Hey readers! Thank you all for the alerts and reviews on last chapter! I hope you'll enjoy this one as well!

Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own OUAT or these wonderful characters...

Chapter 6

The next week was long and all sorts of torturous for Regina. She had to spend time with Snow and the little girl's cheerfulness and oblivious eagerness towards her were getting more and more exhausting. She found the sweet smiles and compliments sickening and the girl's attempts at showing her affection suffocating. Besides that she had to get ready for the wedding which was set to be two weeks from the engagement ball. She had to see and try on gown after gown, choose flowers and materials and colors. Of course those things were the last she wished to do but her mother all but forced her to do them, coming with her and supervising all her decisions and being very generous with her opinions and advices despite Regina not asking for them. Snow White, of course as the perfect little princess was on her heels everywhere, chirping charmingly about what she thought would be the best and Regina had to tolerate her and take her words into consideration since the king didn't take part in the planning at all. He sent his precious Snow to convey his wish and choose in his place.

However, amongst all this, the preparation and planning and her pent up frustration and anger towards Snow White, each day she found herself thinking more and more of a certain blonde princess with radiant green eyes. Ever since they parted whenever she had some time alone or at times when she felt like it was too much and she couldn't take it anymore her mind came back to Emma, the mere thought of the other woman providing an escape from reality that Regina needed more than anything. And every time she craved the blonde's presence by her side, missing her smile, her voice, her playful attitude and the ease with which Emma could make her laugh. And of course, though Regina would never admit it out loud, the way the blonde's soft lips felt against her own.

And so because of this she had absolutely controversial thoughts about her upcoming wedding. On the one hand she couldn't keep Emma's whispered promise of 'I'll see you on the wedding' out of her head, she couldn't stop herself imagining the moment she would catch a glimpse of the blonde, the smile on the princess's face that would surely light up the whole room. She couldn't press down her anticipation for the moment she could finally see her and talk to her again. But on the other hand she shuddered just to think of what that day would mean for her. For her future. What being the queen, the wife of King Leopold would come with, what that would imply. She wished she could just die whenever she thought about what her life would be from then on.

"Regina darling, what do you think of these vases?" her mother's voice brought her out of her reverie and she turned to see Cora standing in front of a long table with vases of different color, shape and size lined up on it.

She repressed her deep, defeated sigh and her urge to spin on her heel and run out of the room and truly out of the castle and just strode to her mother's side with feigned interest. She ran her eyes over the ceramics, examining each and every one of them carefully just to avoid thinking of Emma again.

"I think they are lovely." she said after a moment and looked up, surprised when she heard her mother snort out a rather condescending chuckle.

"Of course they are, but which ones would be most suitable to decorate the dining tables?" Cora asked with a huff of annoyance like it was troublesome for her to have to spell it out for Regina.

"Oh, I… I think…" she started absent mindedly strolling along the table and pausing before a few vases just for the show when in fact she was wondering which ones the blonde princess would fancy.

She had actually developed this way of picking out various articles and items for her wedding where she imagined which one would Emma choose or like and so she picked that. It saved her from having to pick what she really liked since she had long ago decided that she wouldn't want to see anything on that wedding that she liked, that she wanted. No, she only did the whole planning procedure because her mother forced her to. So if she had to do it, she would entertain herself with thoughts of Emma and trying to pick stuff the princess would appreciate when the day came and she finally could see her again. And deep down, though Regina wouldn't allow herself to really acknowledge it, choosing flowers and gowns and decoration that Emma would like made her feel a little bit like she was to marry her and not King Leopold. Like she was, in fact, planning their wedding and not hers and the king's.

"I believe father would like the blue one with the gold pattern and that flowery vase over there!" came Snow White's chirpy, bright voice from behind her and in the next moment the little girl was standing right next to Regina, looking up at her with a beaming smile on her round face.

Regina resisted the impulse to slap the princess across the face and just fisted her hands briefly to keep from reaching out and smashing said pieces to the opposite wall. She was told that Snow wouldn't be able to join them in the planning because she had lessons to attend and that was really the only part of her day that would be somehow bearable but now that seemed to go flying out the window as well.

"That's a wonderful choice, my dear! You have excellent taste Snow!" Cora praised with a wide smile on her thin lips that Regina just knew to be completely false. "Isn't that right, Regina?" her mother asked her with an expectant edge in her voice and turned to her with a pointed stare and one raised eyebrow, almost like she was mocking her and her suffering.

