Following the wedding, and her mother's… abrupt departure, Regina was asked to meet with the head of staff to discuss her needs. She was still a bit shaken by what she had done to her mother, but without Cora looking over her shoulder, she felt more confident asking for what she truly wanted, rather than what was expected of her. Cora would never have stood for it, but the last thing Regina wanted was a bunch of servants waiting on her hand and foot all the time. Lonely she might be, but if they were going to treat her like a queen instead of a person, having more people around was hardly going to help that.
However, she still had quite a time convincing the man that she didn't need a large staff, that merely a lady's maid and a valet where entirely adequate, and his staff could clean her rooms on the same schedule as the rest of the castle.
After they'd gotten that sorted out, she didn't argue with him over his recommendation for a lady's maid. She surprised herself, however by asking for Robin as her valet. The man was scandalized, and Regina knew her mother would have been as well. But Cora wasgone, she reminded herself,and Regina liked Robin. He had been kind to her, he had noticed she was upset at the wedding when no one else had, and having someone like that around might be the key to retaining her sanity.
Having convinced herself, she now faced the task of convincing the head of staff that he should be on her staff. Thanks to Cora, the man was convinced that Robin was unqualified.
"Your mother said—"
"My mother overreacted." she tried to convince him.
"But, your majesty––"
"I don't care." she insisted.
"But, he would have to be trained––"
"Then train him. I don't care," she burst out in exasperation. "I want him. He has been completely satisfactory these past few weeks, and he went above and beyond what was expected of him." She tried channeling her mother as much as possible, trying to emulate Cora's intimidating behavior, the attitude she had that didn't leave room for anyone to question her."I believe he's qualified, I already have a rapport with him, and he is the one I want. So, train him in whatever he needs to know, and inform him that he will be my personal valet."
Her tone brokered no argument, and the man finally conceded to her wishes before he bowed and left the room.
The next day, Robin arrived at her chambers with a question on his lips.
"Your majesty, I was told that you had requested me to be your personal valet?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I… I think you should reconsider," he began, but she cut him off.
"Now, don't you be trying to dissuade me too. I don't care whether or not anyone else thinks you're qualified. You've done perfectly well for me these past few weeks, and I don't want to have to break in anyone else. And while I understand that the staff has been incredibly busy, and you were more or less drafted into this position, and it's not your usual job, well, it is now."
"Very well, your majesty."
"Besides," she added more softly, "You're about the only person in this castle who's been nice to me. I like you. And I couldn't stand to get someone new who's afraid to even look me in the eye."
"Now that I can understand, my lady," he replied with a slight smile. "And… this is a significant promotion for me. Thank you for your faith in my abilities."
"Thank you. You can't understand how much it means to me to have someone to talk to." Someone who has no expectations of me, understands I'm out of my element, who won't judge, she added silently, giving him a grateful smile as he bowed and left the room.
