Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time.
This is one of my own prompts again. Takes place during the missing year. Now that it is known that David is not really James, some conceded nobles try to suggest Charming's marriage to Snow isn't legitimate. Needless to say, this doesn't go over well with Snow. She gets protective and defends her beloved.
Once Upon a Snowing
Picked the Wrong Princess
Charming was starting to quickly remember the things he loathed about royal life. The threat of the Wicked Witch still loomed over them, but that that not stopped them from picking up the pieces and trying to bring prosperity back to a broken kingdom.
That involved being ready to fight when necessary. That part was his area of expertise and he was ready at a moment's notice to defend them.
Unfortunately, it also involved politics and diplomacy. That he gladly left up to Snow. It was the first ball they had thrown since being back and nobles from several kingdoms had flocked to their castle this evening.
The evening had started off quite pleasant. His darling Snow looked radiantly beautiful, as always, in a white ball gown, a color he loved on her. He had even shared a few dances with her and they whispered quietly to each other with smiles. They missed Emma and Henry fiercely, but couldn't help but be overjoyed with the news that Snow was pregnant. It was very early yet and she was not showing so they had decided it would be their secret for now.
But she was glowing and as he chose a non alcoholic drink for her, hoping no one would notice yet, he saw a few noblemen were speaking with her and Regina.
He recognized them as nobles from King Midas' court and he instantly felt uneasy. Since it was now a known fact that he was not James and not raised as a Prince, he had heard plenty of whispers among the aristocracy, especially elder members, of how they believed this made his marriage to Snow illegitimate. Those rumors had actually made Snow angrier than him. He had accepted them for what they were, but she had ranted about their audacity and made it quite clear that no one had better ever dare to suggest that he was anything less than her husband to her or she'd use them for target practice. Snow loved him and he never had to worry about that changing. But it still bothered him when these men blatantly flirted with her and refused to acknowledge his existence.
Of the three men speaking with them, two were older and the third was younger, around his age. He got close enough to hear the conversation, but did not join in. He knew Snow only had eyes for him, but agitation swirled in him, as they fawned all over his wife. He strongly suspected that Midas had put them up to this, probably without Abigail's knowledge. He had embarrassed Midas when he refused to marry Abigail to be with Snow, nevermind that Abigail was happy with Frederick.
"Princess Snow...thank you so much for granting us an audience this fine evening," the elder Lord said, kissing the back of her gloved hand. Snow was polite, but pulled her hand away as quickly as possible without being rude.
"I'm glad you could come. It is our hope that we can restore prosperity to this land," she said formally.
"With you as Queen someday...I do not think there is any doubt," the young man leered, making Regina roll her eyes.
"Princess...this is my son John and he is quite knowledgeable in diplomacy and we have an army available to fight the witch," the Lord stated and Regina had to fight a smile. This was going to be good.
"Are you offering your army's assistance?" Snow asked curiously. The three men exchanged glances and Regina whispered to her.
"I think he's offering his hand," she mumbled and Snow blanched.
"Well, that would be really stupid of him," she mumbled back.
"Your husband was a peasant. You should have probably seen this coming," Regina whispered back.
"My husband is no one's business but mine," Snow hissed back.
"Princess Snow...we don't mean to be bold, but there are concerns among the nobility about your chosen. Some feel deceived, for they would have never granted their permission for your wedding if they had known he was not of noble birth," John said delicately.
"I never asked for anyone's permission nor do I give a damn what they want," Snow snapped back, starting the draw attention. John looked embarrassed and tried to save the situation.
"Your Majesty...I meant no disrespect," he stammered.
"Yes you did. I will say that it does take guts for you to come into my castle and disrespect my husband," she snapped.
"You're making a scene," Regina warned, though she was secretly enjoying it. Snow didn't seem to hear her, as she continued her rant.
"Princess…" John started to say, but he was cut off.
"Do you think this ring on my finger is for decoration? Do you think I give a damn about where he was born?" she asked.
"I…" he stuttered.
"Because if you do, then you don't know me at all. Love is the only thing Charming and I have ever needed," she continued.
"I meant no offense," he stammered.
"Hmm...no you were just hoping I would agree with you. You were hoping this witch had me scared enough to think I needed your useless army to defend us. You were hoping I was some weak, scared little princess. Like I would give some sniveling little weasel like you the time of day, especially when I have a man like my Charming," she hissed.
The whole room was staring by now. David's mouth was ajar, Grumpy and Granny were laughing their asses off, and Regina looked slightly mortified. Everyone else was either staring in bewildered awe or disbelief.
"Finally some action to liven up this place," Grumpy said.
"Mmm...this moron picked the wrong princess," Granny added.
"Your Majesty...there is no need to lose your temper," the elder man chided. Snow raised her chin, giving him her best cold, regal stare.
"I'm so glad you're here to tell me that. I don't know if Midas put you up to this or if you did this on your own, but let's make it this crystal clear for everyone right now. Charming is my husband. He fought for this Kingdom by my side. He is my true love. I'd still be cursed if not for him and you have the audacity to waltz in here thinking the likes of you could do anything to change that?" Snow ranted.
"I think you've made your point," Regina said. She secretly found the whole thing hilarious, as did the dwarves, who made no effort to hide their amusement. Snow felt her husband's presence behind her and turned to him.
"Where's my bow?" she asked.
"Um...probably in the armory," he replied, as he handed the drinks off to a servant. He knew her well enough to know that if he handed it to her, she'd just throw it all over the pompous nobleman. While that would be entertaining, it wouldn't be productive.
"Can you please get it for me?" she asked. He smiled at her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I don't think you need to do that," he replied.
"Oh I do…they can't disrespect you, the man I love like this," she grumbled. He smiled.
"I daresay they won't make that mistake again. They looked mortified," he said. She turned back to glare at them. John looked like was going to wet himself so she took satisfaction in that, at least.
"I...I think we have our answer. I'm so sorry, Princess Snow," John stammered.
"I'm not the one you should apologize to, but I'd rather you'd just leave. Don't let the palace doors hit you on the way out," Snow growled.
"Snow…" he said, as he put his hand on her arm. She turned to him and grabbed him by the collar, before crushing her lips against his.
"Wow...guess I have no reason to be worried," he joked.
"Please tell me you weren't really worried," she pleaded.
"I know you only love me...but they're right. I'm not a real Prince. I'm just a shepherd," he replied.
"Charming...you have never been just anything. You are my husband...my true love...the father of my children...my hero. You may not be a prince by birth...but you are my Prince," Snow insisted.
"I know...but it doesn't surprise me that Midas would try something like this. He's probably still embarrassed by what I did. Men like him don't forget when they've been slighted and with this witch loose, he'd just love to gain control of another Kingdom," he surmised.
"I have not missed the politics that come with ruling a Kingdom," she mentioned. She was seriously missing their lives in Storybrooke right now.
"I miss them too," he agreed, as she looked at him and he took her in his arms.
"I love you…" she whispered. He kissed her hair.
"And I love you, my darling. You leave me in awe of you everyday. I'm the luckiest man in all the realms," he replied. She smiled and kissed him tenderly.
"I'm the lucky one...I don't ever want to imagine my life without you," she said, getting teary. Damn hormones.
"You never have to. Our love is eternal," he promised.
"Do you think they'd miss us if we slipped away?" she asked, biting her bottom lip. He grinned.
"Do we care if they do?" he teased. She smirked and grabbed his arm, as she pulled him along and they ascended the castle stairs with their bed chambers being the intended destination...