Regina and Leia
The sun hasn’t shone in the Enchanted Forest for over a year. Not since Snow had been framed for her father’s murder and marked for treason. This is the way Regina prefers it; dark, misty- with no sign of life. Alone in her dim chambers, she prepares herself for the Ball at King Midas’ castle. She stands before the looking glass in which she had pushed her mother through years ago. Still in her nightgown, she transforms its plainness into a lavish black gown, decorated with silver pattern and lining and black jewels. Her hair magically fixes itself into an exquisite headdress and falls down to her right shoulder, crisp and curly. She breathes in deeply, scrutinizing her eyes and lips blackened with makeup. Of her 20-odd years of life, she has only ever experienced two forms of happiness, both fleeting. One was the love she received from her ill-fated lover, Daniel; the other from riding her horse at a young age, free from responsibility. Those days are far over, now the thought of riding gives her a pit in her stomach so large, she refuses to even touch a horse. The despair of losing Daniel still resonates inside her unceasingly, willing the weather to remain so dreary. She glares at the looking glass, wishing she had caused more damage to her mother before sending her away.
“My dear?” Henry, Regina’s father, says quietly from the entrance to her room.
“What is it, Daddy?” she asks after a short sigh.
“There is a maiden come to see you in the Great Hall… She wishes to speak with you regarding the Ball this evening,” he states carefully.
Regina spins around and looks hardly at her father. “A maiden? Does she have a name?”
“She didn’t introduce herself to me properly, but she was very keen to see you.”
“And you’ve never seen her before?” Regina questions further.
“Never, My Queen,” he says, shaking his head. “Shall I tell her you’re busy?”
As a response, Regina vanishes to appear on her throne in the Great Hall. She does so, and watches silently as the maiden paces the floor, wringing her gloved hands together. Maiden, Regina thinks, she’s no maiden; she’s a grown woman, appearing to be at most ten years my senior. She has gorgeous blonde hair, pinned up in an array of braids, and is wearing a beautiful red and black gown that Regina admires. Now, Regina stands and clears her throat.
The woman stops pacing and stares at Regina for a long moment with her mouth agape. Then, as if breaking from a spell, she approaches the throne and curtsies so lowly she sits on the ground and remains there.
“Your Majesty,” the woman says smoothly with her eyes at Regina’s feet, “I am Princess Leia, baring an invitation to the Ball of King Midas’ tonight.”
“Leia,” Regina says with a slight smile, “That’s a beautiful name.”
Now Leia lifts her eyes and meets Regina’s. Again, she appears to be placed under a speechless spell and stares for another long moment.
“Thank you,” she says after awhile, “Your Grace.”
Regina’s smirk remains as she descends the stairs to her throne slowly, “Please, rise, Princess Leia.”
“As you wish, Your Grace,” Leia replies and stands.
“So, you’re invited to King Midas’? Have you no escort?” Regina inquires, taking this moment to look about the Hall for a sign of an unfamiliar man.
“I haven’t one, My Lady. Which is why I’m here. Word has reached my Kingdom of your husband’s unfortunate death. I am so sorry for your loss, and for the betrayal of your step-daughter.”
To this, Regina gasps, and brings her teary eyes again to Leia’s face. Her heart beats wildly, and emotions she thought to have buried with Daniel rise steadily in her chest. “N-“ she starts, but her voice falters. She pauses to breathe easy. “Only one person in my life has said those words to me. It’s… kind to hear them from you. Thank you,” Regina says, voice softening.
Leia bows slightly, looking down at Regina’s dress.
“Your Majesty,” Leia now says with a confidence Regina didn’t expect, bringing her eyes up again to meet hers. “I would like to ask for your permission to accompany you to the Ball tonight. It would be my privilege to attend with you.”
Regina’s head is now spinning, her thumping heart being of no assistance. Her palms begin to sweat as she gazes upon the glorious face of her date.
“Please, Your Grace?” Leia asks, and extends her hand forward.
Well, it’s a good thing they’re gloved, Regina thinks to herself, as she reaches down and takes it.