Wonderstruck

Chapter 14

Authors' Notes: Damn it's been a while since I've had the time to write anything. I started this right after my girlfriend left after spending a blissful two weeks with her. Now I'm back to the grind of school work and it's killing me. I've only got one more semester before I get my Master's so I'm rather excited about that but the work in the next two weeks may kill me. I'm hoping to get back on a writing schedule while on Christmas break and that includes Cerres and this little guy. Maybe All Souls, I'm not sure. Anyways if you want to see more of this please drop me a review and let me know. I'm trying to get back into it again after school work ATE my soul. Literally; I had so many papers to do. I hope you enjoy! The plot is thickening on this piece and we're getting to some important plot points that will effect the characters in a variety of ways. ~ Scarlette

Regina glanced up at the high tower and then looked back at her Father who offered her a wan smile.

"What did you have to do to free me?" She asked, knowing her Father had to make some sort of deal with her Mother to get her out of her prison cell even if it was only for one day.

"The princess must be seen before her upcoming nupitals." Her father offered.

"So I must submit to some sort of test?" Regina arched a dark brow as her father shook his head.

"I do not know child."

"Of course not. Mother would never inform you of whatever she has planned for me unless it benefits her." She took a breath and released it slowly.
"Were you able to get my letter to my fiancée?"

"Yes, I was and I haven't received another letter from her yet. Your Mother worries that she is losing interest in you."

"Emma isn't like that. When she has her mind set on something, I do believe she always sees it come to pass." Regina sighed as they rounded the corner of the gardens in the North of the palace. They were beautiful even though winter was settling in in the North, Springfall remained beautiful and lush as always if slightly cooler than usual. The high hedges provided the Princess and her King privacy while still keeping her trapped within the walls of the palace just as her Mother commanded.

"By all accounts Princess Emma still desires you very much. Your Mother's spies have assured her of that."

"It bothers me that Mother has so many spies in my fiancées kingdom but I suppose that is something I must resign myself to."

"Your Mother has spies in many kingdoms child; not just Wintersend." The King took a breath and released it as they stopped at Regina's apple tree. He smiled as his small daughter pulled away and went to speak to her tree as was her tradition each time she was there. The apple tree had been a gift from a visiting dignitary many moons ago when Regina was barely walking. He'd given it to the little princess as a gift and the tree had flourished under the child's small tender hands. He smiled as Regina came back towards him with an apple in her hand.

"Do you think Emma will allow me to bring my tree?"

"I don't know how good it will do in the North child."

"They're supposed to be rugged though." Regina's voice was surprisingly timid as she spoke. He cocked his head and smiled at her.

"I think we can at least allow you to take some seeds and see what happens. It won't hurt to try."

Regina smiled at him and nodded, "Thank you Father, I will be certain to care for them as I do my own here."

"Then they will flourish I'm certain."

The small girl blushed before looking up at her Father with a bright look. "Perhaps Emma will let me grow a garden. Surely some of our plants would like the cold temperatures."

"I'm unsure if that will happen dearest but you're more than welcome to try."

They fell into silence as they both lost themselves in their thoughts for a moment before Regina chose to speak.

"Emma mentioned the diamond mines in her last letter." She said carefully.

"Did you burn it?"

"Yes, I did. If Mother knows what we've done…"

"We'll both pay the price but none more than you."

Regina nodded and took a small breath before releasing it slowly. "My lessons are beginning to pay off I believe."

"Oh?"

"Emma took me somewhere when we were in Wintersend. A place I think Mother would be intrigued by at the very least. Raithwell had many magical artifacts that were supposedly lost in time. The Gigas was only one of many treasures the Winter King of old held in his possession."

"Child, you know how dangerous this knowledge is for you to hold. If your Mother finds out…"

"She won't. I won't inform her. Mother is obsessed with power but she is only informed of so much. The Imp…however…he's dangerous."

"You worry too much about him. He's a bit…off center now a days."

"He's dangerous Father. He wants something Mother hasn't given him and he's looking for it every which way he can. I see it; I feel his eyes upon me when he's near. He's always smiling at me…like he knows something I don't."

"He is insane." The King offered softly. "He has been for a long time but you are correct he is dangerous."

"I am my Mother's daughter Father. I don't see that changing any time soon." She took a breath and released it. "Mother had a healer come to examine me." She decided to change the subject to avoid upsetting her Father anymore than she all ready had. She could see it in the way the man's eyes crinkled slightly at the corners and his hands rung. Her Father was a good man but rather simple and he didn't ever seem to fully realize what she did when she was near others that could endanger her well being.

"It is tradition that you be examined to make sure things are in proper order before you are wed."

"He informed Mother that my hips were too small to bear children." Regina shook her head.

"Did this anger your Mother?"

"Quite the contrary, it seemed to please her a great deal. She doesn't wish for anything to distract me from her. My spouse I could get over losing…a child…well that I'd never forgive her for taking from me."

"Your Mother would be happy for you to give birth to a healthy child." He said meekly and Regina shot him a look.

"You would be happy you mean for me to give you a grandchild but Mother finds the whole idea repulsive."

"Does this bother you? That you may not be able to birth an heir?"

"No, because it's not true."

"What?"

"I can bear a child. I had another healer examine me and it's been confirmed. I'm not too small nor am I too sickly though my childhood may state otherwise. I believe it was an attempt by Mother to sway me away from my spouse. If I cannot give Emma a child, I have no purpose and Mother believes it will make me more malleable to her whims including taking the Kingdom and having my spouse disposed of."

