Forest of Fireflies

Chapter 31

(Regina's POV)

After I tucked Daniella into bed for the night, I returned to my chambers to rest. Despite my eventful day, there were still a number of thoughts running through my head. Daniella had kind of managed to convince me into not casting the Dark Curse. However, my heart was still pounding at the thought of Snow and her prince living out their days happily whilst I suffer. The kingdom already thinks that I'm nobody, I can't live like this! At least, I can't; because of Daniella. I don't want her to grow up in segregation because of me. It isn't fair on her. 

I sighed as I strode over to my vanity and begun to take off my makeup. Then, I stared at myself in the mirror. Without the dark eyeliner and eyeshadow, I could see the glimpse of who I was, before my life became a mess. I raised my hand up to my face as I thought about my teenage years. Oh how I wish that I could just go back in time to when I was sixteen. I could have changed Daniel's fate, raised my daughter and perhaps even have several children. Then, I shook my head. No, Cora will always manage to ruin things somehow. She always does. 

When I began to walk to the bathroom, I suddenly had a realisation. Despite the fact that I may or may not cast the curse, Cora mustn't follow me either way. I have to get rid of her, or otherwise, she'll harm Daniella. Mother already knows about my firefly... I gasped. She probably already has plans for her.

I exhaled loudly and decided that I need to dispatch of my mother, soon.

....................................

Even though I've already yawned several times whilst getting dressed, I powered through the early morning to plan the assassination of my mother. I figured out that I would need someone ruthless to do this task. Who that someone was, I had no idea...until now.

I was having lunch with Daniella when Pietro, the prison guard, rushed into the dining hall. He bowed hastily before saying, "Your Majesty, I've been told to inform you that someone has broken into the prison's tower. He has killed one of your guards, my Queen, and he is with the prisoner on the top cell at the moment."

I frowned and put down the cutlery in my hands. "I'll be there soon, Pietro."

The guard bowed once again and left. Then, Daniella asked, "Are you going there right now?"

I nodded and was about to stand up when Daniella continued, "Who is the prisoner in the top cell anyway?"

I paused, not knowing whether or not I should tell her that it was Belle. After all, that girl had taken care of Daniella and gifted her a book whilst we were in Rumple's castle, recovering from the assassination attempt. So, I sighed and answered, "An important pawn."

Then, I gave Daniella a quick peck on her cheek before teleporting up to the tower. When I arrived there, I walked silently into the cell to hear a familiar voice mutter, "So pretty, yet so useless."

Before Captain Hook could raise his hook to kill Belle, I used my magic and in a puff of smoke, the pirate's hook was in my hands. 

The Captain turned around as I begun to speak. "No, not useless. She's a valuable chess piece."

"Do I look like I'm playing a game of chess? My hook, if you please?"

I looked down at the metal in my hand and clutched it tighter, answering, "No."

Hook raised his eyes at me and replied, "The asking was me being a gentleman."

"Is that any way to address a queen? Even a pirate should have better manners than that," I taunted whilst I watched Hook swallow slightly. Then, I circled him and continued, "Yes, I know who you are, and why you came here. I know all about the crocodile you wish to skin."