Notes: FINALLY another chapter! I hope you enjoy. I struggled to get in the right headspace for this one but I tried my best and it's extra long ;). More of the character whose name begins with K in this one :D Tell me what you think in the comments! Content warning: some emotional manipulation, abuse of power, and references to slavery/people as property. (The last one also occurs in canon, but thought I'd put it anyway).
-linebreak-linebreak-linebreak-
The next day, Emma simply couldn't pay attention to her lessons. Summer was here, her skirts were too heavy, and all she wanted to do was revel in the cool breezes the waves brought to the docks by the town.
After she told her tutor that one multiplied by four was six, the woman threw her hands up in dismay!
"Princess Emma, your head is in the clouds today! Will you pay attention to your lessons or do I need to report to your grandfather that you can't do the most basic of multiplication!"
Emma shook her head, shaking herself out of a happy daydream in which she was riding her horse through the fields, faster and faster, visiting faraway lands and unexplored countryside.
"I'm sorry Miss Williams, what did you say?"
Miss Williams gave a wry smile, "The correct phrase is 'I beg your pardon,' princess, but I'll let the etiquette slide today. I can see I'll get no work out of you today. If I release you from lessons today, will you do an extra sheet of sums for me—"
Emma jumped up, "Yes! Yes I will I promise! Please it's such a beautiful day—"
Miss Williams interrupted, "And you will check your answers after showing your work—"
Emma was already skipping out of the classroom, calling back over her shoulder, "I will! I'll do it all! Thank you Miss Williams!"
Before long, Emma was delightedly skipping through the town toward the docks, wearing breeches. She'd stopped by the kitchens and begged the staff for a sticky bun, just cooled from the ovens. Enjoying her treat, Emma managed to grin, chew, and skip all at the same time. Two visits to the docks in two days, and during the summer too! Life was good.
The cheerful atmosphere was broken by angry yelling in the direction of the fishmonger's lean-to shack.
"This is the last straw!" a man cried.
Tommy and Pete came running out from behind the shack, Pete calling cheekily over his shoulder, "Ya don't sell straw! Ya sell fish ya grump!"
The fishmonger, a large man with an aged, leathery face came lumbering after them, shaking his finger, his long, gray-streaked beard wagging back and forth.
"I'll get you put in the stocks, I will! See if you don't! What you two need is a good hidin'!"
Pete and Tommy went as if to run off at that last remark, but Emma grabbed them both by the ear.
"Oomph!" and "Hey!" were their respective responses.
Emma looked at them sternly, with all the royal dignity she could muster, "What were you two doing?"
"Turning away customers from my stock, that's what!" the fishmonger cried angrily.
Tommy tried to wiggle out of Emma's grip on his ear, but she held firm, "Ow. We only made 'em purple is all."
"Dyed 'em and made 'em inedible that's what!" the fishmonger responded angrily.
Emma released the boys' ears but kept a firm hold on the shoulder of each, shaking her head in confusion, "You made something purple?"
The fishmonger attempted to explain, but only spluttered in rage before holding up two fish, both a rich dark purple color.
Pete shrugged, "S'only blueberries, Princess. Honestly, it'll make his old stinky fish taste better! They couldn't taste worse."
Emma forced the corners of her mouth not to twitch, "You died the fish purple?
The boys nodded.
"—with blueberry juice?"
The boys nodded again.
The fishmonger spoke up, "I want justice, Your 'ighness! These two terrors never give me a moment's peace! I'm trying to run a respe'table business here!"
Emma held herself tall, doing her best to look as royal as possible, "I'm very sorry about your fish, Mr. Jenkins. I'll take full responsibility for Tom and Pete and for the damage. Come to the castle tomorrow. I'll make sure you get fully repaid for any fish you're unable to sell. Tommy and Pete are very sorry and promise never to do it again. Right?"
After each was shaken by the shoulder, the two boys mumbled out their apologies.
The fishmonger looked as if he wanted to complain more, but he also seemed reluctant to interact further with royalty.
"They deserve a whippin,'" he muttered before leaving, but then gave a sort of awkward bow, and lumbered back behind his stand.
Tommy made as if to run off again, but Emma held him back, "Oh no you don't. You two aren't out of trouble yet."
Six-year-old Pete pouted, "Aw, Princess. Please don't tell ma and pa on us. Was only a bi' of fun."
