CHAPTER 1
Regina felt lonely. After the mission in Neverland had been accomplished, she had some hope that Henry would finally go home with her. She deserved this. She didn't understand what she had to do for him to see that she was his mother and that she loved him with all her heart. He was all she had left. She raised him, soothed every fever, was there for him in every part of his life. She went to take a shower, trying to get rid of all these thoughts in her mind. She had received an invitation to a Ball. Ruby had organized it to celebrate their return home. "An excuse to flirt with every single men in town" she thought to herself. She was still deciding whether she was going or not. The thought of seeing all those idiotic faces in front of her was disgusting. But Henry would be there, and she knew she had to try getting closer to him one more time. "Or maybe I'll just go for the free food" she considered.
Everything in Storybrooke was quiet today. Everyone in their homes, getting ready… the huge ball was about to happen. Now, all the lights were focusing on one huge room, that would be the place to the big Ball, honoring the complicated family which had just returned from a successful task. Everyone was safe; the town was under the cloaking spell Belle had cast the day they left to Neverland.
By 8pm, most people were already there. The Charmings wore something much like they used to in the Enchanted Forest. Emma, much to her dislike, was wearing a beautiful light blue dress, customized for her, by her mother. Henry looked like a little knight himself.
At approximately 9pm, purposely late, Regina arrived to the Ball. She was not sure whether she was wanted there or not, the town people still hated her, but well, she was invited after all. The minute she opens the door, the room goes silent. No one could take her image out of their head, she was stunning, much like she used to be when she was Queen. She wore a beautiful long red dress, her hair was pulled back, in a bun. Her make-up was light, but glowing beautifully and something about her that day made the people actually take a step back, but this time it was not because she was crashing a wedding to threaten to cast a curse, but because she was glorious, in all ways, and no one could disagree.
After saying a discreet "hello" to Snow, David and Emma, she went up to Henry, and after giving him a hug she said:
"You look so handsome, young man".
"Thanks mom. You look beautiful too." Henry answered.
She was not used to being complimented by her son very often, but she knew that he meant it, because if there was one thing she knew how to use as her advantage was her beauty. She was beautiful, and she knew that. She saw a small child, he must be 4 or 5 years old, she thought. He was pulling Henry's pants, trying to convince him to play with him. She didn't know who this cute little boy was, but she assumed it was someone's son. She walked away from everyone and went somewhere quieter to get a drink.
On the other side of the room, far away from everyone, was Robin Hood. He wasn't really good at starting conversations, but, aside from his Merry Men, he didn't really know anyone there. He was only beginning to get familiar with this new land, he had arrived a few weeks before, and he was still learning about electricity and TV's. He had brought Roland with him and right now he could see that his little boy was nagging an older boy, pulling his pants and talking to him. He went there to check on his son and make sure he wasn't bothering the other boy. When he approached, he noticed a beautiful woman walking out. He got closer in order to take a better look at her but by the time he got there, she was already leaving. He could see her back and the way she walked. She wasn't wearing a mask, which was weird, since this was a Masked Ball.
Not much to do, not many people to talk to. He found Neal, in a corner, and went up to talk to him. After a much welcoming chat about how things were going, he decided to get a drink… and that's when he saw her properly. She was a few meters away from him, with a glass of wine. He stopped for a moment:
"Who is that woman?" he asked Neal.
"You don't know who she is? She is the Queen. You've probably heard of her before. Everyone knows her." Neal answered.
"Oh, right! I've heard about her. I know who she is." Robin answered quickly.
Of course he knew who she was. Everyone knew. It was no secret to anyone that she had cast a curse that sent everyone here, to this land. Yet, from all the stories he had heard about her, he knew now that at least one story was completely true: her beauty.
END OF 1ST CHAPTER