Author's Notes: I do not own Once Upon A Time which is a show on ABC where stuff happens and I ignore it, except for a little today. So thank you for your reads and reviews. Sorry for the lack of updates but I have a big race weekend coming up in two weeks so writing is taking a backseat to training at the moment. Please let me know what you think and happy reading!


Now

Beatrice was finding it trying to be on City Council. She sat between her mother and great-grandmother on the sofa in Regina's former office, now littered with what she could only interpret as baby junk. Pamela was in the corner tending to the little prince and Roland, but every time Beatrice looked her nanny was watching her.

"How do we know she's not plotting something?," asked Leroy.

"Okay, Gormlaith-"

"Even her name sounds like a witch," Ashley muttered.

Beatrice turned to Mary Margaret. "Can somebody even tell me why she's here?"

"Why is she here?," Ashley snapped back.

"I-" Mary Margaret began.

Catherine cut in. "Because she is Heiress to the Far North Kingdom."

Mitchell Herman spoke up. "Ashley and my son are the heirs to my kingdom."

"Don't interrupt me," Catherine warned. "She is Heiress to the Far North Kingdom. In the Far North Kingdom, the heiress rules upon her ascension. In the meantime, her mother is her regent, but then again, she is also the ruler of Edelweiss. So frankly, I still don't know why your daughter-in-law is here and certainly not why she's speaking and worse interrupting the Heiress to the Far North Kingdom. Perhaps you ought to advise her on deference to her betters."

Mitchell gave Ashley a look. She crossed her arms and sat back.

"Wow, you really turn on that Dowager Countess stuff, don't you?," asked Beatrice.

Mary Margaret attempted to start again. "Beatrice, why don't you tell us what you know about your grandmother? Just to put everyone at ease."

"Well, Gormlaith was separated from my father and cast the spell that brought her and Lestrade and the Jolly Roger and the ghost of Milah here. There seems to be some difference in the time streams-"

"Time streams?," asked Granny skeptically.

"See, imagine that all the universe is just constantly inflating and occasionally bubbles form in the surface creating a new universe with its own laws of physics so-"

Beatrice noticed the roomful of fairy tale characters frowning at her.

"I can't really get it down from time streams, but there are several Doctor Who episodes I can recommend. Anyway, she thought he would be like five, not three hundred and five. I'm trying to think of a way to get them on Iyanla."

"See?," asked Mary Margaret, smiling. "She just wanted to get back to her son. It's completely understandable."

Archie cleared his throat. "Aren't we all sort of here because Mr. Gold wanted to get back to his son?"

Beatrice spoke. "Like I said, I'm trying to get Iyanla involved."

They all stared again.

"She's all over stuff like that."

"I think that answers everything," said Mary Margaret. "Now, did anyone have any suggestions?"

There was silence. Beatrice felt Belle elbow her.

Then Catherine.

Then her nanny betrayed her.

"I'm so sorry, I think Beatrice wanted to say something."

David frowned. "I didn't hear anything."

Mary Margaret turned. "Beatrice? Was there something you wanted to discuss?"

Beatrice tried to collect herself.

"Um, I was just thinking that this process- while a step in the right direction- is a little exclusionary."

"Well, I don't mean to exclude anyone," said Mary Margaret.

"I'm not saying anyone meant to, it's just that there's a lot of people who aren't in this room. Not everybody's royalty. Maybe we should ask some other people what they think."

She got stares again.

"Or I could go back to explaining the bubble universe."


Beatrice walked out. "That went just great..."

"Mary Margaret didn't say no," said Belle. "I think they're all just having trouble conceptualizing what you mean. This is the way things have always been."

Beatrice shook her head.

"She didn't say you should accept them," said Pamela. "Even if the other members of the town council aren't behind you, you still have authority over the Far North Kingdom and Edelweiss."

"Conveniently located in the Enchanted Forest."

"You're supposed to see to your people," said Belle.

"So, what?"

Belle stared back at her. "So you tell me."

