A servant knocked on her door a day later, note in hand. He handed Emma the folded and sealed paper, and bowed. Emma closed her door as she broke the seal, an apple with a jewel encrusted into it.

Emma,

Two days' time my schedule will be free. We may go for a ride then. If you can join me, meet me in the stables after breakfast.

With Well Wishes,

Lady Regina

Emma found herself tracing the fine swoops and curls of Regina's lettering. No doubt learned in her noble schooling.

She glanced at her wardrobe. Perhaps now wasn't a bad time to see the house seamstress or tailor about some finer riding clothes?

She could at least afford something a little nicer.

Emma smiled.

Two days later Regina waited in the stables. She had brushed her Rocinante to calm her nerves. At breakfast, she had eaten very little. Zelena and Henry had both noticed and commented. Zelena more out of nosiness, and Henry out of concern.

She had lied and told them she was simply not hungry. She knew the real reason, however. Emma Swan. She hadn't had such a strong urge to be around someone like this since her first love and Emma, she didn't even know if Emma was interested.

She didn't want to be foolish.

The clopping of hooves brought her from her thoughts. She looked up and felt her breath catch.

Emma Swan stood before her in a blue belted riding coat. Her riding breeches were black and tucked into black boots. All looked new. Blonde curls were tied back. She gave Regina a small, appreciative smile.

"Ready?" Emma Swan asked her. Regina nodded without speaking.

She mounted up on Rocinante.

Emma admired Regina's simple red riding coat and black breeches. The only real embellishments were in the cut and fit, which seemed to hug the woman's eye-catching curves.

"This is my Beetle." Emma patted her horse, a palomino. Regina glanced down to the animal. He tossed his head and stomped.

"Hey. None of that. Be nice to the lady and hers, we're going for a ride." Emma admonished him.

He snorted. Regina chuckled. Emma found herself wanting to hear the warm and deep sound again.

"Lead on, my lady."

Regina pushed forward. Emma rode alongside her, urging Beetle to keep steady with Rocinante. Every so often she had to pull the rein to remind him not to try anything with the other horse.

They were silent for a few moments, each gathering their thoughts. Emma watched guardsmen and servants hurry out of their way, bowing or nodding as they did. As they passed through the gates to the main estate, the guardsmen saluted.

Regina nodded to them.

"I thought perhaps I might show you the the orchard, the mines and perhaps the local town, if you're up for it?" Regina broke the silence.

Emma who had been taking in the scenery, looked at Regina and found herself mesmerized by deep brown eyes.

"I-, I think, think that would be good." She stuttered. She felt foolish. She gulped.

Was Regina smirking?

Regina turned away.

Emma shook her head.

"What's your story exactly?" Emma wondered.

Regina glanced at Emma surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, how is it a lady, such as yourself remains unmarried, if it's not too bold to ask, while having a son such as Henry?" Emma hadn't realized it had been nagging at the back of her mind until now.

Regina watched the road before them. She ignored people as they rode or diverged around them, clearly aware of who she was.

"Henry is, my son from my late husband." Regina admitted.

"I'm- I apologize Regina." Emma hadn't meant to bring up bad memories.

Regina shook her head.

"It was 8 years ago. I have been told, often, that I should be remarried." Regina gave Emma a mournful look.

"But to give a lord reign of Henry and I, even I do not think that is what his father would have wanted for us." Regina didn't admit the rest of it. Not yet. She wasn't sure if Emma was the sort of person she could trust with that kind of truth.

Not until she was sure if she could trust if Emma was the kind of person she could trust with perhaps her heart.

"I think I could understand." Emma agreed.

Regina felt warmed to hear the words.

Trees, a great many of them, growing in well organized rows appeared on the horizon.

A glowing pride appeared on Regina's face.

"And here we have the orchards of the Vonmils." Regina's pride could be heard in her voice.

"Do you know what we specialize in?" She turned to Emma.

