(Daniella's POV)

Father's mouth remained shut as he gave the servant another glance worriedly which was the only answer mother needed. She turned away with her lips parted in disbelief. As she took heavy breaths, she briefly met my gaze with glassy eyes. Then, without turning around, she murmured in a low venomous tone, "When?"

"Two days ago," father replied, as he put his hands on the stomach of the pregnant woman. Although it made no sense, I gulped and looked away, feeling sick myself. Was this the reason why I couldn't perform light magic? Decisively, mother turned back around and stalked towards them, heels dangerously clicking in fury. Then a sharp crack sliced through the air as she hit the woman with vigour. Father immediately shouted, "Regina!"

However, she silenced him by screaming demonically, "How dare you! You have a future ahead of you! You have a daughter who loves you, you have me- and you betray us?!"

"Do I really? Or is it a future that you want? Is it that you simply care about yourself?" Father retorted as he stood up. I felt a sickening weight sit in my chest. He didn't say that. This is all a dream. It has to be. This is not the man my mother had been describing to me. Mother rounded on him and despite the height difference, she made quite the spectacle as she argued, spit flying everywhere, "Everything I've done has been for you! All these years, I've never let go of you for one second, and, and, and the next minute you find yourself another woman?!"

"Regina, perhaps if you had-REGINA!"

Mother threw her hand into the woman and withdrew a red beating heart. She laughed off her tears as the woman cried out in pain. Lena was begging between raspy desperate breaths but mother paid no heed to the woman's struggles. I knew mother's grip on the woman's heart was tightening as she groaned out in agony after each hurl of fury. Father shouted desperately in response, "Please Regina! Forgive her! It was my fault, it's not hers! Don't kill her, don't kill our child-"

"QUIET!" Mother yelled as if fire rolled off her tongue. I swear I felt the touch of flame on my own skin the second her voice shook the hall to its core.

Father ignored her and threatened, "If you kill Lena, I'll never look at you again. Let her go. Let her and the child live."

Mother initially paid heed to his threat. She looked at him, and there was several emotions that flew past those glassy pupils. However, she pushed away the sentimental ones and ignored his words. She kept squeezing the heart with a snarl, and Lena's face was turning white, devoid of blood. That's when father gave mother a glance and shoved her over. I ran towards her but from the forceful push she had received, she collided with the hard ground. "Mama!"

No one rushed to her aid, except I. She hadn't expected that blow for she did nothing to prevent her fall. When she was getting up from the ground, her demeanour changed. "Mama?" I murmured shakily. She glanced up at father, with broken eyes and mouth agape. Then, in a cracked whisper, she repeated his words, "You'll never look at me again? You-"

"You're changed, Regina. You're no longer the girl I knew. I can't see her in you. You've murdered her. She's gone and replaced by this...by this monster they all fear."

"What did you just say?" mother uttered in a barely audible tone. Father didn't reply. The air felt so heavy at this point, as if it was reflecting the pain and utter destruction of mother's hope. I felt it too, I felt my spirit weakening, as if some part of me depended on the magical remnants of true love. Mother staggered towards him but he must have seen it as an attack, for he shielded her from the pregnant woman as he side stepped.

"You're afraid of me," she simply stated. There was no doubt of that, as his face changed whilst she continued stepping towards him. She was using magic to control him, for he stood rooted on the spot and allowed her to approach him closely. I also came up to them, and when I caught a glance at mother's face, I saw that her dark eye makeup had merged into the streaky tears. However, she refused to make a sound as she held his face in her hands. Then, she brought him in for a kiss, one that he was struggling against. Her eyes closed in a tight sad frown.

I felt my body clench together tightly, as if someone was scraping my heart out of my body. It ached to see no passion in the kiss on my father's behalf. Finally, mother drew away, and so did her magic. "Regina-"

Mother away as she breathed heavily, "I never want to see your face again." After a moment of silence, she screeched, "GO! LEAVE ME!"

