I would like to thank brightmoon78 for the awesome title suggestion :3. I'm so glad you all are enjoying my little story!
A light knock against the door startles Emma out of her thoughts. "Y-yeah?" she calls out.
"Miss Emma? The Queen has sent us to help you get dressed." A cheery voice replies. "If you need more time to wake…"
"No, no it's fine. Come in." Emma sits up in bed, trying to shake Regina's face from her mind. The door creaks open and three smiling women walk through, carrying various cloths and accessories. "What's all that?" Emma eyes the shortest of the trio wearily.
She giggles. "Her Majesty gave us these for you to wear, of course. I'm Alexandria and this is Mary and Violet." The others smile gently at Emma. "Now stand so we can measure you."
Bewildered and intrigued, Emma carefully slides out of bed feeling ridiculous in her nightgown. "Um okay…why do you have to measure?"
Alexandria glances back at her collogues in confusion. "To make sure we have a corset in your size."
Corset? No one mentioned corsets being involved. "Right, sorry." She blushes and fans her arms outward as the women circle and poke her. Mary holds up two different dresses to her chest, then quickly tosses them aside, shaking her head. Emma found the women mildly entertaining as they mutter amongst themselves, shuffling through armfuls of various clothes and hairpieces.
"What exactly am I'm wearing that requires my lungs to be compressed?" Emma huffs, wincing when Violet yanks the corset tightly against her skin.
"The Queen herself recommended a lovely gown." Mary purrs. "You must be so very honored, to be invited to dine with the Royal Family!" she exclaims, sliding cool fabric over Emma's head. The trio steps back murmuring their approval.
"Yes, it's…such an honor." Emma refrains from adding she's dine with royals multiple times, though she wasn't sure burgers and milkshakes count as "fine dining".
"Darling, you look stunning in this dress. The Queen was right; it does make her eyes shine!" Violet squeaks, her own gray eyes sparkling. She gently guides Emma toward the large mirror near the back of the room. "Take a look."
Emma intakes a sharp breath as she stares at her reflection. A light lavender lace front dress flows down to her knees, trimmed in a baby bird blue. She barely recognized herself in the simple gown. It screamed…fairytale. Snow would've had a field day with this. Lifting a puffed sleeve, Emma tucks her hair behind her ear, gazing at her shining green eyes. Regina was right, the jungle-green orbs popped against her skin.
"Oh your hair! We almost forgot!" Alexandria exclaims, pulling the blonde from the mirror as she whips out a brush. "Mary, go fetch me that white and blue band." She orders, plopping Emma onto the bed with a swift yank. "You must look your best for the King and Queen." She mutters.
It's all Emma can do but not allow herself to be yanked around by three small women as they flitter around like doves attacking her hair, twisting and pinning. Through the pain at her roots, Emma idly wonders if this would've been a routinely process if she'd hadn't been the Savior. God, would she've ever gotten use to this?
Finally satisfied, the group pulls back. "There." Mary sighs, smiling. "As pretty as a princess she is." The others nod in agreement.
Emma smiles lightly. "Thank you for your help." She gently touches the woman's arm before scooting around her to look in the mirror once more. Turns out all the fuss formed an elegant braid crown, allowing her flowing hair to frame her face. She turns to the women, grinning. "You guys are good at this."
They blush their thanks before rushing Emma towards the bedroom doors. "Go! You can't be late! We'll take care of things here." Mary orders.
Panic surges in Emma as she's once again reminded of her mission. "Do mind leaving my old…garments alone? Once I leave it'll be easier for me to wear those." She asks kindly, hoping the women would understand.
"Of course, Miss Emma. Now go!" she gives her a gentle shove down the hall then closes the door. Leaving Emma to face her problems alone.
Regina glances down the hallway for the third time, fiddling with her wedding ring. She sighs, feeling the diamonds scratch her skin. Daniels ring fit perfectly on her finger from the moment he'd slipped it on, it was a promise of safety and freedom. Now she had lost all three of them. But she continues to wear his ring in remembrance, her one act of defiance towards her mother. How she wished to toss Leopold's ring out into the forest, where a bird would swoop down and carry it away, then she'd slide on Daniel's ring to its rightful place.
The Queen shakes her head clear, now was not the time for daydreaming. She glances down the hall once more with impatience, what the hell was taking Emma so long? She couldn't keep the King waiting for much longer.
After a few minutes, Regina sighs heavily and turns to join her step-family for breakfast when the sound of shoes flapping against marble stops her in her tracks. She turns, wide-eyed, to see Emma flying down the hallway, blonde hair trailing behind her.
The Savior skids to a stop inches from the Queen, huffing. "Hey." She greets meekly, figuring since she's still Regina, her ass is on the line for begin late.
The brunettes' signature frown appears on her face she glares at Emma. 'Operation Get Regina's Love' was off to a great start. "Where the hell were you? Don't you know it's impolite to keep the Queen waiting?" she snaps as relief washes over her.
