Weeks passed and the princess' arrival was getting closer. The king still hoped it would be a boy, but Cora finally admitted to herself that she was scared for her daughter, of what George might do to ensure his heir was a boy. But Cora loved her power, the security it gave her, she wanted her daughter to have that too. If Cora couldn't rely on the men in her world, she had to make sure her daughter could be happy on her own, because she had learned there was no one she could depend upon more than herself.
When the girl was born, Cora named her Regina, because no matter what, she knew her little girl was meant to be queen. Cora hoped that the man she loved could look past the gender of their child, but he became distant. Then one day, one of her trusted servants warned her of something she had been dreading, the king was planning on having Regina killed, so he would be free to try again and have a male heir. Cora knew she had to do everything she could to keep her baby safe, so she planned to run away.
The king was out for a couple days visiting another kingdom, so Cora took her chance. She had just finished packing a few small necessities before going to Regina and standing above her crib. She took the baby in her arms as tears fell down her face, "My little princess, I have to keep you safe but I swear to give you everything your title owes you."
Just then, she heard a familiar shrill laugh, there was Rumpelstiltskin standing in the nursery, watching them. "Renouncing your title so soon, your Majesty?"
Cora held Regina closer to herself, shielding her from Rumple. "In my heart, I shall always be a queen, but my daughter's safety is more important. I will do everything I can to give her everything…but I worry that George will come after us."
The worry on Cora's face was obvious, but Rumple looked like he had an idea. "Well dearie, the only way you could keep him away forever is with magic."
Cora scoffed and shook her head. "I have no magic! Do you think I would be in any of this mess if I did? I would be somewhere safe with my little girl and she would never have to worry about getting her heart broken or being weak!"
The Dark One only wagged his finger at her. "I could teach you how to use magic, you will be safe and your girl will want for nothing."
Cora considered this for a moment. "But there is always a price with you, what is it this time?" she asked.
Rumple laughed again, clapping his hands enthusiastically. "It is such a small thing, you are getting a bargain really. I will make sure the king thinks you are both dead and I will teach you magic, if you tell me the girl's name."
Cora's arm covered Regina protectively, but as she looked at her daughter, she couldn't see any other way. "Regina, her name is Regina."
Rumple's smile grew, with a wave of his hand the queen was in simpler clothes. "I will send you both to a village away from this kingdom. I will come to you for our lessons when my work here is done. Good luck, dearie." He waved his hand again and Cora found herself in a busy street, still clutching Regina close to her.
She continued to walk for a few minutes, past the people rushing by, until she ran into a man who hadn't been looking where he was going. He wasn't much older than Cora, and she nodded as he stuttered out an apology. Then he saw Regina, and looked concerned. "I am terribly sorry miss, I hope you and your child aren't harmed, I really should watch where I go."
Cora smiled at his kindness, something she had never really seen before. "No, we are both fine, thank you." She paused, realizing she had nowhere to go. "Only a bit lost. My village was attacked you see, my husband dead, my daughter and I barely escaped with our lives."
The man looked sympathetic as he pointed to a carriage. "I am terribly sorry, you must come with me if you have nowhere to go. I may not be a king, but my family has more than enough money to help a lovely young woman such as yourself," he offered with a smile.
Cora couldn't believe her luck, so she nodded and stepped into the carriage with the generous man. He could be useful, but she vowed to herself that she would never love again, it only led to betrayal after all. "I apologize, you give me so much yet I have not introduced myself. My name is Cora, and this is my little Regina."
The man smiled, took Cora's free hand, and kissed it. "It is a pleasure to meet you both, my name is Henry."