"Yes, that's right, mother…" she muttered obediently and worked hard to push a smile onto her face for the sake of Snow.

"Terrific! Then we shall have the blue and the flowery vases…" Cora said and a maid came in and took said items from the table. "You pick two as well, Regina dear!" her mother ordered and without sparing them a second glance Regina motioned towards the two closest vases for the maid to take. "Now, let's make that final decision on the wedding gown, my darlings…" Cora said and steered the two girls towards the rack where three white dresses were displayed.

"Oooh it's so exciting!" Snow cheered as she skipped ahead to the dresses, running her hands over each of them in awe. "Isn't it, Regina?" she turned back with sparkling eyes.

"Indeed it is." Regina nodded as she approached and immediately two maids stepped up to the rack and pulled the first dress off and carried it behind a privacy shade.

She followed them without an ounce of enthusiasm and allowed them to help her out of her green dress that she wore for the day. She really liked the dress because it was simple but beautiful at the same time, it reminded her so much of Emma. She watched as it fell to the ground easily, crumpling at her feet before she stepped out of it and turned towards the white gown that seemed to radiate light in the dimness. Compared to her green dress it was flashy and elaborate and way too grand for her liking but it was a wedding gown after all.

The maids pulled it gently up around her but no matter how soft they were, all breath rushed out of her as they tightened her corset. She was very well used to the restriction around her ribcage but they had to use extra tight corsets to fit into those damned wedding dresses and she abhorred it with all her might.

"I'm sorry, your majesty…" the maid murmured apologetically, using the title of a queen already and Regina would have rolled her eyes if it wasn't so hard to even take a single breath.

With a few swift motions the two women fastened the gown around her fully and arranged the layers of the skirt perfectly before stepping back.

"All done." said the brunette maid with a smile, her eyes raking over Regina's form, appreciating the dress and Regina could imagine that the maid had never even touched anything as delicate as this and here she was, having all these beautiful dresses at her disposal and she was just choosing from the tons of gowns for a wedding she didn't even want.

"Thank you!" she nodded with a smile of her own and then she stepped out from behind the shade to see her mother and Snow seated on the couch that was set up just in front of a huge mirror.

"Oh!" Snow's little squeal made her slightly jump, the complete adoration on the little girl's face clearly showing as she leapt off the pillows and rushed forward."You look so breathtaking!" she cooed.

"Thank you, dear." Regina smiled coldly but the princess didn't notice the lack of emotion behind it of course.

"This gown is truly stunning." Cora agreed as she too stood to observe Regina from all sides, walking around her daughter with a pensive, critical expression on her face. "However, this high waist isn't very advantageous for you, dear…" she added, pointing at the top of the fluffy skirts at her waistline with her nose wrinkled in distaste.

"I think it's lovely…" Snow sighed, gazing at the fancy pattern made of sequins and pearls on the bodice.

"No, this won't do." Cora waved her hand dismissively and Regina didn't even bother to take a look at the mirror, she just turned and went back behind the shade, waiting for the maids who hurried after her with the second dress from the rack.

The procedure of getting the dress off and putting the other one on was rather long and meticulous but Regina didn't have to do anything but stand and wait, sometimes lift her arm or twist to the side a little. She let out a relieved sigh when her corset was loosened and she enjoyed the feeling of being able to breathe freely until the short time it lasted before the maids once again pulled the thing tight around her. The second gown was simpler and had an elegantly cut silk bodice and the skirts were made of white tulle, a pretty line of sparkly gems separating the two sides. Regina actually found she liked this one, despite the fact that she could barely breathe in it. She was pretty sure Emma would find it nice as well so that was an added plus…

"It's done, your majesty..." one of the maids subtly reminded her when even after they stepped back from her, Regina only stood motionlessly, staring into space, deep in though.

"Right, thank you!" she nodded, repressing her blush the best she could and instead she just walked out to the mirror.

This time she did take a good, long look at herself in the mirror and she couldn't help the flutter of small butterflies in her stomach as she took it all in. It was indeed gorgeous and even though she never tended to be vain she could recognize that the dress suited her perfectly. She really looked good in it. A smile sneaked its way across her lips as she imagined Emma's expression, mouth agape, forest green eyes wide as the blonde saw her.

