Dear diary, I Emma Swan, pardon me, I Princess Emma Swan am officially a college graduate! I still can't believe 5 years ago Grandma Ruth told me that I was of royal blood. 5 years! If you haven't already noticed, I am trying to sound as eloquent and proper as I can. It's harder than it looks… Leroy just informed me that we've arrived in Misthaven. I'm super excited to be back, but also nervous. Now that I am 21, I'm of age to take the throne. Grandma Ruth is getting old and she's ready to step down and pass the crown along. By the end of the year I'll be Queen Emma Elizabeth Swan of Misthaven. Super exciting right? Wrong. Well partly. It's insanely terrifying. I know I studied diplomacy and political science at school, but there is no course in 'queen' or how to run a country 101. No worries, Ruth is going to help me and I'll take over when she thinks I'm ready. Whenever that is. Though I've come a long way from the tomboy Emma she first met who liked to hide in the shadows and occasionally break the rules when no one was watching, I still don't think I'm quite ready to be Queen Emma. Until then I get to live in a large ass castle with literally anything I can dream of! Well everything except wifi. I love Misthaven and its people, but it's not small country somewhere in Europe that is not technology advanced. They're kinda… old world if you will. Sometimes, most times they're just not quite caught up in 'modern times'. Any who, I must leave the comfort of my private limousine to venture into the belly of the wolves. Tonight is my 21st birthday party. Tradition say that I have to dance with every eligible bachelor in Misthaven. So maybe I'll meet my prince Charming tonight? Until next time.

Emma

"The Queen is coming. She's on her way. Look alive!" Ingrid warned the guards as she passed them in the halls, feet in front of her royal highness. "She'll have a double doors entrance." She nodded and stood next to Leroy as they watched the queen glide down the hallway. Queen Ruth always carried herself in such a way that one would mistake her for an angel. Her peach dress sparkled as the stars in the midnight sky, similar to the crown that rest sponsored her head.

Leroy, the head of security, stepped forward and kissed the queen's gloved hand. "Beautiful as always my queen. But you're late."

Waving her hand her in dismissal, Ruth smiled. "Nonsense. A queen is never late. Everyone else is simply early." She entered through the double doors as she was being announced into the room.

"Her majesty, Ruth Ariella Fern Swan Queen of Misthaven!"

When the trumpets quieted the queen welcomed her guests to her granddaughter's 21st birthday celebration.

XXX

Emma hurried as quickly as she could in her red ball gown down the long halls, following a female servant to the ballroom. She had to readjust her slipping tiara on the way multiple times. Emma was just grateful that her dress was long enough to cover her new, red converse sneakers. At least they matched her dress and they were slightly heeled. But only slightly. There was no way she was going to be wearing heels, especially if they expected her to dance all night long. She slowed down as she approached the tall double doors that led to the ballroom. Her anxiety intensified the closer she got to the ball awaiting her on the other side of the thick, wooden door. She took a deep breath, calming her raging heart and nodded to the guardsmen. They open the doors as someone already on the inside of the room introduced her.

"Her majesty Emma Elizabeth Swan Princess of Misthaven!"

The large room erupted in applause. Emma smiled at the people over the banister. She could do this.

"To Princess Emma!" Her grandmother raised her flute and nodded towards her granddaughter.

"To Princess Emma!" The crowd repeated as they toasted.

Yeah, she could totally do this.

XXX

She couldn't do this. Emma had was on her 7th dance with the bachelors and each proved to each have their own complications.

"Je ziet er mooi uit vanavond. Ik ben blij dat ik je heb leren kennen." Emma's dance partner spoke.

"Oh! I don't speak.. Dutch?"

"De muziek klinkt uitstekend." He continued.

"And you obviously don't speak any English." Emma sighed.

Her next partner was so worried about counting the steps that he looking at his feet the entire time and all of his movements were very jerky and choppy. The poor champ who had to dance after him was worse then any of the men she'd danced with tonight. He was going all out trying to impress her. The saddest part about it all was that they all thought they were great dancers. If Emma had to take ballroom dancing 101, then so should the bachelors she was forced to dance with.

