Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, folks. Extra time was needed due to a tropical disturbance, a general malaise that was directly related to that weather, Internet connectivity issues, and to correct a minor, but annoying little timeline error within the story.

As always, countless thanks to Rachel, who wades through the delightful insanity of the creative process with me and to the pitifully few of you who actually take the time to review constructively. Your collaboration is more appreciated than you know.

Covarrachia

Mourning Dale Palace

Present Day

In the wake of Aradia Crowley's unexpected announcement Regina enters the room and comes to a stop immediately to her father's right as if she were somehow expected. Thus, effectively doubling his cause for surprise.

Regina nods politely, acknowledging his company before turning her full attention to him. "Daddy, are you alright? You look… Well, I don't know. I guess maybe you look shocked. What's wrong?"

Henry stammers wordlessly for a moment before shaking his head and asking the most pressing questions on his mind. "Regina, what are you doing here, sweetheart. Where did you come from? When did you arrive, and where is Robin?" Henry looks around briefly as if searching for something. "Where's the rest of your entourage?"

She offers her father a bemused little smile. "My entourage?"

His eyes twinkle merrily. "Forgive me, for pointing out the obvious dear, but I'm more likely to travel without one than you."

Regina shrugs. "I suppose that's true enough. I just stepped through the mirror upstairs in my old room, and I left them in Elyria." She smiles primarily for the benefit of the unfamiliar woman standing beside Alan and her eyes widen almost imperceptibly as she gives the redhead a moment's worth of the undivided attention

"You must be Aradia Crowley."

"Yes, I am."

"Thank you for coming all this way." Regina shakes her hand, and studies her with no less curiosity than the older woman clearly exhibits for her. "I would like for us to get acquainted. However, right now, I must beg your pardon. I need a word with the king."

"Very well. Should we wait here?"

Henry answers, "No, you must be tired and hungry after your long journey." For Regina's benefit, he explains, "They've only just arrived. Will it be alright if we provide you with a meal and a comfortable place to enjoy that meal while my daughter and I confer?"

When both Alan and Aradia nod agreeably, Henry and Regina escort them to a lavishly decorated sun-drenched parlor. On the way there, the king catches the attention of a finely dressed manservant and informs him quietly of their needs and where they will be. He genially instructs his staff, "Have a word with Mrs. Hill. I trust that between you and she, they have all they desire, Whittenour."

The butler wears a somber, unreadable expression but whatever his opinion of his orders or the people they relate to, he bows slightly and after a quietly delivered, "But of course, Your Majesty, he disappears from sight leaving the king and his daughter to continue on their way with his charges in tow.

Once their guests have been made comfortable and they are alone in his private study, Henry watches his daughter slowly traverse the perimeter of the room with her fingertips trailing gently over the spines of numerous books and various belongings nestled on its many shelves, the thought occurs to him that, like he did upon first reentering this room, she's reacquainting herself; saying hello. For a few seconds he stands still, just watching her. Only, in his mind's eye, she is neither married, nor is she gracefully enjoying middle age. She certainly isn't due to deliver his grandchild at any time. No. The daughter he sees before him hasn't yet reached her 18th birthday. She's young, and although she's never known the luxury of being truly carefree, there's a noticeable air of youth and vitality about her. She's just come in from an afternoon spent at the stables, and she's still dressed for riding; a few stray wisps of hair escaping from her long braid and forming a dark and gentle windblown halo around her face. She's smiling at him; teasing him – laughing at him over some folly he has long since forgotten.

In the short time he's been back in residence, this room has been one of the few to be cleaned entirely; floor to ceiling and wall to wall. It's one of a very select few already polished and shined to its former glory, and unlike most of the other rooms in this palace, this one bears the distinct appearance of being lived in. Which is to say that it is clean, but not immaculate, with a touch of understated and, decidedly male, elegance.

