City of Starlight

Prequel

Note: This is a sequel of 'Forest of Fireflies'. If you want a detailed understanding of the story/characters, please read the first instalment. 

If you would like to proceed by reading this fic first, here's a brief summary/recap that will get you ready for this story: (*spoiler alert!!!)

Daniella is the daughter of Regina and Daniel. She grew up in Wonderland without her parents, but she made her way back to the Enchanted forest. Time runs differently between realms, and whilst 16 years had passed since Regina had lost Daniella in the Enchanted Forest, Daniella was 10 years old because of the time spent in Wonderland. Soon, Regina found her and took her in. This was at the height of the Evil Queen's reign. 

During the curse, Daniella maintained her memories and have always had a rough relationship with Henry because of his insistence that Regina was evil. After the curse broke, Daniel was brought back to life and he ended up 'reversing' the dark curse because he, Regina and Daniella were back together again. 

Everyone was transported back to the Enchanted Forest. A while after, Regina was confronted by Zelena, who wanted to kill her for revenge. Zelena uses Daniel's doubts towards Regina's actions and her past as the Evil Queen, to get back at her sister. She encourages Daniel's secret affair with a childhood friend named Lena.

Zelena causes Lena to give birth to her child within a couple of days of being pregnant and Regina finds out about Daniel's disloyalty. Out of rage and betrayal, the couple is banished from the kingdom. Daniella doesn't get to learn the name of her younger half sister. 

Forest of Fireflies ends with Daniella finding confidence in herself.

City of Starlight picks up 5 years into the future....

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Prequel

(Daniella's POV)

It was visiting day, otherwise known as the day when the Charmings would come over to the Dark Palace so that Henry could spend some time with mother and I. Looking back at the past five years, I could say that I'm actually quite surprised at how everything turned out. Peace seemed to have settled nicely across the lands. Even though there were no wars between the kingdoms, small grudges remained. Luckily, they didn't really lead anywhere. The Charmings now control what used to be King George's land. They've originally taken over some parts of mother's kingdom as well, but given her cooperation with them, they've slowly returned those sectors back to her rule. I daresay, Henry had done better than I had expected. Having him as the 'bridge' between our families made a profound difference. 

Originally, I was worried that mother would enact a plot against Snow again but even though she wouldn't admit it, I know she had let go of the past. As communication between all of us has improved, I no longer felt as scared of the Charmings as I used to. Sure, their snarky remarks about the past would make me uncomfortable but at least none of us were out for each other's heads. Even Rumple seemed to have backed down from pursuing any sort of vengeance against mother for holding Belle captive in the months leading up to, and during the curse. 

I could say that everything is good, but I know that isn't true. We never talk about father anymore, but I know mother misses him just as much as I do. However, I'm not sure if she's hating herself in the process either. Although I couldn't tell for sure, I believe she doesn't regret banishing him. She'd rather keep the better memories of him in her mind rather than what came after. In the rare instances we manage to talk about him, she shifts the conversation from herself and towards me. I'm grateful that she's concerned about my feelings but I just wished that I could do something whenever I catch her crying before the empty glass coffin that once encased my father's stiff corpse.