"No, no… I don't even get it why this was chosen in the first place!" Cora huffed behind her and Regina's smile dissipated instantly. "There is way too much tulle…" her mother said and she felt a hand ruffling the material at her bottom in annoyance. "You aren't twelve anymore, dear!" Cora stated and without further comment she strode back to the couch and plopped down on it daintily.

"But mother…" Regina started as she turned fully around to face the woman. "I like this one…" she tried shyly, knowing it was a mistake to let her mother now of her genuine feelings but she couldn't help it. The image of the blonde princess's stunned smile was etched into her brain.

Her mother just looked at her with a raised eyebrow, not even glancing down at the dress, clearly not willing to change her mind about it and Regina had to restrain herself from stomping her foot like a child. It was not fair that her mother would still order her around and decide everything in her life.

"I like it too!" Snow chimed in, obviously not sensing the tension between mother and daughter even though to Regina it was almost palpable in the room.

"Yes? Well perhaps we shall have a dress like that made for you then, dear…" Cora told the little girl though her eyes, cold as ice never left Regina's. The brunette knew that her mother was only saying that to punish Regina for disobeying her, but she made up her mind, she wasn't giving her mother the pleasure of seeing how it affected her, she wouldn't let it show.

Without another word she spun on her heel and went back behind the shade, trying really hard not to think about anything that was happening. Trying really hard not to think about how she was forced into a marriage, how her mother was dominating her life, how she had absolutely no choice. How she more and more resembled an object and not a living person. She made an effort to make her brain as blank as she could and instead she set her mind on one thing, on the only thing that still kept her sane, on the sole person with whom she felt like herself. Emma. She concentrated on the blonde as the maids peeled the beautiful dress off her and helped her into another pompous gown with embroidery and sequins and little diamonds on it. It was nice but it didn't come even close to the previous one. This time she didn't even hiss when the corset fully enclosed her ribcage, gripping ferociously she just took it, holding her chin a bit higher.

She stepped out to stand in front of her mother, whose face instantly bloomed with a smile, nodding contentedly as she watched Regina.

"Yes, this is it! This is perfect!" she murmured approvingly.

"This is so amazing! You are truly the fairest of them all!" Snow wondered aloud, admiration shining in her eyes as she tiptoed around Regina excitedly to see the dress from all angles.

"This gown is worthy of the Queen you will be, Regina dear!" her mother announced and waved her hand slightly, practically dismissing her and Regina felt her shoulder slump a bit in a defeated way. "Go now, change back into your dress we still have a lot to do..." Cora told her and if Regina didn't know any better she would have mistaken the emotion in her mother's tone for affection. But like this she was rather sure that what she heard was only her mother's satisfaction and approval of Regina's submission and of how everything around the wedding went as Cora liked.

She stalked back to the maids who worked without a word and Regina could vaguely see sympathy and just a hint of pity in their eyes as they regarded her before they quickly averted their gazes. The wedding dress was soon off and one of the maids touched her hand lightly to guide her arm into the sleeve of the green dress. As the material embraced her body Regina allowed some of the tension seep out of her and ease away as the dress once again reminded her of Emma.

She sighed deeply as her corset was loosened, enjoying the way her ribs could expand a bit. She bit her lip distractedly. Never had she missed Emma this much since the ball. She really had to compose all her strength not to break down and cry at the hopelessness of her situation. It really was ridiculous and she knew it, to be this upset because she wouldn't get to wear the dress she fancied. She swore she wouldn't want anything she really liked on that wedding anyways, but still she couldn't help the little girl deep down inside who felt betrayed and like a huge injustice was done to her. And really it was all kinds of unfair but Regina learned to take it like a big girl. But somehow the gown was the last straw, she knew she couldn't take it anymore. She would go completely crazy if she had to bear all this by herself, all alone and not having anyone to comfort her. Not having anyone with whom she could be free of all troubles and forget all her responsibilities and just be herself.

She needed Emma. And she needed the blonde princess now. She didn't want to be a complete mess, a wreck by the time they saw each other again…

And so as the maids buttoned up the back of her dress she desperately raked her mind for a solution. First she came up all empty, her thoughts always circuiting back to her mother and how she would see through anything she tried and would probably not even second guess hurting Emma if she found out about… Well about everything that happened between the blonde and herself. But just as she was about to give up, deeming it impossible, any attempts futile and resign herself to the fate of going insane something popped up from the back of her mind.

