Chapter Text
Regina’s tattoo appeared at dawn, on the morning of her seventeenth birthday.
She’d been waiting for it, unable to sleep for most of the night. Of course, although she hadn’t meant to, she dozed off when her palms were still blank, only reawakening when the sun had already been up for a few hours.
It took Regina a few sleepy moments to remember.
Once she did, she immediately shot up in bed, struggling briefly with the sheets before she could reveal both of her palms to herself.
Her heart both sank and soared.
It was on her left hand, in dark ink. There was a small star-like symbol at the center—lying, appropriately, right at the junction of her head line and her fate line—surrounded by concentric circles of various designs. The circles gave way to a swirl of shapes, like the edges of a crescent moon, and a series of dots, extending out from the center like rays.
It was beautiful, reminding her of the sun, moon, and stars all at once.
But it meant that Daniel had not been her soulmate.
It meant that someone else was.
Daniel had been seventeen when Cora killed him, so he already had his tattoo. Regina had studied it, had traced her fingers over it so many times that even now, a little more than a year later, she only had to close her eyes, and she could see it in her head once again.
Daniel’s tattoo had been beautiful as well; but it did not match Regina’s.
Regina closed her hand into a fist, as silent tears slipped down her cheeks. It was only when she was alone that she could truly mourn for Daniel. Her grief had weakened with time, but now, with this fresh ink imprinted onto her skin, the feelings came rushing back. He might not have been her soulmate, but she had loved him, truly, with all of her heart.
Even so, a traitorous corner of her heart now rose up in happiness. She loved Daniel, yes, but he was gone, taken from her, and there was nothing anyone could do to get him back. And this… She opened up her hand once again. This was a sign of hope.
Because there was someone else, out there somewhere. Regina might never find the person—it was still known to be somewhat rare to actually find one’s soulmate—but there was someone out there.
Someone Regina could love; someone who could love Regina in return.
***
Regina stayed in her room, running her fingers softly over her new tattoo, for as long as she could. Soon, however, she could delay no longer if she wished to avoid punishment. The fact that it was Regina’s birthday would certainly not stay her mother’s hand.
Her parents were already seated when Regina entered the dining room. Her father smiled kindly at her as she approached him, and he got up to give her a hug.
“Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl,” he said warmly.
Regina returned the hug and didn’t let go right away, even though she could almost feel her mother’s eyes on her back. “Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered.
He kissed her cheek, but then pulled back and returned to his seat at the table.
“Good morning, mother,” Regina said, turning to face the older woman, who nodded to her but did not respond verbally.
Regina moved to take her own seat, but stopped when her mother tutted at her.
“Really, Regina,” her mother sighed, already disappointed. “Come here and show it to me.”
Regina did know better, but she had hoped to be able to keep this to herself for a little while longer. After everything with Daniel… Well, Regina thought that no one could blame her for not wanting to share.
Still, she did as she was told, walking over to her mother’s side and displaying her left hand, palm up.
Cora grabbed hold of Regina’s wrist and pulled the hand closer. She chuckled to herself and said, “I see your little stable boy isn’t your soulmate, then. You see, darling? I told you that everything I do is for your own good.”
Regina had to clench her teeth to stop herself from responding. She ripped her hand away from her mother’s grip, exhaling deeply to regain her composure, before smoothing out her dress and going to sit down at the table.
The day went on like any other, for the most part; most girls would get some sort of party for their birthday, even a small one, but Regina knew not to expect anything. She did receive a few new dresses—all the better to show her off to potential suitors, like some prize horse for sale, Regina assumed. She considered herself lucky, at least, when her father was able to sneak a small pastry to her as a treat after dinner. She ate half of it, but then the ingrained image of her mother’s look of disgust and disappointment popped into Regina’s head, and she threw the rest away.
That night, Regina lay in bed, once again unable to fall asleep. She held her hand up above her head, using the light of the moon to take in every mark and line and circle in the intricate pattern.
She tried to imagine what it would be like to find that one person out there who had the same markings on his own hand. It would be a mirror image, on his right hand, to match her left. She brought up her own right hand and pressed her two palms together. Their tattoos would line up perfectly, designed to fit together every time they held hands.
Regina tried to imagine what it would feel like. Tried to imagine the joy, love, and intimacy that would exist between them.
But she couldn’t.
***
It was exactly one month before her eighteenth birthday when, upon returning from a ride with Rocinante, Regina was greeted in the stable by one of Cora’s maids, who informed her that her mother wished to see her immediately.
She left Rocinante in the care of the new stable boy—she hadn’t learned his name, could barely stand to even look at him; she knew that he thought her to be horribly conceited, but she simply couldn’t bring herself to behave any differently towards him—and hurried up to the house.
