Finally we arrived at the gates of White Castle, one of the Dwarfs opened the gates. The idiots were standing on the steps, Snow was wearing white leather dress that she wore for my execution. Shepherd was wearing the same outfit as he wore for my execution. They tensed as they saw me approach, however they relaxed once they saw Emma. She dismounted Shadowflame and walked over to me. I dismounted my horse and nodded to Emma.
"I believe we have matters to discuss involving my new knight?" I commented, bitterly.
"Regina, why did you all of the sudden have to break the peace by kidnapping my daughter?!" Snow demanded.
"Now, you have seen what idiots your parents are Sir Swan. They didn't even address me properly, it amazes me how you have such wonderful manners." I remarked, sarcastically.
"You are no queen Regina." Charming commented.
"You shall show her majesty of the dark kingdom, respect King David." Emma orders, coldly as she pulls out my sword and points it at him. All the guards are ready to attack, As Emma waits for his answer.
"I apologize for my husband's disrespect, but surely you can understand why he reacted the way he did." Snow apologizes. She is just saying that to maintain her image.
"Sir Swan, stand down we are here to be civil." I order. She put her sword back into its sheath. All the guards stand and relax, however they are watching her carefully. Snow turns and walks into the castle, I follow behind her Emma follows me behind on my right side. Shepherd keeps glancing at Emma heartbroken, he deserves to feel that way after what he did to my knight.
"Princess Emma, you are safe." A voice yells, I turn around and see Ruby. I notice Emma tense up, it seems my orders are taking effect quite nicely.
"I am Sir Swan, the Evil Queen's knight."She says, emotionlessly. Ruby glares at me, however I can tell she isn't upset with me. I will have to reward her for dealing with these idiots for so long.
"The council is ready for you." Ruby says to the idiots. We all follow her to the council meeting chamber. Everyone was there from two days prior. An extra chair was set up for me. Emma followed me and stood behind me on my right side as everyone sat down.
"We are all gathered here today to negotiate the terms of Princess Emma's release from the dark kingdom." A dwarf declared. Marking the beginning of the council session.
"Queen Regina we are prepared to sign a treaty with the dark kingdom in order for the safe return of our daughter Crown Princess Emma." Shepherd announced.
"What would the treaty be about?" I ask, cautiously.
"We would be agreeing to pardon you on the conditions that you will never set foot in the white kingdom again. The Dark kingdom promises to protect the White kingdom from any threats. Finally Princess Emma's release." Snow answered. They really are idiots, since they have already tried banishing me. If I did sign the treaty, I would basically be agreeing to protect my enemies from harm. Plus Emma would still be unhappy and I refuse to lose her. Since she is MINE, if they try to take her from me. I will go to war for her.
"I will not be banished from the white kingdom. Since we all know how that turned out last time." I comment.
"What will it take to release Princess Emma?" Shepherd asked, nervously. I finally know how I am going to get my revenge. By corrupting their daughter and marrying her. Though it would upset Emma, however I am a major improvement compared to the dark one's son. Plus, I could finally learn about the connection between us. The idiots would have to deal with me being married to their daughter. If they did anything to me Emma would fight back.
"A Union between the Dark kingdom and the White kingdom." I answered, while smirking. A tension silence fills the room after I reveal my condition.
"No, Crown Princess Emma is set to marry Baefire the dark one's son." The blue fairy remarks.
"The Duel of champions is in 2 months time. If Sir Swan defeats your champion, the Union between our kingdoms must happen without resistance. If Sir Swan is defeated by the White kingdom champion. Then I will sign a modified treaty that has been approved by both of our councils." I declared. I will ensure that Emma wins the match, since she is mine. "Sir Swan is staying with me during the time prior to the duel."
"We will agree on one condition." Snow said, while smiling.
"What is the condition?" I ask, annoyed.
"If the one non-negotiatable condition in the treaty is you have to wear a bracelet that prevents you from using magic." Snow announced. I refuse to be defenseless again, like I was with Leopold. Magic has helped me back stronger, I will not be weak again!.
"I refuse to agree to that condition." I snapped, darkly. As memories of my marriage with king Leopold came back to me. All of a sudden I hear Emma whisper into my right ear.
"Your majesty, I will not let anything happen to you. If they try to take away your magic, I will protect you." She says, protectively. Snow and Dad look at me alarmed but also relieved. I calm down hearing Emma promise me that.
"I think we should take a break and continue this later in the afternoon." The wolf suggested.
"Listen to the wolf." I agree.
"This council is adjourned until this afternoon." One of the dwarfs declared. Everyone started leaving the council chambers. I quickly get up and left the room, while still having the grace of a queen. Emma followed behind me, I walked and led her to the east wing of the castle. Finally we arrived at a balcony that overlooked the gardens, I waved my hand and a barrier surrounded us.
"Your majesty, what is wrong is there a threat?" She asked, concerned as she started looking around for a threat. Wow, she is so protective of me and I can tell it is genuine.
"You may drop the act Emma."I say. She lets out a sigh, I smile at her. "This barrier prevents us from being seen or heard by anyone."
"I presume you want to talk about the meeting." She comments. She deserves an explanation on why I proposed a Union between the two kingdoms through marriage. After all she has barely escaped one marriage and to suddenly be in another is unfair.
"I believe I owe you an explanation on my proposal of a Union between the Dark and White Kingdom. The reason that I suggested that was because I feel a connection to you. But I am afraid to see what it may lead to because I lost so much because of my mother. Snow seems so similar to my mother except with a few differences." I reveal. Did I just confess my feeling for Emma?