"I could have some sort of thing where people come tell me their problems?" She looked at Catherine. "Like your levy?"

"Excellent notion," said Catherine.

"Great," said Belle. "We'll do it at the library. You can talk about it on Good Morning Storybrooke."

Beatrice groaned. "You know they picked me for that because they don't like me, right?"


Then In The Enchanted Forest

Belle found that sleep was hard to come by with the baby growing. Rumple kept insisting she rest and every time Leigh visited she heard the same thing which made Rumple even more vehement in his insistence that she rest. The trouble was Beatrice seemed intent on being awake and so Belle awoke early and went to the kitchen.

"Sweetheart?"

Belle looked up to see Rumplestiltskin.

"Are you going out?," she asked.

"A bit of business in a rather tiresome realm..."

"Another realm?," she asked.

He closed the distance between them and took her hands in his.

"Old business to finish."

"You'll be so far."

"You will be fine so long as you don't leave the castle. Nothing can get in here."

His eye turned to the tray of tea and cakes on the work table.

"Unless you were expecting someone..."

"I think Merlin might stop by."

Rumplestiltskin grimaced.

Belle frowned. "Why don't you like him?"

"Why do you like him?"

"Perhaps I'm partial to sorcerers."

"I don't like that he has plans for our daughter."

"We've seen her, Rumple. We know she has something incredible. If Merlin knows what that is, I want to know."

"So you'll ply him with cakes and tea until he reveals his plan?"

"If need be."

He frowned again and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I must be off." He leaned down to be near Belle's swollen belly. "You, little one, be good for your mama and don't listen to what that tiresome wizard has to say."

Belle giggled as Rumplestiltskin disappeared into a puff of smoke.


Now

Merlin entered the pawn shop. Gold rolled his eyes.

"Shut up. I came to watch Beatrice," said Merlin, heading directly to the backroom. He found the ancient TV Gold had placed on the workbench.

"What is it you all are hoping to accomplish?," asked Gold.

"We're hoping to get your daughter a following," said Merlin, adjusting the channel. "Princesses need a following. Surely you realize that."


Beatrice waited patiently through Doctor Whale's segment and then it was her turn. She took her seat opposite Hart and Goldie, glancing over at her mother's encouraging smile.

"Welcome back. We're here with Storybrooke's very own Dark Princess, Beatrice Gold, to keep us up to date with what's going on at City Hall," Goldie began.

Beatrice frowned. "Really? That's how we're introducing me?"

She caught Pamela's disapproving glare out of her peripheral vision.

"So, Beatrice, tell us about how the city council's been going? We understand that Mayor Mills has resigned."

"Right, well, Mary Margaret is mayor now... for some reason. The good news is that the city council has had a complete overhaul and you're going to find a lot of your local leaders from the Enchanted Forest in position on the new council."

"Now, you weren't a leader in the Enchanted Forest, though," said Hart.

"No," said Beatrice. "I was one."

"Are you ready for that kind of responsibility?"

"Yeah, sure."

She caught Pamela's glance again.

"Maybe you could tell us some of what you have planned," said Goldie.

"Well, there's the Community Garden initiative and I do want to better organize Storybrooke's homeless outreach."

Hart frowned. "You mean for the trolls?"

"No, I mean for the homeless people."

"But they were trolls."

"Yeah, but now they're homeless people."

"They're kind of used to living under bridges," Hart pointed out.

Beatrice motioned at Goldie. "And she's kind of used to breaking and entering."

"So, how are things going with your boyfriend?," asked Goldie.

"Really? I want to talk about the issues, you want to talk about my boyfriend?"


"Papa?"

"In the back!," Gold called.

Neal entered and nodded at the television. "Slacking off?"

"Beatrice is making an appearance on Good Morning Storybrooke to discuss the issues of City Hall." He looked at Merlin. "Who are you texting?"

"Pamela. She needs to get Beatrice to back down, anyone who's private with their personal life will never win a popularity contest with these people."

"Why does Bea need to win a popularity contest?," asked Neal.

