A sharp knock on the bedroom door disturbed her silence.
"Regina, your mother requests your presence for supper!"
Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment, taking in a long, quivering breath. "Coming!" Regina replied, in the most confident tone she could muster. She hadn't realized she had started to cry. The servant had interrupted the trance-like numbness that plagued her when she was alone. Handkerchief in hand she wiped away her tears, as she returned her gaze to the window, its prior fixation. To the place where he was.
She forced herself to look away, standing up from her reading chair and reluctantly closing the window panes. She latched them shut, took a deep breath as she did so in an attempt to pull herself together. Mother would scold her for crying… and also being late. She ran her fingers through her dark curls, arranging them just so as she made her way through the threshold. She navigated through the upstairs hallways to the staircase. Hurriedly now, but careful as she descended down the steps, she made her way to the dining room. She hadn't managed to beat her parents there, but fortunately she had made it before the food was served. "There she is!" her father happily exclaimed, pulling out a chair for her at the table.
"Why- I haven't seen you all day, my darling," he said to her, with concern in his voice.
"I'm sure she's been hard at work, studying all those books I gave to her! Haven't you, dear?" Cora asked, a curt smile creeping across her lips as she gazed upon Regina.
"Yes, Mother," she replied, almost automatically as she took her seat at the table. "The King will be pleased to discover how bright and educated you are," Cora mused, all too happily.
The servants began placing their plates in front of them, Regina grateful to have something else to focus on. She pushed the food around her plate with her fork, before taking a hesitant bite of potato. "So, Regina," her father started, taking a sip of wine. "Why don't we go riding tomorrow? Ride the long trail to the lake, like we used to? I'm sure Rocinante has missed you," He proposed, a little too optimistically. Regina looked down at her lap, her eyebrows knitted together.
"I've given up riding, Daddy. I told you," she muttered.
"Is this because of Daniel?" he asked. Regina almost winced, both from hearing his name and knowing what was to come. Cora's shrill voice broke the silence.
"Oh Regina, would you quit moping around already?" her tone harsh and condescending. "You'll be wed to the King in a month's time. You can no longer carry on with this foolishness, Regina, it's time to grow up! You must start acting like a Queen, instead of a pathetic, lovesick teenager!" she scolded.
Regina glared at her, and suddenly stood up from her chair. "I'd like to be excused," she said as she placed her napkin back on the table. Without giving her mother a chance to retaliate, she stormed off in the direction of her room, leaving a practically untouched plate of food behind her. Henry shot Cora a look.
"Cora... You need to be more understanding and sympathetic with her. Can't you see how unhappy she is?" he asked.
"I am only trying to help. She's going to have to get over it eventually," Cora said matter of factly, taking a sip of her wine, seemingly completely unbothered.
Regina slammed the bedroom door behind her, waiting until she collapsed onto her bed to burst into tears. Every hope she had for her life was ruined. Her true love, murdered before her eyes... destined now to marry a man she had no desire to marry. Her life no longer belonged to her, she being merely a puppet in her mother's ruthless political endeavors… and Daniel…
She hugged her pillow tightly, burying her head into it to stifle her sobs.
Daniel… she missed him so much she could feel the ache in her chest, as if the hole left in her heart was real. She needed him now more than ever. And he was gone.
She barely looked up as she heard footsteps approach her bedroom. "Regina?" her fathers voice asked tentatively, "Are you still hungry? I'll have your plate brought up" he offered.
"No father, I'm fine. I just want to be alone," Regina spoke softly, still lying in a crumpled heap atop her bed. Henry respected her wishes and shut the door behind him without another word.
I can't take much more of this, she thought to herself. I have to get away from here, away from her… like Daniel would have wanted… She mused over that thought for a moment. But where would she go? What would she do? She wasn't sure… it was certain to be far better than staying where she was, going cursed to a bleak future. Regina took a deep breath, and surveyed her room. She wouldn't need much. She looked out her window, and saw that night was soon to come. Her mind was set.
Regina tried to calm her nerves as she paused on the windowsill. She couldn't help but think, the last time she had snuck out was to see him. She shook her head, trying to rid her mind of those thoughts. Her mother had caught her last time, and she would not let it happen again. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she leaned out of the window holding on to the strong ivy growing on the outside of the estate. Carefully she began her descent. The moment her feet touched the ground, she ran in the direction of the stable, the light of the intensely bright full moon guiding her. She skidded to a halt at Rocinante's stall door where he stood happily munching on his hay. He looked up, greeting her with an eager nicker.
"Shh… Rocinante we have to go!" Regina whispered to him, giving him a quick rub on his nose.
She threw on his saddle blanket and saddle, quickly securing her bag to the cantel. She put his bridle on, and led him out of his stall to the threshold of the barn. She took one last look at her home, that didn't feel like a home at all, but a prison. No candles had been lit, her parents blissfully unaware of her rebellion. She relaxed a bit, before reaching for her stirrup, pushing herself up and over into the saddle.
"C'mon buddy. We have to go," she whispered to him, as she gave him a quick squeeze with her legs. Rocinante broke into a canter, Regina's eyes dead set on the path ahead of them.
The sun was just peaking through the trees, it's morning rays warming the skin on her face. As they approached the upcoming village, Regina asked Rocinante to slow to a walk. The farther away they had traveled, the more as ease Regina felt. They had only made it a few villages away, however she planned on making it all the way to Nottingham by the time her parents woke. She halted, and dismounted from her steed. She led him over to a water trough, and stood there taking in her surroundings as he drank. A few villagers fluttered around, getting an early start to their day. Regina was lost in thought when a soft thump at her feet stirred her attention. A small bushel of hay, dropped by an elderly woman who now stood in front of her. "Bit of hay for the travelers?" she offered.
