Wanting to blend in
Claudia asked for a oneshot of… It doesn't go down well because of the threat of the Wicked Witch. He escorts her to the carriage and warns her not to make a scene.
Emma wished she could be like a proper princess, but she just wasn't. Ever since they had returned to the Enchanted Forest after Pan's curse Emma had been trying her best to fit in, but she stood out like a sore thumb. Henry was taking to the fairytale life like a duck to water. Emma just couldn't seem to get the hang of things. She missed modern life conveniences. Proper indoor plumbing, electricity, travelling by car instead of horse and carriage…the list felt pretty endless. Then on top of all that, there was all the royal protocol. Emma liked blending into the background. As a bail bondsperson, it had been part of her job. Having everyone here know her name and want to cater to her every whim was difficult. She just wanted some peace. Even back at the palace she couldn't really get any. There was constant servants buzzing around her, checking she was ok. Then, worst of all, the guards. The constant guards. Her parents had insisted that if Emma ever left the palace grounds she was accompanied by at least two palace guards. Emma had tried to fight that, saying that she could protect herself. She had magic. Even without it, she was good at hand to hand combat. But her parents had insisted. They said Emma wasn't completely familiar with the dangers here, then there was the Wicked Witch to worry about. So whenever Emma left the palace grounds, she was meant to tell one of her parents so they could have her accompanied. Emma couldn't stand it. She wasn't a child! Unfortunately, Emma hadn't fully mastered transportation spells, or appearance changing. So the best she could do was disguise herself by clothing and sneak out the old-fashioned way.
About once every three or four days, Emma needed to get away for a while. So when she got a chance, she snuck out of the palace in commoners clothing to the marketplace. It was always busy there, so she could blend in more. Nobody knew her there.
It was about midday during one of Emma's trips to the marketplace when she got peckish. She slipped to one of her favourite food stalls to see what they had on offer. That was another thing Emma missed, no supermarkets with delicious, sugary treats. She was just bantering with the vender when a carriage pulled up. Emma's face paled. It was her father. Emma sunk behind the cart.
"Hey! You haven't paid for that!" The vender said, thinking she was trying to sneak away from him. Emma fumbled in the small drawstring bag around her shoulders. Her hands were shaking so much she dropped all her coins. The vender started yelling at her for being so clumsy in front of a royal. Emma ignored him, trying to pick up the coins.
"What's the problem here?" Emma kept her face down.
"Nothing, Your Majesty. This clumsy woman was trying to steal from me in your presence."
"I think she's just dropped her money. Let me help."
"It's fine." Emma insisted, wanting him to go away. But her dad had recognised her voice, and the blonde curls spilling out from underneath her bonnet.
"Excuse me, Miss, might I see your face?" Charming asked, trying to be as subtle as possible. He didn't want to embarrass the vender by having him realise he'd yelled at the princess.
"Oh it's filthy from working all day. I would be mortified…"
"I insist." Charming said. Emma's attempt to mask her voice had been woeful. She sighed, looking up at her father. The coal smudged around her face did little to disguise her face from him. Charming gave her a look. He handed the vender some money.
"This ought to cover the lady's food. She looks awful pale to me. I think I'd best escort her to Doc." Charming lied, placing his hand on Emma's shoulders and guiding her towards the carriage. Knowing she was caught, Emma didn't struggle, but she did look for a quick exit. Charming could see her eyes darting around.
"Don't make a scene." Charming warned her quietly. Emma sighed, allowing her dad to help her into the carriage. Emma wouldn't look him in the eye as the carriage was driven back towards the palace.
"What were you thinking?" Charming scolded her. "You know the Wicked Witch is out there. Just because she's after your little sibling doesn't mean she won't hurt you as well. You know you're supposed to tell us when you want to go out so we can have you accompanied…"
"I don't need accompanied!" Emma snapped. "I can look after myself! I need some space, dad! I need to be able to just be Emma. Not the Saviour, not the princess. Just Emma." Charming sighed. He understood where Emma was coming from. Going from being a shepherd for a prince had been hard as well.
"Listen, I can empathise, I really can. When I was taken from my mother's farm to George's palace, it was a difficult transition. But I got through it, and you will too. Just not by sneaking off. It's dangerous, Em. You know that." Charming placed his hand on top of Emma's. "I couldn't stand it if the Wicked Witch got hold of you."
"I know." Emma sighed. Charming smiled at her.
"Well, me finding you was the easy bit. You can bet by now your mother's noticed you're missing." Charming warned her. Emma grimaced. Wicked Witch, or double teamed by her parents? She wasn't sure which was a greater threat.
