A/N: completely my own version although I do not own anything to do with Once Upon A Time or Cinderella (unfortunately!)

Characters and their counterparts:

Cinderella/Regina

Evil Mother/Cora

Evil Sister/Zelena

Father/Henry Sr (mentioned in flashbacks)

Queen/Snow

King/Charming (better known as David)

Princess/Emma

Fairy Godmother/Tinkerbell

Own additional characters:

Evil brother/Neal

Princess' maid/Red (better known as Ruby)

Castle cook/Granny (still Ruby's grandmother)

Cousin/Belle

Princess' brother/Henry Jr

Other characters may make appearances as guests but I do not promise.

Apologies if any of these characters seem to have a weird counterpart but I thought they seem to match for where I want the story to go.

Enjoy! :)

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Chapter 1

The King and Queen's Castle - Light Kingdom.

Sat on top of the small, wooden, kitchen table down in the servant's quarters, Princess Emma leaned across the worn out surface to grab a slice of bread from the chopping board, gaining a scold from the Granny.

"Princess!"

Giving a cheeky grin, the blonde swings her legs as she tucks into the slice she stole before questioning the older woman. "Granny? What made you decide to become a cook in the castle?"

Chuckling, the older woman with rounded spectacles on a chain pauses briefly with the bread knife and looks towards the future Queen. "Well my dear, it was simple really..I have known your parents for many years, your mother more so and well when she found out that Ruby and I were struggling on our farm, she offered to help..for free at first. I protested as I would feel guilty for taking the Queen's money and so she asked if I would like to work within the castle instead as she knew I love cooking. So I sold the farm, moved here and began work, fortunately with my granddaughter by my side. I hope she is serving you well Princess because I would hate to disappoint your parents, they are more like family than employers"

Emma nods, finishing off her bread and hops down off of the table. "Yes, she is the perfect maid..especially when she sneaks me in some of your wonderful homemade pie"

Scoffing, Granny's throws a hand clearly embarrassed by the comment. "She shouldn't be doing that but I am glad you like my pie, I shall make sure to make you one for your birthday..twenty one..who would have thought it"

The Princess looks glum. "Yes, well I wish I wasn't turning twenty one as my mother has this ridiculous idea of throwing a ball with the intention of finding me a prince to help rule the Kingdom when her and father step down.."

Walking over to the sink to place the chopping board in as she had finished with the bread and now was moving on to the vegetables, Granny heads back over to the table and begins to chop some carrots. "Is that not what you wish for Princess? To find a prince of your own? Surely you have seen the love between your parents, do you not want that for yourself?"

Sighing, the blonde shifts to lean against the table, watching the older woman chop away. "I do but..in my own time, on my own terms..mother practically has me married off..I want to find someone of my own not arranged. Someone I could see the world with before I have to take over with my royal duties..even that I sometimes question..do I want to be Queen?"

Looking over concerned, Granny places the knife down and wipes her hands upon her apron as she steps around the table, meeting the blonde and placing an arm around her shoulders in care, seeing the young Princess much like a granddaughter as Ruby is. "You are still young child..I am sure if you spoke to her majesty, you could come to some arrangement.."

"Maybe..that is why I asked you just now, why did you decide to work here? Because I was born into royalty and I do not have that choice to decide for myself. I wish I did..because then I could do what I really want to do.."

Tilting her head to glance curiously, Granny asks. "What is it you want to do dear?"

"Become the sheriff or a member of the law?"

The older woman chuckles as does the Princess while shaking her head, realizing how ridiculous it sounds.

"Emma there you are!"

Dropping her arm from the Princess' shoulders, Granny bows at the Queen before returning to her spot at the table. Emma looks to her mother apologetically and steps forward. "Sorry mom..I was hungry.."

Snow rolls her eyes and takes her daughter by her shoulders to lead her back to the stairs. "You are always hungry! Besides there is no time to stand about, this ball will not arrange itself, now I would like for you to take your brother out and distract him for a couple of hours, he keeps on getting under the servants feet wanting to play"

Taking a silent breath, the Princess nods with a forced smile. "Of course mom..I will do that right now.."

