I've had this idea in my mind for a very long time. Odette and Derek from the Swan Princess are featured here. They are not going to be alive in this story, though it will bounce around showing them in flashbacks and what have you. I loved these movies growing up (or at least the first 2, I see they've since gone down in quality as many sequels do), so it pains my heart to kill them off, but it's for the good of the story. I tried my hardest to find out what kingdom they are a part of, but couldn't, so bear with me on the name. I'm also going to be making breaking the curse different than what they had to do on the show, for creative reasons. Hope you all enjoy this new story! Snowing is not in this chapter, just a fair warning, but they are main characters in this story, I promise!

Chapter One: The Box

16 Years Ago

Pinocchio was looking around the forest, his heart pounding in his chest. His papa had shoved him into the wardrobe, making him promise that he would look after the little princess. Now here she was, in his arms, wailing. It was all just too much! He was just a little boy, the day before he had been playing with the little carving his papa had whittled and now here he was, alone in the dark, cold and wet forest. He had never seen this land before and didn't know what it was.

"Shhh Emma," he whispered. "It's okay, it's all going to be okay." He didn't know that of course, but he just wanted her to stop crying.

That's when he heard quick footsteps and then a woman's voice, "Derek, the cries are coming from this way!" A moment later, two people in royal garb, holding lanterns appeared in front of the boy. The woman had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes, while the man had dark brown locks with matching eyes. They gave the boy a kind smile, spotting the baby in his arms.

"Hello sweetheart," the woman said, kindly. "My name is Odette, queen of this land. This is my husband, Derek."

Pinocchio attempted to bow as he had been taught to do around royals, but nearly dropped the baby in the process. He quickly held her closer as that made her scream even more. "My name…my name is Pinocchio. This is Emma."

"Where do you come from?" Derek asked.

"Misthaven," he explained, quietly. "Our land, it was cursed by an evil queen. We were sent through a wardrobe."

"Misthaven?" Derek was in a bit of shock. They had done some trading with them over the years. They had gotten word of Snow's pregnancy and her wedding to Prince James, though heard nothing more. "Are you the children of the king and queen?"

"This is Princess Emma, your majesty," Pinocchio said. "I am not royal, I was just sent through to protect her. We are the only two who weren't cursed. Our parents were sent to another faraway land, they're frozen in time."

"Where is this faraway land?"

"I have no idea, your majesty."

Odette and Derek exchanged a look. They would need more information on this curse. In the meantime, they knew one thing, these children could not be alone. Emma was a princess, she deserved to be protected and kept safe, it's what their acquaintances would have wanted. As parents themselves, they knew they would only do it if absolutely necessary. And this young boy, practically a baby himself, had been sent to protect her. That was something they could not understand, why didn't an adult get sent through with her? How was a little boy meant to care for himself, much less a baby? They couldn't leave him either.

"You will come with us," Odette announced. "At least for now, we will try to find your parents. May I please hold the baby?"

Pinocchio stared down at Emma. "I'm supposed to protect her."

"And you've done such a good job," the queen praised. "I just thought you may want a break, it'll be hard to walk to the castle with a baby in your arms."

Pinocchio sighed, but couldn't deny a queen's orders. He allowed Odette to lift the baby into her arms. The minute she did, Derek saw the look in her eyes, the love, the devotion. It had been the same when they had agreed to take in Alise. While that worked out, it was different. She was an orphan. These children, had parents. They could not become attached to them, not when all of this was probably temporary.

The walk back to the castle was short. Odette's eyes didn't move off the tiny baby the entire way. She was so tiny, so precious. She knew just the room she could sleep in. Every palace was equipped with a royal nursery. While the king and queen had never been blessed by pregnancy, they still had one in hopes that they could make Alise a big sister.

When they entered, their 9-year-old daughter came running down the steps, wearing her nightgown.

"Mommy, Daddy, where have you been? I thought you were going to tuck me in…" The princess trailed off when she saw the baby in her mother's arms and the little boy by her father. "Who are they?"

"Alise, this is Pinocchio and Emma, they are our guests from Misthaven," Derek explained. "They are staying with us while we work out problems with our land. Would you please be a good host and show Pinocchio to one of the guest chambers?"

"Of course, Daddy," Alise said with a smile. She had been raised to be a proper princess. She offered her hand to the boy and he accepted it, though he looked longingly back at the baby.

"Emma will be fine, I promise," Odette assured him. "You can see her come morning. In the meantime, get some rest."

Pinocchio nodded, but on the way up, he made note of a room with a door ajar. It was clear it was a nursery. He would be checking on Emma at some point in the night.

