A/N: I saw this prompt on the FB group and wrote something on the comments, people asked to keep going and so here I am.
"The Princess of the kingdom comes out to her parents as a lesbian; they do not approve. In an attempt to 'fix' her, they demand an immediate marriage pact from a newly allied nation from across the sea. However, there's been a bit of a misunderstanding on the king and queen's part; this new country by no means has the same kind of reservations about same-sex marriage, and have sent over another princess for the alliance. Chaos ensue.
This is my first attempt at the SQ fandom writing in English, I have written for other fandoms and have one SQ story posted in portuguese. Be gentle with me, but don't be afraid to comment or make constructive critics.
I have no beta at the moment, so please forgive any mistakes
Hope you all enjoy! Be safe!
Emma was, once more, sneaking out of the castle. It was late and half of the castle was asleep, making every step sound like a thunder in her ears. The passage she used was narrow, making her feel a little claustrophobic, but there was no other way. She held a small ball of light in front of herself, illuminating the dark path. The air was cold as the passage opened to expose the forest behind the castle — it was by accident that Emma found the secret passage, after a fight with her mother about marriage she threw, in a rare fit of rage, some of her possessions onto the wall, only to break one stone and discover a bigger hole behind what was fake stones.
She puts on her long cape and covers her face with the hood. People won't recognize her in the place she's going, but she's not taking risks on the way there. Her best friend is waiting close by and together they take a shortcut to the hidden tavern underneath the middle of the forest. It is a place where the banned creatures get together; the ones called freak show up to be themselves in a kingdom where they are the ones on the bottom, rejected by the others or living a lie to everyone around them.
Emma is a freak: not only she has magic, she also has a taste for women and not a single spark of interest for men. Her best friend - Red as she likes to be called - was once her godmother and friends with her mom, that is, until they discovered she was a werewolf and that Snow, Emma's mother, was involved on the massacre that killed over a dozen of werewolves and made Red an orphan. Now they were cordial at best and the godmother title was revoked.
"Are you sure nobody will recognize me?" the blonde asked, hesitating on the door.
"Emma, relax. These people don't attend royal announcements or care for the royalty. Some of them may even be locked up if they show up in public. Nobody will know who you are." the tall brunette squeezed her arm before opening the door.
It was Emma's first time there, but nobody seemed to care enough about the new stranger. Ruby dragged her through the place until they stopped at a table on the far side occupied by two people.
"Emma, these are my friends Belle and August. Guys, this is Emma." she plopped on one of the chairs.
"Nice to meet you, Emma." they answered in unison.
The blonde took of her hoodie and smiled shyly at them, taking the place beside her friend.
That was a year ago, on the night after her 20th birthday. Today was her 21st birthday and her parents were throwing a big ball, inviting all the friendly kingdoms to take part on this important day - never mind the implications of inviting all the kingdoms and their heirs to the ball. It was an ongoing fight between Emma and her mother, the obligation to marry and produce an heir to the kingdom, to secure the succession line - even though she had an inkling that when her ten-year-old brother, Henry turned of age, she would be only the King's sister and not the Queen.
Either way, things would not go well tonight and she was reading herself for a battle she had no chance of ever winning. The pink, fluffy dress was not her first choice, but as most things in her life, her mother chose it and she had to wear it - one had to choose their battles wisely. The guests were arriving for about an hour now, riding on golden carriages and purebred stallions, full of servants and baggages to last for days. She still had some time to kill, but not enough to escape and meet her friends on the tavern; maybe later that night, much, much later. A knock on the door was the only warning before her maid came in carrying the dress, it was time to put a front and fake it until she made it.
As the night progressed and the ball began, the many princes attending the party introduced themselves to the monarchs, hoping to get a chance to talk or dance with the beautiful princess of the White Kingdom. Emma's beauty was known through the realms as was the fact that she remained unmarried; her blonde mane, her blue-green eyes, her fair skin and rose lips were desired by many and conquered by none. They wanted to change that tonight.
"Emma," Queen Snow murmured on her daughter's ear. "Give a chance to one of those princes or so help me!"
It was a threat and she had no intention of making a scene here or pay to see whatever her mother had in mind. The sigh was not even out of her mouth when a soldier approached, introducing more royals.