Instead of flinching like I thought he would, father asked, "And the child?" Blood rushed to my head as he said that word. Mother swallowed as she tilted her head up. After recomposing herself, she roared, "Guards!" A pair of them came forward as she regarded Lena with a hateful expression. Then, she shakily commanded, "She and the whore will die tonight."

The servant fell to mother's feet and begged for mercy as father reasoned, "Regina! Please! It's not Lena's-"

"Silence!" mother yelled in father's direction. As she took measured steps forward, she hissed, "I've already granted her the compassion of not killing her myself. Consider it my last act of kindness the world will witness."

"Look at you! How can you...how can you live with yourself?! Regina you disgust me," father spat. I bit my lip so hard that I swear the saliva I swallowed was warped with the taste of metallic blood. It surprised me that mother didn't answer. She gave father a long hard stare, and I didn't even know what to make of her expression. My own eyes clouded with tears and I couldn't help but choke out, "Daddy?"

His gaze snapped onto mine and softened with something that looked like empathy but I didn't want it. When he came forward in a stance that seemed as if he wanted to take me into his arms, I immediately huddled into mother's side. She gripped me tightly as the guards roughly seized the servant. Father continued to beg, "Listen to me, Regina. Spare them, the mother and the child. Just do this one last thing for me. Imagine if it were your daughter who had to be killed. I beg of you..."

I didn't even remember what he said next. My mind could only fumble over how he didn't even say my name. He used 'your' as if I'm not his daughter. That however, seemed to have hit close to mother's heart as she breathed heavily and finally murmured, "Take them to the dungeons. They are not to die by anyone's hand but my own."

As the guards seized them, father tried to speak as he glanced at me and started, "Regina, I'm sorry, just let me-"

"NO!" she cried whilst pulling me close into her. I looked nervously between them.

"Regina, I'm sorry. I tried; but I couldn't-"

Mother didn't answer, only watched as the guards gripped father and the servant in their hands, forcing them to leave. The last glimpse I got of father's face was apologetic but I wanted it rid from my mind. The hall was large and soon, it became unbearable to look at him any longer. I buried my face into mother's chest. I suppose I was too shocked to cry, but I shook tremendously. When the doors had slammed shut, indicating that they had left, I felt sudden movement. I looked up to see mother's eyes fluttering. Then, her weight seemed to lean against me.

I was powerless against her, when she started falling forward. Her eyes were closing as she lost consciousness. I saw that and immediately screamed, "Mama?! Mama!" A couple of guards sprinted over but I continued screaming in fear of losing her. She must have been wounded in the fight with Zelena. No, no, no...

Crimson glistening blood pooled beneath her head.

I ran to mother's side as soon as they placed her on the bed. Someone was sent to fetch the doctor but I was unsure if she was going to be ok. She had been struck by magic. What if the spell had been as deadly as the one which nearly killed me? I hovered my hands over the bloody mess on mother's head but no magic came out. I whimpered as tears fell down my cheeks. I felt the absence of my magic draw a new wave of nausea through my body. Then, I started shaking as I looked at my quivering hands.

Someone touched my shoulder and I turned around to see Yvette looking at me with concern. I gave her a glance before falling into her arms. She whispered, "She's going to be ok."

Through hot tears, I croaked, "No, she's not...I can't heal her!"

As Yvette rubbed my back, she said softly, "Shhh, a doctor's coming. He can heal her injury-"

At the corner of my eyes, I saw him walk in with a briefcase in hand. When I parted, he bowed briefly before coming up to my mother's side to examine her. She was still unconscious but I stood by the side of her bed and held her limp hand.

Eventually, the verdict was that she had to rest in bed for at least a week. The doctor stopped the bleeding and used a magical herb to speed up the healing process on the wound but if she moved too much, it would just hinder her recovery. We were there by her side for hours but she still didn't wake. However, I was able to note a slow rising and falling of her chest. Nightfall came quickly and since I refused to leave, Yvette had no choice but to bring my dinner to me. One by one, the guards left; save for the ones who guarded mother's chambers. The doctor had also followed them, to give me privacy.

