Chapter 5

Trigger Warnings: Dub-con sex (non-explicit)

— Line Break —

Rooms B52-54-56:

When Rose got back to her room that night, she found Cal there waiting for her. He looked rather smug and happy with himself, but then, when didn't he?

"Sweet-Pea, would you come here for a second? There is something I would like to give you." She frowned, but went to sit at her vanity as 'instructed'.

As she was sitting there, she began to take the pins out of her hair, so that her red curls fell down her back. And then he suddenly stood behind her, breathing down her neck.

She saw he held some sort of black box in his hands.

He smiled smugly, "I intended to save this," he held up the black box, "for the engagement gala next week. But, I thought tonight." He was now stood next to her, and opened the box. She peered inside it, and saw the necklace. It looked rather expensive.

"Good gracious..." she mumbled, he just smiled back. "Perhaps as a reminder of my feelings for you." She studied the necklace, "is it a...?" he nodded in confirmation, "a diamond? Yes." He went to put it around her neck, and she let him. Even though she kind of felt like he just bought her instead of the necklace. Meanwhile he continued his little story, "56 carats to be exact. It was worn by Louis the Sixteenth and they called it 'Le Coeur de la Mer."

She quickly went over the translation, "The heart of the ocean?" He nodded slowly, "indeed. There is nothing I couldn't give you, there's nothing I would deny you. If only you would open your heart to me, Rose. I know you pretend you have, but I also know that you haven't yet done so completely. Let this be an encouragement to do so." And then he left. And she was left wondering what she should do.

She thought of her friend, and how hurt her friend had been. In the worst ways, by both her Mother, and her fiancé. How people could be so heartless, Rose couldn't comprehend. She could only have sympathy for her friend, and want to be there for her. Even more so, Rose felt that she could be grateful that she had such a caring mother. Even if she had made a few mistakes of her own.

Yes, she decided. Cal could take a backseat compared to her friend. Her friend needed her more than Cal ever could. And she was going to be there for her. She put her hand on her heart, as she decided that for now, she would keep her heart closed to Cal. Not to mention, that she never actually saw a reason to open it to him in the first place.

— Line Break —

The morning of April 12th...

Regina awoke to a sense of pain, and memories of the day before flooded back in.

April 11th, the worst day of her life. Every limb in her body hurt, everything was sore, and she felt like she wouldn't be able to walk properly anytime soon.

Where yesterday she had deflated, today she wanted nothing more than to escape this bastard's clutches. If only she knew how. Anytime she thought she had something, it only ended up hurting her in the worst way possible.

She remembered Robin's caring gaze from yesterday. He really did care about her, she just couldn't fathom why. She wanted nothing more than to ask him, but how was she going to get either Leopold or Mother so far that they would let her out of their sight? If anything they would now only pay more attention to her whereabouts...

Perhaps she could get Rose or Ruby to help. But how? It seemed like her Mother would rather not have her be close to them. They didn't share the same views after all. And she also couldn't possibly ask them at breakfast, since they'd have breakfast on their private promenade deck. Not that she liked that one bit, because that would mean that she would be trapped in a rather uncomfortable position.

Worse than that, Eva was still with them. She would be forced to put up with Eva until they docked in New York...

Then she got an idea. She could practice her 'Evil Queen' role on Eva. The lying little whore had after all betrayed her. Surely she could give Eva a bit of a hard time. If only to practice for the important part, breaking free from the shackles keeping her trapped in her golden cage.

What surprised her, though, was the retching sound she heard coming from the bathroom. Or rather, Eva's bathroom in the servant's quarters. Was Eva sick?

Despite her anger, she felt the need to check on her handmaiden. She convinced herself that it was because Eva needed to function properly so she could perform her duties as Regina's handmaiden.

She untangled herself from his limbs, that were holding her in place quite possessively, and made her way to Eva's bathroom.

She lightly knocked on the door. "Eva dear, are you alright?" When she got no response, she knocked again. "Eva dear, if you don't open up, then I'm going to fetch a physician..."

This time she did get a response, but not the one she expected. "Go away!" This angered her to no end, how dare Eva speak to her like this? "How dare you speak to me like that, Eva? Last I checked, you work for me. Now are you going to let me in, or should I go fetch a physician, and wake my Mother and fiancé in the process? I am sure they will be none to pleased with this kind of disturbance so early in the morning, hm?"

A grumble came from the bathroom, but a few seconds later the door got opened anyway. Regina looked Eva over. Eva really did look sickly pale. Then she saw the tears streaking down Eva's face, and she couldn't help but feel a little bit of sympathy. "Eva dear... what's wrong? Why have you been crying?"

