Regina's eyes grew wide as she realized what she just said. She wished to take it back, but it was too late. The blue stream of light entwined their hands and disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, although everyone could see it before that happened.

No! the second voice cried desperately, and she quietly agreed with it. The marriage was completed before witnesses and was blessed by the heavens, and now the only way to break it was the death of one of the spouses. And despite everything she did not want to die (although that thought crossed her mind not once. But she had to be strong for Snow and for Ruby. The girls needed her – or maybe she was the one who needed them?). The King was always nice and kind to her and she was not a monster to wish him death. Besides, he was Snow's father and the girl had already lost one parent.

"And now I pronounce you husband and wife," she heard as the priest started, "you may kiss the bride, Your Majesty."

The girl raised her head and once again looked into the brown eyes of the King.

The man made a small step toward her and it cost her much to stay still. He was her husband and her King and from now on she belonged to him. Regina shivered slightly, feeling his hand on her cheek. Daniel used to do the same thing when he wanted to kiss her. But right now that person was not her Daniel.

The former princess closed her eyes and a few seconds later she felt a gentle kiss on her lips. That made her feel sick.

The kiss itself was not as bad as she thought it would be, but... Her second husband was in the same age as her grandfather and she really did not want to kiss someone in the same age as King Xavier. Besides, Leopold was not her beloved one. It was not Daniel's lips that met hers and that hurt her even more.

Her treacherous mouth, the same mouth that kissed her dear Stable Boy and said „I love you" to him a week ago, was now joined with someone else's. She had betrayed the memory of Daniel.

You are innocent, Regina, she heard the second voice once again. It seemed that it reigned over its emotions. Your lover is dead. You did notbetray him.

She married another man just a week after his death! This time the first voice, the same which wanted her to marry the King and which did not mind calling her a murderer, was crying. Oh, heavens. She will forget him, soon!

She did it only because her parents and grandfather forced her into it! The second voice was angry. She could tell. Or maybe you've forgotten that Cora is in possession of someone's heart? Oh, wait. You remember. That's why you stopped Regina from running away!

Regina was so lost in her thoughts that she did not know what was happening in the church (and people started clapping. She would never understad why, but well, who could understand them) and actually she did not care about it. At all. Because why should she care about that? She did not want the wedding in the first place so... yes. That was their problem now.

Before the girl had the chance to realize what was going on around her, she found herself marching toward the door with Leopold on her side. She lowered her head and saw that their hands were entwined. The girl frowned, because in fact she was the one who was practically glued to his hand. She smiled apologetically and loosened the grip.

The King smiled back and then they both looked at a smiling Snow, who was right behind her. Regina's lips betrayed her once more, because when she saw how happy the younger girl was, she started smiling at people, too. However, her eyes were still sad.

The eighteen-year-old practically jumped when she heard the cheers of the crowd as soon as they left the cathedral, and almost had a heart attack when she realized how many people had come. She was informed, of course, that people had come to see her from all parts of the kingdom, but she thought the maids were kidding when they said that. Because she did not expect so many subjects would be there to see her. According to her mother she was nothing but a failure.

Regina really had no idea what was going on around her, but she was grateful that they got in the carriage almost immediately, because soon they were on their way to the Dark Palace, her new home (or as she preferred to say – her new prison), where they would celebrate that... very happy day.

A happy day for the kingdom, but heartbreaking for her. Because from that day nothing would be as it used to be.

The wedding party was magnificent. The cooks succeeded in making the day extra special by preparing truly delicious meals. And although all of them were sumptuous, all glory belonged to the cake. All guests – without any exceptions – fell in love with the wedding cake.

The cake presented two castles. Regina's grandfather's castle and the castle of her new husband. The buildings – made of chocolate – were interconnected by a stone bridge (made of white chocolate). Two statuettes representing the bride and the groom stood in the middle of it. Regina immediately realized what the construction of the cake meant. The connection of the two largest kingdoms in the Enchanted Forest.

When the new Queen saw the cake for the very first time, she burst into tears. No one commented on this unexpected behaviour. Everyone thought the bride was moved. Regina, however, cried not because the cake was beautiful (and it was), but because she had a feeling that her heart just broke. One more time.