Merlin's fingers kept flying across the phone screen. "One can't rule without the will of the people. The royals all know that. Why do you think the peasants still let Prince Charming and Snow White run the show when they're clearly incompetent?"

"Incompetent?," asked Neal.

"Look around you, Baelfire, there's practically a curse a week here. Is that what you would call successful leadership? Though, to be fair to Charming, he does remarkably well for someone with a tenuous grasp of abstract thought. No, kings and queens rule with the backing of their mythology. The daughter of a beauty and a beast, heiress to the Far North Kingdom and a line of True Love, whose own love broke the Dark Curses of the Wicked Witch of the West, that is someone worth following."

Neal looked at Gold. "Is he for real?"

"I ask myself that quite often, but unfortunately, he seems to be."


"Guys, seriously, I'm seventeen," said Beatrice. "Not getting married just yet."

"So, what about your new grandma?," asked Goldie.

"Um..." Beatrice started glancing at Belle.

"Well, easy question, is she good or evil?," pressed Goldie.

"You know that's like a cornerstone of western philosophy, right?"

"A what?"

"Well, she's from the evil side of the family," said Hart.

"She's what?!," asked Beatrice.

Goldie looked at her co-anchor.

"Well, come on. Peter Pan, Rumplestiltskin, both evil."

"My dad is not evil! Okay? Dark, yeah."

"Well, that's all the time we have," said Goldie. "Up next, a new way to refresh your wardrobe for summer without a fairy godmother!"


Then

Merlin appeared and soon saw the tea service waiting on the table of the Great Hall. He turned to Belle who carried another tray in.

"Here, let me," he said, taking it from her.

"I am not actually an invalid," said Belle.

"I never said you were." He placed the tray on the table.

"I got a little hungry and made a cheese soufflé," said Belle. "The kitchen cook back in Avonlea taught me. I hope you like it."

"I expect I will. You were expecting me?"

"Well, Rumple left and I am getting good at predicting the whims of sorcerers." She sat and poured. "One sugar, right?"

"Exactly."

Belle handed him the cup.

"Is it true that children born of True Love have magic?"

"Always some."

"See, I was thinking about it and my mother was born of True Love-"

"As were her parents and theirs and so on."

"And you must know about the Far North Kingdom. My mother and I have never had the propensity for ice, but my grandmother insists it is there. My grandfather's mother, Amelia?"

"I knew her."

"Then you know she was a weather witch and her powers were passed through her family."

"What are you leading me towards?"

"Well, there's Rumple and his powers and Beatrice will be born of True Love, that's a lot of power. I've seen it- a little. I wouldn't know how to judge, but Rumple seemed impressed."

"The power will be useful to her and it will come naturally to her."

"Yes, but why does she need it?"

"Because there are forces against her."

"So Sherlock was telling the truth?"

"Did you doubt him?"

Belle shook her head as she went to work cutting the soufflé. "He said so many things, about my father, about what he was plotting. I didn't think him capable of such brutishness."

She handed Merlin a piece of the soufflé.

"This is excellent," said Merlin.

"Stop."

"No, I'm serious."

"I know that I'm not much of a cook. Rumple tries not to say anything. I know he would rather stews or something simpler, but this is about as simple as I can get."

"And it's still delicious."

Belle smiled. "You mean that?"

"Of course I do."

Belle looked down. "I forgot the bread."

"You needn't worry about that."

"No, it will just take a moment."

Belle hurried back down to the kitchen. She heard whimpering from outside the door that led to the small garden.

"Hello?," she called.

And everything went dark.


Now

"Are you sure I can't help, Rumple?"

Gold looked down to where Martha, Lady and the family snowman padded after him in the kitchen. He was used to the canine interference while he prepared dinner, but the snowman was a change.

"No, Olaf, I have it."

He heard the door open. The dogs bounced up eagerly as she came in the kitchen.

"Sweetheart," said Gold, greeting Beatrice with a kiss. "How was your day?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You watched, I assume?"

