A/N: Hello everyone! I'm really excited to start writing this story, so I hope that everyone enjoys it! Also, this is an AU fic and is set so that Regina was defeated and banished and there was never a curse.

Please enjoy and review!

Emma sat on a bench in the garden, her ornate skirts gathered on her lap, intently focused on her current crocheting project.

Well, sort of focused.

Okay, not really focused at all. She hated crocheting. Unfortunately, crocheting was what princesses did for fun, or so everyone told her.

"There you are," she heard a familiar voice exclaim. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Looking up, Emma saw her raven-haired mother approach, smiling at her daughter. "Hi Mom," she said, grateful for an excuse to give up on her project and nurse her sore fingers that she had repeatedly stabbed with a needle.

Coming to sit next to her, Snow asked, "Are you excited for the banquet tonight?"

"Of course," she lied, careful not to look her mother in the eyes. She knew that Snow would see right through her lies.

"And," Snow added, her tone excited, "we have a surprise for you - we are planning to announce it at the banquet."

"Great," Emma forced fake enthusiasm into her voice. Then a thought occurred to her. "Wait." Turning to her mother, she grabbed one of her hands excitedly, "Are you going to let me go off the castle grounds?"

Before she even finished her question, Snow was shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Emma, but you know that it isn't safe for you, or for any of us. Not with the Evil Queen still out there, waiting to get revenge on our family."

"But you and Dad banished her just after I was born," Emma protested. "And besides, she can't enter our kingdom - I know that there are protective enchantments against her."

Snow sighed and patted Emma's hand sadly. "Yes, but the Queen was nothing but resourceful. I don't doubt that she has spies everywhere, just waiting for a chance to carry out her evil plans."

"Mom," she said, getting frustrated, "Why are you so paranoid?"

A glint of anger appeared in Snow's eyes. "End of discussion, Emma. I will see you at the banquet tonight." With that, the queen swept away regally, her back perfectly straight.

Emma was left alone with her detested crocheting and her uncharitable thoughts towards her parents.

…

The banquet was a long and tedious affair for Emma, who hated the endless formalities and inane conversations. This banquet was even worse than usual, however, because she was seated next to the current visiting dignitary, Prince Jonneth, of the neighbouring kingdom.

"...and then it was a simple manner to stab it through the heart with my sword, ending the life of the evil creature for good," the prince continued, thankfully not noticing that she had tuned out halfway through his third story about his battle prowess.

"Oh," she breathed, batting her eyes absent-mindedly while she wished that she could be anywhere else, "That sounds absolutely dreadful. You must have been so brave."

Immediately, Jonneth switched to a combination of concern and affected humility. "Yes, my lady, but I now realize that I should not have uttered such a violent story in the presence of one with such delicate senses."

"Really, my lord," she reassured the poor fool in order to avoid the glares that she knew her parents would send her way if she slighted him, "There was no fault." Except showing up to this banquet, she thought, again wishing that she could be doing anything other than talking with Jonneth.

Finally, her father rose from his seat in the middle of the table and clinked his glass to get the attention of the roomful of notable guests.

"Welcome," he boomed as the room quieted. "Welcome. Snow and I are very grateful for the attendance of all of our closest friends tonight, as we have an important announcement to make.

Rising up next to him, Snow continued, "We would like to announce the engagement of our eldest child, Princess Emma, to Prince Jonneth!"

The room broke out in cheers, cheers that became a background roar in Emma's mind.

Jonneth grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet, then held their joined hands in the air.

No.

No.

"NO." Emma didn't realize that she had yelled that, but no one could hear her over the babble of excited voices, voices clamoring for details on the royal wedding.

Her wedding.

To Jonneth.

She had to escape. Him, her parents, the kingdom. The further the better.

As she stood there with the crowd cheering her future union, Emma started making plans.

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