Chapter 5

After taking her precious horse and riding off with the Princess, Regina tugs gently on the reins to order the horse to stop upon a hill nearby the grave stone of her late father. Taking in their surroundings, Emma frowns slightly but waits until the woman speaks before asking her questions. Sliding down off the horse, the Queen looks up with a smile. "You said you wanted a moment to be free..." Holding her hand out, the brunette patiently waits for the Princess to make her move.

Taking a deep breath still confused, Emma accepts the woman's hand to get down as she knows inside that she would trust the Queen with her life. Following the brunette further up the hill, the blonde stands by her side as they look out over the land. "I've never seen it like this before.."

"The kingdom can be quite beautiful.."

"So...what do we do?" Raising an eyebrow while rocking on her feet, the Princess stares at Regina curiously.

Turning to face the woman, the brunette replies "Do you still feel that pent up anger and frustration?"

"A little.."

Gesturing out and over the hill, the Queen smirks. "Let it out..scream..do what you have to do. Right now you are not a Princess and I am not a Queen. We are simply Emma and Regina and you dear can do what ever you please"

Listening in awe, the blonde then sniggers before turning around to peer over the hill while fisting her hands by her side to prepare. Biting her lip briefly, Emma then inhales sharply and lets out a anger releasing scream before bursting out laughing at how ridiculous it all is. Having watched, the Queen also chuckles then laughs. "Better?"

Holding onto her tummy as she laughs, the blonde nods in response then slumps down to sit upon the grass to calm herself down. Smoothing out the back of her dress, Regina also lowers herself onto the grass while placing her hands within her lap as the Princess leans herself back to rest upon her own. "Regina?"

Staring out at her Kingdom while feeling the breeze against her face, the brunette gives a contented sigh. "Yes dear?"

"If you could start over..re live your life from day one, would you do anything different?"

Sniggering, the Queen nods. "Yes. For one I would most certainly not be Queen.." Thinking it over, Regina purses her lips. "I always wanted to work in a bakery.."

Surprised, Emma bites her lip to stifle a laugh. "A bakery?"

"Yes, I love the smell of fresh bread..its homely. If not a seamstress..either way, definitely not of any royalty.."

"I get it. The pressure of it all..the needing to please everyone. It's hard.."

Tilting her head across, the brunette nods sadly. "But it would appear that it was always on the cards for me.."

"And me..being born into it doesn't help.." The blonde responds before sitting up straight. "What you said just now about who you would rather be?..I would be a maid if it meant being able to receive orders that give them myself.."

"I can't really say the uniform would suit you..at least one good outcome has come of you being Princess..you look stunning in your gowns.."

Eyes widening at the compliment, Emma goes red then looks up to see the Queen look just as shocked before attempting to brush it off. "I mean.." Trailing off at feeling the Princess' hand take hold of her own, Regina gulps.

Seeing the Queen look over at her, the Princess stares into her eyes seriously then shuffles closer, all the while keeping hold of the woman's hand tightly. Leaning forward while she still has the courage, the blonde presses her lips lightly against the brunette's.

Placing her spare hand out to prevent the young Princess going any further, Regina mentally kicks herself. "Emma..."

Completely thrown off, the Princess lets go of the Queen's hand and quickly rises to her feet in embarrassment. "I..I..think..I'll walk back..I'm sorry.."

"No! Emma wait please it's okay..you just got caught in a moment.." Standing up, the Queen straightens herself out then grabs the blondes arm. "Please ride back with me. I don't want you to be out here alone.."

Seeing the desperation in Regina's eyes, Emma nods slowly without a word then mounts the horse remaining quiet.

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Handing over the reins to a member of staff, the Queen looks towards the quiet Princess who begins up the steps to the castle doors. "Emma, I don't want it to be awkward between us..you mean to much to me to let a moment like that come in the middle of our friendship.."

"I just..I need to know something.." The blonde looks over at the brunette seriously as they stand in the doorway. "Is it one sided?"

Taken aback by the question, Regina goes a little wide eyed and drops her mouth open to reply.

"There you are! Regina dear I have been looking for you. There is something I wish to discuss.."

Turning towards her mother, the Queen nods before glancing back at Emma who is waiting. "I..I have to go inside.."

Sighing, the Princess watches as Regina walks on inside, following her mother.

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Entering her study, the brunette raises an eyebrow upon seeing her father sat on her chair. "Either something is seriously bad is happening with the Kingdom or someone has died?"

Cora closes the door behind them then stands beside Rumple in the chair. "No dear its nothing like that. We need to know what is going on with Emma.."

Clearing his throat, Rumple speaks up. "More precisely, you and Emma.."

Chuckling nervously, the Queen frowns. "I'm sorry, would you care to explain something I am clearly missing?"

"Regina I saw you last night..you were asleep beside the Princess.."

Looking at her mother, the brunette takes a deep breath. "Mother..we are friends..she..she needed some support.."

"It's more than that. We know it. You know it.." The imp explains. "We've seen the looks..Regina you look at that girl like Snow looks at Charming..we just want to know what you are going to do because right now, the Princess is in the midst of marrying your brother.."

"Nothing! Because nothing is going on!" Getting defensive, the Queen looks between the pair feeling targeted although she knows deep down they are speaking the truth. "Now excuse me, I have a business matter to attend to.."

Sharing a look, Cora and Rumple make their way towards the door to leave the woman to it. Reaching the corridor, the imp sighs. "She's lying to herself..what are we to do? Neal will be devastated..she clearly loves the girl"

Taking hold of his arm, the older brunette looks sympathetic. "Maybe I should speak with David again? He could speak with Emma?"

"We can try.." Rumple replies while patting her hand in appreciation.

Peering around the corner, Neal frowns at hearing his father's conversation with his stepmother then heads off to find Emma, needing some answers.

A/N: ideas welcomed :)