Chapter 2

"Welcome honored guests," King Leopold announced, "Thank you for coming. It is an honor to introduce you to my daughter Snow, and my new wife, Regina." The crowd was in awe of the royal family. No one seemed to notice, or if they didn't they just didn't care, Regina wince when she was referred to as his wife. "May the feast begin!" Leopolds' words were followed by a roar from the crowd.

Everyone dug into their plates mindlessly eating but Emma didn't take a bite. She looked up and watched Regina.

Leopold leaned over her whispering something into her ear. For a second she looked very upset then she plastered on her mayoral smile. Emma knew it well. She always wore it to cover her true feelings. Emma wanted nothing more than to run up to Regina and just hug her and tell her everything will be alright.

"Emma, eat up," Ruth said while giving her shoulder a little shove, "you need to get your strength back." Emma did as she was told. After a few bites she asked, "How long has the king been married?"

"Not long, I think a few months. You are a strange one, Emma. You aren't from around here are you?"

"No, no I'm not." Emma ate her food barley taking her eyes off Regina. Regina was in an elegant dress, which did not leave much to the imagination. She was moving her food around on her plate, but not eating any of it. The king stands up puts his hand on her shoulder then walks away. Emma noticed how Regina flinched at his touch. A look of terror flew through her big brown eyes.

Leopold was walking around the tables greeting his guests and introducing them to his beloved daughter. Everyone was focused on him; no one even noticed Regina run the other way down a dark corridor.

"I will be right back," Emma said to Ruth as she ran in Reginas' direction. She jogged past table after table until she reached the same corridor Regina went down.

"Regina?" Emma called out. Emma kept walking down the dark hall. She heard what sounded like someone crying. Emmas' worry grew with every step she took. "Is that you Regina?" she called out.

Finally, Emma reached the origin of the small cry. Regina was sitting with her back against the wall. She had her knees drawn up to her chest and her head down. Emma doubted that Regina heard her calls. Regina was quietly crying and seemed to be in her own world at the moment. This display was completely out of character for the brunette. Emma had never seen her show any emotion let alone this. She did truly look broken, and it hurt Emma more than words can say.

Emma sat down next to Regina, causing Regina to snap her head toward Emma. "Who are you?" Regina asked in a frightened tone.

"I…..I am Emma," Emma knew she probably shouldn't do this. Changing the past would probably have horrible consequences but right now she didn't care.

"Why are you here? You aren't allowed to be here." Regina replied in a shaky tone.

"Regina, I am not going to leave you here."

"That's a bit informal, don't you think. I am Queen," Regina insisted. He voice shook when she called herself Queen.

"Do you want to be Queen though?" Emma asked hoping she wouldn't get yelled at for it.

"What kind of a question is that? You are not very respectful."

"Yeah I know, but do you?" Emma continued.

"Well truthfully you are the first person to ever ask me that. No, no I don't want it." Reginas' voice became quieter and quieter as she talked until Emma could barely hear her.

"Why did you get married to him?" Emma pushed.

Regina was very surprised by the strange womans interest. People usually don't notice her. She is just an object the king puts on display; there to look at.

"My mother, she made me," Regina even surprised herself with her honesty. Emma was the first person who cared about her, who noticed her, since Daniel.

"Queen Regina! What are you doing down here! You must be out here by your husbands' side!" a guard yelled down the hall. Regina snapped up. "I'm sorry, I just needed some air. I will be there right away," Regina yelled the terror back in her eyes.

Regina was about to run away when Emma grabbed her arm. "Wait, I want you to know that everything will be okay. Things will get better. Can I ever see you again?"

"No, if my husband ever found out I talked to someone without his permission…" Reginas' voice trailed off. Regina ran down the hall where the guard was impatiently waiting. Emma thought maybe her grandfather wasn't as nice as everyone believed.