It had now been more than three months and Regina went to court that day hoping Emma would be able to communicate with her somehow. Everything was ready and in place but the two of them hadn't seen each other or talked to each other in weeks. The last communication was that note saying 'I miss you,' and while she had left a note in return that note was still there when she had returned.
Regina was more than a little nervous about going to court because of what they were planning. It's not as if she hadn't gone in the three months, but this was different. Now was the time they could do it – run away from this whole situation.
"What did you say?" she asked her mother suddenly since she hadn't been paying attention. It earned her a sigh from Cora.
"I said I expect today will be the day that the queen and king announce the ball. It's been all the talk the last couple of weeks. Honestly, Regina, you need to start paying attention to details."
She vaguely remembered her mother telling her something before about a ball.
"This is important. We will need to make sure we get a new dress tailored for you. The room will be full of eligible bachelors and it is way past the time that we look to arranging a marriage for you. With the princess getting engaged the other noblemen will now set their sights on a good match for themselves."
"Emma's engaged?"
"Do not refer to her like that, especially in public," Cora said. "And yes, she's engaged, why else would the king and queen be holding a ball if not to announce it."
Regina felt like she was suffocating and she turned her head toward the window of the carriage. No wonder she hadn't heard from Emma.
Engaged. The word kept going over and over in her brain.
"I would have thought you would be happy for the princess, despite your ill-fated attempt at friendship with her, I thought you liked her," Cora said noticing her daughter's reaction.
Neither of their moms knew that the girls were pursuing anything but friendship and at the time they were caught Regina figured that was all it would ever be.
"I do like her," Regina said forcing a smile. "And of course I am happy for her."
She knew now why she hadn't seen or spoken to Emma. Engaged. She hated herself for wondering how much of a say Emma had in it. Had she chosen someone else? Or had she simply seen what Regina had seen – that running away was a risk that was in no way a guarantee that they would get to be together like they had talked about.
They arrived at the castle and Regina didn't want to go in but she had no choice. They entered and Regina's eyes immediately went to the thrones, but Emma wasn't there. She wasn't sure if that made her relieved or more anxious.
Cora immediately swept into the room finding someone suitable to speak to and Regina approached some other young ladies she knew.
"Good day Regina," Abigail said.
Abigail was probably the only one there she would consider a friend. They had known each other for years and at least when they were alone they didn't try so hard at being proper young ladies.
"Good day," Regina said in response. "My mother tells me we are expecting an announcement of a ball today."
Abigail was usually good for knowing the latest news.
"It is hard to say," Abigail said linking her arm with Regina's and excusing them from the group they were with so they could speak alone.
"What do you know?" Regina asked.
"Well, I hear that king and queen are pressuring the princess into agreeing to marriage with one of three eligible men. They were hoping she would decide so they could throw this ball to announce the official engagement. But the princess has not chosen yet."
"She hasn't?"
"No. There is a scandalous rumor going around that the reason she has not is that she has fallen in love with someone whom her parents do not approve of."
Regina began to get nervous. If that was going around as a rumor, did people know who Emma had fallen for?
"Who is this person that her parents do not approve of?" Regina asked as if she wanted to be let in on some juicy gossip.
"No one knows."
That was of little relief to Regina.
"I suppose it doesn't matter. The princess will marry someone who her parents approve of. She may be willful at times but she has never defied her parents that I have heard."
Except in meeting secretly with me and planning to run away, Regina thought.
Abigail stopped their walk and was studying Regina which made her self-conscious.
"I have noticed you haven't been here often as of late," Abigail said. "But when you are here I have noticed a certain person can't seem to keep their eyes off of you."
"What!" Regina said, panicking for a moment.
"Don't act innocent. Daniel has certainly come a long way from the scrawny kid we used to know."
"Daniel," Regina laughed in relief. "He has grown up."
"And he's coming this way. Have fun."
Regina turned and saw Daniel approaching her. He was two years younger than her but had seemed to grow into his adult body overnight. He also happened to be Emma's second cousin, which made him nobility enough that a pairing with him would be attractive to any of the ladies here, but not high enough on the food chain that he had any particular obligations in regards to the crown.
"Hello, Lady Regina," Daniel said bowing slightly.
"You know I hate being called Lady," she said smiling at him.
He gave her an even bigger smile in return and moved to stand beside her, leaning over to whisper in her ear. "I know you do," he said. "But we do have to keep up appearances."
"I suppose we do your lordship."
They shared another smile. She always liked Daniel. He was fun to be around and didn't take all of this court stuff too seriously.
"So who is the gossip about today?" he asked.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Come now, we both know Abigail practically bursts at the seams to tell you the latest and as a gentleman, I am expressly forbidden to talk about such things or hear them."
"If you aren't allowed to hear it, then why are you asking?"
