Emma spent the rest of the day in her room not wanting to see anyone. Much to her surprise Killian knocked on her door.

"May I come in?" Emma's grip on the handle tightened.

"I don't think that's the best idea right now." Confusion spread over Killian's face.

"Have I upset you? If so, I apologize wholeheartedly," a blush crossed his cheeks. Killian didn't want to anger the one ally he had in this castle.

"No, it's not that. My parents accused us of sleeping together since we shared a bed on the ship and it's probably for the best if we don't spend time unsupervised." Now, it was Emma's turn to blush. Killian scratched his ear; which Emma had noticed he does when he's nervous.

"Ah I see. Is your father going to come after me with a sword? Or an axe perhaps." A teasing tone in his voice.

"No, I set them straight on the matter." Relief washed over Killian's face.

"Oh good. Would you care to take a walk with me?" When Emma gave him a surprised look he continued on, "I have something to discuss with you and don't wish to put your virtue at risk any longer."

"Oh of course. I'll give you a proper tour of the castle." Emma opened the door further and stepped out into the hallway with him. Her door shut behind her and Killian offered her his arm once more. She accepted it and they made their way through the castle Emma telling him facts about various rulers and artwork in the castle.

"Now, I believe you wished to discuss something with me?" Emma prompted him.

"Ah yes, I just got swept away by my lovely tour guide," Emma rolled her eyes, "I heard there is to be a homecoming ball for you tonight, I wondered if there was any kind of tradition or custom, I should be aware of."

"Of course, there is a ball tonight, my mother would never pass up the chance. There shouldn't be anything special about tonight, just a standard ball." Emma shrugged.

"Never hurts to ask, Misthaven is already so different from home." Emma squints slightly as they move into the sunshine in the royal garden.

"How so? Tell me about Montave." Genuine curiosity filled Emma, she had never visited the place, but heard so many rumors about it.

"To start your people, seem to hold all the love and adoration for you in the world. They show it so openly. We walked through the crowds and they reached out for you, and not once did you flinch or turn them away. I must say Montavians are more stoic, while they will be happy the war is over, they would never show their gratitude in such a way."

"How would they show it?" They reached the center of the garden, idling around the fountain, Emma holding onto everyone of Killian's words.

"By working harder on their fishing boats, bringing in more fish to the castle at no cost, and I'm sure Liam and Elsa's child will want for nothing. We have quite a few woodworkers in Montave, that child will have every toy they could desire, and the people will continue to give."

"It sounds rather generous, your people may not show it in the same way, but they love your family as well." Emma couldn't help, but notice how blue his eyes seemed in the sunlight and how the weeks at sea tanned his skin in a handsome way. She hated to admit it, but from time to time a look from him could stop her heart beat even if only for a moment.

"Perhaps, but there are differences between our kingdoms."

"Couldn't that be said about every kingdom?" Emma said, curious as to what was going through his head.

"That is true," he smiled briefly. They finished their tour of the garden and Killian led Emma back to her room. He brought her hand to his lips and faintly brushed them across her hand.

"I'll see you tonight, Princess." He dropped her hand and she opened her door.

"You might not, perhaps pirates will whisk me away," she teased, turning her back on him.

"Good, it would give me an excuse to leave the ball to plan a dashing rescue," he smirked at her. She rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her. Emma could hear his footsteps echo down the hall. She didn't have much time until the ball, so she would have to get ready soon. Emma flopped down on her bed, not wanting to face the nobility of Misthaven tonight. A ball couldn't have waited until tomorrow?

A knock at her door, brought Emma out of her train of thought. Emma opened it to find Ruby with a wolfish grin on her face.

"You are not even remotely ready for a ball, are you?" She chuckled.

"Why do you ask questions you know the answer to?" Emma almost regretted letting her in.

"It's fun, now have you picked a gown?" Emma flopped back on her bed.

"No, I found out about the ball thirty minutes ago, I don't even remember what I have in my closet," she groans.

"You remember, you just don't want to pick." Ruby flung open her closet doors and began citing plausible options.

