*Flashback*
(3rd POV, a year before Regina and Daniella were re-united)
They all looked down like scared mice before the flickering venomous tongue of the snake. The Queen was not in the mood for games this evening. Her knights had informed her of a sighting of the bandit, but when she arrived at the scene, the peasants all denied having seen the Princess. She was desperate. This blow sliced into her abdomen and twisted it into a combination of pain and anger. After a second of heavy panting, she thundered, "So none of you want silver? Gold? Riches?! All I'm asking of you, is to make sure she stays put!"
Most of them didn't dare look up at their livid monarch, but of course, sticking your head into the sand wouldn't prevent the serpent from striking. The Queen suddenly dragged out a girl from the crowd with her magic and levitated her into the air. Naturally, the mother screamed for mercy whilst the father came forward and offered anything. The Queen replied, "Information on where bandit Snow White went! Is it that difficult? Tell me everything you know, or I'll kill your child."
They spilled it out immediately. Not everything, but enough to make the Queen let their daughter go. As the girl fell onto the floor, her parents immediately rushed to her, making sure that she was alright. Something nestled uncomfortably in the Queen's chest. She turned away and started to walk from the scene, but didn't make it far before she stopped and had another glance at the family of three. A lump formed in her throat and she was brought into a sudden trance. None of the peasants knew what was going on, but they observed the scene carefully, in fear that she was going to lash out.
One of the guards beside the Queen coughed and that seemed to bring the monarch out of her thoughts. She turned back around and stalked away quickly from the village. When she got into her carriage, the guard asked her, "Your Majesty, I presume we will go hence in the direction suggested by the peasant?"
There was a moment of silence. Then, to the guard's surprise, she dismissed the idea. "No. We will return to the palace."
When she arrived, she disappeared to her chambers immediately, and locked the doors. Then, she went into the crypt connecting to the room with all the hearts of her victims. She slammed the door shut and breathed heavily. Slowly, she turned around to face the preserved corpse of Daniel that lay far too serenely in its glass coffin. Walking up to it, she placed her black gloved hand on the glass surface. She waved her hand and the glass disappeared. She only ever did this once a year. She bent down slowly and kissed the cold lifeless lips of her lost love. She let her mind wander to stories of true love. In these thoughts, she begged that once the kiss has been made, all will be well.
As expected, he didn't stir. No deep breath of the chest, no fluttering of the eyes. Nothing. Gone, forever. The Queen closed her eyes for a moment as she waved her hand to seal the coffin with its glass lid again. Then, she moved around to the right, to another coffin. This one however, was empty. It was slightly smaller than the one which enclosed her dead lover. It was exactly that. There was nothing for the Queen to hold onto, from the death of her baby girl. No ashes, no baby blanket. Nothing. Nothing but just a sliver of memory that was only permitted to be aroused once a year. It was only on the anniversary of her fiance's death that she would allow herself to show her emotions. Even to herself.
If she let them invade her mind on a daily basis, she would crumble. There was only one purpose in her life that's keeping her from falling. A life of darkness and hatred. A life vowed to destroy the ones who took everything from her.
Regina placed her hand on the empty coffin and whispered ever so quietly, "I miss you, my loves."
End of flashback
(Regina's POV)
When I arrived at the tunnels that winded down into the dark dungeons, I refused to create a source of light in my hands. Despite the existence of torches along the walls, it wasn't bright enough to see what was behind the deep prison cells so I instructed my guards to hold a torch each. They knew why I was there, so I was brought immediately to Daniel. As I approached his cell, I was glad to see that the newborn was no longer in the mother's arm. Upon seeing me, Daniel rushed to the bars of the prison and demanded, "What did you do with her?!"
I replied curtly, "You'll see her soon, after I talk with you."
Then, I gestured for the guards to unlock the prison. The door swung open with a creak and I ordered, "Take the creature out. I wish to speak to Master Colter privately."
I didn't spare the woman a glance as she was lead out. When the footsteps of the departing pair had died down to a soft patter, Daniel was the first to speak. "I will not let you kill them-"
Without flinching, I stated, "I'm a woman of my word, so no, I will not kill your whore or bastard child."
"Then why are you here?" Daniel's voice cut into me like shards of the broken mirrors I had smashed recently.
I shuddered and took a moment to compose myself. Then, I replied in a completely different tone to my previously orderly voice. Quietly, I began, "I could equally ask you 'why'. Daniel, I've always been the same woman...what made you think otherwise?"
