A/N: Ok first of all, WOW! The response to the first chapter was wonderful! I wrote another chapter almost immediately, so keep it up! Unfortunately I'm going to have to finish the next chapter of TOO before I do another one here. I figured I'd post this one so that you guys know it will be continuing and because I had it done. I hope you guys like this chapter and I look forward to your response!

. . .

"So," her father asked, "what do you think of him?"

His reflection appeared behind her in the mirror of her vanity. Her ladies maid laced up the last few fastenings on her dress-a scarlet red with her lips painted to match-then reached for the Queen's hair.

"Up or down for dinner, Your Majesty?"

"Down, please," she answered. She remained silent until the woman finished, bowing before leaving the room.

When she turned around, her father still stood in the same position. "Regina?"

"He's…not what I expected."

When the Council had told her she would have to marry again, she hadn't been surprised. It had ruined her plans to run away and never look back, deepening the cracks in her already broken heart. The barrier her mother had placed around the castle had died with Leopold and she knew enough magic now to get past anything else that got in her way. This would be her only chance to escape.

Escape wouldn't be so easy, as it turned out.

She had Snow clinging to her practically every moment of the day, and no matter how much hatred Regina has for the girl, she knew that she was all the Princess had in the world now. With every clutch if the little girl's hands around her waist, every nightmare she soothed and every tear she dried, it was getting harder and harder to pull away. And if that wasn't enough, the fact that the entire kingdom thought her a murderer wasn't much help, either. Apparently they had burned an effigy of her in the town square last week, and no amount of reassurance that it had been an isolated incident and that Snow's speech had calmed the other protestors could quell her anxiety. That kind of abhorrence and distrust doesn't just disappear overnight. Even if she wanted to leave now, it would be nearly impossible. If she was caught, she'd be lucky to be killed quickly.

They thought she killed Leopold, and no, not even in her darkest and most damning fantasies had she wanted him dead.

All she ever wanted was to be free. That would be impossible now.

Somewhere in the castle was the next King, her husband-to-be, and the second she said 'I do', she would be trapped for the rest of her life.

"What did you expect?" Her father asked. A cool breeze came in through the open window, and he moved to close it.

"I thought he would be older. I didn't think he would be…" I didn't think he would be so handsome, she thought fleetingly, but she won't voice those thoughts, especially not now. "He doesn't look like the son of a Duke."

Her father chuckled. "What does the son of a Duke look like?"

"I don't know, Daddy. His ego doesn't seem to be as inflated as I thought it would be. He seems kind. Then again, I've only just met him. Appearances can be deceiving," she finished darkly.

He opened his mouth to respond, but then Snow came in, just like clockwork.

"Ready for dinner, Regina?" The dark-haired girl said after addressing the pair of them.

The Queen tried her best to smile. "I am, dear."

They walked out of her room and Regina took the girl's hand when she offered it. When she moved to turn left down the next corridor, which led to the dining room, Regina was surprised when Snow pulled her to the right.

"The dining rooms are the other way, Snow."

"I know," the girl said, and for the first time in weeks, her eyes seemed unburdened. "I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?"

"We're not having dinner in the dining room tonight. The three of us are having dinner in the small library."

"The three of us?"

"You, me and Robin."

Regina slipped her hand out of Snow's. "Why would you do that?"

Her step-daughter frowned. "I thought it would be nice to get to know him. You have to marry him in a week, after all. I know he's a stranger, but he doesn't have to be."

She meant what she said to her father. He seemed kind, and unlike Leopold he was her age, and attractive, but he was still going to shackle her to the throne. She had no desire to get to know this man, not yet, but Snow seemed to have other plans.

Regina sighed. "Alright."

They walked in quietly for a few minutes, and it was Snow who broke the silence, her voice hopeful but sad. "I think he's nice."

"Perhaps he is," Regina said. "But don't get your hopes up too high, Snow."

He wasn't there when they entered the room. Dinner had already been laid out, and there was a fire roaring in the hearth, combining with the light from the setting sun that shone through the window. Two footmen stood against the bookshelves, ready to serve.

"We can help ourselves to dinner tonight, thank you," Snow said graciously. The two men hesitated, and with a nod from Regina they bowed and left the room.

Regina moved to pour herself a cup of wine. She didn't drink often, but she took a long sip. Tonight, she was going to need it.

"No footmen?" Regina asked. Snow had made her way to the table, where she stood eating grapes from a platter.

The girl nodded, but finished chewing before she answered. "No. Maybe you're right about Robin. Maybe him being so nice earlier was just an act, but now we don't have an audience. There's no one he has to impress but us now."

Regina smiled despite herself and took another sip of wine. The door opened then and Robin came in. He had changed out of the travel tunic and trousers he had arrived in. Now he wore dark trousers, fine leather boots and a silvery-white embroidered vest over a blue linen shirt that matched the hue of his eyes, which were brighter now that he was rested.

"Good evening," he said, bowing to them. "I hope I'm not late?"

"Not at all," Snow said. "Why don't we all sit?"

