Sorry I took so long to post another chapter, but it's difficult to manage time these days. I hope you enjoy and leave a comment. Tell me if you like it or not, I'd love to have your opinion.

That night, while Robin was reading a story to Roland after a warm, hearty meal, Mills Manor came to life. Candles and fireplaces suddenly lit, the mirrors that had been covered for centuries saw the oppressing dusty-grey sheets fall, and the air took a violent turn as if a door had just opened and the oceanic wind had made a colossal entrance. But that was not the case, it had not been the wind. Far worse; Lady Regina herself and her wrath flew through the manor and all knew for a fact it was time to abandon all the hope they had gathered in their hearts after Mr Locksley's visit. They all knew she was feeling betrayed; using her father to distract her while they talked to that man about the curse was way out of line. But it was a risk they were willing to take. Henry hid in the library and Mary Margaret and her husband in their chambers, Emma and Killian did not dare to make a semblance of a sound and Lord Henry was left to face the music.

"I had to, Regina."

"You let him in; better yet, you invited him in!" the ghost dressed in white and floating black hair seethed, looking out the window, her back turned to the older soul standing behind her.

"I had to" he said softly.

"You had to go and try to undermine my plans for all of you once again. And yet again you failed. What is so difficult for you to understand, father? This is you punishment. Tis not villainy or revenge, this is what you all deserve!"

"Regina –"

"You and that of all who stood under this roof!" she barked, turning from the widow to face her father. A pale square face with eyes whiskey brown and luscious plump blood lips were visible now, between two curtains of black hair.

"Please, Regina. I beg of you -"

"What you, mother and that insipid, little brat need to understand is that you brought this upon yourselves!"

"What good is it to keep us here, where we don't belong?"

"You don't belong wherever you are meant to be either. You don't deserve moving on, and neither do I..."

"Not even little Henry? I know you love him."

"I love him dearly, you know I do. He belongs with his family. Unluckily for him, that's us." Regina said, disdain dripping from her lips.

"Regina, I just want you to find peace. I thought that man could help us. All of us. He lost someone too, he understands what it's like. Maybe if he talked to you…"

"It wouldn't change the past! Nothing would change; what you all did to me, what you took from me…"

"Regina…"

"It was mother! I know it was her! And you helped her, you and that snivelling cousin of mine!"

"We had nothing to do with Daniel's death!" Henry Mills bellowed, losing his patience before his daughter's accusations.

"Oh, but you did! However small the contribution, you all had a hand on it. And I loathe you all for it."

With this Regina vanished in grey smoke and Lord Henry could finally breathe and see some of his tension out.

"How did she take the news?"

Mary Margaret had appeared right behind him.

"As usual: angry, heartbroken and feeling betrayed", he declared bitterly.

"Maybe if we gave her a little space; she's always been headstrong. If she were to see that we're trying to help her-"

"No, she thinks we're helping ourselves. Maybe Regina is right after all."

"We mustn't lose hope just yet, Uncle Henry."

"I'm tired, Mary Margaret. So tired…Tired of seeing my daughter like this, of feeling her pain and loneliness."

Mary Margaret floated towards the old man and caressed his shoulder comfortingly.

"Mr Locksley will make all better, Uncle Henry. He promised he'd be back to help us. And he will. This time we'll be able to fix this and Regina will see she was wrong in keeping us here. She'll see reason. She'll see we had nothing to do with Mr Colter's death."

Henry Mills sat by the window looking out to the garden dipped in the night's darkness.

"I just want my little girl back."

"Oh she's there, the Regina we all admire and love. She's just hurt and confused…and once we figure what really happen, we'll get her back. I promise you that."

"I'm afraid of what she might do to scare him off. He's our last chance. Our time is almost over."

"He's strong and noble. Whatever Regina will throw at him, he can handle it. They are much alike, I should say. I see a lot of her in him. The same selflessness, the same kindness… He'll know what to say and what to do when the moment comes."

"I hope for all our sakes, you are right."

Meanwhile, in the little cabin in the woods, Robin Locksley's character was about to be put to the test. A dark cloud of smoke moved around the house, uninvited. It was as if it was looking for something…or in this case, someone.

As soon as the dark cloud of smoke found Robin in the kitchen, washing the dishes from dinner. It was then that it took the form of Lady Regina Mills. The temperature of the room went down considerably, the lights flickered and the man by the sink felt he was being watched. He turned and was confronted with the ghostly apparition right before his eyes, mere centimetres from his face. He almost jumped out of his skin; he tried desperately to step away, however he end up hitting the sink with his lower back.

He could make up her pale face, her bloodied white dress and slashed wrists perfectly. Robin could say he was as terrified as he was marvelled at the sight of her.

"Lady Regina... I saw your painting in the house… I don't understand…How are you here?"

"You are not welcome."

"Pardon?"

"You are not to enter that house again. You are to leave us alone."

"Please, I can help."

"Stay away from Mills Manor."

"But I promised them I'd help them, that I would help you."

"It's my last warning to you. Next time you try and step inside that house, there will be consequences."

"I don't mind it, Milady. Whatever you come up with I can face it. I made a promise I cannot break, to them and to you. I'll do everything in my power to fulfil it."

The ghostly apparition let a dark laugh.

"Oh, dear Mr Locksley... That sense of honour won't save you from what I have in mind for you if you don't desist of this foolish pursuit of yours. Believe me, others tried and failed. In the end, all your efforts will be proved futile, I promise you. And then, I'll get to drag you along with the others who wronged me."

"Milady, I believe you lack the physical strength to even try to persuade me to move much less to drag me."

"Ah, you are quite right however I do particularly excel at mind games. Do you really think you are safe just because you breathe and have a beating heart inside your chest? Think again! Life is such a delicate, frail condition... It doesn't take much to change it. And when that changes, you might be under my jurisdiction and, believe me, you really don't want that. Next thing you know, you are my puppet and I'll pull all the right strings, I can assure you."

"I'm not afraid of you, Milady." Robin declared, standing his ground.

"Oh but you really, really should, Mr Locksley."

And with that, she disappeared.