Hello everyone. An idea suddenly came to me and went with it.

There will be five/six chapters and there is bound to be the odd spelling/grammar mistakes.

Warning: There is mention of Violence/Abuse.

I do not own once upon a time.

Nineteen year old princess Emma, strolled through the castle garden that she had come to love. It was the beginning of summer and the rays from the hot sun spread over the princesses face and lit up her blonde locks.

She loved to explore and yet being a princess she could not explore beyond the castle alone. Her parents Were protective of course but because she was royalty it was unsafe to go outside the castle alone and so she wondered through the garden. Wondering on what life she was going to live.

Emma would agree that she has had a loving, good life so far. But now, She was nineteen and the kingdom were talking of her as the spinster princess, who can she lead without a partner how can she not be thinking of having children by now.

It saddened her that people felt this way about her. Why couldn't she be free to live how she choose and sure she would not object to finding love, in fact she wished for it. Her whole life her mother had talked of true love and how Emma's father is her true love and all she wishes is for her was happiness and to find the happiness she has found.

But she had yet to meet someone that set her heart on fire that looked deep in to her soul and find something worth dying for.

Her parents had tried over the past two years, to set her up with various men of nobleness. She spent time with some and had even kissed one but she had not felt love towards any of them.

"Princess" A guard called as he approached her.

"Yes Graham" she said softly.

"Your mother wishes to she you in her chamber"

Emma sighed and walked back towards the castle and to her mother's chamber.

"Emma..I have great news"

"Oh" Emma said straightening her plain white loose top.

"There is going to be a ball at the Mills Castle in the West Kingdom. To celebrate the new Queens coronation"

Emma raised her eyebrows. She had only ever been to the Mills castle once and she was but a child then.

"Okay" Emma said casually.

Her mother sighed."Do you know what this means?"

"No?"

"We shall all be attending of course and you will surely finally meet someone you like. As there is going to be many noble men and royalty"

Emma rolled her eyes.

"You are determined to find me a husband"

Her mother shook her head and smiled as he put a piece of jewelery in a wooden box. "I only want you to be happy"

"I am" Emma said defensively. "I have my family, I love the gardens, I train with my father and have the odd friend here within the castle"

Her mother stared at her.

"So when is this ball" Emma asked awkwardly.

"In a weeks time"

"Do I have to wear a dress?" she frowned.

"Of course"

"Damn"

Her mother sighed. "I know I allow you to wear pants and loose tops about the castle but you must be presentable to our people, to look like a princess and you are going to be queen one day"

"I know"

"If it makes you feel any better you can pick your dress"

Emma gave a small smile. "Thanks, I'm gonna go back out into the garden now" she walked off.

The next day.

Emma walked into the grand hall to find her parents talking with a man and she approached causciouslly.

"Emma, I am glad your here. This is Peter and he is a professional dancer and he shall help you brush up on your dancing for the ball"

Emma gaped. "Um, that's not necessary"

"Emma" her father warned.

"I shall not be dancing at the ball" Emma said.

"You must, it is very important" her father said.

Emma looked down sadly and after a moment. said "I guess I haven't got anything better to do, today"

Peter smirked and her parents gave her a look a look of disappointment and they left them to get on with the lesson.

"Now princess. I am Peter and by the time I have finished with you, your going to wow everyone at the ball.

Emma scoffed. "I don't believe that"

"Why do you not wish to dance at the ball? are you a shy dancer?" he stood at the music box that sat on the big oak table.

Emma quirked an eyebrow. This man was clearly was not put off by her being a princess.

"No, I just not the type to dance around"

"Princess, no one is the type to dance but I promise with the right partner, it is one of the most wonderful things in the world" he strutted over and Emma tilted her head curiously.

"Right princess, hand out, stand tall...you know the waltz right?" the music started to play.

"I think so"

He smiled and said "Lets go" but thirty seconds later, Emma stopped and couldn't stop laughing as Peter got up from the floor.

"You do not remember the waltz very well dear" he said with a frown.

"It was been a while" he muttered, holding her sides.

"I will have to suggest coming back tomorrow and maybe the next day. If you are to be ready"

Emma shook her head.

"You will thank me, believe me"

"Why?"

"I can feel it" he smirked and went to the music box to play another tune.

Meanwhile over in the west kingdom.

Princess Regina was sat at the long, dark brown dinning table in the grand hall of the castle. Her life since the age of eleven had been nothing but pain and tragedy.

