Ya dearies can explain it all you like, but fictional fact is that fictional soldier man, like young Rumpel, probably had a fictional wife and family before he died at the end of Snow’s sword. He became a fictional soldier to put a fictional roof over their heads, and fictional bread on the table. He was a fictional person… His fictional life is just as important as Regina’s or Cora’s.
And if OuaT states that taking a life changes someone, than either Snow is already changed or killing does not change you. Come on Adam & Eddie! Consistency!