Watching her daughter ascend the stairs, Snow turns towards Granny with a smile. "Granny?"

Looking up, Granny nods. "Yes dear?"

"Future reference, you do not need to bow to me, you're family" turning towards the stairs, the Queen leaves a happy looking cook behind.

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The Mills Estate - small village outside the Light Kingdom.

"You cannot be serious! How dare you take my jewels to give to some fancy piece!"

"Well they looked better on her than you!"

"Oh you..mother?!"

Taking a deep sigh, Regina rests her chin upon the palm of her hand as her elbow rested upon the window seal of the attic while she listened to her idiotic brother and sister argue. Staring out the small square window to the forest, the young brunette wished she could run freely through it and maybe just escape her family who use her for menial purposes on a daily basis. They all did, her mother more so. She just wished her dear old father was still there to talk to. While her siblings grew up to the image of her mother, despite their lack of similarity in the looks department, Regina grew up doting her father and being 'Daddy's Princess' from day one. Unfortunately for the brunette, her father had passed and she did look like her mother, knowing that if she ever had the chance to explore the outside world better, she would not stand the chance of finding someone to love her as much as she would love them.

"Regina?! Get down here immediately!"

Rubbing her head with a groan, the young women lifts herself up from her position, sat on her legs upon the wooden planks that deemed to be her bedroom floor and walks out down the stairs towards the main area of the house. Entering the dining room, she is met by Cora, her mother, her brother Neal and sister Zelena, all three staring at her. Her mother appeared cross while Neal and Zelena smirked.

"Regina would you mind telling me as to why you informed your brother that it was appropriate for him to take your sister's jewels without her knowing?"

Frowning, Regina looks between the trio. "I..I didn't mother I.."

"Mother knows the whole story, so I would not bother lying.." Neal explains with a glare, clearly having lied and landed his youngest sibling in it.

The young brunette's eyes widen in shock. "Mother I did not! He is the one lying!"

"Regina! Enough!" Rubbing her temples, the older brunette paces before looking towards her daughter again. "I want you to go into the village and with your own allowance, buy your sister whatever it is she may be missing before she leaves tonight!"

Regina goes to protest but sees her mother raise her hand up to silence her.

"Now! And when you return I expect you to continue with your other chores, do I make myself clear?" Cora glares at the young brunette until she nods.

"..yes mother.." Looking down, Regina turns to go, leaving her siblings to laugh mockingly at her as she does.

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Forest - White Kingdom.

"Come on Emma..faster!"

The six year old bounces up and down in front of his sister on the horse. The Princess pulls on the reigns a little more but not as much as the small Prince had hoped, causing the boy to fall back against her chest with a pout.

"Sorry kiddo but mom would kill me if I killed you while riding this horse, this is as fast as I'm going to go"

Henry huffs then wriggles to get down when the horse stops. "Play now?"

Jumping down, the blonde reaches up for her brother having stopped in a bright empty clearing of the forest and sets him on the grass, prompting the Prince to walk up to the pouch on the horse's saddle and retrieve his ball.

Watching his movements carefully, Emma goes and ties their horse up while they play. "Only in this part okay Henry?"

" 'kay, are you playing with me?"

"Well I am in my riding attire so I may as well.." Creating some distance from the boy so he can kick the ball to her, the Princess mutters. "...before I have to wear a silly dress and act like a lady"

"Emma!"

Turning towards her brother, the blonde watches as the ball flies over her head and into the direction of the trees. Hearing a small gasp, Emma looks wide eyed at the young brunette appearing with her arms shielding her face from the ball. "..oh.." Briefly looking to Henry, the Princess signals for him to stay put as she runs across to the woman. "Excuse me? I am so sorry, we don't usually get people wandering through these parts of the forest"

"It's quite alright, no harm done" Regina lowers her hands and pats herself down as Emma bows down to get the ball. As she rises, both women stare at each other, mesmerized by each other's eyes.

Hugging the ball to her, the blonde lets out a small wow, then remembers herself, shaking her head. "Hey..hi.."