Emma grinned. She actually did know this.

"Cider." She answered.

"Ah." Regina admonished. "The best apple cider, you've ever tasted."

Emma almost shivered at the way she said it. Her voice had deepened into an almost sexual timbre. It made Emma want her. Did Regina even realize how attractive she was?

"Come along, I want to show you where they make this cider." Regina was all too excited. The apple orchards were her father's pride and joy. The cider was years of perfecting an old family formula. One she had a hand in ensuring the success of.

It was one that also included a specific secret recipe that was only served at royal balls and noble parties and she wanted to keep the monopoly on it until she was good and gone.

Emma rode after her quickened canter until they reached what she found to be a brewery.

"This early in the morning, my lady? Why I never!" Emma joked.

Regina only smirked as she dismounted and handed off the reigns to her horse to a waiting man.

Emma herself dismounted and found someone else waiting as well. Regina must have sent word ahead about their visit, she realized then.

She followed Regina as she walked into wooden building. Inside it was steamy and warm. The smell of fermenting apples hit Emma's nose. A very short man met them, he was bearded and his nose, quite red.

"Your ladyship, I wasn't expecting ya until tomorrow." He hiccupped. He was quite clearly drunk.

Regina glanced at Emma.

"Grumpy, I sent the notice two days ago." Emma held back a laugh as Regina crossed her arms.

"Oh. It's been two days already?" He looked around him.

"Where's Doc?" Regina asked him exasperated.

"DOC!" Grumpy suddenly shouted, making both women jump. "Her ladyship is here to see you!"

An older, but also short man came out from behind a brewing barrel. His beard was whitening in places.

"Ah, my ladyship, I do apologize, I was checking the latest brews." He bowed to Regina.

"How are they coming?" Regina wanted know. Emma zoned out as they spoke of cider brewing. She watched as Grumpy walked about, checking fermenting apples, stirring every so often, even sticking a cup in and taking a long drink, rather than a sip. No wonder he was so drunk.

"Cider, Emma?" Regina broke Emma's mind wandering. "Or is it too early?"

Emma laughed.

"Not if this cider is as good as you say."

Doc returned with two glasses of cider. Regina took them both and handed one to Emma. Emma took a sip.

It was warm, she had heard that the noble houses drank a different recipe than the cider served at taverns. She had a suspicion that this was that very recipe. It held a cinnamon flavor, but also, pumpkin? She was strangely aroused by it and warmed. Emma took a few more sips and a few more. Before long, she found the glass empty.

Regina was watching her with an almost hungry gaze. Emma swallowed. Regina's glass was also empty.

Doc cleared his throat.

"My lady?"

"It was perfect, as always, Doc, thank you." Regina acknowledged. He clapped his hands and hurried away to continue his work.

Emma still found herself wanting Regina to look at her again with that same hungry gaze. Had she been imagining it?

"Let us continue our ride, Em-ma." Regina's voice was lower. Emma felt like she might melt on the spot. What was in that cider?

As they mounted up, Regina spoke, "I must apologize, the "Royal Cider" as it has come to be known, does have a certain, effect on the body, we may find riding difficult."

Emma realized, this was going to be torture, especially if Regina continued to speak in those husky vocals.

"O-okay." Her voice was shaky. She mounted Beetle. She resolved not to speak for the rest of the ride until she felt a little more steady.

The ride to town was quiet. Each woman was stuck in her thoughts and struggling against the movement of riding a horse in such an aroused state.

Emma and Regina were both holding back moans and didn't realize the struggle the two of them were going through. Regina also realized now that her attraction was not so one-sided. She had seen the look in Emma's eyes. She had noticed Emma's admiring gazes throughout the day. Looks suitors usually gave her. Suitors she rebuked because she did not want them. Yet, she wanted Emma.

Emma every so often would glance at Regina and found herself fighting the urge to pull off to the side of the road and take her right there. They were both in a state. She wanted to be entirely clear when or if she did anything with Regina.

