Chapter 5

As Chrissy sat under the whistle tree, apple in hand she looked forward towards the barn area and sighed gently. She rarely ever got days like these where she had an entire day to herself but Regina insisted she take at least one day to do as she wished. Sitting back and taking in another breath she looked up towards the sky and began to think how different her life would have been had she known her actual parents. It wasn't a thought that came to her often just on these sort of days.

According to the kind lady who pretty much raised her she had been on her way to deliver straw to the mill when she found her in a bassinet near the river she'd walked by countless times before.

"You were just a babe" Her mother had told her one night "Such an innocent and fragile little thing. I took you into town to see if anyone had lost you but no one ever did some even told me to put you back where I found you and let nature take its course. I didn't know it then but from the moment I picked you up I was never gonna let you go. Your my whole world sweetheart and I'll love you to the moon and back" Then she'd end it by tickling her and tucking her in.

They didnt have much and sometimes rarely had enough to eat but they had each other and thats all that mattered. Then her mom got sick, she tried her best to go on as if everything was normal even attempted to deliver the straw to the mill as per usual but she was to weak to even lift the wheelbarrow. She ended up bed ridden with Chrissy who was 7 doing her best to help out in every way she could but her mom continued to get weaker and weaker.

One night while her mother was sleeping Chrissy snuck out the window and ran into the middle of the woods before calling out to the blue fairy. If anyone could help it would be her.

She was about the give up hope after getting no response when she felt the warmth of something on her back, she turned around and smiled "I hear your wish young one. I know your mother is very sick unfortunately shes to far along and no amount of magic can cure her not without paying the steepest of prices."

"I'll do anything, please save my mommy please..." a small tear trickled down her cheek and the blue fairy hesitated before lifting her wand and telling chrissy to hold out her hand. She did as asked an a small glass bottle appeared, the blue fairy went on to explain that this vile would cure her mother but she had to give a life in order to save a life.

So in order to save her mom she had to darken her heart, "The choice is yours" The blue fairy continued "Just remember this is something you'll have to live with for the rest of your life."

On the way back to the small shack they shared chrissy began fighting with herself, she wanted to save her mom but to risk darkening her own heart to do so, this is not what her mom would want for her.

Climbing back in thru the window her resolve set. she went to her moms bedroom and began to aplogize saying how she had to cure but couldn't bring herself to take someone's life.

To her surprise her mom gently touched her cheek and replied how proud she was of her, chrissy climbed into bed with her and her mother held her close, the next morning her mother was cold to the touch and chrissy cried over her mothers lifeless body repeatedly apologizing for not being able to do it and from then on she was on her own.

She stole food to keep from going hungry and lived on the streets until that fateful day that she almost got caught and was saved by Regina.

Now 14 she knew in her mind she didnt want to be a maid forever she wanted to be free to go live her own life and not have to worry about anyone but herself. She had even been saving up enough silver to buy her freedom, she didn't have half of what she needed but she was getting close.

She would have sat under that tree for the rest of the day if she could have but she suddenly felt as if she was being watched and opened her eyes to see one of the stable boys watching her he had one of reginas favorite horse by the led. He had the biggest smirk on his face. It was Nolan, they'd brought him in a couple weeks ago and Chrissy made it a point to stay out of his way. He for whatever reason gave her the creeps.

"Can I help you with something?" She finally asked, he just replied "No, just observing. "

"Yeah well go observe in that direction" When he didn't move she stood up, wiped off her dress and started walking away she didnt expect it when he reached out and grabbed her arm or she would have better prepared herself. "Your a self entitled wanna be princess you know that. Think just because you live in the castle your better then all of us, I hate to break it to you but at the end of the day your nothing more then a servant, that life of luxury your living it wont last long and at some point you'll be tossed out" Chrissy refused to let him see how much those words hurt she never considered herself much of anything, she knew even though she was freinds with regina in the end they were from totally different worlds but that didnt make what he said make it sting any less.