Strolling slowly around the room, Regina releases the clasp of her cloak as she waits for her father to take the seat behind his desk. Still content to watch her quietly, he opts instead to perch lightly against the arm of a comfortable old sofa. Noticing this, she finishes her quick tour around the room and then casually folds her cloak over the back of his chair.

Settling in with confidence, his adult daughter makes herself quite comfortable behind his desk, as she always has. Even as a toddler, she would race into this room and, with great zeal, she would claim his chair for her own. If he was already seated, she would simply climb onto his lap and demand to be the sole winner of his attention. Either she simply wanted to sit where he sat or, on some intrinsic level, she has always understood that ultimately the chair would be hers. He doesn't know, but whichever it is, the simple act of watching her help herself to his chair floods him with paternal warmth.

"Daddy?" Regina raises an eyebrow when he doesn't answer right away. "Daddy are you with me? What are you smiling about?"

Henry reluctantly leaves his reverie behind and offers her a casual shrug, "Some things never change. What was so important you had to come all this way on your own. You're not supposed to be unaccompanied, dear."

"Robin was standing right beside me up until the point that I donned my traveling cloak in Thorncrest Hall. I asked Robin for a bean to make the journey here easier and Norah pulled my cloak from her knapsack. Apparently, Robin handed it down to her on her 15th birthday, provided she promise not to use it to go too far away from home or get into too much trouble with it."

Her father chuckles. "Oddly enough, I recall giving you a similar warning when I gave you that thing on your 15th birthday. Your mother was furious with me over my choice of gift and you don't listen now any better than you did then. You're not supposed to be traveling anywhere alone… Not by magic cloak or otherwise."

She sighs heavily. "Daddy, I've literally been away from Robin for less than 90 seconds. I've been here for 75 of them. What could possibly happen to me? You're here. I'm perfectly safe. There's trouble in the Elyria, and fixing it is going to require your help."

Henry raises an eyebrow. "Norah and Robin… They're alright, aren't they?"

He nods, quietly answering his own question even as she asks, "Would I have left them if they weren't?"

"What seems to be the trouble? Has the marchioness passed on before Robin could speak with her?"

"No." Regina chews on her salty tongue, choosing words that are appropriate in place of those she would like to say. The marchioness of Elyria is still among the living… Though judging by the looks of her, not for long. At present, it's her husband we're most concerned with."

Henry says with a shrug, "It's not as if Robin's right to the title is going to be secret for very much longer. I know Frederic wasn't pleased with his birth. Had I been in his shoes, I wouldn't have been either but surely, he doesn't intend to contest Robin's birthright. He told me himself several years ago that his son, Broderick, had no interest in claiming the position for himself. Unless, well, I suppose things could have changed…" He raises an eyebrow.

Regina shakes her head. "Only minutes before I left, the Marquis was talking with Robin, casually, even comfortably. However, he has no idea who Robin is, Daddy, at least not in relation to the marchioness. He's an old man. He's in poor health and his mind is altered. I think he is aware of more than people give him credit for, but I'm not sure how much more." She lowers her voice to a more discreet level. "We found him inside a room, alone, and restrained to a bed, Daddy. His restraints were so tight that he had wounds. And I don't see how it's possible this could happen without the marchioness knowing about it. She may be old and in poor health herself, but unlike her husband, her mind is a sharp as ever. She knows who I am… or it would be more accurate to say she remembers who I used to be. Furthermore, to say that she's displeased with Robin's choice a bride…" Regina breaks away, laughing drolly. "I don't care. I was prepared to stay and take whatever she dished out for Robin's sake, at least until we found her husband unattended, bound to a bed, and bleeding. After that, I'm not going to waste time trying to persuade the woman to do the right thing." Regina touches her own belly affectionately. I have more important things to worry about."

Henry frowns with concern for his old friend. "You're quite sure he was left alone?"

"Daddy… I asked the staff why he was left alone. We were informed that his day nurse had to leave unexpectedly, they were waiting for her replacement, and that they thought the restraints were necessary because the last time he was left unattended he tried to jump out a window. Even if that's true, he had been left alone so long that his bed sheets were soaked in urine. His wounds were bleeding, and the man looked as if he hadn't had a proper bath for weeks. I don't know how long they left him alone in that room, but I'm certain it was more than just a couple of hours."

