i.
She is four years old and trying her best to "Make Mother proud"; but even at that young age, she already knows she's failed miserably when her Mother's eyes glow unnaturally, and she feels the constriction of magic cross her limbs, suspending her in midair. Whimpering once, she concentrated very carefully on what her Mother was saying, explaining how exactly she'd messed up - because only a sincere apology would fix this. (Not that she was entirely sure what sincere meant, but by Mother's tone of voice, it was very important). Father had promised her a pony after her next birthday, it was the only thing he'd ever fought Mother for - "Even a princess needs to know how to ride, Cora." - and there was no way she would let Mother take that away.
"Regina, love, are you listening?" Her Mother's voice, angrier than ever before, sounded and she felt the magic wrap her up even tighter.
"Yes, Mother, I'll be good." It hadn't taken long before her response had become as automatic as breathing. Eyes down, head bent, 'don't look at Mother, don't look at Mother', every muscle in her body tense - it wasn't hurting now, but it didn't require much for the older woman to transform from Mother into Monster. Even Father hid then.
Mother finally let her down, after all it had only taken one Lesson for Regina to realize that Mother was much easier to deal with after getting her own way. She'd left Regina suspended for three candle-marks, nearly four, and so far Regina had managed not to anger Mother, to that degree, again. "How many times do I have to tell you, Regina? Princesses do not run in the castle."
"Yes, Mother, sorry Mother." She bowed to Mother like she'd been taught and made to dart away from the older woman, who had tutted quietly, causing Regina to slow to an almost dignified walk.
Cora frowned as her daughter walked away, that foolish, stupid husband of hers coddled the girl too much and it was showing in her habits. His love was going to spoil the girl, which would ruin all of Cora's carefully laid plans. Sometime soon, before the child had grown too much into her unseemly ways, she'd have to reign her in, and harshly. She sighed as the girl picked up her skirts and turned the corner away from her, she could hear the pitter patter of her shoes as she, even though previously warned, ran. Yes, she shook her head, grinning silently, she'd teach her daughter eventually, and what a glorious lesson that would be.
