So... This is my first story. I hope you like it!
He looked at her maybe five times, that day. Only four times. Once as she walked down the aisle, another time when she kneeled beside him. Then she looked afraid, but still with hope. After she said "I Do" and he had too, he had kissed her, the third time he looked at her, that hope had faded. Perhaps he saw defeat, maybe acceptance, but the happiness one would expect of a newlywed bride wasn't one of her emotions. He took her hand and walked her out the room, into the great dining hall, where he placed her besides him. He stood up and spoke some meaningful words to the people. Telling them of course that he still loved his first wife, which his second wife acknowledged and respected, and how proud he was of his daughter. Snow had the biggest grin on her face and the king knew she was thrilled, proud and relieved to finally have a mother again. A woman so nice, so beautiful and so caring. He looked at his wife the fourth time then, offered her a smile and started the feast. Then he sat down again. During the meal, he listened to his daughter constant chatter, whilst his new wife stayed silent, eating little to nothing.
"Darling." He said as though they had been married much longer. "Is anything the matter?"
"No, your majesty." She whispered.
He shook his head. "I have told you before, it's Leopold."
"Of course, Leopold." She said. Remaining truthful to her etiquette-lessons.
He gave her a weak smile. "Now, what is the matter?"
"Nothing, Leopold."
"Is it the food? Do you not like it?"
She smiled just as weak as he had moments ago. "It's the best I've ever had."
"Then what?"
"Nothing." She said. "Snow, how would you like to go to the town tomorrow? We'll fetch ourselves some nice fabric for a new dress."
He had admired his wife. Not only for getting off topic so quickly, but also in doing so in a way that wouldn't offend him. She didn't want to offend him in any way, and complaining about a feast arranged for her would sound spoiled and ungrateful. She was probably still upset of her mothers' disappearance, which was very understandable.
"I'd love nothing more!" His daughter exclaimed. "Oh Daddy, can we please?"
He smirked of his daughters joyfulness. "Of course you can."
"By horse?" His wife tried. Leopold had known of Regina's love for horses and riding them. She had brought her own horse with her, and he had quickly realized that the animal meant the world to his young wife.
"Perhaps the carriage is more appropriate. Snow's still a bit afraid." As he said it he saw Regina's smile fade again, the mask his wife had impressively created, impressive for her age that is, appeared on her face once more. "But I do agree with Regina, dear Snow."
"With what?" Snow asked.
"You need to get back on that horse again. Otherwise you'll be afraid your whole life."
"So? I'll just ride the carriage my whole life. It's more comfortable anyway."
Before he could answer, his wife did. "Perhaps, Snow, but riding is an experience most admired. The people will look up to you, respect you much more when you show them you have control over a stubborn horse, just like them, than when you would ride in a carriage. Can you imagine their thoughts when you come out of that carriage cloth in gold and claim you only want what's best for them? They'd never believe you, however pure your heart might be."
And his wife was right. The rest of the dinner he had switches chairs with his daughter, so she and Regina could discuss their new dresses. Meanwhile he tried to have a conversation with his dear friend about the state of the army, but he got distracted quite a lot. Every time his daughter would name a style he did not recognize he wanted to hear more about it. And snow would talk, because Regina apparently didn't know either. But then he realized that Regina of course did know. And she knew he was listening to find out if his daughter would want to wear anything inappropriate. But his Snow was impeccable and only chose necklines pure as she.
An hour before midnight he had send Snow to bed. She whined for a bit but then willingly went. His wife decided she was tired too and she might as well go with his daughter. He kissed snow on her forehead and he wanted to kiss Regina. But she gave him an awkward smile and took her step daughter's hand as she walked away. He knew his wife hadn't married him willingly. Her mother had arranged the whole thing. He just hoped she could be happy. He hoped he could make her happy. And over time, he decided then and there, she would be happy. Her smile would be genuine.
"I am so happy you finally married my father." Snow said as they walked up the stairs and Regina tried to stop herself from pushing the girl off. "I would've been happy too, if you had married your stableboy, but this way my father is happy too." And again Regina refrained herself.
"Do not speak of him." She said, much harsher than she had anticipated. Snow was startled. "I mean. He broke my heart, he doesn't deserve to be mentioned. But you're right, Snow. Everything turned out for the best." Snow smiled again and took the last six steps in three. "Snow, that's not ladylike."
'Sorry."
"It's fine." They walked up to Snows room, where Johanna was waiting for the princess.