Meanwhile, Odette busied herself in taking the baby up to the nursery. The little princess was no longer crying, she was now just gurgling in her arms. The nursery had a few outfits already and the poor thing was naked. After locating some rags that would make due for a cloth diaper, she dressed the little one in a nightgown. Derek stood in the doorway, watching his wife coo down at the baby.

"This is temporary," he reminded her. "They have parents. We will find them and make sure they reunite."

Odette shook her head, scooping the baby up. "Well, in the meantime they will feel nothing but loved."

"This is a bad idea. I know how badly you wished to make Alise a big sister. This is bad for her. She'll get attached to them and then…"

"What if something happened to us? Would you not want strangers to treat our daughter with kindness?" Odette snapped, turning around as she cuddled the baby close. She had her husband there and he knew it.

"I will make sure that Pinocchio settles in okay," he replied, softly. "I will send one of the knights out, come dawn, to the marketplace to get him some clothes. He cannot wear the same thing during his stay with us, no matter how short."

Odette smiled at Derek, blowing him a soft kiss. He returned the favor before exiting the room. She looked down at the baby and stroked her cheek.

"Don't you worry little one, no matter what happens, you will be safe," Odette promised her. She sang the girl a soft lullaby until she drifted off to sleep.

The next few days were spent researching what had gone down. Derek, himself, traveled to Misthaven. There were few people left behind, clearly not enough to make up a whole kingdom. It was clear the ogres and giants would soon take over. There was no sign of the royals or where they had gone off to, nor was there any of Geppetto from the description Pinocchio had given them. The boy explained the curse as his father had to him, that it wasn't to be broken until Emma was 28 years old. However, they had no way of knowing where the residents had been sent. And if for 28 years, they were destined to be separated from their parents, then there was not much that could be done.

Alise was excited to gain 2 siblings. Pinocchio's name was changed to August, they felt it was more befitting of a royal. He didn't seem to mind. One night, he snuck into Emma's nursery to watch her sleep. They were safe, they were protected, but he still worried about her. He heard a soft voice behind him.

"August, you're meant to be asleep." It was Odette…or Mommy, as she offered to let him call her. After all, she looked at him as a son.

"I wanted to make sure Emma was okay."

Odette smiled and moved closer to him, stroking his hair. "I know you were sent to protect her, sweetheart. But, that is a job for grown-ups. For you, it is your job to be a little boy. You can play with Alise and be tutored as she is, one day you may even make a fine knight."

"Then I can definitely protect Emma."

The queen nodded, kneeling down to his height. She figured now would be a good a time as any. "You know that I love you, as I do Alise, don't you?"

August nodded. "I do."

"You know that we are now your parents, as we are Emma's."

"Yes, Mommy."

"You were older when you joined our family, Alise was as well. She can remember her first daddy, you can remember your first papa. However, Emma is very little. She won't remember any of this, where she came from," Odette drew back a deep breath. This was Derek's one condition for them adopting the children. He was not going to raise a daughter for 28 years, only to lose her to other parents. She would not break the curse as planned. She would not become the savior. "We are not going to tell her where she came from, okay? As far as she will know, she was born to us. She grew in my tummy."

August stared at her, confused. "But she grew in Snow's tummy."

"She won't be able to understand that. She won't be able to understand why her other mommy and daddy sent her away. It may make her sad, we don't want that, do we?" Her son quickly shook his head. "Exactly."

"If she doesn't know she grew in Snow's tummy, how will she be able to break the curse?"

Odette gave him a patient smile. "Darling, we are Emma's mommy and daddy now. It is terrible that they are cursed. However, we will not worried about that. You don't have to forget about your first papa, but he cannot be discussed. As far as anyone knows, Misthaven is just a lost community."

"So, we're lying to her?" August knew something of lies, he knew how out of control they could get. When Blue let him become a real boy, he was told to do better, to be better.

"Your father and I are. We will never ask you to lie to her, though you cannot tell her the truth. Do you understand, August? It is very important that Emma never know about the curse or where she comes from."

August looked back at the crib, where Emma slept peacefully. If he refused, maybe they wouldn't want him anymore. Maybe they would send him away. Then he couldn't watch out for her like he was told to. He would never lie to her, that much he knew. As long as his new parents never told her the truth about who she was, he wouldn't have to do any of the lying. It would fall upon them and Alise.

"I understand, Mommy."

Odette smiled. "Good. Now come on." She stood up, offering him a hand. "I'll read you a story before you go back asleep."

Present Day

August knocked on his sister's bedroom door. "Emma? The ball will be starting very soon. Are you ready?" No response. "Emma, if you don't respond, I'm coming in." Another moment of silence. "Alright." He pushed it open and saw the bedroom empty, her window ajar. He shut his eyes, letting out a long sigh. His sister would be giving him gray hairs at all of 23. One of the knights, Francis, approached him.

