For the first time ever, I am going to try uploading chapters every single day as a personal challenge of mine. I might have to do every other day, depending on how life goes. First off, thank you all for reading and reviewing, it really lifts my spirits and motivates me every time I see a new comment. Secondly, some people are concerned about the age difference between Emma and Regina. Here are my thoughts on that:

* Emma doesn't see Regina as a mother figure, more so as a friend. She doesn't allow herself to see people that way ever since her parents abandoned her.

*To call this story 'sick' simply because you want this to be a friendship or mother/daughter rather than romance is really disrespectful, and in no way did I tell you to 'ignore it'. I simply said it won't be like adultery or anything. If you don't like it, don't read it. Simple as that.

*I am writing for myself, and I have a vision of how I want this to go. Please only leave constructive criticism rather than hate.

Other than those few key points, I hope you enjoy this story.

When I wake, I read a few chapters of Emma's book then go to the dining hall for breakfast. Leopold is just finishing up his meal. He stands and kisses me quickly before helping me in my chair.

"Are you going somewhere?" I ask curiously as a steward comes through carrying a few bags.

Leopold sighs. "I must go to Sherwood Forest, my dearest. The king has requested my arrival to help with the bandits overrunning the kingdom. I will be back as soon as I can." He cups my face, running the pad of his thumb along my jawline. "Will you be alright for a few days, my love?"

"Of course." I fight not to pull away in disgust at how rough his fingers had treated me the night before.

He smiles kindly. "This way you can settle into your new home and get to know the girls."

The sound of running footsteps echoes through the room. "Father do you have to go?" Snow whines as she enters with Emma in tow.

Leopold sweeps his daughter off his feet and holds her tight. "I'm afraid so, Snow. I'll be back soon." He sets her gently on her feet, pulling something from his fur cloak. "I'll leave you with a departing gift."

Snow gasps in delight. "My leash and collar! Oh thank you thank you, Father!" The girl stands on her tiptoes to kiss the man's cheek.

Emma looks less than delighted as she stares at the pink-jeweled 'toy' that was meant for her to wear. My heart aches for her, and I wish I was strong enough to voice my disapproval. Snow is treating the girl like a servant, not a sister.

As soon as Leopold is gone, Snow invites me to play. "You can be the mother, I'll be the daughter, and Emma will be the pet!"

I agree only to keep an eye on Emma to make sure Snow doesn't hurt her. Snow attaches the collar to Emma's neck and pulls her along. "Get on your hands and knees!" She orders. "Dogs can't walk on their hind legs!"

Emma does as she's told, keeping her eyes trained on the floor. I trail along behind, trying to work up the courage to tell Snow to stop. The young princess is above me on the royal scale, after all. One sour word to her father and I'll be sent back to Mother's clutches. She is waiting for me to fail, I'm sure.

The sound of gasping and choking catches my attention. Snow kicks Emma hard in the ribs, causing her to collapse onto the stone floor.

"Snow!" I cry, rushing over to the little girl crumpled onto the ground. "You don't treat people like this!" I quickly unclasp the collar and throw it to the side.

"She's a horrible dog!" Snow stamps her foot. "She doesn't know how to play!"

I help Emma sit up. "Then maybe you should find some other friends to play with, dear," I advise, trying to be as gentle as possible.

"Fine. You can play with me, Regina. Leave Emma to her stupid books." Snow tugs on my arm.

I wrench myself from her grasp. "You need to get ready for your studies, Snow. Your teacher will be here any minute."

As Snow goes to gather her things, I take Emma upstairs to my chamber to clean her up. The girl doesn't say anything as I clean the scrapes on her hands and knees, just sniffles every few seconds. A large bruise is rapidly forming on her ribs as well. I gently touch the area around it to make sure none of her ribs are broken. She whimpers and I look up to see a single tear fall down her cheek.

"Hey." I reach up and wipe the tear away. "I read some of your book earlier this morning. I quite enjoy it."

This doesn't seem to improve the little girl's state, so I turn her toward the mirror and begin brushing the knots from her hair. A smile ghosts across my face as this reminds me of the gentle Cora I knew years ago.

"I used to love when my mother brushed my hair," I comment.

When Emma doesn't look up, I put a finger under her chin and tilt it up so our eyes meet in the reflection. "You don't have to follow Snow's orders, Emma. She's not your boss. You're equally a part of this family as she is."

Emma's chin wobbles, her lip trembles. She slowly shakes her head. My heart sinks in my chest. What had gone wrong with such an innocent little girl to make her like this?

You should be asking yourself the same thing.

"You are beautiful." My voice shakes, but I soldier on. "You have so much potential inside of you, I know it. You decide your own fate, Emma. Not anyone else."

Something in her eyes tells me she knows I didn't agree to become the king's wife. Intuitive, this girl is. So much like I was at her age.

"So if you want to read instead of playing Snow's made up games, then do so. Do you have study today?"

Emma slowly shakes her head. I smile at her in the mirror. "Then you and I are going to town."

