Thank you all so much for your reviews/follows/favs! I really appreciate it and I'm really enjoying writing this story. After this chapter, the plot will hopefully progress much faster. I hope you enjoy! - Jess

Disclaimer: I do not own OUaT. Sadly.

Katie

Chapter 4

While running towards the stables, Regina almost collided with her father when she rounded a corner. He looked at her with concern, but before he could speak, she dashed off again. Regina knew that her mother harassed her father as well, but he didn't protect his little girl. So this was his fault too. He had given in to Cora's evil and conniving ways. Although, Regina wasn't really surprised. Her father always did whatever Cora asked him to do.

Regina fled down the main staircase of the castle. She ignored the strange looks that some of the lords were giving her. She really didn't care what they thought of her, especially at this moment. A servant opened the large glass door that led straight to the stables. She quickly ran by the man, ignoring the uneasy look on his face. She sprinted across the patio so swiftly that she fell down the patio stairs. She felt a pain shoot up from her kneecap and as she regained her balance, she noticed that she scrapped her skin. It didn't look too deep, but it hurt like a bitch. Groaning, she brushed her dark brown slacks off and straightened her white blouse.

When she finally made it to the stables, Regina searched frantically for Daniel. She was so upset and the burning sensations from her injury and cheekbone weren't helping either. She eventually found Daniel near Storm's stall, where he was brushing the horse down. Regina sighed with relief as she approached him. Once he caught sight of her, she immediately felt her throat tighten. She couldn't prevent the tears from falling now.

"Regina! What's wrong?" Daniel asked. He dropped the horse brush and gathered her up in his arms. "What happened?"

Regina buried her face into Daniel's shoulder and sobbed loudly. She shook her head, indicating that she wasn't ready to talk about it just yet. Daniel took the hint and just held her for a few moments, letting her cry it out. Once Regina regained her composure, she took a step back so she could look at her true love.

"It's my…my…m-mother," Regina hiccupped. "She's making me…get married!"

Daniel stared blankly at Regina. He had known that this day might come. He had honestly expected it to happen soon as Regina was approaching her twentieth birthday. He was surprised that her mother hadn't done this to her much sooner.

"Regina…" he whispered, as he hugged her again. "Who is it?"

Regina looked down at her feet.

"That little girl from this morning," Regina muttered. "Her father… is the King that's visiting... She told him about how I saved her from that horse and he asked for my hand in marriage."

Daniel felt his jaw drop. "The King?"

Regina suddenly snapped her head up. She felt herself getting angry again.

"My mother made this happen! I know she did! Snow's horse didn't bolt by himself! Something happened! My mother knew that they were passing through our Kingdom and would stop for a visit today!"

Daniel stared at her. "Regina… I know your mother can be harsh, but would she really put that little girl's life in danger?"

Regina couldn't believe what she was hearing. Of course her mother would do anything to get what she wanted, didn't he know that?

"Of course she would!" Regina retaliated, "She knew I would save her and she knew her father was looking for a new wife. It's the perfect opportunity for my mother. She just can't resist… and that's why we have to leave. It's the only way we can be together."

Daniel raised his eyebrows at her.

"Leave?" He questioned, giving her a look of uncertainty.

Regina nodded. "We have to if we want to be together. If I get married, we can no longer see each other… I can't marry the King, Daniel! I love you, not him! I want to be with you! Please say you will run away with me."

The look on Regina's face broke Daniel's heart, but he knew he couldn't do what she was asking. Her safety would be at risk if he did so.

He took Regina's hands in his before responding.

"Regina, we can't. If we ever ran away together, do you know what would happen if we were ever caught? I can't risk your safety, you're too important to me. Please don't suggest that again," he begged. When he saw the look of horror on her face he continued. "I love you with all my heart. I don't want you to marry the King, but you will be safe and protected. Besides, what could a stable boy offer a princess?"

