Chapter 9

Since Regina's surprise proposal, the two happy royals continued to sit against the tree, leaning against one another while holding hands and discussing future plans. As they spoke, neither women realized how long they were actually outside for until they saw Snow appear in front of them, curious as to where they had gone and to check that they were both okay.

Noticing her daughter's extremely happy face, the older Queen raised an eyebrow. "Hey..you two..what's going on here?"

Biting her lip, Emma looks to the brunette who tightens her hold on the blonde's hand for support and nods. The blonde grins turning towards her mother. "Mom...we're getting married"

Eyes widening, Snow backs up towards the door. "Charming! Get out here!"

Scrambling of her feet worried, Emma stands beside Regina gripping her hand tightly. The older Queen looks to her husband as he appears.

"Snow?"

Grabbing his arm, Snow looks lost for words and points to the young couple. "They..they're getting married!"

Charming looks over in surprise then grins much like his daughter does and approaches to hug them. "I knew it wouldn't be long! I think a congratulations with a few drinks are in order!"

The blonde hugs her father back relieved, while Snow smiles at the pair in awe before taking hold of Regina and hugging her. "I can't believe it's finally happening!"

Chuckling, the younger Queen hugs back. "I know it's soon but I had to ask her after holding my feelings in for so long"

Letting go of the brunette and swapping with Charming to hug their daughter while he hugs Regina, Snow takes hold of Emma's face with both her hands and gets teary.

The princess rolls her eyes, knowing what is coming. "Oh god...here goes.."

"Hey! I'm your mother indulge me for a moment. I am so happy for you and also so proud of the woman you have become" the older Queen kisses her daughter's head causing Emma to crinkle her nose.

Charming puts his arm round the brunette's shoulder, smiling. "Why don't we all go back inside for a toast?"

Snow releases her daughter, prompting the blonde to walk straight over to her fiancée and hug her arm while her parents go on ahead.

Stopping at the door, Emma turns to her Queen and grabs her face in a kiss. Regina gives a happy giggle kissing back then pulls her princess back inside the castle.

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Returning to the Mystic kingdom with the princess in tow, Regina had informed her guards of their new arrival and the plans that were in progress for when Emma is to move in. Knowing that the brunette clearly could not leave her duty or kingdom behind, the blonde had insisted on moving with her and after much conversation, Snow finally agreed to let her daughter leave.

The only problem that needed to be handled now was Cora. Both women were prepared for the older woman's wrath and knew she would be completely against it. Deciding that the best way for them to live their lives in peace, the controlling mother would have to go. A conversation Regina was not looking forward to.

After calling for her mother's presence, the Queen stood beside her fireplace in the main hall and paced, waiting. She had warned Emma not to be there, knowing how her mother could be and that she would end up using whatever words possible to hurt her, not to mention the magic she possessed.

Taking a deep breath, the brunette turned to the door at her mother walking in clearly irritated at something already. "Mother?..."

Cora offers a scolding look and shakes her head. "When are you ever going to learn?! Did you think I was stupid to not know that the princess is here? That you are moving her in?!"

Regina bites her lip, looking back annoyed. "Obviously she would be moving in if we are going to be married..."

"Married?" The older woman stalks up to her daughter. "You're getting married?"

Nodding slowly, the brunette gulps, still a little fearful of her mother's reaction. "I told you before mother, I love her and I want us to be together. I'm committed and so is she"

Cora raises an eyebrow then smiles. "Well then...I guess there is nothing I can do apart for help you plan the wedding? It will have to be more extravagant than the last obviously as its between a Queen and Princess"

Frowning confused, Regina watches her mother head back to the door. "Mother?"

Looking over her shoulder, the older woman smiles. "I will just fetch my books.."

Rubbing her head, the Queen is not sure what to make of her mother's odd behaviour and could have sworn she would have put up more of a fight against the two kingdoms joining.

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Having waited for her mother to return, Regina became more anxious as to what her mother was up to.

This was Cora.

Giving a deep sigh, the Queen was startled by one of her guards running in, in a panic.

"Your majesty, the princess!"

Without a second thought, the brunette ran past the guard and up to her chambers where she had told the blonde to stay until her talk with Cora was over. Running down the corridor, Regina pushes the two doors open. Stopping, she looks on in horror seeing Emma on the floor, trying to push herself up with her hands while rested on her elbows and her mother towering above the blonde having clearly struck the princess down.

"Mother?!"

Entering, The brunette feels a force as she is pinned to the wall and begins to choke while Cora grabs hold of Emma by her arm, lifting her up roughly. "Regina...this is for your own good! You can never amount to the person you need to be if this girl is in your life! Since you were young, I could see what was happening right in front of me and I was waiting for this moment so I could finally show you what your life really should be. She is weakness. You need strength and you will get it when you take control!"

Grabbing at her own throat not being able to breath, Regina hears part of what her mother says and part Emma who is screaming at the fact Cora is squeezing the life out of her Queen. Pushing the older woman with force, the blonde drops down again feeling disorientated.

Cora scoffs at how pathetic the princess really is and retrieves what she had been holding onto for the majority of both the young women's lives. "I am doing this for you sweetheart, you will thank me!"

Throwing the object off the balcony causing a portal to evolve and making the ground shake with lightening surrounding the room, the vengeful woman once again grabs hold of the princess and strokes her face. "I'm sorry dear but..you just got in the way too much.."

Emma's eyes widen as she looks towards Regina who suddenly drops to the floor, holding her neck. "No...no!"

Cora sighs and pushes the blonde off of the balcony causing a scream. The brunette looks up and pushes herself up running towards the balcony ledge as the light surrounding them dims and the blonde is nowhere in sight.

Looking over the railing, Regina stands up in shock but filled with anger. "you...you.." Breathing heavily, the brunette turns with a cold glare. "I am going to end you! If it is the last thing I do!"

Practically growling, the Queen uses all her strength causing a power she never knew existed to push against Cora and sending the woman to go flying out of the room. Treading over to the door, Regina grits her teeth and pulls her arm back intending to strike her mother but drops her arm sneering instead "You're not worth it..I do not want to end up like you but I assure you, I will get Emma back and nothing or no one will stand in my way"

Holding her hand out, she prevents Cora from approaching her then slams her chamber door behind her. Reaching her dresser, the brunette leans against the cabinet looking in the mirror, seeing a completely different version of herself. A darker one. One that right now only cares of one thing and will do anything to get it.

To get her Emma back.

A/N: ooooo that even threw me and I'm writing it haha for visual help, imagine the whole pushing Cora away as when she pushed her through the mirror! That growling anger! Haha sorry if the whole plot was kind of lame but I needed Cora to send her somehow! Regina just needs to find her now :(