I knew there was a small inch of guilt in Daniel's voice but he skilfully hid it behind a harsher reply that was devoid of emotion. "No, the Regina I knew would never have hurt and killed so many people. She wouldn't have continued to do these things despite having a possible chance of love in her life. She wouldn't murder a whole village just so that she could regain her dark powers to cause even more misery upon her people."
My chest hurt as I tried to respond as calmly as I could, "I did what was necessary, so that you and our daughter would be safe. I have my reasons. I do not-"
"Save it, you can't justify for something that is undeniably...evil."
I lifted my head up and gulped. Finally, I was unable to keep my face straight. I found my voice after a long silence and bit out, "But I did everything for you; I wanted to make Snow and her family pay for all the things they've done to us. Your death, my separation from Daniella. Daniel, how can you say that I should have sat on the sidelines and ignore all that?! I was always the same girl as I was before. You died and it broke me. Then, they just continued to come for my happiness time after time."
Daniel winced and with pain etched on his face, he replied, "You told me yourself that you think you're the monster. Why aren't you believing in that now?"
My heart dropped as I stated in a unbelieving tone, "You want me broken?"
My fiance looked away before gazing at me with glistening red eyes. "Don't," he choked with difficulty.
I took a careful step towards him and murmured in a wobbly voice, "Don't what?"
"Don't place the blame on me. What you've made yourself into...I would have never wished this upon you. Yes, I died, but you needed to have moved on. You needed to have found another source of light in your life. Perhaps you did with Daniella, but why did you continue to terrorize your people? You've turned into her."
My mouth dried up upon realizing what he was implying. He may as well stab a dagger into my abdomen. In a low growl, I stated, "You're comparing me to my mother."
"You are your mother. How many people have you hurt to get what you wanted?"
Icicles froze around the walls of my stomach. "I wanted what was best for our family. Daniel, I tried so hard to bring you back to life. It was all that I ever wanted! I didn't care if the kingdom hated me, as long as I was able to talk to you again-"
"Exactly, so you're doing this for yourself, not others. Regina, you're queen which means that you have to put them first, not yourself."
I couldn't breathe for my airways constricted horribly. I felt my limbs go weak as I whispered, "Don't say that! I do care! I do care for the people." Then, I shakily listed him examples that flew to the top of my head, "I, I...I improved the economy, I expanded the kingdom's territories, I increased trade, I-"
"Enough!" Daniel interrupted. I was taken aback and immediately stopped to regain my short breaths. He took the opportunity and said, "You've destroyed them all in the process of doing so. You've exploited your power, and your people. They slave away under your rule so that you could emerge as the victorious leader of a powerful kingdom. You didn't do this for the people. If you did, then you'd have cared about their lives-"
For the first time, I felt tears well in my eyes when it came to the discussion about my subjects. I demanded, "How can you even say that? It was your lover wasn't it? She told you all these things about me. Well, I can assure you that she lied!"
"Really? Then why has killing become a second nature?"
I honestly ran out of things to say as I was unable to process the critique that I was receiving from the one I loved most. After a few seconds of staggering silence, I responded desperately, "But Daniel, I...I love you. From the bottom of my heart."
"Do you?"
I didn't bother to hold back the tears. As they streamed down my face, I stepped closer to him and said helplessly, "I don't understand...couldn't you see? Couldn't you..."
"Regina, stop," he tried. However, that just made me even more desperate. My magic threatened to destroy everything in front of me but I had to make sure what his answer was. I waited for his answer, despite how painful it was. His eyes obviously glazed over what he wanted to say, but nothing came out from his mouth. He simply glared at me. Then, I did what I yearned for, even though I knew it was stupid and rash. I took Daniel's face in my hands and before he could protest, kissed his lips passionately. He didn't push me away but he didn't return the gesture either. That's when I thought about his lover. The women who he had made love to. In fact, I finally realised where they had been able to conceive that child without my knowledge. Only the servants and palace guards would know that it was a place I never entered.
I tore apart suddenly and quivered, "You were in the king's bedroom weren't you?"
A wave of guilt washed across my fiancé's face, almost making me turn away. He didn't reply so I raised my voice and croaked, "You haven't forgotten what I told you, have you? That bed where you...where you fucked your whore? I was forced to endure my 'duties' there, almost every night for eight years." I continued despite Daniel's conflicted face, "You made love to her, on the very spot where I cried out for you multiple times. On the very spot where another man took advantage of me. How..." I lowered my voice to a whisper and accused, "How dare you."
"Regina-"
"You've made your decision," I stated as I once again tried to regain my composure.
