FIVE YEARS AGO:

She hears his voice through the thick wooden door, her hand on the knob of the door moments away from leaving, and the words that reach her ears make her blood boil even though she has no idea who they were coming from:

"I don't understand what the big deal is. People die every day, so what made the queen so important that the entire kingdom has to mourn her? I've definitely heard of other monarchs, better monarchs, whose husbands don't throw balls in their honor."

"Don't talk about Queen Snow like that. You never had the honor of meeting her, and she was an incredible leader."

"I still don't know what gives King David the right to hold a ball in her honor. From what I've heard, this whole royal family will take any opportunity to have visitors, as if they can't get any otherwise. If I were King, I would hope that I wouldn't have to invite the whole realm just to get a few visitors."

They must have moved out of earshot of the library door, because Emma hears his voice finally moving away, but she had already heard too much, and for what seems like the millionth time in the past week, Emma feels the tears stinging her cheeks, and she rests her forehead against the cool wood.

Standing next to her father at the top of the stairs leading to the ballroom, she looks out over the crowd gathered below them, trying her best to keep the smile on her face.

"Emma, you are so strong, and I am so very proud of you," he whispers to her, taking her arm in his and starting down the steps. She feels her lip start to quiver with his words, but she knows she has to stay strong, not just for her or her father, but for her mother, who would rest more peacefully knowing that her loss has not broken her daughter - not publically, at least.

"How many princes do I have to dance with today? I can't promise that I can hold myself together for the rest of the night."

David leans over and kisses his daughter's cheek as they reach the bottom of the stairs, and they bow to the applauding crowd as the first song begins to play: the song that would, traditionally, be shared between the king and queen, but Emma takes her mother's place.

"Of course not, sweetie, and no one expects you to. I've only set up two dances tonight for you, and they're both right after ours. Then you just have to say the hellos with me, and you're good to go."

"Thank you, father," Emma whispers, and David twirls her around, the hem of her simple grey and silver gown twirling around her, and the guests applaud them again.

They dance together in silence for a few moments, smiling at each other and ignoring the rest of the party guests, ignoring the reason that this whole ball is being held, until David breaks the silence.

"She would have loved this, you know. You did a great job putting everything together."

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."

"But the idea of it was your idea, and brilliant. She would have hated everyone mourning her, being all sad and quiet. This is what she wanted."

"I just wish that made it easier." David looks down at his daughter as a small tear rolls down her cheek, which he catches with his thumb before it falls.

"It will get easier, Emma. But it will definitely get harder first."

"You're holding yourself together pretty well, too. What's your secret?"

"I'm only holding myself together well around, uh, other people. I have to be strong in public, for her, for you - for the kingdom. Do you know the chaos that would ensue if the king lost his cool? Even losing your wife, queen, and true love isn't enough of an excuse." He takes a deep, shaky breath and twirls her again. "But I will tell you this, Emma: I would not have held myself together if I had to plan this event."

Emma smiles up at him, but they both need her to change the subject, so she does: "Who am I dancing with?"

"Lieutenant Jones, of the Royal Navy, and Prince Neal, Gold and Princess Belle's son."

"Lieutenant Jones - doesn't he have a younger brother, a Captain?"

"Yes, but it's bad form to ask a Captain to dance with the Princess when there's a Lieutenant of a suitable age."

The smile Emma shares with her father this time is different than the one from a few moments ago, less worm and knowing and more - well, more like a fifteen year old with a crush.

Her dance with her father ends, and instead of bowing to each other, they share a warm, meaningful hug, before he leads her across the floor towards Lieutenant Jones, who smiles at her, bowing deeply, looking dapper in his naval uniform - though not as dapper as his younger brother, who smiles at her from behind the Lieutenant.

Her dance with the sailor is short, smooth, and silent on her end: when the music begins and they begin to move across the floor, she asks him about his travels, his time in the navy, and he speaks of them for the rest of the song - though she doesn't mind. He's cute, rugged, and she can feel the ripples of his muscles through his uniform as he leads her across the dance floor, and around the world with his stories.

The song ends, and they bow to each other, sharing a sparkling smile. The crowd applauds them, and David winks at her from across the ballroom.

However, her dance with the Prince does not go as smoothly. He bows to her, a smile on his face that makes her stomach churn uncomfortably. Something about him throws her off, but she can't place it - until he speaks to her.

"I'm sorry about your mother, Princess." Something about his voice is insincere, something Emma can always tell - her gift. But there's more, something behind the voice, something that sounds so familiar, and she places it when he continues: "Queen Snow truly was spectacular, and the whole realm will miss her."

With this, she recognizes the voice from earlier, who she heard talking outside the library. This was the one that made her blood boil, the one that talked so rudely about her mother while standing in her castle. She fights a momentary internal battle: she can make a scene, call him out for his rudeness earlier that day; or she can stay quiet, get through this dance, and never speak to the Prince again. While, deep inside, she wants to burst apart, blow up at the boy standing in front of her, who has the nerve to speak to her, she decides to stay quiet, grinds her teeth through the rest of the dance, and leaves him at the end of the dance - then doesn't think about him again for almost five years.

PRESENT DAY:

"Emma, I am done having this conversation with you," David exclaims, pushing himself off of his chair at the table so quickly that it clatters to the floor behind him. "Your wedding is tomorrow, and that's that."

"What happened to true love? You, of all people, are the biggest advocate for true love, and forcing me into a marriage makes you a hypocrite!"

His eyes, hard at first, grow soft, sad, staring straight through Emma.

"And do you see where that got me?", he asks softly, after a moment. "Ruling a kingdom I didn't want to rule - not even my kingdom - all by myself, because we were so sure that we could get through anything together." David goes to sit back down, realizes that his chair is still on the floor, so instead begins pacing. "I know what it's like to find your one true love, yes. But I also - I know what it's like to lose your one true love, too, Emma. And if it means I can stop you from this heartbreak by agreeing to this marriage, then I absolutely will."

"But dad - "

"No, Emma. Now, off to bed. You have a big day tomorrow."

"Dad, you can't - "

But he is already out the door, more than done with the conversation. She does what she was asked, however slowly, and makes her way through the castle to her chambers, where at this time tomorrow, she would be entering with Prince Neal, a man who she not only does not love, but hates, more than anyone she's ever met - and she's met a lot of people. Walking through the same hallway that she heard his voice for the first time, Emma comes to a decision, one that she knows might change her life forever - but it's much better than the alternative.

She begins to run through the hallways, her bare feet padding on the cold stone floors, making a mental list of the things she has to take with her. All she has to do when she reaches her chambers is toss everything in a small bag, lace up her most comfortable shoes - her riding boots - and write her father a short note, since she at least owes him that:

Father,

I love you and appreciate everything you have done for me, but I can't do this. I understand where you're coming from, but you're so blinded with your love for Mother that you can't bring yourself to see just how much I cannot marry Prince Neal. I will be safe, and I will be back, so don't waste resources to try to find me. I do not know yet where I am going, but I know that I cannot stay here.

Love Always,

Emma