The snowflakes were dancing around her head as Regina stood in the castle's garden, her gaze pointing towards some distant spot at the horizon. She wore a long dress made of dark red fabric and a coat made out of wolfskin. Her husband, King Leopold chose what she had to wear. It had also been him who gave her the jewelnecklace she was wearing. Leopold only saw her as his status symbol. She was nothing more to him. She was beautiful and that was all that mattered. She had to sit in the throne room all day, not saying a word and just looking beautiful. Leopold dressed her like his doll with expensive clothing and jewels everywhere. He wanted people to see how rich he and his kingdom were. And he wanted to boast with this young wife he had. Reginas feelings didn't matter to him. He did not care that she felt like a prisoner in this castle. She had been here for almost five years now since her mother had literally sold her to King Leopold.

Cora had killed Reginas father when she was just a little girl for she saw him as a burden to a good life. She had wanted to marry again, get a man with a kingdom and lands, a man who would be so incredibly rich, she would never have to worry again. Instead, she got to know King Leopold whose wife had died the day she had given birth to Leopolds Daughter, Snowwhite. Snowwhite had been 5 years old when Cora met Leopold at a party. They talked and Cora had lots of interest in this man who had everything she ever wanted. But as they got to know each other better, Cora recognized that Leopold was not interested in her at all but in her Daughter. So they both made a deal: Cora would give him her daughter and Leopold would pay anything Cora would want from that day on until her death.

Regina had only been 19 years old when she had to leave everything behind. Cora had told her that she had found the perfect man, the perfect life for her. And Regina had believed in those words... She had entered the carriage that stood in front of their yard the next day, hoping for a better life and some great love.

But none of these dreams had come true. She had met King Leopold who'd been very harsch, his cold eyes staring at her as she arrived at his castle. From that day on, she had been a prisoner. But she had still tried her best to make Leopold happy, to make him love or only respect her... But he never would, just like his daughter Snow. All they did was accept her. She was useful and that was all. In the beginning, the first year maybe, she had not wanted to accept this new fate of hers. She had fought for herself, had tried to talk to Leopold but he had been cold as ice all the time.

An now? Almost five years had passed and Regina had lost her will to live. Noone had ever seen her smile since she was here. She had accepted her fate and didn't even think about killing herself anymore. She felt like a drop of water in the endless sea of time, floating around with nothing to hold on to, just waiting to someday reach a peaceful shore. For now, she tried to think as few as possible about her own life and the oppurtinities she had.

She heard steps approaching and turned around to see one of the servants. The thin man bowed to her before speaking: „The King awaits you, Miss. He wants to talk to you."

Regina nodded, pulling the cloak tighter, as she followed him back into the castle. She looked one last time at the horizon before entering the great halls.