Regina was born to a noble house, but had no prospects for the throne before she happened to save a young Snow White from a runaway horse. Snow’s father, King Leopold, was so taken with Regina’s courage and beauty, that he proposed marriage to her almost immediately. Regina’s mother, Cora, accepted eagerly, and murdered Regina’s lover, Daniel, to make sure her daughter wasn’t distracted. Regina blamed Snow White for revealing the love affair to her mother, Cora, and became bent on revenge. Things got worse when Rumplestiltskin offered to teach her dark magic as a means to get what she wanted. Soon Regina became the corrupt and wicked Evil Queen who would stop at nothing to tear out Snow White’s heart. But when she was defeated by Princess Snow White and Prince Charming, she enacted The Dark Curse and transported everyone to a land where the only happy ending would be her own.