He moved towards the table as the girl took her seat, but he stopped when he saw Regina standing still near the decanters. The moment their eyes met he seemed to lose focus in anything else. As Queen she had gotten used to the staring, so it wasn't that that bothered her. It was the way his mouth fell open, the way his gaze pierced through her, into her, with a softness and a reverence that were so foreign to her she could scarcely breathe.

Regina only let herself indulge in the feeling for a moment, though. "Wine?" She asked, reaching for another glass.

"Yes, thank you," he said. She poured him a glass of the sweet, red liquid and held it out to him. They're fingers brushed as he took it and she tried to ignore the way he was looking at her, like he could do it forever, but her heart leapt when she heard his sharp intake of breath when their skin touched.

Regina retracted her hand quickly, picking up her own glass again. "Shall we?" She asked, motioning to the table.

Robin nodded. She walked over to her chair, he held up a hand, stopping her before she sat down. At her confused glance, he pulled it out for her and smiled.

"Thank you," Regina said, settling in her chair as he moved to take his seat.

Snow grinned. "You're quite the gentleman."

Yes, he is, unlike your father, Regina thought bitterly before internally scolding herself. She had always prided herself on never being anything like her mother, but with every petty thought and every moment of senseless rage, Regina felt herself slipping further away from the person she was. It was this, more than anything, that terrified her.

"Thank you, Snow," Robin said, reaching to spoon some roasted vegetables onto his plate. "And thank you for arranging this dinner."

"I thought you much be tired after your journey. How long was it?"

"Only half a day's ride. Our estate in north of here, on the other side of the Sherwood Forest."

"Is it quite beautiful there?" Snow asked. The girl began piling her plate with mashed potatoes, her face scrunching up at the yams and roasted duck. "I hear the trees are the tallest in all the realms."

Robin chuckled. "I'm not sure if they're the tallest, but they are imposing. I was never allowed to go into the forest as a boy. It's an easy place to get lost. It is very beautiful, though. I've always loved riding along the edge of the forest, just to see how far it would go. I've never reached the end."

"You ride?" Snow said, her hazel eyes lighting up. "Regina is an amazing rider."

Robin turned his gaze to her. "Is that so?"

She noticed the way his voice changed when he spoke to her. With Snow, he was charming, confident and relaxed, but the moment he spoke to her there was a shyness that seemed to overtake him. The carefree air about him shifted into something more attentive and curious. It unnerved her, the way he looked at her like he noticed every breath she took.

For now, she put it in the back of her mind. "I love to ride. It's been my favorite thing to do ever since I was little."

He grinned, and she hated how she noticed that his dimples becoming more pronounced. "Perhaps we could go out together sometime?"

"Perhaps," she said, avoiding his gaze. His grin faltered at her lackluster response, but Snow was quick to distract him.

"Could I come, too?"

Robin nodded, swallowing his mouthful of food before he spoke. "That would be wonderful!"

"I'm not as great at riding. I was supposed to have more lessons in the spring, but maybe you two could teach me instead?"

"I don't see why not," he said. "What do you think, Regina?"

Again, he smiled at her and Regina felt her heart stir.

"That would be nice," she answered.

"Are you two going on a honeymoon?"

Snow's sudden question took Regina by surprise, and when she glanced over at Robin, he looked just as shocked. Maybe she wasn't the only one who was unprepared for this marriage.

"I...I, uh, have no idea, actually," Robin said, trying and failing to hide how the questioned had affected him.

"My father and Regina went on a honeymoon after she was coronated. They were gone for two weeks."

They had, indeed. Two weeks of traveling the kingdom, Regina wearing a forced smile and standing in the background as Leopold ignored her in favor of his devoted and awe-struck subjects. It had been torturous, pretending to be gracious and elated all while her heart lay broken, growing numb in her chest.

The girl noticed Robin's expression and her voice softened. "I was just wondering. I don't think we'll have time to go riding before the wedding."

"You're probably right," she said. Robin's face had paled, his eyes wide, and it didn't matter that she didn't want to marry again, it stung that the thought of marrying her repulsed him almost to the point of illness. "But we can go the moment we get back."

Snow smiled at that, returning her attention to her food. Regina's eyes stayed glued to her plate, tears burning at the back of her eyes. She had thought that maybe Robin was different, but she felt her hope crumbling into dust. Once again, she would be married to a man who didn't want her. A man who would never love her.

A moment later, Snow asked Robin another question about his home, and as their conversation went on, she saw his tension slowly fade. Soon enough, he was smiling and making Snow laugh. Regina added a few comments when prompted, but she mostly stayed silent. Her mind wandered far past this room, out of the castle and on and on. She imagined herself reaching past the horizon until she touched the sun, bathing herself in it's scorching light until she was born again, finally free.

"-what about you, Regina?"

Snow's voice tore her from her daydream. "What?"

"Have you ever had a pet?"

Regina shook her head, her lips turning upward at the idea. "I've always had horses, but my mother would never let any animals in the house."

"I was just telling Snow about my dogs," Robin said. He stood up and poured himself more wine. "Would you like more?"

"No, thank you," she replied. "You have dogs?"