"I did."

"Then you know how it was." She put down her bag and sat at her stool. Olaf stood next to her.

"I thought it was good," said Olaf.

Beatrice frowned at the snowman. "How was it good?"

"I found out how to save money on a bathroom remodel."

"Okay, let's focus on the part I was in."

"Oh," said Olaf. "Yeah, that part didn't go so well."

"You ought not bother reasoning with them, you're wasting your breath and I won't have you exhausting yourself trying to defend me."

"Seriously, does no one else look around at this planet? You're not a cannibal, you're not Hitler. If you ask me, being the Dark One sort of pales in comparison to some of the stuff that has happened."

He took a breath. "Beatrice, you and your mother think better of me than anyone else, better than I deserve, but I am a villain. Whatever good I might do is because of you and your brother and your mother."

Beatrice considered this as Gold handed her a plate.

"Why won't you hear what your mom has to say?"

"I don't know if you and Bae are working together on this, but the matter is closed for discussion."

"Neal gave you a chance. I would give you a chance."

"You are more than I deserve."


Then

Belle awoke to cold and damp.

"Sleep well?"

Belle looked up to see a woman with black and white hair, in an arm baring gown and huge white fur coat.

"What-" She tried to sit up and covered her stomach with her hands . "Who are you?"

"You can call me Cruella."

"What am I doing here?"

"Well, that's all up to you. We can do this easy or hard."

"Cruella!," another feminine voice chided. A woman in all black with horns appeared before Belle. "Where are your manners? You can't have her on the floor like this? What are you thinking?"

Belle soon found herself sitting on a rather cushy bed with a fire roaring nearby.

The woman in black smiled at Belle. "I am sorry about that, dear. Are you alright?"

"Yes... Thank you."

"Good. There's no need to be unpleasant about this, after all. We don't really have anything against you, do we, Cruella?"

"Her taste in lovers?"

"To each her own," said Maleficent. "After all, it's not as if Rumplestiltskin's the worst man I've met."

"Is that what this is about?," asked Belle. "Rumple? Please. Our child is innocent."

Another woman with tentacles soon appeared. "For once, this isn't about the Dark One."

"Not everything revolves around him, you know," Cruella snapped.

Maleficent rolled her eyes. "Is this necessary? The poor thing is frightened. Cruella, Ursula and I- oh, Maleficent, by the way- mean you and your daughter no harm. In fact, we need her help."

"You know she's a girl?," asked Belle.

"Of course," said Maleficent. "We've been waiting for the Dark Princess."

Belle sat with a cup of tea as Maleficent sat across from her.

"It's perfectly safe," she's promised. "I don't know what your imp has told you, but I've given up on sleeping curses."

Belle glanced across the room at Ursula and Cruella.

"They seem unhappy," she remarked.

"Of course they are," said Maleficent. "Now, I don't suppose you know much about your daughter."

"A little," said Belle.

"I suppose you know she's powerful."

"I know her power is hers and it's innocent."

"True enough," said Maleficent. "But do you know what it's for?"

"What it's for? I know my grandmother had the power of ice?"

Maleficent chuckled. "Oh, yes. Catherine. I'm a big fan of hers, except that part where she actually froze everything over to protect the peasants, that was a bit of a letdown, but otherwise, she was great. She had the temper, the wit, the outfits? But I digress, ice powers are not the main feature."

"Then what is?"

"There is a book in which all the stories of the people in this land are written, in which we are all cast onto two sides: heroes and villains. The one constant is that the heroes always win and the villains always lose."

"Because you want to hurt people."

Maleficent laughed. "It's not that simple, dear. Even when the villains try to be heroes, they lose. The game is rigged, which is really something you ought to take note of considering you've allied yourself with a villain. Whose side do you think your daughter is going to end up on?"

"If what you say is true and the game is rigged, then what is the point?"

A male voice called out. "Because the book is missing a character."

Maleficent turned. "Merlin, I was wondering when you would turn up."