Emma looked at them sternly, "You need to leave the fishmonger alone from now on, do you hear? I might not be around to save you next time. Understand?"
Tommy grinned, "Pah, he can't catch us."
Emma frowned at them, "You bother him again and you won't need to worry about me telling your parents."
Tommy and Pete looked at her in confusion.
"I'll tell Lizzie."
Tommy and Pete groaned.
"Now go help the fisherman on the far dock. They need a little help and you need something to keep you out of trouble."
"But—" Tommy tried to say.
"Go on Tom, or I will tell your sister!" Emma told him.
The boys sighed, nodded, and ran off toward the far dock. Emma grinned. Blueberries? How do they come up with ideas like that?
Emma walked by the water, staring up at the ships and looking at the people she passed. She was keeping a "weather eye" out for Smee, as he would say. And if Killian happened to also be around, well, it wouldn't be the worst thing.
To her surprise, the docks seemed unusually quiet and empty. She wandered around for an hour or two, occasionally sitting by the water as it lapped against the wooden planks, dipping her hands in the cold, salty water. Eventually, she came to the pub where she would sometimes meet Smee.
The pub owner poked his head out when he saw her, "You won't find Smee around the docks today, Princess. The King's coming down for an inspection, and I don't have to tell you that some of Smee's side businesses ain't the most legal."
Emma raised her eyebrows in surprise, thanking the pub owner for the information. King George almost never came to mingle with the "common folk." Apparently inspecting his "military power" in the form of the royal navy was reason enough.
Her mood significantly dampened, Emma turned to head back to the castle. If King George was coming here, then she'd make sure to be where he wasn't.
-linebreak-linebreak-linebreak-
Emma was several yards from the castle gates when she stopped, startled. Lizzie was running toward her, crying! She'd never seen Lizzie cry.
"Lizzie! What is it?"
"Emma! Please, ya have to help 'em!"
"Help who? What are you talking about?"
"They took Tommy and Petey!"
"Who took them?"
"They won't let 'em go! They goin' on 'bout how they're orphans but they have parents! But they won't listen to Pa or anyone an' they won't give 'em back!"
"Who Lizzie?"
"The windjammers!"
Emma furrowed her brow. "Windjammmers" was a common term for both merchant ships and the sailors who crewed them.
"What do windjammers want with Tommy and Pete?"
Lizzie cried harder but Emma managed to decipher one word.
"Slavery."
-linebreak-linebreak-linebreak-
By the time Emma ran up to the dock, Lizzie in tow, a small crowd had gathered.
A tall, three-masted ship adorned with blinding white sails was stationed at the furthest-out dock. Next to the gangplank stood about ten sailors, large and fit, and every man carried some type of blade, be it broadsword, knife, or cutlass. Opposite them stood a couple of the townsfolk, a wide-eyed fisherman, still holding his catch, and Lizzie's father.
Emma knew Tommy and Pete were only out this far because she'd told them to help the fishermen. The guilt was crippling, but Emma took her guilt and her fear for the boys and buried it deep inside. She put on a face of calm, royal composure. It briefly crossed her mind that her etiquette tutors would have been proud.
"Give me back my sons!" Lizzie's father cried angrily.
His face was worn and wrinkly, and his hands were not as steady as they once were, but he stood tall in the face of ten men. Things were about to get ugly, and Lizzie's father had no hope of coming out on top.
"Hey!" Emma strode up, very aware of her short child's height in the midst of so many tall sailors.
A man in black holding a silver-hilted broadsword looked her over with derision, "Run away little girl. This matter doesn't concern any soft-hearted gentry."
Emma held her ground, but still felt dwarfed by the amount of menace he seemed to exude.
"Actually, it's Your Highness. And any issue that concerns my subjects concerns me."
The man in black, presumably the captain, gave her another once over, and seemed unimpressed, though he did stand taller.
"Apologies Princess. Didn't expect a lady of your… caliber in a place like this. But don't worry, this is no court issue. Tis' simply men conducting business."
Emma glared at him, both for his condescending tone and for what she believed he meant as an insult.
"I'd say you're kidnapping two of my kingdom's subjects, which I'd call a matter of state."
The man rolled his eyes, "Ain't nobody kidnapping nobody, Princess. Two of my sailors left me' crew. I'm short on labor, and we grain runners have a deal with the king. If we find street rats, we take 'em off your royal hands and conscript 'em into our service. Everybody wins."
