prologue ━ elizabeth colter
( pre-season one )

❝they say you should always make
a wish when you find a well.❞

𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 above her ankles as she ran through the nearby field with the wind blowing through her dark brown locks. She was by no means the most beautiful girl in the Enchanted Forest, but to her father and mother, she was a princess.

She was born secretly to Regina Mills and Daniel Colter, the stable boy on her grandparents' estate. Nobody knew of her existence and Regina strove to ensure her daughter was kept hidden from her mother—her father adored Elizabeth. Because of her grandmother, that often meant that Elizabeth lived with her father and saw her mother whenever she was able to escape the overbearing Cora Mills.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and let the coolness of the season spread across her body as the breeze blew through her hair, bringing a soft smile to her face.

She turned her head when she heard the panicked neigh of a horse and saw a boy her age struggling to free his horse from a hole. Elizabeth hurried over to the pair and began petting the horse's mane to calm the animal.

"You're not helping in the slightest," she told the boy rather forwardly for her, given that she hardly interacted with others. "Don't pull on the reins. You need to go the hoof's level and free it from there?"

The boy looked back at her. "I beg your pardon?"

Elizabeth sighed and fell to her knees below the horse. She took the hoof in her hand and maneuvered it out of the hole, allowing the horse to run off in happiness. She chuckled softly at the animal and the boy took hold of the reins when he looked down at her. He offered her a hand which she accepted with a small smile.

"Thank you," she said, dusting off her dress and looking at the boy.

He shook his head. "I should be the one thanking you," he countered before sighing. "I never was skilled with horses. How did you know to do that?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "You learn many things when your father is the stable boy," she replied quietly and saw her father walking out of the barn. "And that is my cue to leave. You should see to it that your horse is okay after that."

The boy nodded. "I will." She smiled at him and began in the direction of the stable. "Wait!" She paused and turned her head. "I never got your name."

"You never asked."

He chuckled. "Can I ask what your name is?" he asked.

She turned around to face him and examined his expensive-looking leather jacket and riding boots before shrugging. "Elizabeth."

"Edward."

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𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 since that eventful day where Elizabeth helped rescue a horse and much had changed. Her mother had married the King and earned the nickname of the "Evil Queen." Elizabeth, as her daughter, was seen in similar lights. She was vain, cruel, and the complete opposite of Snow White, the daughter of the late King and the rightful ruler of her kingdom.

Elizabeth hated royal life.

She missed the simple life of being the stable boy's daughter and running through fields with the wind blowing through her hair. She missed being a nobody and existing through life with no troubles.

"What can I get you, miss?"

Elizabeth had been in the village when she had noticed a group of children sitting on a wall, all looking rather starved. Which was how she found herself with the local baker.

"Seven loaves of bread and seven apples, please," she replied, pulling out a bag full of coins.

"Now I can't allow a lady to pay for something so generous." Elizabeth paused when she heard the voice and turned to see a man in a green suit smiling over at her. "I'd recognize your voice anywhere, Elizabeth."

She blinked slowly at the man. "Edward?" He nodded and she smiled, quickly pulling him into a tight embrace. "Oh, it's been ages! How are you?"

"Very well," he confirmed and she pulled away. "And you are looking just as beautiful as all those years ago, if I may be so bold to say so."

"Oh, you're too kind," she said, a dark blush spreading across her cheeks. "And for your information, I am perfectly capable of paying for those goods myself."

Edward shrugged with a teasing smile. "Then you'll have to beat me to it."

She squeaked to herself as he rushed past her and handed the merchant a handful of gold before looking back at the brunette with a victorious smirk. "No fair!" she whined, crossing her arms over her chest. "I wasn't ready."

He chuckled to himself as Elizabeth took the items from the merchant and gave him an appreciative smile before starting for the door. Edward opened it and followed her toward the children who she each gave a loaf of bread and an apple. They, in turn, gave her the tightest hug they could manage.

"It seems you're making a name for yourself," Edward said as they continued through the village and Elizabeth sighed, following his gaze on the villagers. "Whatever happened to being the stable boy's daughter?"

"The stable boy was killed," she replied quietly, feeling a twinge in her chest at the mention of her late father. "And her mother married the King."

"I'm sorry."

She shrugged before glancing at the man beside her. "And you? I was not aware that King George had another son."

He nodded. "Ah, well, I'm only his son when it's to his convenience. I was the result of an affair while he was married."

"I'm sorry." Elizabeth stopped abruptly and smiled to herself before pulling the man down another path. She paused in front of a well and she retrieved a coin from her purse. "They say you should always make a wish when you find a well."

"Is that so?" Edward asked in amusement.

She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment before flicking the coin with her thumb and letting it drop to the bottom of the hole. She looked at Edward expectantly who sighed and dug out a coin from his pocket. He glanced at the woman before throwing the coin into the well.

"Do you think it will come true?" she asked him and he nodded.

"I think so." She tilted her head as he walked toward her. "I did wish that the beautiful woman beside me might consider seeing me again tomorrow."

Elizabeth shrugged, a blush returning to her cheeks. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to ask her, now would it?"

"Elizabeth..." She nodded and he chuckled. "Might I see you again tomorrow?"

"Yes."

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𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 Elizabeth and Edward met by chance again in the village and since that day, they had stolen meetings and encounters whenever they could. Elizabeth's mother did not like Edward's father, which naturally caused some issues for the two.

But it was all worth it when Edward was on one knee.

The two married quietly and privately. Nobody knew of their marriage, not even their own parents. Though they had appearances to uphold, they managed to spend their time together at an abandoned cabin in the woods that Edward had introduced her to. He was sitting by the fire when his wife burst into the room with excitement written across her face.

"Darling, what is it?"

Elizabeth let out a breath and smiled. "Tell me, what's something you've always wanted but it takes time to get?"

"Oh, Lizzie..." He sighed. "You know I'm no good at riddles."

"Just think!" she pressed, practically beaming from ear to ear. He let out a breath and pressed his lips together.

"A good pair of socks."

She paused and frowned at him. "Socks?" she repeatedly incredulously.

"You asked!"

She shook her head and took his hands in hers. "What if I told you that our family would be growing by one very soon?"

Edward looked down at her and her smile grew. "You're pregnant?" he asked and she nodded. "Truly?" A smile broke out on his face as he hugged her tightly making her laugh when he lifted her off the ground. "Oh, darling... I love you."

"I love you more."

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━ author's note:

welcome to the new and improved 'purest of hearts'!

I lost so much motivation for this story when it was originally up; the ideas weren't coming to me, writing it became a chore, and I didn't really like what I had.

so, after rewatching the show and focusing on other books, I want to bring these two back because they are my og richard/nina universe couple (check out 'i can see you' for another installment of their universe).

bear with me, the first eight chapters are the original ones with some much-needed editing. things will be added, things will be taken out, things will be changed. hopefully it will be better in the end!

thanks for sticking with me and let the adventure begin (again!)