She watched Eva swallow, "I don't know how to tell you this..." Regina nodded slowly, "just try. I won't get angry. Now's not the time for that. Please just tell me what is going on? Or what you think is going on?"

Eva's lip wobbled, "I... uh... my uh.. period is late... I thought it was the stress... but now I feel terribly ill..." Before she could say anymore, she hurried back to the sink. Regina frowned, she had heard of those symptoms before, but where? The doctor would know, but that would mean waking her Mother and Leopold... unless she could sneak out and get back in before they woke up. Yes, that's what she was going to do, they'd just have to be quick. But first she quickly hurled herself into a dress. She couldn't go visit the doctor in her nightgown after all.

She waited until Eva was done vomiting, and helped her get up. Together they crept out of the room and into the hallway. They struggled down the halls, Regina herself wasn't still fully healed from the pain of the day before, after all...

When they got to the doctor's office aboard the ship, Eva was told to explain her case. Regina could see that the doctor already knew what was going on, but he performed some tests anyway. Probably to confirm his suspicions.

After a little while, he got up, and Eva went to ask what was wrong with her. The answer shocked the both of them, "I believe congratulations are in order, Miss White. You're pregnant. I'd say... about 4-6 weeks along."

After they had left the doctor's office, the two made their way back to the Suite in silence. When they got there, it turned out that both Leopold and Cora had woken up while they had been gone.

Of course, they both demanded where Eva and Regina had been. When Regina explained that they had been to the doctor's office because she woke up from Eva's retching, Cora and Leopold both asked what the doctor had said. Regina looked at Eva, "Do you want to tell them or should I?"

"Tell us what?!" Cora and Leopold demanded angrily. Eva fiddled with her fingers, so it was up to Regina to tell them. 'Of course she leaves it up to me to take the fall...' she thought bitterly, but didn't say.

She cleared her throat, and stated coldly, "Eva here," she motioned to the nervous maid, "is pregnant."

— Line Break —

Third Class:

Jack noticed that his friend had been silent and sulking all morning. Sometimes he could see a trace of anger or rage going over his friend's face.

Robin wanted Jack to let him be, so Jack kept his distance, and tried not to disturb his friend. But at some point, he saw that his friend was silently crying, and now he really wondered what was going on.

He took a seat next to his friend, "Rob... talk to me. What is going on? What's bothering you so much that you're sitting here crying?"

Robin stayed silent, not wanting to tell his friend what was going on with him. Jack would only make fun of him anyway. For pining after a girl like Regina.

But he was just so angry. Not with her, but for her. He was angry on her behalf. He couldn't understand why someone would want to hurt her so badly. She was such a sweet young woman. And so far out of his league.

He really wanted to punch everyone who dared to hurt his Regina. Wait. His Regina? Since when had he gone so far as to claim her as his?

"Whoohoo! Rob? You still in there?" Jack waved his hand in front of his friend's face, but Robin seemed completely lost in thought.

Robin snapped himself back into the present, "what? could you repeat what you just said?"

Jack laughed, "I just asked if you were still in there somewhere. You were completely lost in thought, I think. Now tell me what is bothering you, my friend. Is it that girl you've fallen so hopelessly in love with, despite not knowing her very well?"

"She has a name you know. It's Regina. And yes, yes it is. I am just so... angry. Not with her, don't get me wrong, but for her. The people who are supposed to love her the most, just keep hurting her so badly. You saw how she could barely walk straight last night. I just want to punch that guy in the face for hurting her like that y'know..."

Jack laughed, "I get it. But before you go make a fool out of yourself by trying to play her valiant knight, make sure she feels the same for you. And as you already said, her mother and he wouldn't hesitate to hurt her, so please don't go make things worse for her until you know more alright?"

He nodded slowly, "I know, you're right. But that doesn't lessen my anger. And how do I even find out if she feels the same way I do?" Jack chuckled, "uh, what about you ask her? I could go fish with her friend Rose, if you'd like... see if she knows something..."

Jack looked dreamily up at the ceiling.

Now it was Robin's turn to chuckle, "well, mate, looks like you've fallen for Rose, haven't ya" Jack nudged Robin in his side, "shut up Rob."

— Line Break —

Rooms B51-53-55:

The tension that was now present in the room could be cut with a knife. Neither her Mother or Leopold spoke a word.

It was her mother who spoke first, and asked in a honeysweet tone, "How far along are you?" To which Eva swallowed and mumbled, "the doctor says between four and six weeks ma'am."

