Chapter 6

Finding Emma sat in the main hall with her mother, Neal clears his throat to gain their attention. "Sorry for the intrusion but may I have a word with Emma please?"

Smiling brightly at his manners, Snow nods. "Of course Neal"

Looking between the pair, Emma rises from her seat and follows the boy out of the hall and to a more private place which ended up with Neal leading the Princess out to the gardens to sit upon a bench. Growing concerned at his quietness, the blonde sits beside him and frowns. "Neal is everything okay?"

Wondering how to question her, Neal sighs. "I..I don't know..I just heard a conversation which involves you but I'm not sure what to think.."

"Okay..what was the conversation?"

"Between Cora and father about Regina"

Raising an eyebrow, Emma gulps silently. "What has this got to do with me?"

"They said that my sister is clearly in love with you..." Neal confesses sadly more so for if its true he wants his sister to also be happy.

Eyes widening, the Princess shakes her head. "Well I don't know where they have got that from..were friends yes but...but Regina is not.." Trying to think of an escuse without telling him that she tried to kiss the brunette and got rejected, the Princess smiles nervously. "Besides I think she may have taken a liking to her huntsman.."

Taking in the information, Neal looks uncertain. "Why would they say it then?"

"I don't know, ask them?" Worried, the blonde bites her lip.

"Maybe you're right.." Neal stands then smiles as if back to his normal self then kisses her hand. "I am sorry if I seemed off with you. Please forgive me"

"Neal you have nothing to apologise for.." Feeling extremely guilty, Emma leans up and kisses his cheek, surprising the boy who grins.

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Getting herself through the dinner while avoiding the Queen, Emma makes her way hastily up to the woman's chambers once everyone had dispersed for the night. Charging into the chamber to find Regina sat at her vanity with her hairbrush in hand, the Princess closes the door and grips the handle tightly. "What the hell did you say to your parents?!"

Glancing through the mirror in shock of the Princess' sudden arrival, the Queen then turns on her stool to face her. "I beg your pardon?"

"You must have said something because I had Neal wanting to speak with me this afternoon about what he had overheard from them..about us which is clearly a load of nonsense! You..you didn't want to know and..and now you are taking the next best thing that I have! Even if it's not what I really want!" Getting frustrated, the Princess paces across the floor waiting for an answer.

Standing quickly in defence, Regina holds her hands out in somewhat of a dramatic gesture. "I said nothing! They did question me over our..relationship, but I put them right! That we are friends and that is all!"

Calming slightly, Emma exhales deeply while looking rather defeated. "I guess they didn't believe you then..and Neal he..he looked so hurt.."

"Which is why I said you should get married..he's a good man.."

Remembering their previous conversation on the castle steps, the Princess frowns. "You never answered me...when I asked you was it one sided? I know you pushed me away and keep telling me you want what is best for me but you were also right that my parents..hell even your parents do not control our lives..so I am going to ask you again, is it one sided? Please I just need to know.."

Blinking a few times trying to control her emotions, Regina lets out a shaky breath while giving her a 'I think you know' look. Rubbing her forehead realising, Emma grows teary. "What are we going to do?"

Watching the Princess about to crumble with fear, the Queen steps closer and instinctively wraps her arms around the woman's back, rubbing gently to calm her. "We do..nothing. I hate that I have to say this but it doesn't matter now..no one would accept it and I cannot betray my brother..we cannot betray our families..Emma I don't want you to end up losing your parents..your respect for being lead astray by the 'Evil' Queen..and that is exactly how your mother still sees me..I will always care for you more than I should but..stay with Neal. He can look after you better than I can..he won't hurt you..I know it won't be true love but it's the safest option..just know that..despite how you may feel in the future or how down you may feel sometimes...just remember there is someone out there who does truly care if things get tough. I will always have your back as a friend"

Shaking her head against the brunette's shoulder, Emma sniffles. "It's going to be too hard...I don't want us to do this.."

Hearing the blondes voice break, Regina hesitates before pressing a kiss to the Princess' head. "I know but we have to. For our sake, Neal's and our parents.."