Her father had died when she was eleven due to illness and her mother was an emotionless and strict bitch.

She was now twenty three and her life had been lessons, royal business, doing as her mother says or pay severly and most recently an arranged marriage all of her mother's doing, with a man who was older, powerful in politics and also violent towards her.

However, now with her mother on her death bed, she was now to become Queen of the West kingdom a job she never truly wanted. She wanted to be free, to explore to have er own choices.

She wanted to feel as she once remembered as a child of ten years old, running around the castle garden with another small blonde girl, who was younger than herself but so full of joy and kindness towards her and Regina never forgot those few days of happiness.

"Your mother requires your presence" her husband said, as he walked into the grand hall with a annoyed expression.
Regina broke out of her remembrance and stood up, showing an expression of indifference and she walked straight out and towards her mother's chamber where she lay in the king size white bed.

"Regina dear" she said and the brunette moved to sit in the chair next to the bed "your have to fulfill your duty as Queen, my child"

Regina fiddled with her hands in her lap, her mother had made her seem cold to most people she had meet but deep down there was still that young loving soul within her trying to break free.

"You shall continue my work and your husband will be the there to guide you in the right direction"

" what direction is that mother the direction of violence" she said back.

"Regina" her mother snapped and then coughed for a good ten seconds.

"I never asked for any of this" Regina said feeling brave as her mother was to weak to hit her.

"you will do your duty"

"it's always been about duty"

"You are selfish"

"all I have ever done is follow your wishes that is not selfish and making me marry that man was not selfish of you?" she snapped.

Cora ignored her question and asked "Is everything ready for the ball"

Regina looked down sadly. "Yes, everything will be ready"

"Good, we don't want that goody two shoes queen of the east, looking down on us"

"I vaguely remember her " Regina replied.

"Well keep an eye on them and I believe there daughter is yet to marry, at her age it's a disgrace to their kingdom"

Regina rolled her eyes.

On the day of the ball. Regina had spent the whole morning had the coronation and now was in the grand hall making sure everything was perfect for the evening ball.

She had little time, to bitterly think of her nasty husband. Who was most likely drinking somewhere.

By late afternoon, she was stood in her room in her blue royal dress, willing herself to be calm as she was now Queen and had great responsibilities upon her shoulders and she needed to put her mask up, so no one knew how broken she really was.

Meanwhile Emma and her parents were in the royal carriage making their way to the mills castle.

Emma stared out as the trees whizzed by and she sighed. David smiled and said "Do you remember going to the castle when you were a child Emma?"

She looked to him confused "vaguely I think"

"You must of been six or seven" her mother said.

"Yes you were so happy to be there" David shook his head amusedly.

"You wanted to meet the princess because you were also a princess" her mother said.

Emma looked at them strangely.

"Do you remember when they met?" Her mother told her husband.

"No"

"Oh Emma, soon as you saw her you went all shy, it was so adorable'"

"I don't remember" Emma said.

'Well it was adorable and it took a while for you to go over to her and you said hey"

Her parents chuckled and Emma felt her face begin to go red.

"Do I really need to know this?" She asked.

"No bit it was sweet and you two were insuperable after that, until we left"

"Maybe we can be friends again" Emma said without thinking and her parents nodded.

When they arrived outside the castle they noticed other important people were arriving too. The weather was warm to Emma delight and she got out of the carriage last and stared up at the dark castle and shivered for a reason she wasn't quite sure.

Her parents then talked briefly with a guard before they made their way to the Grand Hall were they were announced to the room and made their way over to the Queen.

"Good Evening, Queen Regina. It is an honor to be here…I am Queen Snow of the East Kingdom"

Regina quirked an eyebrow remembering what her mother had said.

"Hello, thank-you for attending this momentous day. I hope the journey was pleasant"

"Yes thank you" she turned to David. "This is my husband David" he bowed his head in acknowledgement and she smiled. He then moved so Emma could be introduced and the blonde was kind of anxious and soon as she met the Queens eyes, There it was. the spark, setting fire to her heart and the bottomless pit, she was about to throw herself into.

"And this is my daughter Emma" her mother said but she was just staring into those bright brown eyes.

"Hello Princess" Regina said softly, as she also couldn't look away. There was definably something in the blondes eyes she knew.

"Hey" Emma said without thought and David chuckled "I am sorry your majesty, but Emma had the same reaction to when you two were younger"

Suddenly it all clicked for the brunette. "Emma" she said in awe. Her mask dropping and Snow and David gaped slightly, at the Queens change in deminor.