"I hate that we must speak of your Mother in such terms." The King hung his head.

"Did you ever love her at all?" Regina asked softly.

"I thought I could. I think I did when I was young and especially when she had you. I loved her because she gave you to me and that is something I cannot regret despite our strange circumstances."

Regina smiled at her Father and nodded. "I understand. I wish things were different for us though. Queen Snow seems a bit cold but not unfair. She does seem to care a great deal for her daughter." She turned back to her tree. "I can content myself with her Daddy. Don't worry about me. Emma will be good to me, I know it."

"I just want you to be happy even though…"

"Henry, what are you doing?" Cora's cold voice rang out as both father and daughter flinched.

"Cora, I was just…"

"Enough, get inside."

Henry opened his mouth but his wife's cold eyes caused him to drop his eyes. His jaw snapped shut with an audible snap. He dipped into a small bow, his cravat moving as he swallowed. Regina watched as he slowly walked away, glancing back over his shoulder repeatedly to her.

Regina offered him a wan smile before looking at her mother.

"My Queen," She dipped into a curtsy, careful to keep her posture straight but fluid as she dipped. Her light blue dress was lovely but simple and not something she knew her Mother would approve of. She lifted herself out of her curtsy and held her hands in front of her, waiting judgment.

"You've grown pale and thin. It's unsuitable for a princess."

Regina resisted the urge to say something about her unfair treatment by her Mother recently. "I haven't stopped eating, your highness."

"You need more sun. You'll have lunch with me in the gardens." Her tone left no room for argument.

"Of course your majesty. Whatever you wish for."

Cora's burgundy silken skirts moved as she walked along the stone path, leading her along as though she were a puppy. Regina followed three steps behind, careful to keep her own skirts from getting dirty. Her Mother would never approve of that.

"Your fiancée continues to show promise of interest in you. At least your looks are paying off for us. I do fear what will happen if they find out you cannot bear an heir though."

Regina frowned, "I'm certain that won't make a difference…perhaps the Winter Princess may bear one instead."

"That would be counterproductive to our interests Regina. You cannot allow such a thought to cross her mind. Although I'm sure her Mother will try to sway her, you must keep her from doing so at all costs."

Regina licked her lips and nodded, "Of course, your majesty. I will simply tell her it will break my heart that a child cannot come from my womb. She is sensitive enough to what she perceives as my feelings that I'm certain she will give in."

"Yes, she doesn't have the excuse of a man though she thinks with her body just like them. She is a terrible Princess with atrocious manners but she may yet prove useful once you two are married."

"I'm certain she will give me whatever I ask for majesty." Regina offered as her Mother stopped and turned to face her.

"I am sorry Regina. I thought for certain that as you aged you'd grow to a proper size. You were just born too early and your body still reflects that. I thought for certain you'd be able to bear a child especially since you bleed." Her Mother offered her what she thought was a sympathetic look but Regina knew it was only to appeal to her emotional need for a Mother that cared.

Regina dropped her eyes, "Truthfully, I am upset about it but there is nothing that can be done. My body wasn't meant for children and I suppose I should be thankful, I won't lose my waist line."

Cora offered her a cold smile, "That's a good way to look at it. I'm sure with your body staying as is the Winter Princess will desire you more than ever. And I'll make sure the healer they have examine you before your wedding doesn't tip our hand about your inability to bear a child."

"That would be most helpful your Majesty."

"Now that that's out of the way, let's have our lunch in peace."

Regina dipped her head in agreement but her mind was whirling. What did her Mother have planned for Emma and the Winter Kingdom? Her Mother was always ambitious but this power play was far out of her normal league. Was there something else needed?

She longed to ask about the Imp knowing he was most likely behind this marriage play but she remained silent. It was best to let her Mother think she was simple like her Father. She dipped her head as her Mother settled at the beautifully set table. This had all been planned probably since before she was born. The only thing that had complicated it was the fact that she couldn't wait to get out of her Mother's womb and really who could blame her given how cold the woman was? She much preferred warmth…at least Emma was warm even if the North was freezing most of the time. She took a sip of the tea that was set before her. It was strong and not the weak liquid she had been served in the tower. She relished it with a small sigh as her Mother glanced up at her.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, majesty, I was merely enjoying the day and your company."

Her Mother offered her a cold smile, telling her she knew she was lying but at the moment she didn't care.

"A message came from your fiancée."

"Oh?" Regina gently set her tea cup in it's bone white saucer.

"Yes, it seems the diamonds she selected for your wedding bracelets are being set into the metal. Honestly why they insist on using platinum I'll never know."

"It's a strong metal by all accounts." Regina protested slightly.

"Gold is much better. It represents our Kingdoms' wealth. It would've been a better choice."

"Of course your Majesty. I'm certain I will find some way to ensure our colors are incorporated into our wedding and the jewelry we both wear."

"Only you, don't allow that heathen girl to wear our finery."

"Yes, your majesty."

"You'll be a good Queen Regina." It was strange for her Mother to call her by her name in conversation. She usually didn't hear it that often unless it was being used to drive home a point or to make her more malleable to her Mother's whims.

"I will do my best your Majesty and I will have you to help guide me as always."

Cora smiled, "Yes, you will always have me."