"Mmf..." I groaned as the young maid's voice pierced my ears. Was it really time to get up already? I'd hardly slept what felt like ten minutes. "Miss Regina, Miss Regina. Please... You must get up. Your Mother and Father will be here soon. We have to get you ready. Your bath has been drawn..." I slowly forced my eyes open, the sun from my window nearly blinding. "I'm coming..." I assured her, rubbing my tired eyes as I pushed my body up from the comfortable position under my sheets.

I hated having my hair done by the maids... Hated it, hated it. But with my eyelids so heavy I couldn't manage to braid it back myself, which Mother hated anyhow. Mother would be here soon... But that meant Daddy's return too. Daddy would be back, after he'd given me the best present I could've imagined, after making my birthday wonderful. Daniel... Daniel was down at the stables. Working, or riding, or whatever he might be doing at the moment, possibly still asleep. Although I still had so many questions on my mind for the boy, I had to push them all aside. Mother could never find out that I'd met him. She could never know that I'd gone down to the stables while she was away... What she'd do to me for that was a punishment I chose not to think about.

But did Daniel understand the importance of my Mother not finding out? Did he know the extent of trouble I could get in if he allowed the tiniest of details to slip? Not only was I afraid of Mother for myself, I was quickly becoming afraid for Daniel. What if Mother decided to pay a visit to the stables before I got down there again? What if she decided to get rid of the new stableboy without even telling me?

I yawned and realized my eyes had begun to drift shut as I sat at my vanity. The young maid was just finishing up my still partially damp hair. "I'm sorry..." I whispered, which would've earned a scolding from Mother if she'd been in the room. I sat up higher, trying to regain the posture my Mother demanded. "It's alright, Miss Regina. We're all finished," The maid gave me a kind smile in the reflection of the mirror, which I returned although I knew Mother wouldn't approve. The young maid couldn't have been much older than I was, and I felt incredibly sorry for what she must have gone through this morning, worrying about whether she would have me up and ready before my Mother's arrival, "Thank you..." I whispered again, lightly brushing my fingers through my perfect curls. "You're welcome, Miss Regina."

Miss Regina... Miss Regina... How I hated that Mother had every castle worker calling me that. The maid opened her mouth to reply just as we heard the calls of castle guards, "Madam and Sir Mills have returned!" That call was followed by the rush of steps down the hallway. My Mother always required workers to get her things inside. "You're welcome, Miss Regina," The maid finally replied, "Go down to the dining hall, breakfast will be served for you and the Mr. and Mrs." I gave her one more smile in the reflection, and then I stood from my vanity to hurry down to the dining hall before Mother and Father got there.

The kitchen staff had prepared Mother's favorite, nonetheless after her long trip. I picked at my plate, not caring much for food at the moment. "Regina," My Mother's voice pierced from across the table, "Why is your hair still damp, my child?" My hand self-consciously moved to brush through one of the curls as I met her eyes, "The maids drew an early morning bath for me this morning. There are still parts that are a bit wet." I looked down at my plate, taking the tiniest of bites as she looked over me again. She seemed to accept my answer, because she moved on to her next question, "Did you finish the reading I told you to finish while I was gone?"

I gave her the answer she desired by reciting the passage I'd practiced on my way to and from the stables. "Very nice, darling," Daddy commented, but Mother only glared at him from her seat. "We'll have another reading lesson when we finish our meal, and then you have dress fittings." Dress fittings, ugh. There was almost nothing I hated more. "Yes, Mother," I replied, taking one more bite before placing my silverware back on the table. "If you're finished, Regina, go get your book. I expect you in the library in ten minutes." I nodded, gracefully raising from the table, "Yes, Mother. Thank you."

I'd rushed from my room to get the book, and then hurried down the hallway to the library for my lesson with Mother. I'd thought it was yelling that I'd heard when I passed the dining hall, and my thoughts were confirmed when Mother came in. She never really let her anger show on her features, but after years of practice I'd learned to be able to tell when she was hiding something. Her face like a perfect, emotionless mask as she sat on the opposite end of the couch the castle workers had pulled in front of the live fireplace. I knew better than to open my mouth. "Open to the page you left off on last night, and read aloud to me," Mother directed, and I didn't hesitate to follow her orders.

After reading until my voice grew tired, Mother stopped me. She took the book in her own hands, and began to read aloud to me. This, in my opinion, was much more peaceful, and reminded me of some of our earliest reading lessons together. I listened well, expecting questions when Mother deemed it necessary, but my mind slowly trailed off to thoughts of the boy I'd met the night before. Why did I have to have dress fittings? I wanted to go down to the stables, to ride with him again. I wanted another race, that's what I really wanted. I tried to hide the show of emotion growing on my countenance.

