Chapter 1

"I don't want to be married!",Regina screamed and felt a hand connect harshly with her cheek. "Enough! You'll marry a royal and that's the end!",Cora snapped and Regina looked at her hatefully. "I hate you! You are just interested in the benefits for yourself! If I'm happy is not of your concern. I hate you!",Regina ran out of the dining room into her chamber where she locked the door and sobbed on the bed.

Cora sighed. Regina needed to learn what was the best for her. Henry, her husband, looked at her sad. "You know that she needs a husband. Help me find a way to ensure that he is worthy Regina.",Cora snapped and Henry nodded. "A knight Tournament.",he suggested and Cora smiled brightly. "She is beautiful enough to risk dying.",Cora said and directly ordered to send letters to every available royal.

A few days later it was time. Regina stood defeated next to her parents and studied the many knights in front of her. She was afraid of most of them because either their family name was known by everyone and that in most cases not because of honorable actions. There also was a knight in a black armor. She could see his eyes through the slit which where always trained on her. She felt uncomfortable.

"The knight Tournament will go over a week. The winner will get the hand of my dear daughter as price. For today you may rest. The servants will bring you to your chambers. Good luck to all of you!",Cora said and the knights bowed and left. Cora smiled at Regina. "I've heard that Prince James from the Summer kingdom is here too. He has experience and already won 7 knight tournaments. I bet he'll be a great husband to you."

Regina sighed. She didn't liked him. He was a spoiled brat who thought that he was the hottest guy on the world even though he wasn't. She nodded and followed her mother back in the castle. Luckily the knights wouldn't dine with them and she had her peace. She just wanted to run away. She was scared of one of the knights winning. Would the winner be gentle on their first night? Would she grow to love him? She was completely insecure.

The next morning the tournament started. Over a hundred royals had come and they all wanted Regina. The first day wasn't pretty eventful. But the half of the royals lost and had to go. The black knight remained and Regina was shocked how easily he had dismounted his opposite before he had ridden to Regina and pressed his lips on her hand. She couldn't see his face because of his helmet but the softness of his lips and the gentleness he showed her made her feel a bit funny.

Cora looked at the knight. "Who are you?",she asked. "Just some royal who decided to try his luck.",the knight answered and bowed in front of Cora. He kissed her hand and winked at Regina before he left. Regina blushed and watched him. "He is quite the charmer.",Henry commented and Regina nodded. Cora shrugged and they continued watching. "See, Prince James is the last one.",Cora said with a smile and Regina sighed. How often did she have to tell her mother that she would marry anyone but Prince James? She hated him.

James smiled arrogantly and bowed his head slightly before he put on his helmet and took his lance. He galloped towards the other man and hit him right against his chest and knocked him down of the horse. He stopped and gave the lance back to his team before he took off his helmet and rode over to Regina. He kissed her hand too. "That was for you, beautiful lady.",he said and Cora chuckled. James bowed in front of her and left to his chambers. "He is a good man, Regina. I hope he wins. That's a man I would want as son-in-law.",she said and Henry shook his head. "No. He is much too arrogant for Regina. They would just butt heads, Cora darling. The black knight is interesting. Give him a try. Or Prince Daniel. He was handsome and goodhearted.",Henry told her and Cora snorted.

"Prince Daniel? Really? That wimp?",Cora asked and Henry scoffed. "You are calling me a wimp everyday and still married me. Why can't Regina?",he asked and Regina growled. "Stop that! It's my life! And I don't want Daniel or James! Daniel is nice but just not my type and James is a douche! He is arrogant and an idiot! He doesn't care for me but rather for my body! I don't want to be a whore for a man I don't like!",Regina snapped and ran away from them. "Let her go.",Henry said when Cora stood up. Cora growled unhappy but walked back to the castle with Henry.

Regina ran into the stables. She needed to be alone. Why the hell does her parents have to talk about her like she is just a piece of meat? She slowed down when she entered and smiled when some horses looked at her over the bottom door of their boxes. They were all white or brown except for one. It stood in the last box and was separated from all the other horses. Intrigued she walked over to it and smiled softly. "Hello, you. You are a handsome guy. I wonder who your owner is.",she said to the horse and shyly held her hand to the horse's nose. "Horses aren't owned. You show them that you can trust them and build a relationship to them.",a voice said behind her and she quickly turned around.