Regina found her mother in the drawing room. Cora would appear relaxed to most people, sitting as she was, staring casually out the window, but Regina’s trained gaze knew better. She stood silently in the doorway, waiting for her mother to acknowledge her. It took several moments, but then Cora turned to look at her, steely eyes sweeping up and down Regina’s form. Her mouth tightened in displeasure.
She turned back to the window, stating simply, “You’re late. And you look an awful mess. You’re very fortunate that there is no one else to see you but me.”
Regina self-consciously attempted to smooth out her hair and looked down at her dirty riding boots. She should have stopped to change, but had chosen instead to hurry in response to her mother’s summons.
“I apologize, mother,” she said. “I was out for a ride, and-”
“I don’t care about your flimsy excuses,” Cora spat out, whipping her head back around to glare at Regina in anger.
A split second later, however, the anger was gone; Cora smiled widely and gestured for Regina to come sit beside her. “Oh but never mind all that, dear,” she said, as though she were someone who ever let anything go. Warily, Regina went to her mother as she continued, “I sent for you because I have a truly wonderful surprise for you. Next month, on your birthday, your father and I will be throwing a ball in your honor.” Cora clapped her hands together once and looked at Regina expectantly. “What do you think?” she asked.
“A ball?” Regina repeated, shocked. “Mother, I… I don’t know what to say.”
Cora sighed and rolled her eyes. “‘Thank you,’ Regina. You say, ‘Thank you, Mother, for being so exceedingly more generous than I could possibly deserve.’”
“Yes, of course,” Regina hurried to correct her mistake. “Thank you, Mother. Truly, I-”
“Yes, yes, all right.” Cora waved a dismissive hand. “You may go, now.”
Regina left, going quickly up to her own room without taking any time to think. She leaned her back against her door and exhaled.
A ball.
Regina had been to balls before, of course, but there had never been one for her. She couldn’t help it, then—she smiled, bright and excited.
Maybe her mother really did love her, after all.
***
Regina stood still, a solitary island surrounded by an organized bustle of activity. One woman pulled tightly at her corset, while a few others held her new gown out, getting it ready for Regina; yet another woman was sticking pins in her hair, and another was getting ready to apply cosmetics to Regina’s face as soon as she was fully dressed.
She’d gone out for a long ride, longer than it should have been, and there was very little time to finish getting her ready.
There was a knot of anxiety settled deep in Regina’s belly. Her mother was planning something, she knew. Something beyond the mere occurrence of that evening’s ball. Something big. Cora had been giving off little hints here and there over the past month, and Regina had the gnawing sense that her life was about to change in some irrevocable way.
The question, of course, was whether the change would be good or bad.
Regina looked up into the mirror when she heard the door open behind her. Cora entered, a coolly serene smile on her face. She didn’t say anything, but merely observed, as Regina was softly directed to lift her feet and step into the gown. It was beautiful, expertly tailored, a deep royal blue adorned with embroidered gold thread. The cosmetics were applied with a deft and efficient hand, and then with a nod of approval from Cora, all the women filed quickly and quietly out the door.
Cora stepped forward, staring at Regina’s reflection over her shoulder. Regina looked straight ahead, studiously ignoring her mother’s presence, though her entire body was tense in nervous anticipation.
The silence between mother and daughter was strained, but neither said a word for a full minute.
At last, Cora said, “This is a big day for you, Regina.” Regina finally shifted her gaze to the right, meeting her mother’s eyes in the mirror, but she still said nothing.
“Now come,” Cora continued. “Your father will escort you in to the ball. You know how to comport yourself, I expect nothing but the best from you.” She paused a moment, thoughtful. “You will make me proud tonight, Regina.”
Regina’s heart skipped a beat. She turned around quickly, but was met only with the back of her mother’s head, as the older woman was already on her way out of the room, expecting her daughter to follow.
Still, Regina remained motionless for a beat. The thought of actually making her mother proud… It was not a thought that Regina dared entertain very often. She shook her head at herself. No. This woman had killed Daniel; what did Regina care of making such a monster proud? Nothing. Nothing at all.
And yet…
She looked up at the ceiling and blinked, willing the gathering tears back. She would not cry. Not now. Her makeup would be ruined, and that was unacceptable.
With a deep breath, she walked out of the room and found her father standing beside her mother, waiting for her. She took his arm, only needing a little bit of effort to force out a smile at him.
“You look beautiful,” he told her.
Cora’s smile turned sharp. “You could even say that she looks fit to be queen,” she commented with faux nonchalance.
Regina frowned, but immediately smoothed out her facial muscles at her mother’s soft tut of disapproval.
Her mother went first, escorted my some handsome young prince from a neighboring land. Regina could hear the loud applause from the ball’s attendees for their hostess.
Then it was time for Regina and her father. He squeezed her hand, and they descended the stairs together.
