The sound of a slap fills the room. A sting spread across Regina's cheek as she tries not to flinch from the pain.
''You naïve little girl.''
Mother fumes in front of her and there is nothing Regina can do to stop her. She curses herself, tells herself that she is stupid and naïve if she thought she could get away with this.
Two years her relationship with Daniel lasted for. Since that summer day when Rwgina sought solace from her mother's methods and words in the stables and she didn't know anyone else was in there. He appeared behind a stack of hey.
''Are you okay?''
At the sudden sound of a voice, Regina quickly wiped her tears away.
''I'm fine.'' She dismissed. She turned her face away and began fidgeting with the straw she was sitting on until Mother's words fluttered through her mind.
''Don't fidget, Regina. It makes you look nervous.''
Daniel came nearer and she stopped play with the hey. ''I know that's not true.''
His words made her angry. Most servants never asked about her feelings, they saw her as cardboard trained to answer simple questions, none of this 'are you okay' stuff. So why was he so different?
''And I know it's not your place to say.''
The light died in his eyes and it made Regina feel guilty. She broke eye contact with him and looked towards the grey wall.
His attitude changed as he mumbled ''I was only asking. I just know a sad pretty girl when I see one.''
Regina breathed out heavily wondering if she should tell him. Of course, she shouldn't wonder at all, the answer is no. She can't bitch about her mother to a stable boy.
She heard him walking away and she didn't want him to. If he does, she'll be lonely again, left brooding in her self pity. So she called him back with the first words in her mind.
''It's just my mother.''
He stopped and looked at her. Frowning, he asked ''What about her?'' and from there on she didn't stop, she didn't stop for two years.
They were usually careful. Sneaking around in the middle of the night when Mother wasn't home. Keeping to the shadows in case anyone was watching them. But tonight, their recklessness got the better of them- of her- and they were both paying the price for it. Mother hadn't gone anywhere at all in the past week and the lack of contact from a decent human being was getting to Regina's head. So when she was sure, so sure, that everyone was asleep, they agreed to meet.
Regina tried to enjoy his company, on any other night she could have, but tonight she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Daniel told her that it was nothing, it was just her being nervous about something, but her feelings were confirmed when she walked back inside to see her mother sitting there, waiting for her.
''How long did you really think you could get away with it?''
Regina doesn't answer. Despite asking a question Mother doesn't want her opinion.
A disbelieving smile forms across Cora's face. ''And out of everyone you could have this 'secret relationship' with you choose a stable boy.''
Regina tries not to fidget as she bites the inside of her cheek. All her fears are happening now. The ones that entered her head the first couple of days their relationship began. What would happen if Mother found out? What would she do?
They're unter rioted when the door opens and Louis, one of the head servants and the only one Mother seems to tolerate the most walks in.
''We have the stable boy. 'E tried to run but we catched 'im. What wood you like me to do with 'im?''
It doesn't take long for Mother to decide. ''Put him down stairs with the others.''
The tall and lanky man nods then slumps out of the door, ducking slightly to get through the door.
Regina has never been 'downstairs' she just knows it's where Mother puts the servants she tires of or wrong her in some way. There are nights though, if Regina can't sleep she can hear the groans, the shake of shackles, the cries for help. When she finally falls asleep, she dreams of it. A small, dark room hidden beneath the workings of the mansion. The smell of piss and shit and rotting bodies. Locked behind cages to small, their dead eyes standing out against their follow faces. And right at the end is Daniel. Hanging by his arms from shackles in the ceiling. The dreams are enough for Regina to call off their relationship but when the time comes to actually tell him she can't bring herself to do it. Days are brighter around him and that's enough to cope with the dark nights. They are only dreams after all.
Or so she thought. So all she feels now is guilt. Why did she have to be so selfish? Why couldn't she have just let him go? He has to suffer now because of her.
''Once again I'm cleaning up another one of your mistakes. What do I tell-'' Mother stops as an idea appears on her face and Regina waits, anxiety forming in her stomach. ''We'll tell them he forced himself on you.''
Regina frowns, confusion forms as she tries to make sense of her mother's words. ''What? No! Why do we have to tell anyone that?''
''Because I can't very well tell them that my daughter refuses their sons yet will gladly go off with a stable boy.''
Regina looks down at her feet. Since she was twelve Mother's favourite word was 'marriage'. At first Regina couldn't wait for it, the idea of marrying her very own Prince Charming. But that hadn't been the case. When she began meeting them, Prince Charming was Prince Vain. For hours she listened to monologues of why they were so great and that was enough to put her off them. Then she met Daniel and from their first meeting he asked her how she was and from there Regina knew he was different from the stuck up twats she knew.
''Besides judging how friendly he was being with you tonight, it wouldn't surprise me if he actually has and you're too naïve to realise it.''
Anger burns in her chest. ''He wasn't like that.''
Mother's face softens as her voice turns sickly sweet. ''Oh, Regina.'' Her hand strokes Regina's cheek. ''It's all a teenage boy wants when he's confronted with a pretty girl.'' Regina fights the urge to push her mother's hand away.
That wasn't Daniel. He was impatient about other things but never that. He would have gladly waited a lifetime for that.
Mother brings her hand away. Walking towards the door, she says ''You can go. I'll sort out you're punishment tomorrow.''
She leaves Regina standing in the drawing room. Whatever pushing want Mother comes up with will be nothing compared to Daniel's suffering.