"Mom usually does this with me, why did she send you?" Emma asked, ignoring the dresses. Ruby sighed, she thought it would take longer for Emma to see through the ruse.

"She thought you were upset, and her face would not be the one you would want to see." Ruby handed her a beautiful, royal blue, silk dress that Emma had forgotten about entirely. Emma took it, knowing it would do the trick for tonight.

"I didn't think it would be like this."

"I know, but chin up things will get better. They're shocked too. Your dad was right; they never envisioned this for you. Let them adjust."

"I was on my own for weeks not sure of what would happen next and I needed her guidance more than anything. I didn't think I'd come home to this reception, to her anger, their disappointment." Emma moved behind the screen in her room and began to change.

"They practically had to drag you into the treaty kicking and screaming and you came back with him arm in arm… Emma. You're more like your mother than you realize, she lashed out. Give her a moment." Emma sighed, but said nothing, knowing her aunt was right. Ruby took it as her cue to leave.

Emma continued to get ready for this damned ball, not looking forward to smiling and being polite to the nobility of Misthaven tonight. There was a soft knock on her door.

"Come in." Emma turned in her chair at her vanity surprised to see her mother. Snow was ready for the ball in a beautiful purple gown with white embroidery, her short hair styled with one of her more simple crowns on her head.

"Ruby mentioned you might want help with your hair." Snow wouldn't quite meet her eyes.

"Yeah, um thanks." Emma felt an uneasy pit in her stomach. Emma watched her mother move closer to her in the mirror. Snow picked up the brush in the vanity next to Emma and began carefully brushing her daughter's hair.

"I'm sorry for how I handled everything." Emma blinked in shock; she hadn't expected her mother to apologize just yet.

"It's okay. I didn't realize I shocked you so much."

"It's not an excuse, I'm your mother. I should've handled it better. Even though you're all grown up I'm supposed to protect you. This whole situation has been difficult because it felt like the opposite of that. You know despite your father and I approaching you about the treaty it didn't sit well with us. I don't think either of us slept well while you're gone."

"It wasn't easy. None of it was. I thought he'd be this brute of a man, our enemy. He was the opposite, he's a gentleman and he's kind. I've been confused since this all began. All I wanted when I came home was to talk to you about everything." Emma teared up. Snow stopped brushing her hair and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh Emma. I'm sorry, I never thought-" Snow kneeled and tugged her daughter into her arms. Emma relaxed in her mother's arms, feeling safe and comforted.

"You don't hate him?" Snow released Emma and she shook her head.

"No, not at all." Snow began to gather Emma's hair into a simple, but elegant updo.

"He saved my life on the Snowbell." Emma watched her mother's surprised expression in the mirror.

"What happened?"

"A chain was falling, and I didn't hear the warnings and he shoved me out of harm's way. It would've crushed me." Snow began to put the pins in place in Emma's hair adding some decorative ones for style.

"He can't be all bad then, hmm? I'll make sure your father knows, he looked downright murderous earlier." Snow smiled softly. Emma glanced at her reflection, turning her head from side to side. Her mother did a great job as usual.

"It's beautiful, thanks mom."

"Of course, dear. Now we should get going, wouldn't want to keep all those guests waiting for too long." Snow said with the air and elegance of a queen. Emma nodded and placed her tiara on her head.

As they descended down the stairs to the foyer Snow kept glancing at Emma, "Is there something wrong with the dress?"

"What?" Snow blinked rapidly, "Oh no, it's fine, beautiful. I just noticed that your dress matches your ring." Emma lifted her hand and examined the ring. She glanced back down at her dress; the color matched the sapphires in the ring.

"It does, I didn't even notice." Emma dropped her hand again, "Everyone keeps staring at it, do you not like it?"

"No, it's elegant and beautiful, but no one expected you to come with an actual ring."

"Oh, well," Emma frowned in confusion, not sure what she had expected from Killian. When he gave her the ring, she went along with it. Was she supposed to think the ring had deeper meaning?

