Surprise! I have another chapter ready! :) I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far! - Jess

Disclaimer: I do not own OUaT. Sadly.

Katie

Chapter 3

Regina tightened her grip on Snow's hand and stood up.

"What a lovely name."

The little girl blushed madly at the compliment.

"Thank you, yours is pretty too!" Snow beamed. This woman was being so nice to her and she was beautiful. Snow hoped that she could be just like her when she grew up. She wanted to be brave, but at 10 years old, she felt so small and scared of the dangers of the world.

"Did you want to walk back with me? I want to make sure you make it to your family, so you're safe and sound," Regina questioned the young girl. She knew the child came from a wealthy background. She could tell by the make of her clothes and her mannerisms. She was certainly brought up to be polite and respectful of her elders.

Snow nodded. "I'm sure my father has already sent a search party to look for me. I wasn't supposed to be riding on my own today. I kind of snuck off when my Nanny turned her back." Snow flashed Regina a cheeky smile, which made Regina think of herself at that age. Hell, I'm like that now, Regina thought with a grin. This young girl reminded her too much of herself.

"Well, I don't think you should be doing anymore of that, Miss Snow White," Regina stated, trying not to sound like she was reprimanding the girl for her wrong doing, "You should be more careful. Your father trusts your Nanny to look out for you. I'm sure he cares a great deal about you and just wants you to be safe."

Snow looked down, looking apologetic. "I promise I'll be good, Regina! If it wasn't for you, that horse would've thrown me off again!" Snow threw her arms around Regina's middle and gave a tight squeeze. She didn't normally do this to strangers, but she felt a connection with this woman who had just saved her life. Regina smiled and surprisingly found herself hugging the little girl back.

"All right," Regina whispered. "Let's get you back to your father."

Regina reached for Storm, who was grazing on some grass near by and motioned for Snow to get onto him. Snow shook her head.

"Come on, Snow," Regina urged, "You can do it. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

With Regina's soft words, Snow finally managed to get the courage to get on Storm. She knew in the long run that this would help her get back on one of her own horses and Storm looked friendly enough. She wouldn't be scared, especially in front of Regina. She put her left foot into the saddle strap and pushed herself over him, with a little boost from Regina. She smiled and gave him a pat.

"Thank you, Storm," Snow whispered to him. She beamed at Regina happily. "I did it! I got back on, just like you said. I'm not scared!"

Regina looked up and smiled proudly at the little girl, giving her a wink. Snow blushed.

"See, I told you that you could do it. I knew you would."

With Snow's accomplishment of getting on Storm, Regina lead them both back to the riding stables. Immediately Regina noticed that her mother was gone - not that it really mattered to her. She was happy that she no longer had to deal with her overbearing mother, at least for a little while. Daniel, however, was still there, pacing back and forth. He looked very worried. Suddenly he lifted his head and caught sight of the trio. He quickly rushed over from his spot in the practice ring.

"Regina! Are you all right? What happened?" He asked, grabbing her hands in his, looking her over to make sure she was unharmed. Regina shrugged him off, not wanting physical contact with him because of their audience. She did not know whose child Snow was. If she was the child of any of the courtiers in her parent's court, she certainly didn't want her to know about her relationship with Daniel in case she told, accidently or not.

Regina helped Snow off of Storm and took her hand once again.

"Snow's horse bolted on her," Regina explained, motioning to the little girl. "Luckily Storm caught up to him and she managed to jump off of her horse and into my saddle. She's lucky she wasn't injured." Regina looked seriously at Snow who nodded.

"Regina saved me, sir," Snow whispered shyly.

Daniel kneeled down and smiled at the little girl. "I bet your family is worried sick about you, little Snow. I will try to find your horse and stable him here if you would like to come get him back tomorrow."

Snow smiled at Daniel. She could tell that Regina liked this man too. She was smiling at him as well. Snow let go of Regina's hand, hugged her once more and starting running towards the castle. Unexpectedly, she turned around, as if she was forgetting something. She brushed her long dark hair out of her face and smiled at her savior.