Now

"What are we doing?," asked Joseph.

Beatrice walked down the street with Joseph. Olaf followed behind them. She had a stack of fliers, Joseph carried another.

"We are trying to tell people about my event," said Beatrice.

"Hello, Beatrice. Hello, Joseph," said Archie.

"Ah, Archie," said Beatrice. "You wouldn't happen to be a former resident of Edelweiss, would you? Ah, forget it, have a flier."

"A community meeting? Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Well, currently the community only meets when there's a new curse or they want to form an angry mob..." said Joseph.

"I just want to give people a chance to voice their concerns," said Beatrice.

"Well, Snow White and the Prince have always led us and they've always taken care of us."

"I don't even know where to start with that," Joseph whispered.

"Well, just if you know of anyone who might be interested..."

"I'll certainly pass it along," said Archie. He walked away.

Olaf spoke up. "Uh, guys, didn't you all end up here because the Evil Queen hated Snow White and Prince Charming?"

"Yeah, but they like to pin it on my dad, then Regina gets mad and takes the credit. Every time. You would think one of these days she would just shut up." Beatrice looked at the fliers. "I'm thinking two hundred was too many of these."


Then

Belle looked up. Merlin approached Cruella and Ursula.

"Cruella, what the hell are you doing here? You don't belong here."

"Excuse me?"

"You look ridiculous. I mean..." He motioned at her evening gown and fur. "Maleficent, back me up on this. Come on."

Cruella rolled her eyes. "You know nothing of fashion."

"Now that may be so, but that doesn't change the fact that you look about as in place as a giraffe living with meerkats and don't you dare go killing either of those."

"Never mind him," said Ursula. "He's just feeling insecure."

"Insecure? Brave words from a sea goddess on land."

"I'll get back."

"That's not the way I heard it."

"I'll ignore your insults if you give me my book."

Merlin grinned. "Your book? Your book?"

"Yes."

"The person you got that book from left it with you because they thought I would never find it. You traded it to the Three Fates and I got it from them. It's not even my book, it's her book," he said, motioning at Belle.

"What book?," asked Belle.

"I'm sorry. I was trying to motion towards the baby, but it was a bit difficult given her current location."

"I am sick of losing," said Cruella.

"Well, stop turning animals into your coat or whatever it is you do."

Maleficent stood and walked over. "Come on, Merlin. You know the game is rigged."

"I know the odds are stacked against you, but this child is no guarantee of victory."

"She will be once we've had our say," said Ursula.

"No, she is the guarantee of the possibility of victory. There's an important distinction there."

"Elaborate," said Maleficent.

"Well, let us use Rumplestiltskin as an example."

Cruella arched a skeptical brow.

"What is the first act that led him on the path to becoming the Dark One?"

Cruella scoffed. "Stabbing the previous Dark One?"

"Before that."

"If this is the story of the old beggar, we all know that," said Ursula.

"You aren't looking deeply enough," said Merlin. "Why did he need to become the Dark One? I'm guessing Belle probably knows the answer."

"To save Baelfire," said Belle.

"And the first act that led him to this destiny?"

The women stared.

"He gave a thirsty girl some water and then his life went to hell. How is that fair? So, you're right, the game is a little rigged. If the Author wants you to walk through one door, he'll set all the others alight. Except maybe for you, Cruella. I don't know what your problem is."

"And why have you come?," asked Ursula.

"Because unlike Rumplestiltskin, I am willing to reason with you. You know the game is rigged and the Author doesn't want you to win. So, you're not going to win today. You obviously can't keep the girl. I won't allow it and you know the Dark One won't. We are at what is called an impasse."

The three witches exchanged looks.

"And why should we believe you?," asked Ursula.

He threw his arms up. "Because you have no other options."


Belle was relieved to come back home. She sat on the sofa in the Great Hall.

"And what have we learned today?," asked Merlin.

Belle looked up. "It's not as if I meant to be kidnapped."

"You need to exercise an abundance of caution," said Merlin. "You carry something precious."

