Chapter 3

With the wedding preparations under way, the united Royals decided to hold a ball in celebration of the recent engagement. Stood within her chambers, Emma huffs aloud as her mother paces across the floor.

"...and don't forget to smile.."

Rubbing her head, the blonde looks over her shoulder before rising from her vanity stool. "Mom, stop. I know what I am doing.."

Snow purses her lips together then makes her way towards the door. "Are you ready?"

"Yes I'm ready" smoothing down her pale blue dress, the Princess plasters on a smile when given a scolding look from her mother then follows the woman, leaving her chambers and making her way down the staircase towards the grand hall. After managing to persuade their parents to forgo an announcement of their entrance, Emma and Neal make their way into the hall and begin to sweep through the guests to greet them. Glancing through the people, the Princess smiles brightly upon seeing Regina enter the hall with a guard by her side in case of any unwanted behaviour.

Watching from his position by the buffet table, David raises an eyebrow concerned as he witnesses his daughter make her way hastily over to the Queen with an adoring grin.

"Please save me before any dancing begins" Emma requests causing the brunette to smile back.

"I'm afraid dear it is what is costumed at a ball.." Regina responds before gesturing with her head for her guard to retrieve her a drink.

Letting out a sigh, the Princess mutters as she stands beside the Queen to watch the people go by. "They are starting to annoy me with how happy and excited they all are. I just wished I shared their enthusiasm..I mean no offence to you as he is your brother but the comments I'm receiving are making him out to be God's gift"

Sniggering, Regina covers her mouth quickly to hide a laugh. "I can assure you..brother aside, he is most certainly not God's gift"

Biting her lip, Emma builds up her courage. "I was wondering, your majesty, if we could maybe..use the night to talk.." Gulping, the blonde continues to watch the guests. "After the ball..within one of our chambers."

As if unfazed, the Queen swallows hard with a small nod. "I am sure that can be arranged.."

Approaching the pair, Neal winks at his sister then holds a hand out to the Princess with a smile. "If I may have the honour in this dance?"

Nodding slowly, the blonde accepts with a brief smile as she is lead to the floor while staring over at the Queen who gives somewhat of a smile despite a hidden tear, all of which does not go unnoticed by the Princess' father.

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Knocking softly on the white painted door, Emma checks along the corridor before meeting the eyes of the woman who has answered. Giving a coy smile, the Princess waits until the Queen moves to the side to allow her entry before walking in. Closing the door behind, the blonde bites her lip. "I have to...admit given..our earlier conversation..I am surprised...that you chose for me to..meet you here.." Glancing around the brunette's chambers, Emma gulps while swaying slightly on her feet.

Ready with an answer, Regina then frowns before raising an eyebrow while taking in the Princess' posture. "Emma?..are you drunk?"

Turning towards the balcony, the blonde mutters as she stumbles slightly in her dress. ".not..really.."

Reaching for Emma's arm, the Queen pulls her away from the balcony and guides her over to the bed before sitting beside the Princess. "I'm afraid dear you are. Now what is the meaning of all this? If your mother saw you.."

"I know, I know!..she'd have my head..and I would..I would probably be locked in a tower until the day of the wedding..and...and then I would continue to be a prisoner for all time!" Sighing, the blonde flops back, laying herself down before speaking again, this time a little more sober. "..it's times like these I wish I wasn't a Princess..."

Clearing her throat awkwardly at the woman sprawled across her bed, Regina shifts herself over and leans against her headboard with a curious gaze. "Oh?.."

Tilting her head to look up at the Queen, Emma nods. "I want to be able to decide for myself..I want to be free to do as I please and not what they want me to do or what is expected of me.."

Staring at the Princess seriously, the brunette bites her lip. "You really don't want to marry Neal do you?"

Shaking her head sadly, the blonde sits herself up then moves to beside Regina while also leaning against the headboard. "I like him, I do..but there's no..feelings. No spark or butterflies..shouldn't a commitment such as marriage between two people be about love? Shouldn't it feel magical?"

