Set in the Enchanted Forest - Missing Year - The Library
#21 You might like this
"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked entering the library, her cloak swirling behind her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, your majesty," he apologized, but didn't move from his chair. "I didn't know this was a private place, it's a very large library after all"
"I didn't mean in the library…" she snorted "even if I should ask how a woodsman like you happens to know what a book is... I meant, what are you still doing in this castle" she said sitting on a red velvet sofa and crossing her legs, royal attitude in display.
"I thought you knew at this point that this is the safest place for my son," he answered kindly, and still, she wanted to erase that smirk from his face. "Besides, this will be surprising for you, but I do know how to read," he smiled.
Her brow furrowed even more than before and she rolled her eyes. "And may I ask what are you reading with such interest?"
"Of course" he rose from his chair, bringing her the book. She looked at the title and smirked. "Magical Lands and Magical People?" she asked, amused. "And you find this interesting? "
"Not interesting, useful" he answered, opening it at the middle. "You might like this" he pointed to a painted figure of a winged, familiar beast. Regina felt a shiver and thought about her meeting with the witch's monkey in the woods.
"Oh, yes" she approved. "You are useful after all," she admitted, surprised.
"Is that a compliment, hidden between your words?" he laughed.
"Now, don't talk nonsense" she scoffed. "We have to beat her first"
"That we will" he agreed.