Thank you for the positive feedback. Quite sorry for the short chapters, but the next few should be longer. The next update should be later this week. I will also be uploading a new one shot this week called Memories Live On. Check for that and please read my other Once Upon A Time one shots (six in total). Thank you and please review.
Chapter Two: Eyes Set Ahead
Emma heard footsteps approaching the Stage Room and quickly stood up, fixing the annoying poof of her long purple dress and gently placing her blonde curls back behind her shoulder. She was taught from a young age to make a good first impression. As a royal, it was always very important to be at ones best.
Her mother and father walked in, bright smiles upon their faces with two men behind them, whom she could only assume were the Captain and his brother.
"Emma, dear. " Her father stepped forward, placing himself between her and the men."Meet Captain Liam Jones of the Royal Navy."
The older of the two men stepped forward, bowing before her. He had dark curly hair and a stern, yet gentle eyes were dark and emotionless, showing his training in the Royal Navy. He appeared to be around thirty, with broad shoulders and a few wrinkles decorating his face.
"Your majesty" He said as he knelt.
Emma extended her hand, purely out of tradition and he kissed it."Captian." She bluntly greeted him.
He stood, quietly returning to his station beside his brother. He motioned to him and announced his presence. "My brother, Lieutenant Killian Jones."
Killian stepped forward and they went through the same motions that she had with Liam. He was younger than his brother, looking to be about twenty-four or twenty-five. He had much darker hair than his brother and unlike the elder' s hair, it was straight and sleek. He had light facial hair on his young fave. He was fit and strong, smaller than his brother, but appearing in better shape. His eyes were a deep blue that captivated Emma from the first glance.
"It's a pleasure, my princess." He said to her quietly.
She smiled at him. "The pleasure is mine."
Shyly smiling,he retreated back and stood beside his brother. He kept his eyes on her the entire time. Her father's voice broke their stares. "Why don't we let Emma and Liam get to each other. Lieutenant Killian, you can come tell us of you latest voyages."
Emma wanted to learn more about the younger brother, but she knew she must be polite and get to know her potential suitor. He appeared to be nice and had great honors and manners. If he was anything like his brother, she could surely survive an hour alone. Her parents motioned for Killain to follow them and for her and Captain Liam to go and become acquainted with one another.
Killian smiled bleakly and went with the King and Queen, but not without giving Emma a final look goodbye.
Emma and Liam walked around the palace garden, mostly in either awkward conversations or in awkward silence. He had asked of her life as a princess and she asked of his voyages with the navy. Neither wanted to be the first to dig beneath the surface.
"So, Princess, are you excited for your chance to be Queen?" He asked her, keeping his eyes set on the path ahead.
"Being queen is every girl's dream."She simply stated, giving the rehearsed answer she had become accustomed to.
He didn't ask anymore of it. They walked a bit farther before she finally broke their silence. "Why did you agree to this?"
"Do what, your majesty?"
"Agree to a possible arranged marrige." She explained.
"I'm a soldier." He stated. "It's my duty to protect this kingdom. If a marriage is what is required of me, than I shall do as the King and Queen request. "
She nodded. "So, it's just for your duty? You seem more honourable to your kingdom than yourself."
"Whatever do you mean, Princess?"The Captain asked her.
"You'd marry to protect your kingdom even if it's not what you want to do. Do you not want to marry for love instead of it being a deal?"
He stopped walking, but his eyes still stayed on the path as if he was going to start again any minute. "I did. But things do not always work out."
"What happened?" Emma felt that she was slightly over stepping her boundaries, but if she was to be betrothed to the man, she was allowed to know a few things about his life.
He finally turned to her, but his eyes rarely ever locked with hers. "Her name was Clara. We met on one of my voyages. She came aboard the ship secretly and we planned to marry when we returned to port. " He breathed deeply before continuing. " We were attacked...She was in the wrong place at the wrong time and-"
"I'm sorry. Truly. "Emma said.
"I know, Princess. "He said, regaining his composure. He turned from her and faced the way of the path."Thank you."
"I understand that you're scared, but you can find love again." Emma offered.
"I know I can find it again, I just don't know if I can survive losing it again too."
Emma wanted to ask if it was worth the risk, but by the way he started slowly walking without her, she knew the answer.
