A/N: Thanks to impureevilregal for being the only reviewer. I had over 100 views to the last chapter, and I'm not usually one to beg for reviews, but it really would be nice to know what you all think of this story.
Also, just in case anyone's wondering, Talulla will become a fairytale character eventually, not a very well-known one, but one nonetheless :)

Regina stood in the doorway to the chapel, dressed in the white gown her mother had picked out for her, her arm intertwined with her father's. She was about to walk down the aisle and marry King Leopold and her nerves were all over the place.

The large chapel was full of royals from all over the land which only made it worse. There was King George and King Baldwin and their Queens from the neighbouring kingdoms and then there were those that lived further away. All of them had come to see her and Leopold get married.

"You'll be fine, Regina, my dear, I promise you. Once this day is over, you'll be living your happily ever after, and I'll be right by your side all of the way," her father comforted, sensing his daughter's fear.

"I don't want this. I never wanted this. It was mother who wanted it."

"I know, my dear, I know. But it is too late to turn back now. Think about it, Leopold has already said that he will love Talulla as his own, and with him, you won't ever have to worry about her being hurt or unhappy. You will both be safe."

Regina looked into the chapel and straight at Abigail, who was holding Talulla and playing with her in the front pew. Part of her wanted to switch places with the maid and she be the one playing with the little girl, but the other part knew that her father was right, that she had to do this. For Talulla.

The band striking up a slow tune had everybody in the pews falling silent and turning to look at where she stood next to her father. They all looked so happy; every single one of them was smiling, especially Snow. In the front row, she was positively glowing with happiness and Regina was secretly glad she'd made the decision to have no bridesmaids. To have that girl twittering constantly at her side would have been irritating to say the least.

"Are you ready, my dear?" Henry asked from her side, pulling her from her thoughts.

Regina took a deep breath and nodded, keeping close to her father's side as he led her down the aisle, step at a time. The young woman just looked straight ahead of her, not daring to look at anyone as she passed the pews.

When she reached the altar and her father handed her over to Leopold, she felt as though he was handing over her entire soul, not just her hand, and she forced back the urge to run from the room and never return. It would only humiliate her and the King, and even though she didn't want to marry him, she didn't wish to inflict so much trouble on anyone.

Slowly, she turned to face where the priest was standing. She felt Leopold squeeze her hand in reassurance before letting it go, yet she didn't look at him; she couldn't look at him. All of it just felt so wrong.

After the ceremony was over, everyone was permitted into the Great Hall for a feast in honour of the new Queen, which Regina didn't enjoy. She spent most of her time greeting people who came to wish her a long and happy marriage when all she wished for was to be spending time with her little girl. But, of course, that wasn't one of her duties as Queen.

Leopold stayed by her side the entire night, occasionally making comments here and there when his new Queen couldn't find an answer and constantly smiling as he watched little Snow dance around the floor gracefully. It was halfway through the night, when someone mentioned the late Queen Eva, that Regina realised she didn't have the King's heart and probably never would. The look in his eyes when talking about his past wife was one of pure love and adoration and from the fact he was gripping her hand so hard let her know that he would not be getting over her anytime soon.

"Your highness, please…" she whispered, trying to remove her hand from his crushing grip.

He looked at her, startled, before pulling his hand back and smiling a little sadly. "Sorry, my dear."

At that point, a very excited Snow came running up. "Papa, Papa! Did you see? Did you see my dancing? I danced with Prince James! He asked me!"

Regina watched as Leopold's face lit up at the sight of his daughter. "Yes, I did, Snow. I couldn't take my eyes off you. Your mother would be so proud of you right now."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. When we were younger, we would dance together at balls all night. Your mother was quite the dancer."

"What about you, Regina?" The young girl turned towards the new Queen, her eyes glittering. "Did you see me?"

"Yes, I did, and I thought you were wonderful," the young woman said, putting on a smile. However, she didn't expect what came next as Snow threw her arms around her neck and hugged her, forcing Regina to do the same, awkwardly patting the young girl's back.

"You're going to be the best step-mother, I know you are!" the princess exclaimed. "And I can't wait to be a big sister to Talulla!"

Her jaw clenched as she remembered that Snow had nearly gotten Talulla taken away as well as causing Daniel's death in her relationship with Cora.

"I'm sure you'll be a brilliant sister, my dear," she lied rigidly, trying to dispel any thoughts about Daniel from her mind as Snow pulled back and skipped off to dance again.

"You're so good with her, Regina," her husband said, placing a hand on her arm affectionately. "I knew right from the moment I met you that you'd be an excellent mother for my Snow, and now Talulla as well. Snow is the thing most precious to me and truly the fairest in the land. She needs someone like you to guide her into womanhood."

Regina smiled ruefully. "I'm quite exhausted, do you mind if I retire for the night?" she asked, trying to ignore what he had just said, it was only a reminder that he married her as a duty.

"Of course not, today was a big day. I must stay until everyone has retired so I will come up join you later, my Queen," he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he did so.

"Thank you, your highness." She nodded her head to him respectfully as she rose.

"Please, now we're married, it's Leopold to you," the King insisted. The Queen didn't reply, smiling a little as she walked gracefully through the middle of the room, all eyes on her, before exiting the room to go up to her chambers and check on her little girl.