Henry's jaw tightens noticeably. "How is he now?"

"I tended to his wounds, and he's still familiar with Beatrice; at least on some level. She tended to his personal needs and cleaned both him and his bedchamber up a bit. The freshening up seems to have helped with his state of mind as well. He's quite loquacious, but I'm afraid not everything he says makes sense. At least not to me. He did call me your girl. He also referred to me as little Regina. So, I'm relatively certain that he is lucid, even if only for a few moments at a time. He also called the marchioness a cow at least once. I'm not sure how to interpret that. Maybe old age and senility have loosened his tongue a bit."

Perhaps anyone else would have missed it, but Regina knows her father too well and easily recognizes the flicker of self-restraint that flashes in his eyes the instant before he doesn't smile.

"That has nothing to do with his being old or senile, dear. Though to the best of my knowledge, when he was younger and in better health, he only said things like that when he was alone in my presence. He referred to the marchioness and your mother collectively as, 'The heifers' at least up to the point that both Broderick and you were born. At that point, he simply began referring to them as 'cows."

Regina nods and murmurs wryly, "Because heifers are cows that have yet to give birth."

Henry nods. "I told him it was a bad habit to slide into. I'd told him it would get him in trouble someday. He laughed and declared, "Let us hope so."

"I asked him why he stopped coming to visit with us. His reply was, 'Damn cows.' At that time, I thought he was just rambling incoherently."

"No. A select few people knew, or at least speculated, about the marchioness and her second pregnancy. Unfortunately, your mother and I were among the few. When the pregnancy came to an obvious end and there was no child, nor any mention of a child. Your mother deemed the marchioness unfit to associate with; and the rest of her family by extension. Cora did not want you associated with the family in any way."

Regina shakes her head and chuckles grimly. "Clearly Mother has yet to discover that Robin is the product of the pregnancy."

Henry shakes his head as well. "Obviously not. She couldn't be bothered to even acknowledge my presence when we were both in the underworld. I was of no importance to her then. At least not until you showed up."

"Then you were just a pawn to be sacrificed to get me to do her bidding."

He nods. "If she were aware that you're now married to the child whose family she tried to keep you away from, she certainly would've had something to say about it. Even if not directly to me, I'm certain I still would have heard about her displeasure over the matter. Back then, Frederick and I discussed it. We agreed, reluctantly mind you, that it would be best for all involved if he and I were to end our association."

For a moment, Regina grinds her teeth in pent-up anger. "Even your friends… Is there nothing she didn't take from you, Daddy?"

"There's no point in being angry about it now. She's gone. And that anger you feel will only hurt you. I don't want that, sweetheart. Separating myself from him was the only way I could think to spare him. He was not a man known for holding his tongue. It was only a matter of time before your mother became aware of his little pet name for her and the Marchioness."

Regina's eyes widen as she scoffs. "She would have ended him."

"Yes."

"The Marquis is still alive, Daddy. Time has most certainly taken its toll, but if you're interested, seeing a familiar face… Assuming he recognizes you… might do him some good."

"He recognized you."

"I have no idea how. I was a child - a very small child - the last time I saw him."

"Perhaps he's not as far gone as he seems. How does the rest of Elyria seem to be faring?"

"Poorly, from what Robin and I have seen firsthand. It's rather obvious that either through willful neglect or perhaps simple inability, the Marquis and Marchioness are not meeting their duties. If I found her she more agreeable, I would recommend reasoning with her. Until he gets his footing, Robin's going to require some support to do the job. She's not going to work with me. It's unlikely she's going to work with you by association. That's my fault. I won't pretend she doesn't have grounds to feel the way she does about me, but I'm not going to stand by and ignore the fact that she's keeping a mentally compromised old man tethered to a bed."