"Her Majesty Queen Cora and her children, Prince Daniel and Princess Zelena of the Tenebris Kingdom." he saluted and took a few steps to his right.
"Queen Snow, King David. We are honored to be part of such a special occasion and we thank you for the invite." The three of them bowed as the tradition dictates.
"Queen Cora, it is a pleasure to have you here after our conversations of alliance. Shall I take your presence as an agreement?"
"Yes, of course. Though there still are some things that we shall discuss, but not now. This is a special day, after all."
"Of course, of course. Emma, why don't you dance with Prince Daniel?"
"Of course, Mother."
"Majesties" the prince bowed and offered his arm to the princess, that took it with a small smile.
"It is an honor to be the first to dance with you on your birthday, princess." his smile was easy and gentle.
"The honor is mine, prince Daniel." her smile was tight.
Prince Daniel could feel the nervous energy flowing through the young princess, probably waiting for him to make a move on her or something of the kind. He was a young prince once and his mother made sure to teach him the ways of monarchy this side of the sea, taking him and his sisters to balls to observe and learn.
"Don't worry, Princess. I'm not here to try to win you over." his smile never faltered.
"You're... not?" her eyes searched his clear blue ones.
"No. Can I tell you a secret?" he murmured, getting close.
"Yes."
"My heart is already taken. But don't tell anyone that."
Emma could not stop the sigh of relief that escaped her lips.
"Ouch. Am I that bad looking?" he made a wounded face.
"What? No, of course not! You're not my type, that's all." her words were rushed.
"I guess my blue eyes are not that enchanting when you have blue-green eyes yourself." he chuckled. "So, Princess Emma, tell me what is your type. Does any prince here catches your eye?"
Emma, feeling herself relax with the easy attitude and sincerity, shook her head in denial, eyes roaming the other dancers and guests around them, stopping briefly on another princess, not long enough to be considered anything more than a curious glance, but enough for the prince to notice.
"Ah, I see."
The princess' face grew hot in seconds, eyes downcast as she felt the blush rising from neck to the tip of her ears. Noticing her reaction, Daniel's eyes got wider and his smile faded.
"Hey, don't worry. I will tell no one if that's what you're worried about." he brought her closer, whispering in her ear, "My sisters, both of them, are just like you." the music stopped and he winked after separating from her.
"Wait!" she grabbed his arm before he could walk away.
"Yes?" again he had a gentle smile.
"Can you - would you - tell me more?" her eyes darted away.
"About?" he took a step closer.
"What do you mean by 'your sisters are like me'? Why you don't seem to care about it?"
"It would be my pleasure, princess. Why don't we go to a more secluded place?"
Emma, relieved and scared at the same time, nodded once and made a move for him to follow, going to the big balcony on the other side of the ballroom. What she didn't realize was her mother's eyes following her every move, or how a satisfied smile graced her lips as she watched them move away from the other guests.
They talked for what felt like hours, without a care for the ball happening inside. Snow found them together, and it warmed her heart to see her daughter laughing with a prince when usually she would just have a blank stare and nod when appropriate. It also gave her hope for the kingdom seeing as Daniel came from a powerful lineage on the other side of the sea, the next in line for the throne of a kingdom known for its wealth and ruthless army. No doubt one of the best allies the White kingdom could ever have.
"Daniel, dear. Your mother is looking for you."
"Well, it would appear our time tonight reached its end. I look forward to talking to you again, princess." he kissed her hand as they exchanged a knowing smirk. "Queen Snow, a pleasure." He kissed her hand and gave her a charming smile before disappearing inside the castle.
"Oh, Emma. He is such a handsome and polite man." Her mother gushed after the party.
"He was nice." her hands smoothed out her dress.
"Oh, Emma! He is perfect for you!" her green eyes shone with excitement and hope.
"Mom, please don't start this again." the blonde groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Emma, you must find a prince to be your husband. The kingdom depends on alliances and heirs. You are our oldest daughter and you have an obligation to keep the royal lineage alive; your brother is too young and your refusal to do so puts us in a bad position, it makes us look weak." she held her daughter's hand and spoke slowly, as if talking to a child.
"You know I don't want that, especially now, Mom. Why can't you let me marry someone that I love like you did? Why pressure me into this? You already have Henry, the throne is secure!" she withdrew her hands and got up, pacing around the room.