She could tell by the smirk on his face he thought he'd won and she quickened her pace walking quickly back to the castle forcing herself not to turn around that was soon taken out of her hands when she all but ran past the barn and stopped when she noticed Regina coming out of it.

It was to early be to riding her horse, her mother would normally have her practicing the piano right about now. She was about to call out to her but Daniel the stable boy came out from the barn and hurried after her. His strides were much longer then hers and he caught up to her in a hurry whirling her around both arms on her shoulders. Regina looked worried and as if she had been crying. Daniel appeared to be comforting her. The two embraced before she pulled away and all but ran in the direction of the castle leaving Daniel standing by the barn alone.

Tossing her apple over her right shoulder Chrissy quickly followed Regina back to the castle. Once out of view of the barn she called out but it didnt appear as if Regina heard her. She tried again this time Regina looked up "Oh hey Chrissy I've been looking all over for you, um Miss. Milly actually needs you in the kitchen."

"Miss Milly can wait" Chrissy said absolutely refusing to let Regina think she'd fooled her "I saw you in the barn just now" Reginas eyes widened and she pulled her aside motioning for her to shush, once out of ear shot of the guards Regina released her hold on Chrissy's arm and murmured "its not what you think, Daniel and I- We're just freinds."

Crossing her arms, Chrissy shot Regina a look that said she wasn't fooled. "Stop lying to me" She said.

"I'm not lying..." Regina replied back.

"I saw you two! and pardon me for saying so but that definitely looked like you two were more then friends to me." Regina lowered her head and chrissy spotted blush forming on her cheeks. "Oh my god...I'm right aren't I!?"

Regina tried to shush her once "How long has this been going on?" Chrissy continued, all regina could do was shrug and look away "A couple months, I never expected things to go this far. All I wanted was to learn to ride so I could get out of here first chance I get but then..." She paused for a moment and stared up at the sky in awe "He was always so sweet, kind and gentle. Unlike any guy I've ever known..."

"This will not end will Regina, you know that. I dont want to see you get hurt. break it off with him before your mom finds out and it becomes to late. Please!"

"She's not going to find out not unless you tell her. Promise me you wont!"

"Regina..."

"Chrissy, as my freind. I NEED you to promise me."

When Chrissy hesitated Regina repeated "Promise!" once more and lifted her pinky "I'm asking you, not as my maid but as my sister. Do not tell my mother she wont understand."

All chrissy could do was stare, every bone in her body wanted her to say no but the way Regina was staring at her and literally begging right now. After a moment she finally gave in and entwined her pinky with Reginas "Fine! Gods the things I do for you!" Regina squealed and hugged her tight thanking her over and over again. "Now c'mon" She grabbed her arm and dragged her forward "C'mon what?"

"My mothers having a party tonight and she wants me to attend. The castle partys are normally so boring and dull which is why I want you to go with me."

"Regina, No! I can't! Maids aren't allowed to attend unless their working you know this."

"Exactly, you'll be by my side the entire night and we'll have a great time! so you technically will be working. Now c'mon we gotta get ready!"

Little did either know this would be a night neither would forget.

ooooooooooooooooooooo

"Ugh I cant believe I let her talk me into this" Chrissy was muttering to herself. She was watching the royals twirling around with their husbands/wives having a grand old time meanwhile she was standing in the corner near the food table watching Regina get forced into a dance with a boy Cora set her up with.

She didn't look happy but couldn't object not with her mom watching her and Chrissy wasn't allowed to dance she was mainly there to serve anyone who wanted something to eat.

The boy was whispering something to Regina and she tensed up but said nothing as he whirled her around the room in a robotic sort of motion. He led and Regina was just going thru the motions.

"Their so cute aren't they?" Chrissy looked over for a split second at the 3 girls standing off to the side they were sisters from a neighboring kingdom. The Vassuryn Kingdom. Their father ruled with an iron fist and only let his girls out during these types of events specifically to find them suitors. So far the king hadn't had any luck for as beautiful as they were the girls were also very picky. No one was ever good enough for any of them.