At the bottom of the stairs Killian, David, and Leo were waiting for them. Killian got a little glassy eyed, when he saw Emma. He started to wonder if he would ever not be stunned by her beauty. King David was openly ignoring Killian's presence, which was better than him trying to kill him, so for now it will do. Leo at least made polite conversation with him. Of all the family members, Leo seemed to be handling his presence the best.

David kissed Snow and offered her his arm. Killian did the same for Emma, offering her his arm. He would be a gentleman until the end, but how he wished he could kiss her with the ease and familiarity that David and Snow had. He wished to kiss her at all.

Leo entered first then Killian and Emma led the way followed by David and Snow. Leo, Killian, and Emma stood back while Snow delivered her speech, David at her side.

"No one is more thrilled than our family that the war is over. We have all sacrificed so much, for so many years. Who knew all it would take was a marriage to mend the bridge between our two great kingdoms? We welcome Prince Killian to Misthaven and eagerly await the union between him and Princess Emma. Our main focus will be to our people, to help them recover, to rebuild Misthaven to greatness. To the future King and Queen of Misthaven," Snow raised her glass. The whole room followed suit. Snow gestured to the dance floor; Emma sighed quietly.

"I believe that's our que." She gave him a small smile. Killian held out his hand.

"Will you honor me with a dance?" He smirked at her. Her warm hand slides into his.

"Could I deny my fiancé?" She teased him and the glint in her eye made his heart beat faster. Emma regularly surprised him at every turn. He effortlessly glided her around the dance floor. It was easy with her, as easy as breathing air.

Emma loved and hated how easy it was to dance with him. They simply glided around the dance floor. Emma had never found this ease with any partner before. She found it frustrating because as the days passed, he found almost no fault with Killian. He would never want her in any capacity more than a friendship that had been clear to her. She would have to accept that she wouldn't have love like her parents did. Many men sacrificed their lives for this war, surely, she could deal with this.

"Is it me or….?" David asked his wife quietly watching Emma and Killian dancing.

"It's not you, I never expected to send her there and have her come back in love." Snow sighed and David nodded in agreement.

"Not only that, but he loves her back," David grumbled, and Snow squeezed his hand reassuringly.

When the dance was over the room cheered and Snow retrieved Emma, claiming she had to talk to a few people. Emma squeezed Killian's hand as he nodded. He watched her disappear into the crowd. Leo approached Killian and handed him a drink, "come on there's more of that, you look like you need it." Killian took a swig of whiskey, not rum he noted.

"Do I?" They make their way to a secluded corner of the room.

"Not really, but trust me it would be cruel to leave you alone with the vultures."

"Are they as bad as I imagine them to be?" he snorted, gazing around the room.

"Probably not, but they certainly aren't kind. You've been in Misthaven for less than a whole day. You will face them when your feet are more solid on the ground." Leo shook his head.

"I appreciate that, but why are you being so nice to me? I mean it's not as though you know me or even remotely like me," Killian shrugged confused.

"You're going to marry Emma. The treaty, she worked so hard, she's given up so much for this damn war. She wouldn't dare do anything to risk it and well I won't be the person who will make this hard for her. Anyway, you don't seem so bad." Leo shrugged. Killian appreciated his honesty. Maybe Emma's face won't be the only friendly one here.

The night went on and a few people were brave enough to approach them. No one dared to say anything to him in Leo's presence. The dancing started back up again with King David and Queen Snow. Killian spotted Emma a few times and occasionally she gave him a smile or a quick eye roll if she could manage it. After a few more drinks Leo and Killian have a lively conversation.

"There's something different about Misthaven and I can't put my finger on it," Killian shook his head. Leo lifted an eyebrow.

"You haven't noticed, really?" Killian shook his head again. "Misthaven is a matriarchy." Killian blinked a few times.

"Excuse me?"

