Not sure if I'm getting any reviews or not but hope you are enjoying the story as I'm going to continue writing as I have plans! :)
Chapter 4
Opening her eyes as her head buried into the pillow during the night due to her hangover, Emma blinks with a frown towards the light before noticing the chamber in which she slept in and that the person it belonged to was no longer beside her in bed. Forcing herself out of the covers, the Princess places a hand to her currently sore head then stands to make her way out and back to her own chambers. After freshening up then dressing, the blonde heads downstairs before stepping into the side hall to join in on breakfast. Noticing the Queen sat opposite her mother, Emma heads over towards the empty chair beside Neal and sits quietly while glancing over briefly towards the brunette. As Regina also looks back, the two women are unaware that Cora is watching with a raised eyebrow, curious as to what happened last night.
"Honey, perfect timing..I wanted to inform you that we have all discussed an upcoming date for your wedding..."
Hearing her mother speak, the blonde mutters in disbelief under her breath. "All discussed?.."
"..and it will be set for June 10th.."
Eyes widening, Emma looks up to the woman. "That..that's one month from now..." Discreetly looking towards the Queen who is currently mirroring the Princess' stare, the blonde gulps.
Placing his hand on top of the Princess' to comfort her, Neal smiles. "We can get it done in time Emma. I promise it will be perfect"
Giving a small yet unnerving smile in thanks despite what he said not being the real reason as to why she's panicked, Emma then nods slowly before dropping her gaze towards her lap as she pushes her chair back to stand. "Would you excuse me.."
Watching their daughter leave the hall, Snow frowns while David sighs and shares a mutual look with Cora as Regina clears her throat awkwardly, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone, especially her now suspecting father who as witnessed everything at the table.
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Strolling along the grounds, Regina pauses in her step as she sees Emma sat upon a bench by her beloved apple tree. Clearly conflicted, the Princess is sat with her hands clasped together in her lap and a sad expression on her face. Approaching slowly, the Queen places herself beside the woman and looks ahead. "It would seem that this time next month we will be family dear.."
Hearing the slight despair in the brunette's voice, the blonde lifts her head and looks across. "It would seem that way..also that Neal and I may be moving to another Kingdom as my mother informed me once she found me after breakfast"
Trying to hide her feelings of shock, Regina gulps silently. "I see.."
Wanting to go off topic, Emma bites her lip before questioning. "What happened this morning?..you should have woken me.."
Chuckling slightly at the thought of an intoxicated Princess within her bed, the brunette bumps their shoulders playfully. "You needed your sleep and I'm pretty sure that I saved you from a fate worse than death if your mother had found you in that state.."
Blushing, the Princess lets out a coy smile. "I suppose..and I do apologise for that..last night..the ball..it all got a little too much..everyone knowing that I am to be married to Neal. Made it more real, like it's set in stone..."
"Have you tried talking with your mother?"
"She doesn't listen to anything that isn't about the wedding now..and Neal..I can't..he just..he agrees with it all just to get on mothers best side and it's awkward"
Touching the blonde's arm, the Queen looks serious. "Would you like it if I had a word with him?"
At a loss for words, the Princess frowns. "I..well..would you? He is your brother, I don't mean no harm against him..I don't want this to affect our friendship..truth be told as new to the kingdom I am, you are my only friend and I know you said I wouldn't lose you but..he is your brother and I'm merely-"
"The bravest person I've ever known?" Staring at Emma, Regina smiles in awe. "Because you are..I mean you are willing to sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of keeping your parents happy" the brunette takes a deep breath then rises from the bench. "I will talk to him and let you know..and Emma? no matter what happens, you will always have my friendship"
Having sat speechless at the Queen's confession, the Princess simply smiles before watching the woman intently as the brunette walks away.
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Pacing around her study, Regina mulls over in her head what she is to say to her brother. Sure they don't always get on having only recently found out the truth of their connection but he was her brother and she did not wish to hurt him in any way. Coming to a halt at a sharp knock on the door, the Queen glances across to the now open doorway at Neal. "Come in, there is a matter in which I wish to discuss with you"
"Oh?" Stepping inside, Neal watches briefly as the guard at hand closes to door behind him. Turning back to his sister, he frowns. "What is this regarding?"
"Emma.." The brunette states before walking around the old wooden desk and sitting promptly upon her chair. "More specifically the wedding.."
Immediately grinning, Neal sits down opposite the Queen. "What do you wish to discuss? I actually overheard Snow talking to Cora earlier about how she wants you to have a certain role on the day as a peace offering..looks like you two could end up breaking your feud and unite together to rule the Kingdom..especially as Emma will no longer be able to fulfil all her duties once married"
Raising an eyebrow, Regina opens her mouth to speak but struggles. "Oh..she does..well that would be..good for the Kingdom..and what do you mean by Emma no longer fulfilling her duties? She is still a Princess?"
Biting his lip awkwardly, Neal then smiles in a cheeky manner. "Well I think Snow had other ideas..less Princess..more..being a mother and starting a family?"
Eyes widening, the brunette looks down towards her clasped hands to hide her expression before stuttering. "Oh..oh..I see..and what do you think about that idea?"
Getting embarrassed, Neal shrugs. "I want a family who doesn't? But if Emma isn't ready yet then there is no rush..I am just happy to have her by my side..Princess or not.."
Closing her eyes briefly feeling bad towards Neal and guilty towards Emma as she cannot go through with her original speech, Regina then looks back up to her brother glassy eyed. "Then..that is what you shall have...once you and Emma are married.."
Smiling happily, Neal nods his head down as a bow then makes his way out of the study and down the corridor before seeing the Princess heading his way. "Emma"
Stopping in front of him, the blonde gulps. "Neal..I want to apologise for-"
"No need, this morning is forgotten and I don't blame you for leaving the table in hast, I would too if I had a mother as excited as Snow...she must understand that this is your day and wedding"
Frowning confused, Emma goes to question. "I don't understand, I-"
Taking hold of the Princess' hand, Neal places a kiss on her knuckles before looking sincerely at her. "I don't want you to worry about a thing. I will look after you I can promise you that"
Looking down in guilt, Emma holds back a sniffle before nodding. "I..know you will..thank you for saying so.."
Releasing her hand, Neal walks off leaving the blonde stunned as to what had just happened. Rushing forward, Emma moves past the protesting guard and walks straight into the Queen's study with a panic before closing the door behind herself and leaning against it to catch her breath.
Glancing up from her papers that needed signing, Regina's face falls upon seeing the teary Princess and stands, placing a hand to her own chest. "Emma I am so sorry..but he..the way he looks when he talks about you..I just..he would look after you I can guarantee it. Believe me there are worse people out there and I just want what is best for you given the circumstances. Snow won't listen and if it were not Neal, she would definitely have the next duke or count lined up for you" walking around the desk, the brunette looks worried as she reaches for the blondes hands as the woman stood at the door shakes with tears.
"I know!..I know!" Taking one hand back to cover her mouth, Emma lets out a small sob. "I just wish I could make up my own mind on my life! I just need to be free does that sound ridiculous? Just for a moment to have some control over it all!"
Squeezing the Princess' hands tightly, the Queen tries to hold it together herself, hating the fact that she has made her friend cry. "It's not Emma. I get it I really do..I-" biting her lip, Regina moves Emma off of the door as pulls it open. "Come with me.." Leading the blonde out of the study and away from prying eyes of the guards, the Queen keeps the upset woman close to avoid any confrontation from anyone as she leads her out of the castle and towards the stables to fetch a horse.
A/N: sorry for the whole Neal thing but I promise nothing major will happen as this is going to be SwanQueen promise!