Henry loved his daughter, his dearest Regina. He tried to make amends for what his wife had done to her. Despite his own morality, he supported her without fail. Blindly did he support her in her vendetta to destroy the same girl she had once saved. He didn't protest when she tore the lives of many in her twisted schemes. All that mattered to him was that she was happy.
Except, Henry realized, that this would never bring his Regina any happiness. It was not bringing her happiness now. Perhaps she gained a momentary sadistic pleasure, but, no, never happiness. Her soul only became bleaker, darker, more empty the closer she came to completing her revenge on Snow White. He came to fear that, if she did manage to accomplish what seemed to have become her sole purpose in life, not a single ray of light, not a single beam of true happiness, would penetrate the darkness in her heart.
So, for the first time since he married Cora, Henry Mills had taken matters into his own hands.
It had been difficult, finding the most opportune moment to take action. Many many moons after forging his resolve had waned when the opportunity finally arrived. Regina had left the palace to visit that Maleficent woman, the only friend of his daughter's that he knew, to retrieve something. No doubt, judging by the wicked delight that had been on her face, whatever she was seeking to obtain played a relevant role in the sinister games she was playing.
Henry wasn't give much time to speculate on this. Once his daughter departed the palace, he had made his own departure.
Now, here he was, making his way down halls dimly lit by the torches that lined them. He paused when he first caught sight of the cell. He could return right now, continue to stand in the sidelines as his daughter ruined her future and the futures of everybody else, and forget all this bold business. However, he glanced over the rolled-up map in his hand and remembered why he was there.
Henry let out a single breath and stepped forward before the crude cell. On the other side of the bars, Rumpelstiltskin gave him a sickening smirk.
"I want to make a deal."
Author's Note: Your first thought must be 'Wow, this is really short.' Well, do not fret, the rest of the chapters will hardly be this short. Anyway, I'll try to update at least bi-weekly. I have my own original works and school to focus on, after all. There's also the fact I need a beta reader—especially one that would let me know if the characters are being IC. So, for now, no new chapter until I can find a beta.