Regina stared at her true love in disbelief. He was pushing her away… she couldn't believe it. The one person who she thought could save her from her predicament wasn't willing to help her. She could feel her heart breaking in two.

"I can't believe you're doing this to me, Daniel," Regina cried, letting go of his hands. "I thought you loved me…" She quickly bolted away from him, tears falling down her face. She could hear him calling her and yelling her name, but she ignored it. She didn't want to talk to him anymore.

She was alone now.

Regina ran straight back into her bedroom and collapsed onto her bed. She started to sob loudly and didn't notice her door was slowly opening.

Snow White had been wandering around the castle when she heard a strange noise. As she got closer to the sound, she realized that someone was crying. She frowned. It concerned her to know that someone was upset. She decided to investigate and see if she could help. She carefully opened the door to the room where the noise was coming from and glanced around. She frowned again when she saw that it was Regina who was crying. Something was wrong with her savior. She had to do something about this.

Snow quietly entered Regina's bedroom and slowly made her way over to the bed.

"Regina? What's the matter?" Snow asked, as she stood at the edge of Regina's bed. She didn't want to overly intrude, so she stayed standing.

Regina muttered something unintelligible before lifting her head. She batted her eyes a few times and then focused her attention on the young girl. She didn't know if she should be mad at this child or not. Regina sighed, knowing that Snow didn't really have anything to do with the situation. She was just a pawn in her mother's scheme.

"It's nothing, Snow," Regina replied, while sitting herself up. "I'm just…upset about something."

Snow looked at her curiously. She wasn't sure if Regina would tell her the cause of her crying, but she wanted to make sure she was okay. She smoothed her hands over her light purple dress and sat down gingerly on Regina's bed. "I hope you're all right. You sounded really sad."

Regina wiped her eyes with her jacket's sleeve.

"I'm sorry if I worried you," Regina whispered, placing her hand on the young girl's face. "I'm fine. I promise." She didn't really want to get Snow involved with what was going on.

Snow smiled at Regina, glad to hear that she was okay.

"I'm sure you heard the news, then," Regina said. "What do you think about it?"

She was genuinely interested in what Snow had to say, even if she didn't want to marry the King. She had to at least pretend with Snow that she had accepted the King's offer, in case Snow connected anything back to Daniel. However, Regina's statement seemed to confuse the girl.

"What news?" Snow asked, titling her head to the side. She had no idea what Regina was talking about.

"I'm to be your new stepmother. Did your father not tell you?"

Snow almost jumped out of the bed with joy. Her lips spread into a wide grin and she leapt forward to throw her arms around Regina excitedly.

"You are? Oh, that's wonderful!" Snow exclaimed. "I'm so happy!"

Regina couldn't help but reciprocate a smile. At least Snow was pleased with the situation, even if she wasn't…but then again, Snow was just a child and didn't understand what was truly happening.

"Yes… it's true," Regina whispered, hugging Snow back. "I hope we can get to know each other properly. I just want you to know I'm not trying to replace your mother." Regina knew that Snow had lost her mother a long time ago, but she still wanted her to know that.

Snow smiled at Regina.

"I know…I do miss my mother," Snow said sadly. "But I never really got to know her. She passed away when I was really young. My Nanny tries to mother me, but she treats me like a baby… I can't believe this is happening! I'm so excited!" Snow practically squealed the last word. Snow pulled on Regina's arms happily, attempting to get her off the bed. Regina compiled and let Snow swing their arms around. She could see true happiness in the child's face.

It crushed Regina. She was losing her true love to a marriage that she wanted no part of, yet this little girl was wiggling her away into her heart. Regina knew that she had to protect Snow from her mother. Cora may try to harm Snow again if something went wrong with her plan.

The situation looked bleak at best. Snow continued to dance around Regina's room happily, oblivious to the distressed look on Regina's face.