"Johanna!" Snow cried. "Guess what. Me and Regina are going to town tomorrow. We're buying new fabric!"
Regina sighed. "Snow. It's 'Regina and I' not 'Me and Regina'."
Johanna frowned but didn't say anything to the new queen. "That's great." She said, ignoring the woman. "Do you know what color you'd like?"
"Purple. My mom used to like it."
"Good choice, my dear." Johanna said. "I can take it from her, your majesty. All will be fine."
Regina offered the woman a poor smile, she knew the maid didn't like her. "I know, I don't mind."
Johanna raised her eyebrows. "You probably need to get ready for your wedding night, your majesty." Johanna said to the girl, not really a woman yet. After all, she couldn't be older than twenty. Rumors went she was only nineteen, perhaps even eighteen. Barely ready to be a wife. But Johanna had to hand it to the woman, she looked the part. Regina had a pretty little face, but her eyes looked like they had seen much. However she missed the lines a thirty year old woman would already possess, leading Johanna to the conclusion that the young queen couldn't be much older than the princess.
"I'll be fine, Johanna." The queen said with a warning tone. "What else would I need to do besides undress?"
Johanna turned to Snow. "My dear, would you mind if I had a small talk with your new mother?" After the girl shook her head, Johanna dismissed her to her chambers. "My lady..." She started. "Aren't you nervous?"
"Why would I be?"
"My first time I had been dreadfully nervous. Curious as well, but nervous non the less. I needed some time to gather the courage." She said. "And so did Snows mother. I had to calm her for hours."
Regina didn't move a muscle. "Well, I'm not."
"Which leads me to think you have laid with a man before."
"Johanna, I do not appreciate your insinuation." Regina warned. "You are dangerously close to crossing the line. I do not need to hear your story. Nor the story of the previous queen. Because neither are my story. I am not nervous, I am not curious and that's that."
"I'm sorry, your majesty."
"Don't think this will go unpunished. You have offended me."
Johannas eyes grew big. "But I meant no disrespect. I only wished to help.." Regina's expression did not change. She didn't offer the maid another word and simply turned around and walked away.
It was late in the evening and the king opened the door to his chambers. Unlike Regina, he was nervous. He had tried to drown his sorrows, but decided to stop before it was too late. After all, his main concern was hurting his new wife tonight, which he knew would happen. The least he could do was be gentle, and after a few drinks being gentle would be much harder. He started to undress and walked toward the bed. However, he realized after taking off his mantel that his wife wasn't in their bed at all. He walked to the doors again and found his private guard next to it.
"Guard?" He asked. "Go find the queen. She's probably in one of the guest rooms." He should've known she'd go there. After all, she didn't really know where his chambers were. He took off his boots, his trousers and his shirt before slipping under the warm blankets. He stared at the ceiling as he didn't want to think about anything. Ten minutes later the door opened and Regina walked in.
"I am so sorry, your majesty." She said as she rushed to his side of the bed and kneeled. "I'm sorry, please forgive me?"
He snorted. "Regina, don't be so silly. You have nothing to be sorry for. I should have had someone show you around. Perhaps I'll do it tomorrow to make up to you." She gave him a weak smile but her eyes were still big with fear as though she was afraid his mood would change and he'd hit her, a strange expression he didn't recognize. Leopold blamed it on her nerves. 'Now come, my dear. Join me on the bed." He watched as Regina took off her robe and placed in on the chair facing the mirror. She quickly made her way to the bed, so quickly that he didn't have time to get a good look of her, though he knew she was beautiful. Sure, his first wife had been beautiful too, but she had gotten pregnant immediately and never regained her figure. Regina was young, her skin snapped back. She was young and he wasn't sure if her youthfulness would make him feel young or really old, but he didn't want to think about that right now. She sat up against the headboard and looked at nothing. Her hands were trembling. He placed his right hand on hers.
She looked at him, as if this was the fist time she had actually noticed him. "Please..." She said.
"What 'please', my darling?"
"Could we please not do this tonight?" She asked, though more likely begged. "I'm not ready."
