Okay, so I know I've been sorely neglecting my other stories, but I've had the inspiration after rewatching some of the earlier seasons w/Regina back in the Enchanted Forest and her time married to Leopold. I wanted to rewrite my own spin on this. In my version, it is David who is King instead of Leopold, Emma is his daughter and Snow is his deceased wife…Regina is married off to him against her will…Let me know if you want to read more.

"You did what?" David choked on his sip of wine, plopping it down on the large oak dining table in the great hall with an unceremonious clunk.

"I found you a bride," Leopold repeated in a calm and outrageously casual manner for something like marriage, "She'll do quite nicely. Pretty, too."

David glanced back and forth between Leopold and Emma who sat silently, pushing food around her plate. She was nearing fourteen years old now and he found it harder and harder to understand what was going on behind her troubled expression. "Does someone want to fill me in on what the hell is going on?"

"Emma was in somewhat of an incident during her riding lesson yesterday," Snow's father began to explain, causing David's brows to furrow together and glance quickly to his daughter to once her over.

"Incident? Were you hurt? How come no one informed me of this?" David raised his voice, his lips pressing into a thin line as Emma only stared down at her plate.

"She's fine, thanks to a wonderful girl I was told saved her from the runaway horse," Leopold gave a shrug as he picked up the wine decanter to refill his glass. He had retired from the throne when Snow and David had married, not being in good health and finding it better suited that the kingdom have a Queen and a King. Much to David's chagrin, Leopold never really gave up control, often going behind his back to make decisions that weren't his to make anymore. Like finding him a new wife, apparently.

"And because she saved my daughter, you think the next logical step is to marry her? I haven't even seen her, for gods sake!"

"David, it's time the kingdom saw you moving on. They're starting to lose faith in you as a leader. Mourning my daughter was understandable, god knows we all did it, but its been five years. I know you'll always love her, but the people need to see that you're okay. They want to know that their future is in the hands of a capable King and Queen, not a reclusive, single King," Leopold leaned back in his chair, looking at David frankly who sat stunned at how blunt his father in law could be at times.

"Grandpa, we don't even know her," Emma piped in, frowning as she glanced up at him, "Besides, she's my age! Do you know how humiliating that would be?"

"Nonsense, her mother said she just turned 18. She's plenty old enough, practically past her prime at this point," The old man raised a bushy eyebrow, "Besides, you need a good female role model. You're approaching a difficult age."

"18?!" David finally processed what he said, "Leopold, I'm 33. She's just a girl!" His head spun at how determined his father in law seemed to marry him off to a child bride. He wanted no part of this, no part of any marriage that wasn't with his late wife. Her death had broken him and even the thought of another woman felt like betrayal still to this day.

"I've already asked for her hand in marriage to you," Leopold nodded once in a finalizing manner, "The wedding is to be a week from now, in fact," His gaze traveled to the large clock in the corner as it struck noon, "It should be being announced on the town square right about now by the royal council."

"This is insane!" David bellowed with rage, hitting his fist on the table as he stood abruptly, making both Emma and Leopold startle, "Who do you think you are backing me into a corner like this?! Forcing me into marriage with some brat who will most likely cling to my leg like the child that she is. Have you no respect for your daughter's memory?!"

"Indeed, I do. I think Snow would have wanted you to have companionship," The old man scooted his chair back and rose slowly, "This isn't just for the kingdom that I'm doing this, David," He added frankly before turning to mosey towards the hall that led to his wing of the castle.

"You can't let him bring a stranger into our home, Father," Emma's brows drew downward in the same fashion as David's as she looked up at him, "He's trying to replace Mother!"

David shook his head as he thought it over, not knowing how he was going to get out of it since Leopold had already announced the wedding to the kingdom, "No one is going to replace your mother, Emma."

Regina held one of her hands with the other in an attempt to stop the from shaking as she stood, letting the seamstress make some last minute adjustments to the dress the morning of the day she'd dreaded for days. She felt hollow inside, as if the fear and heartbreak had devoured her soul and left her nothing but a shell.

Daniel was dead. She watched her own mother rip his heart out right in front of her while she was helpless to do anything about it. Cora had been keeping an especially close eye on her after Leopold's visit to give his thanks for saving his granddaughter and arrange the marriage between Regina and King David.