"That's me" Emma said nervously. She didn't know why she was lost for words.

"I remember you" the Queen said, staring sweetly and taking in the red dress Emma had chosen to wear. It was long sleeved, hugged the blonde in the right places and it was quite plain, but Regina liked it.

"You do?" Emma asked her eyes wide and was intrigued.

"Yes, i remember a little" she smiled and her heart swelled it was then she remembered were she was and quickly put her mask back up.

"Please enjoy the rest of the evening"

They nodded and walked off, but Emma looked back watching Regina and couldn't help but think the woman was the most breathtaking woman she had ever seen.

Regina turned to get herself a drink. She needed it after coming face to face with the girl from her childhood. The one that gave her one of her happiest memories. But why was her heart pounding! why did she feel dazed!

She was soon brought out of her musings by her husband "Lord Maurice is here. We better go talk with him"

Regina groaned internally and gave a slight nod.

From across the room Emma hadn't taken her eyes off Regina "Is that Regina's husband?" She asked her father.

"Yes, i believe it was an arranged marriage. Her mother is a very stern" he shook his head then added "It is sad really" and Emma frowned. She then observed The Queens conversation with an older gentlemen and as she watched she could tell Regina was faking her smiles.

She's not happy Emma thought to herself sadly.

Twenty minutes later .

Regina and her husband shared the first dance. Everyone seemed happy watching them but Emma and her parents could see that this was just duty and there was no love there.

They then sat and watched the couples take to the floor and preform custom dance and Emma watched her parents dance happily until a nobleman stood next to her.

"May I have this dance Princess"

She looked sideways and looked surprised momentarily but agreed out of politeness.

"My name is Neal and it is an honor to dance with you Princess" he said, whilst the glided along the floor.

She smirked "Thank-you Neal, do you live in the west kingdom?"

"Yes, I work with my father, who is a well known businessman"

She smiled and did a twirl. Not knowing that the queen had her eyes on her and she had clenched her jaw as for some reason seeing the blonde Princess dance with someone else made her jealous and made her feel an ache within her chest.

This is ridiculous she thought. Willing herself to look elsewhere, but she couldn't and then she saw the blonde laugh at something Neal had said and she sighed.

Once the tune had finished Neal walked with Emma to the seating area. Where they talked for a few minutes. However Regina couldn't sut and watch this so went over casually and stood in front of them.

"Hello again" she smiled. Her mask slightly down as Emma seemed to have that effect on her.

Emma's eyes widened and she stood immediately, causing Regina to smirk.

"Will you walk with me Emma?" Regina asked, whilst looking into Emma's green eyes, as if looking into her soul.

"Yeah, I mean it would be my pleasure" she gave a goofy smile and Regina all but melted.

Emma then turned to Neal "We shall speak again later" and he nodded before Emma walked slowly away with Regina. who was studying the room.

"Is everything okay?" Emma asked, she could feel her anxiety rising.

"Everything is fine, as you can see everyone is enjoying themselves"

Emma tilted her head "and what about you?"

Regina blinked a few times "I am too" she lied.

"I do not believe you" Emma said and Regina glared at her.

"Please don't get me wrong it's just an observation"

Regina thought for a moment "Tell me about yourself princess" she asked while glancing around.

Emma smiled. "There's not much to tell really..I live with my parents and everyone thinks I'm going to be this spinster princess because I'm 19 and not married, It's ridiculous I am nineteen not thirty" she sighed.

"Go on" the queen said.

"I like to explore, although i can't just freely wonder around"

Regina nodded.

"I um, well you might be surprised to hear I practice sword fighting"

Regina glanced to her "I am not that surprised dear" she said with a small genuine smile.

"I read sometimes and draw" Emma added, smiling back.

"I love to read'" Regina said softly.

"Really? What else do you like" Emma asked eagerly and Regina paused and gazed at the blonde. No one had genuinely been interested in her for many years and seeing Emma's face eagerly, waiting her response was a new, wonderful experience.

"I…like to wonder the garden, where my beloved apple tree grows. I love my horses, I love to dance and I am sure I would enjoy meaningful conversations. If I had the chance to experience such a thing" she smirked at Emma, but the blonde saw through it and realized the Queen must have a lack any sort of real conversation in her life and that maybe she doesn't have any real friends.

"Well maybe I can help while I'm here. I may not be the brightest I know but…" she trailed off and Regina felt her heart swell.

"Thank-you Emma"

"Your nothing like I imagined" Emma said casually.

