The Lost Princess

1.

Regina sat in her room, painting another picture for her collection. Ever since she was a small child she took refuge in painting, though her Mistress doesn't like it.

She doesn't have parents, only her Mistress Cora, who treats her like a servant.

She hated it. She wasn't allowed to go outside and the mansion was protected by a high magical wall that only Cora could escape from.

Regina had two friends. The dragon girl Mal, who was like a sister to her and Jiminy, a cricket who always tried to see the good in people, even in Cora.

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"Wow, that looks wonderful, Regina. How do you know that landscape? You are never outside. " Mal asked, looking at the beach her friend had drawn.

"I saw it in a dream. I wish I could go to a place like that one day."
Regina said dreamingly. Suddenly she heard a horse nearing and knew it would be Cora.

"Cora is coming. " she shrieked and pulled her apron off. If Cora knew she had been painting again there would be hell to pay. Cora hated it, she always said it kept Regina distracted from her chores.

Regina ran down the stairs to the entrace of the mansion and opened the door for her Mistress.

"How was your journey, my lady?" She asked as Cora entered the hall and took her gloves off, handing them to Regina.

"Long and hard. I expect my tea to be ready in 7 minutes." She said and walked past Regina.

"Yes, my lady." The girl bowed her head, a few strands of her very long hair falling into her face.

Cora turned around and looked at Regina sternly, taking in every little detail of her. Suddenly she spotted some paint on her face and glared at her.

"You've been painting again! " the old woman stated, grabbing her chin. Regina gulped. "What about your chores? Hm?"

"I did everything you asked me to do." Regina answered quickly, looking up at her Mistress.

"Is that so? Let's see. Did you do my laundry?" Regina nodded.

"Ironed it and put your dresses away." She explained but Cora wasn't finished yet.

"Sweeped the floor? Watered the plants? Washed the curtains? Cleaned my room? " The brunette nodded. She had done all that, just like Cora had told her to do.

Cora looked pleased and let go of her chin. She turned away and made your way up the stairs. Suddenly there was a shrieking sound as she stepped on a certain floor and Regina gaspsed. She had totally forgotten to check the stairs.

"I knew it! Your responsibility is not only to do the chores but to keep the house in good shape also. I've taken you in when no one wanted you and that's how you repay me?! You are a disapointment!" She dismissed the girl and went up the stairs to her bedroom. Regina looked on in tears. Cora was right, she was a disapointment.

She went into the kitchen to prepare Cora's afternoon tea. Mal and Jiminy right behind her.

"She is such a pain in the ass." Mal exclaimed, trying to cheer Regina up.

"I know, but she is right. I am a disapointment. " Regina answered and began to light a fire for the tea.

"Let me help you." Mal said, spitting fire.

"Thank you, Mal." The brunette smiled and prepared a tray with cookies and tea for her Mistress. Mal suddenly swooched everything away with her tail and a spoon fell on a statue near the fire place, opening a hidden passage way. Regina gaspsed. She had never known there was one.

Regina started walking down the stairs, Mal and Jiminy following her. They came to a basement with all sorts of stuff.

"Invitations. I can't believe Cora went to so many balls. " Regina stated as she found a box full of invitations. Mal scoffed.

"Who would ever invite that witch?!"

Jiminy found a torn picture. It looked like Cora was dancing with a man but the man's face was torn.

"I don't want to be in the man's shoes." He stated.

Regina suddenly spotted a wooden box and opened it.

It was a silver hair brush. There was something carved into it.

"Constant as the stars above, always know that you are loved. For our daughter Regina for her first birthday, in constant love, Mother and Father." She read out confused. "I don't understand. Cora said my parents left me on her doorstep when I was only a day old? Why would she lie about this?" Jiminy scoffed.

"Why wouldn't she? That woman has only one intension in life, to hurt others. " he stated and Regina nodded. He was right about that. She just didn't understand why Cora had lied. Everytime she asked about her parents, Cora had told her that they had not wanted her.

The brunette ran a hand through her long hair. Her hair was down to the floor when braided and even longer when it was left open. She had never had it cut and she loved it dearly.

'I have to find answers. ' she thought.

"Regina! " she heard Cora screaming and was immediatly reminded of her status as maid. She had totally forgotten the tea.

She quickly ran up the stairs and got the tray. She walked to Cora's bedroom and saw the old woman laying in her bed, her hair down and a night gown on.

"What took you so long? " She asked and Regina sighed.

"I'm sorry. I was a little distracted. " she explained, pouring some tea into the cup.

Cora took a sip and then dismissed the girl. The brunette closed the curtains and then left the room. She needed to find out what else was in the basement.