Okay, so this idea came to me while writing my other story Storybrooke High (Those of you who have read SH may recognise parts of it from the dream scene ;) ) I liked it, so I am turning it into a story of it's own. I hope you enjoy.

It is going to be full of Regina sass, so although there may be a couple of dramatic chapters, expect humour and fun. xxx :)

Here she was again, at one of her mother's stupid fancy balls, she was forcing a smile as she stood in the corner of the room, chatting to other royalists. She hated it, the whole thing was fake, insincere even, she never felt lonelier than when she attended these dumb functions. Her mother forced her to attend these painful things, wanted her to find a suitable husband, a suitable husband on her mother's account was a rich husband. Most of the rich bachelors weren't anything to be desired for, sure they had money and status, but they had nothing to them, no personality, no charm or witty sense of humour.

Regina wanted to marry someone her own age, someone who liked her for her personality more than for wanting what was underneath her fancy frocks, because let's face it, that's what half the men here were after, a pretty little virgin. Yes, she did fit the bill, but she had something that they didn't want, she had the fire, the sass, everything a rich man despised in women. She was too bold and audacious for most, not quiet enough, she wouldn't be silenced by some silly middle aged man who wore a toupe and probably snored in his sleep.

It wasn't what she wanted, she wanted someone who was younger, someone who could keep up with her, someone she could have intelligent conversations with, without him judging her as a woman whose opinion didn't matter. A sense of humour was vital, if there was no sense of humour then she would find herself bored for the rest of her day and would probably be forced to knit or something depressing like that. She wanted someone who would race with her, go riding, someone who would love her for her, without wanting her to be some pretty little trophy wife, because she was far from it.

She might not look it on the outside, but on the inside she was a woman who wanted to be free, she wanted to fall in love and not have a care in the world. She wanted everything, she could settle for no less. He would have to love her back, otherwise what would be the point, she wouldn't be wife to someone who was running off to their mistress. She needed someone who would love her for her. Her standards were high and she knew that, but it was her father's fault, the way he allowed her overbearing mother to be free was admirable. But as much as she loved him, she would never be like her mother, never trample down her husband. What Regina wanted was an equal relationship, where they both held as much power as one another.

She smoothed down her light blue ball gown, as she saw yet another young nobleman looking at her, attempting to catch her eye, she shook her head and took a glass off a tray that one of the butlers were carrying and downed the alcoholic beverage in one go.

"Regina." Her mother spat coming up behind her "That was not very lady like."

"I was thirsty." She argued rolling her eyes as she noticed that her mother wasn't alone, stood beside her was a boy with dark hair, who looked barely a day over fourteen. Now this was the other category of suitors her mother presented to her, sure there was no toupe, but he probably didn't have hair in other places yet, so that would be an astounding achievement. Regina looked at him, not smiling, she simply sighed and shook her head.

"Regina, this is Lord Cassidy."

"Lady Regina, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He stated taking her hand and placing a kiss on it.

"Likewise." She curtsied, in her usual way. She was right, his voice hadn't even broken, he was simply a pubescent child whose eyes were lingering on her breasts, did his parents not teach him that it was rude to stare, what was it with young boys and their complete and utter fascination with breasts?

On her way to stand upright, her breath caught as she spotted someone walking through the door, immediately everything vanished and she was concentrating solely on him. His dark blonde hair, perfectly styled and his stubble a refreshing change, from either the clean shaven baby faced boys and the long bearded old men. The boy her mother was introducing her to at that precise moment was most certainly one from the first category, totally dull and from the look on her mother's face, she was to be lumbered with him for the rest of the night, feeling more like a babysitter than someone who was supposed to be meeting a suitor.

"I trust you will make Lord Cassidy feel welcome." Cora stated, addressing her daughter who was all of a sudden brought out of her trance, forcing herself to look away from the handsome stranger.

"Sorry?" she asked.

"Lord Cassidy." Cora shook her head; her daughter was so easily distracted.

"Oh yes, nice to meet you." She nodded, looking around him and noticing that the stranger had disappeared. "Would you excuse me for a brief moment?" she asked, before he could answer she made a beeline for the door. On her way she bumped into her father.

"Sweetheart, where are you rushing off to?"

"That man." She shook her head "Do you know who he is?"

"What, Lord Cassidy?"

"No, not him, the man who just came in." She floundered, where had he gone? He had been there a minute ago, maybe it was her mind playing tricks on her, maybe she had drunk too much, but she could have sworn that she saw him, the man who had literally squeezed the air from her lungs.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I have no idea who you're talking about."