The carriage shakes and bumps with every little dip in the road. I notice little Emma is holding onto the seat for dear life, looking a little green. Poor girl must not ride in carriages very often. I gently pry one of her hands off the seat and clasp it in my own. She looks at me with wide eyes—I offer her a smile. She slowly scoots over to use me as a lifeline instead of the seat while I try to distract her with comments about the scenery outside.

Unfortunately, Emma's stomach fails once we set our feet on solid ground. She spins around and hurls as villagers look at us with curiosity. I rub the girl's back and try to soothe her as best I can.

"It's the queen!" A man cries joyously.

Suddenly, we're being surrounded by people of all ages, thanking me and cooing at little Emma. The girl clings to my arm, her face violently pale. Annoyed with the lack of respect coming from these strangers, I snap.

"Can't you get the girl some water?! She's ill!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" A tin cup of water is quickly handed over to Emma. By the look on her face, it tastes like old pennies, but she gulps it all down quickly anyway.

Once her stomach is settled, we casually walk through the vendor area. I set my sights on new fabrics for Emma, not noticing the girl has fallen behind until I turn to ask her what she thinks of a certain color. When I turn to look, she is holding a colorful book while a vendor talks animatedly to her.

I tell the vendor I'll be right back before making my way over to her. Upon realizing I have noticed her, Emma quickly puts the book back down on the table and wraps her arms around herself, staring at the ground once again. I give the book vendor a kind smile before picking it up. The book is called The Seeing Stone, about a king named Arthur who takes a sword from a stone and goes from peasant to king.

"Does this interest you?" I ask Emma, flipping the cover to skim the first page.

Emma shrugs in answer. I bend down to her level. "Something tells me you've already read most of the books in our library. How about we get you a few more?"

Emma's piercing green eyes meet my soft brown ones. I notice tears are welling up in her eyes, and a small smile is upon her face. Though she is part of the royal family, she must not have been treated as well as Snow. Who knows if she ever had anyone purchase anything new for her?

I hand the book to the vendor. "If you could wrap this up along with any others that she wants."

We head back to the palace with 5 new dresses, 2 pairs of shoes, and too many books to count. Though Emma says not a word, the smile on her face and the way she's bouncing in her seat and swinging my hand tells me all I need to know. My heart lifts and I send a thought up to Daniel, wherever he may be, hoping he is proud of what I have done. Maybe I can be a good queen after all.

Snow is beet red in the face and on the verge of a temper tantrum when we return. The private tutor gives me a pitiful look as he leaves, indicating he had a difficult time with her today. Emma instinctively shadows behind me with a tight grip on my arm as Snow stomps over.

"I have been stuck in a stupid arithmetic lesson for four hours!" Snow screams. "Meanwhile, you take Emma to the market and buy her new things! She doesn't even deserve it!"

"Snow, calm down." I reach into my satchel and pull out the gift Emma picked out for her. Anger bubbles up inside as I clutch it tightly in my fist. She doesn't deserve it. She killed my Daniel and treats Emma horribly. But I force myself to give it to her anyway.

Be the bigger person, Regina. Be kind.

Snow practically rips the gift from my hand. "A doll! She's beautiful!"

I follow the girls upstairs to watch them play, sitting on the window seat of their room and watching as storm clouds roll in the early evening sky. Snow grows bored of her expensive gift after a few minutes and nosily paws through Emma's treasures.

"Books? That's all you picked out?" The girl says with disgust, her nose turned upwards. She fingers the soft dresses hanging in Emma's closet. "The dresses are pretty, I guess." She holds one up to her and frowns. "But they won't fit me."

"You have enough dresses, Snow." Snow's personal servant Johanna comes in holding freshly pressed linens. "Be kind to your sister."

Emma glances up from her book with an unamused look. Apparently, she doesn't like being called Snow's sister. I hide a smile and trace the raindrops that are landing on the window. Snow stands and tosses her doll on her bed.

"I would like to dine alone tonight." Snow glares at Emma before leaving us alone.

I lean over Emma's shoulder. "You're a fast reader, Little Swan." The nickname slips out before I can stop it. I am afraid I have upset her from the way her lips twitch.

"Is- is it alright that I call you that?" I ask.

Emma looks up from her book and nods before pointing to a picture on the page. I look at the colorful, painted illustration with an amused expression. The picture shows Arthur holding his love Guinevere close, their lips meeting as they gaze into each other's eyes. I push away my own feelings of loneliness to keep Emma happy.

"Do you want that someday, Emma? A love of your own?"

I chuckle as Emma's nose wrinkles and she shakes her head. "Okay, a little too young for that. I understand."

As the sky begins to darken, my stomach grumbles. Emma is almost halfway through her book and completely lost in the story though her own stomach is making hungry sounds. "I hate to tear you away from your book, but I think we better eat some dinner," I announce.

An audible sigh is heard as Emma shuts the book and slides it underneath her pillow. The girl must love books more than food. Or people, for that matter. Perhaps she is like me, and loves disappearing into another life, if only for a little while.