"When the kingdom started, we had a stretch of kings who just started war after war. Finally, a queen took over and peace was able to be maintained for many years. Ever since then the people have been doubtful of any king in power, they trust a woman's judgement, her ability to keep the peace. Kings haven't had any real power in centuries. A queen will hold more power than a king ever will. My mother is the first queen to have a war in her reign in over 75 years," Leo said simply.

"What?" Killian said a little harsher than he meant to, but this changed everything. It definitely caught the attention of a few people, most importantly Ruby, who was engaged in a lively conversation with her wife, Dorothy. Ruby broke away from Dorothy and grabbed Killian's arm, "Not here. Leo discreetly get Emma, now." Ruby escorted Killian into a side chamber, before a scene could be made.

Leo found Emma talking to a rather terrible duke that their whole family had the misfortune of knowing. She looked relieved to see her brother.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but our mother needs to see Emma and I immediately." Leo excused her and the duke nodded solemnly.

"It was lovely to see you again, please send my regards to your wife," Emma nodded with a polite smile.

"Of course, Your Highness." The duke bowed slightly. Leo and Emma walked away finally.

"What's going on?" Emma asked in a hushed tone.

"I might have said something I shouldn't have to Killian. I'm a little drunk and it slipped out really, but I didn't realize he didn't know and well," Leo huffed as he led them through a rather crowded ballroom.

"What happened?"

"He freaked out, Ruby got to us, quickly, he's in a side chamber she told me to get you. Emma, I didn't mean to." She squeezed his shoulder.

"It's okay, let's see the damage." Leo led the rest of the way in silence, him and Emma smiling at those they passed pretending everything was normal. They silently slipped into the side chamber, hoping no one saw them. Killian was pacing around the small room, anger and tension evident in his every movement. Emma hadn't seen him like this since Arendelle, even then he wasn't this angry.

"Were you ever going to tell me or wait until our wedding night?" Killian faced her fully when he realized she had joined them. Rage and fury storming in his eyes, tension in his stance.

"Tell you what?"

"That Misthaven is a matriarchy!" His shouts rung throughout the small room. He had finally figured out that bit of information that she had certainly been avoiding. It never went over well with suitors in the past, she feared he would be the same.

"If you had asked, I would've told you," he scoffed, "I would've, but frankly I am surprised you didn't research more into the kingdom you were marrying into." She crossed her arms, getting defensive.

"Excuse me?" His eyebrows raised; shock evident on his face. If he thought, she would simply roll over when confronted he had another thing coming. Emma turned to Leo and Ruby, who were still lurking by the door, waiting to see if Emma required their assistance.

"Do you mind giving us a minute?"

"Are you sure? We can stay." Leo immediately offered. Emma shook her head, "It will already be obvious we aren't there, go distract them." Leo sighed, but nodded. Ruby's hand was already on the door handle; she knew Emma could handle herself just fine. When the door finally clicked shut Emma turned her attention back to Killian.

"You heard me. You had Elsa, she visited here numerous times. She knows. You could've asked her a million questions about Misthaven, I'm sure she would've told you. So why didn't you?" The question struck him because he hadn't thought about it. Since the marriage was first offered, he hadn't given Misthaven itself that much thought, he was more curious about his future bride.

"That's not the point here, you should've told me. It's why you didn't fight when Liam discussed my title because it wouldn't matter, it wasn't important to you!" He was lashing out now, she had backed him into a corner.

"Maybe it wasn't, but titles aren't everything here. When we marry, we will be partners in every way that matters. You will be king. I cannot change the fact that the people of Misthaven have chosen to place their trust and power with me as their future queen." Her hands settled on her hips.

"I-that's not the point. You lied, if nothing more than by omission. I thought we were going to be honest with each other, be partners." He was backtracking now; he didn't want to admit he was in the wrong.

"We are. This does not change that. And don't act like you're the only innocent party here!" She gritted her teeth, narrowing her eyes at him.

"What does that mean? I have been honest from the beginning." Anger still rolling off of him in waves.

