Chapter 2
Being guided through her chamber door by her mother clasping at her shoulders, Regina sighs with an unimpressed stare as she is brought to a stop just inside the doorway. Glancing up from her position by the balcony as she was sat on a footstool mending one of the princess' dress by hand, Emma quickly pauses and stands to order.
Cora looks across the room with a raised eyebrow. "Girl fix my daughter's hair. She is suppose to be sharing an evening with the King and somehow it has got in this state!"
Cringing a little, the young brunette bites her lip to prevent a smile forming. Noticing, the young blonde gulps then walks over with a nod before leading the princess to her vanity with a hair brush in her hand. Both jumping at the door closing, the pair share an awkward smile. Looking towards her hands while fiddling nervously with them, the princess blurts out her confession. "I may have been attempting to run..."
Reaching across to remove a piece of straw from Regina's hair, Emma sniggers. "By taking your horse from the stables.."
Chuckling sadly at seeing what the blonde had procured from her messy hair, the young brunette nods teary. "I got as far as the gate..mother knows everything"
Removing the clips from dark curls, the young maid stops upon her movements while staring in awe of the princess. Tilting her head up to look through the looking glass, Regina frowns slightly at the quiet girl. "..Emma?"
Meeting the princess' gaze, Emma clears her throat then leans down as she drops the hairbrush. "Sorry..princess.."
Raising an eyebrow, the young brunette turns on her stool as the young blonde stands still, having been caught staring. "Emma, what's wrong? I hope you can speak to me like you have stated I can speak to you?"
"Nothing..I..I was just thinking how..you don't really need all the fancy clips and up dos..your hair is pretty much perfect as it is.."
Smiling at the bumbling maid, Regina covers Emma's hand which holds the brush with her own. "Thank you. I'm glad at least one person can see me as I am..and not some high titled girl who needs to mask herself with ridiculous gowns and make up"
Shifting the princess gently by her shoulders to face the mirror properly, the blonde smiles. "See..no mask needed" trailing her fingers through the young woman's dark locks, the maid pushes her hair towards the front.
Watching in amazement, Regina then shrugs the idea off. "Mother would never approve of me having my hair down.."
"Okay then.." Smiling sadly, Emma begins to re clip the brunette's hair.
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Pacing furiously along the long dining table, the Queen takes a deep breath trying to keep her anger at bay. "Who the hell does he think he is?! There is no way he is getting his hands on my kingdom!"
"Your majesty I don't think-"
"Silence!" Glaring over at her guard, the brunette grips her hand tightly. "..before I snap your neck.." Huffing, Regina then storms out of the hall and heads back towards her chamber while shouting at the nearest guard. "Get me my maid!"
Nodding politely, the guard moves away. "Yes your majesty"
Pushing the doors open and almost knocking them off their hinges, the Queen stands before her vanity and rests her hands, leaning against the table top as she begins to wriggle restlessly while muttering. "This stupid corset.." Hearing the doors now close, the brunette stands up straight gaining a wince. "Get this corset off me!"
Surprised by the demanding tone, Emma rushes over and begins to unlace the back of the Queen's dress. "I still don't see why you wear such-"
"Let go of that ridiculous pipe dream Emma! I have standards to uphold including what I wear! There is no such thing as being normal in the line of royalty only in peasants"
Swallowing hard at the comment, the blonde loosens the last tie allowing the dress to drop to the brunette's ankles before muttering quietly. "Peasants like me.." Turning away, Emma unhooks another dress for the Queen to wear then returns to stand before the woman in silence.
Biting her lip as her anger disperses, Regina rests her hands upon the young maids shoulders as she steps inside her new dress. Staring at the blonde, the Queen sighs. "Emma..I..I'm sorry..I never meant that to be directed at you..I love that you dream..that you have a dream..my only wish is to make it come true but I don't know how"
Shrugging, Emma looks over at her before gesturing for the woman to turn so she can tie up the dress. "It doesn't matter..what I want is something both of us seem to miss.."