"I have an idea. How about we dine up here? We'll get little snacks and then get comfortable while we wait out the storm."

Soon, Emma is playing in the bathtub filled with bubbles while we munch on finger sandwiches accompanied with fruit and drink hot cocoa. Rainy and I used to do the same thing back home, and those were some of the best memories of my childhood.

I am reading out of Emma's book when I feel the little girl's hand on my thigh. She points to my legs and I instantly know what she's asking. I set the book aside. "I'm alright. It doesn't hurt too badly today."

This seems to reassure Emma, but the question of how she knows about it runs through my mind again. "Emma?" I say, catching the girl's attention. She stops playing long enough to look at me. "How do you know what happened between… between Snow's father and I?"

With a serious expression, the little girl points to the book nearby. "A book? You learned that from a book? What kind of books does this castle have?" I ask, slightly disturbed.

From the way Emma smiles, I can tell she doesn't believe what Snow says about her being stupid. She's a little soldier, perhaps even stronger than I.

Leopold returns a few days later all good news and smiles. I try to relax into his arms as he embraces me, wanting to learn a lesson from little Emma and live the life that was chosen for me the best I can. He brings toys and dresses for his daughter with hugs and kisses, and a little worn cloak for Emma with a pat on the head. This bothers me, as he picks Snow up and takes her into his study to tell her of his journey. It's almost if he's treating Emma like a pet as well, giving her a bone to keep her quiet and content.

Emma doesn't seem to mind though as she follows me to the throne room to keep me company while I listen to the requests and accept offerings from these new villagers. This is the one duty I am required to have, other than attending royal functions. Villagers have come near and far to speak with me and offer up food for the ball being held tonight in celebration of the king's successful endeavor.

After tribute, Snow insists I help her get ready for the ball. Emma seems content to get ready quickly and then stick her nose back in her book. I eye her in the mirror as I brush Snow's hair, knowing I'm going to have to give her a makeover later.

"What's this?" Snow tugs at my ring on a chain hanging around my neck as I am tying a bow in her hair.

"Oh, it's—"

I'm cut off as Snow takes it off me and puts it around her neck. "It's pretty."

"Yes, it is." I grit my teeth as a vision of me taking the necklace and strangling the young girl with it comes to mind.

"Where did you get it?" Snow plays with it, making me wince and fight not to rip it from her hands. It's the engagement ring Daniel gave to me. It's only a simple gold band, but it means the world to me. And to have the girl who killed him holding it as if it were her own makes my stomach churn.

"I don't remember," I lie, pulling the bow unnecessarily tight in her hair so she yelps.

Snow hands it back before smoothing out her dress. "I would keep it for myself but it's rather dull. I only like shiny gold."

I quickly put it back around my neck, hiding it in the collar of my gown as Snow skips off to show her father her 'dressed to impress' outfit.

"Alright, Little Swan. Let's get you ready," I say loudly, trying to catch Emma's attention. She almost becomes deaf when she immerses herself in her books. I'm finding I'm guilty of that too. In the mornings, the servants will come in to get me ready for the day and make my bed and I won't even hear them knocking. I blame Emma's fairytale book—it has a captivating way of sweeping you into it.

Emma closes her book and stands, moving her hands down her body as if to say, 'I'm already ready.' The look on her face almost makes me laugh. I beckon her over and pull a blue ball gown that matches Snow's over her head, tightening the silk white sash in the back. A grumpy look appears on her face as she scrutinizes herself in the mirror.

I give her a lopsided smile. "I know you're not too excited about wearing the same thing as Snow (or attending this ball), but I can tell you one thing—" I lean forward to rest my chin on her shoulder, "you are definitely more beautiful."

It's a mean thing to say and is fueled by my anger, but it has some truth to it. Emma is more beautiful than the princess, inside and out. I begin curling her hair with a hot iron so her golden locks fall in springy ringlets that frame her face just so.

"There." I boop her nose, making her smile. "Oh! Before I forget, I have a gift for you."

I pull out a tiny gold band identical to Daniel's except shinier and slip it on her finger. Emma's whole face lights up and for a moment, I feel the familiar pulse of magic as the lamps in the room flicker. I pull back in apprehension for just a second, but chalk it up to my wild imagination.

I finger my own gold band around my neck. "Someone I love gave me this once, a long time ago. It's my… my armor. It reminds me every day that things could be worse, that I can survive. That there is something out there worth living for." I gently touch her ring, running my finger over the smooth metal. "I know I can't replace a mother… I don't even know if I can be one. But I promise I will protect you and care for you so long as I am here."

Emma wraps her arms around my neck for the first time and holds on tight. I hug her back, tears in my eyes. "Now let's go have as much fun as we can at this ball."

Hello there! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Make sure to leave a review—I am replying to each and every comment that is posted.

And just a warning—it will get worse before it gets better. This is an angsty fic, and it will give you all the feels.