Chapter 16

Disappointment

(Regina's POV)

I was absentmindedly fingering Daniel's ring on my finger when purple smoke appeared in front of me. I looked up to see Daniella take her seat with a glum expression on her face. "Firefly, are you alright?"

Daniella nodded and answered under her breath, "Yeah. I'm fine. The guards are just dealing with something at the moment."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"They're punishing someone."

"The girl whom you were talking to?" I asked confused.

Daniella shook her head. "No. Teagan- the orphanage caretaker."

"What did she do to you? Did she harm you?"

Daniella quickly answered, "Nothing, she didn't do anything to me."

I sighed and rapped my knuckle against the carriage walls, signalling for the driver to take us back home.

(Daniella's POV)

After dinner, I decided to look for the guards who punished Teagan. Throughout the meal, the events at the orphanage earlier were gnawing into my brain; I hope that the guards didn't treat her too badly...

Mother would probably scold me if she found out that I went to the dungeons so I snuck down to the servants' quarters whilst she was taking a bath and preparing for the night. As I passed the maids and servants, they gave me a strange look. However, I ignored them whilst I tried to look for the passage to the dungeons. Feeling like a fool, I eventually asked a guard who was walking past. He took me to flight of tight spiralling stairs and as we descended, the air suddenly felt hot and sticky. There was also a stale stench that hung around the dim yellow lanterns which lead the way to the prison cells. I knew that the guards who accompanied my mother and I today usually took care of dungeon duties so I hoped that I would be able to find them in these quarters.

After asking the guard who showed me the way to leave, I felt my heart thump as I turned into a sharp corner of the passageway. Cells that resembled bird cages loomed into view and behind the dirty iron rods was darkness. Occasionally however, there would be movement at the corner of my eye. Before I walked any further, a guard walked towards me. He was a little too short to be one of the guards who went with me to the village today.

In a juvenile voice, the guard stuttered, "Your Highness, forgive me for asking but what business could you possibly have down here?"

"Uh, I wish to speak with Tyler and Berkley."

"Alright. I'll fetch them for you."

As the guard turned around to leave, I quickly said, "Wait! Just take me to them."

Stammering, he replied, "Well follow me then, your Highness."

Glum and sullen the faces behind the prison cells looked as if they had seen hell. I shuddered and quietly asked the guard, "How many days have these prisoners been residing in here since?"

"Not that long actually. For a common criminal, I would say that they get a week in their cell until they are executed."

"And what sort of crimes does one commit to be considered a common criminal?"

The guard shifted uncomfortably beside me as he grunted something inaudible. Then, he cleared his voice and muttered, "Most of them are thrown here because of treason."

I frowned at the guard's voice and behaviour. Then, I asked him bluntly, "How old are you?"

"17 years old, your Highness...why do you ask?"

I shrugged. "Please don't feel offended when I say this but you don't seem terribly experienced."

"I was hired last month."

I tried to catch a glimpse of the guard's face beneath his helmet but the darkness of the passage cast shadows which shielded my view. "So, what made you want to work here? I mean, you're quite young compared to many of the guards in this palace." I paused before realising that I don't even know the name of this guard. Awkwardly, I asked, "Uh, what shall I call you?"

"My name's Pietro," then, he softly continued, "We lost our father two months ago so my mother put me to work earlier than I expected. My father was a carpenter and I was supposed to follow his trade but I was never good with carving wood, unlike my older brother. It's my decision though; to come here."

I nodded, unknowingly walking closer to the tall shadow of Pietro for the prisoners started to glare and snarl at me silently.

Pietro spoke again, his voice muffled by the helmet, "You seem quite intelligent for your age, Princess. My youngest sister is also ten years old but she doesn't seem to notice things the same way that you do."

My mind whirred. Should I tell him that I was actually sixteen years old? Just one year younger than him? No, its too awkward...

Before I could say anything, there was a shrill scream that came from the direction we were walking towards. I jumped and gasped, "What..."

Taking one glance at Pietro, I sped off towards the scream.

"Wait, your Highness! Let me investigate first!"

It was too late however. As I turned into a new corner, I saw that the iron gates to a prison cell was swung open. There were flickering candles on the wall right outside the cell so as I looked in, I could see clearly what was happening in front of me.

Whilst Tyler stood at the sidelines with a cunning expression, Berkley's muscular form was hunched over a woman. There were horrible sounds coming from the two of them but I could tell that the woman underneath Berkley was struggling. She flailed her legs as if she was trying to escape. I was rooted to the spot but my heart beat even faster when Tyler looked up and saw me. His eyes widened as if he was about to say something but Berkley's body moved slightly to the right, giving me a clear view of the woman's face. Teagan?!

