"Princess." The voice successfully snapped her back to reality.
It's the day. The royal ball is finally here.
"I'm sorry, I got lost. What did you say?"
"Is that okay if I braid your hair or do you want to have it another way?"
"The waterfall braid, please. I'd like to keep my hair down."
"Me too!" Emma's chirpy voice clamored. The little princess had never left Evie's side since early in the morning. She told Emma to ask nicely, making the girl blushed in embarrassment.
"Do you need my help with the dress?" Her maid asked.
"No, I'm okay with myself. Can you style Emma's hair, please?"
The maid nodded. At least Emma's appearance distracted everyone's minds a little bit.
"Princess, come out, please! I want to see your dress!" Emma shouted from the other side. She laughed. Emma's spirit easily lifted the mood.
Alright. Here comes nothing. She mused before stepping out from the curtain, sending everyone's jaw to the floor. An angel had come from heaven; the princess looked exactly like one. A floor-length, one-shoulder dress fitted her complexion completely. Of course, the dress is blue. Walking towards the mirror, she smoothed the skirt and adjusting her tiara. Evie was ready for the ball.
"Now we look alike!" Emma ran to her side. She twirled, the skirt billowed beneath her. "I wish I'm as pretty as you."
Lowering into her height, Evie's draped a hand around Emma's small figure. "Every girl is pretty."
Emma cracked a soft grin. She tugged on the older princess's dress, a gesture Evie could never resist. "Come on, Princess! Let's play around before the ballroom is filled with people!"
She kept her nose in the book. Her lips murmured the spells she read. The Queen was being ruled by her anxiety. The ball starts in a few hours, which means her sister will be here soon.
"Milady." Robin sounded pretty defeated. He pulled the book from her hands gently, putting it in the bed. "It's going to be okay."
"You are always the positive one between us. What makes you so sure it'll be alright?"
"Being with you has thought me a lot of things."
And she melted right away into his arms, nuzzling into his neck. He could always provide a sense of belonging and also a sense of safety and security. No one could provide her anything like does.
"You sure our daughter is still clueless?"
He nodded. "It's going to be alright. I promise you, it's going to be okay. You've convinced me and now it's time for me to do the same."
"What if—"
"Regina, no what if's. The day is here, there's no way we can back out. We're going to give your sister the second chance she deserves."
She sighed. He is right. She was the first one that agreed to this. Wasn't she the one who convinced that everyone deserves a second chance? Then why does she feel so small?
"Regina."
"I'm anxious. That's all."
"Then I'm going to be brave, for both of us." He gently placed her hand on his heart.
Blood rushed to her cheeks, they tinged in a beautiful tone of rose pink. He beamed and planted a sweet, languid kiss on her cheek.
"We are going to get through this. Together." Her smiles beamed brighter than his.
"Together." He held out his arm, "Shall we?"
"Let me put my crown first." With a flick of her fingers and a little help from magic, it nested perfectly on her head.
"You don't even need it, milady. You are always stunning, in every way."
"And you're always sentimental, in every way." Regina laughed, taking his hand. "It's a formal occasion. Wouldn't it be nice to be extra once in a while? Besides, it's Evie we're celebrating."
Robin chuckled. "She took a lot after you, and I am grateful for that. When we finally step down, I just know that she will be the best ruler Enchanted Forest could have."
Robin was lost in his own musing. He didn't realize, his wife was clearly transfixed by him. A pair of soothing eyes looked right through him, topped with her signature calming smile; one that appeared whenever the Queen is smitten.
"We shouldn't keep our guests waiting, shall we?"
"Your parents already inside." Snow White stepped beside the Princess, nudging her softly. "It's going to be exactly like the rehearsal. Unless the room is packed with people right now."
"I can't wait to meet everyone! Who knows, maybe I'll make my first friend?"
"Are you ready?"
"I have to be ready."
"Your life will change after this. Now everyone will know you are their princess. They'll look up to you."
"I am well aware, Aunt Snow; and I'm not worried about it at all. I have this best big family that will show me how to be the people's princess. I can learn a lot from a fellow princess, like you."
Right from behind those closed doors, they could hear the announcement faintly. Snow bid her goodbye, leaving Evie alone.
She is ready.
"Presenting Her Royal Highness, Evie; Royal Princess of the Enchanted Forest."
The door opened and Aunt Snow didn't lie. The room is packed. All eyes were on the Princess as she slowly —but surely, stepped into the room. They smiled, some of them were murmuring how stunning their princess is; curtsies and bows were given to the long lost princess. She felt awkward. Scanning the room as she walked down the stairs, Evie easily spotted her parents. They were proud of her for some reason. It soothed her.
"I knew red look good on you." Evie complimented as she was walking towards her parents.
"You make it look good on me." Regina gave a little twirl, showing Evie the red velvet dress she had made especially for her.
"How are you feeling?" Robin cut in.
"Pretty excited, a little nervous. Any sign of our special guest?"