"I know that," said Belle.

"We needn't tell Rumplestiltskin about this. I hate to feed his paranoia any more than I must."

"You don't want him to know, do you?," she asked. Merlin took a seat across from her. "He doesn't know anything about everything you said, does he?"

"Rumplestiltskin has a habit of being ruled by fear. I don't blame him. He's lost everything he's loved, but I do fear it might keep Beatrice from her destiny."

"Then why are you telling me?"

"Because you are brave enough for the both of you, the three of you if need be. There is one thing I do see, though."

"What?"

"The one who writes the book is called the Author and someday you will find the Author's house. When you do that, it is..."

"It is what?," Belle asked.

"The end of the beginning."


Now

Joseph entered the library to see...

No one.

Beatrice looked up from her phone.

"Hey."

"Hey," he replied and walked over. He leaned against the table Beatrice currently stood by.

"So, I don't suppose you have a concern for the Dark Princess?"

"Well, there's a pirate who seems to loiter about the sheriff station all the time."

"Duly noted."

Joseph looked around. "Didn't your father come?"

"No. He didn't want to scare anyone off and you see how that went." Beatrice motioned at her table of snacks. "Cookie?"

Belle looked over at Beatrice, then hustled Pamela and Merlin into the office.

"This is going badly," said Belle.

"Agreed," said Pamela. "Any bright ideas?"

"She'll think of something," said Merlin.

"Think of something? What's she supposed to think of? We have just set her up for massive rejection."

"I never said it would be easy."

Beatrice shook her head. "I don't know what I did wrong."

"I doubt I know."

"You're supposed to be smart. Come on. I tried to give people a voice in the democratic process along with free snacks and nobody came."

"Any upheaval of the social order must be bound to encounter this sort of setback."

"What? You think Stalin had this problem?"

"No. I think he just shot people."

Beatrice motioned at the empty library. "Nobody's even come in all afternoon. This is worse than not coming, this is avoidance."

"Well-"

"I know. You're going to say yes."

"Yes."

Beatrice rolled her eyes. When she stopped she saw Toby hanging around outside the window.

"Toby!," she cried out.

Joseph turned to look. "Your homeless friend?"

As soon as he asked, Toby bolted. Beatrice hurried outside with Joseph following.

"Toby, hey!," she called. "Stop! Please?"

Toby stopped and turned.

"I don't want to cause trouble, Beatrice."

"It's okay. You're not." She shrugged. "Did you meet Joseph?"

"He's the fake homeless guy."

"Sometimes," said Joseph.

"Anyway, I'm on the town council now and I'm having a meet and greet thing. Did you want to come?"

Toby looked uncertain.

"It's okay," said Beatrice. "You can bring your friends. I've got lots of food that nobody's eating."

"You mean it?"

"Yeah, I don't suppose you guys were residents of Edelweiss?"

"Next town over."

"Close enough. Go get your friends."

Beatrice turned to see Ashley.

"Is that the best you could do?," she asked.

Beatrice frowned.

"No, actually, it's not."

Beatrice turned and shot a fireball into the sky. It exploded and made everyone on the street stare dumbstruck at it. Belle, Pamela and Merlin came out onto the sidewalk as Beatrice walked into the middle of the street.

"Attention, people of Storybrooke! If you feel like nobody is listening to you, if you have an idea or a concern that you wish people would listen to? Yeah, I know that feeling! And guess what, I am actually in a position to listen and maybe even help! You are welcome to come into the library, tell me all about it and have a cookie!" She looked at Ashley. "If, however, you would rather watch princesses in ballrooms and have blind faith that everyone is going to turn out just fine or look down on everyone who doesn't conform, you can stay out here!"


Belle ran into the pawn shop.

"Rumple?"

He looked up from his ledger. "I trust there's a satisfactory explanation for her explosion?"

Belle's face broke out in a grin. "She did so well! You would have been so proud! She told off Ashley- and probably half of Storybrooke- and said what she thought and..." Words failed, Belle let out a noise of excitement.

