Chapter Eleven

Proposals

A/AN: It's good to be back! Regina is back in our story! I hope everyone likes the newest installment. Sorry it's taken me a few days to get it out to you but WB has been horrible! The Rumple/Belle part was actually harder for me to write than Regina's part. I'm not sure I'm really satisfied with it, but I hope you all enjoy it! Please review!

Regina watched as King Leopold bent down on one knee, holding out a beautiful sparkling diamond. She didn't love the king, but she felt no ill affections towards him either. She surmised this was her way out of Avonlea. She would marry the king and make sure he never allowed her mother near her again. He was kind to her and treated her as an equal.

"Regina will you bestow this honor upon me by becoming my wife?" the king inquired sincerely to her.

"Yes your majesty I will marry you." Regina obliged pushing Daniel's face out of her mind. She had loved him, but she had to let him go. She may never have true love, but she could have a happy life here. She could be free from her mother's evil clutches once and for all.

"Well isn't this wonderful!" Cora chirped gaily, putting her arm around Regina's shoulder. Regina winced at the feeling of her mother's arm around her shoulders, a distinct reminder of the ten lashes she'd received only three months ago.

"Splendid we shall marry at once then!" Leopold exclaimed pulling Regina away from Cora's grasp. Regina sighed in relief, clinging to his arm securely as he led them away. Regina smirked at the thought of the enraged look on her mother's face. Regina admired the beautiful diamond on her left ring finger, realizing there were far worse things than a loveless marriage. She would be a good queen and one day, she would overthrow her mother's cruel reign of tyranny. Avonlea would fall soon. The trading industry was suffering immensely, and Regina realized Cora only wanted this marriage to merge the kingdoms, pulling them out of debt. What Cora didn't realize was she would leave her there to drown. Leopold would ask questions once he noticed those ugly scars on her back, and she would tell him everything.

"When shall we marry my dear Regina?" Leopold inquired once they were alone. He touched her face lovingly, eyes full of so much kindness, it burned her. She wasn't used to this type of treatment.

"Will a week be enough time for us?" Regina inquired to the older man.

"Yes I will make the preparations! There shall be a royal wedding in one weeks time!" he smiled exuberantly.

"Excellent is it okay if I send for my things in Avonlea then? I don't see any need in returning if Astyn is to be my home in such a short time." Regina pointed out hoping he would have no objection to her moving into the palace so soon.

"Of course my dear! Anything you wish is my command!" he chuckled before lightly kissing her on the cheek.

"Thank you your highness." Regina felt her lips curve into a smile, her heart burning with revenge.

"You're quite welcome Regina! I hate to cut this meeting short, but I'm afraid I must meet with my advisors. They have some business they must discuss with me. I'm sure Snow would love to spend some time with you though. Why don't you go find her, and I'll send word to the stable boy to saddle up the horses? Snow really loves to go riding with you." Leopold suggested before parting ways.

"Yes that sounds lovely." Regina returned happy for another excuse to evade her mother.

"Very well then! I'll send for Snow and have her meet you at the stables." he supplied, walking in the opposite direction. Regina was just about to walk to the stables when a woman with ginger hair blocked her path, a stern look painted on her lips.

"What do you want mother? I have to go meet Snow. She's waiting for me at the stables." Regina protested a tinge of anger in her voice.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your little engagement my dear." Cora smirked, something malevolent dancing in her eyes.

"Thank you now I must go." Regina remarked icily, trying to sidestep the other woman.

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to!" Cora hissed grabbing her by the chin, and pulling her forward.

Regina just smirked pulling away from her violently, "Is that any way to treat your queen?"

"What are you talking about!?" Cora demanded, venom dripping from her tongue.

"Don't you get it mother? I win! You only wanted me to marry the king for your own convenience, but I figured it out. I can become the queen you always wanted me to be and the wonderful prospect of all of that is I don't owe you anything." Regina grinned maliciously, pushing open the door, leaving Cora standing there alone with her thoughts.

"Oh my dear this war has only begun." Cora whispered sinisterly to herself. Regina may have thought she'd outsmarted her, but she was still the one calling the shots. She would understand that very soon.

~X~

Rumplestiltskin and Belle had been residing in Elameth for a total of three months while he healed. They weren't able to travel back to Albannach because of his frail condition. The first month of his sickness had been a nightmare. He'd gotten an infection in his leg, and Belle was afraid they'd have to amputate it, but he'd pulled through. The second month was spent persuading him out of bed a few minutes a day to walk on his strained ligament. Rumplestiltskin was a stubborn fellow at times, but Belle had found a way to entice him to walk. She owed him a kiss for every step he took, and he always counted.

