The season's plot follows the breaking of the curse and the introduction of magic by Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold into Storybrooke in the first season finale, with the characters having to deal with their dual identities and new emerging threats.
(A young Snow White and Rafael enter the main chamber of the castle, where Queen Eva is consulting several women. Snow White is dressed in a pink, sparkly ball gown. Rafael is dressed red tunic and pants with grey boots and a brown coat. Below)
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Queen Eva: Let's be certain she's seated as far away from the Duke as possible, for the Duchess' sake.
Woman: Yes, ma'am.
(The women leave.)
Rafael: Mother?
Snow White: Do you like it?
Queen Eva: Oh, my dear Snow. You are an absolute vision. You are going to be the talk of the ball, and not just because it's for your birthday.
(They hug briefly.)
Queen Eva: Come. I can hardly believe you're growing up so fast. Which reminds me... I have a gift for you. It was my mother's once, and her mother's before that. And soon, it will be yours.
(In another room, a diamond tiara sits in a padded box. Johanna picks it up and places it on her head, then admires herself in the mirror. However, Queen Eva, Rafael, and Snow White enter and catch her in the act. She quickly removes the tiara.)
Rafael: Uh, oh.
Queen Eva: Johanna.
Johanna: Oh! Oh, Your Majesty. Oh, please forgive me. I just wanted to see-
Snow White: How dare you? That's mine. It's not for a servant.
Rafael: Snow!
Johanna: It was my mistake.
Snow White: Servants don't wear crowns.
Queen Eva: Enough.
Johanna: I'm sorry, Your Majesty-
Queen Eva: No, I was talking to Snow.
Snow White: Me?
Queen Eva: I thought I raised you better than that, Snow. It doesn't matter whether one is a servant or royalty. Everyone in the kingdom deserves our love and respect.
Snow White: But she took my tiara-
Rafael: She apologized.
Queen Eva: And it isn't yours yet.
Johanna: Your Majesty, it's alright.
Queen Eva: You're kind, Johanna, but Snow must learn. My dear, we are all the same.
Snow White: But I thought we were royals.
Rafael: We are,
Queen Eva: But that doesn't make us better than anyone else. The upcoming ball, for instance – can you tell me what it's for?
