Hmm. Is it possible that after she married Henry and had Regina that Rumple went back into her life in some way. I maintain that the reason he asked for her child is that he saw at least enough into the future to know that it was her kid who enacts the dark curse. I guess he assumed that it was his kid or that he would be the one teaching her or something.
Henry knew later on because he tells Regina that a man from Cora’s past is the one she needed to see about learning magic, but didn’t Rumple once say that he knew Regina when she was “more portable”?? Doesn’t that mean that he came in to check on them at least once, and maybe taught Cora something new at that time / gave her the spellbook?
It would seem weird since he was so hurt but it’s either that or we just never saw him giving her the spellbook in and amongst her other short lessons and then the Regina line would still have to be after. Did he say he SAW her or HELD her when she was more portable? He could have sneaked in to watch at a royal event or something but I was thinking he said held. I remember the hand motions but can’t remember if it was to show she was a baby or if he really held her as one. I definitely need to do a season rewatch next hiatus to gear up for the finale.
Keeper of Hook's Trenchcoat.