(Daniella's POV)
...continuation of the previous chapter
No no no no it's impossible, they can't be here. My hands shook tremendously as I flicked it in the air. Damn it. Magic never works when I'm scared.
My heart plummeted as if it was tied to a bundle of heavy rocks. I needed to get away but I can't. Distantly I heard my brother yell my name but I was unable to respond. I stumbled backwards and fell onto the floor. I only felt my heartbeats pounding in my chest for I wasn't breathing. I put a shaking hand on my chest as I felt my eyes warm up with desperate tears. Someone touched me and I yelled out. Even though the figures backed off, I could still feel it; the closing air around my lungs and the pinch against my airways. Suddenly, I wanted to vomit. I put my hand on the floor and panted, but nothing came out.
Just when I felt like I was going to pass out, I saw something black crouch down beside me. I looked up briefly in panic and saw that it was one of my guards. I gripped onto him in desperation as I tried to find oxygen.
His voice was deep yet paradoxically gentle when he spoke, "Your highness, listen to me ok? You'll be fine, just breath. Look at me, look." I searched his face but his helmet was covering the majority of it. He must have noted that for he took it off and repeated, "Look at me. Just concentrate on my words ok? You'll be fine. Follow what I'm doing. Breath in, count. 1, 2, 3, 4..."
He put his hand on my back as I tried to do what he was telling me to. "Ok, now breath out, 1, 2, 3, 4..."
After a few rounds of his steady counting, my mind wandered to focus on the pace of my breaths again. I just knew they were getting faster and faster...
"Princess, it's alright, just try and get into the pattern again. Slowly, slowly..."
He stayed with me for several minutes as he helped me regulate my breathing. Although I still felt weak, I soon no longer felt that sickening constricting force on my throat.
"Do you feel better, your highness?"
I looked down and trembled, "What happened to me?"
(Regina's POV)
"Regina, you're avoiding the matter."
I swung around, still feeling that weight of hurt sitting at the bottom of my gut. I tried not to let my voice get out of control as I replied sharply, "Of course. We were in front of Daniella! What did you expect me to do? She shouldn't have to worry about us." Then, I fell back onto the chaise and sighed as I didn't want to deal with the argument yesterday. Besides, I couldn't help but feel as if sharing my feelings with Daniel would be futile. Besides, I cannot. It'd reveal too much. Although he was standing beside me, it was as if he wasn't there at all. I rested my head on the cushions and waved my hand, creating some warmth in the fireplace before me. Daniel grabbed the fur throw in the basket next to the chaise and put it over me. Then, he sat down and began quietly, "I'm sorry if you're hurt because of what I've said yesterday."
I didn't reply. I was too tired to speak. All I did was lean my head onto his shoulder as he pulled me into him. Taking a deep breath, I whispered, "I don't know if I can fight my sister. She'll be here tomorrow and I don't know if I can defeat her."
"Of course you can," Daniel replied in a matter of fact voice. "You're the most powerful sorceress in these lands; or at least, from what I've heard."
A tiny sad smirk formed on my face but I shook my head and said, "But Zelena's from a different land. I have no idea what her capabilities are. She's hurt and she wants revenge. I can't beat that."
"Revenge doesn't make one powerful, no matter how much they believe that it will get them what they want. "
I looked up in a frown and sighed. "Maybe..." Then, I planted a soft kiss on my fiance's cheek. "At least I have you, Daniel."
For some reason, that evoked a strong reaction from him. I saw his eyes well with tears strangely. I thought I felt my heart physically tremble as I whispered, "Hey hey, it's ok. I'll survive for us, Daniel. I don't doubt your parental abilities but I'd rather keep myself alive so that we can both see our daughter grow up. I won't let that Witch kill me. I just need you to be on my side, that's all. Your love is all I need." Then, I parted from Daniel's embrace and reached for the necklace around my neck. I took it off and showed Daniel the ring that he had given me so long ago. With a wavering chuckle, he said quietly, "You still have it."
"Of course, my darling. It's been with me everyday, to remind me of you. I've always dreamed of the day where we would show our love to the world. Imagine that, Daniel...you, me, in the chapel, before the alter. I've always daydreamed of how handsome you'd look."
A tinge of red crossed his face and I laughed. "I know, you probably think that I'm a hopeless romantic."
He cupped my face and replied, "I've always known that you were a dreamer. It just saddens me to learn that you've left that behind whilst I was gone."
