Cora moved across the room towards Regina, studying her daughter. Regina forced herself to remain calm; she didn't want the other guards rushing in to see what was wrong. At least she knew Red would follow her orders and stay away.

"Who was the new girl with the wolf?" Cora asked as she finally embraced her daughter, forcing a smile to her lips.

She knew Regina relaxed when she thought she had her approval. As long as she avoided negative comments Regina would open up a little more to her and she could get the information she came for.

Regina endured the hug. "New guard. Red's helping to train her."

"How have you been?"

"Good."

"I heard about the attack." Cora smoothed down her dress, as though the hug could damage the material she had conjured with her magic.

"Attempted attack."

"So you're not injured? I'm pleased to hear that. How did you deal with the offenders? I do hope you made an example of them. The only way to stop others from trying the same thing is to make them fear you."

"You don't need to worry, I did what I had to." Regina pulled out a chair for her mother to sit down. "Would you like something to drink after your journey?"

"Please."

Cora watched Regina ordering a servant to bring food and drink, pleased as they scurried to carry out her commands. Of course she had to keep a balance between letting Regina see her approval and pointing her in the right direction with little bits of advice. Cora smiled at Regina as she took the seat next to her and continued their conversation.

"The dress is very flattering on you. You always look like a Queen in that colour."

"Thank you mother."

"Have you done something different with your hair?"

Regina put a self-conscious hand to her hair, trying to remember when she had cut it. It was only a few inches off the length since her mothers last visit, still well below her shoulders and without any grey hairs. She was always sure to check for signs of aging, her mother would only point out that she was waiting to become a grandmother and when would Regina provide an heir for the kingdom?

"It might be a little shorter." She admitted, twisting a strand around her fingers.

Cora's mouth became a thin line. "Remember, a woman's femininity is in her hair. It is a sign of her beauty. By taking good care of your hair you set your image in the minds of others."

"Yes mother." Regina sighed, looking down at the table and wishing the servants would hurry up to give her a chance to start another topic.

Anything else would be welcome. The weather. The status of the harvest. Anything.

"You know I only want what is best for you. Look at me when I'm speaking to you, Regina, honestly you're supposed to be a Queen and you duck your head and hide from the truth. I don't know where I went wrong."

"I'm sorry."

Cora reach out and lifted Regina's chin so that she could see the tears capturing the light in her daughters eyes. "You're the Queen, Regina. Start acting like it and I won't have to remind you."

"I know I disappoint you."

"You're my daughter. It's only because I care so much…"

"I know."

Oh, the hope in Regina's eyes as she spoke. Desperately wanting to believe that her mother's words were true. That there was love and possible approval there.

Cora softened her grip on Regina's chin and stroked her cheek with a white-gloved hand. "Now, why don't you tell me a little more about what you've been up to since my last visit, hmm?"

Regina nodded and tried to decide how to conveniently leave Emma's magic out of the discussion without making her mother suspicious.

Regina was shaking when she finally entered her room. She was alone at last. Her mother had gone to settle in to the suite reserved for her visits, after ordering the servants to prepare a bath for her.

"You should put on something warmer and add a few more logs to the fire." The mirror's voice was gentle as he watched her walk in.

He couldn't count the number of times he had seen Regina like this, but every event coincided with Cora's presence. It hurt him to see the way Regina followed his suggestions, walking over to take something from the wardrobe without looking at it, then kneeling by the fireplace holding a piece of wood in her hands. He knew that she wasn't really seeing it, she was blocking out everything around her now because she hadn't been able to block out her mother before.

"Why not use your magic to warm it up." He nudged her, wishing he could smash through the mirror and walk over to her and make things right.

Her hand reached out towards the flames, but the fire didn't grow. That meant it was serious. For Cora to affect Regina's magic so badly, there were three usual topics. Asking Regina which one it was would only make things worse.

He considered calling for Red to come and talk to her, to comfort her, but after the last time she had gotten angry with Cora he wasn't sure that was such a good idea. Regina was still just sitting by the fire, the shawl she had taken from the wardrobe still in her lap. He tried calling her name again, increasing the volume of his voice but she just sat there.

Eventually he watched her blink, take a deep breath and notice the shawl. She flung it onto the fire with a curse, looking around as she stood up to check that she was alone. The mirror had cleared as she burnt the shawl, knowing she would want privacy, and Regina spent the next few minutes checking her appearance and trying to regain her composure. Her mother would be waiting for her. She'd had enough time feeling sorry for herself. It would be over soon, at least until the next visit. But she had to focus on the positive things. The visit would end. Her mother would go home. Eventually.

"Mirror." She commanded, looking into the closest one and knowing he was waiting for her to call.

"Your majesty." His face remained polite, hiding his thoughts.

"Has Red left the castle yet?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Good. Tell her to take Emma with her when she goes. They'll both be better off with some distance. Remind her that Emma needs to keep practising control and that she should give Emma some space at those times."

"Very well. Should I tell them when they could expect to return?"

Regina gave a wry smile. "I'm sure Red will know." She touched her bracelet. "She always seemed to before. Quickly now."

His head tilted down as though he was bowing. Then he vanished, leaving her staring at her own reflection.

"This will never do." She told herself, looking at the weary eyes and pale cheeks.

The less things she gave her mother to criticise the better. Perhaps she should change her clothes too, after kneeling by the fireplace.