Her mother was determined to let nothing stand in the way of Regina and the throne, so she had followed her that fateful night after seeing her darting across the castle lawn towards the stables. She hated herself for not being more careful, for putting Daniel in danger that way. She'd been a fool to think they would have gotten away with eloping, when she couldn't even manage to go to the stables without Cora guilt weighed heavily on her shoulders at the knowledge that Daniel was killed because of her; because he loved her.

And now, because of one good deed in saving that stupid girl, she was sold like an object to the King and being forced to leave her home and join a family of strangers. She stared down at the dress on her, the corset suffocating her already. Her breasts were pushed up and on display, per Cora's request for a low neck wedding dress. She felt cheap.

"Darling, you look beautiful," Cora's voice assaulted her ears as her cold hearted mother entered the room with a serene smile on her face, "King David is going to be so pleased with you. And what a gorgeous couple you'll make."

"I wouldn't know," Regina muttered after never having even seen her husband-to-be.

"You're going to have to have a better attitude than that, my girl," Cora's tone inherited a bite to it as she stepped up to her daughter, "You're about to be Queen, you'll have all of the power you want right at your fingertips. But to keep it, you must keep the King happy. Do you know how to keep the King happy, Regina?"

She felt her cheeks burn red with shame and embarrassment as her mother stared through her, as if she were trying to get her to confess to something.

"Did you let that stable boy take your purity, Regina?" Her mother asked, gripping her by the jaw with her hand, making Regina swallow hard at the lump forming in her throat. Anger, shame and hatred swirled inside her stomach, threatening to make her vomit or slap her mother, either one.

"No," Was all Regina could manage to get out, her jaw tensing under her mother's touch. She and Daniel had never went past kissing and heavy petting, which she now sorely regretted. They'd never had a chance with the fear of her mother always lingering at the notion of them getting caught.

"Good, I'd die of shame if I offered my daughter to the King and she was already used," Her let out a breath of relief, letting go of Regina's face, "You do whatever the King asks of you, Daughter. Never refuse him, he is your husband and it is your duty, do you understand?"

Her heart sank in her chest, fear and dread rising up in her chest at the thought of doing something so intimate with a stranger. But what did she have to lose anymore? Her first time meant nothing to her now, for it would never be with the one she loved. She was a prisoner to her mother's aspirations for her, there was no sense in having any dreams of her own.

David contemplated his new wife as he sat at the head table during the wedding ball. The ceremony had been short as he had requested, but there was still the pesky task of pretending to be happy while the guests danced and ate and drank to the couple. He had to admit he found this girl to be quite striking when she first started down the aisle, even now her profile beside him was rather breathtaking. She looked nervous and pale throughout the ceremony, but he figured she'd never been in front of a crowd before.

He'd expected a silly, overzealous girl who leapt at the opportunity to marry the King and live a lavish lifestyle. The brunette seemed to have an aura of sadness around her though, and while she was perfectly polite, she didn't seem to want this any more than he did. She'd only spoken a handful of words, mostly during their exchanging of vows. Her back was straight as a board as she sat in the seat beside him, acknowledging each guest who spoke to her with a kind word or a forced smile.

David didn't care about manners, though. He'd had enough wine that evening to find himself slouching in his chair in a defiant nature. He felt like he had been forced to betray Snow White with this stranger beside of him. The ball continued, people dancing and clinking drinks in toast, forgetting about the royal couple sitting stiffly without a word to each other. All he wanted to do was get stinking drunk and retire to his room. Alone.

"Mrs. Lucas will be your hand maiden, she can show you to your bed chamber when you're ready to leave the party," David nodded once, reaching for his wine as he began to get up. The brunette looked up at him rather startled as if he'd pulled her from deep thought. She pressed her lips together before nodding once.

"I'm going to bed now," He added, feeling like somewhat of a prick at the anxiety that crept up on her pretty features as she glanced around the ball at the notion of being awkwardly left alone by him. He reminded himself that she didn't have to accept this marriage offer Leopold had extended on his behalf. This girl had blindly agreed to marry him with no idea what she was getting into, just for the status. He shouldn't feel guilty.

"Your chambers will be down here," The portly lady everyone referred to as Mrs. Lucas led Regina down a dimly lit hallway of the castle, "No girl, not that one," She said with a clipped tone as Regina mistakenly turned for one of the doors, "That's Snow's room. You're never to go in that room or disturb any of her belongings or King David will be very upset."