"Well, they were never really mine. My father used to go hunting a lot, but he injured his knee a few years ago and he had to stop. Just before that happened he got a few hounds to train for fox hunting, but he never got the chance so they just became pets. I had to leave them back home."

His eyes darkened when he said this, his tone soft and sad, and something in her sank as she watched him. Regina still remembered leaving her home, arriving here without any control of her own, knowing no one and faced with a future she didn't want. The memory of it still seared with pain.

"Do you miss them?" She asked.

"I do," he said. "I miss everything."

Before she could say another word, there was a knock at the door.

"You may enter," Regina called, and a servant came in. The young man bowed then informed them that their majesties presence was being requested in the Royal Council chambers. Robin grimaced at the title, then told him that they'd be along shortly before dismissing him.

"You have to endure this meeting as well?" Robin whispered to her as the man left.

"It's customary for the Queen to attend when she's available. Have you met the Royal Council yet?"

Robin shrugged. "Only Lord Grey."

"I don't like any of them," Snow said, leaping from her chair and moving towards the door. "Everything they say is so boring."

Robin laughed at that, a real, genuine laugh and Regina was mesmerized by the sound.

"You'll have to wish me luck, then," he said. Two guards entered, and informed Robin that they would be escorting him and the Queen downstairs. He told them that he could manage fine on his own, thank you, but the guards rather insisted and before she knew it, they were arguing.

Regina smiled as she listened ("It's going to be my castle soon and I'll make my own way around it if I want to!") and she didn't notice Snow walking over to her.

"I think he likes you, Regina."

She said this with a hopeful, giddy smile, but the older woman frowned. "Why do you say that?"

"He can't take his eyes off of you."

Regina looked past Snow at Robin. She took in the lines of his body, her eyes pausing on his strong shoulders and the curve of his jaw. "That doesn't mean he likes me, dear."

Snow looked confused, but then one of her many maids called from the doorway, struggling to make herself heard over the bickering. Snow had her music lessons after dinner, perfectly timed so that meetings with the Royal Council could be held without interruption.

"I'll see you before I go to sleep?" The dark-haired girl called over her shoulder as she walked away.

Regina promised that she would tuck the girl in, and then Snow was gone. A sudden silence fell on Regina's ears and she looked over to see that the knights were gone. She and Robin were alone.

"I'm impressed."

Robin turned to her as she made her way across the room. "Oh?"

"That you got them to leave."

"Right," Robin said. "Are they always so insistent?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Did you not have guards at your manor?"

"Not really. I was mostly left to my own devices. I only had guards when we were at public events." He held out his arm, gesturing down the hall. "Shall we walk?"

"I'm glad Snow set up that dinner," he said. "It's made a hectic day much better than I anticipated. Eating dinner with a hundred people staring at me would not have been ideal."

She gave him a soft smile. Leopold had always loved the attention. It was one of the many things he had been a glutton for. "I know how that feels. It certainly can be overwhelming."

She could see him looking at her out of the corner of her eye, and the intensity of his gaze made her smile grow, no matter how she tried to stifle it.

"What?" She asked.

He saw her smile, and he answered with one of his own, his dimples on full display. "That's a lovely dress."

"Thank you." She said it without emotion. It was an automatic response, something her mother had beat into her head as a response to a compliment.

"I mean the one you had on earlier was nice, too. They're both nice. Both of them are…" He sighed, a blush coloring his neck. "You look beautiful."

Heat rose in her cheeks and this time when she thanked him, it was because she meant it. For the first time since he'd arrived, the air around them was light and Regina felt like she could breathe for the first time in months.

They walked, smiling at each other until Robin broke the silence. "So how often do you ride?"

"I used to go everyday. I haven't been going lately, though."

"Why not?"

Her smile faltered. There were many things she could say, but she chose to go with, "The King died."

His eyes widened. "Oh," he said, looking past her and out the window, realization dawning on him. "Right. That must be hard for you."

Those words lit a fire in her belly, and it rose swift and burning in her chest. When she spoke, her voice was hard, the ease of a moment ago gone. "What must be hard for me? The King dying or the fact that I can't leave the palace?"

He looked taken aback at her sudden ferocity, but he said nothing. They walked in silence for another few minutes before she calmed down enough to say, "I don't need your pity."

"I wasn't pitying you, Regina." He took a deep breath, but the fire in her had seemed to spread to him as well. "I was just trying to...trying. I was just trying. This situation isn't ideal for me and I'm sure it isn't what you want, either. And I wish I could do something about you not being able to leave the castle, but it isn't my fault people think you murdered your husband."

Whatever retort she was planning died on her tongue, the heat in her veins replaced with something cold and unyielding. Immediately, his face fell, his mouth falling open like he could will the words back into it.

"Regina, I didn't-,"

She didn't let him finish. She just kept walking, blinking the tears from her eyes as she went. "Come on. We don't want to keep them waiting."

. . .

Well...at least they got a long for minute there. Don't hate Robin, remember these two are in a very frustrating, emotional situation. Don't hold it against them. Please review and make my day!