"Your majesty," he bowed. "Queen Alise is looking for both you and the princess."

"Let her know that Emma has run away again, I will go looking for her."

"Yes, your majesty. Would you like backup?"

"No, I think I know where she went."

"Very well."

The knight bowed once more and walked away. August pinched the bridge of his nose and went back to his room, grabbing his sword, just in case his sister was in any danger. He made his way out of the palace and through the gardens and meadows. He walked through the woods, sure enough finding his sister standing alone, by a tree. The very tree they had come through 16 years prior. Emma had no knowledge of her real story, yet something called her to the spot. Her parents had always told her it was her magic, dragging her about. The princess was not sure how much she believed it.

"Em," August said softly.

Emma turned to face her brother, that same haunted look in her eyes that she had for the past 10 months. "I'm not going."

"It's your own birthday ball."

"I told Alise I didn't want one this year. It's not even for me, it's for the kingdom."

"That's not at all true. Alise wants you to have a good birthday." That was the truth. Their baby sister had been so upset, so distraught since the incident. They all were. But at some point, life had to move on. Their parents wouldn't want this.

"Why doesn't Alise and Hank just have their own child?" Emma muttered, bitterly. Her sister had married shortly before their parents' death. "Then they can stop babying me."

"They're not trying to baby you. They just want you safe and they care. We all miss the old Emma."

"I'm still here."

But she wasn't. Their lively, free spirited sister had been replaced by a shell.

"Just come with me, maybe I can manage to sneak you away after you see everyone…"

"Why am I really drawn here?"

"Emma…"

"None of this, my magic does it. Why August? Why every single time am I drawn to this place? Why is it the only thing to make me feel an ounce of happiness lately?"

August drew a deep breath, walking forward.

"Let's just go back to the palace," he told her.

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm not going."

"You have to. I can't leave you out here alone. It's my…"

"Your job to take care of me. I know, you've said it a million times." Emma let out a long, frustrated sigh. "Fine. Let's just go."

He offered to help carry the train to her dress, but she turned him down, hiking up her skirt to walk the rest of the way back. Once they arrived, they headed straight towards the ballroom. Alise took a step out of it, worry on her face.

"Emma, there you are! I got word you had taken off. Do you not realize what today?"

"No, Alise. I forgot it was my own birthday. I lost my brain, don't you know? I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that, maybe now you can do all my thinking for me," Emma snapped back.

Alise sighed, counting back from 10 in her head. "Drop the attitude, Emma. This is your birthday ball."

"One that I didn't even want in the first place! But that doesn't matter, nothing I want matters!"

"Everything you've wanted has mattered! These past 10 months, all we have done is worry about you and tip toe around you. Don't want to attend your classes? Fine. Want to stay in bed until half past 12, go right ahead! Everything we do, is to try to make things easier on you!"

August tried to step in the middle of his sisters. "Ladies, people will be arriving soon…"

Emma swiftly cut him off. "Well if I am such a burden on you, then why even bother?"

"You're not a burden on me Emma, you're my sister! And all I am trying to do is help you! If Mom and Dad were here, they'd want to smack you from how you were acting!"

Silence fell over them. Even Alise known she had gone too far. The tears sprung to Emma's eyes and her jaw began to tremble. The older sister stepped forward, remorse in her eyes. She tried to take her younger sister's hand, but Emma pulled away.

"You know what, your majesty," Emma seethed. "You can explain to everyone why the princess isn't at her own ball. I'm not going."

"Emma, wait," Alise whispered. "I'm…"

Emma stormed up the stairs, not wanting to hear any more of it. She slammed her heavy door shut and threw herself down on the bed. How could Alise know anything of what their parents would've wanted? They were dead! That was the whole point, they were gone and they weren't coming back.

The princess jumped back up, ripping off her dress. It was the gown that Alise had spent months with a seamstress working on. It was a cream color with small pink bows around the waist. Emma was sick of bows, she was sick of gowns. Her magic came over her and she threw a fireball at the dress, watching it singe. She needed to calm down, she knew she did, before she lost control and destroyed the whole palace. She went back to her bed, burying her face in the pillow.

Growing up, she had a lovely childhood. It was the best any princess could ask for. Lots of toys, only the best clothing. She was the apple of her parents' eye. And yet, something had always felt off. Not that something was missing, just off. She knew that Alise and August had been adopted as young children, but she was told that she was a miracle baby. She had grown in her mother's stomach. Yet, something seemed off. While yes, the queen and princess shared blonde hair, that was it. She heard whispers that she might be adopted, but anytime she asked her parents or even Alise, they assured her it was all lies. She was the product of true love, that's why her magic was so powerful. She believed them, but something still didn't seem right.