Even the cake reminded her that from now on she was a prisoner of politics. And that her Daniel was replaced by a beautiful crown on her head. A crown which people envied and the one she would have given away for her freedom.

Because being the Queen was not her dream.

"May I have this dance with you, my dear?"

Shortly after the meal there was time for dancing. The first dance was for the bride and groom, of course. Regina all this time fought with tears, imagining that she was in the arms of Daniel, and not in the arms of the King. She also tried to ignore the gaze of the invited guests who watched even her slightest movement. She really did not like being observed.

It was the only dance she danced. As soon as the music stopped, the young Queen excused herself and left the dance floor. She headed toward the table and sat back in her seat. Her new husband said nothing, just nodded slightly and began dancing with his smiling daughter. That day Snow White was the happiest child in the world.

Regina sighed heavily, lowering her head.

She would like to be happy, too. After all, that night was her wedding night and the bride should not be sad. But she could not. She could not be happy, because her heart was broken. She lost her dear Daniel just a week ago and it all was too fresh. In fact the perfect time for her to be happy was never.

Because Daniel had been her happiness.

The girl jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder and in the very last moment she stopped herself from crying. She was so lost in her thoughts that she had no idea that her father was behind her.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, daddy, everything is fine, you just scared me," she forced herself to smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to dance with my beautiful daughter," the man said, sitting next to her. He knew that something was bothering the girl, but he did not know what. At first he thought that maybe Regina was not happy that she had to marry the King, but Cora explained to him that it was not the reason and their daughter felt blessed that the man chose her over other girls and women. Then why was his baby girl so sad? Did it have something to do with the death of the stable boy?

"I don't want to dance, daddy," she wailed like a small child and it cost her much to not cross her arms. Besides she was lucky that no one but her father, was around or else they would think that she was crazy.

"It's your wedding, dear," Prince Henry started quietly. "You should have fun and not sit alone here."

"I don't want to have fun. And I'm not alone, because you're here with me," she said ironically and this time she crossed her arms. That was a big mistake.

"Regina..."

"You're acting like a child," the young Queen froze, hearing her mother's voice behind her. She did not know when the woman appeared, but she knew she was in big trouble. "And you're very rude toward your father."

"I didn't..."

"It doesn't matter that you didn't want to, Regina," the woman said, putting a hand on her daughter's back. The girl barely prevailed over the whining, because her back started hurting even more. "What matters is what you said."

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are, dear," the witch said, her voice dripping artificial compassion. But her hands were still on Regina's back. And her daughter really hated that. "Now be a good girl and give your father the pleasure of dancing with him."

"Yes, mother," the former princess agreed. She was unable to do anything in order to stop the pain. She did not want to feel it anymore.

Regina accepted her father's hand and got up from her place. She did not dare to look at her mother and missed the moment, when the woman smirked right after Henry kissed her cheek. That poor man had no idea what kind of monster his wife really was.

As soon as father and daughter found themselves on the dance floor, all heads turned in their direction. That was the second dance the new Queen was going to dance today. And the girl really hated that.

During the dance she felt the stares of all of the guests, which made her feel even worse. She did not like when people looked at her – and it was weird, because most of the members of the royal families liked attention – because in those moments she felt like a puppet and not like a human.

Why could not everyone leave her alone?

"Can I ask for the next dance?"

Father and daughter turned their heads at the same time. They saw the King, standing next to them.

"Of course," the man said, and before she could even react, he excused himself, walking back to his wife who just smiled seeing him.

Regina forced herself to smile once again, hating that she had to be there, and bowed before her husband. She really did not want to be there. She did not want to be in the presence of people. She wanted to be alone in her room; mourning Daniel.

"Something is bothering you lately," the King whispered into her ear, not wanting anyone to hear it. Not that they would hear his words anyway, but he preferred not to risk it.

The girl raised her head, frowning.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

That was not something she expected to hear and it made her confused. What was the King talking about?