It was the black knight. "Uh…I… he belongs to you than?",she answered and the knight nodded. "Yes. I found him when he was just two hours old and raised him by myself. We never parted since then.",the knight told her and patted the stallion's neck. "Why are you still wearing that helmet?",she asked and caressed the other side of the stallion's neck. "Maybe because I want to surprise you if I win? And otherwise I could still come back as a completely different person and spend time with you.",the knight said and Regina grinned. "Smart.",she said and looked back to the stallion. "What's his name?" "Shadow. Because of his color but mostly because he was always like a little shadow when he was young. He would follow me everywhere without me noticing it.",the knight answered and Regina chuckled. "My mare Rocinante isn't even slightly like that… I just wish I could have a better relationship towards her.",Regina than said and sighed.

"Who is she?",the knight asked and Regina led her to another stable building and to her horse. "She is beautiful.",the knight said and Regina nodded. She reached to Rocinante but the horse shied back. "Mhm… I think I know what's going on with her. She holds nothing against you. She is just in pain.",the knight told her and opened the box. "Sh, beautiful. I'm not going to harm you, neither will Regina. Everything will be fine." He stepped further to her and stroked her shoulder softly. "Let me see your hoof." He took the leg and lifted it up. "She has a stone in her hoof. It's hurting her pretty bad. The hoof is swollen but with some herbs she'll be back on her legs in no time." The knight removed the stone and gave it to Regina before he softly put the hoof back down and walked to his things in the neighbor stable.

The knight came back and smiled softly at Regina. "Could you hold her leg while I bandage her?",the knight asked and Regina nodded. Together they bandaged Rocinante and than fed her. "Thank you… but I don't think that it will improve our relationship…",Regina said and looked back to Rocinante. "She will remember that you helped her. Don't worry.",the knight said and cupped Regina's cheek. Regina's breath hitched and she leaned into the touch slightly. She stepped a bit closer and gulped. She felt the knight's other hand on her hip and pulled her closer. They were inches apart. But before they somehow could kiss realization hit them and they parted slightly.

"Uhm…we should… we should go back…",Regina said but the knight shook his head. He pulled her to the box again and smiled. "Look.",he just said and Regina looked to Rocinante again. She was by the door and blew hot air into Regina's face. "She is greeting you." Regina gasped and cupped Rocinante's cheeks. "She was in pain and because of that she wanted to be alone. She doesn't want to be weak in front of you. Obviously she thinks that she has to take the role as tough one so you can finally let your mask down.",the knight said and Regina gasped. "How?" "Horses tell me a lot of things through their behavior. And I grew up with them. It's pretty easy when you know what to look for."

Regina smiled and looked back to Rocinante. "Thank you, my girl.",she whispered and kissed the soft nose before she stepped back. "Rest. The more you can rest, the earlier you can go out again." The knight smiled and led Regina back to the castle. "Thank you for distracting me.",Regina said and the knight smiled at her. "No problem, princess." "Call me Regina… I hate it that everyone is calling me princess… I'm not better than everyone else…",she muttered and the knight chuckled. "Alright. Regina." "What's your name? I can't call you the Black knight always…" "Just call me Shadow." "But your horse…" "Will be alright with it.",Shadow said chuckling and Regina giggled.

"I hope you kick out Prince James…",she said serious and Shadow smiled. "If that's your wish, Regina. I have no problem with it. James is too distracted. He tries to impose you and gets arrogant and much too fast. He is good yes but I'm better.",Shadow told her and she grabbed his arm tighter. They laughed and arrived at the castle. "Regina!",Cora said and came to them. "Where were you?" "She was with me, your majesty. Don't need to worry. I kept an eye on her.", Shadow bowed and Cora nodded. "Thank you. I would like to talk to my daughter alone." Shadow nodded and left the two alone after he smiled softly at Regina a last time.

"You'll never run off again like that!",Cora snapped and Regina looked down. "I just wanted time alone! You are deciding everything here! Even who should win this damn tournament! I just need to clear my head, mother!",Regina answered angrily and Cora sighed. "I just do what I think is the best for you." "But what's with my opinion of it? Of the best for me?",Regina asked and looked up again. Cora saw the tears in Regina's eyes. She pulled her in her arms and held her awkwardly. "I just want my freedom…",Regina sobbed and clung to her mother. Afterwards they dined again and Regina went to bed.

TBC...?