The Frog Prince // Mr. Gold

003. THE LIES YOU TELL MAYOR MILLS

// Mr. Gold's POV //

        There she is. The very woman I have been searching for all day. The Mayor of this pathetic town gently swats away shavings from what appears to be a particularly deliberate cut from the Madame Mayors childhood apple tree. A look of worry overshadows her confidence. Something or perhaps someone is causing Regina Mills to doubt. If only she knew that the newest member of our town is the least of her problem.

I was lied to many years ago. This witch of a woman told me that the girl standing in front of the clock tower had died and wouldn't be coming back. For a year before this whole curse began, my heart was in a million pieces. Part of what I wanted for my future was gone.

Now I know those emotions I felt was for nothing and the false idea of the woman I have loved for so long being dead fly away.

I'm angry. No, not angry. I'm pissed.

"Well, well, well - what happened here?"

Regina snaps her glare towards me. Strands of raven hair cling to her face as her brows relax. Realizing it is just me. Little old harmless Mr. Gold.

"Oh, it's just you. Just some accident. That's all." Regina lies, blowing away the last bit of shavings from the clean-cut. She brushes her hands together, steps over the large branch, and smiles at me. "What can I do for you, Mr. Gold?"

For twenty-eight years I have been walking around this town with fake memories. Forgetting what was. For twenty-eight years I have forgotten about the love of my life. Wandering these streets like a lone wolf, believing no one loved me. Though, Mr. Gold is pleased with only riches, Rumpelstiltskin, not so much.

"I was just in the neighborhood, thought I'd pop by," I inform, walking around Regina to limp towards her injured apple tree. "Lovely to see you in such high spirits."

Regina chuckled, looking up at the night sky as if she won the Olympics. "Well, it's been a good day. I just ride the town of an unwanted nuisance."

"Emma Swan?"

The blonde from Granny's inn. I met her yesterday evening while collecting Widow Lucas' rent money. The sound of her name woke me up from this curse. Giving me back the memories I needed. That's exactly why I wanted her name from her dimwitted parents twenty-eight years ago. I knew this girl could do what I needed. She was required to be born and sent here to get things started. A key player for my selfish reasons.

Might I add, Emma is the biological mother of Regina's adoptive son, Henry Mills. The little boy brought her to this town just yesterday. Making time unfreeze just by staying in Storybrooke.

"Really?" My hand plucks a single apple from one of the spared branches.

"Yes. I imagine she's halfway to Boston by now," Regina spun around to face me with a wide toothy grin. Her beauty unchallenged but that wicked heart causing an ugly glow around her.

"Oh," I chuckle, examining the apple. "I wouldn't bet on that."

Regina's smile falls and that deathly glare is sent my way yet again. I start away from the tree, away from Regina with my fresh apple in hand. Cane held tight in the other.

"I've just seen her strolling down the main street with your boy. Thick as thieves they looked."

"What?" Regina scoffs - her upper lip twitches.

Standing before who used to be The Evil Queen, I smile at her. Amused by the expression on her face. "Perhaps you should've come to me. If Miss. Swan is a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help. For a price, of course."