"Regina, I'm...I'm sorry."
His apology meant nothing to me. I finally let my anger take hold of me as I roared, "How dare you treat me like I was just an insignificant part of your life? I've sacrificed so much for you, and this is how you've treated me in return. You're-" I breathed heavily, feeling my chest rise and fall tremendously.
In a quiet voice, he replied in almost an automated paper thin tone, "You've changed; the woman I loved is dead and gone forever."
I silenced him with my magic and hissed, "If I'm no longer your 'Regina', then address me like the others. Go on."
There was a long pause. Then, Daniel said in a cold voice, "Your Majesty." I inhaled and breathed heavily. I surveyed his tired form and staggered back, hitting the iron bars of the cell. I couldn't bear to look at him, to look at the man who I had held onto for every second of my life. Even he has let go of me. It only confirmed one thing; that I was unlovable.
"You are allowed ten minutes with my daughter, Master Colter. After that, you are banished from my kingdom." I croaked in broken syllables.
(Daniella's POV)
The dusty path came to an end and in a well lit cell, father sat on the ground against the stone wall. He looked up upon my arrival and murmured, "Daniella."
The guard who escorted me unlocked the door and stood to a side. I didn't know how I should respond, and it seemed like father didn't know what to say either. We stood a metre apart and stared at each other. Then, he said quietly, "Has the witch hurt you, my daughter?" I shook my head but I didn't want to talk about me. I wanted to get to the bottom of what father had clearly done behind our backs. "Who is she?"
He looked uncomfortable as he replied, "A close friend. I knew her before I met your mother."
"And so you love her?"
His eyes glimmered with conflict so he began, "Look, Daniella, I...I found feelings within her, that I haven't felt in a long time. And, well, sometimes love works in unexpected ways. I hope you understand."
My eyes welled in tears so he knelt down before me. As he attempted to take my hands however, I retracted them and hugged myself. I whispered, "But Mama is your true love."
"She is, I suppose, but..." Father sighed and began again, "It's complicated. I'm sorry if I've hurt you, but sometimes things just have to work out like this. Daniella, please. Try to understand that." I shook my head in quick defiance as I raised my voice, "No, I don't get it! I don't understand why you love her and not Mama. We broke the curse together! I had light magic because of you!" Then, I flexed my hands and added with anger and frustration in my voice, "We could have defeated Zelena and because of you, my light magic was weakened! I've completely lost my light powers now!" I ignored the broken expression on father's face and shouted, "It's all your fault!"
As I panted heavily, he came towards me and wrapped me tight in a hug. I tried fighting away from his arms but he held me tighter. I hit his back over and over again in contempt. Why did he have to love another woman?! Why did he have to make Mama feel horrible?! It isn't right, she's been invested in avenging his death for so long and this is the outcome! I felt hot stinging tears stream down my face as I continued to cry. When I felt my voice go hoarse and when I struggled for breath, I finally heard father say repetitively, "I love you Daniella. As your father, I'm so so sorry." I muttered back before thinking, "No you aren't. You're abandoning mother and I. You care about someone else now. And you have your own child. You won't care about me. You didn't even know that I existed until Dr Whale brought you back from the dead!"
He gripped my shoulders and forced me to look at him as he stated, "I do care about you. You're my first daughter, no matter what. I wish I could have seen you grow up, and see you mature but I suppose it was never meant to be."
I frowned as I didn't know how to feel at the moment. His words hurt yet felt warm at the same time. I didn't understand what was going on so I didn't reply at all. He sighed and said, "I refuse to believe that this is the last time I'll see you. Perhaps next time we meet, you'll be queen and you'll have lifted the banishment your mother has placed on me. Until then, I only hope that you never forget to hold on to the kindness in your heart. If you ever assume power, which I'm sure you will, always think of the people. Only then will you have fully satisfied your role. Don't fall into the same trap as your mother has."
"You hate Mama because she's the queen," I croaked.
"Regina has changed, and no, I do not hate her. I just cannot understand her. We have so many differences between us and I simply cannot see how it will work out. I'm really sorry Daniella."
I chose to ignore his statement. I've learnt that sorry means nothing. I pasted my best glare onto my face and replied, "Sorry didn't bring you back to life. Sorry didn't fix the years that I've grown up without my parents!" My voice raised in pitch and volume as I continued, "Mama did everything for you and me, so that we would be a family!"
"Your mother-"
"She loved you!" I screamed.
Father sighed and said in a tone very much opposite to my own, "Daniella, calm down, please."
