Emma worked hard with her apprentice for the next few days. She began teaching the girl the different tools of the trade, and taking her along as she showed her which trees were good for chopping. She taught Lexa how to get rid of branches on the wood she chopped down and tasked her with that.

It was how she had started. Her master teaching her basics for years before allowing her to chop a full tree.

Strengthening Lexa was a priority at the moment as well. Emma could see that she had been living off of scraps for some time. She ate hungrily and Emma made sure she had three meals a day.

Regina convinced Emma to give her new apprentice a day off after a few days so that they could spend time together. Emma did so reluctantly. She knew children like Lexa could be a handful if left to their own devices, but she realized perhaps it was a chance to see what she would do with her freedom.

Nobles had been arriving for the past few days. Zelena had a birthday celebration in two nights. Zelena left an invitation on Emma's door. At first, Emma had been a little suspicious but then Zelena reassured her, she just wanted to make sure Regina had someone she could talk to.

"We should get your apprentice some outfits." Regina told Emma as they walked through the garden together.

Emma suspected there was more behind wanting to get her apprentice new clothes. She had gone to the supply master and asked for servant's clothing in Lexa's sizes and been supplied with 3 outfits.

Regina turned on her quite suddenly.

"Emma, she's going to need something to wear for Zelena's party."

Emma frowned at the noblewoman.

"I don't even know what she would want to wear." Lexa had rejected any maid dresses Emma offered her and chose to wear pants and shirt instead, mumbling about girl's clothing the entire time.

"Bring her." Regina gave her a pout. Emma's frown deepened. How could a grown noblewoman make a pout still look so regal?

"Fine." Emma agreed.

Regina called for a servant to find Lexa. The girl came running from around a bush not too long later. She slowed to a stop and bowed to Regina.

"I was watching the horses." Lexa grinned at Emma's questioning look. Emma sighed. She may have to watch her apprentice around the stables.

"We are going to take you into town to find something to where to Zelena's party." Emma told Lexa with a sigh. Lexa's face brightened.

"I can come?" She looked back and forth between Regina and Emma excitedly.

"Yes. Come on." Emma offered an arm to Regina. They would need to go into town to find the girl something suitable to wear.

Hours later Lexa left them with her arms full of clothing. She rejected any dresses to Emma's amusement. Regina had been a little saddened by that, but as Lexa stepped out of a fitting room in an outfit fit for perhaps a merchant's son, Regina cooed at how adorable she was.

Regina paid for the outfit. She told Emma she could buy everything else.

Lexa had been smiling the entire day. Emma admitted it was nice to see the girl so happy. She liked this apprentice business and she wondered if her master had enjoyed taking her in as much as she was enjoying it.

Regina pulled Emma off to the side as they left their horses in the stables. She kissed her deeply, making Emma feel weak.

"I'll see you later?" Regina raised a brow at her. Later meant in the gardens at night. They had been spending their late evenings walking and sneaking kisses as they talked.

Emma enjoyed getting to know Regina. She cared for her people and her son and took pride in her lands.

Emma wasn't sure what they were doing, but she knew she wanted Regina to be with her for some time despite their differences in station. She wanted to try for once.

Servants bustled around Emma as they prepared for Zelena's party later that day. She was searching for her apprentice. Lexa had not been in her room when she went to fetch her to begin their day's work.

Emma did not expect to find Lexa inside the estate, but she had been wrong. She found Lexa in what looked to be one of the estate's many libraries. Another girl dressed in a lady's dresses sat beside her on a lounger. She looked to be quite close to Lexa's age, perhaps a little younger.

They were reading from a book they held between them. Anytime Lexa struggled to read a word the other girl helped her.

"Lexa?" Emma wondered how long the two had been around one another. She knew other nobles had been coming in, some staying at the estate for Zelena's birthday celebration.

Lexa started and jumped out of her seat. The book fell to the floor. Emma watched as the young lady picked the book up, gently. Her blonde curls were held back with a ribbon and her blue eyes watched Emma curiously.

"Emma." Lexa glanced at the girl beside her nervously.

"This lady was helping me with my letters."

Emma shook her head. She had seen how close they were and how Lexa's eyes wandered the girl's face as they read. Lexa was clearly enamored with her.

"You could have left a note." Emma admonished her. Lexa nodded her agreement.

"Come, we have work to do before preparing for the party." Emma grumbled. She wasn't used to such events. The closest she came to celebrations of any kind were during her tavern nights. She wasn't expected to socialize beyond Red during those nights.

Lexa followed after her, Emma heard her say a quick, "Sorry!" as they exited the room.

"I'm not in trouble, am I?" Lexa asked as they made their way outside.

Emma huffed. She couldn't really tell Lexa not to get involved with a lady when she herself was involved with one.

"Lexa, you have to keep in mind, she's not a full lady yet." Emma knew there could be trouble if the girl's parents found out. They were young and couldn't get up to too much trouble outside of noble parents not wanting their daughter to associate with people of the lower classes. Emma knew Regina and Zelena were both different than most nobles.

Lexa shrugged as she began her work.

"I know." Lexa sharpened a smaller axe. They wouldn't chop today.

"She found me reading a few days ago." Lexa handed the axe to Emma for inspection. Emma approved of her sharpening job. The girl had clearly learned how to sharpen blades at some point.

"She's…" Lexa hesitated. "Really pretty but also very kind."

Emma watched her apprentice amusement. Lexa blushed as she spoke of the girl. It was perhaps her first crush.

"It's okay, just don't get caught with her." Emma offered. "I can't have some nobleman coming after me because he doesn't want his daughter hanging with my apprentice."

Lexa nodded sadly. She continued to work, picking out chopped wood to bundle together. Emma corrected a knot she made and they continued to work in comfortable silence.

It was midday before Emma dismissed Lexa to clean up. The party wouldn't be until the afternoon but she wanted to go over her own outfit and perhaps relax until she had to deal with people of higher class.

next chap: a party! That maybe gets disturbed by some outlaws.