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Chapter 8 – Foot in Mouth

Regina couldn't help the grin on her face as she watched Emma through out the day. It was obvious the blonde had been bored out of her mind when they met with the financial advisor, but she did pay attention. When they met with Alexander, the captain of The Queen's Guards, Emma was much more lively. The Princess asked many questions and even gave some thoughts of her own. She knew Alexander was being patient with her, and even took some notes. She felt that was a good thing.

After the meetings, Emma had etiquette lessons with none other than Maleficent herself. Though she was frustrated at how every minute detail seemed to make a difference, she did try her best. "Emma, you're doing great. Regina gave me strict instructions not to change you, simply polish you up."

"I know but…why the hell do we need three forks?" She said, tossing the one in her hand down.

"As I stated the last three times you asked that question, it's so the food doesn't cross."

Emma looked like a child pouting at the table when Regina checked in. She didn't think Emma needed this, but knew the blonde wanted it. An hour later, Maleficent came to find Regina. "She's done for today. That girl beats herself up for everything."

"Of course she does. Her parents always told her she wasn't good enough, Maleficent, so she's never going to believe she is. It's going to take a lot of work to change her mind, but I think it'll be worth it."

"Regina, why aren't you two doing anything about your mutual admiration for each other?" She asked with a smirk. "I can tell you like her and she adores you."

"I don't want her to think that's part of the deal; that she has to be with me in every way."

"But you know she wants you. I mean, she kissed you after begging you to kiss her."

"Maybe, but…Maleficent I don't mean to be rude, but she gets around. I just…I want to be more than a notch on her bedpost."

Emma felt tears fill her eyes as she listened to them. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but she heard them talking before she went to knock. She quietly sniffed and had turned to leave when she heard Maleficent. "Really Regina? You don't mean that. Emma, she doesn't mean it. Come in here, don't stay out there."

Emma sighed and opened the door. "I was just coming to let Regina know that I was going to take a walk through the kingdom, but now I think I'll just go to my room. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I'm glad I heard what I did so I know where I stand." She looked at Regina, angry tears in her eyes. "I thought you understood, but clearly you don't. I don't have notches and I'm sorry I have a past. I was foolish to think you'd understand." She then turned and once she was on the steps, she ran up them and to her room, flinging herself on the bed.

"Emma? Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Ruby asked, having heard her from her room.

Emma looked up from her pillow. "I was stupid, Ruby. So stupid." She sobbed, finally letting out all her emotions, not just because of this.

Ruby sat by Emma and stroked her hair. "What's wrong?"

"I'm stupid! How can you even be my friend? I let my parents make me think it was my idea to not take the crown even though it wasn't, I slept around to get back at them making me look like a whore, I let them poison my son, for crying out loud! The worst was thinking Regina could see past all that and see me. Of course she can't, my reputation precedes me. Why the hell am I so stupid?"

Ruby sighed, laying by Emma and rubbing her back. "So you're finally letting out your emotions, but I can't help but think something else happened."

Emma cuddled into Ruby. "I…I heard Regina talking about me. I really like her, Ruby, and I thought she liked me but she told Maleficent that she knew I got around and she didn't want to be a notch on my bedpost. I get it, Ruby, I get why she'd say that, but I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt. It still stings, Ruby. I thought she at least respected me, maybe even understood, but she doesn't, and it hurts. It's my fault, I'm not blaming her, but it just…"

"It hurts." Ruby said softly. "I understand, Emma. It honestly surprises me though because I could have sworn she liked you and respected you." Ruby bit her lip. "I think she does, Emma, she just…because she feels like that, she doesn't want to risk being a one-time thing." She ran her fingers through Emma's hair. "You are not stupid, Ems. Not by a long shot. Your parents…they put all that crap in your head. They always made sure you knew you weren't good enough for them and now you think you're not good enough for anyone. Emma you are. You are more than good enough, and you are not stupid. I will spend the rest of my life making sure you know that."

"As will I." Came a voice by the door. "I'm sorry, the door was ajar and I came to fix my mistake."

Emma looked over and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, your majesty. Give me a moment to get myself presentable."

"Emma, sweetheart you're fine." Regina said, taking a step. "May I come in?"

Ruby looked at Emma who nodded and got up. "Come on in. I'll leave you two alone." She then went through the adjoining door to her room.

Emma wiped at her face with her hands until Regina handed her a silk tissue. "Thanks."

Regina sat down right next to Emma, their thighs and sides touching. "I'm so sorry, Emma. I'm so sorry I said what I did."

"You have a right to your feelings and your thoughts, Regina. I shouldn't have listened in."

"No, I'm not just sorry because you heard, I'm sorry I even entertained the idea." She sighed and looked down. "I know I come off as cool, calculated, prickly, even as if I don't care, but that couldn't be further from the truth when it comes to you. I care about you so much, Emma, and in the past few months you've been here, I've developed very real feelings for you. I just…Princess, I've had my heart broken in the past and I tend to be overprotective with it. I…I don't love easily." She licked her lips and took Emma's hands. "But I think I could love you and that scares me. So, instead of being honest with myself, I went the easy and altogether mean rout of blaming it on you. I'm sorry. I'm so incredibly sorry."

Emma listened to Regina and gave a small smile when she was done. "Regina, I swear to you I will never intentionally hurt you. Over the past few months, I have grown to adore you and care so much about you. Sure, at first, I thought it would just be fun because you're hot and I figured maybe a little…adventurous in bed, but as we really got to know each other, and when you wouldn't allow me to kiss you, I realized I was glad we didn't just…jump for it. I was happy to get to know you and figured we'd take our time."

"Can we still do that? I do adore you, Princess, but I also think we need to both be certain. Maybe start out with meals with just each other, time alone together. Almost like a courtship, but since we live together already, we do it our own way."

"Your Majesty, are you asking to court me?" Emma asked with a grin.

"I am, Princess. Do you accept?" Regina asked, her own grin.

"I do."