"We both have secrets, truths that we have hidden. Why do you need your naval ship here? Why do you need a ship at all?" Killian looked as if she just slapped him in the face, his mouth open. He doesn't have anything to say, he's shocked that she asked the question. He's speechless, standing here with his mouth open like a damned fool. He certainly felt like one. Emma's right they do have their own secrets. This one he couldn't share with her just yet, Montave was and is still depending on him.

"That's what I thought. Don't stand here and throw around accusations if you're doing the same damn thing. We both have our secrets, but don't call me a damn liar." Her harsh words rang in the small room and she exited through a secret passage that took her away from the ballroom and to the gardens. Emma needed a minute to calm down before going back to the ball. She wished she could just leave altogether, but her mother would just drag her back anyway.

Things between her and Killian had been going so well and now… she was just as angry with him as he was with her. She gripped the bannister and took a few deep breaths, she had to get back to the ridiculous ball, she had already been gone for too long. Surely their absence was noted by many.

A throat cleared behind her and she saw Graham standing there, patiently waiting.

"Your mother sent me, she said your absence is soon to be noted, if not already."

"Of course," she walked past him, and he grabbed her arm. His eyes staring down into hers so intently.

"Are you alright?" She broke their gaze, looking ahead.

"I'm fine, I just needed some air. You know how I detest balls." She couldn't bear to look at him right now when he looked like he would tear apart the world for her.

"Emma, did he hurt you?" Her head snapped to him and she wrenched her arm out of his tight grasp.

"No, he wouldn't hurt me. Why on earth would you say that?" She asked, surprised.

"Because he is the enemy, we've been fighting thirteen long years and I wouldn't put it past him to hurt you." Emma can see the tension in his shoulders.

"Why do you care? You've hurt me enough for the both of you," she snapped, tired of him being protective of her. He looked speechless. Emma left him there with his mouth open. She stalked back into the ballroom, throwing a fake smile on her face. A duke asked to dance with her, and she said yes, just to lose herself and her thoughts, if only for a moment.

It was truly a moment because Graham followed her back into the ballroom. He found her and asked to dance with her next, knowing she couldn't refuse him. She took his hand and they spun into the next song.

"That's not fair," he whispered, and she didn't have to ask to what he was referring to.

"Yes, it is. Graham if you wanted me you should've said something before now, but the crown stopped you. Who I am and will be stopped you. You always put protecting the crown ahead of how you felt for me. Now that you can't have me you lash out at every chance. So, yes, you're hurting me," she whispered back, not meeting his eyes. When she was younger, she loved him, but those days were gone, and she had to get the point across that he wasn't allowed to treat her like this now.

The dance required that he spun her away from him, and she caught a glimpse of his face, the hurt and sorrow she was causing him now was as plain as day. She hated it, but it was necessary. He had to move on from her. He didn't say anything else and when the dance ended, he stalked away from her. She had to act like everything was alright even though it felt like her world was falling apart around her. First Killian then Graham. She had hoped that her and Killian were getting somewhere and now… now she didn't know.

Her father came to her rescue and swept her into his arms for the next dance. She released a sigh of relief.

"Everything alright? Do I need to beat up a certain prince?" he teased her.

"No," she shook her head, "why does this have to be so hard?"

"I don't know, I wish I could make it easier for you." He spun her around the dance floor with a sad smile on his face.

"I wish you could too. Is it always like this?" She shook her head.

"Is what like this?" He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Marriage." She had a pointed look on her face, she didn't think she had to spell it out for her father.

"Ah well no. There are good bits too, they often outweigh the bad. Although I married the first bandit girl who hit me over the head, so really you shouldn't be asking me." Emma chuckled and he smiled.

"Ah there it is."

"What?" She cocked her head.

"Your smile, it's what I was looking for." At the end of the dance he kissed her forehead. Emma knew at the end of the day her family would always have her back, would be there for her. Maybe they were shocked and angry when she returned, but they are by her side, here for her. As she would be for them in a heartbeat. Everything would work, it would have to in order to keep the peace.


Hope everyone is having a good quarantine with plenty to read! Stay safe out there.