I debated on asking as Mother flipped pages, her voice never losing its perfectly steady tone as she continued to read. Her eyes, the line of her lips, the clench of her jaw, all seemed to grow softer, more relaxed as she read. This only gave me more reason to ask, but to risk the punishment for interrupting her... "Mother, may I please go to riding lessons today?" Something seemed to move my lips, although I knew in my head it was a terrible idea. "Regina Mills, you do not interrupt anyone, especially your Mother," She scolded, nothing less than expected. "I'm sorry, Mother," I dropped my gaze. Why had I been foolish enough to even hope that simply asking would change her mind about my afternoon plans.

Mother seemed to hesitate, giving me an unblinking stare. Asking again could bring yet another scolding, or even worse punishment. "Mother... May I? Please..." She continued to give me her stare, her lips pursed. I was unable to determine what was about to happen. "I'm coming with you down to the stables," She announced, closing the book and setting it aside. "Go get dressed, and fetch your Father as well."

I had frozen in place. She was...coming with me!? No! Riding lessons with Mother around were never any fun. And... Daniel! No. That's why she was coming. Had Daddy told her about Daniel? She wanted to come and meet the new stableboy. What if Daniel were to slip up? If she found out about what I'd done last night, sneaking off to the stables, I surely wouldn't be the only one her magic would get ahold of. "Regina!" Her voice rose when I hadn't responded. "Yes, Mother?" I asked out of pure habit, my cheeks flushing, "I'm sorry... Yes, Mother, I'll get dressed and fetch Daddy." I gently patted my dress down as I stood, as she would have instructed anyways, and then took off to my room with her gaze on my back.

My mind raced with a thousand thoughts as I got into my room. I pulled on my black riding pants with the purple over coat, although she hated seeing me in pants, this outfit was Mother's favorite. I hoped for a moment that it would please her, but pushed away the silly thought. I checked my outfit in the mirror, braided my hair back as quickly as I could, and hurried out of my room to find Daddy. Mother could change very quickly with magic, and hated to be kept waiting, so I had to hurry. "Daddy?" I called as I reached the main room, "Daddy?"

"Regina, my darling. Over here," He smiled, beckoning me over, "I thought you were in a lesson with your Mother?" I gracefully strode to him, trying to keep my posture in my riding outfit. "Yes, Mother let the lesson end early. She's allowing me to go to the stables for a while instead." Daddy turned, grinning ear to ear as he stepped closer and took my hand, "She is? Oh, Regina..." He dropped his voice to a nearly inaudible whisper, "Did you get to meet him last night? Did the maid bring the note?" I smiled, Daniel brought back to my thoughts once again, "Yes, Daddy. The maid gave me your present. I met Daniel, and he was wonderful. An amazing rider and so very kind." He smiled happily, "That's great, my darling. I think he'll be able to teach you much more than I can."

Daddy began to trail on about how he'd hired Daniel, and as much as I wanted to hear it I had to interrupt, Mother couldn't be kept waiting, "Daddy... Daddy?" His whispers of the new stable boy stopped and he met my gaze. "Mother insists on coming with me to my lesson." His face became pale, "Oh dear... Did your Mother say anything to you? Was she angry?" He seemed very concerned.

"No... Well, she wasn't expressing any anger, she was rather quiet. Daddy, she wants you to come with us. We have to hurry, she'll be waiting." He understood how important is was to never keep his wife waiting, so he gave me a nod and pulled me along to go find Mother.

The long walk down to the stables was not a happy one with Mother by our side. Daddy and I had walked it many times, and alone we'd talk and he'd tell stories of when I was a young girl. With Mother it was nothing but silence, a few complaints from her about the distance, and even more time for my worries about her finding out to drive me mad. "He better be as good a teacher as you claim, Henry," I heard her snap at Daddy, but he only replied that he was sure he'd hired well. I stayed silent, not wanting to interrupt. She was talking about Daniel, so Daddy had told her... Now Daddy and I just had to hope that the new stable boy would withstand Mother's high expectations.

Daddy nodded to the new stable boy as we entered, "Good afternoon, Daniel," He greeted him, Mother rolling her eyes at him. She hated for any of us to address the workers so kindly. She demanded that they be treated as 'what they were', servants. "Good afternoon, Mr. Mills," Daniel nodded to him politely, "Good afternoon, Madam Mills. It's a pleasure to see you again." Daniel had turned to my Mother, bowing his head to her. See her again? What? I glanced at Daddy, but tried to hide my confused and concerned look. "My wife would like to see proof of what I've told her, that you're one of the finest riding instructors our daughter could have."