I sighed and looked away. Then, I murmured in a small voice, "After my sister is defeated, we'll get married, won't we?"
Daniel's eyes threatened to water again so I stroked his beautiful face and whispered, "I'm not angry with you about yesterday, so we can forget about that can't we?"
He nodded and echoed simply with his hands on my back, "I'm sorry, Regina."
I hugged him tight and said, "Don't be sorry. I love you." There was a brief pause. Then, he whispered back in a series of wavering syllables, "I love you too."
I smiled and held onto him, as I listened to the rhythmic crackle of the fireplace. Unfortunately that serene moment was interrupted when I heard the echo of loud running footsteps through the hallway outside of my chambers. A guard burst in, making me stand up abruptly.
"Your majesty, your daughter experienced a panic attack."
(Regina's POV)
"Firefly!"
I ran towards her small curled-up body in the middle of the hall. As I crouched down before her, I glanced at Alistair and asked, "Is she ok?!"
He nodded, "My queen, she's recovering."
I rubbed Daniella's back with a frown and whispered, "Firefly, talk to me. What happened?"
She merely looked at me with tearful eyes. My heart broke at the sight of the pain and terror etched in her face. She didn't say anything but I didn't want to push her. My mind raced with possible scenarios of what had happened. That's when I addressed Daniel with my head inclined towards the exit, "Would you be able to ummm..."
He accepted my request with a nod so I added, "Oh and take Pietro and Alistair with you. Who knows what Snow's guards will do."
With a nod the three men walked off and I was left alone in the hall with Daniella. Her small hands scrunched up my dress as she clung onto me. I repeated again in a softer voice, "Hey, it's ok. Tell me what happened. Can you...can you breathe now?"
Her head moved slightly against my body but she remained silent. My heart dropped with both worry and increasing anger at Snow. However, I sighed and whispered, "If you don't want to tell me now, you can keep it to yourself for now. But firefly, I'm here to help you. If I don't know what happened, I cannot help you feel better."
She sniffled and mumbled something inaudible.
"What was that?"
She didn't repeat it another time so I said gently, "How about you take a bath and rest earlier today hmm? I'll come with you."
I think she nodded for she didn't protest when I surrounded ourselves in magic. Yvette was in her chambers when we arrived and upon seeing us, she immediately came over and bowed. I helped my daughter stand up whilst saying to the maid, "You may leave. Daniella's chambers are to remain private for the time being. No one but myself or her father may enter."
She nodded and left to inform the guards standing outside. As I led firefly to the bathroom, I noticed that she had changed her clothes. "What happened to your dress?"
She shrugged and said quietly, "Henry wanted to fence, so I changed into something more comfortable." I detected a hint of guilt in her voice so I questioned after a short break, "Did Snow berate you for engaging in combat with your brother?"
Firefly looked away and I got my answer. I huffed and went over to the bathtub to fill it with warm water. However, she came up next to me and said quietly, "That's not it though."
I waved my hand over the tub and rose petals appeared bobbing on the steamy water's surface. I frowned and reached to untie my daughter's hair. "What do you mean by that?"
"I-", Daniella paused. Given the times she's avoided the line of conversation, I sighed and said, "Tell me later if you want, but just know that whoever caused this will have consequences."
"No!" She turned around and looked at me with large eyes as she begged, "No, mama. It's ok, it's me, I was being stupid and-"
I sternly cut in and said, "Don't say that you're stupid ever again. Your reaction to whatever happened doesn't define you. Now, do you want me to give you a stern talking to, regarding the reasons why Snow and her little followers are idiots instead?"
I saw a sliver of a grin on my daughter's face. Then, I raised my eyebrow and said, "I guess not. Anyway, are you alright to be by yourself now? I'll be just outside, dear."
She nodded and just before I turned around to leave the bathroom, she asked quietly, "Mama, can you just not...do anything about this for now?"
I regarded her with a conflicted expression so she added, "Please?" I sighed and murmured, "Alright, but I can't guarantee it."
A small smile appeared on my sweet daughter's face so I left her by herself. Then, I went over to the mirror that hung next to Daniella's bed and waved my hand over it to find out my fiance's location. Faint voices came from the surface of the looking glass.
"I've already told you everything I know; I entered the room and yes, I was concerned for the safety of my grandson," Snow explained rather poorly.