Taking a deep breath, the Princess pulls back to look at the Queen with a tear stricken face before sounding desperate. "Regina..."

Cupping the blondes face within both her hands, the brunette then rests their foreheads together for a moment as she whispers. "I'm so sorry.."

Muttering softly, barely audible, Emma closes her eyes through fear of rejection again. "Can I..at least get a kiss goodbye?.."

Looking straight at the Princess, Regina nods against her then brings the woman's face close to kiss her. Pressing her lips against the blonde's, the brunette pours everything that she has into it, kissing her softly. Kissing back, Emma quickly takes a hold of the Queen's waist to make the most of the only moment they will have. Pulling back when air is needed, both women stare at each other sadly before releasing their hold on one another and ending their moment with a final touch of their hands in which Regina allows the blonde's fingers slip through her own before dropping to the cool air. Without a single word, the Princess makes her way back to the door with a last look over her shoulder then disappears out into the corridor, leaving the Queen alone. Turning to face the balcony, the brunette covers her mouth with her hand as a rush of emotions catch up with her and a few tears escape her eyes. Inhaling sharp with a gasp at hearing her door re open, Regina looks over hopeful for the Princess but deflates at seeing her mother.

"Regina, we seriously need to talk about your behaviour and do not think about lying to me dear because I just witnessed the Princess leave your chambers.."

Trying to find her voice, the Queen makes her way over to her bed and sits by her pillow. "Mother...not now.." Laying herself down, the brunette hugs her pillow tightly while staring out of the open balcony drape. "Besides...haven't you and Snow got a meeting tomorrow with a seamstress about a dress and a suit?..you need your rest.." Pulling her covers up over her shoulders, Regina quickly wipes a stray tear from her cheek.

Frowning in concern, Cora walks up to the bed slowly then perches herself on the edge behind her daughter. Reaching over, the older brunette runs her hand through the Queen's loose locks in comfort. "What is going on with my Regina..I haven't seen her in some time..I miss her smile.."

Replying quietly, Regina buries her head into the pillow. "She left when I became Queen.."

Feeling a pang of guilt, Cora looks down. "I thought I was doing what was best for you..you had been so lost..when Henry..." Clearing her throat, the older woman continues. "..you had helped the King and he was grateful..I never would have let him hurt you but I thought if you were to become this person that people look up to, you could see that you weren't alone in what ever it was you was feeling..however even now I guess you still don't want to let anyone in..with this wall you've built but...the Princess..I don't know what is going on there but what I do know is that she is the only person who has managed to get a smile from you..that we all miss"

Uncertain on how to respond, the Queen turns over to face her mother and shifts closer prompting the woman to lay beside her and pull her daughter into a much needed hug. Not wanting to worry her mother, Regina answers. "I was merely having a moment mother..I am okay..Emma and I had somewhat of a disagreement but it's sorted now"

Not truly believing the statement, Cora nods. "Okay. I am glad it's sorted..I guess you are right about being prepared for tomorrow..so I shall leave you be..goodnight" kissing the brunette's head, the older woman stands and leaves her daughters chambers.

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After a tense breakfast in which either woman could look at one another, Emma soon finds herself stood on a stool in a side room ready for a seamstress to take measurements while Regina carries on with her royal duties. Biting her lip, the Princess peers over at her mother who is watching the seamstress intently to make sure the woman makes no mistakes. "Mom, I was thinking..about what you said before about Neal and I moving to another Kingdom and starting anew..I think that it is a great idea and I would love to look into purchasing some new land..."

Looking towards her daughter, Snow smiles. "Really? Oh honey I think it's a wise choice! Especially if you are to start a family.."

Smiling back slightly, putting on a brave face, Emma nods. "Yes.."

Clasping her hands together happily, the short haired woman heads towards the door. "I must inform your father..and he will begin a search for you"

Taking a deep breath, the blonde watches her mother go then looks down at herself as some lace fabric is pinned against her, knowing the real reason she is agreeing to it is so she doesn't have to face Regina in the near future and not be able to be with her.

A/N: sorry for all the angst in this! Also the back story of Regina being Queen is slightly different as I didn't want Cora to be a killer.