Great, how was Regina supposed to compete with a ghost to make the King happy? She groaned internally at another twisted layer to her situation. She could tell by Mrs. Lucas' tone that she was very fond of the late Snow White, and viewed Regina as a foreigner. Like everyone did.

"Come along," The older lady chided, leading Regina into a large chamber with dark wood furniture and soft white linens, "We've got to get you ready for His Majesty."

Regina's heart stopped in her throat at what all that comment entailed. Her eyes darted towards the bed where a thin, nearly sheer nightgown laid waiting for her. She wasn't ready, but she was ready to get it over with. The thought made her stomach swirl. Was he going to come in here? Was she to go to him? Would it hurt her? What would he have her do?

"He's in his chamber, you'll go to him. Leopold said the King is not happy about this marriage, but you're to make him change his mind about that," The gray haired lady looked up at her over her glasses and Regina could see a hint of pity in her eyes, despite her seemingly abrupt demeanor.

"Oh-okay," Her voice waivered when she finally found it again, gripping the bed post when her hand maid came around behind her to start undoing the buttons on the back of her wedding dress. When she'd finished getting the dress undone and telling her where David's bedchamber was, she excused herself to allow Regina to fully strip down and change into the nightgown.

It was unlike anything she'd ever worn, much to thin and sheer for her liking. She slipped it over her head and turned to the mirror, her stomach quivering at the fact she could see the rosy tint of her nipples through the fabric. She wondered how he would treat her after being intimidated by him all evening at the ball, downing wine and only speaking a few gruff words to her.

She glanced around until she found a night coat to put on over her dress to navigate the halls in. It was time to go offer herself up to a stranger like a piece of meat. Nothing really mattered to her anymore and she forced herself to go numb. There was nothing to fear because she had nothing to lose. Not after tonight, anyway.

David was drunk, trying to comprehend what all had just happened in the past 24 hours. He was sprawled in a chair near the window of his bedchamber, drinking wine from the decanter. He'd managed to take off his outer clothing, being in nothing but a loose unbuttoned linen shirt and shorts of the same material.

He'd married another woman. A girl, only five years older than his own daughter. Granted, he and Snow were relatively young, having Emma when they were twenty, but it still didn't make him marrying a teenager feel any more appropriate to him. Fucking Leopold. He was a sleazy old bastard when he wanted to be. David was surprised he hadn't taken the girl for himself. She should be grateful for that, at least.

A creak of his bedroom door caused him to lift his head from the back of the chair he was at, scrunching up his face when the sudden movement caused his head to spin. Regina stood in his doorway silently before closing it behind her, slowly approaching his chair but stopping about five feet from him.

"What are you doing in here?" He raised an eyebrow, shocked that she would be so forward. He'd made it clear he didn't expect her to fuck him tonight when he'd left their reception early, hadn't he? Leopold would demand consummation soon enough, but David would be damned if he'd fall into it this easily.

Her red lips parted but no words came out as she looked at him, instead she reached down and untucked the sash of her night-coat. Delicate shoulders and a slim frame came into view when she pushed it off her shoulders and let it pool at her feet.

His cock twitched when his surprised eyes traveled down the length of her body, seeing hard nipples under the fabric, a taut stomach, the dark vee between her legs that made him drunkenly reconsider fucking her senseless tonight. It's not like a girl who blindly accepts a marriage proposal to a royal was an innocent virgin.

David usually wasn't this brazen, but he'd had enough wine to cloud his better judgment so he stood, approaching her casually as he slid the wine decanter on one of the nightstands nearby. He hadn't been this close to a nearly naked woman since before Snow died. He'd lost his desire when he sank into his depression, and any biological urge he had he'd taken care of himself for the most part. There were a few dalliances; fondling a lady at a masquerade ball when her lord wasn't looking, getting his cock sucked from one of the more forward chamber maids. Mostly reckless moments when he'd over indulged to blind him from the pain of his grief.

"You're quite forward, coming into my chamber unannounced," He raised an eyebrow at her, not being able to help but feel a little resentment towards her for the way she made him want to betray himself. Who was this girl? "I bet you've had plenty of experience at this, have you?" He asked her bitterly, pulling one of the strings loose of her nightgown and exposing the swell of her breasts.

