Chapter 9
The Mills Estate.
Reaching the attic door, Cora twists the key in the lock and walks inside, closing the door behind her. Seeing her mother, Regina stands from her bed aware from the woman's cold stare that Neal must have informed her about her trip. Looking scared, the brunette glances down. "Mother..what..what have you got behind your back..."
Gritting her teeth, Cora grips the belt hard as she approaches her daughter. "How many times do I need to tell you, do not call me mother!"
Watching wide eyed as her mother raises the belt in the air, Regina steps back in fear and quickly shields herself with her arms and letting out a scream. Hearing a loud bang from outside, the brunette trembles as she doesn't feel the blow then slowly looks up at Cora who lowers the belt annoyed and turns on her heel to answer the front door. Managing to guide her shaky legs to her bed, Regina sits down, allowing her tears to fall. Frowning at a bell sounding, the brunette looks around to then hear a tiny whisper. 'You will be fine now Regina'. "Tinkerbell?"
Ready to bang on the Mills door again, The King pauses as the door opens to reveal a smiling Cora, quickly the older brunette bows and steps aside for his entrance. "Your highness, what may I ask brings you to my home?"
Looking around seeing no sign of anyone else, David explains why he is present. "I need to take your daughter with me. It appears that my daughter is in love with yours and so I need her to come with me"
Playing dumb, Cora frowns. "Zelena? Oh well if you must.." Turning to the stairs, the older woman feels an arm grab her. Looking back, she sees the King glare.
"Your youngest daughter..Cora..I am talking about Regina, you know very well I am"
Scoffing, the older brunette shakes her head. "No..can't be, only Zelena was at the ball tonight your highness..like I informed you, my other daughter, was detained.."
Ignoring her explanation, David continues to stare at her. "Cora where is Regina? And I would think very carefully before lying to the King. I have many guards waiting outside if you, yourself would like a trip. You may have a past with my wife but I am most certainly not afraid of you"
Yanking her arm back, Cora chuckles half heartedly. "Fine..look for yourself.."
David moves past the woman and mounts the stairs, checking each room as he walks by. Reaching the bottom door that leads towards the stairs to the attic, The King tries to open it but finds it locked. "Cora where does this door lead?"
Having followed him, the older brunette moves in front of him. "It just leads to the top of the house, the attic..no one has been up there for years, not since my husband died.."
Shaking his head in disbelief, the King points to the door. "Open it because unfortunately for you, Regina had informed my daughter of her dreadful treatment and how she was forced to go into the attic so that your precious son and daughter could take hers!"
Glaring, Cora huffs and opens the door, prompting David to snatch the key and run up to open the brunette's bedroom door. Jumping up in fright at the door opening suddenly, Regina moves back to the wall scared. The King stares at her then scolds her mother. Stepping forward, David offers a smile and holds his hand out. "Regina?"
Nodding slowly, Regina watches as he extends his hand to her.
"You're coming home with me..is that okay with you?"
Gulping in disbelief, the brunette looks past him to her mother who looks like she is sulking then nods again, accepting his hand and walking over. The King then places an arm around her shoulders and leads her out of the attic with Cora in tow.
"You cannot just barge into someone's house and take their child!" The woman shouts causing her other two children to leave their rooms having been aware that the King was there and stand behind their mother.
Turning back around, David keeps a firm grip on Regina's shoulder to ensure she is okay. "I thought you wasn't her mother, Ma'am?"
Looking over at her siblings, Regina smiles sadly, actually feeling quite sorry for them then heads out to the carriage that is waiting, turning her smile into a genuine one as she sits down. The King sits opposite and gives order to ride back the castle, patting the brunette's hand with a smile of his own, knowing that his daughter will be extremely happy.
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The King and Queen's Castle.
After thanking her mother for being there and requesting that she wanted to be alone to get some sleep, Emma turned onto her side, away from the door to face the balcony while laying on top of her bed. Hearing the silence take over the castle and kingdom, the Princess sniffles realizing she was now twenty one having completely forgot that it was now in fact her birthday as it had passed twelve. Hugging her pillow with one hand, she clutches her necklace with the other and attempts to sleep, closing her eyes.
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Walking through into the main hall, David guides Regina in until they meet Snow who sat in wait for her husband's return. Watching the young brunette approach her, the Queen smiles at recognising her. "Regina?"
Regina gives a small smile back then quickly bows. Stepping closer, Snow takes hold of her hands, feeling for the girl knowing that if it was her daughter in this position she would be mad. "It is nice to finally meet you, given we have never formally been introduced"
The brunette nods looking to their hands, getting a little teary. "..according..to..my mother..I do not..exist.."
Pulling her into a hug, the Queen smiles. "Well you exist to us..all of us and you..you take after your father, in your kindness and your looks"
Regina pulls back and looks at her confused. "I do?..I thought I..looked like my mother.."