"Don't make me cause a scene in order to get you to tell me."
She looked at him from the corner of her eye. Sadly she knew he wasn't above causing a scene. That was the other thing about Daniel, he tended to believe in bending the rules if not flat out breaking them.
"The gossip is about a ball and whether or not it will happen."
"Oh, it's going to happen."
She turned toward him this time. "You sound certain."
"Because I know it's being planned already."
"Then it's true, the princess is engaged."
"No," he said shaking his head. "Not for lack of her parents trying, however. The ball will happen though and from what I have heard if Emma doesn't choose a suitor by the end of it, her parents will choose for her."
"I thought you weren't allowed to hear gossip."
He shrugged. "Actually, part of the reason I came over here was because of the ball."
"Oh," she said, a sinking feeling in her stomach as she realized where this was headed.
"Yes, I was hoping you planned on attending it."
"My mother has already talked of what to wear."
"Then I hope you will be willing to share a dance or two or three with me."
The smile on his face was so big that she couldn't help but smile back.
"Consider the first dance yours," she said.
"And the second and the third?" he added.
"Perhaps," she said.
She did like Daniel and maybe if she hadn't given her heart to Emma she would be willing to see Daniel as someone she could fall in love with. But it appeared all the more likely that Emma would be engaged soon and there was nothing they could do to prevent it. Maybe she should be content that at least Daniel was a realistic option for her if their families would agree to it. If the queen had a say in it, she was sure that wouldn't happen. Luckily Daniel was related to them through the king.
Daniel excused himself and headed toward the thrones where Regina noticed Emma now sat. Emma appeared to be looking in her direction but focused on Daniel as he got closer. Regina watched as Daniel approached Emma and then turned away. She knew Daniel and Emma got along but she wasn't sure how close their relationship was and if even now her name was coming up in conversation.
"Well?"
She turned to see Abigail and two other women suddenly around her.
"Well, what?"
"What did he want because he certainly walked away smiling."
"He asked if I would dance with him at the ball."
"So the ball is happening?" one of the others asked, but Abigail waved off the question.
"Did he ask as a friend would ask or did he ask like someone who is interested in perhaps courting you?" Abigail pried.
"There was no talk of courting," Regina said, seeing the looks of disappointment all around. "He merely asked me for a dance, or two or three."
Their faces all lit up and Regina couldn't help but join in. She had been so stressed lately that even this small moment was enough to make her feel a little lighter. She continued to talk with Abigail and the others – occasionally stealing a glance at Emma, who appeared to be busy talking to a couple of guys. Regina recognized them both as people who would be "suited" to be engaged to the princess.
When it was time for them to leave Regina looked once more at the thrones but they were empty. She and her mother waited for their carriage to be pulled around.
"Excuse me, Duchess," a messenger said to her mother. "But the queen requests an audience with the Lady Regina. I've been asked to escort her back."
Regina looked at her mother.
"Go," Cora said to Regina. "You must not keep the queen waiting."
Regina's heart was going to fly out of her chest she thought the closer they got. They were shown into a room that appeared to be a sitting room of some sort.
"Regina," Queen Snow said entering the room. Regina bowed and was surprised when the queen took her hands as if they were personal friends and led her over to sit. "How have you been my dear?"
"Fine, your majesty."
"I am pleased to hear that. I am sure you are wondering why I have asked to see you."
Regina remained silent, not sure if that was a question or if she should say anything.
"It's about my daughter," Snow said. "You have probably heard the talk of the ball we intend to put on. We would have announced it today but I am afraid Emma just wasn't ready. That is where I was hoping you could assist me. I see now that I shouldn't have forbidden you and Emma from seeing each other. Emma needs a friend right now, a friend she can talk to about personal things, things she might not feel comfortable with talking to her father and me about. I saw you earlier out there talking with your friends so I am sure you know that sometimes a girl needs a girl her age to talk to."
"You wish for me to speak with the princess."
"Not just speak with her but help guide her in her decision making. Emma is at an age where it's time for her to marry. A place that you too are at if I am not mistaken. I know it may feel like you have the rest of your lives ahead of you and there is plenty of time to make such decisions, but the truth is, it's a narrow window of time. All I ask is that you listen to what she has to say and help her see that it's ok to make a decision. I am sure you want what is best for Emma as her friend."
"Yes, your majesty."
"Then it's settled. My carriage will pick you up in let's say three days and bring you here so you might spend time with Emma."
Snow stood and Regina did as well, bowing once more as she realized the conversation was over. The same messenger escorted her to where her mother waited in the carriage.
"What did she want?" Cora demanded.
"I think she wants me to talk Emma into making a decision on who to marry," Regina replied. The one topic she had no desire to speak to Emma about and now the queen had laid it on her shoulders.