"Oh?" Regina quirked an eyebrow in amusement.

"Your much better" she smiled and Regina rolled her eyes. Even though he was pleased with the compliment.

They continued for another minute, before a man asked for a dance with the Queen and she wondered off and Emma stood in awe as the brunette graced the floor. Regina seemed slightly more at ease, than the dance she had with her husband earlier.

Emma then she glanced to her left briefly, to see Regina's husband talking with some woman and Emma shook her head.

How can he be flirting with her when he has someone like Regina. Emma thought bitterly. she then looked back to Regina who looked in her element trying to forget all her troubles within the music. And unknown to Emma Regina was thinking of how it would feel dancing with Emma.

"Can I have this dance fair princess?" David asked, whilst holding out his hand and smiling widely.

Emma chuckled lightly.

"You may" she held her hand out and they took to the floor. Where they glided around elegantly.

"Those lessons worked out I see" David said amusingly.

Emma rolled her eyes.

"How are you finding the ball?" her father asked.

"Fine" She replied.

"I saw you speaking with the Queen. Are you friends once more?"

Emma smiled. "I believe so"

"That is good"

She turned her head slightly to the left and Regina was all but ten foot away form her and looking at her, whilst dancing.

Emma glanced away shyly. She kicked herself for seeming so shy.

"Who was that young gentlemen you danced with?" David then asked.

"His name is Neal"

"Do I have to be worried?" he said, with no seriousness.

"Of course not" Emma said. "It's always nice to make friends"

They then danced in silence, until the tune ended and walked away to obtain a drink.

"Where is mom?" Emma asked.

"She's speaking for the noblewomen I believe. Or should I say gossiping" he chuckled.

Emma rolled her eyes and took a sip of wine. Before glancing back to the dance floor. Regina was no longer there.

Emma and her father then wondered slowly across the side of the room. Until Neal aproached them.

"Hello your majesty, princess" he said politely.

"Hello young man" David replied.

"I wanted to introduce myself to you, as I hope to get to know your daughter better"

David raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, tell me about yourself Neal" David asked and whilst Neal told him of his father and business. Emma's eye wondered around the room, seeking out a certain brunette Queen.

She didn't have to look long, as she found her talking with her husband. He didn't look too happy and he grabbed her wrist forcefully and Regina grimaced slightly.

Emma's eyes widened. She would of gone over and tell him to back off, but she couldn't, shed get thrown out or worse, for talking to the Queen's husband like that.

She swallowed and the man had walked off, leaving Regina holding her wrist and looking lost.

"I will be right back" she told David and Neal and walked straight towards the Queen.

"Regina" Emma said, coming to stand right in front of her.

Regina looked straight at her with a slightly surprised expression, before schooling her face.

"Princess"

"Please, call me Emma"

Regina took a breath.

"Emma, what is it you want?"

The princess frowned. "I wanted to make sure you were okay"

Regina blinked a few times. "Everything is fine, you can go and continue your conversation with Neal Bealfire now" She didn't know where that came from but she immediately regretted saying it.

"You know Neal?"

"I know everyone here by name and I know a little about him. My mother knows his father"

"Oh"

They stood awkwardly for a moment.

Regina sighed and closed her eyes briefly before saying "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to sound harsh"

Emma nodded. "I understand, your husband seems to be kind of..."

"A bastard?" Regina smirked and Emma gaped momentarily at the Queens language.

"Yeah"

Regina chuckled lightly.

"Will you walk with me again Emma?" The Queen then asked.

"I will" she replied happily.

They then, began to wonder slowly, past a few guests and listened to the tune currently playing.

"You are a great dancer" Emma said, looking forward at nothing in particular.

"I love to dance" The Queen replied.

"It is a shame, two women are not able to dance together" Emma muttered.

Regina paused.

"Who told you that dear?"

"Um, no one. I just have never seen it. I assumed it was wrong to do so, at such occasions"

Regina shook her head.

"I don't know how these occasions work in your kingdom, but here people can dance with whomever they please"

Emma looked down to the floor feeling slightly stupid.

"However, I don't think it would be wise for a Queen to dance with another woman, as it would create gossip for months" she chuckled.

"But what if this woman was a princess?" Emma asked before she could think.

"Even more so, I'm afraid" The Queen sighed and patted down her dress. "Sadly, I really have to go and talk with other guests now. Maybe I shall see you before you leave in the morning"

Emma nodded and for the rest of the evening. They shared gazes across the room.