A quiet, croaked reaction echoed from my mouth. "What the hell?!"

Berkley turned around but as I staggered back, I had already begun to use my magic to take me out of the dungeons.

The smoke cleared and I was standing in my mother's chambers. I looked around and saw that she was sitting on her chaise by the fireplace, looking smugly into a mirror in her hand.

"Mama..." I stammered.

Mother jumped and looked up, "Daniella! You scared me...wait, are you alright? You look awfully pale, Dear."

"Mama, the, the, dungeons...the guards there...Teagan..."

Mother set her mirror down quickly and strode over to me, "Daniella, you're not making sense. What's happened?"

Quietly, I muttered quickly, "The dungeons, um, I didn't know that they took Teagan down there and Berkley, he was, he was..."

My mother's expression changed from confusion to an understanding as she growled under her breath, "I've already had him flogged for this."

Then, she used magic to change her sleepwear to a presentable gown. In a second, she disappeared from my sight in purple smoke.

Wait, what? I need to make sure Teagan is alright!

I surrounded myself in smoke and when I set foot in the dungeons again, I saw Berkley kneeling on the floor, clutching his chest. My mother was screaming at him as he grimaced.

"What the hell did you think you were doing? Did you think that you would get away raping another prisoner without me noticing? I've already spared you last time but that won't happen again."

Mother was livid and she quickly tightened her grip on the red glowing heart in her hand. "I know that these prisoners have committed treason but it does not give you permission to use them however you please! You disgust me, you swine!"

The grip on Berkley's heart loosened and he immediately tried to catch his breath. Before he could relieve himself of the pain however, mother kicked him and roared, "You're just like all the men of this world. Using women however they please. A woman is not your property, do you understand?"

Even though my mother had stopped shouting, she continued to kick him physically instead of using magic. Berkley's large muscular form eventually flared onto the straw of the prison cell. Then, my mother dug her heeled boot onto his chest as she brought out his heart and hovered it right above him.

Looking at Teagan briefly, mother seethed to Berkley, "Go to hell you swine!"

Then, she crushed the glowing heart in her hand, squeezing the dust onto Berkley's pale face. After the organ was crushed, mother exhaled and stepped back. She made an indication to Pietro and Tyler who both rushed to take the dead guard out of the cell. Before they exited mother's sight, she suddenly added, "And you, Tyler, don't even think about escaping punishment. You stood by without saying anything. Tonight, you will be flogged and branded."

I didn't even bother to look at Tyler's face, but I assumed that his blood had started to drain him white. After the guards left us, I stepped out from the dark shadows.

Mother whipped her head around and exclaimed, "Daniella! What are you doing here? Actually...what were you doing here? You shouldn't be in the dungeons, its not appropriate for you."

My cheeks reddened but instead of receiving an angry glare from my mother, she reached around and hugged me tight. "I'm sorry you had to see that, little firefly..." then, she exhaled loudly as she continued in a whisper to herself, "how the heck am I supposed to get that out of you mind, Daniella?!"

Whilst my mother was still pondering her thoughts, I snuck out of her arms and faced Teagan, who was curled up in the corner of the prison cell. Her eyes were still wide with fear and her body was shaking uncontrollably.

I crouched down in front of her and quietly whispered, "Teagan? Are you alright?"

Teagan looked at me with the same eyes that I've seen possess her face when I was living with her. She nodded her head uncertainly and looked fearfully up past my shoulders. I followed her gaze to see my mother look at Teagan with an unreadable expression.

In a silky regal tone, Mother began, "My daughter's been talking about you."

Teagan's lips twitched.

"And she's also mentioned that you are a loyal supporter of Snow White."

This time, Teagan managed to keep her face straight. Sighing, mother continued, "However, you have taken good care of Daniella in the past year...and whilst I would have probably killed you for treason, I think you've endured enough for now."

Awkwardly, my mother avoided saying 'sorry' in simple means by stating softly, "What Berkley did was disgusting. No woman should ever experience the feeling of helplessness that you've just experienced."

I stood up and went back into my mother's arms as she continued, "You'll be released from prison tomorrow morning, Teagan."

Then, Mother strode out of the cell as I tentatively followed. Teagan's voice echoed behind us in a hoarse whisper, "You seem to be speaking from experience, your Majesty."

Mother paused and uttered quiet enough for me to barely hear, "You're not entirely wrong."