By my side, I only had Yvette to keep me company. I nibbled on my food but felt too overwhelmed by what happened to eat properly. I didn't even want to think about my father. Thoughts about his piercing words threatened to invade my mind and I would tremble until I suppressed my feelings.

However, a guard soon walked in to bear a message. He nodded to me before revealing, "Snow White found out about the incident. She wishes to see the Queen, but I believe we should deter her until she's woken up. However, Prince Henry requests to see Her Majesty."

I threw a glance at mother before saying quietly, "You can send Henry in, but no one else."

He left and came back a few minutes later with Henry by his side. My brother ran towards the bed and asked me quickly, "Is she ok?! What happened?"

I assumed he found out about the Wicked Witch so I replied truthfully, "She got two concussions; one from fighting the witch and the other from...from when father hit her."

"Your father hit her?!"

Tears welled in my eyes and I replied back in a flat voice, "He's not my father anymore."

Henry treaded cautiously as he wrung his hands together, "What do you mean?"

I tried to answer but I couldn't. Bile rose up from my throat as I thought more about him. One glance at Henry's confused face made my tears eventually spill out. He hugged me and said in a trembling voice, "What happened?"

Yvette must have gestured for him to keep silent as he didn't continue on the matter. After a moment however, I pushed him away gently and created an orb of magic in my hand. It was purple, just as I had expected. "Look Henry, it's gone. My light magic. I don't...I don't have my light magic anymore."

"But that's impossible! You can't just lose it!" He said with a gulp. I sat down on the bed and looked at mother, who was still lying unconscious. Through stammering breaths, I muttered, "It's all just a lie. Nobody would love me. I'm...I'm just a witch with evil powers."

"Dani, no you're not-"

"You once said so yourself," I retorted under my breath. Seeing his broken face however, I quickly said, "No wait, I didn't mean to say that, Henry I-"

"No, it's ok. But please listen to me. You're not evil. Mom loves you, I love you...as my sister of course."

I sliver of a grin tugged the corners of my mouth upwards so I had to bite my lip in order to control it. Then, I took a sigh and whispered quietly, "Thanks."

Henry seemed to be looking worriedly in mother's direction so I reassured him, "The doctor said that she's going to heal but the recovery will take at least a week. She'll have to remain in bed for that time."

"But is the witch umm, defeated?"

I shook my head regrettably and whispered, "If she comes any time again, I can't even fight her! I don't have my light magic anymore and I won't be able to stand up against her if she decides to kill mama." Yvette cut into our conversation and put a hand on my shoulder. "Princess, I believe Snow White's forces are organizing fairy magic to protect the palace from the Witch. They won't let the Queen fall into the hands of her." I frowned and stated, "Snow and her allies hate my mother. Why would they protect her?"

"Your kingdoms may be wary of each other but there's one thing that they recognise. It's that you and Henry share a mother. They won't let her die for your brother's sake. Besides, it's about protecting the kingdom from the witch as well. No one wants her to take over the Enchanted Forest because who knows what she'll do." After a brief pause, she added softly, "Daniella, you should rest for the night. Leave your mother to recover."

I frowned and whispered, "But what if she wakes up?"

"Someone will tend to her. If you want, we'll wake you if that happens whilst you're sleeping. How does that sound?" I nodded and reluctantly stood up. Then, I bent over and gave mother a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, mama," I murmured.

Next day...

Early the following morning, I was awoken by someone shaking me. My eyes flittered open to see Yvette close to my face. I sat up immediately and nearly knocked into her as she said, "Your mother's awake."

Instantly, I pushed back the covers and leapt out of bed. I ignored the chilly air as I ran barefooted towards mother's chambers. Upon seeing me, the guards immediately opened the chamber doors. Mother was propped up with pillows when I came in. She smiled and murmured weakly, "Firefly." I barrelled into her and she chuckled lightly as she held me in tight. "Mama, are you ok? How are you feeling?"