Then, her parents died and the ache she felt in her heart made her realize that she had been wrong to be so suspicious. If they weren't her parents, how could it hurt so much? She seemed to be hurting more than Alise and August did. They were able to get up and walk around, as if nothing even happened. Alise, as next in line, was coronated as queen. The kingdom moved on. How could they when their beloved rulers…were gone?

No one came up to bother the princess for the rest of the evening. She had no clue what excuse Alise had given, nor did she care. As the night drew on and she could hear the clocks chiming midnight, she let out a deep breath. It was over, her birthday was officially done with. Her first since losing her parents and even without the party, it sucked. Without them there, she felt as if there was nothing to celebrate.

A knock came to her door half an hour later. She didn't respond and the heavy door opened, assuring her it wasn't a knight or maid, not even August.

"I saved you some food," Alise's voice carried through the silent room. She made her way over to the bed, a glow from her lantern taking over. She sat down beside her sister on the bed, settling the lantern onto the bedside table. Emma's back was to her, but she knew she was awake. "I'm sorry for what I said."

"Go away," Emma muttered.

"Please, just eat something. I know you skipped breakfast and lunch yesterday."

"Not hungry."

"I don't want you getting sick. Please, eat something."

Emma didn't move or say anything further. When Alise spoke again, the young princess could tell her sister was crying by her broken voice.

"I don't know how to do this…to be a mother."

Emma rolled over, staring up at her. "I don't need a mother. I had one and she's gone."

"I just…"

"I need my sister."

Alise set the plate down, pushing her younger sister's blonde locks out of her face. "I'm right here."

"No, you're not. Ever since they died and you became queen, you've been different."

"I have to be, Emma. It is my responsibility to watch over the kingdom, to take care of you…"

"I am sixteen. I do not need someone to watch over me."

"I know you feel that way, but you still need someone to guide you."

"Well it can't be you. I love you Alise, but you are not my mother. You will always just be my big sister. I already lost my parents, I can't lose you too."

Alise stroked her cheek. There was a 9-year age difference between the two, though they had always seemed to be close. Emma always followed her older siblings around, trying to be just like them. They had lost that in the past 10 months. "I'm not going anywhere. I will try to loosen up on acting like your mother, but you have to meet me halfway."

Emma shrugged. "What'd you tell everyone?"

"That you had the flu. People still left presents, you can go through them tomorrow."

"Have someone else do it, they can donate them to the less fortunate."

"Emma…"

"I don't want anything. Nothing is going to change how things are."

Alise nodded, knowing she should pick her battles.

"As you wish. Though, maybe you'll change your mind about this." Alise reached into the satchel she had tied to her dress, pulling out a wrapped present. "This is from me."

"Alise…"

"Just open it, please."

Emma sat up, removing the delicate wrapping. There was a cedar box, with a swan on the top. She attempted to open it, but it was stuck. She couldn't help but start laughing, the first time she had in months. Alise smiled, placing a hand on her back.

"You got me a box that can't even open for my birthday?" Emma asked as she finally calmed down.

"It was Mom's." Emma fell solemn. "She had always said she wanted you to have it, when you got of the right age."

"Mom wanted to give me a box couldn't open?"

"I think she planned on opening it before she gave it to you. I was thinking, maybe you could use your fancy powers to get it open."

Emma nodded, looking at the box for a moment before placing it on the bedside table.

"Maybe later."

"I understand. It's late, you should be getting to bed." Alise went to take the plate, but Emma grabbed her wrist.

"Leave the plate."

Alise smiled, kissing the top of her head.

"I'll send through a maid to clear it in the morning. Goodnight, Em."

The queen lifted her lantern and started to leave the room, when Emma called out to her.

"Ally?"

Alise turned around. "Yes?"

"I threw a fireball at my dress." Her sister shut her eyes, shaking her head. "It looks like it's meant for a 5-year-old. Or it did. Now it looks like it belongs in a fireplace."

"Next time, we can work on the gown together."

Emma partially smiled. "Alright."

But there wouldn't be a next time, at least not for a long time. The box was not Pandora's Box, but the effect would be similar. Once it was opened, what was revealed would not be able to be taken back or forgotten.

Hope you all have enjoyed it so far! As always, let me know what you'd like to see. As I said, David and Snow will be in this story, I'm not sure if it'll be the next chapter, if not, definitely the next one. I just wanted to show Emma's other life before she breaks the curse.