Once in town, Regina dismounted Rocinante to Emma's relief.

"We can walk our mounts through here, are you hungry?" Regina knew she herself was.

Emma was starving.

They walked for a time until the smell of a bakery hit them. Emma was drawn in. She followed the smell until she was leading Beetle to be tied up outside and she walked into one of the most delicious smelling bakeries of her life. Regina followed.

An older, bald man pulled all sorts of pies and delicious confections out of a brick oven. An 11 year old girl carried a sheet full of cookies. She was thin, scraggly looking, but clean. Her brown hair was bunched up into a kerchief. She struggled to lift the tray onto a shelf and fell, the cookies falling to the ground.

The baker didn't seem to notice them.

"GIRL WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT DROPPING OUR GOODS?" He roared at the girl. She pouted a lip and hurried to gather the cookies. He was on her in flurry with a belt in hand.

Emma stepped in before he could even land the hit, the belt slapping against her newly scarred palm.

"Awfully small child to be carrying such a large tray." Emma remarked calmly.

"And to such a high shelf as well." Regina's voice was cool.

The man's eyes widened as she entered the bakery. He noticed the way she walked in. The way she held herself. He might not even know who she was, but anyone could see Regina had to be noble by her clothing, her walk, and her stance.

"My lady, if I do not discipline the child, she will never learn." He bowed his head.

"Accidents happen." Emma shrugged. "Is she your child?"

"Yes" He answered.

"NO!" Shouted the girl.

Regina and Emma stared at the girl. She stood up defiantly.

"He bought me from a boarding house!" She pointed at the man.

Emma glanced to Regina. She turned to examine the girl properly.

Working with baker had built her up some muscle. Kneading dough, carrying trays, fetching buckets of water, she would need many feedings to be properly nourished, but Emma could see the potential. The Woodcutter before her had made sure she always ate properly. "Woodcutters are strong, and a wooodcutter can't be strong if they're hungry." he had told her once.

Emma could also see a defiance in her eyes, one that she would need.

"Give her to me." Emma turned to the man.

"What?" He looked dumbfounded.

"Give her to me." Emma repeated. "I'm looking for an apprentice."

"Why would I ever do that?" His face twisted in outrage.

"Because I will repay whatever you spent in buying her from the boarding house." Regina inserted.

The man seemed to ponder it for a moment.

"Fine."

"Fetch her papers." Regina told him. "I want proof of price so I don't pay more."

The man huffed. He left the room stomping.

"What is your name?" Emma asked the girl.

The girl eyed her curiously. She held Emma's eyes steadily.

"Lexa."

"Lexa. Well, Lexa, I won't beat you, but the work is hard, it's tough, but you'll get three full meals a day, and you'll never starve." Emma told her.

Lexa nodded.

"We'll work out the details for her room and board once we return, shall we?" Regina gave Emma a meaningful look.

Emma sighed.

"I expect to pay back whatever price is paid for her, my lady." Emma told her.

"Regina."

Emma gave her a questioning look.

"If I'm to call you Emma, you must call me Regina." Regina insisted.

Emma smiled at that.

The baker returned. He gave Regina the papers he held. She read them over. She pulled a small pouch she kept inside of her jacket and paid two small silver coins.

"Two silvers. One would think a life would be worth more." Regina glared at him.

"They were glad to be rid of her." He growled at her. "She's more trouble than worth, you will soon learn."

Emma glanced down at the girl. She was smirking at the man.

Emma gave her a meaningful look. The girl looked down.

"I'll behave, if I'm treated well." She whispered to Emma.

Emma nodded.

"That is something I can at least promise you." Emma replied to her just as quietly.

They left the bakery. Regina handed the papers over to Emma.

"She'll receive her own room and board near yours, you're responsible for her education and her behavior, and any damages she may accrue during her stay, other than that, she receives no payment as she is an apprentice and you receive no cut." Regina quickly rambled off.