She smiled politely as they made their way towards the ballroom floor. Out of the corner of her eye, however, she couldn’t help but notice how quite a few people kept whispering back and forth to each other, as they looked from Regina to somewhere across the room.
When they reached the bottom stair, the crowd of people parted before her, and there, at the other end of the room…
Regina’s step faltered, but her mother was right there, immediately grabbing hold of her free forearm and holding her upright.
Regina was frozen, shocked, but her parents urged her forward, and the three of them walked together across the span of the floor.
Regina’s head was spinning, though, because there, at the far end of the pathway now open before them, was the king. King Leopold. What could a man of his exalted stature possibly be doing at Regina’s birthday ball?
Cora’s comment about being fit to be queen jumped to the forefront of Regina’s mind. For a moment, her heart leapt. The king had a son around Regina’s age… Could it be? Regina flexed her left hand. Could it possibly be that the prince was her soulmate? Why else-
Regina could no longer think, because now they were there, standing before the king. Her parents let go of her, and she curtseyed, bowing her head low.
She was watching his shoes, so she knew immediately when the king stepped forward, towards her. Still, she kept her head bowed until he reached forward and tapped the bottom of her chin to tilt her gaze upwards.
“Happy Birthday,” he said softly. He looked kind, but up close, he seemed older than she’d thought he was. There was a sort of dullness behind his eyes, like he somehow wasn’t fully present. Regina blinked, mentally shaking off the chill that swept through her. The king continued, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Regina, I’ve heard a lot about you from your mother.”
Cora cleared her throat, and it spurred Regina to finally reply. “Thank you, Your Majesty. The pleasure is all mine.” She curtseyed again, unsure what else to do.
The king smiled, then, and Regina could only watch in astonishment as he reached out and took her left hand, ignoring her tattoo completely, and slid a huge ring onto her finger.
The crowd cheered.
Regina didn’t understand…
In a daze, she turned with the king to face the crowd, her palm lying on the back of his hand. She looked to her mother, who was watching the king with sharp eyes, and then to her father, who smiled at her softly.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” King Leopold called out, causing everyone to immediately quiet down. “I am happy to introduce my betrothed, soon to be your queen!”
He raised their two hands into the air.
Regina thought she might faint.
***
Eleven months earlier
Cora summoned Rumplestiltskin to the woods.
“Cora!” the imp exclaimed in greeting. He giggled. “Now, to what do I owe this visit?”
“I need to discover the identity of my daughter’s soulmate, so that I can decide what to do about him,” she told him.
Rumplestiltskin walked in a close circle around Cora. “Ah, soulmate magic,” he said. “That’s not easy to mess with, you know. No shortcuts allowed.” He wagged his finger in her face, before giggling again.
Cora rolled her eyes. “If I thought for one second that you cared at all about what was or was not allowed,” she said, “I’d be an utter fool.”
Rumplestiltskin grinned, the corners of his lips twisting upwards in an almost grotesque display. “Oh, Cora, you know me too well,” he laughed.
“I know the design of her tattoo,” Cora told him, cutting to the point. “So what is your price?”
He stood before her with pursed lips, tapping his fingers against his chin, as though in thought.
“You have nothing I want as of now, but I’m sure I’ll be able to think of something, when the time is ripe,” he said.
“Fine.” Cora nodded. She then flicked her wrist, and an image of Regina’s tattoo appeared out of thin air between the two of them.
Rumplestiltskin tilted his head back and forth, eyeing the design. “Pretty,” he commented, before he closed his eyes and mumbled some words under his breath.
When he snapped his fingers, the tattoo disappeared, replaced immediately by the image of someone riding horseback. Cora watched intently, but at first could see nothing identifiable of the figure beneath the dark green riding cloak and hood.
The horse was running at full speed, and when the rider turned to look backwards, the hood fell away, letting long blonde hair fly loose in the wind.
Cora frowned.
“Who is she?” she asked. The girl looked vaguely familiar, but it was nothing that she could put her finger on.
Rumplestiltskin giggled once again. “Oh, no one you would know, dearie. A beggar and a thief. Goes by the name of Swan.”
Cora’s mouth twisted in disgust. This certainly would not do. Regina was meant for something bigger; Regina was meant to bring power to her family. Cora’s mind was already off and running, hatching up the beginnings of an idea.
“My daughter must never know about this,” she said to Rumplestiltskin, waving her hand through his illusion and causing it to fade away. “Even now, the girl has a horrible romantic streak, but I have important plans for her. And I mean it, Rumple, if you do anything to interfere with me…”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare,” he assured her.
She narrowed her eyes at him, unsure whether or not she could believe him. Either way, there was nothing she could do about him right now. With a huff, she waved her hand and disappeared in a burst of purple smoke.
There was much work to be done.