Frowning slightly, the brunette sucks in as the dress is pulled up then she smooths the dress down as she once again turns to face her maid. "What is it that you miss on?"
"What everyone wants at least once in their lives? Love..you had it but it was taken and I..well no one wants to be seen with the Queen's maid.."
"Emma, I don't understand..when you say I had love?"
Watching the Queen appear confused, Emma bites her lip before responding. "Daniel..the stable boy.."
"Oh..I see.." Closing her eyes briefly, Regina contemplates telling the blonde the truth but decides against it. "Well..everything happens for a reason.."
"Yes it does..and in this moment in time, this is where I need to be. Even if it's the Queen's maid.."
Stepping around the blonde needing to move away from her, the Queen then peers over her shoulder. "I won't be requiring your assistance until tomorrow..I have a dinner this evening that could go on late"
"But what about when you retire?..oh..I get it.." Realising, Emma gets embarrassed.
Noticing the blondes face, the brunette shakes her head. "God Emma no! I'm not..there's not..no.."
"Even so it is none of my business Regina..." Smiling slightly, Emma then bows when a guard appears. "Goodnight your majesty"
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After a very awkward and nerving dinner with the king, Regina slips quietly out of bed that night and moves to change into her riding attire. Closing her chamber door behind her, the young princess then heads out to the stables. Noticing a small light appear under the closed wooden door, the brunette smiles to herself then enters causing the person inside to jump and knock over his meal.
Chuckling, Regina moves over after closing the door then helps clear up the mess. "Daniel I'm sorry.."
Brushing himself down to make himself presentable, the boy places his loaf of bread back onto the small tree stump used as a table. "It's quite alright princess.."
Rolling her eyes, the brunette then raises an eyebrow towards the boy. "Daniel.."
"Sorry, yes..Regina." Smiling at the girl, Daniel clears his throat. "What brings you out here at this late hour?"
"I was bored..I couldn't sleep. I have a lot on my mind right now.."
"Yes. I heard of the King's plan.." Lifting up his bottle, the boy holds it out the the brunette.
Accepting with a lip bite, the princess gulps down a large measure then pulls a face at the taste. "That's disgusting.."
Laughing, Daniel sits back down on the hay and leans against one of the stable walls. "Sorry your soon to be majesty.."
Glaring playfully, Regina slides herself down beside him and rests her head against his shoulder. "I wish every night could be like this night..just simple..sat in a stable with one candle for light..just..enjoying the peace and quiet.."
Reaching hesitantly for the princess hand, Daniel looks remorseful. "I'm sorry Regina, I wish I could help make it better.."
Looking up, the brunette shrugs. "It doesn't matter..what matters to me will never be good enough for my mother..she would never understand..but I just can't stop thinking at he-" being cut of by a pair of lips, Regina gasps and places a hand to his chest to stop him. "Daniel..."
Realizing his mistake, Daniel looks down then frowns. "Wait, did you just say her?"
Nodding slowly, the princess looks teary. "I can't stop thinking about her Daniel..do I tell her? What do I do?"
"First of I don't know who you are talking about.." Looking confused, the boy tries to think over who it could be.
Staring past at hearing a creak of the door, Regina goes wide eyed. "..Emma.."
Raising an eyebrow, Daniel questions. "It's Emma?"
Hitting his arm lightly, the princess quickly stands and dusts off any hay off of her clothes as she stares towards her maid. Following the brunette's stare, the boy stays quiet.
"Regina?..what are you doing in here? I came to your room to find you missing" Placing her candle up on the side, the blonde moves her disheveled braid before wrapping her arms around herself while clutching at her shawl covering her nightgown.
"Nothing..I couldn't sleep.." Stepping over to the maid, Regina smiles sadly then shares a look with Daniel before walking out of the stables.
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A/N: enjoying so far? Also if there any idea you would like for me to add let me know! :)