It was rather ironic, how the thought came to her while she took one more glance at that stunning gown her mother found unworthy and childish for a queen's wedding as the maid carried it out from behind the shade. How the source of that idea was one, in fact rather childish and stubborn thought in her head, a rare rebellious one that was no other than I will have that dress on my wedding no matter what Mother says, if it is the last thing I do…

"Wait! Don't take that away, please!" she called after the maid quietly who halted and turned back towards her with a questioning expression.

"Your majesty?" she asked hesitantly.

"I will need that gown, don't take it away just yet please…" she stated calmly despite the inner brainstorm she was having as her plan formed in her head.

"I'm sorry, your majesty, I thought your mother said that gown would be the one…" the maid said, pointing to the third dress that was draped out on a chair.

"I will need both of them." Regina said, sounding so confident and no nonsense that there was no room for argument. Truly, her mother would have been proud, it was the tone of a real queen, Regina thought briefly in amusement. "You can take that one away. Thank you." she nodded towards the first dress and then without waiting a second, she stepped out from behind the shade.

She spotted her mother and Snow waiting for her on the couch and she strode towards them with the same air of confidence, anger and frustration fuelling her steps, helplessness boiling in her veins and the wild fluttering of nervous excitement in her stomach urging her on. If her plan worked… If she could only pull it off calm enough… She would get to see Emma sooner than the wedding. But she had to be very smart about it, she knew that.

"Mother I would like to have bridesmaids." she announced as she approached and she had to bite back a smirk at the startled and suspicious expression on her mother's face. She could clearly see the request caught the older woman off guard.

"Of course, dear, I will call for two maids to be at your side on the ceremony if that's what you'd like!" Cora nodded with a smile, watching her daughter with apprehension in her eyes.

"No, that's not what I meant. They would not be maids like that. Bridesmaids are not servants, they are mostly the friends of the bride." she informed her mother, trying hard to keep a straight face when she saw a wrinkle appear between Cora's eyebrows.

"Friends?" her mother asked back doubtfully and Regina nodded with a smile of her own. Play it smart, Regina, she reminded herself. "Sweetheart I don't think your friends from our estate would be…hmm… fitting for a royal wedding." Cora said, trying to be subtle with her offense. She had never made a secret of her dislike for Regina's friends when she was a child. She never liked her playing with the servant's kids and 'other peasants' as she so often called them.

"Why not?" Snow's innocent question sounded from beside Cora and as Regina glanced at the girl, a brilliant idea came to her mind and for a moment she was grateful for the princess's presence after all.

"Because they are not princesses and princes like your friends, Snow." Regina said, the hard edge in her voice only noted by her mother who let out a tiny sneer. "But that's alright, I wasn't thinking about them either…" Regina continued and looked back at her mother fully.

"I don't think you need anyone else, dear. You have maids at your service, you have Snow here and me. We can help you." Cora said and her stare was almost challenging as she held her eyes. Regina felt like a mouse cornered, like a cage was slowly descending upon her, like the control of this situation was slipping out of her hands and it was quite terrifying up she hadn't played her ace yet so she wouldn't back down she just let a smile spread on her face as she tore her eyes away from her mother's.

"Snow, dear! Would you like to be my bridesmaid?" she asked of the little girl who immediately sat straighter, her eyes alight with excitement.

"What does a bridesmaid do?" she asked with a grin.

"They help and support the bride in everything. You are practically one now but this way you would get a pretty dress and if you agreed, you could be my flower girl…" Regina smiled, tempting the little girl sweetly.

"A flower girl?" Snow's eyes sparkled like diamonds as she shifted in her seat.

"Yes dear, the youngest bridesmaid who sprinkles petals before the bride…" Regina wasn't sure about the rules of weddings, she only heard about bridesmaids one when she was younger so she was just making it up for Snow, hoping against hope the girl would take the bait.

"Yes! I would love to be your bridesmaid!" Snow beamed at her, finally not being able to stay seated so she jumped up and launched herself forward, hugging Regina tightly.

"That's wonderful!" Regina said, hugging the girl back and fixing her eyes on her little form in order not to look into her mother's eyes with a victorious expression she was sure she had on her face now.

"So your mother will be your bridesmaid as well?" Snow asked.

"Oh no…She cannot be. They have to be maidens. And also my mother has the important role of Mother of the bride." Regina explained patiently then she looked up at her mother, straight into her eyes as she continued. "My other two bridesmaids will be Princess Abigail, daughter of King Midas and Princess Emma, from the Swan kingdom."

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