Then, she bent down and said to me, "Daniella, go back to your chambers and prepare for bed, I'll be with you after I check on Charming."

"Alright," I answered as mother kissed me on the head. Then, I felt her magic enclose me in purple smoke.

(Regina's POV)

As I made my way towards the Prince's cell, I strangely did not feel at ease. I blamed the feeling on what happened with Berkley but I still couldn't shake away the oddness that hung around. I was ready to taunt Charming but when I stepped closer to his cell, my heart stopped. I quickly strode to the iron bars and as my eyes roamed the empty space behind them, I felt fire surge through my body. I let out a scream of fury. Before any of the guards rushed over to find out what was wrong, I teleported myself to my chambers. Setting foot there, I rushed to my black mirror that hung on the wall.

"Mirror!"

The Genie's face instantly appeared. "Your Majesty what's-"

"Where is he?!" I roared, feeling the vein on my forehead pop out of my skin.

"Who?"

"Snow's Prince, you idiot!"

He hesitated and I narrowed my eyes. Then, I threw a spell into the mirror and watched him struggle against my magic. Finally, he let go of his resistance and croaked, "I don't know, ask your guards; ask the huntsman!"

My eyes widened. "Go find him, and tell him to come here immediately."

The genie's face quickly disappeared and I began to pace the chamber. How could they let this happen? How could they let the Prince escape?! I had to travel all the way to George's realm to retrieve him, which gave Daniella an injury, only for him to escape?!

Soon enough, my quick paces were broken by the familiar sound of the Huntsman's footsteps. I looked at him, watching him like prey as he walked through the hall of mirrors.

"Your Majesty..."

"Where is he?...The prisoner!" I thundered.

Quietly, he replied with the word that I was dreading. "Escaped."

I threw out my hands to unleash the magic fuelled within me. The Huntsman grunted as he was pushed towards the wall. I strutted towards him and seethed, "Escaped?! A palace, full of guards, and you let him escape?"

I narrowed my eyes at the Huntsman as he replied meekly, "I did my best"

"You failed!" I screamed. Then, I added, "And do you know what I do to people who fail me Huntsman?"

"You needn't worry. I'll find him, leave him to me."

I surveyed him suspiciously. He didn't seem very convincing to me. However, an image surfaced on my mirror. "That won't be necessary," I said as I strode towards it. The Prince was running through the woods in a full sprint but with the snap of my fingers, I sent him into the infinite forest.

I grinned as there was no way that the sheperd prince could wake Snow from her slumber now.

(Daniella's POV)

I woke up early this morning. After putting a cloak around my shoulders, I sneaked down to the lower gardens. There, I watched as prisoners from the dungeons marched out of the side of the palace. They would all be executed this morning, save for one. Teagan was lead by a guard onto a path that leads out of the palace grounds. As soon as the guard left her to herself, I ran down the hill to catch up with Teagan. I was several metres away from her when she turned around and glanced over her shoulder. Seeing me, she stopped. Once I approached her, she greeted me simply, "Daniella."

"Morning, Teagan."

Teagan continued to walk along the path but I followed her. Eventually, she broke the silence by quietly asking me, "Are you happy, Daniella?"

"The happiest I've been in my life."

"Really? Why is that?"

I paused, thinking of how I should respond. Then I answered, "When life throws sticks and stones at you, home is the best place to be."

Teagan didn't reply instantly. She sighed and looked away from my gaze. Then, she chuckled, "I know you're a good girl, Daniella...I guess there's just some things I don't understand right?"

I looked at Teagan with wide eyes. I never thought that she would say these words so I stuttered back, "uh, ok..."

"Daniella, I want to know your story. You've heard mine when I told Snow about how I came to take care of the orphanage... but I don't believe I know hers or yours."

I nodded. "Well I'm not sure how much I should reveal but yeah...I guess I can talk a bit about me."

Teagan glanced at me with anticipation before putting her arm across my back. "Only if you're comfortable to speak about it."

"I know." I exhaled. Then, I began, "For starters, I'm not exactly ten years old. I'm sixteen."

Teagan stopped walking beside me, "Wait what?"

I chuckled, "Yeah. I'm not sure if you remember but in the first year of my mother's marriage with the King, I was born."

"Yeah, I faintly remember that; I was very young when they announced that the Queen has given birth to a baby girl...So you are Snow's sister?"

I surveyed Teagan's face before lowering my voice and whispering, "Please don't tell this to anyone, alright Teagan? This remains between us."