Emma bit her lip to stop herself from pointing out that the orphans didn't win. She felt horribly angry at the idea of conscripted service. But she also wouldn't put it past King George to make such a deal.
She'd never actually encountered slavery before, and as far as she knew, the practice only existed nowadays on ships. In these parts, even that was rare. Captains were more inclined to trust sailors whom they paid. There'd been several slave uprisings in the years before she'd been born.
"Regardless of the deal you have with the king," Emma said, "there's been a mistake. The two boys you found were not orphans. They have a father, mother, and sister, two of whom you see here."
The man scoffed, "So that man claims. Convenient how someone claimed them only after they're in the hold. I need labor and the two boys were causing trouble unsupervised. My hands are clean."
Emma raised her voice, "You have no right! They're just children!"
The man glared at her, "Aye, they are children. And you also are a child, Princess, and you have no place in a grown man's business dealings. Let King George come and sort the matter if the royal house has an issue—not that anyone sees him outside his castle."
A familiar voice rang out from behind Emma, causing her to whirl around, "Is that so, Captain?"
The captain had the good sense to look properly frightened and fall to one knee. His recent action—speaking mockingly of a reigning monarch in their own kingdom, particularly one as temperamental as King George—did not bode well for him keeping his head attached to his shoulders.
Sweeping his black coat behind him and keeping his head bent, the captain attempted to stutter an apology, "Your Majesty, I—"
Luckily for the captain, King George appeared bored, tired, and a little sunburnt. In other words, he seemed not to be in the mood for removing heads.
"Captain Silver," George continued, "You're one of our most reliable captains in the grain trade, and I hope there's not an issue here. I'd hate the inconvenience of finding our grain elsewhere."
George turned his gaze to Emma, and frowned, "Granddaughter, I hope you're not neglecting your lessons."
Emma said nothing and curtsied. She found this to be the safest course of action around George.
"Your Majesty," the captain said at last, finally finding his tongue, "Tis' all a simple misunderstanding. You see—"
Emma interrupted him, "Grandfather, this man was about to abduct two citizens! He claimed them as orphans in his service and will not listen to reason. The boys' father is standing right here!"
Lizzie's father opened his mouth but the captain spoke up before he could, gesturing at Emma, "Your Majesty, the child is clearly of a delicate constitution and no doubt a touch of the sun has confused her—"
King George's face grew stormy, "You dare ignore an objection from a member of my royal house?"
The captain flinched, "Not at all, Your Majesty, not at all. I was about to send a sailor to fetch the boys, truly!"
King George's expression didn't change, "I have allowed you and the other grain captains a great deal of leeway in your dealings, Captain Silver. Conscripting both orphans and workers sold by another is allowed, and even so you're one of the only captains to continue this practice. That might not be a problem except I find you here and now, disrupting the peace. Further, you've insulted those who are above you."
The captain went red with anger at the snub but shifted uneasily. He opened his mouth and closed it several times.
George's eyes narrowed, "I suggest you release my subjects so they can do their duty and grow up to be servants of this kingdom, rather than becoming a means to line your pockets."
The captain gave a gesture and a sailor to his right boarded the ship to get the boys. Without waiting for leave or protocol, Emma ran after him.
As soon as she saw Pete and Tommy by some hammocks in the hold, Emma ran forward and hugged them tightly, babbling, "It's okay. We're getting you out of here. Are you hurt? I'm so sorry I sent you out to the fishermen. I'm so glad you're here! Everything's going to be fine I promise."
Pete and Tommy seemed to be in shock more than anything, and only hugged her back without speaking.
"Emma?" a voice interrupted her flow of speech.
Emma turned, realizing two other, slightly older boys also occupied the space. Further, she recognized one of them.
"Killian?"
"What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?"
Emma stared at Killian for a few seconds. Slowly, she looked over where Tom and Petey had sat, then back at Killian, then at the curly-haired boy keeping a protective hold on Killian's shoulder.
She looked around at the quarters, and then looked hard at Killian's face, trying to decide how old he was. He wouldn't look her in the eye.
She clenched her fists. So, Captain Silver already had slaves, and Pete and Tommy would have only added to the workforce. She felt angry and sick.
"You're not a sailor, are you? A paid one, I mean."
Killian looked down, glaring at the floor, "Not exactly, lass."
He still wouldn't look her in the eye. Emma caught a glimpse of the look in his eyes, and she saw shame. The look made her angrier, but she didn't want to show it, in case Killian thought that her anger was directed at him.