Emma was taken aback. She tucked the papers into her belt.

"Thank you." Emma was truly grateful.

Regina gave her a wry smile.

"I don't know what it is about your savior complex, Emma, but what you did today was both noble, charming, and I'm simply glad I could help." Regina admitted.

Emma's heart lifted at that. She also frowned.

"I do not have a savior complex." She argued.

"Right." Regina chuckled.

"Let's feed you, and fatten up this new apprentice and return to estate, shall we? The mines will have to wait." Regina eyed the scraggly girl.

"Perhaps a new wardrobe too."

Emma heard Lexa grumble something about ladies. With that, the three of them were off to eat and do a little shopping.

Later that night, Emma wandered the estate gardens. Lexa had been assigned her own rooms and settled in. She didn't openly react, but Emma had noticed the tears in her eyes.

She was sleeping. Emma would discuss with her later her formal lessons in riding, and continuing her letters and the apprenticeship of woodcutting.

She had noticed the way the girl ate at both midday meal and later that evening. It was hurried and as much as she could, as if the food might be taken away. The way a beggar or orphan might.

Emma didn't ask anything of her. She knew she would open up when ready. Emma had been an orphan herself.

She turned a corner in the garden and found herself faced with Regina, sitting on the ledge of a fountain.

She looked beautiful in the moonlight. Her fingers trailed through the water.

Regina glanced up.

"Hardly anyone comes here at this time." Regina smiled, welcoming.

Emma stepped forward, biting her lip.

"I was thinking." Emma shrugged.

"About?" Regina wanted to know.

"You." Emma slipped.

Regina quirked an eyebrow at her. Emma blushed.

"I-, I'm-, just so thankful, for your help today." Emma smiled gratefully.

"Oh." Regina blushed. She looked down into the fountain's pool. "That was the least I could do."

Emma found herself seated beside Regina. She took her hand into her own.

"No, you really helped." Emma urged her to look at her.

Regina chuckled.

"What would you have done had I not stepped in and paid a simple boarding house price?" Regina rolled her eyes.

"Demanded he give her to me, probably threaten him with my axe." Emma laughed.

"Emma, you didn't have your axe." Regina laughed.

Emma realized her mistake. She laughed harder. They both laughed for some time.

Emma was too strongly struck by Regina's beauty in that moment. The way she looked when caught up in a moment of happiness.

As they both paused to breathe Emma pulled her in.

"Emma-," Regina's voice cracked.

Emma shook her head. Regina closed her eyes as for the first time, their lips met and Regina felt like she was on fire.

Emma's heart thudded wildly like a fluttering bird in her chest. Regina's hands worked their way up until they were threaded in her blonde curls. She drew Emma in deeper.

Their lips moved against one another as they molded mouth against mouth. Emma's hands gripped Regina's waist. Regina gasped into her mouth.

"Emma-," She was breathless.

Emma pulled back concerned. She smoothed Regina's hair back from her face.

"Was-, was that okay?" Emma was unsure.

Regina's only answer was to kiss Emma this time, tightening her hold on blonde curls and slipping her tongue into an astonished pink mouth.

It was Emma who moaned.

"R-Regina. If we don't stop, I'm not sure if I will be able to control myself." Emma gasped as she pulled away.

Regina wiped at her own lips, straightening her nightgown.

"That is perhaps best." She bit he swollen bottom lip. Emma groaned.

"Emma, I want to pursue this, if you want to, but we, I've never-," Regina was unsure how to go about discussing it.

Emma reached out a comforting hand.

"It's okay Regina." She told her. "We will figure it out."

"Will you sit with me, for now?" Emma looked up at the moon, she held her arm out for Regina.

Regina acquiesced. She settled into Emma's outstretched arm. She felt safe.

She had a feeling that with Emma around, she would always be safe.