"Sorry. Lots of traffic down that hallway." Emma half-heartedly jokes, shuffling her flat-footed feet.
Regina purses her lips together in an attempt to look stern. Which may have worked, if she were present day Regina. This Regina was too cute and fragile-looking to take completely seriously. But, hell, she was still kinda scary.
"Let's go. We're late enough." She leads them down the hallway to the main dining hall, where Leopold and Snow were already seated at an elongated table which should obviously be used for extravagant parties, not a sad attempt of a family breakfast. "I sincerely apologize for our tardiness, it seems out guest it not accustomed to waking this early." Regina's voice immediately turns sugary soft in the presence of the King. Emma hated it. It was nothing like her Regina.
Leopold stands from the table, smiling softly. "It's alright, Regina. You were only being a good hostess." He turns his blue gaze to Emma. "And just who do I owe the pleasure of allowing my porridge to grow cold?" he jokes lightly.
Emma forces a laugh, gathering up her skirts in an attempt to curtsey. "Your Graciousness, I do so apologize for chilling your porridge." She internally winces, how much of a dork can you be?
The King chuckles along with Snow. "You may rise. I don't believe I caught your name, young maiden."
"Oh. I'm Emma. Emma Swan." She hoped this wouldn't affect anything. But then again, if Regina was her True Love everything will be set right back in place.
Snow giggles once more. "You're name is not only beautiful but unique. You're parents must be proud to have come up with it." She smiles.
Yeah, lady you have no idea. "They are in indeed, Princess." Emma replies, bowing her head slightly.
"Might we dine now, Your Grace? I'd hate to keep you waiting any longer." Regina pipes up, pulling out a chair beside the King. She gestures for Emma to sit down a few paces from her.
Leopold nods. "Of course, Lady Swan must be famished from her journey." He re-seats himself, signaling the rest of the room as well. "Tell me, dear where do you travel from?" he inquires as he stuffs a napkin over his breast.
Emma freezes, completely unprepared. She flicks her eyes to each curious member of her family. "Um…it's a very small town. Called….StoryBrooke…" she winces for the second time. She had a feeling she'd be doing that a lot today.
Regina's eyebrows shoot up. Emma's heart stops. "StoryBrooke? What an unusual name." she comments, looking back down to her eggs.
You named it. Emma felt as though she might go insane from all this basic information she couldn't reveal. "Uh yeah, it wasn't founded very long ago. But I've always wanted to travel the world." Emma pokes her sausage with her fork. Regina pauses mid-bite, eyes widening.
Snow's daintily dabs the side of her mouth. "Really? Was this is your initial stop?"
"Not exactly. No offence." Emma hastily adds, "But I'm happy I ended up here." She glances at Regina, whose cheeks flush pink. "It's a lovely kingdom."
Leopold smiles. "Thank you. Do you know how long you'll be gracing us will your presence?"
Emma shakes her head. "Sorry, if I'm being a bother or anything. I could try to find an inn or something…" Do they even have inns in the EnchantedForest?
"Nonsense. You'll be staying with us until you decide to move on." The King's eyes shine with kindness. Emma almost decides to like him until she remembers what he put Regina through.
"Thank you, Your Highness that's very kind of you." She bows her head in thanks, wanting to reach over to squeeze Regina's hand. The group lapses into a comfortable silence as they finish breakfast. Emma had a feeling this was the usual for the family.
Once the sad event had completed, the family disburses into different sections of the castle. Emma frowns, uncomfortable. Back home, you take one step toward the door and you end up playing 20 Questions, here it was 'do your own thing' and it felt…wrong.
"So, Emma what do propose we do?" Regina asks, sliding her wedding ring up and down her finger.
Emma takes note of the action. "Ummm, no clue. Don't you have Queenly business to conduct?"
Regina chuckles, beginning to walk towards the back of the castle. "No. That's the King's job; I mostly just stand by whenever he needs to sign an important document." He tone was light but Emma knew she hated being treated as mere eye-candy. She could feel herself hating her Grandfather all over again.
"Okay…then what do you usually do?" Emma picks at invisible lint on her skirt, knowing what she had to do.
"Walk around, help the servants mostly. Sometimes Snow needs tutoring assistance." The woman shrugs.
Emma frowns. Well hell, that sounds boring. "You don't go outside the palace to get to know your people?"
Regina looks to her as if the blonde had lost her mind. "No. As a royal, I don't mingle with peasants unless a grand affair is occurring." It was something she learned from Cora. Peasants aren't worth anyone's time, not when you're on top of the food chain, according to her mother.
"What about me? I'm not a royal." Emma points out softly.
Regina pauses, meeting Emma's wild green gaze. "I suppose you're different then." She replies just as softly. They stare into another's gaze, trying to find a weakness, anything that might give away who the other is inside. Neither find what they're looking for, but strangely, it's enough for them.