"I've known you since you were a ten-year-old, Regina," the man started, raising his lips in a small smile. "You have always been cheerful, but recently you're barely smiling. Does it have something to do with our marriage?"

Her mind started screaming „yes", however, her mouth stayed closed. The marriage itself was not a problem. Losing her Daniel was. How could she blame the man for something what was not his fault? He was not responsible for her first husband's death. No one was.

Nevertheless, her heart was broken.

Ashamed, she turned her head, biting her bottom lip. She could not believe that she thought – no matter if it was just for one short moment – that she should blame the King for her misery. Regina knew that the man was – just like her – the pawn in her mother's game. After all, Cora always wanted her to be the Queen.

"I understand," Leopold said, seeing her reaction. He was not a fool. His wife was a young, very beautiful woman, and he was old enough to be Regina's grandfather. Who could blame her for that?

"This is not the reason," the new Queen muttered, forcing herself to look at her husband. "But please, Your Majesty, don't make me say this."

"We all have our secrets, Regina," the man started, smiling. "You're allowed to have yours."

The girl said nothing, just smiled back, putting her head on his chest. Maybe... just maybe the marriage would not be that bad.

Maybe.

Minutes turned into hours and the wedding became more pleasant, and even the teenager began to smile. Not much, but still.

The bride was sitting on her usual place, with one of her hands placed on her other arm. The King was sitting next to her, rubbing her hand with a gentle motion of his thumb.

The young Queen was grateful for that.

She took a glass of red wine from the table, looking into it. She had not drunk much. Her glass was nearly full. But it was not her fault that she did not feel like drinking.

She lifted her head, hearing footsteps. Johanna, the superior of the servants and the former nanny of Princess Snow White approached them, bowing.

"Something happened, Johanna?" the King asked quietly, looking at her. The woman shook her head.

"Nothing bad happened, Your Majesty, but the princess refused to go to bed," the maid looked at her, then back at the King. "She said she is not tired, and will sit here until the end."

Regina turned her head toward where her stepdaughter was. The eleven-year-old sat at the table with her royal friends (who had just laughed at something) and the Queen could say that the girl was tired. Even from her seat she was able to see Snow's sleepy eyes.

The bride heard as her husband sighed.

Snow White had promised him that she would go to bed at a decent hour.

"Allow me, Your Majesty," Regina grabbed his hand, seeing that he intended to get up. "I will put her to sleep."

Both the King and the maid looked at her. It was not a secret that the princess was stubborn and did not like to go to bed early, especially when others could stay longer. But the young Queen knew that very well, of course. After all, she had put the girl to bed more than once.

She chuckled when the King nodded, wishing her good luck. Luck certainly would be useful for the challenge with that little monster.

The teenager went to the table where her stepdaughter sat along with her friends, knowing that she was watched by many pairs of eyes. But this time it did not bother her.

"Well, well, aren't you gamblers?" she said with a smile, looking at the young princesses and the young princes, placing her hands on the shoulders of Snow. "Who is winning?"

"James," said everyone, looking at the fifteen-year-old son of King George. The boy shrugged, shuffling the cards with a smirk.

"It's not my fault that I'm the best."

"Or that you're a good cheater," Regina added casually. The prince only raised an eyebrow. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I did not have the card in my sleeve."

The fifteen-year-old quickly looked to the sleeves of his shirt and then indignantly looked at her when he found nothing. The Queen only smiled knowingly, massaging the shoulders of her stepdaughter.

"I don't have anything in my sleeves."

"If you hadn't cheated before, you wouldn't have to check," she started, smirking. "Anyway... can I talk to you for a moment, Snow?"

"Why?" the princess asked, frowning. However she did as she was told. A few seconds later the former friends – now members of the family – sat at an empty table in the corner of the room. "What do you want? Did my father send you? I told Johanna that I'm not sleepy."

As soon as she finished the sentence, Snow yawned widely, much to Regina's amusement.

"Of course you're not sleepy, dear," the young Queen started gently, grabbing her hand. "But I am."

"You are?" the girl asked, opening her eyes. She did not expect to hear something like that. She thought that her father had sent Regina to make her go to bed.

