Chapter 2

Emma had never felt as alone as she did now. She had just lost Killian, her best friend for almost 4 years, her lover. She had nearly broken down by the thought of losing him before and now was no exception. Alone and sad, she at in one of the corners of her bedroom with her knees under her chin while tears was rolling down her cheeks.

"Lady Swan? Your mother request that you start getting ready for the ball." Marion said and came in to her bedroom. Emma quickly stood up and dried the tears away from her face. "Are you alright, my lady?" Marion rushed to her and closed her cheeks in between her hands.

"Yeah, just allergies or something." Emma lied and smiled to her maid. "Let's start!" Marion examined her before nodding and walking to her closet to get her ball dress. After putting on the dress and fixing her hair, Emma took a last look in the mirror. Her blonde hair was in curls down her back and her body was wrapped in a red dress.

"You look lovely, my lady!" Marion beamed and exited the room. Emma let out a shaky sigh before twirling once in front of her mirror. Today may be the last time she will be single and have her freedom.

"Here goes nothing." She whispered and walked out of her room. If it was one thing she hated it was being the middle of attention and it didn't help when this night was about her. Emma walked down the stairs and in to the ballroom to great her parents. Snow and David was talking to some of the kings and queens that had come here with their sons.

"Emma!" Snow smiled and hugged her daughter while David kissed her forehead. "You look lovely, honey!" Emma forced a smile and bowed her head to the others that was near them.

"Thanks, mom. Can I just go around for a while? Please?" Emma pleaded with her eyes. Snow slowly nodded and took David's hand.

"Don't go outside, sweetheart." David said and smiled as Emma walked away before he joined his wife in their conversation again. Emma put her hands on her back and looked around to the unfamiliar and some familiar faces. She recognized Prince Neal from the neighbor kingdom and Prince Graham from the other. They had been here on several occasions before, but the thought that one of them could be her husband was surprisingly calming. Emma looked around some more until her eyes landed on the most familiar face of them all, Killian. He stood with a couple of other waiter and waitresses while talking and laughing. She was about to go to him, but then she remembered that she couldn't. They were done and their relationship none existed.

"Champagne, my lady?" One of the waiters offered and Emma quickly grabbed one. She downed it and gave it back to the waiter who only smiled before walking away.

"I must say, I haven't seen a woman drink champagne like that." A voice said behind her and she turned. Prince Graham stood smiling behind her with his hands behind his back.

"Well, I'm not quite yet a woman, am I?" Emma smiled before hugging him and laughed which he returned the hug whole heartedly. "God, I've missed you! The last time I heard about you was that you were in another realm!"

"Well, I have been a lot of places since you last saw me, Emma. Two years pass slowly when you have to share a room with my brother who snores." Graham laughed and released Emma from the hug.

"Yeah, so you're here to become my husband now?" She asked and smirked. He shrugged and kissed her hand.

"Perhaps, we'll see." He smirked back before leaving her. Emma rolled her eyes at the man before turning again, almost crashing in to another man.

"Sorry!" Emma quickly said and looked to the man's face. "Neal! It's so good to see you!" She wrapped her arms around her oldest friend in the whole world.

"You too, Emma." Neal said and kissed her cheek. "Christmas is far too long apart for us to meet." Emma nodded and looked at him.

"Do you want to dance?" She asked and grabbed his arm before dragging him out to the dance floor. They found a spot between all the couples who were dancing to the slow music.

"It's the first time I have ever seen you so happy to dancing." Neal said and looked over her shoulder. It was actually an excuse for her to avoid her parents.

"Yeah, well, things change, I guess." She said while carefully looking around when Neal spun her around. "But I still get dizzy, buddy!" Neal laughed and dipped her down.

"That's what fun about it." He smirked and Emma laughed. He lifted her up and Emma saw Killian just in time to watch him walk out of the ballroom.

"Excuse me." She said before pushing through the crowd, leaving Neal. Her parents called after her, but she didn't stop. "Killian!" Emma called when she rushed through the door of the ballroom. Killian stood in the hall and drew a hand through his dark hair.

"Go inside, Emma." He said and turned away.

"What is it?" Emma asked and came towards him. She was about to grab his hand, but stopped in her move. "Tell me." She whispered and Killian looked into her eyes.

"Nothing, you should go inside to Graham again. He's a nice guy." Killian said and nodded towards the ballroom doors. That's when Emma started to smile.

"You're jealous at Graham?" Emma asked and put her hand in front of her mouth from laughing. "You are."

"No, I'm not. Just go inside, Swan." Killian said and looked down at the floor. Emma nodded and started to walk away, but turned to him again.

"Just one question." He looked at her again and nodded. "Does it bother you that I'm going to marry someone in the next half year or so?" Killian opened his mouth, but quickly closed it again.

"I have no idea." He answered before walking down the hall. Emma sighed before walking in to the ballroom again, but her heart ached to follow Killian and just kiss him. It was what her body wanted, but luckily her head was smarter…or was it?