As soon as she heard the large doors of the grand front doors click from the dining room, Emma briskly walked to her room without clearance from her parents. She locked the door behind her and fell atop of the bed. Her hands and knees slowly sunk into the soft mattress with each passing second. She watched the Jones' carriage from the window above the headboard of her bed and did not move until the coach had shrunk into nothingness.

She snapped out of her daze almost immediately from a sudden rapping on the door. Emma got up from her bed and smoothed down her skirt before opening the door.

"May I come in?" Her mother had on the soft yet anxious smile she always wore when she was about to have discussions of heavy matter.

Emma pushed her lips together into a thin straight line, "I don't suppose I have much of a choice?" Her mother nodded slowly in agreement as she entered the room. Emma warily closed the door behind her and sat on the bed beside her mother who had already settled on it.

"So," Snow began in a light yet broken sort of tone, "how was the tour of the garden with Prince Killian?"

Emma took a deep breath expecting the words she needed to express herself to just lay themselves out, but she found that seconds later she did not know what the words were. She thought for a couple more minutes before saying, "It was… interesting."

"Interesting how?"

Emma spent twice as long in thought as the previous question before she answered, "Prince Killian was very… interesting." She paused once more, "I admit he was a little vexing at first, but his company is actually not all that terrible."

Snow laughed at the selectiveness of her daughter. "Incredible! Not all that terrible, indeed. Few are honored with that title from you."

Emma laughed and narrowed her eyes at her mother. "Fine, he was… humorous and amiable. He gets a little flirtatious and… yet somewhat assertive… and," she pronounced the last almost inaudibly, "Charming."

"Charming?" Her mother eyed her knowingly. "Well, there's a statement."

"Oh, hush." Emma rolled her eyes and let her head fall back on a feather pillow.

"Alright well," Snow pushed herself off the bed, "I just wanted to know how that went."

Before her mom could leave her bedroom, Emma stopped her as she was turning the brass knob of her door. "Mom?"

"Yes, dear?" Emma's mother looked whipped her head around to face her with kind eyes.

"Why was he really here? Why were they really here?"

Snow bit her lip as she thought of an answer. She then replied carefully, "Their kingdom is a very close ally of ours, Emma. Political relations often need to be backed up by social relations." Her mother looked away as if she suddenly couldn't stand to look at her daughter.

Emma let a slow moment of silence pass before she sighed, "Alright."

"Emma, I really want you to give Killian a chance okay? Even just as a casual friend," she paused, "because we'll be around their royal family more often in the coming years." she then turned slowly to face her daughter, "Good night, Emma." She smiled softly at her and left her room.

Emma awoke the next morning to the sound of books toppling over the floor. She bolted up to find Prince Killian picking them up and returning them to their rightful places. He then turned to her and shot her a charming grin.

"Good morning, love."

Emma's eyes grew wide with terror as she realized she was still in her sheer evening gown. She held the sheets up as high as her shoulders to cover herself. Then, in a flurry of anxiety, she opened her mouth to let out a blood-curding shriek.

Killian, not missing a beat, stepped forward and covered her mouth with his hand. "Uh-uh-uh, quiet now. It took me some time persuading your maidservants to allow me to enter your room without alarming your parents. I wouldn't want to be the cause of their unemployment." He winked at her.

Emma slobbered over his palm in hopes of having him repulsed by her saliva, instead she received a carnal and hungry moan subtly erupt from the back of his throat. She groaned and yanked his hand off then watched him swipe his hand with a red silk handkerchief as he eyed her evocatively. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Get out."

Completely unruffled, Killian plopped down beside her on the bed and proceeded to making himself comfortable. He tucked his hands behind his head and crossed one leg over the other then tipped his prince crown over his eyes in undeniable defiance.

Emma growled at him angrily. She pulled herself out of bed, roughly tugging the blankets with her which forced Killian to roll off of the bed in one swift motion. She smiled to herself in satisfaction and entered her bathroom to change. Killian redeposited himself upon the bed and returned his crown in its former position. He hummed an upbeat sailor's tune and swirled his foot around in sync with the rhythm.

Killian jerked upright as he heard the bathroom door swing open. He untipped his crown and stopped to stare down at the blonde before him. She wore a white blouse with frills running down the front and at the end of its long sleeves. Its front cut short right above her riding pants, but at the back its tail fell down almost like a gown. Her leather riding boots were still caked with day-old mud at the soles and zipped up until her mid-calf.

"You look beautiful," Killian told her in a voice that seemed choked.

Caught in a moment of vulnerability, Emma shied her flustered face away from Killian. She cleared her throat and mustered a small, "thanks."

Killian chuckled and pushed himself off of her bed. He placed one hand on the curve of her waist and led her out the door, "We'll have a splendid day, love."