This was their third month in Elameth, and they were finally going home. Rumplestiltskin was able to walk for limited amounts of time now and would be able to make the journey safely.

Belle watched as the remainder of their luggage was loaded into the carriage. She turned to Bae who was talking shyly to a blond haired girl just a stone's throw away. She couldn't help but smile at the little prince. He really fit in here at Elameth. He was always out hunting with Graham or carrying about with the other boys in the village but this girl was someone he'd only taken up with recently. Belle watched fondly, giving them a few extra minutes to converse before they headed home.

"Moraine I'm really going to miss you. I have no idea when I'll get to see you again." Bae sighed rocking back and forth on his heels shyly.

"Perhaps I should give you something to remember me by then." Moraine suggested with a girlish smile.

"What would that be?" Bae inquired with a curious glance.

"How about my necklace?" she supplied undoing the colored twine she'd made out of old pieces of rope. The necklace had been dyed green contrasting beautifully with her eyes. She pressed it into his hand smiling fondly at him.

"Then I must give you something to remember me by as well." he remarked handing her his lucky rabbit's foot-the one he'd caught in his first snare.

"Oh thank you Bae I'll always treasure it!" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes, throwing her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Bae felt his cheeks color as he pat her back awkwardly.

"Until we meet again my fair lady." Bae smiled pulling away from her, kissing her hand chivalrously.

Belle couldn't help but giggle at his little sentiment. She knew it was time to go when Rumplestiltskin started complaining from the carriage. She sighed turning towards Bae, "We have to go Bae!" she called out regretfully wishing she could allow him more time with his friend.

"I'm coming!" Bae called back lingering beside Moraine for a few more seconds.

"I'll see you again someday." Bae said, tucking a sandy blond curl behind her ear.

"I'll be waiting right here for you when you get back." she beamed, green eyes shining, clasping his hand in her own. He nodded before darting to the carriage.

Belle watched Bae climb into the carriage. She followed suit before the guard shut the door behind them. Rumplestiltskin took up an entire seat, propping his bad leg up on some pillows.

"Well I guess we're all finally going home." Belle added, liking the sound of what home meant for them. She a Rumple would be wed within a week. They'd decided to have a private ceremony with no guests. She didn't need the word getting back to her "darling" stepmother about her upcoming nuptials.

"Yes! I'm so ecstatic about leaving that place behind!" Rumplestiltskin scoffed with the roll of his eyes.

"I liked the village papa. I want to come back and visit in the fall. Moraine said they have a Harvest Festival. It sounded like lots of fun." Bae chimed in enthusiastically, bouncing up and down in his seat.

"Maybe if you've mastered your book of Latin that Belle has been teaching you out of, then we'll talk." he conditioned causing Bae's face to fall.

"Aww papa! You know I've been trying really hard! You can't make me learn an entire language in just a few months time!" he protested, his face falling in disappointment.

"Don't worry Bae! I'll bring you to the harvest festival even if your father doesn't want to come. I know how hard you've been working." Belle assured him with a wink.

"Thanks Belle! You're the best!" Bae gushed sticking out his tongue at Rumplestiltskin.

"Who put you in charge of my son's affairs?" he countered, his eyes blazing into hers.

"You did when you put me in charge of his studies and asked me to marry you. I think I have the right to decide if he should go to the festival or not. Besides the villagers have been nothing but gracious to us since we arrived. They've been wonderful hosts bending to your every whim and woe. In fact I believe we should donate money to their festival and make it the greatest one they've ever had." Belle comeback shutting him up immediately. He had no right to question her after how much she'd did for him. He owed her his life for saving him, and she'd given him her heart.

"Fine we'll go to the blasted festival." he complied with a sour look on his face, causing Belle to giggle.

"It would be a pity if that look were to freeze on your face." Belle teased causing Bae to giggle.

He felt his face tug into a smile at her retort. He tried to fight it but it won in the end. Belle always won. Sometimes he didn't like how she always beat him at his own game. She was always one step ahead of him it seemed.

"There's that beautiful smile I know and love." she praised returning it with one of her own causing him to melt on the inside. He was okay with her winning if he got to wake up to her smile everyday. He would sacrifice almost anything to see that smile. He just couldn't figure out why he was the one blessed enough to put it there.

A/AN: Well I hope you liked it! Daniel will be coming up in the next scene! Will Rumple and Belle get to have their wedding? Will Regina go through with marrying the king? What's going on with Cora? I also have two new oneshots if you aren't aware. One of them is called "Remember My Chipped Cup" which will probably become a fic soon and "A Second Chance" featuring Emma and David. Please go check them out! They need some review loving! :D