Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Just borrowed them because they are awesome! ;-) all mistakes are mine
On the drive over to their surprise destination, Regina was deathly quiet. She was staring out of the window at the passing trees reminding herself of the reason they were spending this time together. For Emma's wedding.
Emma was just as quiet at the wheel, seemingly concentrating on getting them to their destination in one piece. Her mind was full of worries about her death, the wedding and the goofiness of earlier on. She was mostly worried though about Regina's reaction to the venue, and more specifically, to the owner of the place.
Emma broke the silence. "So any gossip?"
Regina glared over. "You're asking me about gossip?"
Emma scowled at her friend for putting herself down again. "Yes, I'm asking you if you have any gossip. You know, Zelena, Gold maybe, any cute guys at Aesop's?"
It was Regina's turn to scowl. She knew what Emma had implied when she mentioned Gold. She had, after all, confessed that they had chemistry in the past and her evil half had acted on that to the townspeople's shock.
"I'd rather not go there thank you very much. I'm still reeling over what Queenie did."
Emma didn't react. She thought better than to bring it up again. Regina would talk about it when she was ready. If she was ready. Emma didn't think she was ready to hear about it. Fighting off the gross expression that was threatening to show on her face, she pressed on.
"Ok. But I mean, have you got your eye on anyone? Do you feel ready to move on from Robin?"
Regina contemplated the question for a while. She didn't want to admit that she did indeed have her eye on someone as Emma would surely press her for details, but she knew she couldn't lie to her so she told her the only truth she could. "I am ready to move on."
Emma beamed. "That's good. I'm happy for you! I'm positive that there's someone out there for you and I wouldn't be surprised if they revealed themselves pretty soon!"
Regina grinned bleakly. It felt somewhat ironic that she was once again the center of Emma's attention and they were talking about her love life. It was a cruel twist of fate, she thought, how the one person who cared so much for her heart, the one who was sitting so closely to her now, couldn't see that she was the one who held it.
Emma pulled the car to a stop, seemingly in the middle of nowhere and got out.
"A field Emma? You want to get married in a wet, muddy field?" Regina got out and looked around in confusion.
"Wait for it... and here we are!" She waved her hands and revealed what was hiding being the veil of magic, a trick they had used to hide the magic beans years ago. There were various tents and marquees pitched around the field. Huts and stalls selling various items that wouldn't have looked out of place in a medieval book, and a few dozen people. Right in the middle was a fairytale castle with turrets and magnificent stonework.
"Oh Emma! This Is superb! Where did all this come from?" Regina was awed by the sight.
Emma put her hand on Regina's shoulder. "I was talking to this guy and he said they'd all been transported over from the land of untold stories. We are meeting him in 10 minutes for a tour of the castle."
She began walking purposefully through the crowds with Regina following close behind. As they arrived at the doors, they opened automatically, a princely figure was revealed.
"Welcome back Emma! Lovely to see you again!" The man held out his hand for a firm handshake, bowing slightly and straightening as he noticed the brunette. "And this must be the infamous Queen Regina. A pleasure, her royal majesty." And he bowed deeper extending a hand.
"Actually, here I go by the title Mayor, but please, call me Regina. No need for such formalities." Regina blushed slightly.
"Once a Queen always a Queen! Such poise and etiquette. I am Prince Caspian. Welcome to Miraz's Castle, my home."
"Thank you so much for your kind hospitality, Prince Caspian."
Emma scooted inside the castle without a second thought. After living in the dream world as a princess for what seemed like an eternity, she felt at ease in the surroundings. Regina watched her carefully, noting her sudden transformation from giddy idiot to polite princess and felt the warmth rising in her chest. Thoughts of herself and Emma living together, ruling the enchanted forest side by side, uniting the realms filled her mind. Hook is not good enough for her! She is a princess. She deserves a Queen!
"I must say, it is an honor for me to receive such distinguished guests. It had been many years since I was in the company of fellow royals and I may have gone a tad overboard in preparation for your visit today." Prince Caspian commented, leading them into the large banqueting halls.
Inside, a table was lain with a banquet fit for a Queen. Regina and Emma were both astounded.
"Really, his highness need not have gone to such trouble." Regina spoke.
"Nonsense! And please, I agree we should keep formalities to a minimum. Call me Cas. I wanted to show you how we could lay out the place for the wedding. Emma was telling me that there was a lack of appropriate venues in the main part of town for such an occasion and, after all the help she had provided to the people from the land of untold stories, it was the least I could do."
"Of course, Cas. I understand." Regina was slightly unnerved. The last thing she was expecting was to be in Royal company on a Saturday morning and couldn't believe she hadn't noticed a castle popping up in town before now. Caspian was certainly handsome and quite charming. He had good breeding so why hadn't he had the decency to come and introduce himself to the ruler of the land he was currently residing in? Regina wasn't sure she could trust him completely, but Emma seemed quite comfortable in his presence.
"This will be perfect Cas! And there is another room we can use for dancing, is that right?" Emma enquired.
"Yes, of course!" He pulled a cord which opened a floor to ceiling curtain and revealed a ballroom. "You can keep the curtain closed during the dinner and open it as a surprise to the guests afterwards. What do you think?"
"I love it! Regina, what do you think?" Emma asked placing her hand on the small of the brunette's back.
Regina flinched internally at the small gesture. "I think it's fitting that a Princess marry in a castle. It's wonderful Emma. Your parents will love it."
Caspian had stepped out to give the women some privacy so Emma took a shot. "And he's pretty hot too, don't you think? He's got that whole manners and accent thing with the added benefit of a title. Totally your type."
Regina lolled her head backwards and guffawed. "Oh please, you have no idea what my type is if you think he's it!"
Emma's eyes widened. "Oh come on! What is wrong with him? In case you haven't noticed, there aren't that many cute guys who just happen to fall from the sky around here."
"I didn't say there was anything wrong with him! I just don't see the appeal is all."
"Ghaa! You are so difficult to please! What do you like Regina? Oh my God! You like someone don't you?"
Regina froze.
"You totally have your eye on someone! Tell me!"
She rolled her eyes and gave Emma a playful shove. "If I say maybe will you stop trying to play matchmaker and concentrate on more pressing matters?" She looked at the blonde with an expression of boredom but there was enough of a glint in her eye to give Emma the answer she needed.
"Ok, it's cool. You don't have to tell me... now!" She winked. "But I gotta say, whoever it is must be fucking amazing if Prince Poshpants can't even hold a candle to them."
Regina broke her stern face and smiled softly.
"They are."
