Emma Charming, engaged to king-to-be Thomas since she was 6, in order to keep her realm rich and strong. Growing up, Emma came to find that this princess life was nothing for her. Swordfights and dangerous quests is what she really wanted. But she is stuck. Up until she faces a man, who snuck into the castle, with the purpose of stealing on them. But then she realised, upon seeing his face, she had known him her whole life already, for he used part of the King, her father, 's navy. His ship, and men had disappeared, and now he stood in front of her, no longer a lieutenant, but a pirate.


Prologue: Emma age 7 and Killian age 11.

"Hello, Emma," the boy's voice is rude and forced, spitting out her name like it tastes foul in his mouth. Emma ignores it and takes a small bow, her dress in her hands.

"Thomas," she smiles a genuine smile. "What a pleasure it is to meet you," the little princess speaks the words her mother chose for her, like reading them off a note in her mind. Keep smiling, bow to him, speak clear and friendly, and above all, be kind. Thomas squints his eyes, his black lashes make his brown eyes even darker, giving his face a meaner look.

"Yes," he simply says. Even though he has only spoken three words to her, it is obvious he is uninterested in being kind to her as well. He looks straight past her at the castle. "I thought it would be bigger," he notes, stepping away from her to get a better look. "I want to see it," he demands while already making his way to the castle. Well, for nine year old he sure is kind of horrible, she lets the thought slip through her thoughts. Her mother takes his mother's arm and guides her through the gardens towards the castle as she continues to praise the kingdom. Emma looks around her, unsure if she should follow. Her father is still in the garden talking to his captain and his son. The boy, couldn't be older than eleven, looks at her, smiling a kind smile and bending down his knees a little. She smiles back at him, not taking her eyes off the boy but he does, he probably learned that staring at royals is rude or impolite. She takes small unsure steps towards her dad, stopping about three feet away from him. The boy looks up again, his blue eyes meeting hers. Her father sees him look at her and smiles.

"Emma," he reaches out his hand for her, signing to come, "Shouldn't you be with Thomas right now?"

"He isn't very kind, father," Emma replies, standing next to him. He nods once.

"This is the new Captain, Mr. Jones and his son, Killian," he introduces the two standing in front of them, "They will live at court with us for the time being," he then lays his hand on his daughter's shoulder, "And this is my daughter, Emma."

" Emma," Captain Jones speaks up first, taking a bow, "You will become a beautiful queen one day." His son opens his mouth but hesitates, looking from her father to her.

"She's already a very beautiful princess," he says after a short moment of silence. She can feel her cheeks colour pink and tries to avoid his look, by looking at her father.

"I could not agree more," David nods, "but we must probably find Thomas again, shouldn't we?" He asks his daughter.

"There is no hurry, father," she tells him, "Do keep talking, I can show Mr. Jones' son the rose garden meanwhile." David looks at his daughter, reading off her face how much she would like to stay outside, or better said, stay away from Thomas. But both know that she'll have to talk to him anyway.

"Why not, it is a rather delightful day indeed, and the roses are at their best this time of the year," he says.

"Follow me," she smiles at the boy, and he does. While they walk he keeps his distance and doesn't say a word. The entrance of the rose garden is a big arch with a hundred red roses, all flowering. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" She whispers, gently breaking the silence between them, her small fingers touch the soft red petals of the roses.

"Very beautiful, princess," Killian agrees, his voice as soft as hers.

"They can't hear you," she turns around to face him, he's taller than him, just a little. He looks into her eyes for a brief moment before looking away from her again. "You can call me Emma." He smiles in the distance, laying his eyes on the roses. Red, dark pink, soft pink, white. Every rose in existence is planted in this rose garden. The soft pink roses remind him of Emma's cheeks, when he told her he thought she was beautiful and how easy it was to colour her pale skin.

"You have a beautiful name, princess, but I'd rather not, if they do hear me, I'll be punished," she nods and they continue their walk. He, still keeping his distance, she, just glad she doesn't have to spend time with Thomas.

"Will you not talk to me?" She asks when silence has fallen for too long. He shakes his head.

"It is better if I don't, the thoughts covering my mind are not exactly appropriate," the boy replies, holding his hands behind his back. He takes small steps, staying next to her, but still keeping his distance.

"Must I give you permission to speak?" She questions, but he smiles and shakes his head again.

"The words would only insult, princess." He answers.

"Me?" Emma marvels aloud.

"No, of course not. The boy you were talking to earlier."

"Thomas? what about him?"

"He seems..." Killian hesitates, this girl could have his head on a plate for saying this out loud. He knows, however, that she won't, and continues to talk, choosing his words carefully, "Unpleasant company." To his surprise the princess nods.

"I do believe so, but mother demanded me to be nice to him, because when I'm older, I will be his queen."

"You're what? Six? Seven, are you already engaged?" She punches his arm.

"I'm almost eight!" She exclaims.

"Sorry," he mutters, rubbing his arm, for an almost eight year old, her punch is quite hard.

"It's okay, sorry for hitting you."

"I would have hit back, if you weren't -"

"A princess."

"A girl," he corrects her. She smiles at him, at his honesty and steps closer to him as they walk.

"I have been engaged to him..." Emma trails off, "Well ever since I was born, I suppose. A document was signed when I was six, but they won't announce the wedding officially until I'm twenty, I think." Killian looks at the princess, trying to imagine what she would look like in her twenties, her hair probably even longer, still pale, and maybe even more beautiful.

"I'm sorry your life is this way," he whispers. Emma nods, looking back at him.

"It's my duty, so I will fulfil it."

"You speak big words for a girl your age," Killian notes, "No disrespect," he quickly adds. She laughs, showing her teeth, she's missing her front tooth.

"I forgive you," she replies, "I speak the words my mother chose for me, and the ones she taught me. I suppose she only taught me these big words." Killian holds back a smirk as she talks. She looks at him, curiosity colouring her eyes, "What? She questions. He hesitates before answering.

"So you don't know words like 'ass'?" He whispers, looking around him, making sure no one heard him. She giggles and shakes her head, stepping closer.

"No? What does it mean?" He smirks.

"It means bottom," Killian replies, pointing at his bum.

"Oh! Goodness! Killian!" She exclaims, covering her mouth with her hand. "Can you say such a thing?"

"I can," the boy laughs, "You probably can't," he leans closer, his mouth next to her ear, and almost inaudibly he whispers, "Ass," in a teasing tone. She pushes him away, her eyes wide, her mouth open with surprise. Killian takes a step back, smiling wide as he does.

"It is a good thing your father isn't around to punish you," Emma notes, the boy shrugs as a reply.

"He was the one teaching me the word. You see, he called someone an ass, and I asked what it meant. He explained the word and then said it could also be used for name-calling."

"Name-calling?" She repeats him, frowning a little.

"Like 'idiot' or something," he nods.

"What is 'idiot'?" Emma questions.

"Oh my dear princess!" Killian laughs. "You have so many things to learn."

"It appears I do," Emma smiles, unsure if those are the things she should be learning. But Killian just smiles back.

"It's a good thing I'll be around for a while to teach you," he says as they return back to the castle. Yet she is still undecided over whether she should be taught these things, but she does like the idea of having Killian around, rather than having to spend time with Thomas.