"I feel something but I don't know what it is. If you are willing, I would like to see what the connection is between us Regina." She admits. I smile at hearing her answer. This seems too good to be true"Is that why you started shutting me out last night?"
"Yes."I answered. She is so much smarter than her parents.
"I think my parents would agree to the Duel of Champions. If I were to talk to them and share my view."She commented. I look at her with one eyebrow raised. "Don't worry, Regina I promise everything will work out."
"We shall see Sir Swan, you are dismissed." I say. While smiling at her, she bows then leaves the barrier in search of her idiot parents. I can't wait until we are back in the dark kingdom. The huntsman will have to start training Emma, since I have a feeling that a war is coming. But I refuse for those idiots to take Emma from me.
"Your majesty, I was wondering where you went off to." A voice so familiar to me remarked. I turned around and I saw Wolf standing behind smiling.
"I'm not surprised you found me after all, the Huntsman is rather fond of you. Since he has a thing for Wolves as I recall when I first hired him to kill Snow White." I comment, while smiling at her.
"How did you get Emma to act so well?" She asked, interested.
"Emma trusts me a lot, she willingly let me rip her heart out and give her orders to follow." I reveal, while thinking about what happened when I ripped her heart out.
Flashback two days ago
"Yes, I want you to act like my personal knight. You will never leave my side unless ordered to. Whenever your parents are around, you will act conflicted. If your parents are around, you will address them by their titles. Occasionally calling them mom and dad." I explained. There is a chance I may need to rip her heart out. But she probably doesn't trust me enough to rip her heart out. If i ask her she may freak out and no longer trust me.
"Regina, I know that we finally met one another two days ago. But i do trust you, so what are you hesitant to ask me." Emma reassured me. She is observant, compared to the idiots. I can't believe that the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming trusts me.
"I may need to rip out your heart, in case your parents try to do anything to you." I revealed.
"How about you rip out my heart right now, then give me your orders then give it back to me." She offered. I looked at her in disbelief of what she just said. The daughter of Snow and Charming, just gave me permission to rip her heart out. I can't believe this, of all the people that would trust me. It's the heir to the White kingdom throne.
"Emma, are you sure that you want me to do that?" I asked, seriously. "Once I have your heart, I can control you and make you do whatever I want. You will have to obey my every order, your heart will darken."
"I trust you, so do whatever is best to ensure my parents can't keep me prisoner again." She answered. I looked at her and smiled, I thrusted my hand into her chest and ripped her heart out. I am holding the idiot's daughter's heart, there is so much I could make her do. But there will be time for that later, once she trusts me more. "Regina, give me your orders."
"Emma, when you are with me at the white kingdom. You shall always walk on my right side, whenever we are in a meeting with their council. I expect you to stand behind my chair on the right side. If you are addressed as Princess Emma, you will correct them and say' I am Sir Swan, the Evil Queen's knight.'. You will never leave my side, unless I say you are dismissed. If your parents approach when you are alone, bow and address them as Queen Snow and King Shepherd." I ordered as I held Emma's heart. I pushed her heart back into her chest, something different about her heart felt different from the other hearts I have ripped out. I am going to look into why her Heart is different from everyone else's.
"I thought that I had to complete my training before I could become a knight." She asked, confused.
"Yes, but your idiot parents don't know that you haven't completed your training." I remarked. Once you do become a knight officially, I make sure you are cared for and respected.
Flashback ends
"You care for her deeply don't you?" She asks, carefully.
"I do, she admitted to me that she also has feelings for me." I answer. All of a sudden I felt my magic flaring up. Something is happening to Emma. I poofed to where Emma is.
"I am your future queen, stand down!" I hear Emma order, I head towards the direction that I heard her voice. There are six guards advancing towards her.
"Emma, they will listen to you once you learn how to act like a true queen." Snow says. I let my magic flare up, so Emma can sense that I am nearby. Emma smiles as she senses my magic.
"Let her go." I say, slightly angry. I wave my hand and throw the knights off of Emma. She turns and sees that I am behind her, I glare at her parents.
" She is my daughter, this doesn't concern you queen Regina." Snow yells, furiously. Oh but it does, Snow.
"Snow, you forget something, look at the armor she wears. What symbol does it bear?" I ask, calmly. Snow looks at Emma's armor, her eyes widen in shock. Slowly she starts to pale as she realizes what she has done. The Dark kingdom can declare war on the white kingdom for attacking Emma. Since she is a representative of the Dark kingdom, currently. Despite her ties to the White kingdom.
"It doesn't matter, Emma will be my wife before the end of the day. The White kingdom will be safe from you." Baefire declares. I notice Emma seems hesitant to do something. What is she about to do?
"I, Emma White, Daughter of Snow White and David Charming. Hereby swear that I shall be forever faithful to Regina Mills, the queen of the Dark Kingdom. Your wish is my desire, your command is my pleasure. What is mine is now yours. I swear to love you, cherish your darkness, and protect your happiness. This is what I swear to you as your future consort." Emma swore to me. She just said the oath of engagement. I know just what to say to make sure those idiots can't take Emma away from me.
"I, Regina Mills, Queen of the Dark Kingdom. Hereby accept you, Emma White, Daughter of Snow White and David Charming. As the future King of the Dark Kingdom, my darkness is now our darkness." I swore. All of a sudden I felt the bond with Emma become even stronger.
"NO!what have you done Emma?!" Snow yells furiously.
"On the night that I ran away you said 'We worked hard to guarantee that you grew up in a peaceful kingdom. You will do what is necessary, to ensure that peace remains.'. I have decided that this is the best way to ensure that peace remains." Emma remarks, bitterly.