She whispered over my shoulder, "If you're talking about my injury, it's nothing major. I'm just a little hazy right now, but it should go away soon. If you fetch my potion and spell book, I can make something that will speed up the process-"

"Is it a herb? Because the doctor told us that he had already put some on your head."

"Indeed he has, but I can make something that will help magically." She breathed heavily before changing the topic with her hand on mine. "Anyway, enough about me my dear. You're not hurt are you?"

I shook my head, "No I'm fine...but Zelena escaped with grandmother! What are we going to do about her now? I mean, I don't know how well Snow's forces will defend the palace against the witch."

A frown appeared on mother's face so I sat onto her bed as I waited for her answer. She whispered, "Yes, Sir Richardson told me that Snowflake and her followers have assumed control over the palace security. Rest assured, I'm going to heal myself as soon as possible so that I can kill my sister." I didn't reply to that resolve as I knew how difficult it was to change my mother's mind. Besides, I didn't really want to say anything against her, knowing that she might see the parallels between my father and myself. That was the thing that I was most afraid of. It was bad enough that we share a similar name.

"Firefly, could you go to my spell room and fetch me the casket with all of the basic potions? Oh, and take the spellbook encrusted with the purple gem too." I nodded and did as she asked. The spell room was locked with blood magic so that only mother and I could enter. Well, I suppose the Witch has free access to it now. I pressed my hand on the door above the handle and a tinge of magic sparked between my fingers and the wood. Then, I felt a click and I was able to push the door open. The room resembled the vault back in Storybrooke except it was a little more spacious. I retrieved the spell book from the bookshelf before grabbing the heavy wooden box of magical ingredients that we had often used in potion making before the curse struck.

When I brought it to mother, she gave me a small smile and said, "That's right, thanks firefly." I placed the items on a stool at the end of her bed and pushed it over to her side. She took the spell book and flipped through. Then, she showed me a page full of elvish handwriting. I already knew what she was asking of me. "But I haven't read Elvish in so long! I think I've forgotten-"

"Well my dear, you're back in the Enchanted Forest. Wouldn't it be good to practise your reading?"

I groaned but nonetheless, took the book from her hands. I was only able to make out a few of the ingredients needed for the potion but it seemed to be good enough for mother. The potion was relatively quick to make and soon, we had a bottle of blue-ish liquid that emitted a glowy aura. I immediately distrusted the colour so I pointed out, "That looks more like poison than something that would help your head."

"Appearances can be deceptive, but I've used this before. I know what it looks like."

I frowned, "When did you use it?" Mother replied quietly, as she packed up the scattered vials in the space on the bed before her, "Rumple was a ruthless teacher. If you didn't learn how to defend yourself, you simply died. There were some instances when I had to make this very potion to heal my injuries."

I glanced to my feet as mother said, "But no matter what the world does to us, we have to stand up and keep going...Firefly, look at me."

My eyes traced my mother's and she reached her hand out to grip mine. Then, she whispered, "I understand how you might be feeling right now. You might believe that your light magic is gone but that isn't true. It cannot simply disappear from your fingertips. Give it some time and it'll return. Trust me."

I nodded slightly and hoped that I didn't ruin the moment by asking about father. "What are you going to do about them?"

Mother breathed in deeply, and I could see her eyes dodge my gaze. I knew that look all too well, for it surrounded mother like an aura during the quiet dinners that lead up to the curse. However, as quickly as the feeling came upon her, she shut it away. It was really impressive how she was able to completely wipe her face and make it devoid of emotion in an instant. I aimed to be as skilled as her when it came to controlling my emotions. She gave my hands a squeeze and said, "I will talk to him when I'm ready. In the meanwhile, stay away from the dungeons, I want to see him first."

I muttered under my breath, "I don't want to go down there."

