A/N: Here's the next installment!
Enjoy!
Little did Killian and Emma know, there were two people standing in the way of any kind of happiness they could have had.
Regina had been speaking with Graham quietly, sternly, how they had to find out who that man was.
"We have to act quickly, Graham." Regina snarled, "The King doesn't have much longer, and Emma needs a husband."
"I will do all I can, milady." He spoke firmly, "But, we'll have to scour the entire kingdom for him."
"What if I can offer you something better?" Another man's voice spoke from behind them.
"Who are you?" Regina snapped.
"Lord Gold, madam." He replied, flourishing as he bowed, "I believe I know who that man is that the Princess danced with-and he is not who you believe he is."
Regina looked to Graham, who clenched his jaw.
"Tell me more." Regina spoke firmly.
Killian smiled as he walked home, in the pouring rain, having just had the best night of his life.
He couldn't wait to tell Liam.
The only thing he had left of the night, though, was his sheath. He had left his sword by accident, but he couldn't have wasted more time.
He barely made it back in time as is.
Killian heard the familiar thud of horses coming down the drive, so he hurried into the home through the back, going into the kitchen and quickly kindling a fire. He heard the front door open, making him sigh.
"Where are you, Cinders?" Neal guffawed as he, August and Gold came down the stairs.
"Down here." Killian called in response, "Making a late-night snack."
"Why are you wet?"
"I went out to check on the chickens and forgot an umbrella." Killian lied.
"I told you he was dumb." Killian heard Neal whisper to August as the three sat down.
"How was the ball?" Killian asked.
"Oh, it was great. Well, except that none of us got to dance with the Princess."
"No one?"
"There was one guy. He was so... I don't know. She was really drawn to him."
"I touched the Princess' arm, though!"
"Did not!"
"Yeah, I did!"
"Boys, enough!" Gold snapped, causing Killian to wince.
"Sounds like a wonderful night." Killian spoke with a smile.
After everyone went to bed, Killian was careful going up to his room in the attic.
He closed the door behind him before smiling and leaning against it, closing his eyes.
Best night of his life.
He walked to the creaky floorboard and bent down to open it, slipping the sheath into it carefully. He was gentle in taking off the suit as well, folding it up and laying it into the floorboard as well. He had changed into his usual clothing, then went to sit by the window.
"Liam, you there?" He whispered, smiling when he saw the star twinkle, "Good."
He took a deep breath before divulging into his tale.
He talked and talked the whole night through, telling Liam every single detail there was to know about his time with the Princess, and the Fairy Godmother, and the chase out of the palace at midnight-he told Liam everything.
In result, he wasn't surprised to find himself waking up on the window sill. He took a deep breath, smiling a little at the wonderful smell of fallen rain. He closed the window and stood up, stretching to get ready for yet another boring day.
He was right.
Absolutely, dreadfully boring.
But, that was okay.
All he could think of was Emma, and how wonderful she looked the night before. He thought of his hand on her waist, their hands linked together as they danced.
But, about midway through his day, when he was retreating to his room for a break, he noticed the floorboard was moved.
He scrambled to it, searching through his small amount of belongings before realizing that the sheath was gone.
"Are you looking for this?" Gold's voice asked, causing him to look up.
The man was half-cast in shadows, creating an eerie look on his face. He was holding the sheath.
"Sir, I can-"
"There must be quite a story to go with it." Gold interrupted, "The work on it is beautiful..."
Killian took a deep breath watching as the man snarled and smashed it against the wall.
"No!" Killian exclaimed, reaching his arm out.
"That's right, dearie. I know about the ball. I know about this." Gold replied, sitting up a little, "But, listen here, boy. Happy endings do not exist. They are nothing but fairytales made up to keep children from screaming and crying."
"You're wrong." Killian snapped.
"You are never going to see the Princess again. Why would she want someone like you?" He chuckled.
"Because I'm kind, and I love her." Killian replied firmly.
The man scoffed, causing tears to well up in Killian's eyes.
"Kindness is free-love is free." Killian said.
"You are wrong, boy." Gold snarled, "Love costs us everything."
"Why? Why are you so cruel to me?" Killian asked, the tears burning behind his eyes.
"Because I know what it feels like to fall in love." Gold snarled, rising to his feet, "I know what it feels like for it to all go to waste because another man walks by and takes your beautiful wife from you."
Killian swallowed hard, clenching his jaw as he stared at the man.
"There is word that someone left his sword at the palace, and that he will be pursued," Gold said, "But, that man will never be found."
Killian couldn't speak before the man spoke again.
"Besides, Princess Emma is arranged to marry the Prince of Zaragosa." Gold said, "She does not want you."
Killian opened his mouth to speak, but Gold cut him off.
"How would you rule a kingdom? You're nothing but a servant boy, and that's all you've been."
"I could not protect my mother and brother from you, but I will protect the Princess from you," Killian snapped, "If that's the last thing I do."
"Good luck with that." Gold snarled, dropping the last remnant of Killian's sheath before walking to the door and locking it.
"No! No!" Killian exclaimed, pounding on the door.
He couldn't lose Emma again.
Not this time.
Gold sauntered right up to the palace, dismissing the guards as needed, and waltzing right into the Grand Duchess' office.
"I found this in one of my servants' belongings." He spoke firmly, dropping part of the sheath onto the desk. She looked up from her work with a devilish smile.
"I hope this means what I think it means."
"I believe it does."
"Now, what do I owe you, sir?" She asked.
"I'd like a title. A real title." Gold said, "And, titles for my sons, as well."
"So be it." Regina smiled, "Care for a drink?"
"I would love nothing more."