The silence continued, stretched, and eventually became strained. Neither Eva or Regina dared to speak. Until finally Leopold decided on the matter, "We'll talk about this later. Let's have breakfast first."

Breakfast was indeed an awfully uncomfortable experience that morning.

Everyone sat and ate in silence. The same strained silence that had inhabited the suite before.

"So..." Regina finally spoke up, "what are the plans for today?" It was her Mother who spoke up, "well, first you and I will have a little chat on how you are to behave when you are out in public, because it seems you have forgotten. Afterwards, you and I will have tea with the Countess of Rothes, and Lady Duff-Gordon. After tea, we will go for a walk along the deck, until lunch is announced, which we'll eat at the Café Parisien. The DeWitt-Bukaters and Mr Hockley, The Golds, and the ship's architect Thomas Andrews will join us as well. After lunch you may go to the library or walk around our part of the ship until our afternoon tea, which you and I will have together here. Just the two of us. Between afternoon tea and dinner you and Leopold will spend some time together. When dinner is announced, you and I will dress up together, and Leopold will escort you to dinner, while Eva and I will have a chat here about what to do about her... situation, and I will then join you afterwards."

Regina nodded, understanding that she and Rose would have to sneak down to third class between lunch and afternoon tea. "Okay Mother."

— Line Break —

Later that day...

They had just had lunch together, and she and Rose were trying to sneak down to third class to meet up with their friends. When they came down the stairs into the third class common rooms, their friends were waiting for them there.

Once again Henry jumped into Regina's unsuspecting arms, but this time she had a bit more trouble staying upright, and she fell back landing ungracefully on her butt. Everyone burst out laughing at the sight, but Regina scowled. She had already been feeling sore, and now she'd also made herself out a fool in front of all these people...

She cracked a smile anyway. It's not like anyone would know that it wasn't genuine.

It was Robin who helped her get up, and when he did, she almost fell into him. Their faces got so close, that he could smell her perfume, apple-scented. And she could smell his cheap cologne, and it smelled a bit like forest. It was Emma's awkward cough that made them pull apart. Regina started fiddling with her dress, whereas Robin started playing with his suspenders.

Henry grinned childishly at the both of them, "you two really like each other, don't you?" Both their eyes widened like saucers, and they stammered simultaneously, "What?"

In the meantime, Jack took Rose to another corner of the room.

"Look, Rose, we need to talk." Rose frowned at him, "Really? Why?" He chuckled nervously, "well, you see my friend over there, yes?" When she nodded in the affirmative, he continued, "He has completely fallen head over heels for your friend, as I hope is obvious to see for everybody here. This morning, he was angry, and brooding. He wouldn't talk to me. It was like pulling teeth to get him to. He cares so much for her, that he was angry on her behalf. He was just about ready to barge up there and beat whoever did that to her to pulp. Do you think his feelings are reciprocated by her? Or do I need to start preparing his funeral?"

Rose looked over at her friend, "I don't think it's so much that she doesn't reciprocate his feelings. Anyone can see that she cares a lot about him, possibly even loves him. But her life is far from easy. Just this morning she got a lecture from her mother about how she is to behave herself, not to mention that she found out that her handmaiden is pregnant with her fiancés child. Her mother and he keep her locked in a cage, and she's lucky enough that she could escape from their eyesight for a little bit. They follow her around like a hawk over its prey. She knows that if your friend gets involved, he'll get hurt too. So she shuts herself off, and follows in line with whatever her mother and fiancé say. Your friend has the key to her heart, I'm fairly sure of it, but the challenge is getting her to let him use it. She's scared, and not without reason."

She blushed at Jack, if only slightly. He had these beautiful blue eyes, and his sandy blonde hair made him even more attractive. She swallowed slowly, before she excused herself and returned to the rest of the group.

Regina and Rose stayed with their friends for another while, until it was time for Regina to return to her room to have tea with her Mother.

— Line Break —

Regina and her mother were seated at the table on the suite's private deck. Cora eyed her daughter suspiciously, something was going on, but Cora couldn't figure out what. "Regina dear, are you alright?" She asked in her most sweet voice, trying to goad the girl into talking to her.

Regina looked up at her mother as she placed her teacup back on its dish. "Yes, Mother. I'm fine. Why wouldn't it be?" She had never been a very good liar, and Cora knew that too. "Regina darling, you don't have to hide from me. It won't do you any good anyway. So you might as well tell me what is on your mind."