"I know and she's dancing with Egon of the Balhae Kingdom" The second girl by the name of Athena began to fan herself as if it had suddenly gotten very hot in the room. "He can butter my biscuits any day of the week" She laughed, her older sister Charlotte stuck up her nose and scoffed "Must you always be so borish" The third sister by the name of Camille just shrugged and began scanning for someone to dance with.

Chrissy couldn't help it, she laughed quietly to herself and shook her head. Charlotte caught on to this and growled "Think something's funny do you? Well go on then, tell us whats so funny"

Swallowing her pride Chrissy had no choice but to lower her head and reply "Nothing. I'm sorry Miss." This seemed to appease them and they walked away with their noses in the air.

Speaking of, Chrissy moved away from the table and decided to go get some of her own. Once out of that stuffy ballroom she made her way into the garden and as soon as she was out of view of everyone she sat down on a small marble bench and sighed to herself. She was unaware she was being watched until she heard something rustle behind her.

At first she thought it was Regina but when she called out to her and she said nothing she spooked herself and decided to just head back in.

The boy who'd been watching her revealed himself. Nolan. "You know young girls shouldn't be out here in the dark all by themselves." She immediately caught a wif of alcohol on him "I can take care of myself thank you very much" She tried to side step but he followed. She tried again but he was faster then her. "don't rush off yet, give us a kiss eh?" He lunged for her but Chrissy shoved him away "Royce this isn't funny. Just leave me alone" She tried to get out of there as quick as she could but he grabbed her and she screamed "GET OFF ME!" he was dragging her, to where she didn't know but she had to think of something to get out of this and fast.

Noticing how he was tipping from side to side she stepped on his foot causing him to howl out in pain she took this chance to run for it, she could hear him calling after her and looked back for a moment which is why she didn't see someone running towards her until she'd bumped into them fully aware to scream again "Chrissy its me!" Regina cried, Chrissy had never been so happy to see Regina in her life she didn't even bother asking what she was doing out here.

"What's going on?" Nolan came stumbling out from the bushes and was eyeing regina now "Hello gorgeous. Come to join the party then?"

he smashed the glass he had in his hands on the ground and stepped over it, Both girls standing their ground prepared to fight if they had to. He lunged again this time for Regina, Chrissy wasn't going to stand by and let him touch her sister and all but jumped on his back grabbing him in a choke hold and screaming in anger. He tossed her off him like a rag doll and stumbled towards Chrissy again. This time it was Regina who had to act and fast, she grabbed a nearby rock and with all the force she had smashed it over his head causing him to stumble, blood trickling down as he hit the ground hard. Regina dropped the rock and suddenly heard people running towards them.

2 of the guards, Cora and a whole crowd came rushing towards the scene. The guard bent down and checked on Nolan before looking to Cora "He's dead your highness."

A shiver ran up Chrissy's spine as they all looked to her "Did you do this?" The main guard was staring daggers at her now "Answer me slave." Chrissy flinched back she knew it was a stupid thing to do but she looked to Regina waiting for her to tell them what happened. If chrissy tried they wouldn't believe her they had to hear it from Regina.

Chrissy could tell by the look in Reginas eyes she was hiding something, there was a reason she was out here and if it was discovered her mother would take swift action.

"Regina. Say something. Please" Chrissy begged but she merely looked away and all at once everyone turned on her "Well thats it then my darling. I told you if you stepped out of line once that would be the end of it." Cora snapped her fingers and ordered the guards to take Chrissy to the Mills.

Chrissy didn't scream, or fight she was to heartbroken and defeated. She couldn't even look at Regina as they dragged her away. As they threw Chrissy into the back of the tumbrel (A prisoner transport vehicle) The guard took one final look at her before ordering the man driving the horse to move forward.

Chrissy rolled up into a ball, her resolve set. She would never trust anyone else as long as she lived and if she ever saw Regina again she was gonna put a knife thru her heart. This she swore.

To be continued...