"Wait!" Regina called frantically, watching the blonde open the door, "Emma, wait! I can explain!" Henry crawled off to his room, too hurt by Emma to listen.
The blonde scowled, "What makes you think I want to hear whatever the hell you have to say?" Regina scrambled to think of something, realizing that only the truth would make Emma Swan stay.
"I'm going to tell you the truth," Regina stated. Emma sensed no lies, but a great deal of reluctance. Grudgingly, the blonde returned to Regina, who sighed in relief.
"Okay. I'm listening, Regina. But if I hear one lie, I'm out," Emma told her. There was a moment of silence while the mayor composed herself. She was going to tell Emma everything the only way she could, in a fairy tale.
"Once upon a time, a baby girl was born in the Enchanted Forest," Regina began.
"Regina, I'm not playing games. I don't see how this relates to any-"
"Just listen. It will make sense eventually," Regina snapped, "Once upon a time, a baby girl was born in the Enchanted Forest to a man named Henry and a woman named Cora. She was the only child of the two. Cora practiced dark magic, and often used her spells to keep her daughter in line. Henry was a kind soul and a devoted father, but he was terrified of his wife. Whenever Cora abused the little girl, Henry would only look the other way. He would never help his daughter, he was too scared of what his wife would do to him.
"As the little girl grew up, she tried desperately to win her mother's approval. But whatever she did, it was never good enough. Then one day, the little girl's mother and father bought her a horse and hired a stable boy named Daniel to take care of it. Over time, the girl, who grew into a woman, had fallen in love with Daniel. And in return, the stable boy had fallen in love with her as well.
"They knew what they had was true love, and that they were supposed to be together and live happily ever after. But the woman knew her mother would never approve of their marriage, so they hid their relationship in secrecy. One day, the woman was talking to her lover when suddenly, a horse ran by. The animal was carrying a young child, who looked like she was in trouble. So, the woman hopped on her own horse and chased after the child, eventually saving her. The next day, Cora told her that the child she saved was the King's daughter.
"The King made a surprise visit to the woman's castle, and he proposed to her, saying that his first wife had died and his daughter needed a mother. The woman was stunned. What would become of her and Daniel's dream? She stood there in silence until her mother spoke. Cora accepted the King's offer. At this point, the woman was absolutely mortified. She excused herself before running off to find Daniel. She told him everything, and they planned to run away together and get married themselves.
"The King's daughter caught them in the act, and she was upset. She ran off to go tell her father, but the woman chased after her. The little girl was so sweet, and she didn't really want to hurt the woman, so they agreed to keep Daniel a secret. She said that the woman deserved to be with the one she loved," Regina paused here as a dark look crossed her face.
"The woman and Daniel were just about to escape when Cora entered the stables. She trapped them and forced them to tell her everything. And at first, she seemed to go along with their plan. She lied and told them she only wanted them to be happy. For a minute, the couple believed Cora. That was, until the evil mother thrust her hand into Daniel's chest. The woman stood in terror as Daniel's face contorted in pain, releasing a sharp scream that echoed in her ears. Then Cora's hand emerged from his chest, holding his still beating heart." Regina's voice wavered and became quieter, the emotions resurfacing as she was forced to remember. Her eyes were watering, and she felt so small and exposed. She hated the feeling. Emma just sat there, her expression perplexed, and a little concerned. And when she saw why Regina had stopped, she knew something was going on. What story was this? Why would Regina be so emotional towards it?
"Daniel collapsed to the ground, clutching at his chest. The woman was weeping her eyes out as she kneeled to the ground, shaking him, begging him to wake up. Cora gave a malicious smile as she crushed the organ. She watched with pure malevolence as the ashy remains of Daniel's heart slipped through the hole of her cupped hand. The woman knew the life had seeped out of her lover. Enraged, she looked up at her mother. She howled at her, declaring that she loved Daniel. She furiously demanded to know why Cora would do this. Why she would destroy her plans. Cora told her that this was her happy ending. With that, Cora ordered her daughter to clean up, because now, she was going to be queen.