Gold smiled. "I see it was a success."

Belle hurried over and kissed him on the lips. "We have a wonderful daughter."

The doorbell rang. They looked up to see Gormlaith walk in.

"I hope this is alright," she said. "This was the time you said, yeah?"

"It was." He motioned at Belle. "You know my wife, Belle."

Belle looked at Gold in surprise and then back at Gormlaith. "I'm so glad to finally meet, but I should go so you two can talk..."

"Stay," said Gold.

Gormlaith looked at him questioningly.

"Whatever you have to say, you can say to both of us."

"Alright," said Gormlaith.


After Zelena's Curse...

"Mom..." Beatrice groaned.

Belle stopped running up the path and looked to her daughter. Beatrice sat down on a rock. She walked over.

"I don't want to run. I don't want to do anything."

Belle sat down on the ground next to her.

"I have no comparison for what you've been through," said Belle. "I never will. I've never given up a world. I do know I can't just let you sit alone in your room and be sad. If you're sad, I need you to be sad with me and then I'll be sad and we can be sad together."

Beatrice hugged her legs. Belle leaned over to hold her and Beatrice grunted.

"No, I'm hugging you," said Belle.

She glanced up at the hill above them and saw a mansion. One she had never seen before.

"What's that?"

Beatrice looked up. "I thought Jefferson's house was the only one up here."

"Maybe it came over with Zelena's curse," said Belle. "Come on. Let's go see who lives there."

Beatrice followed her mother up the last bit of the incline.

"Mom, what if whoever it is doesn't want visitors?"

"We're just going to see," she answered, knocking on the door.

The front door fell open. Belle stepped inside.

Beatrice threw her head back. "Mom. Really?"

Belle continued inside. "Hello? Is anyone home?"

Beatrice followed reluctantly. "I have ice powers and I can use them any time I want!"

"Beatrice..."

"Just saying," said Beatrice. "Not in the mood for a lot of crap."

Belle walked further down the hall. "Look. You can see the ocean from here. How lovely."

"Great. Maybe Dad can buy it."

Belle looked to see some double doors. "What's there?"

She pushed the heavy doors open. "It's a ballroom." She walked inside, admiring the chandeliers and floors. "Who wouldn't claim this house?"


Now

Joseph pulled up to the mansion. He got out of the car and walked to where Regina waited.

"This house wasn't here before."

"No, it came over with my sister's curse. Belle mentioned it."

"And why have you brought me here?"

Regina frowned. "I thought Beatrice would have mentioned it. She and Belle found it one morning."

Joseph froze. It could have been one of the things that had happened as a result of his changing the past.

He played it off. "Right. Of course."

"You don't have a clue what I'm talking about."

"Of course I do. What's the point?"

Regina walked inside as he followed. "I was thinking there must have been a reason she found it."

Joseph followed her down the hall. She pulled back a light fixture to open a concealed door.

"Turns out I was right."

They walked into a room lined with shelves.

"These all look like Henry's story book, but they're not," said Regina.

"Why not?"

"Most of them are blank," said Regina.

"And the ones that aren't?"

Regina walked towards a table stacked haphazardly with dusty, ratty books. She brushed one off and handed it to Joseph.

He opened it.

"The Tale of the Dark Princess."

"That's what all of these are," said Regina. "There are different versions of her life, details change, some major, some minor."

"So he's tried to do a rewrite."

"And failed it would seem." Regina looked up at Joseph. "I think it's time to let her in on this."

"No."

"And how does that help us?"

"You want Beatrice to fulfill her destiny so you can have some happy ending with the Prince of Thieves. You don't care about anyone else."

"This book has me wrong!"

"Not quite. You did what it says you did, you're not excused. If it's Beatrice's destiny to defeat the Author, then I will help her in any way I can."

"Including dying?"

"We'll see."

Joseph began to leave.

"You know the line between hero and villain is not a very thick one," said Regina.

Joseph scoffed as he walked out. "You say that as if I don't already know that."