"Alright..."

"Well then, I'm not blood related to Snow or the King at all."

Teagan's face remained expressionless but she inquired, "And how does this affect your story?"

"The King found out. That's what happened. The thing is however, I was conceived before mother married him. I mean, I have proof of that; I'm a product of true love."

"You're a product of true love?!"

I laughed nervously and said sarcastically, "Yeah, believe it or not, the Evil Queen once had true love." Teagan's silence prompted me to continue, "Anyway, the King wanted to be rid of me so a servant took me out into the village and left me there. However, a portal took me to Wonderland and that's where I spent eight years of my life. Wonderland was horrid but when I was finally able to escape and come back to the Enchanted Forest, I realised that time operated differently between realms. Here, fifteen years had passed since I was taken from my mother. I was still an orphan, of course...so that's when you took me in."

Teagan took a moment to process my story before she asked, "And what of your father?"

I looked down and answered, "He's dead. He was killed because Snow broke a promise to keep my mother's secret. After my father died, mother found out that she was pregnant with me but she was forced to marry the King so she had to pretend that I was his."

Teagan jokingly said, "Well seeing what Snow had faced, I don't think I want go and tell your story to anyone...if I did; you'll be after my head."

I tried to laugh but I couldn't. Instead, my voice dropped to a serious tone as I replied, "You're right. Please don't tell anyone."

Suddenly a flock of birds flew across the sky whilst screeching. We both looked up and Teagan patted me on the back saying, "Well, you should go back to the palace, Daniella. That's your home now; but I guess it's always been."

I stepped back, "Thanks for understanding, Teagan."

I received a smile as a reply. Then, I waved my hands around me. In a puff of purple smoke, I left Teagan.

*The next day

In the early afternoon, I went down to the apple tree with mother to collect some of the ripe fruit that nestled amongst the vibrant green leaves. I balanced on the ledge of the brick surrounding the tree and reached up to retrieve an apple.

"Daniella, please be careful. I don't want you falling off again, like last time."

I plucked the apple from the branch and replied, "Well, last time Cora scared me."

"I know, firefly, but just be careful."

I stepped down to put the apple into the basket beside my mother. As I walked towards her, I heard quick footsteps. Looking up, I saw that a guard was running towards us, with my mother's favourite mirror in his hands. Mother also turned her head around. Then, she snarled towards the Genie, "I told you never to disturb me out here!"

The blue face on the mirror raised his eyebrows and replied, "Trust me, I haven't disturbed you yet. Just wait till you see this..."

Then, the surface on the mirror changed and in front of us, a scene played out. I gasped as Prince Charming knelt down in front of Snow and proposed.

"He woke her?!" Mother screamed.

"Indeed, true love can apparently break any curse."

The Prince's voice echoed, "Will you marry me?"

Smiling, Snow replied, "What do you think?"

The mirror's surface switched back to the Genie as he commented, "That will be one hell of a wedding. There won't be a dry eye in the entire kingdom."

I rolled my eyes as my mother commanded, "Quiet!"

Then, Snow's face appeared back on the looking glass. The Princess whispered, "Let's take back the kingdom."

Mother strode towards the mirror and muttered, "We'll see about that." Then, she gestured for the guard to take the mirror back into her chambers. After that, she stormed away without saying a word.

I silently gathered a few more apples before making my way to the kitchens. I must have surprised the chef for when he noticed that I was in the kitchen, he jumped and let go of a plate that he was holding in his hands. "Uh, your Highness..."

I indicated towards the shattered plate on the ground and softly apologised, "Sorry about that...um, can you use these apples to make our dessert today?"

The chef took the basket from my hands and said, "Yes, of course, Princess."

I mouthed a word of thanks before I teleported to my chambers.

Later in the afternoon, I went over to my mother's rooms for my daily magic lesson. When I got there however, the rooms were empty. "Mama?"

I walked over to the mirror and summoned the Genie. When he appeared, I asked, "Do you know where my mother is?"

"Yes I do. She is in a village right now, talking to Snow White actually..."

"What? Wait, can you show me?"

The Genie nodded and the surface of the mirror was filled with blue smoke. Then, it cleared and I saw that Snow, the Prince and her supporters were crowded outside of the village pub. Opposite to them, was my mother, alone. I noticed that she had changed her outfit for she was wearing a crimson red gown with a high collar composed of black feathers.

The peasants behind Snow were still squirming so I could only assume that my mother had just gotten there. Then, she begun to speak, "Quite the courageous army you're building."

