A year has passed since Evie went missing. Every search party had been sent to look for any sign of Zelena and the Princess but none of them found the lead. It was like they were gone with the wind. Regina had tried everything she could. Every potion, every spell, even her own magic lead them nowhere. For once since she ever knew what love feels like, she was hopeless. She wants nothing but her daughter back. She wants her safe and sound, nothing more and nothing less.

The same thing goes with Robin. He had gone to every land, torn every realm himself but his journey was in vain. Many people had claimed they saw or knew where the Wicked Witch was, but it turned out as a cruel joke. The whole kingdom was devastated. Regina and Robin were devastated. There is a feeling of failure gnawing in their heart. They live with a constant guilt as they were not able to keep their daughter safe.

"Regina, may I come in?" Snow White knocked on her door softly. There was no answer. She took it as a yes.

Regina stood on her balcony with her mind wandering somewhere. This wasn't the Regina she knew. Her eyes were lifeless as her fingers kept playing on Evie's apple rattle.

"There's a broth for you on the table. You should eat, Regina."

"She should be turning one." Regina turned around, her eyes were red and puffy. Her lips trembled. "I failed her, Snow. "

"No you don't," Snow hugged her. "You and Robin had tried your best."

"It wasn't good enough!" Her tears fell. She stroked the mirror with her magic, shattering it into pieces. "Evie still isn't here! Who knows what my wicked sister did to her! Even my magic couldn't bring her home!"

Snow dragged her to sit on the bed. She hugged her, rubbing small circle on her back. "You did everything you could, Regina. Evie is still somewhere out there and you have to believe. There's always a little hope we could cling on to."

"Hope," She snorted. "That is the cruellest joke. And look what it got me, I lost my daughter. Maybe after all, no matter how good I try to be, I am still a villain. And villains don't get their happy ending."

"But–" Regina cut Snow off.

"Just don't, Snow. It already is too much for me to take."

"I'm so sorry, Regina."

"Don't be, you're just trying to be nice."

"Robin will arrive soon. Do you need any help to get ready?" Breaking the ice, Snow stood up. She offered her hand to Regina who gladly accepted it.

Regina and Robin didn't only lose their daughter. They also lost each other. Zelena's curse is indestructible. Losing their daughter was already heartbreaking enough, let alone to lose each other. So for the sake of their safety, both agreed to live separately. Regina will rule Enchanted Forest as Robin somehow rules Locksley. Sharing an unintended kiss was the last thing they need. Both Regina and Robin still need each other as a rock to get over this problem, even if it means they should be worlds apart. It wasn't easy, having each other but not really being there for each other when they needed each other the most.

"Your Highness, the King is here." Her handmaiden reminded.

"Thank you. Tell him to wait in our place." The handmaiden curtsied and left her with Snow. "Are you done with my hair?"

"Someone's eager to meet her lover, huh?"

"He's the only light in this darkness, Snow. At least I still could fight for our love. That greenie will never win." For the first time today, Regina smiled.

"That's more like the Regina I knew. Now, let's go meet your thief."

There sat Robin under their apple tree quietly waiting for her. Forgetting the queen she is, Regina ran towards her husband. Those weekly letters won't ever be a good substitute.

"I've missed you too bad, Robin." She hugged him tightly. "And Evie."

"I miss her most." He sighed. "I can perfectly imagine how she will have her first step here, right under this tree. How we would fight about her first word, will it be Mommy or Daddy."

"I'm so sorry I put you in such a misery. Had you not married to a villain, you'll be having those moments right now." She stroked his cheek and tears escaping her eyes, again.

"It is Zelena we should blame. She took the blame on you for no reason, Regina. She puts you in this misery too.

"And you're not a villain. It's in your past and I never regretted my choice." He brought her hand closer to his lips, kissing her knuckles. "I'm so sorry, Regina. I can't protect you both."

"We failed her, didn't we?" She said as she stares blankly on the ground.

"As much as I hated to admit it, I guess we somehow did."

Regina took her husband's hand, squeezing it slightly. "What do you think Evie is doing right now?"

