Everyday, Regina would go to the stables, where the young man with beautiful blonde hair, and a gorgeous face to match would be. The young man was named Westley.

Everyday, Regina would give him an order, and Westley always responded with a courteous, "As you wish."

This was everyday of every week of every month of every year that he was there.

One day, when Regina was a young woman, and Westley was a young man, she admitted his love to him, and he returned those feelings.

The two began their secretive affair. One day, during Regina's riding lesson, they heard a cry. It was a little girl. Regina went up on her horse and rode to the source of the sound. A young girl was on a horse of her own, but it was out of control.

Regina pursued it, and held out her hand to the girl. The girl quickly reached out and grabbed Regina, and with a swift motion, was pulled off of her horse, and was on the back of a new one.

"Are you alright?" asked Regina to the little girl.

"Yes," she answered. "Thank you. You saved my life."

"Indeed she did," said a man from behind. Regina looked and saw there were several guards, all of whom staring at the girl.

"Your highness," said one of them, "you know you mustn't ride off on your own like that."

"It was the horse," the girl protested. "It went out of control."

"Either way, it's a good thing you're safe."

Later that day, Regina entered her house, where she was greeted to the sight of her mother, Cora, with an old man and several guard.

"Regina," said her mother, "these men, well, this is-"

"King Leopold," said the old man. "You, my beautiful new acquaintance, have saved my daughter's life, Princess Snow White."

Then, the king went down onto one knee, and produced a lovely diamond ring from his pocket. "I am forever grateful, and would love to take you as my wife."

Regina was shocked. Honored, but shocked. It was Cora who answered with, "Splendid! She accepts graciously!"

And so, the marriage was arranged, and Regina sneaked out that night to tell Westley.

"She can't make me do this," said Regina. "I won't let her."

"It's alright, my love," said Westley. "I suppose our affair could stay secret for eternity," he said in his usual quickness. "I've gotten quite used to it."

"Westley, we can run away," suggested Regina. "We can run away to as far as we'd like."

Westley just smiled. "As you wish."

The two kissed, but heard a gasp. It was Snow White, who had caught the two in the act.

Regina went to console the little girl, who was beginning to cry.

"D-don't you love my father?" she asked through her tears. "Isn't that why you're marrying him?"

"Snow," said Regina, "love is… complicated. I love your father, but in a different way from Westley. There are all kinds of loves, you must know that. And the love I have for Westley, it must remain a secret."

"A different kind of love?"

"Yes. I love you in a different way from Westley, and him differently from your father." Regina held out her pinky. "Do you promise, to keep this our little secret?"

Snow stopped her tears when she understood. "Yeah," she said, wrapping her own pinky around Regina's.

The next day, Snow was fidgeting all during breakfast. They were still staying at Regina's mansion until they could finish the wedding arrangements.

"What's the matter?" Cora asked the young princess when she noticed this.

"It's a secret," Snow said quickly.

Cora put her shoulder on the girl's. "Secrets are horrible things, you know that, right?"

"It's about Regina…"

"Well then, you should tell me. Should know what she's doing, so I can help in any way I can?"

Snow looked at Cora and sighed in relief. "You just want to help her, don't you?" she said while smiling.

"Of course," said Cora. "Now, what is it dear?"

So Snow told Cora about the secret lovers, and later that day, Cora went to the stables.

"Cora," said Westley. "What are you doing here? Regina's lesson already ended."

"I know, Westley," said Cora. "I'm here to see you."

Westley looked at Cora with confusion. "Alright then, what is it?"

"I know about you and Regina," she said.

Westley sighed. "And what do you think of it?"

"Do you love her?" Cora asked.

Westley nodded. "Are you alright with this?"

"Of course," said Cora.

"Well, then you deserve to know that we plan on running away tonight."

"Or really?" said Cora.

"Really."

With a movement that Westley could not possibly react to, Cora reached into Westley's chest and ripped out his heart.

"You know Westley, I don't think you really know what love is."

With Cora holding his heart, he could not help but believe all that was said into it. "I guess I don't really know what love is," he said to himself assuredly.

"You don't want Regina. You want to leave this place, and never return."

"Jolly idea, I suppose."

"You'd best leave a note," said Cora.

"I'm off to write a note," said Westley.

That night, Regina began to cry. She was waiting at the stables, and the only person who showed up, to her surprise, was her mother.

"Regina," said Cora. "I talked to Westley earlier."

"You knew?!" asked Regina. Cora nodded.

"Snow told me everything. I wanted to see if he was worthy of you, so I gave him just a single piece of gold, and he was gone."

"YOU BRIBED HIM TO LEAVE?"

"I wanted to see who he truly was."

Cora left Regina alone to put Westley's heart in a chest. She would have no need for it.

As for Regina, she sat there in anger. With Westley, she now knew she was living a lie, but it was a lie she was happy with.

A fantasy she loved, shattered by Snow White.

Regina looked through her book of spells. She knew who Emma was. She was the daughter of Snow White, the woman she utterly hated.

It wouldn't be too long before Emma broke the curse. She would have to take drastic measures, and soon.