"I can't believe you're considering marriage."

Dagmar looked at Rumpelstiltskin as they sat in the carriage together, "Well I can't believe you're throwing me in a test with no hint as to what it is so I suppose we're both disappointed."

He watched her, "If you suspect a trap then you get out of there as fast as possible. I'll get to you as soon as I can."

"I know," she muttered, "And I'm surprised Rumpelstiltskin, I thought that you would've been more eager to keep this marriage from happening."

"I already told you that I didn't care if you got married," he said. Her possible in laws may not be the monsters he needed to cast the curse but at least with the heirs she would produce he could try again if Regina's corruption fell through.

"I just figured you can't use my influence on the throne for your personal gain if I have a husband."

"Oh dearie, changing him over to our way of thinking is your job. Not mine."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"It shouldn't be that hard, you're a woman and he's a man."

She scowled, "You're disgusting."

He seemed proud of himself and looked out the window when the carriage rolled to a stop, "We're here."

"Why do we even need to ride here, you can jump through one land to another with just a thought!

"We need to make an entrance, dearie. You're going to be queen after all."

The door was opened by a nervous footman and Rumpelstiltskin stepped out first. He held out his hand and Dagmar took a few breathes before she reluctantly grabbed his hand and stepped out.

The castle was a lot more foreboding now that she knew that Rumpelstiltskin was going to give it to her. She'd never…well she lived with Rumpelstiltskin in his castle but she was just a guest with very few places that she had full access to. But this…she could go anywhere she wanted.

All of a sudden she felt very exposed and vulnerable. After this test and this marriage if she passed it…she wouldn't have any protection, not really. She wouldn't have friends here. People would try to kill her if they didn't agree with her ruling. She wouldn't have anyone to protect her like she did in Rumpelstiltskin's home.

"My lady," the king greeted and gave a curt bow, Dagmar realized that while he wasn't recognizing her officially as a queen until she passed his test…but the nod was his acceptance for who she was claiming to be, "Have you eaten?"

"Yes," she told him. Rumpelstiltskin made sure of that. He claimed he trusted the royal family not to poison her and incite his wrath but he wasn't so sure about the servants.

"Very well then," he said, "Let's just get this done."

"If you need anything," Rumpelstiltskin, "Just open your window."

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Dagmar felt the cold steel of the blade strapped to her calf as she followed the guards and the king to the tower. She was used to traveling up stairs like this in the dark castle but they'd just travelled a full day with barely any breaks so her legs were cramping.

They opened the door and she walked in and her eyes grew when she saw what was in front of her, "What is this?!"

"Goodnight, my lady," the king said and turned around to leave, "Please don't stray from this room."

Dagmar waited until she was certain he was gone before she took a breath, "This is ridiculous."

She crossed over to the room and opened the window.