"Am I not good enough?" I spluttered quickly. He tried to take me into his arms but I shrugged them away. So, he said softly, "My sweet daughter...you'll always be good enough. The only one thinking that you might not be, is yourself. So when I'm gone, will you promise me one thing?"
I sniffled and gave him a look that told him to continue. "Will you promise me that you'll never put yourself down again? You must work to be the best version of yourself...for those you love. For those around you. Don't destroy yourself over regrets or matters of the past. Look to the future. And as you'll literally have the Enchanted Forest at your fingertips, you must do one thing for yourself. That's rule with kindness. It's the only way you won't let that power blind you. You will promise me you'll do that, won't you?"
I really hated promises with a passion so I murmured, "And what if I break it?"
"Well then you'll be hurting no one else but yourself."
I took a deep shuddering breath and finally, let father reach over to embrace me. As I kept the tears at bay, I changed the topic with a heavy heart and asked barely audibly, "So is it a boy or girl?"
"Girl. We haven't come up with a name yet. It's all been too sudden of course."
So, I have a baby sister now and I suppose I'll never get to see what she looks like when she's grown up. Although she represented everything that should have never happened, I couldn't help but yearn for some kind of connection with my sibling. I swallowed and said to the guard standing behind us in the shadows, "Where is my father's child?"
"With her mother in a separate cell."
I nodded and commanded simply, "Take us to her."
"But Your Highness-"
"Did my mother say I cannot see her?"
The guard shut his mouth and murmured, "Very well. Follow me." He ended up leading us to the opposite end of the tunnel. Lena was holding the baby in her hands and rocking it gently when we arrived. Surprisingly, the child wasn't screaming or making any noise. Lena looked up as soon as she heard our footsteps and stood up defensively. I felt uncomfortable under her gaze but father luckily prompted, "Let her hold our child. It's her half sister afterall."
I assumed that the only reason why she placed the child in my hands was because of my father. As I looked down at my baby sister, I suddenly felt a deep hollowing pang in my already heavy chest. She was so small and delicate. I rocked her silently and didn't say a thing. It saddened me that we didn't share a same mother. Everything would be perfect if that were the case. But then again, I suppose even if father stayed with Mama, I wouldn't be getting any siblings because of the infertility potion that she drank. I'll always remain an only child. Well, at least I'm the only heir to mother's throne if we exclude Henry.
It was the guard standing behind us who drew me out of my thoughts. "Your highness, your ten minutes is nearly over. The Queen would want you back in your chambers." I nodded and reluctantly walked over to Lena to allow her to take my sister away. I suppose it was better that I didn't know her name anyway. And vice versa... Quietly I whispered, "Is she going to know about this?"
Father replied in place of Lena. "For her safety, we'll keep this all from her. The past is past. We can only look forward to the future now. And so should you, Daniella." I nodded slightly and walked over to my baby sister cautiously. Then, I gave her a soft kiss on her head. After that, I turned to father. I managed to hold back my tears as he embraced me tightly. In a low voice, he murmured, "I love you Daniella. I'm so sorry for everything. I haven't been the father you deserved. But please don't ever forget that I do care for you. And remember what I told you; rule with kindness."
Not wanting to feel the pang of parting, I breathed in my father's hug for the last time and whispered back, "Goodbye, daddy." Then, I closed my eyes and summoned my magic, disappearing right from his arms. When I arrived in my chambers, I staggered to my bed and curled up like a fetus on top of the sheets. Then, I sobbed for what seemed like eternity.
(Zelena's POV)
"Well well, isn't it wonderfully wicked that your little concussion hasn't cost you your life, sis. Oh well. Stable boy gone. Now, we shall see what happens to stable girl."
"DON'T you dare," a low female voice growled from behind me.
I spun around and laughed. "Mother dearest, you cannot control what I do and what I don't. I suppose it's your fault isn't it? If you hadn't abandoned me, maybe I would care about what you have to say. But alas, your words mean nothing to me."
It was satisfying to watch her beg as she tugged on the bars of the cage I had put her in. "Zelena, you'll turn your heart dark if you do this. You don't want to destroy your family, mark my words. You could have established a relationship with them, but you're throwing it all away. Yet, it's not too late to change-"
"QUIET!" I yelled as I pointed a finger at my mother. Then, I seethed, "I will kill Daniella in front of Regina and YOU will be there to witness it all. YOU will be there to see the consequences of your actions."
I smiled smugly as I watched the powerful Queen of Hearts shed a tear.
