Okay, so this is one of the only fics that I have a clear understanding of where I want this to go, so I hope you enjoy this chapter! If you have any reviews/requests, they always help!
Regina never though she could love the brat that separated her from Daniel, but here she is, sneaking around the palace maids and exchanging gentle kisses in the fields outside the castle, and she's almost never been happier. Even still, she didn't know if she was wanting to use Snow's increasing affection, or if she's really devoted to this.
Snow White has never felt anything like this. The fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach when she eyes Regina, knowing what her lips feel like against hers. The excitement when Regina has spare time to go riding and spend time alone with her. Regina knew Snow's constant need for affection and attention was rapidly growing into a beast that couldn't be stopped; she didn't know if she should be fearful or overjoyed.
When Snow's birthday quickly rolled around, Snow couldn't contain her dread. Regina had already picked out her present, a book she cherished dearly, one she knew Snow would love, despite the gory details of her birthday three years ago. She hid it in her closet, tucked inside a dress that Snow expressed her disgust over.
Snow was informed by Regina and her father that she would be joining the court and that she needed to take her looming responsibilities seriously, as she began full-time training for her inevitable crowning of queen.
Regina now taught her lessons instead of Johanna, a request made by the princess herself. She had never taught anything before, but she understood what needed to be taught, and corresponding books for her to read.
Regina stuffed books and papers in a satchel and slung it over her shoulder. Leopold had allowed them to leave the castle to do her lessons, and of course, they went to their special place, their field of flowers, where most of their time each visit.
Snow skipped into her room with a basket gripped tightly in her soft hands. She grinned at the sight of Regina in a tight-fitting red dress. Regina smiled back lightly.
"What's in the basket?" Snow looked down at her feet bashfully.
"Snacks. I didn't want you or me to go hungry." Regina nodded and led her out the large wooden doors of the palace and to the stables, where their horses were ready and waiting for them.
Snow handed the basket to the other woman and pulled herself up, grabbing the basket back from her outstretched hands, and waited for Regina to climb on and lead her.
The air bit their skin, signalling the coming of a brisk winter, but they had ways of staying warm; Snow request that blankets be kept on her horse, and Regina always had warm skin anyways.
They got to their usual spot, the normally emerald green grass now a lighter colour. Snow laid down a blanket for them and sat down, patting beside her for Regina to sit. They pulled out their books and Regina taught her, today the lesson was about proper table manners and the correct uses for utensils, but Snow could barely pay attention. She daydreamed and merely watched Regina talk, the way her lips moved, how she occasionally flipped her chocolatey brown hair over her shoulders, and the way her eyes shimmered in the mid-day sun.
"Snow, pay attention," she scolded. Snow looked up from where her thumbs were fiddling with weeds and to the woman across from her.
"I am," she muttered playfully.
"No, you aren't." Regina couldn't bite back a smile any longer.
"There's that beautiful smile, I haven seen it all day, I've missed it." Regina rolled her eyes.
"You need to pay attention to this stuff. I already know how to eat like a queen, so now I'm teaching you. You must listen."
"Why learn when we can do…other things." Regina slammed her book shut.
"If you can't listen, then I'll have Johanna teach you again." Snow shot right up from where she was laying.
"I will, listen. Keep going." Regina grinned triumphantly and read from a book from the library. Snow shifted so she was on her belly, hands holding her cheeks and kicking her legs playfully behind her.
After Regina finished and quizzed her, she let loose and allowed Snow to scoot closer, resting her head on lap, pulling food from the basket.
Buns, a mix of strawberries and blueberries, and small slices of cake littered the blanket, as well as the two splayed out in the middle. Snow bit into a strawberry and swept her tongue over her lips, catching the juice that burst upon her lips. Regina leaned down to the girl in her lap and caught the rest of the juice from her tongue and lips. Snow giggled quietly. She sank down further into Regina's lap, resting her head on one of her thighs and crossing her legs. Regina grabbed a handful of blueberries and a bun, eating them hungrily.
Snow turned in her lap and faced Regina, holding her hands on either side of her legs. She grinned widely and leaned in, pressing her forehead against Regina's, before kissing her lips.
Over the course of their 3-week "affair," Regina taught Snow a lot about handling her, but never got into details about what exactly happened in bed, something she was very curious about, but Regina wouldn't talk to her about that. She made a mental note to get Johanna to inform her. She knew there were graphic books in the library, maybe Regina could help her find them and allow them to teach her.
Snow leaned back from Regina's inviting expression and laid back down on the blanket, licking the icing off the top of a slice of cake. Regina rolled her eyes and nipped at the icing surrounding her lips.
