Chapter 2

The Princess

(Daniella's POV)

The morning has come yet I couldn't rid my mind of the thoughts that accumulated since yesterday. The witch who was apparently named Wilma, mentioned my name to the figure that resided in the mirror. The mirror whose surface I couldn't see thanks to Wilma's suspicious concealment. I didn't want to let hopeful thoughts fall into my head in case it disappointed me but what if the figure was somehow connected to me? Yet, who would be interested in a girl like me?

I had a nagging feeling that it was one of my relatives but I didn't want to have high hopes. From my memory, my parents have abandoned me and left me to fend for myself in a different land. I owe nothing to them but I can't help but feel as if I'm missing something. I've had odd, vivid dreams lately. In one of them, I was inside a beautiful room that seemed to be part of an estate or palace. I was sitting by the fireplace and I remember feeling the gentle stroke of fingers through my dark brunette hair. As soon as I had come to my senses, I tried to turn around and see who the person touching me was. Except every time I did so, I would wake up. The strange thing about this dream is that I remember being in the room, in front of the fireplace with someone's fingers through my hair. It is impossible though. I've been by myself for most of my life. These dreams make no sense but strangely enough, I feel comfortable in them; as if I finally belonged somewhere.

I was suddenly interrupted by Leyton's shout, "Teagan wants everyone at the table for breakfast in 5 minutes!"
I shoved back the covers of my straw bed and reached down towards my pile of clothes. I chose my normal cream coloured dress and slipped it on, watching the other orphans slowing rising from their beds. Soon, everyone was scrambling for the table where warm food was placed. I walked over and took a seat in my usual spot. Teagan came into the room whilst we were all busily eating. "I hope you all had fun at the market yesterday but today we all need to get back to work alright? All of the boys can go out and collect firewood...the weather will get cooler soon. Very quickly in fact. All you girls, can help me prepare the bags of food we bought yesterday for the cold months."

We all groaned playfully until Teagan gave us a sharp look. Then, we returned to our chatter as we finished our breakfast.

...

(Regina's POV)

How could it be? It's been 16 years since I lost Daniella and the girl which Wilma described yesterday is only 10! I don't know what to believe; If the girl is my daughter, she couldn't have ended up in a different realm. Portals don't just appear out of no where...Leopold wouldn't have taken extra measures to make sure that Daniella was sent into another realm. He was afraid of magic, this isn't possible!

"You asked to see me, Regina?" a soft voice inquired behind my back. I jumped at the voice and turned around to see my father looking concerned. He spoke up quietly, "Do you need anything? You've skipped breakfast for three days consecutively and now you're staring into that mirror of yours again. Haven't you already sent out guards to look for..."

"Don't!" I began, "...mention her. But no, this time I'm not thinking of that matter."

Father seemed surprised at my answer and I mentally scoffed. That brat doesn't deserve all my attention...even though I still need to get her heart and crush it.

"Is something else troubling you? Regina, you can tell me what's wrong."

I sighed and walked over to my vanity. Opening one of the drawers, I got out a small jewellery box that held the ring given to me by Daniel. I slipped the ring onto my wedding finger, conscious that father was watching me with a concerned expression. He walked over and put his hand on my back, rubbing it soothingly. With a timid voice I haven't used much since my teenage years, I spoke, "Do you remember Daniella?"

My father looked up and smiled, "Of course I do. She was my only granddaughter, how could I ever forget her?"

"You also remember Wilma, don't you?"

"She was Daniel's mother wasn't she? I recall that she denied your offer for her to stay in the palace."

"Yes, she denied it. But I've kept in contact with her using my hand-held mirror. I asked her to keep an eye out for any girl in the village who may potentially be Daniella. She has done so and haven't had any success..." I paused. Taking a breath, I continued, "until yesterday."

I watched Father's eyes and mouth lift into a grin as he asked, "So you've found Daniella? Regina, that's a miracle! You must go to her! Why are you still looking sad?"

I glanced down at Daniel's ring and whilst twisting it around my finger, I answered, "How am I supposed to do that? For starters, her only memory of her parents are probably ones not full of love. She's been abandoned for her whole life! How do I appear in front of her and say that I'm her mother? Besides, I can't just waltz amongst the peasants and approach a girl from the orphanage!"

Father's eyebrows creased as he spoke, "Of course you can...and you must! Daniella needs her mother because she has been alone for her whole life! You can make her feel loved again. And to answer your worries about going into the village, well, it shouldn't matter right? You will be reunited with your daughter...isn't that the best part? Also, Daniella should be 16 years old; she'll be able to understand your situation. You didn't want to leave her in the first place. She was taken away from you."

I looked away and spoke aloud to myself, "but Daniella is 10."

Father heard my words and when I glanced at him, I saw his confused expression. Then, I explained the encounter that I had with Wilma yesterday. He nodded in understanding before replying, "Well then you'll still have the chance to raise her." Seeing my troubled face, father continued in a louder and stricter tone, "Regina, you have to go to her! She's your daughter!"

"I know I must! It's just...it's just I don't know how she will see me! Will I be the loving mother that she always wanted, will I be the mother that abandoned her, or will I be the vile and evil woman who rips out the hearts of people and kills them?!"