The boy Emma didn't know spoke up, "Killian, who is this?"
Killian put on a false grin, gesturing between the two with bravado. His look was shuttered, his real feelings hidden away. Emma decided she hated that look.
"This is the lass I met at market, Liam," Killian said, "Emma, meet my brother Liam. Liam, Emma."
Killian moved forward as if to ask her a question, but stopped, wincing.
Emma narrowed her eyes, looking closely at him.
"Killian, what's wrong?"
Killian shrugged and then winced again, "I'm fine lass."
Emma began to feel her anger roil and twist inside her, "What did Captain Silver do?"
Killian wouldn't answer, and shrugged again.
Eventually Liam responded, causing Killian to glare at him, "He got whipped for coming back with the flour late. Three strokes, but it would've been more if he'd lost half the flour. Killian says you made sure he didn't, so thank you, lass."
Emma opened her mouth, but wasn't sure what to say. All she knew was that seeing Killian punished harshly for such a little thing felt Wrong. His refusal to look at her felt Wrong. She felt her anger grow hotter.
Liam meanwhile, was looking curiously at the sailor by the entrance of the hold. The man had obviously allowed Emma to enter. Liam didn't understand what was going on and it made him uneasy.
"How did you get the captain to agree to release the boys, lass?" Liam asked.
Emma took a breath, and looked at Killian, "I'm afraid I haven't been exactly honest, either, Killian."
"I—I never lied!" Killian interjected.
"Neither did I," Emma nodded, "There's just… um… there's something about me you don't know."
Pete, who hadn't been listening to the conversation, interrupted her, "Princess, is Pa outside? I heard him yelling."
Killian's eyes widened, "Princess?"
Emma huffed and shifted uncomfortably, "Ah… yes, so, well… there's that."
She waited but got no response.
"I'm the crown princess," she said in a rush, just in case there was any doubt.
Killian and Liam only stared at her, gaping.
"Princess," Tommy said, tugging at her sleeve, "Can we go out and see Pa now?"
Emma shook herself, crouching down to look at him, "Of course we can. Lizzie's out there too."
Tommy and Pete, who were stronger than they looked, immediately started pulling her toward the exit.
Emma turned and grabbed Killian's hand, causing him to stare down at their joined hands now instead of her face, "You're coming with me."
She looked at Liam, who seemed to be gathering his wits despite his astonishment.
He shrugged, looking down at Killian's hand in hers with something like amusement, "Aye, Your Highness."
"Your… Highness…" Killian stuttered under his breath.
Emma sighed and led them all out onto the deck and across the gangplank.
-linebreak-linebreak-linebreak-
If King George was surprised that Emma came out bringing four boys with her instead of two, he didn't show it.
Captain Silver was not so restrained, "Hey! Those two ain't from this port! What are ye' two bilge rats doing outside the hold?"
Pete and Tommy ran toward their relieved father, hanging on to each of his arms. Killian and Liam chose to stand by the gangplank, unsure which way to go.
Emma turned and placed herself in front of Liam, who had surreptitiously placed himself between Killian and the captain.
"I brought them," she said.
Captain Silver's anger got the better of his fear, "You have no right! Those two are my property, they are."
Emma watched Killian clench his fist from the corner of her eye. Liam pushed Killian further behind him.
Captain Silver wasn't done, "I bought them fair and above board. Their father traded them to me—"
"Be wary of your tone, Captain Silver," King George interrupted him, and Emma felt a rush of hope that for once maybe he'd do the right thing.
That hope was immediately dashed when he turned on her, anger now clear on his face, "Girl, you are as guilty of disrupting the peace as this captain. Not to mention, your attire is a disgrace. If your lessons were finished, you should be back at the castle, conducting yourself in a manner that befits your station. Now send the captain's property back where it came from. I've had enough of you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
"No!" cried out Emma without thinking.
King George raised his eyebrows, and his tone dropped to a deadly calm, "No?"
Emma took a breath, thinking quickly, "Grandfather, this man attempted to commit a crime against our kingdom. You've told me no crime should go unpunished. Wouldn't the freedom of Killian and Liam be a just recompense for his slight?"
George looked surprised. Emma hadn't taken any interest or pride in her position in this kingdom before. Perhaps she was finally growing into the role he'd planned for her, if with a bit too much independence.
