Finding Love

Chapter 14

REGINA

"Are you alright, Regina?" My father asks with a concerned tone offering her his hand.

"I'm fine! I'm fine. If I can't stop her by talking I guess brutal force will have to do. Who knows what would happen if she found him. The prophesy said that a daughter of Cora would cast the curse! Who's to say he won't use her to do it!" I rant as I get back up on my feet.

"We'll fix it. Your sister is just over whelmed with her emotions and sadly Cora never helped her control her powers. She was too busy with you." My father sighs squeezing my hand as if to offer comfort.

"Mother never gave me the slightest impression that she ever cared about me or my feelings. All she ever wanted was for me to be Queen! I didn't ask for any of this! All I ever wanted was to live a quiet life away from all this." I scuff at his statement not believing a word he says.

"Well, perhaps you'll get that life after all. Just not with the man you had intended when you were younger." My father smiles nodding towards the door where the thief and his band of dirty men were all talking.

"Daddy, I don't think that's wise. I've already been rude to him." I whisper to him with a look of uncertainty on my face. 

"It never hurts to try, Regina. I'll see you back at the palace." He whispers and leaves the room heading for the main gates. I wonder how he's getting home.

"Would you like a flower?" I hear a tiny voice ask. I look down to see a little boy around the age of 4 holding a bunch of wild flowers. Kneeling down I try my best to smile kindly.

"I would love a flower. What's your name young man?" I ask using a kinder tone so not to scare him away. Children all tend to run away from me. I think it had something to do with me killing and arresting so many people but I'm not sure.

"Roland, my papa wants to help you but Tuck and LJ don't trust you. They say you evil. Are you evil?" The innocent liitle boy asks me as if I hold all the answers to his questions about the world.

"No, not anymore. You can call me Regina, ok?" I smile grabbing a couple flowers from his tiny hands.

"Ok, 'Gina!" He says happily and gives me a hug without warning. My body stiffens not used to such affections but I quickly relax and hug him back.

"Roland!?" I sigh hearing Robin hood's voice call out for the kiddo.

"You should probably go to your father. We wouldn't want him to worry." I whisper to him and he nods running back towards the men.

Robin walks over to me as I'm looking out the window in a worried expression. I have the urge to roll my eyes or snap his neck for not leaving me alone. "What do you want?"

"I thought it was obvious. I plan on helping you in anyway I can. You've been attacked twice today. Someone wants you dead." That's not surprising considering what I've done to so many people.

"And what? You think you can use sticks to protect me? I don't need your help thief." I reply bitterly.

"No, maybe not. But my son just got into your personal space with no hesitation and I thought the Evil Queen was never merciful. Even to children. Not to mention you didn't kill me the moment I admitted trying to rob you. I feel like I owe you, your majesty." He says smiling relentlessly.

"Who knew a thief had honor." I shake my head trying to hold back a smile.

"Who knew the Evil Queen had a soft spot for children." He says his grin growing triumphantly.