"Thank you, Regina, I will never forget your kindness towards me," Snow yelled. She curtsied to them both and continued on her journey towards the castle.

Daniel looked over at Regina, who was smiling.

"It looks like you've made a friend today," Daniel said, while taking hold of her, "She seems to have taken quite a liking to you."

Regina continued to smile as she lured her true love towards the stables. Daniel saw that she had a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

"I think so too," she replied, pulling Daniel into one of the horse's stalls that was recently cleaned that morning. "Now that we're finally alone…" Her voice trailed off as Daniel began to kiss her.

Sometime later, Regina was sprawled out on her bed, staring contently at her ceiling when her mother suddenly appeared in her room. Regina sat up and frowned at her.

"Mother, do you have to do that? Why can't you use the door like a normal person?" Regina spat. She hated when her mother used magic to travel. Cora decided to ignore her daughter's statement and instead smiled at her. Something was definitely going on for her mother to behave this way, as she would normally scold her daughter for being so rude.

"I have the most magnificent news, my darling daughter!" Cora said excitedly. She sat down on the bed next to Regina and took her hand. "Your father and I have been asked for your hand in marriage! And I accepted for you! Isn't this wonderful?"

Regina felt her stomach drop. She looked at her mother with disbelief, but the "happiness" in Cora's eyes told her it was the truth.

"What?" Regina spoke, "Who may I ask wants my hand in marriage?" Regina had to push the thought of Daniel into the back of her mind, otherwise she might cry at the idea of marrying someone other than him. She knew, however, that this was a long time coming.

"That little girl you saved… what was her name? Ah, Snow White," Cora explained. "Her father is the King of a neighboring Kingdom that is aligned with some of our lands. He was told of how you rescued his precious princess and she spoke highly of your beauty and kindness towards her. He wants to marry you and make you his Queen."

Regina let the words sink in for a few moments. Snow's father was… the King? Why hadn't she said so? Did she not want to reveal her identity as a Princess? Regina knew that feeling… Still, she felt a little betrayed by the young girl… who would be her step-daughter, if her mother had her way with all this.

"Luckily you saved her from that horse," Cora stated, with an evil gleam in her eye. Regina caught her triumphant smile and a thought struck her.

Standing from the bed, she glared at her mother.

"You knew they would be here, didn't you?" Regina pointed out. "You knew Snow and her father were passing through our Kingdom and you took advantage of it. You were the one that caused her horse to bolt! Weren't you, mother? You MADE this happen! You made me save her!"

Cora shot her daughter a guiltless look. "I did no such thing, Regina. Why on earth would I try to harm a poor, innocent child? Especially a Princess. What exactly do you think I'm capable of, sweetheart?"

Regina eyed her mother carefully. She could feel her anger slowly rising within her. She knew her mother had deliberately caused Snow's horse to bolt on her, thus causing this chain reaction. She was getting what she wanted; her daughter would be made a Queen.

"You're getting exactly what you've always wanted, Mother," Regina spat angrily. "You're marrying me off…to a King! Well, I don't want to marry him! I don't love him! I don't even know him!"

Cora stood and roughly grabbed her daughter's arm. Regina could see the evil filling in her mother's eyes.

"You WILL obey me, Regina. You are my daughter and you will do as I tell you. This is for your best interest and the best possible future for you," Cora said through clenched teeth. "Love does not exist. Marriage is for rising one's status for your family and that is exactly what you will do. You will be highest of them all, my child. I have given up everything for you and I expect you to marry the King!"

Regina pulled her arm away and clenched her fists angrily.

"I will not do as you say, Mother! This is my life!" Regina cried. She could feel the tears that were threatening to fall, but she held them back. She would never cry in front of her mother. That would only be a sign of weakness in her eyes.

Cora narrowed her eyes angrily and raised her hand, slapping Regina hard across the face. Regina cupped her cheek and gasped at her mother. Cora was known to be rough with her daughter, but she had never laid a hand on her like this before. Upset, Regina dashed from her bedroom and headed for the stables. Daniel would fix this. They would fix this together.

Somehow.

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