2
I wrapped my cloak tighter around myself as I easily maneuvered my way into the castle. I was careful not to draw much attention due to the late hour and it would be suspicious to see the queen outside of the walls at such a time. Daniel had long since departed into the forest, relatively safe under the cover of darkness. I wept at the edge of the forest for a time, unable to stop the tears of despair from flowing. He had assured me that he would be back once it was safe, but I was unsure that it would ever truly be safe here for him. After I had managed to hide my emotions behind the regal mask that I had adopted shortly after my marriage to King Leopold, I made my way to the castle, giving the stables a wide berth.
I made it to my large chambers and made preparations for bed. Having already dismissed my ladies-in-waiting for the evening, I was left to my own devices. But as I was in no mood to entertain the gossip of court life, I relished the time alone. After I had washed and dressed in my night gown, I brushed my long brunette hair and let my mind drift with thoughts of Daniel and how far away he must be by now. My pain was eased by the fact that my love was safe far away from the danger he would surely face. My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. As I set my brush down and rose from my vanity,exasperation furrowed my brow. There was only one person who could be calling at this hour and I was certainly in no mood to entertain her. I went to the door and paused in front of it in an effort to collect myself. As I reached for the handle I eased my face into a soft smile and opened the door to reveal Snow White, the King's daughter, beaming happily at me. Trying to keep the exasperation from my voice I merely said, "Hello, dear." If it was possible for her smile to get any brighter, it certainly did as she replied cheerfully, "Hello, Regina." As I opened the door a little wider she made her way into my room and skipped happily over to her usual place at my vanity where I had just been sitting. I sighed at Snow's juvenile behavior. She was a young woman and far too old to be entertained in her delusions that she was still a little girl. I suppose the princess's behavior could be understood, seeing as she lost her mother at such a young age and was desperate for attention. But I was not particularly inclined to be understanding this evening.
I listened to Snow's chatter about something or other that happened in court today, while I brushed her long hair as had become a nightly ritual since I had first married the king several years ago. Regardless of the fact that I was but a few years older than Snow, she insisted that I had become something of a mother to her and to deny the princess would be to invoke the wrath of the king. So I suffered through her happiness until she became tired and crawled into my bed like a child and asked that I sing to her. I climbed into the bed beside her and she cuddled up next to me while I sang. Soon she was asleep and I found myself weeping silent tears for both my mother and for the love I had lost.