The brunette also snaps herself out of her trance of piercing green eyes and gives a coy smile while pulling her cloak tightly together. "Hello.."

Hearing a fit of giggling behind her, Emma turns to Henry and throws him the ball when he begins to point at them and torment. Looking back to Regina, the Princess smiles. "I..I'm Emma.." Holding her hand out, the blonde looks hopeful.

Accepting her hand, the brunette shakes it. "Emma..that's..Emma.." Hearing a small laugh escape the Princess' lips at her calling her name, Regina bites her lip with a smile again. "My name's Regina..it is nice to meet you...Emma"

Grinning, the blonde nods while thinking that this beautiful woman has no clue as to who I am. "You appear to like my name but that is okay..because I like yours too..Regina"

Blushing, Regina takes her hand back and turns away. "I better continue my journey before it gets dark.."

Emma nods, watching her intrigued. "Yes of course..we cannot have a beautiful woman like you out in the forest, in the dark, on your own.." Gulping, the Princess internally smacks herself for blurting it out.

Looking back, the brunette smiles in awe. "It was nice to meet you, I..I hope we cross paths again..someday"

"Do you live in the Kingdom?"

"Yes, well a small village to the north of here, we are on the outskirts.."

Grinning again, the blonde clasps her hands together in front of her. "Then we will see each other again as I too live in the Kingdom..maybe we could meet here again?"

Fiddling with the hem of her worn out dress, Regina frowns briefly, thinking about how she looks, curious as to why this woman would want to take an interest. Shoving the thoughts into the back of her mind, she nods slowly. "Yes..I would like that, maybe next week?"

"Next week it is.." Stepping back towards her brother, Emma gives a small wave towards the brunette. "Goodbye..Regina"

"Goodbye Emma.." Smiling to herself, Regina continues on through to the next village to collect Zelena's jewels.

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The Mills Estate.

Returning home, Regina is met by her mother at the front door, looking very annoyed.

"Where have you been?! It does not take over two hours to go to the village and back? Your sister had to leave for her soiree without her most important jewels. My god you are such an impotent girl!"

The brunette looks down at her mother's disappointment as the older woman snatches the jewels from her. "It was longer to walk..as I had to go to the next village..I'm sorry"

"Not good enough! Now go and finish the sewing that has been left..I also expect dinner to be on the table by seven"

"Yes mother.." Walking past the woman, Regina rushes upstairs teary and slams the attic door behind her as she slide down against it, hugging her knees. "I wish you were here to help me daddy.." Glancing across at the huge pile of sewing, the brunette pushes herself up and lights a candle to begin. Lifting a green garment up, she pauses smiling slightly, remembering Emma and her green eyes. Looking down to herself in rags, Regina bites her lip in thought as she then stares at her needle. 'Maybe I could adjust or make something for my next meeting?'

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The King and Queen's Castle.

Strolling into her chambers, Emma is greeted by Ruby who had just finished preparing the Princess' attire for this evenings dinner. Frowning upon the blonde's expression, the brunette walks up to her and waves a hand in front of the future Queen's face.

"Emma? Are you okay?"

The Princess merely smiles as she continues over to her bed and drops herself down, gaining a cringe from the maid as she had just laid her clothes out on the bed. "I'm..great...no..I'm..perfect"

Raising an eyebrow, Ruby places her hands on her hips. "What has gotten into you?"

"Regina..."

Eyes widening, the maid walks up to the bed and pulls the blonde up by her arms to a sitting position. "I'm sorry, what?!"

Emma smiles in a daze. "I met someone in the forest..her name was Regina..she was..so beautiful and..she didn't have a clue who I was"

Ruby sits beside the Princess and bites her lip. "This is bad..very bad..what about your mother? And the ball?!"

Looking across at her maid/friend, the blonde frowns. "What about them? I could get Regina invited?"

"Oh..wow you have it bad.."

The blonde nods, staring ahead in a daydream. "I'm starting to believe in love and first sight..."

Scoffing, Ruby then shakes her head with a chuckle at the Princess lost in thought of a certain brunette.

A/N2: cont?