Henry shakes his head. "If she'll allow her own husband to be treated that way, I can't imagine the borders of Elyria are in the any better shape. How would you like to proceed?"

"Elyria shares a border with Covarachia. What I'd like to do is lay claim to it. However, such an act must be handled delicately."

"Yes, I agree. Laying claim to Elyria would likely be perceived as an act of war on my part. I would prefer not to ruffle King John's feathers. I'm hardly in a position to stand in judgment. Once I was able to leave the underworld, I chose to go to Storybrooke with you. I daresay Covarrachia was left alone too long and is in scarcely better shape than Elyria. We've got a mess to clean up. Either we devise a better means of traveling between realms so that we can do it more frequently, or we choose to do the responsible thing and let this place go – appoint someone to rule properly in our place."

"You aren't wrong. I'm already thinking about that. I think I can come up with the way to establish more convenient travel between realms. If not, then I'm willing to do as you suggest and appoint someone in our places. We should loop Snow in on this conversation at the first possible opportunity. In the meantime, what do we do about the Marquis? He needs help now. And Robin and I have …"

"Other responsibilities that require your immediate attention as well."

Regina nods. "I don't have the time, the energy, or the inclination, to wage war with King John over the mismanagement of Elyria."

"Leave John to me. I'm sure he and I can work out some sort of gentleman's agreement – perhaps even one that will be mutually beneficial."

"That's what I was hoping you would say. Now…" she smiles mysteriously. Can we talk about something of far less importance, but no less intriguing?"

"Please."

"Tell me I'm not the only one to notice the bizarre resemblance between Zelena and the dowager out there on Alan's arm."

Henry chuckles. "Noticed that, did you?

Regina rolls her eyes. "Daddy! I would have to be blind and deaf not to notice that. She even sounds like her."

"I've already mentioned it to her. I'm afraid she caught me staring. When I mentioned your mother's name, her attitude changed immediately.

"Well that's to be expected. Much the same way people's attitudes change when you tell them I'm your daughter."

Henry shakes his head. "I don't think you understand. At least not this time. sure, she was fearful at first. Then disgusted. Then, excited… Even happy."

Regina scowls, "You're right. I don't understand."

She suspects that she may be your sister's paternal grandmother. I'll gladly shoulder the burden of talking to King John if you talk to your sister."

Regina groans. "Sure, why not!" She rises from her father's chair. On her way to the door, she turns back. "The only thing I know about Zelena's father is that he lied to Mother. Are we sure his mother can be trusted? Do I want this woman helping to deliver my baby; if it comes to that?"

"Don't try and convict her by association alone. Talk to her. Make your own discoveries and decide for yourself based on what you find; not on the rumors or opinions of others."

Regina nods and Henry halts her progress once more. "Before you go…"

She raises an impatient eyebrow.

"Escort me to Elyria, if I'm going to speak with John, I'd like to see things for myself beforehand."

"We may as well take Alan and Aradia with us. Before I make any decision about her, I'd like for Robin to meet her."

Henry nods. "If we're all going, I'll need to inform Whittenour."

Less than 20 minutes later, the foursome gathers in an upstairs hallway before what Regina has always considered to be a rather unbecoming portrait of her paternal grandfather. Not for the first time in her life, she finds herself staring at the painting; gazing into eyes she's intimately familiar with. She sees them every morning in the mirror. They are the only part of the man she recognizes within herself. The rest of her physical appearance seems to be inherited, for the most part, from her paternal grandmother, Alicia, whose portrait holds a place of honor in her father's private study.

When she absent-mindedly presses a fist into the small of her back and roughly massages a persistent ache found there, her father raises a concerned eyebrow. "Should we wait? Do you need to rest?"

Unaware of her own actions, Regina eyes him with confusion. "I'm fine. I was just wondering who commissioned this painting of Grandfather. I can't remember it ever not being here?" She tilts her head to one side as she continues to study the image before them. It's not a very flattering portrait."

