The Other Swan Sister

Chapter 53

Humming a slight tune, you've become accustomed to your early morning visits to the stables.
The solitude and peace of it all is something quite unlike anything else.
Not to mention over the last few days you've managed to notice Regina watching from her window.
"Good morning."
You jump as you turn to see an unsurprisingly regal-looking Regina.
"Good morning, your majesty." You tilt your head slightly before getting back to the grooming of the pony. "I didn't think you'd be up this early." You begin a nervous conversation.
"Well, I barely have any time to myself..." she sighs. "So I thought it'd be wise to take a leaf out of your book, dear."
"It's the perfect start to my day." You absentmindedly smile as you hand her a brush, forgetting that such a queen probably doesn't use them for her horses.
Nevertheless, she takes it willingly.
"And you don't mind me intruding?" She begins to brush alongside you.
"This is your house; you are not intruding, Regina." You flippantly urge her before you panic. You haven't used her name once and for all you know you she could take major offence. "I'm sorry- I-" you begin.
"Don't worry, dear." She chuckles slightly. "It's not a forbidden word."
"You're a Queen, though..." you blush.
"And sometimes I wish I weren't." She adds. "So you are more than welcome to call me Regina." She winks and for a moment it's as if your Regina has magically appeared.
"Okay, Regina." You rub it in.
"Maybe not too often..." she smirks.
"You've said it now- Regina." You tease.
"I can still put you in the prisons, dear." Her eyes focus in on yours and you catch your breath in your throat. Her eyebrow slowly raises as she realises she's caught you out.
"You wanna come for a ride?" You chuckle as you begin tacking up the horse.
She falters for a moment.
"I actually came down here to talk to you about the other 'Charming' sister."
"Oh?" You ask, attempting to hide the guilt.
"I wondered what you knew of it."
"Well... to get that information out of me, you're going to have to come for a ride, Re-Gina." You grin at her as you begin to tack up yet another horse, not waiting for her approval.
"I do not accept orders." She scoffs.
"But do you make deals?" You raise an eyebrow, still busing yourself.
She merely purses her lips at you. You've won.

"You're a natural." You praise her riding skills.
"I said I hadn't ridden for a while, dear. I never said I couldn't do it." She quips, hiding her amusement.
"Well, I don't think you're as good as me." You tease her again.
"Oh, is that right?" She rises to the challenge.
With that you kick the horse into action and gallop off toward the spring.
Regina comes in tow, galloping at a pace next to you and you both grin at each other.

Arriving at the field of flowers and fresh water, you dismount.
"So, the Queen can keep up after all?" You smirk at her, allowing your horse to roam in the water.
"The Queen can do more than just keep up, dear." She fires back, watching you begin to pick flowers carefully. "What are you doing?"
"Picking flowers."
"Don't make me dislike you." She quips.
"Hey!" You defend, picking the last of the bunch. "They were going to be for you, actually." You fake-pout.
"They were?" She almost gasps.
"Yeah. What? You never had flowers before?" You chuckle but she just stays silent. "You've never had flowers before..."
"I've never allowed anyone to give me flowers before." She defends, feeling embarrassed.
"Wait. Let me pick some more. They need to be per-" you begin finding more flowers to add.
"They're perfect." She muses, walking over to you and taking them from your hands.
"Are you sure? I can do better."
"I love them." She interrupts your rambling.
You smile at her for a moment.
"I'm glad." You softly respond.

You sit by the stream, skimming small rocks back into the water.
"Is this how you entertain yourself all day?" Regina smirks at you.
"You should really try it, before you knock it." You quip, smirking back at her. She's still standing. "Come and sit." You beckon her over. She merely raises an eyebrow in questioning. "Come on, Regina." You beckon further. "I really won't tell." You smirk as she obliges your request. The regal Queen perches herself on a rock uncomfortably and you roll your eyes at her demeanour. "... grab a rock." You wait for her to do so.
"Is this one okay?" She picks up a smooth pebble and inspects it. You giggle at her with pride. "Don't laugh." She goes to put the rock down and you grab her hand softly.
"No! That one's perfect." You smile at her. "You picked a good one." You reassure her as she gets comfortable once again. "I just... thought it was cute." You blush slightly, turning away and throwing your rock in the stream.
"Cute?" She inspects your usage of the word.
"Yes." You brush over it. "Now, you hold the rock like this..." You position her hand around the surface correctly. "And just throw." You let go and for a moment, each of your eyes linger on one another.
You blush.
She throws it and a huge grin takes over her face.
"See..." You grin back at her. "It's simple. But you have to pick the right one." You add, picking up another. She does the same and you give her the nod of approval. "I bet I can get mine further than yours." You tease.
"Please." Regina scoffs. "You think you can beat a Queen?" She chuckles.
You each skim your stones and to your amazement, Regina's goes further. Your mouth gapes open in shock and Regina grins victoriously at you.
"I demand a re-match." You suddenly feel competitive. Regina lets out a carefree laugh as you scour the surface for the perfect stone. That's when you look up and notice Regina holding the perfect one. "Gimme that." You reach for it but she jerks her hand away, a smirk still on her face.
"Uh uh." She holds it over her head.
"Regina." You laugh along as you realise she's playing with you. "Regina, please." You reach along closer to her but she pulls it even further away. "You're impossible." You laugh once again, as it travels over her head and now behind her, still in her hand. Reaching one last time, you use too much effort and fall. On top of her.
You don't have moment to think before your faces are inches apart.
The atmosphere changes.
That's when you then notice the look in her eyes and take your chance. You lean in and kiss her tenderly. She deepens the kiss and you hear the rock drop from her hand as it comes forward to rake through your hair. You forget all about the game and use the courage to caress her clothed skin gently. This time, her kiss is more gentle. As if as she get's softer, so does her touch. The closer she gets to the Regina you know, the more she loves like her.
Pulling away for air, you both look at each other deeply. Regina's hand falls through your hair and around to your face, tucking a strand behind your ear. You then briefly look up and giggle.
"What?" She asks, seemingly relaxed and happy.
"The horses are watching us." You smile back at her.
She tips her head back and laughs, allowing you to duck in and place tender kisses along her neck and back up to her lips.