Mixed up relations- part 5

SillySuperMan asked for a oneshot of a 5th instalment following on from Ch2447 "Mixed up relations- part 4" where Charming gets to properly comfort Emma as her father after someone says something unkind after the news goes public.

Much like most teenagers, Emma often saw things through rose tinted glasses. She just didn't have the life experience to realise that things weren't always going to go well. She had been so confident that the kingdom would just accept that she was, in fact, the daughter of Snow White and David, rather than Snow White's much younger sister. Most of the people were. However, there was the odd handful who saw it as an excuse to be spiteful towards the royals. Such as some of the noblewomen who attended the first ball after the news went public.

"Ah, princess Emma." They greeted her with a brief curtsy. Emma smiled politely. She had never liked these particular ladies. They were particularly cutting. Charming saw the women speaking to Emma, so he sidled over as well, wanting to be there for backup.

"Good evening, Your Highness. Thank you for having us this evening." She greeted him.

"You're welcome, ladies, we're glad you could attend." Charming said politely, placing a supportive arm around Emma's shoulders.

"We were just saying how brave you've been as a family lately."

"Well, we don't see it as brave. We always wanted people to know the truth." Charming answered. The woman smiled politely.

"Even still, it is never easy to admit our…mistakes. Can't have been easy." Charming's hand tightened on Emma. He saw the devastated look on her face.

"What did you just call my daughter?" He asked, flabbergasted at their boldness. She laughed.

"Well, it's alright. We're not judging. We were young once ourselves. Some of us get lucky, some of us don't-"

"Well I'm assuming you're referring to myself and Snow as the lucky ones, as we are beyond thrilled to have such a talented, amazing daughter as Emma." Charming cut them off. "I think you should leave." The women looked furious. "Now, before a scene is made." Charming said quietly.

"Well I never." One of the women said as they shuffled away. Charming didn't care if they never came back to another royal function again. What he cared about, was how hurt Emma was.

"Emma, don't listen to…"

"I need a moment." Emma said quickly. She slipped out of her dad's grasp and ran out into the corridor.

"Emma, wait!" Charming called behind her. He eventually caught up with her a flight of stairs up. "Emma, don't listen to them! What do they know…"

"But they're right." Emma sniffed. "I'm a mistake."

"No, they're not right." Charming said soothingly, taking Emma into his arms. "You were no mistake, Emma. Yes, maybe a bit of a surprise, but no mistake. We wanted you. We would have raised you ourselves if we'd been given the choice. Don't you listen to people like them. They just look for any excuse to make us feel small to make themselves feel more powerful. Ignore them, they aren't worth your time." Charming promised her, holding her close. Emma leaned her head against his chest. Charming smiled down. This was the first time Emma had really leaned on him for any kind of emotional support. He was glad he was finally able to fulfil that part of his fatherly duties. He was never going to have to see her cry into another man's arms again. He was her daddy, he would wipe away her tears, and he would try and stop them from falling.