They arrived at the Western kingdom in Killian's golden standard, with red velvet curtains shading the car's windows and a red banner hiked up on its side. The commoners stopped their morning activities immediately and knelt on the ground. Even children of ripe ages stooped down, following the suit of their mothers obediently. Two coachmen riding at the back of the standard hurried toward the front to open the door. The townspeople, on their knees and heads bowed down, stole peeks at the regal unfolding as Killian stepped out of the standard then held his hand out for Emma to cautiously take and step out with him.

"Why did we stop here?" Emma whispered as she looked around.

Killian linked his arm in hers, "These people are the basic elements of my kingdom. If I'm to tour you, they must be the first stop."

They were in the middle of the town plaza, littered with stands of all sorts. A variety of bakers, blacksmiths, florists, tailors, and other common men lowered down their heads as the noble couple walked passed them. Young ladies in simple tunics of cheap cloth curtseyed low in their path and small children stopped running to bend down in respect.

Emma watched as Killian ruffled the dark-haired head of a young boy, no more than seven. The boy looked up with a cheeky smile and the ghost of a shy giggle. Killian held his hand out and the boy smiled even wider as he took his hand. Soon a mass of children surrounded the two, nearly making Emma jump. A pair of girl twins took one of Emma's each and led her to a stretch of meadow at the northern edge of the plaza.

There Emma settled down and the girls began playing with her hair, twirling it around their fingers and braiding it in messy knots. The princess didn't mind however and looked over the horizon. Her mind drifted towards her horse. The field looked as if it was made for a day of ceaseless riding.

"Enjoying yourself so far, love?" Killian's soft voice broke her out of her trance.

"The children are… precious." She smiled tenderly at a younger girl who had followed the bunch. She looked about four and sat quietly on Killian's lap.

"I take it that, you like children, then." Killian watched a couple of young boys run around the meadow in a cross game of tag and role-play.

"Well who doesn't like children?" Emma rolled her eyes up at the two girls who were looping stems of daisies into her hair.

Killian watched as the twins finished the floral crown upon the princess' fair head. "Beautiful."

Emma swallowed a lump in her throat and pretended not to hear. A moment of silence, save for the joyous shrieks of the children playing, elapsed thence. Killian leaned forward and closer to Emma until she could faintly feel his breath on her cheek. She turned slowly and moved toward him magnetically. He then captured her in a searing kiss, making the young girls giggle and the young boys pretend-gag. The couple pulled away from each other hearing the commotion and laughed heartily.

"Are you married?" One of the twins asked Emma while the other elbowed her reproachfully.

"I hope that we will be." Killian sent Emma a wink and left the princess to continue laughing. For no longer than a heart beat, a corner of Killian's mouth tugged into a frown at the thought of her not taking his response into heart, but he soon pushed the thought away knowing her unawareness of the matter.

After an afternoon's worth of chasing and song-singing with the children the regal couple took leave for the sun began to dip. Emma entered the standard first, followed by Killian who sat beside her then called for the coach to begin driving.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, love." Killian told her.

"Who said I enjoyed myself?" Emma teased and crossed her arms playfully.

"You received a kiss from me, of course you enjoyed yourself today." Killian retorted and merited a punch on the arm. After their laughter died down, Killian asked, "All seriousness love, you did enjoy yourself?"

Emma surrendered a small nod. She had to admit, although she expected a tour on horse-back, their afternoon with the common children was a great delight to her. It also reassured her of the path she knew she had to take being the sole heiress of her kingdom and a noble-born princess. Princesses were made for political wedding and bedding, this much she already knew. Her parents were one of the lucky few that married in true love. It was a great comfort to know that whoever her husband may be, she would at the very least have the love of her children come what may.

"I saw you eyeing the field," Killian observed and broke her out of a daze once more, "Would you like a ride around on your steed tomorrow?"

Emma smiled, "yes."

"And how was the day with the Charming girl? Have you asked for her hand?" Killian's father inquired with a sense of comedic coldness.

"It was good… I earned another kiss in the least." Killian rubbed the back of his neck, "But I have yet to ask for her hand."

The king sighed heavily and unnaturally loud as if he means to guilt Killian, "Son, our kingdom is growing poorer and poorer while our enemies at the border are thriving and collaborating. The kingdom is counting on you to seal it with this girl."

Killian rolled his eyes, "Unfortunately father, she is still a woman. A woman, like any other, who guards her heart more than anything else and requires much time and effort before allowing any trust."

"God forbid that wretched mother of hers wanting her daughter to fall for you first. If it weren't for their riches, their royal family is nothing more than a farce not ready for any sort of political alliance. Time and time again in history thousands of princes and princesses have sacrificed any chance of real love in marriage for the sake of their country, yet we're at the mercy of a sixteen year-old and her damned guarded heart."

"Worry not, father, if she's like any other girl, she will also come around. And quite soon." With that, Killian left for his quarters and sleep.

Happy Holidays! Please forgive me for being gone so long. I hope this chapter can serve as a decent (and late) Christmas present for all of you. Cheers!

PS: I think I've spoiled all of you with enough fluff, prepare for some drama, my dears.