Regina smiled widely. "Why, thank you kind stranger! Here, I can pay you," she said, reaching up for her saddle bag.
"Not to worry, child," the elderly woman said, waving her off, "You seem in quite the hurry. I know a desperate traveler when I see one," she said, giving her a soft smile.
Regina dug in her bag and pulled out a gold coin. "Here. Take it," she said, practically shoving it into the woman's hand.
"A gold coin for a bushel of hay? You have a kind heart, my dear," she said, tucking it into her robes. "Perhaps I could offer you my services, in return for your kindness,"
"What do you mean?" Regina asked, tilting her head slightly. The old woman grabbed her arm and pulled her in closer. "I can see the future, dear. I can see yours. Give me your hand and the uncertain will become clear to you," she whispered.
Regina hesitated. Just a few hours ago she would have been repulsed at the idea of using magic herself… but now, things were different. Her set and steady path had changed its course, she had no idea what the future was to hold… and she wanted to find out.
She gently gave her hand to the old woman, who clasped it and held their hands to her head. Her eyes were closed, appearing focused. Regina followed suit, preparing herself for whatever she might see. And there was nothing.
"Nothing happened…" Regina said quietly, looking at the woman with concern. "Oh, no my dear. Do not despair," she said smiling, still holding on to her hand. "You see, my gift only allows me see the future of one, not two," she said, squeezing Regina's hand gently.
Regina's eyes narrowed. "You don't mean…" she trailed off, as her eyes grew wide in disbelief.
The woman placed her hand on Regina's stomach. "It's to be a girl. Congratulations, dear," the woman said with a smile.
Regina's blood ran cold. "No, no… It can't be…" she said softly to herself in disbelief. It all suddenly made sense. Her nausea, her lack of appetite. She had chalked it up to her sorrow.
"Only a few weeks along, I'm afraid, but yes this is true. You best be on your way, it's not safe in these woods for a young, vulnerable girl like yourself," she said, before giving her one last smile and retreating back to her cottage.
Fear coursed through Regina as she thought of her mother, as she dared to imagine what kind of wrath she would unleash on her when she found out. Maybe, the King wouldn't want her anymore… but she would receive the punishment of a lifetime, she was sure. She shuttered at the thought.
Regina sat on the ground, still in shock. She rest her head in her hands, eyes closed as she began to sort through all the loud and chaotic thoughts in her head. How could this happen? Well, she knew the answer to that. She didn't know how to feel. Conflict plagued her mind. She now had a piece of Daniel… this child, was the only thing left of him. Why did it have to happen like this? She wanted to have children, of course, just not this way. She wanted to be happy, but it was just all wrong...
The old woman was right however, running away on her own was already dangerous and irresponsible enough, but now with a child? She had to come up with a different plan, a way where she could ensure their safety.
She looked up at the sky, the sun just above the treeline now. If I'm lucky, they wouldn't have noticed my absence, she thought. Father would help her, he always did. She stood up, dusting the dirt off her clothes. She untied Rocinante, mounted her steed, and galloped off in the direction they came.
To her relief, it was her father that stood waiting for them at the stables. Rocinante skidded to a halt in front of him.
"Regina! Your mother and I have been worried sick! Where have you been?" He asked, more concern in his voice than frustration.
"Oh, father... I have to tell you something, but you mustn't tell mother," Regina said worriedly. She dismounted, a servant came out of the barn and took her horse away.
"Anything, Regina. What is it?" He asked.
Regina sighed, and tears came to her eyes.
"Daddy... I tried to run away. I don't want to live this life Mother has created for me… I can't, " she said through tears, wrapping her arms around him a tight hug. Henry reached up to place a comforting hand on the back of her head. "I know, dear. It just has to be this way. I-"
"There's something else...," she said, interrupting him. She pulled away from their embrace, looking back at him with worry.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered, a single tear rolling down her face. Henry's eyes grew wide, he paused for a moment, taking in the news.
"Oh Regina... You know you can't keep this from your mother forever," Henry said. As soon as he spoke those words, a swirl of purple smoke appeared and Cora emerged out of thin air.
"Keep what from me?" Cora said casually, her accusatory stare was enough to send chills through Regina's spine.
"Nothing, mother..." Regina said softly, breaking her embrace with Henry.
"First you run away, and now you're keeping secrets?" Cora looked down, clicking her tongue. "As my daughter you will be obedient. If not willingly, then…"
Regina gasped, "No! No please, don't use magic, I'll-" Cora's firm hold on her throat silenced her. She raised her hand, which in turn lifted a squirming Regina off the ground and into the air. "You see, dear… one day you'll understand. I only want the best for my daughter. I'm doing this to help you. Now, what was it you needed to tell me?" she said in her sickly pleasant yet demanding tone.
"Cora, let her go and she'll be honest with you. There's no need for this," Henry pleaded.
Cora rolled her eyes and dropped her hand, letting Regina fall. She lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, coughing and gasping for air. Cora knelt down to her level, waiting for her reply.
"...I'm pregnant," Regina sputtered as soon as she could get words out.
"How could you!" Cora yelled, slapping her across the face. Regina whimpered at the sudden sharp sting on her cheek.
"You disgraceful whore! That filthy stable boy is the father, isn't he? The King can never find out! I swear... Regina if you ruin this... it will be the end of you." Cora scolded. She grabbed Regina by her shirt, forcing her up to her feet. Cora took a step closer to her, her eyes narrowed as she glared at her daughter. Regina felt her hands start to shake uncontrollably. "I'm going to figure out a way to fix this… problem. Don't you worry, dear," she said with a hint of a smile on her lips, before disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke.
Regina started to sob, her father hugged her tightly as she cried into his shoulder.