George tapped his chin thoughtfully, a glimmer of greed in his eyes, "Well, Granddaughter. That is a point. I think we'll not take the slaves, however. Instead, Captain Silver, I'll take half of the profits you received from the grain you delivered this week. The royal coffers could always use an investment."
He paused and grinned sarcastically, "For the good of the kingdom of course."
"But—" Captain Silver began.
"Would you rather the recompense be your head?" King George spoke over him.
Captain Silver ground his teeth but shook his head, giving a stiff bow to indicate his acceptance.
Emma felt dread sink into her gut. This wasn't how she'd hoped this would go.
"But Grandfather, surely Killian and Liam would be the better investment. It would improve your image among the people—"
"Are you questioning me, Granddaughter?"
"I—I…" Emma stuttered.
George glared at her, inwardly heaving a sigh of frustration. The child was not accepting her role at all. Instead she was letting her soft heart rule her actions. Again.
Then, Emma stood taller and clenched her fists.
"Grandfather, you said a good ruler knows how to negotiate for what they want. I want Liam and Killian freed from Captain Silver's service. You like deals. What do you want?"
George raised an eyebrow. This was unexpected.
"What would you be willing to give?"
Emma clenched her jaw, asking again, more insistently, "What do you want?"
George looked her over. She really was determined about this. She was such a recalcitrant child.
Wait.
Her resistance to his orders thus far had been irritating, in particular because he wasn't willing to use public humiliation or violence on a member of the royal house. It set a bad precedent. However, her heart had always been her undoing, much like her shepherd father. If the consequences did not affect her wellbeing alone…
George gave a smile, his gaze calculating.
"Very well… Emma. We will discuss this further in the royal dining hall tonight. You will join me for supper. Captain Silver, I relieve you of your property. Consider this recompense for your behavior in my kingdom."
The captain spluttered, clearly furious, but he didn't dare object.
Killian and Liam stood stock still, not immediately believing it.
Emma felt a shiver go down her back. She feared what George would demand of her, and hearing her given name from his lips was worse than his label of "granddaughter." Nevertheless, she didn't regret it. Killian and Liam were free!
She gave George her best curtsey and turned to Liam and Killian, "Now, let's see about getting you two lodgings—"
But then King George gave an order she didn't expect.
"Guards, take these two to the kitchens. They're short on hands. The castle could use some extra labor we don't need to pay for."
Emma turned back around in shock, "Wha—what! Wait, we had a deal!"
King George gave her a cold smile, "We did. In your words, my end was to free these two boys from the service of Captain Silver. I have done so. They will now serve me."
Emma glared furiously and took a breath, doing her best to speak calmly, "If you're simply taking them from a slaver to enslave them yourself, what reason do I have to keep up my end of the deal?"
George glared at her, but then, to Emma's surprise, he simply sighed.
He waved his hand at her in irritation, "Fine, it's been a long day and I'm tired. I'll take them on as indentured servants. They'll learn various trades in their service to the castle, and in return I will release them when the younger one turns eighteen."
"But—" Emma interjected.
"That's my final offer," George continued, "Take it or they remain with the captain."
Emma felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning she saw Liam looking at her pleadingly. She couldn't read the expression in Killian's eyes.
She turned and curtseyed again, forcing the words out behind clenched teeth, "Thank you, Grandfather."
-linebreak-linebreak-linebreak-
The guards led Liam and Killian back to the castle. George took a carriage, though the distance was short, and Emma followed behind. Her trek was more of a stomp than a walk, and her fists were clenched.
How was it that George got the best of her every single time? Her parents had once told her that good would always conquer evil. If that was the case, why did George always seem to win?
She was startled from her thoughts by a tug on her arm.
Turning, she was embraced by Lizzie, whose father and brothers were standing not far off.
"Thank you, Princess," she said.
Then she leaned in close and whispered, "You did good, Emma. You did good."
Emma blinked away tears. She didn't know how much she needed to hear that, even if Lizzie had no control over what George would do.
Lizzie gave her shoulder a squeeze and then turned back to Pete, Tommy, and their father. The four of them walked back to the village, no doubt headed home for the night.
Emma looked after them, feeling a bit envious. If only she could walk away from George as easily. But the day wasn't finished yet. Supper with His Majesty was still to come.