"Ooh, want to see something," Snow asked. Regina almost choked on a blueberry.
"What kind of…something?" Snow pulled a weed and blew strongly, making a wailing sound in the isolated forest around them. Regina chuckled, triggering a fit of giggles from the princess. Regina tucked a bar behind the girl's ear, and took pride in watching her blush profusely against her milky white skin.
"We should get back," Regina uttered, watching the sun begin to retreat downwards. Snow nodded defeated.
"Can we go tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure, tomorrow is your first time in court, we may not have time." Snow huffed.
"That doesn't mean we can't do anything inside the castle." Snow lit up and walked to her horse, packing her blanket. Regina followed and pulled herself onto her chestnut-brown stallion.
"Regina, what are we gonna do? Surely, my father won't permit me to marry you, and I want to be queen, so what are we gonna do?" Regina thought.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. We'll burn that bridge when we get to it." Snow nodded, looking muddled and as pale as usual.
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Regina snuck into her room, late at night, too late to still be awake, but she couldn't wait. She shut the door timidly.
"Happy birthday Snow," she whispered into the dark. She knew she would be up, not be able to sleep with the feelings of sorrow and restlessness eat at her. She heard a few muffled sniffles from the bed. Regina lit a candle from her nightstand and looked to Snow's tear-stained face. She didn't know what to do, so she hugged her.
"I got you something," she informed.
"No, I don't want-"
"You'll love it, I promise." She pulled out a hardcover book from behind her back and held it out for her.
"The Wonders of the Realms," she read,"Thank you, but you didn't have to get me a gift."
"But I wanted to. I hope you like it." She turned and walked off abruptly, but Snow caught her wrist and pulled her closer.
"Thank you," she whispered against her lips, before closing the distance between them. Regina smiled.
"Now get some sleep, you'll be having a busy day this morning." She detached snow from her nightdress and left, grinning as she leant against the door, shutting it behind her.
Snow hugged the book to her chest unyieldingly. She flipped open the cover and read the writing on the back of the cover.
Dearest Snow, have a wonderfull day, and hopefully, more to come with you by my side.
R
Snow opened it and began reading. Pictures and drawings of wonderous places filled with creatures so different than that of the Enchanted Forest. The one that drew her in the most was known as The Land without Magic. Strange metallic machines were strewn about, surrounded by even more houses and cottages, and people that looked just like them, but dressed very strangely. She would rather stay here than go to that confusing yet mystical world.
She set her book down and tried to fall asleep, but tossed and turned all night. Finally, sleep claimed her.
When she awoke, maids had already been there and set out breakfast and clothing for her, with a card form her father.
Dear Snow,
There has been some trouble with the eastern villages and a series of attacks. I have gathered an army to go along with myself, so you will stay with Regina until I come back. I should be back after dinner with a gift.
Love, father
Snow sighed and pulled on her clothes and ate her breakfast in bed. Regina joined her and led her to the courtroom, where she was to appear for the first time.
Snow found it particularly boring, but some cases were interesting and fun to solve issues between subjects. Once they finished, Johanna told Snow that she was supposed to take a lesson today. Instead, Regina thought she deserved a day off, so she grabbed the softest blankets she could find and requested that a fire be made.
Snow paced around her room with her new book in her hands. A maid led her to apt he room which Regina sitauted herself in, laying out fresh baked cookies, pastries and fruit. She had a pile of lesson books on a corner of the blanket, but they were hiding the actual books she was going to read.
Snow sat down and watched Regina stare dreamily at the smouldering fire.
"I think I know of a way to be together," Snow declared.
"Yes?"
"We can run away. The book of realms? We could go to one. I don't want to go to Neverland, or The Land Without Magic, but there's always Arendelle, or Wonderland, we can-"
"Snow, stop. We can't do this. You are destined to be queen, we can't run away together. Where would we go, there aren't any houses. If you want us to happen, openly, you'd have to think of something else." Snow pouted and Regina laughed.
"Why would you want to leave? We're together already, nothing would change." Snow was about to speak, but held her mouth shut. Snow nodded and leaned against Regina, who swept her hair back and braided it, while Snow read her book.
It was peaceful moments like these that Snow wanted. She wanted to be able to crawl into Regina's arms without being seen, she wanted to do things other people do when in love, but for now, she had to keep quiet. It was hard to do when your father talks about arranged marriage for you, when you hear maids gossip about their loves, and yours is married to your father unwillingly.
Maybe, she thought, there could be other ways of doing so, without leaving the kingdom. Maybe, just maybe, it was possible, but it would take an absolute genius to pull it off. Luckily, she was in love with one.