Regina sighed, "You want to know what is on my mind, Mother? Did you perhaps stop to think that what is on my mind may be because of the fact that my handmaiden is now pregnant with my fiancés child? How would you feel, if you were only there for daddy to be the pretty lady on his arm, while behind your back he's sleeping with other woman and getting them pregnant, mhm?" It wasn't quite the truth, but it wasn't a complete lie either. She didn't like having to be married to Leopold at all, but if it was going to happen anyway, then at least let him be loyal to her, and not sleep around getting other women pregnant behind her back.

Cora visibly swallowed at that, she had to admit that her daughter made a good point there. "What do you want me to do about it? How can I help you?" Regina sighed, "How about you tell him that I refuse to let that child live with me? That I refuse to raise it, even with Eva still present in its life? I don't want to be fifth-wheeling for the rest of my life thank you very much. If he wants to live with his child and its mother, then fine. But I won't be part of it. That's the one thing I refuse to do. I know I have been difficult about this whole arrangement, but that is my one condition. I want Eva and that child out of my life, because I won't be used as a pretty rich girl on his arm, only for him to sleep around getting her pregnant behind my back."

Cora nodded, she could understand that. But she loathed to admit that she was kind of scared for Leopold's reaction to that condition. Would he give up his inheritance to be with the child he helped create? Or would he do as asked and refuse to acknowledge it and send Eva and her child on their merry way? She didn't know the outcome of this, and Cora didn't like that at all. She liked having things in her control, and Regina just made that a whole lot harder.

Of course there was a line of suitors for Regina's hand in marriage, but none as powerful as the Blanchard family. "I'll talk to him," She promised, "but I can't promise a good outcome."

Regina nodded, she could only be glad that her mother sided with her on this matter. Nevertheless, she didn't know how she felt about Robin. She liked him very much, but she couldn't endanger him by getting close to him behind her mother and Leopold's backs. It was morally wrong, and would be an awfully vengeful thing to do. And she refused to do such a thing. She would not stoop to Leopold's level. Ever.

— Line Break —

After having had tea with her mother, Regina was left alone in Leopold's company. She knew that there was a reason her mother had put this 'time' on her schedule for today. It was probably so that she and Leopold could get to know each other better. Though she suspected her mother and Leopold had different definitions of that term. Leopold's version seemed to be more... physical.

That thought was confirmed when he attached his lips to hers in a bruising kiss. She wanted to struggle herself free, but quickly found out just how impossible that was. The more she struggled, the firmer his grip on her became.

"I would've thought you had learned by now," he husked in her ear, "how important it is that you please me. That you keep me happy. Show me that you're the one that I want, and not that chambermaid. It would be a sad day if I had to tell my father how your lowlife chambermaid pleases me more than you do..."

She knew she had no choice now. Her mother would have an aneurysm if she chose the easy way out of this by saying no. So, she hung her head, pretending to be ashamed, "I know, I'm sorry."

He studied her lithe frame. He just couldn't understand why she was so afraid, so tense, around him. He wanted that to change, but it would seem that whether he got angry or stayed calm, or even gave her the choice, it would never matter. She would still be just as tense and silent.

"Regina dear, you need to loosen up a bit. You seem so awfully tense today..." She frowned up at him, "I am tense? Well, how do you propose I loosen up then? Since you're the expert and all..."

He just grinned at her, "You still have to ask? Just, let me take care of you." Before anything else could be said, he was on her, and she had no chance of breaking free. Forced to let him do what he wanted, again. Perhaps her mother was right, she thought. Perhaps I am weak.

It wasn't much later that the bugler announced that it was time for supper. Her mother helped her into her dress, it was a red one. It showed off all her curves and assets and she knew her mother was doing it to impress Leopold. Hoping he would renounce his duty as the father of the child growing inside Eva's belly. That he would choose Regina, simply because of her beauty. Eva wasn't ugly by any means, but Regina, in everyone's eyes she was all you could ever want. Regina herself never knew how to feel about that. She was always left wondering if people really genuinely liked her, or if they just tried to get close to her for her beauty

— Line Break —

Meanwhile...

Rose was seated at their private deck with her mother and Cal.

"So Rose," her mother started, "I hope you liked your gift?" Her mother winked at her, as if to tell Rose to play along, "uh yes, actually. It is quite a beautiful piece, I almost don't dare to touch it, afraid that I'll break it with my clumsiness and all..."

Both Cal and her mother laughed at her admission, "well, Rose," Cal started, "why do you think I got a box to go with it? Trust me, your clumsiness won't break that wonderful piece of jewelry." He excused himself afterwards, and Rose was left alone with Ruth.