Snow answered, "They may be afraid of you, but we're not."

Mother scoffed. "Why? Because you and the shepherd broke my sleeping curse?"

The Prince and the Princess both drew their swords but Mother quickly bound Charming with ropes using her magic. Then, she continued, "But lucky for you, I didn't come here to fight. I came to offer a deal...Consider it an engagement present."

Snow lifted her head and inquired bluntly, "What do you want?"

"I want you to give up your claim to the throne. If you declare me as the rightful ruler of this land, I'll let you, the dwarves and your so-called prince escape to the sheep farm he once called home."

"Exile?"

"Well I've tried to kill you. Poison you, but none of its worked. Then, I realised that I was going about it all wrong. You need to be alive so that you can spend all your days knowing that I've taken everything from you." Mother paused and glanced at the ground before her as she continued, "So get down on your knees and swear on your father's grave that this kingdom belongs to me."

"And if I don't?"

Mother shrugged, "Well then, someone will have to pay the price." Immediately after saying this, she held out her arm to the side and a girl was levitated up into the air. I gasped when I saw the struggling face of the girl. Eliza!

Behind the mirror, I was sweating. Should I go and save Eliza? Or should I stay here? Grunting, I grimaced as I surrounded myself with purple smoke. Then, I concentrated on the scene inside the mirror. As the smoke cleared, I was standing right next to my mother. Surprised, she let Eliza go as she exclaimed, "Daniella!"

Then, she lowered her voice into a whisper and asked me, "What are you doing here?"

I felt all eyes turn towards me. Feeling stupid for interrupting the scene, I cleared my throat and said aloud, "Helping you, Mother."

Then, I held out my hand towards one of the dwarves instead. I wasn't quite powerful enough to lift him into the air, nevertheless he clutched at his throat in an attempt to pry away my magic. Without diverting my attention, I glanced briefly at Eliza. Even though she was shaking with fear, she seemed to be recovering from being choked.

I heard my mother whisper behind me, "Good girl, Daniella."

Before I could reply, Snow shouted "Stop!" and charged towards us. In a puff of smoke, Mother took herself and I to the side. When we turned around to look at Snow we saw that she had tripped over and was lying on the dirt. Snearing, Mother approached her and stated, "You have until sundown tomorrow to give up the throne but for every day that you defy me, I will kill one of your loyal subjects."

I walked up to Snow as my mother continued, "Stop denying who you are, Snow White. You may have been a princess, but you will never be a queen."

In a cloud of purple smoke, Mother and I returned back to the palace.

*The next day

The carriage rattled to a stop as we approached the village square. Before the carriage door was opened by the guard outside, I spoke. "Mama, do you really think Snow will give up her claim to the throne?"

There was a pause before my mother answered, "We shall see."

Then, the door opened and my mother stepped out. I followed her to see everyone in the same place as they were yesterday. Mother began, "Well dear, have you packed your bags?"

Snow glanced at the sword in her hand and stepped forward, saying, "I thought about your offer and it would be a wonderful life in some safe lovely corner of the world. But, I can't leave my people...not...with...you."

I looked up at Mother to see her tilt her head and respond, "Well then, in that case..." Then, she magically picked up a dwarf and started to choke him. The other dwarves rushed over to help but I swiped my own hand across the air which threw them back.

I watched as Snow and Charming uttered some words to themselves. Then, Snow charged towards us with more vigour than yesterday whilst shouting, "Let him go!"

She swung her sword just as mother's magic surround me. We appeared behind her but to our surprise, she swung around in one smooth motion. The sword's blade swiped right in front of my eyes and I leaned back in shock. However, it made me topple backwards and as I hit the floor, I felt a stinging sensation on my left arm. Seriously?!

"Daniella!" My mother rushed to my side and helped me up. Then, she touched my arm and gasped at the small smear of blood on her hand. Looking up, we both saw Snow display a slightly guilty expression on her face as she muttered, "No, no, no, no...not again..."

Dangerously my mother seethed, "Again? What do you mean, again?!"

Snow's silence confirmed my mother's thoughts as she spat, "It was you. You shot that arrow. You could have killed Daniella!"

Snow looked as if she wanted to apologize but instead, she cleared her throat and said, "You told me to stop denying who I really am. Well, that's exactly what I'm doing. This is my kingdom, not yours, not Daniella's...and I will fight for my throne."

With one hand on my back, my mother glared at Snow and said, "Then I'll see you on the battlefield."

The Princess replied, "We'll be ready."

My heart started to hammer. We're at war.