"I robbed this palace once." It gets her attention, not enough to make her turn around but enough to peak her interest. "You had just married the king. He was throwing a Ball for Snow."
"When wasn't he." She mutters under her breath. "It was her birthday."
"Milady?" He asks genuinely confused.
"Leopold increased the security around my room after it happened. My personal room was only robbed once, on her 11th birthday. "
"I took a great many things from yours and Snow's rooms."
"Yes, I remember; You sold it all?" She doesn't dare hope after all this time.
"All but a small necklace which was considered of no value when I went to pawn it." He dangles the necklace in front of her face. It's not the reaction he's expecting but he supposed she's raw already, hasn't been seen out of her room but only for a moment. It's well know she's refused every meal today. Snow. her gatekeeper, has kept everyone away from her castle wing. And Snow who told him that this day 13 years ago is when Regina brought her boy home for the first time.
She stares for a split second before her hand snatches the necklace from the end of his finger. The tears fill her eyes against her will and she sinks down the castle wall she precariously stood in front of. She's sobbing as he drops to his knees in front of her. "Regina?" But she can't speak, can't think, going willingly into his arms. Sobbing now into his chest. He patiently waits for her to stop crying or tell him why this necklace has such an effect on her. Choking sobs leave her body as she stares down at the necklace. She curses herself for being so weak.
He runs her arm gently when she finally allows him into her thoughts. "This is the first gift anyone gave me. Not Cora's daughter or Princess Mills I received more gifts than deserve mentioned from that but this was given to me, by someone who gave it willingly to make me happy. He was everything till she took him away." She's brushing the tears from her eyes. "It was a celebratory gift. Rocinante and I had cleared our highest jump. We had been practicing despite my mother's protests that I 'rode like a man'. This was just his way of showing me he was proud of me."
She has to get away from this thief before she tells him her whole life story. His hand on her arm is soothing though, calming her tired nerves and relinquishing her from her grief. So she lets it slip. "He became mine, allowed me to be his mother today and I'll... I don't know how to do this when he doesn't even know who I am. I don't want to do this without him."
His posture shift so that he can look at her. "Don't worry thief, I promised Snow I wouldn't use the sleeping curse, or take my heart out, again." Well that's new "again, Milady?"
"A story for another night." She says upon standing. "Goodnight... Thief."
"Goodnight Regina." He responds still seated on the floor. She doesn't correct him. She should but she far too tired as her feet carry her from the balcony where they stood to her room. She'll correct him tomorrow and everyday forth.