"I should be returning to the castle soon" she stated dryly as soon as she handed Robin the tired Roland to be put down for his nap.
As soon as she said this Roland immediately shouted his disdain for her departure. Seeing this Robin invited her to stay a while longer which she would have happily refused except she saw how upset Roland was becoming and did not want to disappoint him because of her fondness of the little guy. She also recalled telling him she would never leave him making her feel guilty for trying to leave so abruptly. So she nodded her head and let Robin put Roland to bed.
When Robin returned he just stared at her. Looking over all of her features trying to see the Evil Queen everyone feared. But all he could think about was that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Seeing her with Roland only added to her attractiveness. He felt himself drawn to her. She seemed so caring with his son, she couldn't be as evil as everyone said. He decided that he would still be cautious around her.
When Regina realized Robin had returned she noticed him just staring at her. What was this man doing? "He better not be checking me out" she thought with a hint of disgust. She was a Queen and she would damn well remind him of that fact if it came to it.
After a few more moments of awkward silence Regina cleared her throat to stop his incessant stare. The noise snapped him out of his daze and he apologized, unsure of what else to say.
She wanted nothing to do with this man. Sitting here waiting for Roland to wake up was tedious. She had to admit Robin had attractive features and a nice body but it did not make up for the fact that he smelled like forest. He was beneath her, she was a Queen and couldn't settle for some peasant. She had no idea why these thoughts were even running through her head, she couldn't love, not after Daniel and not after Henry. Especially love a forest dweller… Robin Hood… a thief. She scoffed, now she remembered, his face on the posters along side Snow's back before the curse.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Robin came and sat beside her, his arm just grazing hers. He let out a deep breath and began, "So… thanks again for bringing Roland back to me… He is all I have now that my wife has passed" he said solemnly.
Her response was short and curt, "I know about your wife".
He just stared at her confused, not knowing how to respond to the words she had just uttered.
She noticed his expression and decided to fill in the gaps for him, "Your son told me about her on the way here".
"Oh…" He was still at a loss of words for her. He knew his son had always been shy and wouldn't open up for just anyone. He found it strange and rather appealing that this woman had such a positive effect on his little boy. All he could do was smile at her and wish that she would stay for a while.
By coincidence she was thinking about how long she was to stay as well and couldn't make up her mind on the answer. So she asked, "How long am I to stay here?" It came out in an annoyed tone, which she hadn't meant.
"As long as you deem fit, Your Majesty" he plainly stated in a strong voice. Secretly he hoped that Roland would make her stay for a while longer so he could figure her out, what was drawing him to her and whether or not she really was as evil as they all say. From the angle he was looking at, he just couldn't believe it.
With that came the light pitter-patter of feet running straight to her, the small boy jumped straight into her arms, looked up at her and whispered, "Hi Regina, I'm glad you didn't leave".
This warmed her heart. The fact that Roland wanted her around was so different. Henry was the only one that even remotely wanted her company. To be wanted again made her feel like she could become whole again. But she was not going to let her insecurities and hopes show to Robin. So she simply smiled to Roland and said, "Did you ever doubt me?" With that he hugged her and Robin just stared at her even more awestruck by her interactions with Roland. She must be a mother he thought, that had to be it.
Before he could say anything akin to a compliment of her mothering skills, he heard the loud galloping of horses.
All three of them turned to see who had been causing the commotion and were surprised by who they were faced with, Princess Snow and Prince Charming.