The three men seemed to be irritated that they weren't getting anything out of the brat. I have to agree on their point for Alistair cut in, "I'm sorry if I misread the signs, but the princess was very obviously in a state of distress. I'm no psychologist but Storybrooke has taught me a couple of things or two. What her highness experienced, was a panic attack. It would either come in times of anxiety, stress or trauma. I'm not implying anything, but I would like to clarify the possible causes of this."
Snow dared to argue, "You're not implying that? Why, that's exactly what you're saying. I didn't do anything to provoke Daniella, except for respond normally, as a grandmother would, to watching her barely equipped grandson play with a real sword that's sharp enough to kill!"
"With all due respect, we heard yelling, which I assume came from the princess. She said something along the lines of 'go away'. Now, I'm sure you would rather tell us what happened, than face the Queen herself."
I frowned and bit my lip as Snow replied in a low voice, "Look, I will talk to Regina if she decides to interrogate me about this. However, I will not accept being questioned by a third party-"
After Snow's statement, it was the first time that Daniel opened his mouth to speak ever since I started viewing their conversation. "Snow, I'm Daniella's father. I believe I have the same standing as Regina does, when it comes to my daughter's wellbeing."
I surveyed Snow's expression carefully and although she looked immensely conflicted, she eventually gave in. I could sense that she held something back but nonetheless, she revealed all I needed to know. She quickly said, "Daniella reacted in such a way after our three guests walked into the room. It's as if she knew them. Perhaps they were people from her past?"
"And who are they exactly?" Alistair prompted.
"We do not know."
I growled at Snow's obvious lie. It infuriated me that despite being the expert keeper of secrets that the kingdom has ever seen, she was able to hide certain things with perfect audacity. My hands flexed to snap her tiny neck but it seems like my loyal guards were already itching to do that.
"You do know. I suggest you tell us before-"
"Are you threatening me? Because doing that has the same consequences as if any of my guards threatened Regina."
I rolled my eyes at Snow's attempt to appear strong. It was obvious however, that unless the three gentlemen employed any force, the idiotic brat would not say anything else. I felt my fury manifest but then I remembered that I had to get back to Daniella.
(Daniella's POV)
The next day...
My parents allowed me to sleep between them last night but when I awoke, I noticed that father was missing. When I turned to the other side, mother stirred. She gave me a little glance and put her hand through my hair. Then, she whispered, "How are you feeling?"
My memories of what had happened yesterday flooded back into my mind and a wave of nausea passed through my throat. However, I ignored that feeling and murmured, "Better."
There was a shuffle of footsteps that seemed to be coming into the room. I immediately assumed that it was a maid sent to wake mother up. "Daniella, will you be alright to eat breakfast with your father today? I have a meeting with two dignitaries from King Midas' kingdom before court. I'm afraid I must have slept in a little already."
As mother stood up I asked, "But what about the witch? What if she comes and-"
"She'll make her presence known to all if she were to come today. But meanwhile, we cannot live in fear. In saying so, I've instructed for my best guards to keep an eye on you in case Zelena appears. You only need to shout for me into a mirror and I'll hear your call. I'm keeping a pocket mirror with me at all times today. And you should do the same with the mirror I gave you to communicate with your brother."
"But doesn't that link only to Henry's mirror?"
"No. If you magically direct it towards another pair, it will connect to that mirrored surface. Anyway, I have to leave. Stay safe for me, firefly," she said as she squeezed my hand. In reply, I mumbled, "You too."
After she left, it seemed as if everyone knew what was going on around here for Yvette walked in with my fur cloak. "Good morning, Princess." I slid off mother's warm bed and put on the fur cloak before following Yvette back to my chambers to get changed. As my hand brushed the dresses in my wardrobe, I decided to focus on the ones that were the most elaborate and fancy. Given that the three spinsters saw me in simple garments yesterday, perhaps they wouldn't recognise me if I was dressed differently...if I was dressed according to my status.
When I pulled out a detailed black lace gown with a jewelled bodice and full layered mesh sleeves that had tiny diamonds stitched onto it, even Yvette was surprised. Luckily, she didn't question me. In fact, she tugged on the laces a little tighter today. Mother would normally have to force me to wear my corset tight for events such as court or balls. Today however, was different. Only girls born into noble families wore dresses in this manner and in order to not get recognised, I'll have to act the part.