"Good," mother replied with a tiny grin turned up at the corners of her mouth. After saying that, she uncorked the potion that we had made before and gestured towards a chalice sitting just a little out of reach on her bedside table. I brought it to her and after pouring it in, she took a sip of the potion. I scrunched up my face in a slightly disgusted manner which made her laugh. "Oh, it's not nearly as bad as the potion I drank to take away my fertility."

I bit my lip as I remembered that time. Mother had retired to her chambers for the entire night and the following day too. Apparently it felt as if her insides were burning with fire. I decided to comment stupidly, "It'll be nice if someone could invent potions that didn't taste disgusting or hurt the person taking it. I'm surprised magic can't fix that."

"Well, magic isn't natural I suppose. So it's normal to expect some level of pain or repercussions. Anyway, you my dear, have to eat. It's morning and I don't think you've had breakfast yet..."

"Wha-but," I began before I got cut off. "Go grab something to eat, you'll soon be bored with me and I can't have that can I?"

I sighed and said quickly in a defeated tone, "Ok, ok, I'll go."

(Regina's POV)

Four days later...

I shakily put on the simple cream coloured dress that I had worn when I first arrived at the palace the day after my fiance was murdered all those years ago. My breath hitched as that title flashed through my mind as a reminder of his betrayal. As I smoothed out the creases in my dress, something in my chest fluttered and my eyes welled with tears again. However, I suppressed it and headed over to my vanity. I swore to myself that I wouldn't cry; not now.

I applied a soft shade of eyeshadow over the lids of my red eyes and puffed the tiniest amount of blush over my cheeks. It felt so strange to be staring at my own reflection this time; as I haven't seen myself in light makeup for so long. It would either be nothing or dark enough to evoke fear. I sniffled and grabbed my brush. I took away the pins holding up my regal updo and let my long tresses flow down my shoulders. As I ran the brush over it, I became more and more nostalgic. I almost wanted to erase everything I had just done to myself and revert back to the persona of the Queen. Yet, that would defeat my purpose.

If this was to be the last time I would see him, I needed to just know one thing. Would he see the real me again if I came before him just like I had when we were merely lovestruck teenagers? I wore no accessories in my hair to hold it up, nor any necklace or earrings. The absence of all the jewels made me feel bare but I ignored that feeling as I took one last look at my reflection. Then, I decided to take the long walk down to the dungeons...without magic. I needed Daniel to see me for who I could be, and who I am still. I mentally scolded myself for putting me through this pain and torture again. He doesn't love you. He doesn't care for you. He loves another woman...yet why am I consciously going back to him? Maybe I'm not conscious after that concussion after all...

When I pushed open the doors to my chambers, the surprise in my guard's expressions was just too evident. I swear their jaws dropped a little but I was used to ignoring what people thought of me so I said simply, "Accompany me to the dungeons."

They nodded and walked beside me, one on each side. I took the route where I would see the least number of people. The walk felt the longest as not only was the distance great and I wasn't used to crossing the entire castle without magic, but my own heart was thudding heavily as if not ready for this confrontation. When I passed small groups of people, I knew that they were staring holes into the back of my head. I was always aware of glares, but it suddenly hurt so much more, especially as I'm dressed in an attire that reminded me of a past when my heart has not yet been corrupted with dark magic. For the first time in many years, I actually glanced at those insipid peasants who dared look at me. I swear I felt my lips part only ever so slightly as my heart pounded to their expressions of surprise and hatred.

Then, I turned my head away. Is this what Daniel also thought of me? I swallowed. I felt as if I was being lead to an execution, not the other way around. I stopped walking and it took my guards a second or two to stop and glance behind.

"Majesty?"

I curled my fists, to relieve myself of the pain. To squish it down into a pebble. Even though it would sit uncomfortably at the bottom of my stomach, at least it wouldn't show. I've done this so many times in the past and it disgusted me that I wasn't doing it as well as I hoped right now.

"Your Majesty?" the guard repeated.

I squared my shoulders and strode past him.