Emma was getting tired of all the horrible dancing partners and despite the lack of heels, her feet were beginning to hurt. She figured if this was her party she should at least be able to do whatever she wanted. Emma slowly made her way to the table that displayed her large, black and white birthday cake. Granny went all out on this one. It was decorated with candy branches and frosted flowers. She looked over each shoulder to be sure no one currently watching her and took a small spoon of cake. Emma wasn't too worried about getting caught, the guards couldn't kick her out. She was a princess after all.

"Granny's not going to be too happy about you picking at the cake she worked so hard at." A familiar voice spoke from behind Emma, causing her to jump. "You've lost your game Swan."

"Ruby!" Emma pulled her friend in for a bone crushing hug. Ruby helped her grandmother who works in the royal kitchens. They were both about the same age, which was a big deal since everyone who either lived or worked in the castle was over the age 40. Ruby was Emma's 'go to' when it came to traditions in Misthaven. And the only reason why Emma survived the first time she came to their small country. The two stuck together like glue when ever Emma visited. "What are you doing up here? I figured you'd be in the kitchens helping Granny."

"I did for a while, but I had a party to get to!! Happy birthday Em!" Ruby squealed as they began weaving through the crowd. Emma smiled back at her friend, not paying attention to where she was going. She crashed into someone, stepping on their foot in the process. "Oh! Your foot! I'm so sorry. Are you ok?" Emma apologized. Her heart stopped for a moment when she finally caught sight of who she'd run into. The first thing she noticed was his sparkling, blue eyes that could turn a thousand heads. His pale skin contrasted from his silky, midnight hair. His facial hair was a trimmed scruff, if scruff could be trimmed. He was clean. Handsome. And talking to her. Pay attention Emma!

"I'll survive, your majesty. The fault was completely of my own. My apologies." The young, handsome stranger spoke with an Irish? accent. She Emma didn't care where it was from, she simply wanted to hear him talk.

"You sure you don't want to trade insurance information just in case?" Emma joked.

"Ahh. These shoes were far too large anyway. The swelling should help them fit better." He smiled before he side stepped and continued on his way. Emma watched him walk way and offer his arm to another young lady with her long, dark hair in a fancy half up due. The two of them made eye contact from across the room. She seemed to cling on to his arm in an almost possessive manner, silently letting the princess what was hers.

Emma quickly turned back to her friend, slightly embarrassed for being caught starring. Apparently his date wasn't the only one who noticed. Ruby smirked at Emma and raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"Don't. He's already taken."

XXX

"Have you met the princess?" The duchess of Stockesay queried.

"I have. Though she does not seem to be very friendly." Lady Marina sniffed.

"All I got was a 'hello' and a 'goodbye'. Do you suppose it's an American custom?" Another duchess supplies as they eyed the princess from afar. None of the women noticed the queen's frown as she over heard their conversation. Granddaughter was going to need a lot of work before she became queen.

As the night grew on, Emma finally made it to the last group of bachelors. They were a nightmare.

Sir Jonathan Quinn Roderick Baron: terrible dancer. He traveled from some country Emma couldn't remember the name of and wanted to honor her with his country's most popular dances. If this was the most popular dances, then his country was screwed.

Sir Lancelot of Camelot: Gentlemen and in love with Lady Guinevere, but she's engaged with King Arthur of Camelot. Emma wasn't able to get the whole story in one dance, but she was able to get a decent dance partner and possibly a new friend.

Prince Nicholas Hansel Zimmer of Cumberland: 4'11, 12 year old, and a huge flirt.

"If this were my party we'd be kissing already." Nicholas commented as they danced. "Can I whisper in your ear?"

"Can you even reach it?" Emma raised her eyebrows. Nicholas reached up onto the tip of his toes and sighed when he couldn't reach her ear.

Emma's current dancing partner was the Duke of Weaselton. By far the worst dancer of the night. He attempted to converse with her while giving them both whiplash by constantly and randomly dipped the both of the sideways. Emma didn't want to embarrass her grandmother or the Duke by make a scene and abandoning her dance partner.

"You dance beautifully. Like a peacock or gazelle." The Duke commented.

"Oh! Wel…"

Suddenly the dipping stopped. "Excuse me. May I have dance with her highness." A smooth, accented voice interrupted.

Emma looked over Weaselton's shoulder and her eyes met with the brightest ocean blue eyes. It was the foot guy.