"Yvette, can you curl and pin my hair up today?"
She nodded with a little smile attempting to brighten my spirits. Or rather...to tease me, "Has a boy caught your eye today, your highness?"
My cheeks flushed red as I replied quickly, "Seriously?! No way! I'm only 11!"
"We all know that isn't strictly true," my handmaiden chuckled. I rolled my eyes before dropping my look of amusement. I added quietly, "I don't want some people to recognize me, that's all."
"I'm sure everyone knows who you are."
"Not people who haven't seen me as who I am today."
I saw Yvette's eyes in the mirror drop from my gaze. She murmured quietly, "Oh. I understand now...but you don't need to be ashamed of who you are, your highness."
I shrugged with my eyes downcast.
Later that day...
Court had only commenced for ten minutes when all the torches illuminating the throne room were suddenly dimmed. Murmurs travelled the room as I looked at mother with worry.
Then, a cloud of green smoke appeared just a few metres away from us. I held my breath as it dispersed to reveal the Witch, standing in all her glory. Mother got up from the throne and quickly threw a protection spell around us. However, she came out of the bubble to face Zelena. The crowd in the hall parted like the Red Sea, but the Witch flicked her hands and sealed the exits before anyone could escape. There were screams of panic but Mother took no heed of that as she stalked closer to the Witch. As the two started circling, a row of guards came between the fight and father and I. I tried to push past but one of them quickly said, "Queen's orders, your highness."
Nonetheless, I created a fireball in my hand as I surveyed the situation. Mother was the first to speak. As she strode around the witch, she swished her gown dramatically, saying, "Didn't anyone tell you? Black is my colour."
Zelena chuckled and said, "But it looks so much better on me. So how are you, sis? Ready to lose?"
Mother replied, "The only one losing will be you. Who's on your side, sis? Our mother? Hardly."
"Speaking of her, where is she now hmm?"
Right after Zelena had exclaimed that, grandmother appeared in a puff of red smoke beside them. She glared angrily at Zelena and said, "This is a mistake, you-" Before she got to finish the sentence, she was silenced by the green witch. I gasped, for everyone knew that the Queen of Hearts was powerful. Was Zelena really more powerful than her?!
That triggered the first course of action for mother threw a fireball at the Witch. She deflected it lazily and giggled, "Oh, you two are never going to be a match for me."
Before events turned serious, mother replied in a low menacing tone, "Well, my dear, we shall see." Then, she used her magic and picked up all the weapons mounted on the walls of the room. She directed it towards Zelena and threw them. Zelena dodged but was forced to let go of Cora. Now, she had a larger issue for mother and grandmother had created a giant fireball. Within seconds, it was directed towards Zelena. She deflected it again with a laugh. "Two sorceresses, yet none of them as powerful as one alone."
With that, mother sent down the chandelier that hung above them. All three witches disappeared and appeared in a different spot. Zelena took the opportunity of being the first to reappear and threw a sweep of magic towards the guards standing between me and her. To my horror, they fell. She grinned at me but was soon distracted when mother and Cora both appeared and threw a wave of magic towards her. She not only defended herself, but created a shield that threw it back; towards my grandmother. She was pushed violently to one end of the room. I ran out of the protected bubble despite mother shouting, "No! Daniella, stay back!"
Zelena threw a spell towards us and before grandmother could react, I deflected it. I thought I saw a flicker of pride in her eyes but I was distracted when Zelena threw another bolt of green magic towards me. I held it back and moved it towards the ceiling. As it struck and dispersed, Zelena laughed. "You're no match for me, princess."
At the corner of my eyes, I saw mother moving towards me whilst growling, "Stay away from her!"
Zelena was suddenly hoisted into the air. Seeing mother choke her successfully, I came forward and reached to plunge my hand into her chest. Unluckily for me, she managed to break free from mother's magic. She startled me as she fell onto the ground and directed a force in my direction. I skittered across the floor and was only stopped by crashing into father, who had stepped off the throne podium. Before I could stand up, Zelena stunned me so I was forced to watch from the sidelines.
"How dare you touch her! I'll have your heart for that!" Mother screamed before directing a bolt of fire towards the Witch. Zelena threw up a protection shield and laughed. "Oh, you're no match for me, little sis. I'll have your heart soon."
Mother seethed through gritted teeth as she tried to uphold the weakening tunnel of fire between them.