"Your brother is too young, Emma. Why can't you see this? You're the oldest and the one people look up to. You have to secure the line until your brother is of age and help us have another ally." the brunette threw her hands up.
It was impossible to rationalize with her mother, if something didn't benefit the kingdom, then it was not a valid opinion or point or whatever. Losing her patience and getting angrier by the second, Emma made a split second decision that would alter the course of her whole life.
"Mom, I don't like men. I never did and I never will. I know this is not what you want to hear, but I won't marry a man that I could never love just to please you. You want me to marry? Then it has to be with a princess." Her green-blue eyes bore into her mother's green ones.
"Don't be obtuse, Emma. There is no such thing as two women loving each other like a man loves a woman." the queen said after a few minutes passed by.
"Yes, there is, and this is the only way you're going to make me marry someone from another kingdom." she crossed her arms and glared.
"Emmaline White Swan, I swear to the gods and above if you keep talking like that, sputtering all this horrible nonsense, you won't see the light of day again. You are going to marry a prince, like it or not. I gave you the chance to choose, you refused, now it will be on my terms." she marched to the door, yanking it open with such strength the soldier posted outside jumped a little.
"What?! You can't do this to me, Mom. You can't possibly want to make me miserable." You could hear the tears and anger mixed on her small voice.
"I can and I will. I am the queen. Goodnight and happy birthday, Emma."
The door closed with a loud bang, leaving the blonde behind to fall to the floor, silently crying. Her tears held more than just sadness, it held anger, frustration, betrayal. Wiping at her face angrily, the young princess got up, tearing the exaggerated dress off of her body as she walked to her wardrobe. Taking a board from the back, the blonde exposed a pile of clothes that her mother despised so much, she took a pair of comfortable boots, black pants, a blue linen shirt and a heavy coat, dressing herself quickly before going to the secret passage; it didn't matter what her mother thought; she would not marry some stupid prince nor did she have the intention to have her birthday ruined, she was going to the tavern to spend the rest of the night with her friends, celebrating with people like her.
The night was warm with a cool breeze keeping the temperature amenable. Red was waiting for her, as always, on the same spot. Her friend had a big grin on her face, her red cape encasing her slim body making a stark contrast with the forest in the dark night.
"There's my birthday girl!" The tall brunette hugged her so tight she could barely breathe.
"Red, Red." She tapped her friend's shoulder, voice straining to get out.
"Sorry. I'm just so happy to celebrate your first birthday together with our friends!" Her enthusiasm was so contagious that Emma caught herself smiling.
"Chill out, Wolfie. I only want to have some fun and forget that goddamn ball."
"That bad?"
"My mother knows how to ruin a party, that's for sure. If not for her, it wouldn't have been half as bad." Their voices were low, not whispered, but not loud enough to carry very far.
"Well, I sure want to hear all about it, but later, not now. Now we're celebrating your birthday and having a good time."
The brunette announced opening the door to the tavern, a loud cheer of "happy birthday" greeting the blonde from the inside.
Emma's smile was so big that it hurt her cheeks. She was dragged inside by her friends, August was on the bar finishing to light the candles in a big cake. Belle beside him with a gentle smile, murmured as Emma got close, "Make a wish, Emms. Make it count."
The blonde closed her eyes and imagined a life she would never have: freedom to love, to be loved, to simply be. She blew all the candles, a foreboding sense encompassing her for a second before it was gone.
"Cake for everyone!" Ruby shouted and the patrons cheered.
The musicians in a corner played some animated fae music, people making space in the middle of the tavern for whoever decided to dance - which was pretty much everyone - cake was served and the ale distributed the moment Emma said it was on her for the rest of the night.
A lone figure sat in a corner, enjoying a piece of cake that was given to her by a stranger together with a big mug of ale. The commotion was not what the stranger expected to see that night, no. It was, however, more than they could have hoped for, in more reasons than one. Dark brown eyes that resembled melted chocolate observed the blonde princess from afar; there was just something about the blonde, a certain kind of pull - a dampened one, but one nonetheless - that made hard to look away. Their eyes met briefly, just for a second or two, yet it was enough to change and shift something deep inside them.
A/N: So? Was it any good? Leave your thoughts and opinions, they are always appreciated!
Thanks for reading and I'll try to be back soon :3
Stay safe people!