Her parents shook their heads. Her arrival has not been announced yet, there is no way she was already here.
"Anyhow, it doesn't really matter if she decided not to come, right? At least we tried."
Regina shifted uneasily. Robin jumped in, distracting Evie from her thoughts. "Come on, darling. Let's just think about something cheerful, it's your happy day. I guess someone owes me the first dance."
He dragged Evie to the center of the dance floor and giving the band the cue to start. Robin glanced over to his wife who seemed thankful. He jumped right in to save her. He just knew, even a mention of her name could worsen Regina's uneasiness. Regina laid back, watching the father-daughter from afar. Seeing how romantic this father-daughter dance was pulling every heartstring she has. This is going to be a sight she won't forget.
"Someone looks like they need a drink."
Red showed up, holding two flutes in her hands. The Queen politely shook her head as her hands absentmindedly hugged herself.
"You won't be hiding back here if you're not feeling something."
"I'm fine." Regina smiled wryly. "I'm better than fine. Did I mention I'm fine?"
"Alright, you're not." Red cackled. "Tell me, Your Majesty."
"I'm alright, Red. I promise." She snarked.
"Look, Regina. I know you. You can fool Snow White, Robin—literally anyone; but not me." She sipped on her wine carelessly. "I'm half-wolf, remember? So, technically I am highly sensitive to body language."
Regina snatched the flute, then gulped the liquid down rather than sipping it.
"See? That's what I'm talking about."
"Only because you're forcing me."
"Whatever." The lady shrugged. "Now tell me, what's nagging you? Is something going unplanned?"
Regina shook.
"Did you wish you were dancing with him?" Red's eyes trailed off to Robin.
Regina gave her another shook.
"Then it must be the dress."
The Queen quickly stared at the woman beside her; looking a bit offended.
"So it wasn't the dress then." She murmured. "Did you and Robin got into a fight?"
"Dear Lord, Red! No!"
"Then what's bothering you?"
Regina picked another flute from the passing tray, sipping it slowly. "I'm anxious. That's all."
"Anxious? About the party? Are you afraid it won't end well?"
"Sort of." The Queen said bluntly. "It's all about my sister."
The woman immediately enveloped her in a big hug, giving a comforting pat on her shoulder.
"It's going to be okay. Relax, Regina. You need nothing to worry about."
"I know, but—"
"No buts, my Queen. It's your day. We are here to celebrate your daughter. Come on, let it all go. Your daughter needs you to be happy."
"What if—"
Red tilted her head, raising an eyebrow.
"Alright, fine. You won."
"There's no winning here. I'm right and you just don't want to admit it." There was a long pause before Red added: "It's okay, Regina. I'll have your back. We got three good archers, we got a bunch of guards, and a wolfie over here. If you're afraid something would happen, you're not going through it alone."
"Ooh. They really went all out for our princess, aren't they?"
Walsh just nodded. Walking behind his mistress like a tail.
Of course, her arrival startled everyone. They backed away, scared. What an advantage, she thought to herself; they cleared the path for her. The guests whispered lowly, some stared with hatred. No guests had imagined this woman would come.
"Relax, darlings. The Queen herself invited me." She waved her invitation in the air. "I'm here to celebrate. Just like each one of you."
Right at the same time, on the other side of the door, both Robin and Regina had already stood by the end of the stairway. As her arrival was announced, the royal couple held each other's hands behind their backs—giving supports they need. Their daughter stood calmly behind them. Evie herself even tried to calm down. Her overthinking had gotten the best of her.
She strutted down the stairs, creating a thick air around the room. The tension was palpable. Her presence caught everyone's breath away, but not in a good way.
"Thank you for coming." Robin handed out his hand first. He tried to smile although it was hard.
"Oh, please set your formalities aside. We are a family, Robin." She smug, locking her gaze upon the queen. "Regina."
"Zelena. I never thought you could make it."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world. Come to Mother, darling. I miss you."
A hand rested on the small of her back; it was Robin's. Her husband knew those words sting like a bee. Zelena really dared to claim Evie as if she was her own. Good for Evie, she stayed behind Regina and gave her mother—or her aunt, precisely—a polite nod as a response. Regina moved slightly towards her daughter. It was more like a reflex, a gesture to protect Evie.
"We're glad to have you here." That, Regina admitted was more like a gesture rather than a complimentary.
"Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
Her husband wasn't expecting her to have the courage to express it herself, but eventually, she did. Sure, it amazed everyone who heard those words, including The Wicked Witch herself.
"Evie is a wonderful one. I'm so glad to have her."
What an audacity this woman had. Good for Regina, she knew better than to stand on her level.
"I hope this can be a new start for us, as a family." Regina reached her hand out. She was offering peace.
"Sisters?" Zelena took her sister's hand, shaking it.
"Sisters."
She smiled, even when her heart was unhappy about it. Her stomach churned, her magic tingling inside. Regina knew she had to prepare for anything. Something will happen and it might be sooner than she thought.