, it is in neither of our best interests to let that leave this room. Place him in bed and I'll ring for the doctor", she snapped and turned curtly.

"How?" Regina asked weakly. She was completely shocked by her mother's response and in reality a bit frightened by it.

Cora rolled her eyes and lifted her hand towards the man. His sunken frame moved from the corner of the chambers and onto to the grand bed that sat within the center. "Satisfied?" she questioned before exiting the room sharply.

Satisfied? Regina had just murdered her husband in cold blood and they had covered it up. A part of her wanted to be found out but she knew the doctor was dumb and frightened enough to listen to whatever lies Cora told him. Everyone was afraid of the dark magic her mother was able to wield; this is what kept her from learning herself these last few years. To say she was a disappointment to her mother would be an understatement.

Regina always struggled to be the royal Cora so desperately wanted her to be. Her first season after coming of age had been a total disaster. Her girlish antics had warded off the attention of most of the eligible suitors that year and it made her mother furious. She had been forced to have more and more etiquette lessons with Hannah as a result. Even after she married Leopold, she failed to bear any children in the 4 years that they had been together, which left Regina's position unprotected since there was not an heir apparent for the Myronian throne. She hung her head further and further in shame as she realized the wrath her mother would unleash after she finished her theatrics with the doctor. Imagine the surprise she felt when her mother returned to the room with…

a smile?