Snow chuckles and shakes her head. "No honey..definitely your father"
Breaking out into a grin, the brunette hugs the woman again in thanks. Clearing his throat, David looks to the pair. "I think it is time to see the birthday girl then we can all get a good night's rest. I will delay tomorrow by a few hours so we leave when Emma wants to go"
Nodding, the Queen looks to Regina in approval. "Go..it looks like she did listen to me after all as I gave her until now to choose someone to be with..I am just glad it is not through title..but love. I guess I lost sense of that until Emma told me otherwise"
Giving her hand a squeeze and letting out one final smile, the brunette follows the King out and up towards the Princess' chambers. Gesturing with his head, David gives her shoulder a comforting rub then walks off down the corridor to meet his wife in their own chambers.
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Turning to the door, Regina gives a small knock then walks in, smiling the entire time despite her nerves. Sniffling once again, Emma hears the door and sighs. "Mom..I told you I just want to sleep, please I will be okay.."
Approaching the bed, the brunette rests her hands on the mattress then leans over and kisses the blonde's cheek before whispering in her ear. "Happy birthday Princess"
Eyes widening in shock, Emma turns over quickly, sitting up on her elbows and meeting brown eyes. "..oh..what..how...Regina?!"
"Well if you are serious..about what you said when I left, then..you're stuck with me. I'm sorry I ran, it wasn't you..it was my mother I had to get home but..she found out anyway and luckily your father showed before I..paid the price. He said he was bringing me here and I just spoke with your mother..I guess..I'm staying, if you will have me?" Looking at the Princess, Regina stares in hope.
Sitting forward, Emma takes hold of the brunette's face and presses a soft kiss onto her lips before pulling back to meet her eyes again. "Does that answer your question?" Smiling teary, she strokes Regina's cheek. "God Regina, I choose you a million times over.."
With her face lighting up, the brunette sits down on the edge beside the blonde while linking their hands together. "I know your father brought me here but..do you think they will be okay with this?"
"It's my choice..and I told mother that I had made my decision. I am still unsure as to when I am taking over but for now, I just want to enjoy my birthday with the one person that means the most to me.."
Turning around, having heard the doors open, Regina quickly stands as the Queen walks in. Snow notices the quick movement and offers a smile to put the young woman at ease. "It is definitely past all our bedtimes now. Regina if you would like to follow me, I will show you to the guest chamber"
Emma pouts towards her mother while trying to persuade her to think otherwise. "Mom, please let Regina stay in here..technically it is my birthday and I want her here..nothing will happen I promise"
Hearing the Princess, the brunette looks away from both mother and daughter visibly red. The Queen chuckles and shakes her head. "The matter is not up for discussion. Goodnight Emma"
Sharing a sad look with the blonde, Regina follows Snow out of the blonde's chambers and down the corridor to the guest chambers. Walking inside, the brunette glances around in awe. "This room is..a lot better than my last one"
The Queen gives a sympathetic smile, prompting the brunette to question as she sits on the bed. "Your majesty..if I may ask, did the King happen to speak to you about my..situation?"
Nodding, Snow goes and sits beside her. "He did but we will sort it out.."
Looking down, Regina clasps her hands together feeling fearful and nods slowly, assuming the worst. "So..I will be returning back home..sometime soon.."
The older woman looks over horrified, causing her eyes to widen as she hesitantly places a hand on top of the brunette's. "No Regina that is not what I meant. I meant we will sort out your living arrangements here with us.."
Quickly looking to the Queen, Regina gives a small hopeful smile. "Really? I do not want to put you out..I am aware that you and my mother have a past of some sort so if I am a burden, I will go back"
"Somehow I do not think my daughter would allow that..and I would like for her to talk to me again" bumping her shoulder playfully, Snow stands to leave Regina to get some sleep. "And Regina? We are well past formalities now..call us Snow and David please.."
Also standing to change for bed, Regina smiles more. "Thank you..Snow"
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Once she had settled into bed, Regina stares out of the balcony in disbelief that she is in fact sleeping in a castle. Not just any castle but the castle belonging to the King and Queen, and the Princess had feelings for her. Smiling to herself, she grips the pillow into a hug and sighs, closing her eyes to sleep. Feeling a dip in the bed behind her, the brunette frowns, opening her eyes again before peering over at the grinning Princess by her side then whispers. "Emma, not that I don't want you to be here, but you heard your mother.."
Laying down and shifting as close as possible, the blonde whispers back. "I know but if I come to you, I will be the one getting into trouble, not you and it's my birthday they won't say anything" leaning over to stroke her cheek, Emma looks in awe. "I meant it when I said I choose you and that means not letting you go..not even to sleep alone"
Regina sniggers then lifts her head up to nuzzle their noses. "Goodnight Emma.."
Watching the brunette turn back to her position, the Princess quickly kisses her cheek then lays back, burying herself into the young woman's back while wrapping an arm across her waist, feeling Regina take hold of her hand. Giving a relaxed sigh, Emma also closes her eyes with a smile on her face. "Goodnight Regina.."
A/N: as you can probably tell now the Cinderella side is going to drift out but unfortunately, what happens in the film concerning Cinderella's family will not be happening in this fic so you will see...;)