Henry's studies the painting himself as if looking at it for the first time in years. "I'm sorry to say it's a true likeness. The artist captured him quite honestly. You got the very best of him, my girl."

"Did I?"

Henry nods. "Your grandmother once told me in confidence that his eyes were the only beautiful thing about him."

Aradia offers the king a melancholy smile. "How sad, that a wife should find so little beauty in her own husband."

Regina scoffs. "Marrying undesirable spouses for the sake of a kingdom is something of a tradition in this family."

Alan chuckles quietly in response to Aradia's worried frown.

"Alan led me to believe that the two of you are quite happy."

Henry is steadfast in the effort not to smile. "My daughter was referring to her first husband. Not the current one."

Regina sighs deeply. "Definitely not. The only beautiful thing about Leopold was his daughter, and for years, I tried to kill her. Robin on the other hand… Well, Robin is a different story."

Musical laughter rises from the redhead's throat. "I'm glad to hear it. Humans mystify me with their unfathomable ability to go through life accepting less than pure unadulterated happiness."

Regina squints as she swings her enchanted traveling cloak over her shoulders once more and then reaches for her father's hand. "You're not human?"

Aradia wobbles her head side to side. "Only half. My father was a dark priest; very human and very fallible."

"And the other half?"

"My mother is Selene."

"Is? As in – still living? Wait. You're talking about the moon goddess."

"Yes. And yes."

"Aren't all of you related to each other? When Aradia raises an eyebrow, Regina fills in the blank. "Gods, I mean."

"Yes, why?"

"Because if you are my sister's paternal grandmother, then, she's related to her husband."

Aradia is silent for a moment; working something out in her mind. Then, her green eyes widen dramatically. "Oh, my stars! She's that Zelena?"

"You mean you didn't know?"

"Forgive my ignorance I haven't been to Olympus in a number of years. I'm afraid I'm rather out of the loop when it comes to family gossip. I get all the family news secondhand and sometimes the facts get a little skewed as they travel the Olympian Grapevine."

"You haven't been to Olympus in years? How many, if I may ask?

"Three or four centuries." She shrugs nonchalantly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world "I've lost count."

Regina tries not to stare in blatant wonder. "Why so long?"

"Cast out."

Regina simply nods, and when she doesn't ask the next obvious question, Aradia squints in anticipation and then smiles with approval. "I don't think the relation factor is cause for concern. They are only third, or maybe forth, cousins twice removed. It's not like they are brother and sister. Although, I do have a few married cousins who are brother and sister. Gods don't seem to mind. Especially not in the older generations. It's far less common today. Thank goodness. Personally, that particular practice has always turned my stomach, but genetically, it's not potentially harmful to us the way it is with humans."

Regina reaches for her hand. Holding on to her father's hand as well, she waits for Aradia to take hold of Alan's and then reminding them all to hold tight and not let go until their feet are firmly on solid ground, she closes her eyes and focuses fiercely on her intended destination until the cloak's magic is triggered and her return to Elyria initiated.

Elyria

Thorncrest Hall

In seconds, her nose detects the faintly musty odor of an unused place and Regina opens her eyes to find herself back in the grand foyer on the ground floor of Thorncrest Hall.

Materializing on her right, Aradia looks around slowly with wide curious eyes. "Very interesting. I've never traveled by cloak before. I'm told they are an exceedingly rare find. There are precious few mages ever lucky enough to possess one. And you even take people along with you when you travel?"

Regina shrugs. "Today is the first time I've ever tried."

Aradia stares incredulously. "Traveling by cloak."

Regina shakes her head. "Taking people along for the ride. Seems to have worked okay. Is everyone alright?"

They all turn, looking at each other and nodding.

Satisfied that they are unharmed, Regina begins to climb the grand staircase and addresses Aradia once more. "So, you've known about Zelena?"