One Week Later

Regina was staring at herself in the mirror again. Only this time she wasn't dressed in a new riding outfit. She was getting her final fitting for her wedding dress and she wasn't pleased. She hadn't seen much of Daniel and she hadn't been unable to patch things up with him. There must be another way for them to be together.

"Stand up straight, Regina," Cora said, "Or your measurements won't be perfect for your big day."

Regina eyed her mother in the mirror and rolled her eyes. "It looks fine, Mother."

Cora looked as if she might chide her daughter, but she was stopped when Snow White made her presence known by squealing at the sight of Regina in her dress.

"Oh, Regina!" Snow cried. "You look beautiful!"

Snow gracefully made her way to Regina's side and looked up at her with a wide, bright eyes. "That dress is amazing!"

Regina smiled kindly at the child and put her hand upon her head. "Thank you, Snow."

"Come and sit with me, dear," Cora called to the small girl. "Let the seamstress do her work."

Regina arched her eyebrows at Cora's tender voice towards Snow. She watched as Cora pulled Snow towards her and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. Regina felt herself getting concerned for Snow, being in such proximity to her mother. However, Cora gave Snow an innocent smile. "Are you excited for the wedding?"

Snow grinned happily. "I can't wait! I get to be the flower girl!"

Cora looked over towards Regina. "Yes, we are all so blessed that it was Regina who saved you from that wild horse, my dear. Who knows what would have happened otherwise?"

Snow nodded quickly, causing her dark hair to bounce against her shoulders. "I'm so glad it was Regina that saved me. Now I can finally have a mother and someone to grow up with." Snow shot a glance at Regina and gave her a grin.

Regina smiled back, still feeling uneasy with her mother in the room. She didn't want Snow to know about their argument after she had first found out about the proposal. She knew now that the young girl didn't need to suffer through this situation.

"You will love it in our Kingdom, Regina!" Snow stated. Regina thought about what Snow said for a moment. If she was going to marry the King, that meant she would have to go live in his castle instead… and she could finally get away from her mother! All she needed to do was figure out how to get Daniel to come with her too! That was the only solution. They could run away together there!

Regina grinned widely at Snow in response, until Cora spoke.

"WE will love it there, Regina, I'm sure of it," Cora said, smiling. Regina turned her head swiftly and looked at her mother questioningly.

"What do you mean 'we', mother?" She asked. There was no way in hell she was going to live with her mother any longer than she had to.

"I'll be attending you for the first year of your marriage," Cora explained. "I advised the King that you are still too young and need my guidance in important matters. I will be there to help teach you how to be Queen."

"Of course you will, Mother," Regina snapped, clenching her firsts tightly.

"Look at the mirror, Regina," Cora barked, "You're being difficult for Harriet. Turn. Now."

Regina did as her mother asked and turned back around, feeling angry. She noticed the uncomfortable look on Snow's face.

"Snow, why don't you go see how the flowers are coming along for your bouquet? I'm sure Louise would love your input if she needs any help," Regina suggested, giving the young girl a chance to escape from the argument between the two adults. Snow stood, relief filling her face.

"Yes, I think I will. Thank you for letting me see your dress, Regina. Thank you, Your Highness," Snow said quietly. She curtsied politely in front of both of them and left the room. Harriet, the seamstress, stood and looked over Regina once more before telling her she was finished. She left the room for a moment.

"You will not harm that child, mother."

Cora eyed her daughter.

"As long as this wedding takes place, little Snow will be safe," Cora answered, folding her hands calmly across her lap. "Now put a smile on your face, my dear. The King is expecting us for dinner."

Regina frowned at her mother purposely and stepped off the stand. She picked up her long dress and shot her mother a dark look.

"I am not happy with this situation, mother. I will never forgive you for what you've done."

Cora merely smirked.

"I've done nothing but secure your future, my child, as I've already told you. Our lives will change for the better."

"Maybe your life will, mother, but certainly not mine."

With that, Regina turned her back on her mother to get changed for dinner.

Review if you like :)

- Jess