A/N: Oh, gosh! We're getting down to the last few chapters! I can't believe it. Your support on this story has been amazing, and I'm glad you all are enjoying it!

Keep enjoying!

Emma knew the day would come.

She knew it.

Her father's illness had gotten worse since the ball, and she knew that he was dying.

She was going to be Queen much sooner than she had ever imagined.

"Papa." She spoke softly as she walked in to see him lying in bed.

"I'm sorry you have to see me like this, darling." He replied quietly as she moved to stand at his bedside.

"It's okay." Emma sniffled.

"I have always been proud of you, Emma."

"I know." She nodded, trying to keep her tears in.

"Your mother would be incredibly proud of you. You have turned into the most beautiful young lady, and you will make a wonderful Queen for your kingdom." He spoke softly, and she could tell it was straining for him.

"I will try my best." Emma nodded, fidgeting with her rings again.

"You can bring about great changes, Emma. I believe in you with my whole being, and I'm so sorry I've been hard on you in years past."

"I know you do it because you love me." She forced, trying not to cry.

"Of course I love you." He smiled, "I've loved you since the moment you were born, Em, and I will love you long after I'm gone."

"Good." Emma sniffled, nodding.

"Promise me something, Emma."

"Anything, Papa." She said.

"Marry someone you love."

She tilted her head a little, making sure she heard him right.

"I thought you wanted me to marry for political reasons."

"Don't do that. Don't deny yourself happiness at the expense of others, Emma." Her father managed, taking her hand, "Promise me you'll do that for me."

"I promise." Emma nodded, finally letting some tears fall as her father pulled her into his arms.

"I love you, Papa."

"I love you, too, Em."

She laid curled beside him, never wanting to let go.

She didn't seem to have a choice this time.

Later that day, after her father had passed, she was quickly crowned Queen, and suddenly, the weight on her shoulders felt much heavier than she'd thought it would.

"Emma, stop pacing for a minute, please." Graham said.

"I can't, Graham, I'm running a kingdom all on my own!" She snapped, then realized what she'd done, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"You're under pressure. That's alright, Princess."

"You're going to have to drop that nickname." Emma offered with a half-hearted chuckle.

"No, I'll still use it." He grinned, making her smile, though her heart was breaking, "C'mere, Princess."

She sighed and ran to him, all but falling into his arms.

"Take deep breaths, Em." Graham whispered, "You're okay."

"I wish you could tell me that everything was going to be alright, that I'd find him again."

"I wish I could do that, too." Graham whispered, holding her head to his chest.

"Do you think it's crazy for me to marry someone that I barely know?"

"Not at all, Princess." Graham spoke softly, "If you know it's right, there's no denying instinct, I'm afraid."

"Tell Regina that I'm sending you and the rest of the guards to find him." Emma said, tugging away after a few moments.

"Emma-"

"She will listen to me." Emma spoke firmly, "I will make her listen to me. I am her Queen."

Graham nodded and hurried down the corridor to go find Regina.

Emma waited only a few minutes before the woman came sauntering into the throne room.

"You are crazy."

"I don't care. I want him, and only him. He is all that is good in this world, and if he will have me, I want him as my King."

"You realize there is no gain from this, right?"

"My happiness does not count as gaining something?" Emma snapped, "Do as I say, and go with the guards to find my prince."

"What if he isn't a prince, your Majesty?" Regina asked.

"I don't care." Emma said, "We have his sword, and I know it matches his sheath. Find the match."

"Your Majesty-"

"It would be wise of you to listen to your Queen, Grand Duchess." Graham spoke firmly, "Emma, my men and I will set out immediately. We will find the man you danced with."

"Thank you Graham. Leave no home unturned."

"I will search until I cannot search any longer." Graham promised, taking the sword from Emma and walking down the corridor.

"Emma, you are insane for thinking this is going to work." Regina warned.

"That's what you think." Emma snapped, "But, you are wrong. I will not sit here and wait for my happy ending to come to me. It's mine for the taking, and that is just what I am going to do. I suggest you help me take it, unless you would like to be deposed."

Regina stood taller, more rigid, then walked out of the throne room.

As soon as she was out of sight, Emma went to go get her happy ending.

Or, ensure that he would return to her safely, if she could manage.

Graham clenched his jaw as he and his men walked out to their horses.

He had to do this for Emma.

No matter the feelings he had harbored for her all those years.

Emma's happiness was at stake, and he was not going to let her down.

He grabbed the reins of his favorite horse, pulling him from his stable before checking to make sure that the sword fit into the saddlebag. He slipped it in carefully, making sure it was secured before bringing his horse towards the gates.

"We are to search every damn tavern, home, shop-everywhere, until we find this man, understood?" Graham asked his men as he mounted his horse.

"Yes, sir!" They replied in unison.

He put on his hat and strode to the front of the guards, beside Regina.

"You could have used that as the perfect opportunity to slide in, Graham." She said.

"Emma doesn't want me, Regina. I refuse to force her into a marriage she does not want." He replied firmly before kicking his horse and galloping away.

He closed his eyes as he heard the pounding of hooves on the gravel.

To him, it was the best sound in the world.

(Aside from a beautiful laughter he could not have.)