-linebreak-linebreak-linebreak-
Once this week's lady's maid had dressed her for dinner with the king, complete with corset and gown, Emma slipped out to the vegetable garden near the kitchens. There was still an hour or so before supper. She needed space, and a chance to process her emotions. She also wanted to be around a living thing that didn't expect anything of her. Plants filled that role quite nicely.
Emma often came down to the cabbages and carrots when she needed some space to think. It was one of the only green spaces in the castle. George considered flower gardens sentimental and unnecessary. At least the plants were wonderful listeners.
To her surprise, she found her usual thinking spot taken by two figures, faces hidden by the dusk settling over the land. She was even more surprised once she'd come closer and was able to discern that the figures were Killian and Liam. They were arguing.
"Silver would've killed you if we'd kept on with him and you know it!" she heard Liam assert angrily.
"You don't know that, and why would this be any better? It could be out of the frying pan and into the fire!" Killian argued back.
"I do know that. You never could keep your temper and Silver was losing patience. And besides, the royal staff are always well fed and are definitely treated better than two enslaved cabin boys!"
"At least we know what's expected of us aboard ship. And I can keep my temper!"
Liam gave a low chuckle, "So my little brother says, showing his temper. Besides, it's only till you turn eighteen! We'd never have earned enough for our freedom with Silver by that time and you know it."
Killian sighed, nodded, and grunted out, "Younger brother," but he kept his dark brows furrowed.
Liam paused, then spoke again, "By the gods, stop moping. This is a good thing Killian!"
"I know it is!" Killian glared back, raising his voice.
"Well why are you so angry about it?"
"I'm not—I…"
Liam interrupted, a sudden comprehension taking over his features, "Wait, this isn't about Silver. This is about the princess. You didn't want her to know—"
At that moment, Killian noticed Emma, "Princess!"
Emma gave an awkward wave, "Hi, um, Killian. Liam."
She stopped unsure what to say, and the two brothers seemed unsure what to say to her.
Emma bit her lip, "I'm sorry I couldn't secure your freedom fully. I wanted to keep trying but then George threatened to send you back and…"
Liam shook his head, "No need for apologies, Your Highness. Silver was not a good man, and I'm thankful we're free of him, regardless of circumstances. Not to mention, our situation has drastically improved. You have my thanks."
Liam turned to his brother, "And though my brother is a stubborn git that keeps his head in his ass—"
Here Liam stopped, remembering who he was speaking to. Turning red, he turned back to Emma, "Begging your pardon for my language Your Highness, bad form."
Emma shook her head, showing she didn't mind.
"Though my brother is stubborn," Liam continued, "you have his thanks as well, though he may not want to admit it. Your actions saved my brother, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm in your debt, Princess."
"Oh," was the only reply Emma could come up with. She was unsure how to respond to such a grand speech of thanks. With specific exceptions, most people just avoided talking to George's royal granddaughter at all costs. She desperately tried to think of an appropriate response.
After a pause, she shook her head, "It was nothing."
Liam raised his eyebrows, a smile teasing the corners of his mouth, "T'wasn't nothing, Your Highness, if I may be so bold. But I'll not continue to make you uncomfortable with my thanks. Come along Killian—"
He paused again, looking back at his brother and realized the princess and Killian were staring at each other.
He coughed, "That is, come in Killian, after you've finished talking to the princess."
Then, with a mischievous grin much like Killian's, Liam went into the kitchens and left the two to talk.
Killian scuffed the ground with his boot, "I should probably head in as well, Your Highness."
Emma shook her head, "Please, just stay for a moment. I asked my lady's maid, and I know you won't be assigned any duties till tomorrow."
Killian looked uncertain, but let her lead him to a bench nearby. Emma sat and patted the spot next to her. After a moment's hesitation, Killian sat next to her.
"How's your back?" Emma asked.
"It's fine. It's mostly healed. It was just twinging a bit today," Killian said, his relaxed tone at odds with the tension in his shoulders.
Emma looked at him, unsure what his behavior meant. He seemed… melancholy... and a bit angry. She wished she knew what he was thinking.
"Are—are you made at me for not telling you I was the princess?" she said, eventually.
Killian waved her concern away, "Not at all, Your Highness. As you said, I didn't exactly reveal my own status, either."
They fell into silence again.
"Are you mad about the deal I made with the king? I really tried to free you altogether, but he—"
Killian shook his head, finally turning his head to look at her, though his eyes were sad, "No, no. Liam might be a bloody twat sometimes, but he's not wrong about Silver. Thank you, Princess. I mean that."