Trying to hide a smile, the Queen glances down to her own hands which are ringed together on her lap. "Feelings that only stories are made from..although I do agree. My marriage never felt like that, more like a chore..a..business contract. I'm sorry if that hurts you as he was your grandfather but..he never really showed any hospitality let alone affection..he loved his first wife too much and..well..he was also too old for me. Mother didn't realise her mistake until it was too late..which is why many question his death"

Placing her hand on top of the brunette's, Emma smiles slightly. "Well maybe now is your time..to find love and happiness how you want it..after all you are Queen, no one can tell you what to do"

Inhaling a little at the blonde's touch, Regina responds. "I would say the sentiment applies to you too dear. Don't let anyone force you into anything that is not what you want. Talk to Neal..talk to your mother..and if all becomes to difficult you know you can always come to me"

Nodding, the Princess then pouts with a frown, gaining a chuckle from the Queen.

"Headache?"

Nodding again, Emma sinks down on the bed and throws the pillow over her face. Lifting the pillow up, Regina scolds playfully. "Might I make a suggestion that you change into more appropriate attire if you are to stay in my bed?"

Letting out a cheeky grin, the Princess sits up again. "Sorry.."

"Hm..." Rising from the bed, the brunette retrieves two nightgowns then disappears behind her screen to change. Waiting for her turn, Emma bites her lip as she spots the Queen's dress appear as it is slung over the screen.

"Are you sure you are okay with me staying here?"

Returning back to the bed in a long white gown, Regina smirks in a teasing manner. "Yes dear..we are friends after all"

"Right..friends..of course.." The blonde smiles briefly then makes her way over to the woman's screen to also change.

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Hearing a knock at the door of the study, Cora looks over upon seeing a guard open the door and gesture for David to head inside. "David?"

Waiting until the guard returns back to the corridor with the door closed, the former shepherd looks conflicted as he approaches the desk in which the older brunette is sat. "I regret to inform you Cora but I think we may have a situation on our hands..one in which at this moment in time Snow cannot know about..and possibly neither can Rumple"

Appearing concerned, Cora leans forward with a frown. "What is it?"

"From what I have recently witnessed..I think that my daughter may..not be making the right choice in marrying Neal.."

Seeing the man become agitated, the older brunette takes a breath to prepare herself as she questions. "Why not? What has he done?"

"Oh nothing Cora, I can assure you that Neal has behaved as such a gentleman towards Emma but I fear that he is the wrong person for whom she has grown to be fond of.." David explains while dancing around the real answer of it being Regina.

"Oh I see..and this other person..are they of a wealthy status that Snow would approve?"

Scoffing, the former Shepherd rubs his neck. "Status..yes..reputation on the other hand..a reputation merely concocted through rumours.."

Raising an eyebrow, Cora clasps her hands together. "Let me guess a Duke of some kind?"

Clearing his throat, David shakes his head. "..no..more like a...Queen"

Eyes widening, the older brunette looks at a loss for words. "A Queen? A..as in..as..my Regina?"

"Yes.."

"Oh dear lord that is a predicament..not that I don't wish your daughter or even my own to be happy but..technically we are talking about my daughter and her brother's fiancée"

"I could be wrong but from what I saw earlier..I have never seen Emma's face light up in that way before and..Regina did seem in awe of her attention" David explains.

"Thank you for letting me know..I shall have a word with Regina about the situation and for now I agree with you. Snow and Rumple do not need to know yet.." Cora smiles slightly but with a hint of uncertainty and worry.

Walking back to the door, David nods in acknowledgment then leaves the study.

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Making her way along the Queen's headquarters, Cora excuses the guard stood by her daughters door then carefully opens the door as to not scare the brunette if she is sleeping. Peering around the frame, the older brunette looks surprised seeing the two women sharing the Queen's bed with Emma curled into Regina's back and an arm loosely draped over the brunette's waist. Both completely oblivious due to their sleeping state.