Triple update! I'm pretty proud of myself *does a little dance*

I would suggest reading this chapter, then Candlelight, then chapter eight, but it doesn't matter if you wanna read chapter seven and eight and then Candlelight.

If anyone wants to send me a PM flailing about the premiere, please feel free! XD

Anonymous review replies:

Guest said: Yeah! You updated! Great chapter and looking forward to more Killian/Emma interaction!

Thank you very much! I hope I don't disappoint :)

Guest said: Great story. Update soon

Thanks! I have!

Guest said: Update soon. Great story

You get three updates! Thank you :D

Jenny said: Please update this it is so good and I can't wait for the next chapter

Update I have! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

"Captain," said Emma, feeling she had to use the title seriously. She had been summoned to his quarters, after all.

Liam was sitting at a writing desk, shuffling pieces of parchment around. He glanced up at the sound of her voice, and smiled. "Princess. Do sit down."

Apprehensively, she did so. "What's this about?"

"I received a bluebird from your mother this morning."

Emma felt a sharp spike of fear. "Is something wrong? Is it my father?"

"No need to worry, Princess," he assured her. "This concerns you."

The fear changed abruptly to confusion. "How, pray tell, does it concern me?"

Liam grimaced. "The matter of an unmarried, unbetrothed, shall we say, desirable young woman alone on board a ship with a group of men."

Emma sighed.

"People have begun to talk," he added. "A disgraced princess would never be able to find a suitable husband."

"It's not as you're pirates. And I'm not alone. Leo's with me."

"Yet you are the only woman."

Emma scoffed. "And what? Michael's going to steal my virtue, is it?"

The corners of his mouth twitched into a smile. "The only solution, it would appear, is to betroth you to one of the fine young men aboard this ship. I, of course, am spoken for. The most likely option would be my dear brother."

"No."

"Come now, Princess, you enjoy his company, do you not?"

"I'm not marrying Killian, Liam."

The captain was smirking now. "Who said anything about marriage?"

Emma arched a delicate eyebrow. "You want me to pretend to be engaged to your brother to – what? – prevent gossip?"

"It would put your parents' minds at ease," said Liam, voice low. "You know how they worry."

Emma felt a twinge of guilt in her gut. The threat that Regina had posed before and shortly after her birth still loomed like a shadow. Regina still launched attacks on villagers, but she did not dare storm the palace. Emma and Leo's power grew more and more, under Rumplestiltskin's tutelage. Yet the danger remained, and Emma knew that even something so trivial as this would ease her parents' woes.

"How does Killian feel about this plan?" she asked.

"I haven't posed the idea to him yet."

She stayed silent for a long moment, choosing her words carefully. "If he agrees ... I suppose I could be coerced."

Liam smiled fondly. "Go mull it over. Speak with your brother. I'll talk with mine."

Emma nodded politely, standing up. "If Killian doesn't agree … you'll not …?"

"You won't be forced into a betrothal, Emma. I promise."

"Thank you, Liam."

As she made her way to her brother's cabin, she found herself thinking that the plan was a good one. Who else did she know that was eligible? That she enjoyed spending time with? It gave her longer to find her true love, after all.

She lay back on her bunk with a sigh. But what would happen when another betrothal fell apart? There would be whispers, surely, of the princess who couldn't find a husband. Perhaps people would want the throne to pass to Leo, who would be able to find a wife.

There would be talk either way. Likely people were already muttering.

Leo appeared happy to see her. "Hey, Em," he smiled, before pausing, "what's wrong?"

She gave a wry smile in return. "Guess who wants me to get engaged again?"

"They wouldn't do that to you. Who cares if you don't get married? I can take the throne after you, if I have to."

She touched the top of his head, not quite in the mood to ruffle his hair. "You're sweet. But there is talk. And you know how that goes."

"Since when do you care about talk?"

"I care about them," she replied. "That's why I'm doing this. And I'm not going to get married. It's just to shut everyone up."

"So, Killian?"

She nodded. "No one else, is there?"

"Well, I don't know. Franz seemed to take a shine to you."

She arched an eyebrow, and Leo laughed. She raised a hand to smack him on the arm, but he caught it and pulled her into a hug instead.

"Told you you were the sap," she mumbled into his shoulder.

"Mhmm hmm," he replied, voice sceptical even when it was muffled by her hair.

"I'm gonna go … think so more," she said, releasing him with a smile.

He nodded, and she left.

"Come in," she called, from where she lay on her bunk, at the knock on the door. She knew who it was, without looking up.

"I for one, am offended," was Killian's greeting, as he shut the door behind him. Emma propped herself up on an elbow to raise her eyebrows at him.

"I am a delight to have a fake relationship with!" he continued indignantly. "Well, I can't speak from experience …"

She sat up. "What am I going to do when I break off this engagement? What talk would there be then of the unruly princess who can't secure a husband?"

"You don't care about talk."

"Others do."

"I'll marry you, then."

She gaped at him, open-mouthed. "You'd do that to yourself?"

"The life of a prince consort is a grand one, I'm sure." He winked. "Can't let Liam have all the fun, now, can I?"

"And what of our true loves? You would have them suffer?"

"I doubt they would suffer, princess."

"And how would you know?"

"Fine," he advanced closer. "You find your true love, you tell me to bugger off, how's that?"

She laughed. "Sounds like a plan."

"A kiss?" he asked suddenly, voice impossibly low. She stared. "To seal our engagement?"

Emma could only nod. "To seal it."

Killian leant down to press their lips together. The kiss was soft, and sweet, and simple, and it left Emma feeling dizzy.

"I'll tell Liam you are in agreement, then."

He left in a rush, and Emma was left staring at the wood of her cabin door, her head swimming.