"Why of course!" Weaselton bowed then left to find another dance partner.

"Your timing couldn't be better." Emma smiled at her blue eyed stranger. "Thanks."

"It's was my pleasure, your highness."

"Emma."

"Hmm?"

"I prefer to be called Emma." Emma spun out and back into his arms. "And… you might be?"

"Killian. Just Killian."

"Well Killian, I'm happy my clumsiness hasn't affected your dancing." Emma flirted. "Sorry again for stepping on your foot."

"You can step on my foot whenever you like." Killian flirted back.

Emma felt her cheeks heat up. She's actually blushing. What's wrong with her. She never gets this way about anyone. Emma looks over his shoulder and noticed the shadow standing at the edge of the dance floor. "I don't think your date is too happy about you dancing with me." Emma comments.

"Who? Regina?" He looks over to where the young brunette was standing alone, scowling at Emma. "She can survive on her own for a dance or two."

Emma and Killian had three dances before another gentleman stepped in asking for a dance with the princess. Her new partner turned out to be a decent dancer and was probably a cool person, but Emma wouldn't know. She kept her eyes on the handsome stranger with the blue eyes. He seems to be looking for his date. Emma watched him kiss her hand when he finally caught up with her. His date ripped her hand from his grasp and stormed away. Part of Emma's felt bad for probably ruining the poor girl's night and maybe put a damper in their relationship, but another more selfish part of Emma hoped that he was now truly an eligible bachelor. Once Killian and his date were far enough out of Emma's sight, she turned to her current dance partner and blushed when she realized the dance had come to an end and she'd paid him no attention.

"Sorry." Emma quickly apologized to her partner before she left him on the dance floor.

She was completely exhausted and was beginning to love the idea of sleeping in for 3 days straight. Emma leaned towards Ingrid trying to show an image of elegance while they stood next to the lords and Dukes. "Home many more dances? My feet are killing me and I'm ready to sleep."

"Only two more your highness. And then you can sleep the night away." Ingrid smiled.

"What night? It's practically gone." Emma mumbled under her breath.

"Princess!" Jumba Jookiba exclaimed from beside her. "There someone from Parliament you should really meet." He gestured for her to follow him as he began walking away. Emma trusted Jumba. He was a close family friend and ambassador for the small Hawaiian kingdom in Kauai. He'd been the one to give her a quick briefing on the basics of politics and gave her a general understanding of how a court runs. Her grandmother trusted him with her life, it wasn't long after Emma first came to court that she soon realized that she did as well. If Jumba said there are people she should meet, then she would meet with them.

Emma weaved her way through the crowd after Jumba, but it wasn't long lieutenant Emma's clumsiness kicked in. She wasn't paying attention to her surroundings and dumbed her head against an empty plate one of the servers up high, knocking off her tiara. An older woman standing near by caught it before it crashed to the floor.

"Oof! Shoot!" Emma mumbled as she fumbled about.

The waiter's eyes literally popped out of his head when he realized it was the princess he'd ran into.

"Your Majesty! My deepest apologizes!" The waiter hastily began apologizing. "I am terribly sorry. It was only an accident. I didn't mean-"

"It's fine. Really. It's ok. No harm, no foul right?" The waiter nervously nodded and scurried off incase Emma decided to change her mind. Emma turned to the woman that held her crown. "Thanks. I mean thank you."

"You should be more careful my dear." The older woman smiled as the put Emma's crown back where it belonged. By the look of the slight wrinkle in skins and graying of her dark brunette hair, she couldn't be older than 50. She wore an elegant, deep maroon, lace dress. She was clearly of high standing and carried herself that way too. Emma felt the need to stand straighter by being in her presence. "Someone might try and take it away from you."

"I'd hope not, but um thank you for this." Emma smiled politely and continued on her way after Jumba.

"Lesson one. Always watch your back dear. You never know what one might try and take from you." The last words of the older brunette were left unheard by the young princess. It's a wonder how danger can look you in the eye and never suspect a thing. The universe has a way of revealing one true nature over time. "You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." Max Ehrmann.

XXX

Dutch translation: You look lovely tonight. I am glad to have made your acquaintance. The music is excellent.I don't speak Dutch, so I hope everything translated correctly. I hope you all enjoy! let me know if I should continue. SD