"So Rose, what have you been up to today?" Rose chuckled softly, "well Mother, I took Regina with me to third class today. It was a bit hard to get there unnoticed, but it was worth it. There's only one little problem I don't think Regina herself is aware of."

Ruth frowned at that, "oh? what is it?" Rose sighed, "well, apparently there is this guy that is absolutely smitten with her. His name is Robin, and he is Jack's best friend. According to Jack, Robin was brooding and silent this morning. Turned out it was because he was angry on Regina's behalf. He was about ready to come and hit that Blanchard guy in the face. The thing is, I don't think Regina has noticed that Robin is completely smitten with her. And she herself doesn't realize that she likes him in a more than friendly manner either... what a mess."

Ruth nodded, "yes, that could pose quite a problem. Not to mention that I don't really like you two going down to steerage in the first place. I support you, of course, but it's motherly instinct. The poor are probably a bit more touchy with us first class passengers. They are much more likely to want to rob us. After all, we own the expensive things that they don't have. So please just watch out..."

Rose nodded, "of course, Mother." Ruth chuckled, "and this Jack sounds like a good man. But really Rose, you can't allow yourself to fall into the same situation as your friend. I know I told you that you could leave Cal when we dock, but right now we're still on this ship. I wouldn't want to bring either you or this Jack fellow in danger by allowing him to get too close to you..."

Rose chuckled, "I understand, Mother. But Jack is just a friend, really. While he undoubtedly has beautiful eyes and this cute boyish face, doesn't mean that I'm in love with him..."

Ruth nodded, "well, we'll see. What isn't yet can still come. So just be careful, that's all I am saying, alright?" Rose chuckled, "of course, Mother."

"Good, now come here and give your old mother a hug."

Rose did just that, and embraced her mother in a loving hug.

"I love you, Mother."

Ruth smiled, "I know, my little princess. And mama loves you too. I am sorry I was so hard on you before. That wasn't necessary. You have grown into a most beautiful young lady with such a loving character."

"Thank you, Mother. You have no idea how much that means to me."

— Line Break—

When Leopold had finished dressing himself up into his best suit as well, he took her arm as he led her to the Grand Staircase, which they descended together, as he escorted her to dinner like a proper gentleman. On their way down the hallway, he whispered into her ear, "You're practically a goddess, woman. I can't wait to rip this dress off of you tonight." She shuddered in fear, almost asking 'again?', but she thought better of it. But then he continued his little speech, a little louder this time, as they passed the elevators, "but first, I shall be a proper gentleman, and escort you to dinner like a future husband should. It would be ill-mannered of me if I didn't. I also want you to know that you can eat whatever you would like tonight. On one small condition." She thought he was going to ask something big, but it really wasn't, "I want you to be the only woman in my life, if you'll allow me to be the only man in your life, mon chérie*." She could only nod. If she couldn't break free, then this was the best offer she was going to get. So she accepted, "of course, my love."

Neither of them noticed the child that had been eavesdropping on their conversation. Nor did either of them notice how the child ran into the awaiting arms of his blonde mother as she took the crying boy back down to the third class, where they belonged. If Regina had looked better, she would have recognized the boy to be Henry, and his blonde mother as Emma. If she had been more careful, Regina wouldn't have destroyed a young boy's innocent view of the world.

If while at dinner, Regina would have paid more attention to those around her, while she was trying to act the 'happy fiancé' part, she would have noticed the pitying gazes she received from Ruth, Rose and Ruby. Her three best friends, whom had vowed to try and break Regina free from her golden cage, now had no idea where to start.

This time, Regina had trapped herself, albeit unknowingly. But these three women were still more than determined to help their friend. They had no choice. They had seen how hurt Regina had been last night. They couldn't, and they wouldn't, allow Regina to hurt herself even more by allowing her to trap herself into a loveless relationship for the rest of her life.

They were determined not to let Regina's fire die out. Now, Operation Firebird could really get started. Or rather, it needed to get started now more than ever. Regina had to keep her fire burning. Because it was clear that she couldn't do it all by herself.

When Rose went down to third class that night, Henry was the first person she spoke to. "Let's get this operation on the road, shall we?" He nodded eagerly, despite his tears from earlier, "Alright. Operation Firebird is a go."

— Line Break —

Mon chérie: French term of endearment.

Usually meaning 'my darling' or 'my dear'.

— Line Break —

Author's Note

Well darlings, here you go.

Chapter 5 of 'The Ship of Dreams'.

I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it.