"Never mind." She rushed over to the old doorman "Bertie!" She grabbed his hands, he was their butler, so she knew him well, he was the man who had the unfortunate responsibility to be at her mother's beck and call. She had always loved him and he was so kind to her, somewhat like she imagined a grandfather would be.

"Miss." He greeted, smiling at her as he lightly squeezed her hands.

"Bertie, who was he?" she asked.

"Who?"

"The man, he had dark blonde hair, stubble, white shirt, brown leather?"

"Oh, do you mean Robin of Locksley?" He grinned.

"He's a lord?" she asked, as that registered in her mind.

"Yes mam, he is a prince to be precise, prince of Sherwood."

"Really, how interesting." She moved her long hair behind her ear. "Thank you Bertie." She kissed his cheek lightly.

"Your welcome miss." He nodded knowingly as she hurried off.

Coming back over to Lord Cassidy Regina quickly apologised, before he began to bore her with conversation, all she was doing was looking for the mysterious man. When she heard the lord laugh about something he had just said, she instinctively forced laughter along with him, turning to look at him she saw where his eyes were directed. "Excuse me sir."

"Yes?"

"Can I please teach you a life lesson?" Regina asked.

He frowned at her but nodded nonetheless "When trying to woo a lady, it is best that you keep your eyes away from, this area..." She gestured to the swell of her breasts over the top of the blue dress. "And more up here." she pointed to her eyes.

He looked at her wide eyed and she saw his cheeks turn scarlet, someone had to tell him before it was too late. She laughed to herself before looking back up and spotting the man again, this Robin of Locksley. This time seemingly he had noticed her also and was staring directly at her, her heart fluttered as his eyes washed over her. Meeting her eyes, he tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrows and mouthed 'have we met?'.

She shook her head 'no' she mouthed back.

He ran his hand through his hair before starting to make his way towards her. "Excuse me." She widened her eyes, up close he was even better looking, and his voice was like music to her ears. His bright blue eyes captivated her and rendered her speechless. "Would you care to dance?" He asked.

"Dance?" She asked, her mouth dry at the thought of him holding her.

"Yes, you know moving to music, together." He smirked at her.

Her mouth morphed into a smile as she lowered her head and nodded "I would love to dance." With that she took his hand and left Lord Cassidy stood alone, rather flabbergasted, not only had he just been completely embarrassed by her, but she had bailed on him for someone who was probably his age and then half again.

"I thought you looked as though you needed saving milady." he smirked.

Her mind was dizzy, the close proximity of him was doing things to her and his hand on her waist was causing her skin to set alight, even though it was covered by the thick material of her corset. "Oh no, well, I suppose I did, Thank you. But I don't even know your name." She lied, he hadn't told her his name, but that didn't mean that she didn't know it.

"Exciting isn't it." He laughed.

"Really?" She smirked, so he was into mystery, interesting.

"It's Robin." he shook his head, looking down to the ground for the briefest moment before meeting her eyes again, his lip between his teeth in the most dorky and adorable way. Not once had his eyes moved to her breasts, something she was impressed at, for it seemed to be the first place most of the men she had met in these circles looked.

"Bit informal don't you think?" She quipped.

"Why not live while we're young? Do you have a name?"

"Regina." She smiled "But please whatever you don't call me lady Regina, I despise it so."

"Lady Regina? Of?"

She rolled her eyes "Here." She nodded "Right here."

"Oh so this is your party."

"My party?" she laughed. "I suppose so, if that's what you call something where my mother forces all eligible, rich, bachelors here in attempt to marry me off to them, no matter how old, or young in his case." She gestured back towards the boy she had been stood with earlier.

"Ah I see you're a daughter whose mother wants to marry rich."

"Yes, that's exactly right." She shook her head "But that boy seemed to be more interested in starting at my, assets as you might want to call them."

"How distasteful." He laughed. "I hope you put him in his place."

"I did." She chuckled as she felt Robin's grip tighten around her hand and he rose a single eyebrow.

When it came to part of the dance where they changed partners. Robin quickly swapped places with the guy next to him, so she was still dancing with him. "That is not how this dance goes." She shook her head, chuckling at him. He must be interested in her if he was willing to mess up the flow of the dancing.

"Well, I asked you to dance, I don't want to dance with Lady Pricilla of Pomperdon."

"Really?" she laughed "Is that her name?" Regina asked.

"No, I have no idea what her name is, but look at the dress."