"Oh, yes, of course Sir." Daniel glanced over at me, and I tried to hide my tiny smile from Mother's view. He was meant to see it, and that he did. He turned to me, giving me that smile he'd given me as I learned his name the night before. That sweet smile, and those eyes. I hated to see him bow before me as he had my Mother, but knew he must, "You must be Miss Regina," He stood again, "It's a pleasure to meet you." He held his smile and my eyes a bit too long... My Mother cleared her throat, "We don't have all day, boy. Hurry along and fetch my daughter's horse."

"Yes, Madam Mills," Daniel replied, and turned to pull Rocinante out of his pen. I frowned, hating the way she spoke to the workers, and when it was directed at Daniel it seemed to make it worse. I stepped out to help him keep Rocinante still as he picked up one of the heavy saddles. The stupid saddle... Yet another thing that made having Mother at lessons unenjoyable. "Let's just bring him right out here..." Daniel spoke gently, carrying the saddle in his arms as I pulled Rocinante out of the stables into the open.

Mother and Daddy followed, but stayed closer to the stable doors as Daniel placed the saddle on Rocinante. He gave me a hand to help me up, and I grinned down at him, knowing Mother wouldn't see it with my back turned to her. "When did you meet her?" I whispered to him as he worked to fix the saddle, hoping he'd know what I was referring to. "This morning," He muttered in reply, "I'm in charge of getting the horses groomed and put away after they take them to pull the carriages." Oh of course. "Did she say anything to you?" I whispered again, making sure Mother couldn't see or hear. Daniel moved to the other side of Rocinante, making the saddle slightly more comfortable, even though I still hated it, "She didn't enjoy seeing someone she didn't know..." He began to whisper something else, but our words were cut off. "If you're going to speak, boy, you can speak up. I want to hear what you're telling my daughter." Her voice was harsh, cold. Mother wasn't tolerant of much.

"Yes, Madam." Daniel nodded, finishing up his work on the saddle. He gave me a few instructions of a trail to follow aloud, letting Daddy and Mother hear what I was to do.

I'd ridden the path Daniel had instructed. He called out many more corrections then he had the night before when Mother wasn't around. Mother had glared between Daniel, Daddy, and myself the entire time. Her eyes on me only made me nervous, making it harder to concentrate on riding. When I'd finally brought Rocinante back up to the stables, Daniel held out his hand to help me down. I took it happily, smiling without thinking of Mother watching. "Very nice, Miss Regina," Daniel smiled at me, and I dropped his hand when I heard Daddy agree with his comment.

"Well... What do you think Cora?" Daddy asked. Daniel took the heavy saddle into his arms again. Mother scoffed quietly, turning her nose up to Daniel. But she wasn't disapproving. That was a start... "Very well..." Daddy turned to Daniel again, giving him a gentle smile, "We'll be seeing you again soon, Daniel. Take care of things down here."

"Yes Sir, Mr. Mills," Daniel nodded. Mother turned on her heel, stomping lightly back through the stables. "I'll get him, Regina," Daniel whispered to me, motioning to Rocinante. I could tell he was struggling enough with the saddle with both arms to use, and having to use only one arm would make it nearly impossible. "No... I've got him," I insisted. "Let's go, Regina," Mother called for me.

"Go..." Daniel whispered, trying to shift the saddle to one arm. I stubbornly remained in between him and Rocinante, walking faster to catch up with Mother. Once we had Rocinante inside, I opened the door to his stall, guiding him in as I always did. "Just a moment, Mother!" I called, closing the gate to Rocinante's stall. I turned to Daniel. I wanted to buy more time, to talk to him more. "Regina Mills, let's go!" Mother called again, louder this time as she'd walked out with Daddy. "Just one more second! I'm coming!"

I sighed deeply, "I wish I had more time. I'm sorry," I whispered to him. He stepped closer, and I could feel my cheeks becoming hot. "You have to go. I don't want to make her angry the first time she's down here," He joked, grinning. I sighed again, taking a small step closer to him. I looked up at him, desperately wanting to stay a few more minutes without Mother or Daddy around.

He smiled and his blue eyes seemed to shine, "Next time." He whispered those same, believing words. I nodded, smiling back at him. "Regina!" Mother called, very impatient now. "Next time." He assured me once more as I ran off to catch up with Mother and Daddy.