When his eyes traveled from her breasts back to her face he instantly saw her flush of embarrassment, the way her chest moved at her heightened breath, the stiff and worried look in her gaze. Maybe she wasn't as experienced as he expected. It irritated him, making him feel guilty for purposely toying with her.

"Get out," He sighed, turning away from her and walking towards the window, resting his hands on the sill as he looked out over the kingdom. He missed the look of shock and embarrassment that fluttered over her features before he heard his bedroom door open and shut once more. He'd apologize tomorrow.

"That's where I sit," Regina's blonde haired stepdaughter startled her upon her entrance to the dining hall. She glanced up quickly, only being sat there waiting for Emma and David to arrive for breakfast after Mrs. Lucas had woken her up and helped her get dressed.

"I'm sorry, I'll move," Regina bit her lip, not having the courage or the energy to stand up for herself as she rose from the chair and rounded the King's chair at the head of the table to the other side, taking the one to his right. David still hadn't showed his face this morning and for that she was grateful.

Emma watched her before taking her seat, scooting up and spreading her cloth napkin over her lap, "Are you always this unkempt?"

Regina's brow furrowed and her eyes hardened towards the snotty girl who'd refused to even acknowledge her the day before, "What do you mean?"

"Your eyes are puffy, you look like death warmed over," The girl shrugged and stared at her new step-mother, "You got what you wanted, you're the queen now. The least you can do is take advantage of this lifestyle and keep yourself up."

Regina started to explode, feeling the rage shoot through her at the girls insinuation that she wanted to marry King David for money or for power, or for any other reason than that she was forced to. Before she could get a word out, she heard a grumbled "good morning" and a very rough looking king enter the room.

"Good morning, Father," She heard Emma say, but Regina could not even bring herself to look up and make eye contact with him. She'd made a fool of herself the night before, offering herself up to him on a platter only for him to reject her. The heat crept into her neck and cheeks now just thinking about it.

"I think I'll have my breakfast on the veranda," Emma glanced between the both of them, excusing herself after obviously feeling the awkward tension. It was fine with Regina, one less person to deal with. She couldn't believe she was actually thinking it, but she wished she were back home. With her coward father and her abusive mother. At least it was familiar and she knew what to expect there.

She glanced up to see David shakily pouring himself some water, glancing up at her when he felt her looking his way, "I uh…want to apologize for last night," He bit his lip, glancing towards the doorway to make sure Emma was completely gone, "I don't usually drink that much…I…I certainly don't make it a habit of behaving in that way, either."

"It's okay, I shouldn't have imposed in your personal space," Regina nodded once, used to always taking the blame growing up. It had been easier to accept things being her fault than to argue with Cora. She pushed a piece of strawberry around on her plate, keeping her eyes downcast towards it, but she could still feel him studying her.

"Why...why did you come to my room last night?" He let out a breath, leaning back in his chair to ease the awkward tension, "I left the reception with no expectations of you sharing my bed. You may have wanted this marriage, but I didn't…so let's do each other a favor; you enjoy the lifestyle you wanted and I don't expect anything from you in return, okay?"

His attitude struck a chord in Regina and a shot of anger spiked within her. She'd never been one to speak up or argue before, having been brow beaten by Cora at such a young age. But now she was dead inside, she gained nothing from being submissive and she'd be damned if anyone here thought she actually wanted to be locked up in this stone jail.

"I came to your room last night because Mrs. Lucas told me to," Regina found herself snapping at David, glaring up at his surprised expression. He humiliated her last night and then called this an apology? "I didn't get what I wanted by marrying you, my mother did. She accepted your father-in-law's proposal for me. I didn't want this marriage, either."

David shifted his square jaw as he mulled over her words, raising an eyebrow as if he were surprised at her sudden voice, "Well then…it appears we're in the same situation. What do you think we should do?"

"I'll stay out of your way. I don't want anything from you, other than permission to go riding whenever I want," She shifted her gaze back towards the table, never having bargained with someone like this before. If she was going to survive here, she had to find her backbone.

"You don't need my permission to do anything, Regina," His tone softened a bit, but she refused to look at him. The grief and heartache and frustration she felt made her edgy and more quick tempered than she usually was. She felt herself changing, felt a darkness growing inside of her. No one was going to push her around anymore.