"Tell me about it." Regina looked at the puffy, ruffle dress the girl next to her was wearing, it was truly terrible. "It's bad isn't it."

"Just a little." He smiled as her hand touched his and she circled him, keeping eye contact. "Your dress on the other hand milady, is exceptional."

She looked to the ground nervously before looking back at him and shaking her head. "So you know where I am from, what about you?"

"Sherwood. My father wanted me to marry an eligible young lady."

"Is that so?" So he was looking for a wife, that was good, she too was looking for an eligible suitor, not by choice but by necessity.

"Yes, well, he gave me two days, two days to find my soulmate, the perfect one, otherwise, it's arranged marriage time."

She saw the glimmer in his eye fade a touch "Sounds familiar, however my mother, probably wouldn't let me have much say in the matter." She rolled her eyes.

"So you're in need of a husband then?" He asked, the glimmer immediately returning and then some.

"Yes, not out of choice either."

"And I'm in need of a wife, not out of choice, fancy getting married?" he joked.

"Why not." She laughed shaking her head "Seriously though, how are you going to find the one in two days?"

He smiled "Shouldn't be too difficult."

She felt her breath caught, what was that supposed to mean? "So sure?" she asked raising her eyebrows at his smugness. "I didn't see you come in with anyone."

"I didn't, but..." he pulled her closer to him "there's this beautiful girl you see and she just offered so, I may just have to go for it." He laughed, moving on the next guy, so that he was still dancing with her.

"You must be serious about this girl, considering you've just deprived her of two chances to meet the one." She was flirting, shamelessly so, but she felt the connection the immediate spark and wanted to know where this was going, maybe he was the man she had been looking for, the man she dreamt about.

"Well, she caught my eye, I fell instantly."

"Fell? Ooh you should be careful; we wouldn't want you getting hurt." She flung back.

"Oh don't worry, it didn't hurt, I was quite happy for the sensation."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is." He nodded "I just rejected Lady Pricilla's sister Lady Ruff Ella for this girl."

"Ruff Ella?" She laughed, turning to glance at the woman next to her with a ruffled dress "Wow, that's great."

"Plenty more where that came from milady."

"Me then, what would I be?"

"Stunning?" he asked "Beautiful? The most gorgeous woman I have ever seen?"

"Oh, I was expecting something more creative than that." She huffed, before grinning at him, his words made her feel like she was walking on air.

When they came to move on the next time Robin took her hand and stated to the elderly man "We are rather tired of dancing sir, please excuse us."

She furrowed her eyebrows at him, what was he doing? She suddenly felt nervous, her stomach was fluttering. "What are you doing?" she asked as he pushed open the doors onto the large balcony of her castle.

"Nice view." He stated looking at the lights that spanned for miles in the distance.

She sighed and shook her head, she often looked out across the land and wished to be free. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live down there, in the village? Escape these dumb balls?"

He smiled at her "Every day, shall we run for it?"

"Let me just change out of this dress." She laughed as they made their way down the left side of concrete steps, into the rose garden. She knew this area was off limits and she would be in a lot of trouble if anyone caught them out here unchaperoned.

"I'm serious." He quipped his hand finding hers.

"So am I." she nodded, her breath catching. What was she doing, she couldn't just run away with a man she had just met, but he seemed so genuine so sincere, she would gladly elope with him. She was crazy, she knew she was, but the effect he had on her made her that way, made her lose all her inhibitions.

"You really want to give up this life?"

"I would do anything to give up this life and find love in my own right, to not have to be dictated by my mother on every step of my life." She sighed, it was the truth, she would give up everything for true love, she knew it was a stupid fantasy and would never be a reality, but she would never stop dreaming.

"I'm glad I didn't give up on balls just yet, but after tonight, maybe I won't have to attend another. I was serious when I said that I had two days, that was two days ago." Robin huffed. "I've travelled through the lands, but haven't been able to find anyone as truly fascinating as you are. I really do not want an arranged marriage." He sighed. "I know this is probably a lot to ask of you, but I would be a faithful husband, I would show you love, would you…"

"Yes." She answered not even waiting for him to finish, knowing where he was going and she couldn't not believe him when he looked at her that way.

"Regina you didn't even hear me out."

"I don't need to." She smiled, her holding both his hands in her own, casting him a large smile "you can't marry someone your parents choose for you and I can't either, I want to decide and I think I have."

"You've known me less than fifteen minutes." He chuckled.

"And I already like you more than anyone I have ever met."

"Truly?"

"Yes truly, I feel as though I have known you a lifetime."

