Board Thread:Show-Related Questions and Answers/@comment-68.178.85.92-20130519233022/@comment-4839682-20130520034253

It's been my personal theory that the Curse acts on behalf of Regina's subconscious. Regina may not have wanted Cora there in Storybrooke... but her subconscious need for Cora's approval would. But Regina tried to have her killed so she would have nothing left when she enacted the curse.

As for Anton... the Beanstalk is likely in the area Cora protected ;)