Yes and no. I know of her, of course. The Wicked Witch is legendary. I also knew it was possible that a child existed. I didn't know that she was that child. I didn't even know with certainty whether the child was male or female. A number of years after her birth my son admitted to his dalliance with your mother. He told me that she had claimed to be pregnant when last he saw her. I confess, when he mentioned your mother's name, I'd told him he would be better off to steer clear. When your father spoke of our resemblance to one another earlier today… well, it is possible I'm not related to your sister, but I think it rather unlikely given the way the two of you are working so hard at not staring."

"The resemblance really is remarkable. She even sounds like you. I'll have to send word to her. I'll ask for your patience, of course. If Oz is in similar condition to Elyria, Covarrachia, and the Enchanted Forest, she may not respond immediately."

Aradia nods. "That's entirely understandable. She may not want to respond at all. Presuming a relation, I've not been a part of her life thus far. She may feel she doesn't need me in the least."

Regina squints and shakes her head as she reaches the second-floor landing. "I don't disagree, that is one option available to her, but I don't see her reacting that way. It's not her style. The thing she wants most is to feel that she has someone or something that is solely and unimpeachably her own. At the very least, she'll be curious enough not to disregard news of you. I can't guarantee you will like her response, but I'm confident she will, indeed, respond."

Aradia tilts her head and the smile she offers is slow to form. "What a curious choice of words. If I am indeed her family, then, could you not fill the same vacancy. How few people in life can legitimately claim to have a royal sister of such infamous caliber as yourself?"

A small bemused chortle escapes Regina. "I'm afraid I'm not the answer to all my sister's hopes and dreams. Until very recently, I was, unwittingly, the source of her worst nightmares. I knew nothing of her until a short time ago. She, on the other hand, not only knew of my existence but resented me for it. Our mother cast her aside and then chose, nearly three years later, to keep me. Zelena felt… Well, she probably still does feel… That I was afforded things she was denied. And she's not wrong. I was. When we first met, she felt entitled to claim everything that was mine, including my relationships. Things are better today. She's no longer actively trying to take things away from me, but she takes immense pride in having things I don't."

Aradia raises an eyebrow. "So, having a grandmother she doesn't have to share with you…"

Regina nods. "She'll probably enjoy that."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but that sounds rather purile… Something small children would squabble over. 'Haha, she's my grandmother, not yours!"

Regina shrugs as she opens the door to the north parlor. "There's nothing to forgive. I agree wholeheartedly. It's blatantly childish behavior, but Zelena and I were never given the opportunity to indulge in normal sibling rivalry as children. Maybe she's making up for lost time. It doesn't really matter. I'll deflect anything she throws at me as long as she continues to leave Robin alone."

Aradia squints. "Your husband?"

Regina nods affirmatively as, upon hearing his name, Robin rises from one of the sofas inside the parlor and bows slightly. Smiling, he takes Aradia's hand in greeting. "Guilty as charged. You must be Ms. Crowley. Alan said he would be arriving with you, though I suggested he go straight on to Covarachia without stopping here." When Regina's father is the last man through the door, Robin smiles in understanding. "Well, never mind that. If your host is here with you…"

"Robin of Locksley I presume, and please call me Aradia. Whenever someone calls me Ms. Crowley, I have the uncomfortable urge to run for cover."

Robin chuckles. "Why is that?"

"Because when I hear that name, I automatically assume my former mother-in-law is hovering in the ether above our heads and will swoop down, making one of her inglorious entrances just when she's least wanted."

Robin nods with understanding. "Aradia it shall be then. I have one of those mothers-in-law myself."

Regina steps up beside Robin and quickly steals a feather-light kiss, as she discreetly but soundly elbows him in the ribs and mummers, "You best hope yours isn't somehow hovering in the ether above our heads. She'll have yours in retaliation for that comment."

Robin shrugs comfortably. "She's in the underworld."

"And you know that for certain?" Regina raises an eyebrow. "How many times have you been and come back from the underworld?"

Robin shrugs even as he nods. "A couple. But I'm not dead."