Then, Zelena directed it towards a wall, setting the tapestry that hung upon it on fire. As smoke rose, there was a brief dialogue between her and my mother. "See? He should have chosen me."
Mother growled with amusement, "Who?"
"Rumplestiltskin."
Mother laughed, building volume with every breath, which clearly annoyed Zelena for she bellowed in fury, "You still don't realize what you have! You never did! You got everything I ever wanted and you didn't even deserve it. But I'm gonna take it all from you. Everything Rumple taught you, he taught me too. But I was the better student!"
With that, she sent a strong wave of magic out towards us. It knocked over mother but as it had clearly cost the witch her energy, I was freed and able to move again. Mother flew through the air and hit a suit of armour standing against the wall. The pieces of metal came crashing down with loud clanks. I ran towards her and to my horror, there was blood on her forehead. By now, the remainder of the people in the room had migrated to the opposite side of the hall. The guards who had rushed forward had been either killed or wounded by the Witch.
I tried to will light magic into my hands as I directed my powers towards the Witch. However, white light did not come from my fingertips. It stayed purple; a sign of dark magic. Because of this, Zelena deflected whatever spell that came her way too easily with the lazy flick of her wrist. I gritted my teeth, trying harder and harder to elicit light magic. I thought about my mother, about my father, even Henry. None of it worked. The Witch then started to cackle.
At that moment, I heard a sharp intake of struggling breath beside me. Mother was trying to get up but Zelena kept her down. I looked worriedly to the side for a moment. The Witch took advantage of my distraction and directed her powers in my direction. I skid across the floor, and stopped at father's foot. "Daniella? You alright?" he breathed quickly. I nodded but before I could do anything else, something unexpected happened.
The Witch started speaking and taunted, "Oh Regina, I could kill your daughter right here before your eyes, but where's the fun in that? Alas, I'll be back to end your happiness soon, but I suspect its already diminishing, and not by my hand may I add."
Zelena finally let go of her hold on mother. After choking for a moment, she replied in a series of struggling breaths, "What are you talking about?"
The Witch smirked, "Oh, you'll see. But may I ask how you thought you could defeat me with your pathetic magic-"
Mother threw a fireball at Zelena but she made it disperse. As she was chuckling, my grandmother shouted from the other side of the room, "Unlike you, Regina has people who cares for her, and people she loves dearly. Daniella's the product of true love."
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware mother dearest. But I do wonder...why only dark magic came my way? Is it possible they lost it? Oh-" Then, she held out her hand, making a row of servants appear. I frowned, why in the world would she care about them?
Then, she gave me a horrible grin and started snapping their necks, one by one. She really is a lunatic. Then, she announced, "The rules are simple. If you're related to one of these ladies, step forth and I'll free her. If not, she dies. Such a shame. It seems like they're all dying at your hand Regina. Afterall, you prohibited families from working in the palace in the same sector. Whatever for? Jealousy?"
Mother fumed with fire in her eyes, "Shut up."
After a couple more sickening cracks, Zelena was down to the last servant. I immediately recognised her for it was the pregnant laundress who had sparked the argument between my parents yesterday. Zelena took extra long with this maid and initially, I had no idea why. She held her up in the air, choking the life slowly but surely out of her. Lena seemed to be looking in my direction with pleading eyes, which confused me. None of the other servants had done that.
In some way, I felt obliged to help but the opportunity never came as father stepped forward unexpectedly and begged, "Please, don't hurt her! Can't you see, she's pregnant! You'd be killing two lives."
I threw a quick glance at mother but she seemed as equally shocked as me. Zelena threw her head back and laughed, "Ah, the stableboy has come to the rescue. How adorable. I wonder why? Alas, that's all I wanted from this confrontation." Then, she turned to mother and said, "See you, sis. Have fun." Then, she sarcastically blew a kiss and disappeared with Cora. Lena fell onto the ground and I too, watched in utter confusion as father went over to her to check if she was alright. No, something wasn't right. When she looked at us, she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at father.
No one spoke. No one dared to even move. Father then turned towards mother and I with a fearful expression on his face. By now, mother had stood up and was approaching him slowly. I could see that she was shaking. She pointed a wavering finger at Lena, who was looking down and hiding behind father's protective form. "Who is she?"
Father's own lips quivered but his gaze was forced to return to my mother as she yelled, "WHO IS SHE?!"
