The capital city of Alleland was merely that, a city. The city proper was enclosed by a wall surrounded by water, like a moat. As in any city, there were many large and elegant homes in certain sections and then there were more bourgeoisie section that was very sturdy and quaint. Commerce was thriving. There were large stores and small shops, open markets, vendors, even warehouses, next to parks, cafes and official looking buildings. Tall bronze statues were centered in squares and trees lined many streets.

The palace formed a square by itself. It wasn't a towering castle like Emma had imagined it would be from all her fairytale stories she read as a child but it was incredibly large nonetheless. Three stories high, it covered a three blocks at least, with the majority of official rooms at the front of the palace and many more rooms stretching down the side blocks, a barracks comprising the rear of the square and open gardens and courtyards in the center of these four long connecting buildings.

Emma was delighted by the city, after having seen nothing but small villages and the occasional estate of a nobleman. But she was totally amazed by the palace, the grandeur of it, the opulence. The entrance was mammoth, the entire three stories high, where an official with armed guards at his sides, many more stationed in the hallway, would have stopped Killian had he not been recognized. Wide corridors of marble were lined with large portraits in solid gold frames, separated by consoles on the walls set with silver lamps, or pedestals holding busts or small statues, or doors with footmen standing at attention on either side.

Emma was dazed by it all as she was ushered down one corridor, then another. Was she actually supposed to live in a place like this? She was afraid she would get lost in this huge maze.

Killian took her straight to the king. Emma started to get really nervous, was forgetting the protocol and correct forms of address that Jiminy drilled into her.

When the doors were opened that led to the King's chamber, she first spotted the king with his advisors in the antechamber. The king noticed Killian and smiled. Approaching them, Emma curtsied and Killian bowed. He held out his arms to Killian and gave him a big bear hug, very happy to see his son. Killian then extended his hand to Emma and introduced the Princess Emma to him.

"Your betrothed needs no introduction, I would know her anywhere," King Richard said with a formal bow, "You are the very image of your mother, Princess Emma. But your hair is pure Charming. Welcome to Alleland." He embraced her in the same bear hug he embraced Killian.

Emma's eyes started to glisten with tears and she didn't know why. Perhaps because this man knew her parents well, had known her since she was a baby, and would tell her things not even Killian could.

Killian noticing the tears brought her in for a hug and they all sat down for a long talk.

The next hour proved uncomfortable for all when Killian told the king what he found out of Lady Ingrid's death and how Emma was raised. You would think Emma had a bleak, depressing existence the way Killian told the story so she butted in and painted a less severe picture, leaving out the hardships and remembering the lighter moments, particularly her life with Mrs. Swan.

The king was visibly affected nonetheless, and she realized why when he said to her, "You must hate me, Emma."

"Why? I don't even know you."

"I sent you off with Lady Ingrid but not once did I consider she might die, leaving you unprotected and at the mercy of peasants."

Mr. Swan would not appreciate being called a peasant. Trash, scum and rabble he was used to. The thought made Emma smile and she turned it on the king to reassure him.

"I don't regret what I never knew in the first place, just as it would be pointless to regret what is done and past, so don't think I regret my life up until now. It taught me a lot, qualities a spoiled and pampered princess would never have learned, self-reliance for one. I believe my upbringing has made me strong, certainly strong enough to put up with your son," Emma joked while nudging Killian in the ribs.

Killian smiled and cocked an eyebrow in response.

King Richard hooted with laughter, "Spoken like a true Charming. Your parents were always excellent diplomats. We are grateful for your understanding. You are truly going to make a splendid Queen one day."

"When?" Killian asked at once.

"Three months from now."

"What! How about three days from now," Killian remarked with impatience.

"Now, now son. The preparations would have taken a year to do but it has been shortened to three months," the king explained. "The making of the wedding gown, the introduction at court, the special functions you both need to attend, meeting important nobles and foreign ambassadors, I could go on and on."

Killian clenched his jaw, clearly unhappy with the amount of time he would have to wait to marry Emma.

The king ignored Killian's growing sour mood and they continued their conversation over the trip and what Killian had been missing since he'd been gone.

The next day Emma attended fittings for her wedding gown that was a major affair. Then there had been more fittings for the wardrobe that was being made for her, for which gowns had appeared each day for her to wear for special functions she had to attend, where she'd be introduced to the court and the more important nobles of the land, as well as to the foreign ambassadors and dignitaries who would be present at the wedding.

She had also gone through hours of interrogation where the head of security asked her endless questions about her attack. The very seriousness which they treated the situation brought home the fact that she may still be in possible danger.

Jiminy and other tutors had appeared each day and taken up most of her time. She had so many lessons to learn about the history of Alleland, the history of her own people in Storybrooke, on deportment, foreign policy, diplomacy, even language.

Killian had introduced her to a woman who had been her mother's friend named Ruby. She had known her mother when she had been a bandit and lived in the woods while the Evil Queen tried to capture and kill her. Ruby was beautiful with dark hair dressed in red.

When Ruby saw her, she started crying, "Oh, Emma! It really is you. I haven't seen you since you were a toddler! You were such a sweet baby." Ruby came towards her and gave her a deep hug.

Emma's eyes started to water as well. She had a feeling had she had a normal life with her parents, this woman would have been a close part of that. They sat down and talked for a while. Ruby was gregarious, fun and chatty. She shared plenty of stories with her about her mother. Her official reason for meeting her was to be one of her tutors.

Ruby's task was to gossip with Emma, or at least that's how Emma saw it, for Ruby was instructed to apprise her of all current scandals so she wouldn't make the mistake of being friendly with anyone who was presently in disgrace.

"And then there is Lady Tremaine who was caught with one of the footmen and tried to get her stepdaughter shipped off to boarding school. Her husband had her banished to live in their country estate but every once in a while she comes back to court," Ruby explained a story of one of the court ladies.

Emma asked, "So, is there a lot of adultery in the court?"

"Well, as much as there is anywhere," Ruby said reluctantly.

Emma remembered a lot of tavern fights were started over affairs of the heart.

"I met Milah already and Killian ended things with her," Emma shared. She didn't want Ruby to be hesitant about mentioning Killian's affairs.

"That's wonderful, Emma. It sounds like he cares about you," Ruby asked. "How did meeting Milah come about? That must have been awkward."

"She met him when we came back, practically threw herself at him," Emma said still sounding disgruntled.

"She must have been feeling insecure," Ruby surmised. "And I don't blame her, you are beautiful. So Killian made things right with you then?"

"Yes and I promised to marry him regardless of the betrothal," Emma said.

"Sounds wonderful," Ruby said looking touched.

"It feels great to be with him," Emma said.

"When I heard about the betrothal, I was surprised. Your parents were true loves and I assumed they would want you to find your true love too and not have you betrothed," Ruby volunteered. "But I didn't speak of it because as long as it brought you back, that was all that mattered."

"So you don't think I was really betrothed to Killian?" Emma asked.

"It's not something your parents would do," Ruby said.

This information puzzled Emma. Why would the king make that up just for Killian to retrieve her? She put it out of her mind because first of all, she was grateful that Killian found her, even if she was being difficult at the time, and second of all, she promised to marry Killian anyway.