"Need I remind you that you don't have the power she does. Don't count on death to stop Cora Mills from making one of her own inglorious entrances."

Chuckling at their banter, Henry makes his way across the room and perches on an ottoman beside the finely upholstered sofa where the Marquis of Eldebury reclines in his favorite smoking jacket and, squints curiously at the newcomers in the room while struggling to make heads or tails of the lively conversation.

Leaning forward, Henry touches him gently on the shoulder.

The marquis' eyes slowly find the king's and for a long moment, he stares with an intriguing mix of uncertainty, wonder, disbelief, and hope. Cocking his head to one side, he reaches out and touches Henry's face with hesitant trembling fingers. "Henry?"

"Hello, my old friend."

"Who are you calling old? Have you looked in a mirror recently?"

Henry chuckles. "Have you?"

"Yes. The mirror stole my face!"

Laughing harder, Henry pats his shoulder. "It's done no such thing. The face you see in the mirror… That is your face."

"Is not! The mirror lies. I don't know who that is. That's just some dirty old man. I don't feel old."

Laughing harder still, Henry replies, "Neither do I, but everyone around me seems to think differently. Sometimes even my body disagrees with me."

The marquis squints in confusion. "Am I dead, Henry?"

"Not in the least."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Why would you ask such a question?"

"Bees took me from my room, and well… you're dead, and you're here."

Beatrice, who is seated in a chair nearby, nods her head when Henry looks up inquiringly. "Robin and I moved him from his room so that the household staff can relocate his most important belongings without his being underfoot. He needs to move to a room on the lower floor for his own convenience and safety."

Turning his attention back to his old comrade, Henry shakes his head as Regina steps up behind her father and quietly lays a hand upon his shoulder. "No, Frederic, I'm not dead."

Eldebury shakes his head insistently and whispers conspiratorially as if he's imparting a great secret. "You are too you, old goat! Little Regina killed you. Every soul in the eight kingdoms from squire to royal was talking about it." He pauses to scowl, suddenly feeling quite suspicious. "Or did somebody lie to me."

Regina explains quietly. "No one lied to you, sir."

The marquis' befuddled gaze travels from Henry to Regina and back again.

Henry pats his daughter's hand affectionately. "What's done is done. The important thing is that when the opportunity presented itself, she brought me back."

"Back from the afterlife?"

"Yes, that's right."

The old man's scowl deepens along with his confusion. "Did you want to come back?"

"I did."

"Why? Isn't the afterlife better than this? Didn't you find your redheaded snippet?"

Henry scowls good-naturedly. "Yes, I found her, and be nice! Don't make me regret the fact that I told you about my redheaded snippet."

"You left eternity with her… To come back here?" The marquis stares incredulously at the king's face.

"I said I found her. I didn't say I was with her. At least not yet. I'm afraid I got stuck in the underworld. That's what happens when you die with unfinished business. It's not a nice place… At least not for civilized folk. To tell the truth, I was quite bored with death. There wasn't enough to occupy the mind. The place is sorely in need of a proper library." Henry shifts his attention back to his daughter momentarily. "Regina, dear, maybe you could have a word with your brother-in-law about that."

Rolling her eyes, Regina laughs drolly. "Sure Daddy. I'll put it on my to-do list right after, 'take over a small kingdom' and 'try not to die giving birth!"

The marquis eyes his old friend sharply and speaks with candor. "Your little princess grew into a sensuous woman, but she's still fresh as she ever was."

Henry's dark eyes twinkle merrily. "Frederic, my friend, you don't know the half of it!" He looks around the room. "I apologize for shuffling you all about, yet again, but I wonder if the marquis and I might have a few moments of privacy?"

Regina nods curiously. "You'd like the room to yourselves?"

Henry nods in turn, mirroring his daughter's actions, but the old marquis interrupts before he can manage a single syllable of his carefully chosen words. "You run along now, little princess, and take your friends with you." As though he's about to embark on a grand adventure, Eldebury proclaims with fervor, "We men have a royal coup to plot!"