The Magic Within ↠ Once Upon A Time

[Chapter 2] Another Problem...

~Regina's POV~

"I don't think it's a good idea to have the ball so late," I suggest.

"Well, I was thinking, for once, Henry shouldn't have a curfew. I mean we're going to be with him," Snow suggests.

"You have a point, Snow, but I just don't want my son fooling around with Violet."

"Mom!" Henry shouts.

"What?" I raise my eyebrow in confusion. "You can't blame me for being over-protective."

"What if we make a deal? If you don't put a curfew on my party, then I won't leave your sight the entire night."

I give him a smirk. "You've got a deal." I hold out my hand, which he does the same, and we both shake hands.

"Now that that's taken care of, where exactly are we going to have Henry's birthday?" David asks.

"Oh... I don't know," I reply, "This town doesn't exactly have a 'grand ballroom'."

"Town hall?"

"It's not big enough."

"The school?"

"Why would you bring that up?!"

"Well, if you were bringing up size, I thought it was our best bet."

"Yes, because nothing says a party like going to the place where Henry loves to avoid, not to mention the school floors."

"What's wrong with the floors?" Snow questions.

"I don't appreciate having my shoes stick to the floor."

"Fine. We can disregard that."

"Look," Henry starts, "Maybe we can ask if we can use the Lakeside Mansion. It's pretty big and it's nice enough to have a party in."

"I'll see what I can do."

With that, the doorbell in the diner rings, advising us that someone has entered the small restaurant. Robin, who was grasping tightly onto Roland, rushes into the diner, and once he catches sight of me, he walks to my side. What immediately caught my attention was the look of distress plastered on his face, and that's what worried me.

"Regina! I knew I'd find you here," Robin starts.

"Robin, what's wrong?" I ask. I push myself from my seat just so I could be leveled with the two of them.

"I-I don't know explain, but- someone tried to hurt Roland."

"How?" My concern grew during each growing second.

"I don't know-" Even with his son in his arms, Robin still manages to use his hand to massage his temple. His stress level must be increasing at the thought of Roland in danger. He couldn't even think straight. "It was from a toy he had received."

"Well, who gave that to him?"

"He doesn't know."

"But, it contained magic?"

"Yes!"

"Then, let me take a look at this... toy. Where is it?"

"Well, what's left of it is probably still burning in the forest."