"This is tough " Regina whined while Tinkerbell teached her how to concentrate in doing magic. They have been doing this for an hour and still she didn't understand what was the need for all these. But Tinkerbell was persistent that Regina must learn magic as she is living in enchanted forest.
"You must learn to control yourself. Magic is related to emotions. If your emotions are not controlled it can be a disaster." Tinkerbell lectured while correcting Regina's posture on a particular magic trick.
"But I don't understand why I would need it. You are here and there is a lot of other magical beings in enchanted forest. So why would I need to learn this?" Regina asked for the hundredth time.
"You are not just someone to us. You are the princess. It's our duty to protect us. But still you need to learn this in order to protect yourself in need." Tinkerbell reasoned to the less enthusiastic princess.
They continued with their session when Ruby came to the practicing room running. She stopped by the door and fidgeted. "What is it Red?" Tinkerbell asked when she saw the uncertain look in Ruby's face.
Ruby looked back and forth between Regina and Tinkerbell who has been waiting for her to say something. "Your majesty, we had a messenger from the palace. The king has requested to see the princess " Ruby replied finally feeling the courage.
"Is my father okay?" Regina came rushing forward towards Red frightened that something happened to him.
Ruby contemplated whether to tell her the truth. "No your majesty the messanger didn't revealed anything else. But we need to leave right now and he asked you to come with us"
Ruby said what she knew but she was sure that the king's condition was getting worse. She has also asked Tinkerbell to come with them as the king asked.
Regina rushed upstairs to get her things and ready for the journey. Tinkerbell moved closer to where Red was standing.
"Are you sure that nothing is wrong with Henry?" She asked knowing well that it's not just a casual visit.
"I don't know the details as I said but from what I understood it's getting worse. I don't have the courage to tell Regina and I don't want her to panic" Ruby replied sincerely.
They were interrupted by Regina rushing down the stairs with her belongings. She stopped at the last step and looked at them.
"We should get going." She stated when she saw both of them standing there as she left.
Ruby nodded her head and walked to her room to get her things. Tinkerbell followed suit. They hit the road soon after. Throughout the journey Regina was silent and clearly scared. But Ruby and Tinkerbell decided not to question it. They knew she is worried about her father.
By the time they reached the palace Regina was on the edge she didn't bother to wait for Ruby or Tinkerbell as she rushed through the corridors to her father's chambers. When she reached there the room was filled with best physicians of the land attending her father. All the eyes fell on her when she entered the room. She ran across the room to her father's side, who looked rather pail than before she left and weak. Henry slowest tilted his head to the side to get a good view of his daughter and sweetly smiled at her. Regina knew it was a pained smile but she was happy that she is near her father.
"I would like to talk to my daughter alone" Henry informed the people in the room. All of them left the room bowing in front of him. Regina watched as the last one of them left the room and turned her attention to her father.
"Daddy what happened? Are you okay?" She asked as tears streaming down her face. Henry gently lifted his hand and wiped the tears off her face.
"I am alright my darling. I just wanted to see you. " he smiled sweetly at her once again.
"No daddy you are lying to me. I can see that you are not doing well. Please tell me the truth daddy." Regina was visibly crying and begging to her father.
Henry sighed, he can't hide anymore she must know the truth. "My love, do you remember what I told you about my sickness right?" Henry asked Regina and she nodded remembering her father telling that his efforts to be immortal failing and his body getting weaker as it aged.
"Well it's getting worse and am not sure how long I will be alive" he finished with a deep breath
"Daddy please don't say that. We can get all the best physicians in the kingdom. And may be all the fairies and witches. They can help you daddy" Regina pleaded Henry.
"I don't think that will work honey. I have tried everything and now it's time I should say goodbye" Henry tried to console Regina.
"No daddy please don't say that. I cant live without you. Mom already left us and now you too I can't live like this daddy." Regina cried out. She will be left alone and she hated that feeling.
"Do you love your daddy Regina?" Henry asked after a moment.
"Of course I love you daddy." Reginas eyes softened.
"Then I want you to do something for me" Henry looked at Regina to make sure that she is listening to what he has to say.
Regina looked at him confused and wiped her tears for a moment to listen to her father.
"What do want me to do daddy?" She asked hopefully.
"What I am going to ask is going to be tough. But I don't want to leave you alone here." Regina looked confused again. "I want you to marry someone Gina. I want to see you have a life of your own and I want to know that you are safe before I go." Henry finished in a whisper. Regina looked at Henry wide eyes. She has never thought about marriage before. But she didn't want to go against her father's wish. She was lost in thought when Henry continues "I know it's all sudden but I don't have much time still I want you to think about it and tell me your decision. I never asked anything to you honey, please consider this as your father's death wish" Regina took hold of her father's hand " Please daddy don't say that. I will think about it if that's what you want" Regina softly said. She knew she will end up agreeing to her father. She always wanted to marry for love but now she has no other choice. Her father is more important to her.
"Alright honey I will let you have some time alone. Can you ask Red to come and see me please. I wish to talk to her." Henry informed Regina. She stood up and kissed her father's forehead. She walked out of the room with one last glance at her father.