Different Worlds

Chapter 1

Hello! Inspiration has struck once again, so I have decided to start a new Swan Queen story. In my version of this, Regina is sent to live with the king and Snow and a young Emma after Daniel's death. There will be no curse, and this is set in the Enchanted Forest. I hope you like it!

It has been 2 months since I lost the love of my life. 2 months, 8 hours, and 17 minutes, to be exact. Now it's less than 2 hours before I am being sent off to live with the king. And not just the king—his precious little princess as well. Snow White, otherwise known as the girl who ruined my life with no consequences to show for it.

Now, my beloved Daniel is 6 feet underground, robbed of his life before he had a chance to truly live. Mother is undoubtedly bustling about, making sure the departure and arrival to my new home goes smoothly. Snow White is most likely excitedly preparing for my arrival, ordering servants around like she didn't just inadvertently murder someone. She is too wrapped up in having a mother, yet another person to care for her. The king himself could probably care less. I am simply a replacement to keep up appearances and tend to a whiny 10-year-old. And yet here I am; numb to the world and cruelly still alive.

I have thought about joining Daniel—end this miserable existence and create my own happy ending... decide my own fate. However, I just can't bear to cause my father the same grief I am suffering. He is the only person who ever truly loved me, the only one who ever would, and I return that love with all of my heart.

Another reason I haven't been able to make a firm decision on ending my life is my mother has refused to leave me alone. Ever since she crushed Daniel's heart, she has had her eyes glued to me, even when she's not here. She must have sensed how hopeless and broken I have felt, and worried I would ruin my chance to become queen like she always wished to be.

To anyone on the outside of these castle walls, Cora Mills is seen as a selfless mother who gave her only daughter the world. I know better. Even the servants have more wits than to fall for her false charm. It's because of their fear of my mother, however, that they turn a blind eye and meekly do as they are told.

All of this preparation is because my mother missed her chance to be queen. "Everything I do is for your own good, my darling," she had told me the night I lost myself. She had wiped away my tears and scolded me whilst dragging me to my feet, not even allowing me a moment of privacy with my dead fiancé.

"Chin up, Regina. You must learn to compose yourself quickly and mask your emotions if you wish to be a great ruler."

How I wanted to scream at her, take her own dark magic and tear her heart out, watch as it withers into dust in front of my eyes. I wished to free myself from her vise-like grip that makes me feel like a lamb in the clutches of a wolf. But I forced myself to bite my tongue and obey. All my mother ever wanted for me was a good life, free of the hardships she had to face at my age. Snow White was the traitor in all this.

"Regina, what are you still doing in your riding clothes?" My mother's voice echoes throughout my bed chamber. "Rainy had the table set 20 minutes ago."

I pause my self-scrutiny to glance at her in the reflection of my gold-bordered mirror. Mother's face is hardened with disapproval and irritation. I can't remember the last time she granted me with a real smile. In her eyes, I would always fall one step short of her expectations. One might think I would be used to this treatment, alas, it hurts me more each time I am graced with my mother's presence.

"I'm sorry, Mother," I hastily apologize, moving toward my wardrobe to pick out a tea-time appropriate dress. "I wanted to make my last ride with Rociante memorable."