I've decided to rewrite this beginning what would have been after chapter 4. I'm rewriting chapters 1 and 2 (leaving 3 alone) it's still going to have the room reversals which will apply to near enough everyone except perhaps a few. The genuine plot is going to stay the same such as Regina being an orphan and her stealing the ring. Really the only thing I'm changing is age and the fact that it's moved forward. Anyone reading this after the change (who didn't read the original) can ignore this.
Regina stands in the door way of the smoky room. Coloured cloths cover the windows, casting the room in different coloured hues. Music can be heard from the corner as a bunch of girls dressed in pinks, and blues, and greens, and other bright, transparent colours crowd around the person playing the instrument. The others drift from one place to the other. Only one is staying where she is. Regina feels awkward as she stands there while the girl stares at her. Even as Regina looks away, she can still feel the other girl's eyes on her.
Regina jumps slightly when she feels Leopold's hand on her back. He'd left her to go up alone, telling her it would be safe, whilst he spoke to a man waiting outside.
Her heart thumped while anxiety formed in her stomach. She'd entered the building, the scent of roses hitting her nose, and made her way slowly up the stairs until she reached the doorway she was currently standing it.
''You look scared.'' Regina hears hin say.
She doesn't speak, just clutches the skirt of her white dress Leo gave to her when she first arrived at his castle after stealing a ring. His ring.
Regina found that out one night after he tried to do...things to her. She protested at first, tried to fight away from the grip he had on her arm. Leo told her that this was her debt to him for not giving her away to the mob who would be waiting for her.
Wanting to keep both her hands, she let him touch her that night. It was only when he was about to enter her that she quickly cried out that she was still as virgin. He stopped and Regina saw an idea flicker in his eyes. Leopold climbed off her as Regina sat up slightly, wandering what he was doing. He told her that, in a few days, he was taking her to a new home. When he left, Regina curled herself a ball. Tears fell out of her eyes and onto the pillow as she wished she hadn't stole the ring, hadn't got into the carriage with him.
That was how she found herself here.
''There's nothing to be scared about,'' he carried on saying. ''They're all like you, little one.''
Regina cringes at the use of the pet name. He only calls her that at night and the mention of it brings up feelings and memories she tires so hard to keep buried below.
''Malari!'' he suddenly shouts. Regina looks up to see the girl who was currently staring at her walk over to them.
''What?'' she asks, her voice clearly displaying annoyance at being called over like some bitch.
Leo gives her a look and the blonde's demeanour changes. She smiles pleasantly and asks in a more calming yet heavily-laced-with-sarcasm voice, ''What can I do for you, My Lord?''
''This is Regina,'' the girl- Malari- looks at her and Regina gives her a little nervous smile as her fists clench her dress. ''I was wandering if you'd look after her?''
''What's her...speciality?''
Leo leans in to whisper something in the girl's ear. The whole time, Malari's eyes are on Regina. As Leo goes on, Regina watches the expressions change from scrutiny, to shocked and finally, to sadness.
Leo moves away from her and Regina wanders what he just told her to make all those emotions flutter across Malari's face.
''I'll look after her.'' the girl says after a bit. Leo smiles, tells them he needs to head back. Once he's gone, it's just the two of them.
''Come on, Orphan.'' she says. Regina sighs at her new nickname. At least it's better than 'little one'. Regina shivers at the thought of the old name. ''Let's change your dress. You look too pure for this place.'' Malari walks across the room, Regina follows behind her.
She isn't stupid. Regina knows exactly what 'this place' is. If she listens enough, she can hear moans and cries and skin slapping against skin coming from the behind the closed doors she passes. From the way Leopold looked at her and treated her, he already had this in mind. Regina was going to become one of his whores, just like all the other girls in this place. 'They're just like you.'
Regina should never have stolen that ring.