"She'll be running around, chasing butterfly or small birds, wherever she may be. Her laugh will be the sweetest laugh I'll ever know. Evie will be the sweetest little princess I know. Imagine how cute she is when grinning with those baby teeth," Robin closed his eyes. He absolutely could picture it in his mind. "What about you? What do you think she's doing right now?"

"Well, there's a lot actually." She paused. Her mind was sorting all the fake memories she kept making as a sort of her coping mechanism. Regina believes no matter how wicked her sister is, she won't kill her innocent Evie. She closed her eyes, imagining how her daughter would look like. "Right now, all I can think about is what will it be if Evie were here. I can imagine how her tiny hands pulling at my hair as we both share the same locks. Her chubby little feet kicking around in excitement. I'll read her a story right here, under this tree. You'll be watching us from the distance, being the protective father you are. Then she sees you, shouting Daddy and get off my lap, wobbling around to get to you."

"Yours is much sweeter than mine. Evie will have a good mother, no doubt." He laughed. "It's hard not to kiss you in times like this."

"Snow is right. We shouldn't lose our hope, Robin. We shouldn't let Zelena get to us. We're stronger. Love is not a weakness. It keep us strong." She inched forward, resting her forehead on his.

"Remember the curse, dear. I don't want to lose you too." Robin teased.

"Even a curse couldn't keep us apart–well it did, but at least it still couldn't keep our heart apart." She laughed but her eyes softened in a second. "Our bed feels warmer when you're here."

"I know. But it's for the best, remember? We both agreed to this." Robin wrapped his arms around her as she moved closer to his embrace.

"We'll get through this, right?"

"We will, Regina. We will." Though Robin was not quite sure whether he was convincing Regina or he was convincing himself.

Robin stayed for a week as usual. Whenever he's around, Regina is always on her best mood. She'll eat a lot more, sleep a lot better, even smiled more. Robin's stay is another thing she's looking up to every day, other than some magical news of her daughter.

"Are you leaving?" Snow's voice echoed behind Robin. He turned back, nodding to her.

"I haven't got the time to tell you this, so... Thank you for looking out for her while I can't."

"I know it must be hard on you two." She reached out for his hand. "Charming and I will always be there for you both. You have my words.

"She's in Evie's nursery. I know you must be looking for her." Snow implied.

Snow White didn't lie. Regina was there, back facing the door. Her hands gripping on the crib tight. He immediately stood beside her, rubbing her hand softly. It made him wonder what if Evie were taking a nap in this crib right now. No words were spoken. Even without any words spoken, both knew what lies between their hearts. He missed his princess. They missed her too much.

Regina was the first one to speak. "Are you leaving?"

Robin could only hug her in response. He hates to leave her alone but there's too much risk to take. Regina hugged him back, silently crying onto his chest. His hand cupped her head like he wouldn't let her go.

"Promise me you'll be alright." His voice broke. This was the hardest thing they face every month.

"and promise me you'll too. Promise me you'll write to me as usual."

"I will. Don't be so blue, dear. Our princess is somewhere out there. She'll find her way back home, I know it."

"I know she will." She sighed. "Come on, Locksley need their king more than I do."

They walked to the palace yard, hand in hand, enjoying every moment they had while it lasts. The stable boy and Robin's pride steed–Bandit are there, waiting for them. He hugged her one last time.

"I'll visit Locksley the next time. I'm sure they already missed their Queen more than their King." She teased. She carefully kissed his cheek, making him laugh.

"Then I can't wait, milady." Robin kissed her knuckles before mounting on his horse.

"Be safe, Robin. See you in a month."

"And so do you, Regina. Be happy, always." He smiled before riding Bandit off the yard.

Regina calmly stood where she was, waving her husband until he was out of sight. There was a warm feeling gushing over her. She didn't understand what it was, but she knew it was a sign. A sign for her to keep her hopes up, for one day, the lost princess will find her way back home. For one day, she could hold her princess in her arms and not to ever let her go, to finally be able to finally keep her out from any harm possible. She just knew that one day, everything will be back to normal; whatever normal means for them.