Father, being used to my temper, didn't flinch as he took my hand and guided me towards my dressing room. "I'll arrange a carriage to take us to the village. Meanwhile, please get dressed. You're going to meet your daughter again. Don't run away from this Regina." He looked straight into my teary eyes and smiled. Then, he left the room with the soft patter of his footsteps echoing away from my chambers. I looked into the floor length mirror to see my pathetic self staring back at me. I sighed and walked towards my wardrobe. My hand brushed quickly past the black intimidating dresses that I often wore in public. Contemplating for a second, I settled for the crimson red gown with black ruffled sleeves in the end; I didn't want Daniella to see me in a completely black, 'evil' outfit.

Now, I guess I'll just have to disguise this unexpected trip to the village as a search for Snow White.

...

(Daniella's POV)

Teagan asked me to walk over to the bakery with her to collect some bread for lunch. I helped her hold the grocery basket on the way. When we got near to the site however, we exchanged glances after seeing the crowd that had gathered around the entrance to the bakery. Teagan held my hand as we hurried to see what the commotion was about. Turns out that the Princess, Snow White, was in the bakery. Everyone was crowding around her, asking her questions. The kingdom wanted her as the monarch, it was very clear. Snow spoke up finally, silencing the crowd, "I will find a way, but right now, I need refuge. The neighbouring kingdoms are allies with the Queen. I cannot return there. I tried to seek help from my father's old alliances but they have all turned to Regina in fear. Please, do any of you know of a place I can hide temporarily?"

Everyone began shouting at once but Teagan walked up calmly to Snow and offered, "Your majesty, I look after children at an orphanage. The last place that anyone would look for you is amongst the children. Even if the Queen's guards came, they wouldn't investigate the orphanage."

Snow seemed to be contemplating the idea but Teagan spoke up again, "No one would want to go into a cabin full of noisy children right?"

Snow laughed and answered, "Oh thank you so much! I promise, I'll only be with you for a couple of days while I plan my next move. Also, please don't call me 'your majesty'. That title is for the Queen, and I'm only a Princess. Just call me Snow. And...what shall I call you?"

"My name's Teagan...I'm glad you accepted my offer. I had hoped that I would able to help bring this Kingdom back into peaceful times."

The villagers retreated after Snow's decision and as the bakery cleared, I walked up to Teagan, handing the grocery basket to her. Snow looked down at me and smiled, "You're from the orphanage right?" I nodded as the Princess spoke up again, "What's your name?"

I paused in thought, not registering the question. The Princess seems so familiar...but that is impossible! I've only seen her a few times within a distance. How is it that I feel as if I've seen Snow's smile up so close before?

Blinking a few times, I came to my senses and in a timid voice, I answered, "Daniella." The Princess also seemed to be lost in thought for a second but both of our trances were cut short by Teagan's soft cough. We looked at her and saw that she had purchased the bread that was needed. "Come on, we need to get back to the children. They are in the cabin by themselves; I hope that they haven't gotten into any trouble yet."

Snow and Teagan got into a conversation on the walk back towards home. I trudged behind them, glad that I didn't have to carry the grocery basket now. When the three of us got back to the cabin, the children ran towards Snow as soon as they saw her. Again, she was flooded with questions until Teagan shouted, "Children! Leave the Princess alone, she's been travelling a lot under pressure these past few weeks. Give her some rest. Then, if she doesn't mind, you can pester her later."

Snow's mouth creased into a small smile as she replied, "No! It's alright. I'm glad that I've found a welcoming place to stay. Finally."

The children followed Teagan's instructions however and retreated back to their chores. Then, Teagan spoke in a low voice to Snow. "Look, if there's anything I can help you with, I'll gladly do so. I've been waiting so long for the days in which our Kingdom can relax after all these years of being under the Evil Queen's reign."

Snow spoke softly back at Teagan, "Well I hope I can take the throne back again, for the good of the people. But I don't know how to start! No one significant supports me. Everyone is too afraid of Regina."

"Snow, please find a way. We are all living in fear and you are our only hope. The Evil Queen has magic but you have something better. The love of the people. We will help you rise against her, I know it! The time will come...let me tell you something."

Snow sighed and nodded slowly as Teagan continued, "This is a story that I haven't told many people before. My father and I used to deliver flour to the palace, ever since I was very young. I still remember seeing you when you were younger. You were a child and running around freely. Times were simple back then. When the King passed away however, times changed for my father and I. We still delivered flour to the castle every morning but every since you left the castle, I felt scared to approach that place. The guards have all changed and they were cold towards us. It was only six years ago when my father was killed by magic within the castle walls. We both walked to the palace that day with the flour but as we turned around to go back to the village, I heard to thump next to me. With horror, I had looked down to see my father beside me on the ground. Dead. I didn't even know how to react but I looked up and saw the Queen screaming at a guard. She was clearly angry and had decided to kill someone out of her magic and frustration. Snow, the magic had hit my father! He has done nothing wrong; he wasn't even involved with the argument and she had killed him! We cannot have a witch as our monarch! People die every day and now, death has become so insignificant! Innocent people, all killed just because of the woman that we have to bow down to!"

Snow looked down at the ground after Teagan's story. She covered her face with her hands and mumbled, "I'm so sorry Teagan. I'm sorry that this happened but I'm...I'm...I don't know how to..."

Teagan sighed, "Well nothing can change the fact that my father is dead because of the Evil Queen...but please. Do your duty to the Kingdom."

"I understand...but right now, I don't want to think about this. I need rest, Teagan."

Teagan nodded, "Of course, but I hope that my story has given you some insight into what we are all facing right now."

Snow didn't reply.