"Are you sure? I mean it's not simply courting; my father expects me to get married immediately. Well, maybe a month or so of courting before the wedding."

She nodded "When you walked through that door, my heart stopped for a brief moment."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Mine too."

She smiled at him, he had felt it too, the electricity, the magnetic pull. "Are we doing this?"

"It's mad."

"It sure is and I love it." She bit her bottom lip.

He stopped and moved some of her hair behind her ear before leaning in and placing a soft kiss to her lips, a spark immediately hit the both of them causing a tingling sensation on their lips and a sudden tightening of their hearts as though they had found their other half. "Robin, did you?"

"Yep." He kissed her again his arms wrapping around her as hers went around his neck, luxuriating in the feeling of his hands in her hair, and their lips brushing against each other's. He pulled her tightly against him, as slowly the kiss heated and she found herself allowing him entrance to her mouth, never had she been kissed in such a way, it was extremely sensual and awakened feelings within her, feeling she had never before experienced. Breaking apart breathless she gasped.

"That was…" he ran his own hand through his hair "The best kiss I have ever had." He admitted.

"Me too." She giggled as he brushed his lips lightly across hers, touching their foreheads. She mused that she could just stand here in his embrace forever and never tire of it.

"Come on." He released her from his arms and pulled her hand.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"I need to ask your father permission."

This was crazy, they were actually going to get married, what if they found out after tonight that they despised each other, that immediate chemistry didn't mean that they would have a successful marriage? But Cora Mills was determined to marry her off and if Regina could have a choice, chose who she was to marry, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad and she wouldn't be stuck in a marriage with someone she wasn't mildly attracted to. Regina was definitely attracted to Robin, he ignited feelings within her, feelings that she hadn't ever felt towards anyone. "Right, daddy." She smiled "That shouldn't be a problem, trust me, it's my mother you have to worry about."

"Nah, as long as I have permission from your father, it doesn't matter what your mother says."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that; my mother is a force to be reckoned with." She knew it to be the truth and she also knew that her mother liked to choose her suitors and she hadn't chosen Robin, which was somewhat surprising for Regina as he was a wealthy prince.

'I'll happily take her on, if it means I will be able to win your hand." He nodded as they walked back into the great hall, holding hands.

"Daddy." Regina called as they came up behind the older man. "this is…"

"Robin of Locksley, Richard's son." Henry laughed shaking Robin's hand.

"Yes sir, in fact I have something to ask of you."

"You want my daughter's hand?" Henry stated.

"Well yes." Robin furrowed his eyebrows as he shared a confused look with her.

"Of course my boy."

"Really? Just like that?" Regina asked. Why was her father not questioning him more? He had just simply agreed to the union, signed her away just like that.

"You passed the test."

"What test?" She continued.

Another man came out from behind the curtain "The two of you have been betrothed since birth."

"Wait what? Father?"

"Father?" Regina asked looking at Robin.

"Regina, I promised you to Richard's son on the condition that you both chose each other."

"What?" She had already been betrothed and she hadn't known it, how was that fair? She hadn't even been given a choice, but she had been, she had made her choice and her choice just happened to be the right choice, she had chosen Robin without prior knowledge to this arrangement.

"It was destined that our two houses would be joined, through you."

"Us?" Robin asked.

"Yes, the prophet told us that our children would share the truest love this world had ever seen." Henry informed them. "That they would rule fairly and just, removing the tyrant king and controlling the whole of the kingdom."

Regina shook her head, this was a lot to take in, how could it be, she had been instantly drawn to him the minute he had walked into the room, did that mean that he was her soulmate? "So Robin and I were predestined to fall in love, is that what you are telling me?"

"Yes, exactly, this is why I sent Robin off for those two days, I knew that his heart would somehow lead him here, to you." Richard stated, smiling at the two.

"And it did." Robin nodded, turning to look at her.

"Indeed." She was astounded, she and Robin were destined to be together, was it true love? She wasn't sure yet, but seemingly she would find out, she would be marrying him, that was all she knew. That made her feel both excited and nervous. As for the second part of the prophecy, she didn't know about that, taking on King Leopold, it wasn't done, he was the most powerful king in the land and had crushed many attempts to overthrow him, so why would their fathers think that they, two young adults, would be able to succeed where so many others had failed?

She looked up at the man stood next to her and shook her head, she was going to marry Robin of Locksley, the prince of Sherwood and she couldn't have been happier about it; but she had a feeling that they had a lot coming their way, a lot they would have to get through, together.

Let me know what you thought, it means a lot to hear what you think. :) xxx