He seriously thought about her request for a moment. It sounded reasonable, she was afraid. Maybe if she got more time she wouldn't be this scared. But he quickly realized that she would be afraid any other time as well. And above that, the king's kindness had been mistaken often enough. If he didn't bed her tonight and the wind would catch on, rumors would be spread. And he could not afford that. "I am sorry, Regina." He watched as she brought her trembling hands to her face and covered her eyes. She brought her knees to her chest and silently wept for a minute. He let her. Then he brought his hand to her shoulder and rubbed it once or twice. "But I promise, if you just lie still it'll be over before you know it." She brought her arms down to her waist and hugged herself, then she nodded. He brought his hand up to her chin and turned her head. Then he leaned in and slowly kissed her. She didn't kiss him back. When he brought his other hand to her thigh she shrieked. "Regina." He warned her. He knew this was difficult for her, but it wasn't a treat for him either. She had pulled back from the kiss.
"Just do it." She said. "I don't need any niceties." He could understand that. When he leaned back in to kiss her she turned her head. Alright he thought. If this is how she wants it. He moved back and she looked at him in surprise, only to be more surprised as he grabbed her legs and pushed her on her back, probably with more force than he intended, but he was getting agitated. She whimpered as he pushed her legs apart and kneeled between them.
"Regina, listen to me." He said. "Regina, listen. It's going to be ok. It'll hurt, but it'll be over in a minute. I promise."
"Really?" She asked, still innocent. "Only a minute?"
"Only a minute." He said. She nodded and braced herself. He wrapped her legs behind him and leaned into her a bit. He kissed her trembling lower lip and then he slowly pushed himself into her. Sure, he felt some resistance, but not like he had expected. She had closed her eyes and still wore the same strange expression she had when she had sat next to him on the bed. It took him a moment to recognize that expression. It was guilt. He stopped, still inside her, and shook her arms, she looked at him with her guilty face. "Regina." He said, his voice filled with more anger than ever. "You are no virgin."
"I..." She didn't know what to say. She had not expected the blow she received. It stung like hell and she placed her hand on the red spot on her cheek immediately.
"You lied to me. You made me feel like some rapist." He accused her. "But the truth of the matter is that you were afraid to get caught, weren't you?" When she didn't answer him he hit her again. "Weren't you?" She nodded. "I could execute you. Nobody would question it. Do you know that?" She nodded again. "But I won't. And nobody will know about this."
"Thank you, your majesty!" She cried relieved.
"Oh don't thank me quite yet. You still have to bleed on your wedding night." He said. He saw her expression change for relieve to pure fright. Then he withdrew himself from her body and pushed back in with all his force. He knew she wanted to scream and cry, but she held herself together and merely whimpered. He quickened his pace and after that minute he felt it going smoother. He looked down and he saw her white nightgown getting red and he knew it had to hurt like hell. He admired her. She hadn't made a sound, except for the few whimpers every now and then. But he wanted his revenge, he wanted that one cry. He went even faster but felt the end coming closer with each thrust. When he got his climax he let himself fall down on his new young wife. He had lost all care for her well being, her comfort. She had deceived him and didn't deserve any. He laid silently for a moment before getting up to see what he had done. It was far worse than he had intended. She was still trying to catch her breath, on her cheek he saw his own red handprint and he felt guilty. But only shortly. He looked down at her throat and saw the red mark there too. He hadn't even realized his hands were anywhere near her neck, let alone them trying to strangle her. Her chest was still covered with her nightgown, but it was bunched up at the waist. The large red stain that covered the lower part of the gown was maybe a foot big. Her thighs too were covered in sticky blood, as was the bed. He nodded.
"Regina." He said. When she didn't answer him he grabbed her upper arm and pulled her up. The king wasn't a cruel man, nor an aggressive one. But she forced him to be. "Tomorrow, we will talk about this. You may go back to your old room."
"Thank you, your majesty." She said. He had no intend of telling her she could call him 'Leopold'. She had lost that right today.
"Leave." He said. She quickly got out of the bed and grabbed her robe. She took one quick look at the bed and then left. The king took his underwear and a robe and pulled them on. Then he walked to the door. He could she Regina limping at the end of the hallway before turning to the left. She was accompanied by one of the guards. The other one still stood next to the door. "I'm sleeping in the east wing tonight. After you've found some maids to clean up the mess, you can go to bed as well."
"Thank you, your majesty." The guard said. It wasn't very often he got a full night of sleep. He watched as the king walked the hallway as well but turned to the right. Then he went to fetch Greta, Mae and Hannah and walked with them inside the royal bedchambers. Just to see whatever had happened. They were all startled by the amount of blood on the bed and felt sorry for the queen.
So? What do you think? Should I continue? Please review!