Emma clears her throat, ripping her eyes away from the mesmerizing pools of chocolate. "Do you think you'd make an exception for the rest of your kingdom?"
"I'm sorry, what exactly are proposing?"
"Let's go out into the village. You can't be cooped up inside this place all the time." Emma leans forward with excitement. "You deserve to go see the world, Regina. Even if it's just a little slice."
Blinking rapidly, Regina's lips part in shock. "But what about the King-"
"If we get caught I'll take the fall. Come on, Regina." She reaches out to tug at her hand. "Don't tell me the Queen is afraid of a little danger?" she taunts, smirking.
Regina's eyes narrow, a playful glint shimmering through. "Let me go change." She slowly releases Emma's hand and starts towards her bedchambers.
Emma watches after her with a grin, maybe she was better at this than she thought.
Regina worriedly paces her office, fiddling with the ring on her finger. She couldn't get Emma's terrified face out of her mind, the blonde's waning confidence both worried and saddened her. Could she really have so little faith in their love? But she couldn't really blame her, if she were in that position she'd be doubting everything she knew.
Changing direction, Regina chews on her bottom lip till it's raw. She hated being this helpless; it reminded her of her days of being Leopold's petty wife. She quickly shakes her head. No. She's nothing like that scared woman. She's moved on from that stage, grown and learned from it. And she'd be damned if one idiotic move from the Savior would send her tumbling back.
Letting out an irritated huff, Regina stops her pacing to rest against her desk, running a hand tiredly through her hair. "This woman will be the death of me." She mutters, as she flips through the same spell magic book she'd fallen sleep over last night.
"I do you're talking about me. Because it really would be an honor." Regina's head snaps up to see green smoke disappearing, leaving her grinning sister in its wake.
Rolling her eyes, Regina casually leans against her desk as her heart thumps unevenly in her chest. "I don't recall inviting you in." she seethes. Her annoying sister was the least of her problems right now.
"Oh I know. Just thought I'd stop by to see you, Sis." Her accent thickens viciously at the nickname. "This might be our only chance to hang out before I destroy you." She snarls.
"Bit of a morbid occasion to propose a playdate."
"Nothing is ever too morbid for family get-together."
An electrifying glare-off ensues, power radiating off both women, out for the others blood. Loathing burning in their eyes they begin to circle another, gaze never wavering. Zelena's eyes dart to the book resting atop Regina's desk, a light smirk forming upon her features. "Trying to brush up on your studies before the fight, dear?"
Regina grinds her teeth together, using all her will-power not to reduce her sister into ashes. She knows what Emma would tell her "She's not worth it, Regina. We'll get her." She's sighs, allowing her fingers to relax "No. I'm researching for a friend."
Zelena snorts. "Now I know you're lying. Who'd want to be friends with you?" she taunts. The remark stings momentarily because she knows she'd be asking the same question if it were two years ago. But she's changed because of Henry. And Emma.
"The same reason as you. People just can't seem to resist my charm." She smirks, folding her arms across her chest.
Zelena's eyes flash, narrowing dangerously. "I'd be careful if I were you, Regina." She whispers, moving cat-like towards the brunette.
"And why's that?" She prays her voice doesn't waver as she shifts her stance.
Zelena's smirk turns wicked as though she could sense her siblings fear. "If you hadn't noticed, everything we want and love always has a funny way of being ripped from our grasps." She tilts her head to the side, watching Regina's reaction like a hawk.
Swallowing thickly, Regina meets her sisters' gaze. "Is that a threat?"
She chuckles darkly, sending chills down the brunette's spine. "I'm just saying I wouldn't get to comfortable about this setting, Sis. You never know how it'll all fall apart." She spits, fingers curling at her sides.
"That's not going to occur. I-"
"How can you be so sure? What's going to protect you from the inevitable?"
"I have my family." Regina squares her shoulders, feeling confidence surge through her momentarily.
Zelena cackles. "Those people? Why I could crush them with my thumb!" she snorts. "Try again."
Regina frowns, jaw setting in anger. "I have the Savior." She proclaims, feeling her heart race.
The Witch pauses. "The Savior?" she frowns, eyes darting around the room as though Emma would appear at any moment. Regina feverishly wished she would. "The Savior." She snarls, eyes flashing. Then she freezes a slow unsetting smile crossing her features. "Ah. I see. Well where is your Savior now, hmm?"
Regina hesitates, feeling her mouth dry. "What the hell makes you think I would confide that to you?" she snaps.
Zelena grins knowingly, stepping away from her sister. "Very well. I'll be seeing you around, Sis." With that, she vanishes in a cloud of green smoke.
Leaving Regina to intake a shaky breath, leaning against her desk, trapped in her melancholy thoughts.