"Yes, honey, I am tired," the eighteen-year-old said, nodding. And it was not a lie. She was tired. "I want to go to sleep but I thought... that maybe you'd want me to tell you a bedtime story. But since you're not tired... well, maybe another time," she said, kissing her stepdaughter's forehead before she got up from her seat. "Good night, Snow. I'll see you in the morning."

And with those words the young Queen slowly walked toward the door, not looking at anyone. However, before she was able to cross the threshold, she was caught by the hand. She did not even have to turn her head to know that it was Snow.

"Can you tell me „The Prince and his Queen", please?"

"Of course, darling. I'll tell you any fairy tale you want."

And with that the Queen and the princess left the ballroom. But before they did, Regina looked at her husband, smiling slightly. Her stepdaughter would never know that she was tricked.

Snow was sitting on the bed with difficulty prevailing over her fatigue, as the delicate hands of Regina combed her hair. She was very tired, but did not want to show that to the other girl. Besides, Regina promised her a fairy tale, and she loved to listen as she was telling the stories. She had a real talent for telling them.

A few moments later the young Queen put the hairbrush on the nightstand.

"Lie down comfortably, my dear," she said calmly. As soon as Snow did as she was told, she covered her with sheets, sitting on the edge of the bed. "So „The Prince and the Queen", yes?"

"Yes, please."

Regina smiled softly.

"Once upon a time, in the fabulous castle, lived a young princess..." the eighteen-year-old began quietly, looking into her daughter's eyes. The child tried to listen to her, but before she could start the third sentence, the princess was already asleep.

As soon as Regina heard Snow's calm breathing, her smile went down from her face, and her eyes once again became sad.

"Don't worry, my little princess," she said softly, leaning towards the girl. "Your story will end better than mine. I promise."

And with that she kissed the child's forehead and got up. She headed for the exit, blowing out the candles in the room before leaving.

Regina returned to the wedding party a few minutes later, smiling again. She could not allow people to see her suffering. She had already let them see too much.

The party took on. However, as it was with the weddings, each was supposed to end with a wedding night. So it was time.

Regina sat at the edge of the bed, breathing with difficulty, while the King watched her intently. The girl's thoughts were in a battle in her head. She did not want to sleep with the man. While the age difference was not a problem (or rather the main problem, because it was still disgusting. Regina kept thinking about sleeping with her own grandfather and it was not helping), she could not bring herself to have sex just a week after losing Daniel. It would be a desecration of his memory. But she knew she would have to.

She was the bride. She was the Queen. She had to be obedient to her King. Even if she did not want to. Why couldn't she die instead of her husband?

"Regina?"

She shuddered, hearing the voice of Leopold.

"Is everything alright?" the King continued.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the girl replied, turning to him. She tried to smile, but that did not work out. "I'm alright."

The King said nothing. He only stared at her for a few moments.

"You're shaking," he finally started. "Is something wrong? Are you afraid of something?"

The girl did not answer. What should she tell him? That she did not want to sleep with him because the love of her life was dead? Or maybe that she was not a virgin? Oh... the King would probably be furious if he found out (although her mother had already dealt with that problem. And yet nothing, not even magic, would change the fact that she had lost her virginity with Daniel).

Regina could not control her rising panic. Just thinking about Daniel made her want to cry, and indeed, a few seconds later, she burst into tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she was saying over and over again, rocking back and forth. The King apparently did not expect such a reaction, but hugged her close. Almost immediately the young Queen buried her face in his chest, still crying. "I am so sorry."

"You do not have to apologize to me for anything."

But Regina ignored him, saying „I'm sorry" over and over again.

"There is something I have to tell you, Your Majesty," the girl began quietly as she finally calmed down.

Leopold looked at her gently.

"Yes?"

"I..." she stopped. She was unable to say it, but she knew that she had to. She had to be honest, no matter what. "I'm not... I'm not a virgin, Your Majesty."

Regina was afraid of the way the man would react. But he just smiled serenely, wiping away the tears which were rolling down her cheeks.

"I know."

TBC

Thank you for reading.

And as always I would like to thank you spiralnebulaM31 for being my beta.