He turned his entire torso to face her as a sudden thought struck him, "What do you think the king will ask of you in return?"
Emma forced herself to shrug nonchalantly, "Oh, likely nothing very important."
Killian raised an eyebrow at her. He clearly didn't believe her, but he didn't press it.
They sunk into silence once more.
Emma decided she was tired of it, "Well then, at least tell me why you're mad at me!"
Killian looked startled, "I'm not mad at you."
Emma stood and faced him, hands on her hips, "Could've fooled me."
Killian raised his eyebrows, "I apologize if I've caused any offense—"
"Oh come off it, Killian," Emma interrupted, "I understand if the fact that I'm a royal means you won't be my friend anymore, but you could at least be honest with me!"
"You—you want to be my friend?" Killian stuttered out.
"Yes. I thought I made that clear yesterday. And I am sorry I didn't tell you who I was. It was just, when we met yesterday, I thought…"
Killian's expression was still hard to read, "You thought what, Your Highness?"
"I thought I'd finally found someone my own age who wanted to know me, Emma, not the princess," Emma burst out, "To everyone in the town I'm the princess and King George's granddaughter but with you, when you didn't know who I was…"
Killian continued to look at her, silently. Emma was about to throw up her hands and give up on the conversation entirely when he stood up from the bench and faced her.
"Princess, I—I understand."
Emma looked at him skeptically.
"I do," Killian continued, "I—I thought I'd finally found a friend who could just know me as Killian, not as a—" he paused and spat out the next two words, "a slave. You were one of the only people in a long time who really saw me, not my clothes or my station. And I didn't want to lose that."
Emma's eyes widened. They were more similar than she'd realized.
"Killian," she began.
But Killian was talking again, "But now you know. Now you know who I am, what I am. I belonged to Captain Silver, my own father traded me away, my brother is determined to protect me from myself, I have no say in my own future, you had to put yourself on the line to save me… How can we be friends? You're royalty and I… I couldn't even save myself."
Emma crossed her arms and looked at him for a moment.
Then she said, "What a load of balderdash."
Killian stared at her, startled.
"You survived, Killian," Emma said, "You survived under Captain Silver. A lesser person would have turned bitter or cruel, but you did neither. You stayed strong, you kept fighting, and you were bold enough to challenge a princess after throwing flour all over her."
Killian went a bit red and tugged on his ear.
"I said I was sorry," he muttered.
"I don't remember much about my time with my parents. But I do know that in their court where you came from didn't matter. What mattered was how you responded. What mattered was how you treated others and what path you took. And you, Killian, are on a path to great things. I know it."
Killian tugged on his ear harder, the corners of his mouth beginning to turn up, "Still, mightn't be quite appropriate, a princess being friends with a servant."
Emma tossed her braid over her shoulder, "I'm the princess. I'll befriend whoever I like thank you very much."
Killian began to smile (a real smile, not the fake ones he'd been giving her all day).
Emma suddenly had an idea and began to grin herself, "You know what? Let's reintroduce ourselves, now that we're being completely honest."
She put on her best "royal air" and gave a deep curtsey, "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Emma, Crown Princess, sole heir to His Royal Majesty King George, monarch of this land. Will you be my friend?"
Killian chuckled and bowed, "Killian Jones, at your service Your Highness."
Emma raised an eyebrow at him, waiting.
Killian let out a full-bellied laugh, "Aye, Princess, I'll be your friend."
Emma grinned, "Good."
Then she grabbed his hand and started dragging him toward the kitchens, "Come on, it's getting dark, and Liam or Cook will send someone looking for us if we don't go in soon.
"Very well, Princess," Killian muttered, almost mockingly, speeding his walk to keep up with her.
"Oh, and Killian?"
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"When it's just us, and we won't get into trouble, call me Emma."
Killian's eyes softened a little, "As you wish, Emma."
-linebreak-linebreak-linebreak-
Notes: Thanks for reading! Please do kudos and comments if you liked it! I always enjoy them :) :)
Also fun fact: My eighth grade math teacher was named Mrs. Williams but she would never have worked for an evil king like King George and she was kind of awesome.
Other fun thing: I forgot to mention but there's a sort of Easter egg in the form of what I named Killian and Liam's home town: "Baneskalt." Can anyone guess what that's an anagram of? (It has to do with Captain Swan :D )