"Soon after, the woman was to be married and she was trying on her wedding dress. The King's daughter was watching her and began to talk. It turns out, the little girl had broken her promise and told Cora. She apologized, saying that she didn't want the woman to lose her mother, just like the little girl had lost hers. The woman didn't process it entirely, ignoring the apology. She knew everything that was coming out of the child's mouth was a lie. In that moment, something sprouted in the woman. A tiny seed of hatred had been planted in the woman's soul," Regina stopped, but her fragile voice had turned lethal and the vulnerable look in her eyes had turned cold.
"The woman's happy ending had been ripped from her, all because of that... that... wretched little girl. If she had kept her goddamn mouth shut, they could've lived happily ever after," Regina screamed, her neck and shoulders tensing. Emma slid her hand onto Regina's thigh, trying to calm her down.
"And so, one thing led to another, and the woman was given the title, The Evil Queen. She had done some terrible, cruel things. Things she tries so hard to forget, all in the name of revenge. Ripping out hearts had become a monthly thing. As the woman's life grew darker, the girl's life had only become better. In fact, she had found her Prince Charming and they were to be married. It was too much for the woman, seeing the one who betrayed her receive all the happiness she could hold," Regina said. The Evil Queen... this doesn't sound like Snow White, Emma thought. Henry laid on his bed, the tears had finally stopped, and all that remained was numbness. He wondered what the two women were talking about. He battled with himself, afraid that if he saw Emma, he would burst again. But curiosity got the better of him and he slinked out of his bedroom and crouched beside the outer wall.
"Regina, what story is this?" Emma asked uneasily.
"The Germans called it Schneewittchen und die sieben Zwerge. The English called it Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. I call it The Girl Who Ruined My Life. "
"Snow White. Like, from the fairy tale book Henry has?" Emma squeaked, nausea threatening to build up. Henry's eyebrows shot up, and he leaned in with a new-found interest.
"Yes. Everyone always perceived her as innocent. They never heard of the treachery she performed. The stories are true, Emma. I am the Evil Queen." Regina hissed, The mayor's words hit Henry full on, and it dawned on him. It was different when no one else believed you, but hearing it come from his mother, he snapped. Anger bubbled up inside as he quietly stalked his way towards the staircase.
"All this time," Emma started, stepping away from Regina, "Henry was right. You cursed this town. Hell, you took away my family! Do you know what I went through? I grew up in the foster system, alone, and it's all your fault. I never trusted anyone or let anybody in because of you." She choked up, unable to form words. In the back of the mayor's mind, something clicked. Why would Emma be affected by the curse? In fact, who was Emma? Regina dismissed the thoughts immediately, her rationalization out the window by this point.
"I stayed not only for Henry, but for you!"
Regina scoffed, but there was still a hint of sadness in her voice.
"That was before you knew what I am. This just goes to show you that evil is not born. It's made," Regina stated, "And now, you're going to leave me."
"I don't know what I'm going to do. Just one question, Regina. Why'd you do it?" Emma asked. Regina tensed at the question, and the expression she wore sent a shiver down Emma's spine.
"Because this was supposed to be my happy ending," Regina spat. Henry recognized the same words from his book. The Evil Queen had spoken the same words when she had barged in on Snow and Charming's wedding. It was too much for the young boy to process. On impulse, he stood to his full height at the top of the stairs and looked down at the two women.
"Emma! You were going to leave me with the Evil Queen! She's nothing but a witch," Henry shouted down, ignoring Regina's wince at the words, "I thought family never left each other behind. I was wrong. I hate you both!" Henry could feel the tears coming back, and he ran to his room, not bothering to acknowledge the silence from downstairs. The boy didn't look back as he slammed his door behind him.
The two women stared at each other for several minutes before reaching a silent agreement. They both knew that the other cared for the boy. Stumbling up the stairs, Emma flung the bedroom door open. Glancing wildly around, she sensed no life. Then she noticed the fluttering curtains and the open window. Panic aroused her senses.
"Regina," she turned with wide eyes to the mayor, who was still climbing the staircase, "He's gone."