I am very sorry that this chapter has taken so long to you. I have been ill and then I hit a bit of writers block, which was driving me crazy. I think I have gotten past it so hopefully It will not take me as long to get the next chapter to you. Anyway I hope you enjoy!

Two days had passed and Regina was sat at the window once more staring out into the beautiful day. The sun was shining and the birds were singing and how she wished to be outside. She let out a sigh and looked down to the ground where she saw a figure walking towards the tower. She frowned and leaned over a little and looked again. A smile spread across her face as soon as she realised who the figure was that was approaching the tower. It was Robin.

She shot up from her seat and looked around the tower to make sure the room was tidy. She then smoothed her hands over her dress and dashed over to the mirror to check her hair. She didn't know why she was doing all of this. She sighed a little as she looked into the mirror and saw the big purple bruise on her cheek from where her mother had hit her. There was no way she could hide it and there was no time as she heard the key in the lock of the door. She turned around just in time to see Robin walking into the tower.

She gave him a smile, a smile which he returned until he saw the big bruise on her cheek. He closed the door and quickly walked over to her. "What happened to you?" He asked cupping her cheek in his hand.

"I…it was nothing…" Regina stuttered.

"That is not nothing Regina. What happened to you?" He said worry lacing his voice. Regina sighed and she looked down to the floor. Robin placed two fingers underneath her chin and gently pulled her head up to look at him again. "Please tell me."

"It was…It was my mother." Regina said quietly. "It was my own fault. I pushed her when I shouldn't have. I cause it."

"What did you do?" Robin asked finding it hard to believe she would be the cause of the bruise on her face.

"I asked if I could go to the ball at the castle. I have always wanted to go to a grand ball." Regina said.

"And she hit you because of this?"

Regina nodded her head. "I shouldn't have asked her. It was stupid of me. She keeps me in this tower to protect me and I ungratefully asked her something I shouldn't have. It was my own fault."

"Regina listen to me..." Robin said placing his hands on her upper arms. "This was not your fault. Asking to go to a ball should not result in a bruise on your cheek. This was not your fault." He said placing a hand back on her cheek.

Regina looked up at him and gave him a smile. She had no idea how he knew what to say to make her feel better. "I'm not sure if I can stand being kept in here anymore Robin. I wish to be out there, to be free." Regina said quietly.

"Then you must leave. Leave with me tonight. We will run from here and never come back." Robin said taking her hands into his.

"I…I can't Robin. my mother will be here tonight with my sisters. As soon as she found the tower empty she would have every guard out looking for me. We would never get away." Regina sighed. "One day perhaps I will leave."

"You shall. I will make sure of it. I will rescue you Regina." Robin said. Regina smiled up at him. He was just too good to be true. Her eyes flicked between his eyes and his lips and she wondered if it would be too forward of her to make a move and kiss him. She so desperately wanted to. He seemed to catch onto her hint and he leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to hers. His hand moved to her cheek and then into her hair running his fingers through her dark silky locks. He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers and smiled to himself. "I hope that was okay?"

"It was more than okay." Regina sighed happily. "I know I have only known you for a short time but I feel as if…as if I am falling in love with you…does that sound silly?"

"No it does not. I feel exactly the same way. I want to be with you Regina. I want to marry you, have children with you and grow old with you and one day I shall." Robin said making Regina smile even more.

Regina was on a high from Robin's visit. They had spent the whole time in one another's arms, talking, laughing and a few more kisses. She loved every moment she spent with him and it made her even more certain that she would one day soon leave this tower. She just needed to gain the confidence to do so. She decided she would form a plan. A plan that would not fail. A plan that would help her to leave this tower and her mother behind her.

But that was for another day. For now she was sat with her mother and sisters. They were talking away telling her all about the grand ball that she had wished to attend and spent the whole time trying not to look and ignore the big bruise on Regina's cheek. Neither sister dared to ask Regina how she got the bruise, both already knowing how she got it and not needing to ask.

"It all sounds lovely." Regina said with a fake smile as Zelena finished her story.

"It was. So many handsome princes there to, huh Snow?" Zelena said nudging Snow who was sat beside her.

"Oh there was. I met one in particular who was lovely. Prince Charming." Snow gushed. "He was so lovely. We danced and talked and took a walk in the gardens under the moonlight."

"He sounds charming." Regina said with a slight smirk and Zelena laughed.

"Oh Regina please don't joke at your sisters expense." Cora scolded.

"Sorry mother." Regina mumbled. She looked up at Zelena who rolled her eyes slightly making her smile a little. She could always count on her older sister to make her feel better.

"Well he was charming mother…he lives up to his name." Snow said giving Regina a small smile. "I hope to see him again soon."

"I'm sure you will." Regina replied.

"Well I am sure I heard from someone at the ball that King George is throwing a ball at some point in the near future so perhaps you shall see him then?" Zelena said.

"Oh yes I am sure he would be there." Snow said.

"Girls I think it is time we leave now." Cora announced as she stood from her chair. Zelena and Snow nodded and they stood as well. They both walked over to Regina and one by one hugged her and said their goodbyes. "You two head down. I shall be down in a moment." Cora said. They both nodded and left Cora an Regina alone.

Regina clasped her hands together in front of her and bit her lip. She and her mother hadn't spoken since the day she had hit her. Cora had not visited her since which was not like her. "It was nice to see you today mother." Regina said not knowing what else to say.

Cora nodded and she put two fingers under Regina's chin and pulled her face up. She turned her head to the side slightly and looked at her bruised cheek. "Don't make me do anything like this again Regina." Cora said and she let go of Regina's face.

"I won't mother." Regina said quietly. "I'll be good." She always felt so small around her mother. Small and vulnerable.

"I am glad to hear it. I shall see you tomorrow Regina." Cora said as she made her way over to the door of the tower. Cora walked out and the door to the tower was closed and locked. Regina quickly made her way over to the window and watched as her mother and sisters walked away. She wished she could join them. She wanted to be with them. She hated it in here. She hated feeling trapped and it was then that she realised more than ever that she really needed to make a plan to escape this miserable trapped life.