A/N: Thank you all for your feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed the first chapter—I'm hoping these next chapters keep your interest!
Writing this, I listened to 'Romantic Flight' by John Powell, 'Arms' by Christina Perri & 'I See the Light' from Tangled. Enjoy!
"How do I look?" Emma smiled to her father. Her dress was a pale blue color, with gold leaves embedded into it. The bodice was tight, while the bottom had a little bit of flounce to it.
"Beautiful. Like a vision." Charming smiled, twirling her. Emma giggled, meeting her father's eyes.
"Do you think he'll come?"
"Who? Your mystery lover?"
"He wasn't a lover—yes, the man I met earlier." Emma smiled.
"If it's right, he'll always find you, Emma." Charming grinned, "Just like I found your mother."
"Oh, no, we're getting sappy again." Emma giggled.
"I promise, fate works in weird ways. If he's meant to be yours, he will do everything in his power to get back to you." Charming replied, brushing some of her curls back.
"Thank you." Emma smiled.
"Now, tell me about this man…" He spoke airily, holding his arm out for his daughter to take as the two began making their way down the hallway.
"I don't know much, if I'm being honest." Emma spoke simply, "He has the most beautiful eyes, though, and a smile that could captivate a kingdom. He's kind, a gentleman."
"What kingdom is he from?"
Emma raised an eyebrow at her father, who seemingly thought he was a prince.
"Oh, um, he didn't tell me. I mean, I didn't ask." Emma replied coolly, hoping her father wouldn't notice her stuttering around her words.
"He'll show up tonight, Emma. I have a feeling." Charming smiled, leaving her standing at the entrance with a kiss to the temple.
Emma closed her eyes before entering the ballroom, hoping, praying that Killian would be there. She knew in her heart that he probably wouldn't be, given his status, but she could always hope.
After taking a deep breath, Emma entered the ballroom, earning a hearty welcome. She curtseyed to the crowd, strolling to the thrones to wait for a suitor to offer to dance with her.
"There are many lovely men here tonight, Em." Snow whispered, nudging her arm with a smile.
"I know." She sighed, searching the crowd for her lieutenant.
"Are you looking for someone?"
"Oh, um, no, just searching the crowd." Emma shrugged.
She stood beside her parents for a long while, knowing that all of the men there had already tried to court her, yielding no profits.
Until finally, one man came to the throne and bowed.
"If I may, I'd like to take Princess Emma for a dance?" A voice asked. Emma perked up in her seat, glancing to the man in a mostly red outfit. She smiled at him, looking to her parents before getting approving nods.
"You look beautiful." The man spoke softly, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to it. Emma blushed, hoping this was the man she had met earlier. She followed him down into the crowd, smiling when everyone parted to give them room.
"You may have to guide me. I'm not great on my feet." Emma warned, earning a smile in return. A smile that looked far too familiar.
"I will guide you, happily." He smiled, "You truly do look wonderful, Princess."
"You're too kind." Emma smiled, "What's your name?"
"I'm afraid I would give myself away, then, love."
"I think I have an idea of who you are."
"Oh, you do?"
"You're Killian Jones." She whispered as he tugged her close for only a few moments. He smiled to her, offering a quick nod.
"Aye, love." He smiled, "How did you know?"
"Your eyes. They're incredible." Emma replied simply, "Are you a prince?"
"No, I am not." He sighed as they turned in circles.
"How did you get in?"
"I have my ways." Killian grinned.
"I see. The mysterious type."
"Not really." Killian shrugged, "I'm an open book."
"Good to know."
"You're a far better dancer than you say you are." Killian noted.
"Thank you," Emma smiled, "I'm usually not this graceful. This typically involves more tripping over my feet."
"I'll catch you if you fall." Killian spoke with a sweet smile as the song came to a close. He bowed to her as she curtseyed, their eyes never losing each other's.
"Thank you, for the dance." Emma spoke softly.
"It was my pleasure, love," Killian smiled, "Goodnight, Princess."
He nearly turned around, until Emma's voice caught him.
"Wait, when can I see you again?" She asked, "I still don't know much about you."
"Why don't we find a way out of here? We can talk then." Killian suggested as people began filling the ballroom floor again. Emma glanced to her parents, who were busy talking to another king.
"Okay." Emma replied, smiling when Killian took her hand and led her from the ballroom. The two hurried down the hallway, Emma leading the way.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see." Emma smiled, tugging her dress up a little more as she ran. She brought him to a room and tugged him in, causing him to pause in the doorway.
"What?" She smiled, a little out of breath.
"Nothing." He smiled back, following her out to her balcony.
He finally looked out at the view, a smile sweeping across his lips. Emma watched him take everything in, inhaling as a fresh, salty air blew by them.
"You've got quite the view, my princess."
"I love it." Emma smiled, "But, it does make me wish I could be out there, having an adventure of some sort. I'm always expected to be prim and proper—I can't enjoy myself."
"Maybe I can take you out on the ship one day." Killian smiled, finally pulling his mask off.
"I would love that." Emma replied, taking hers off as well.
"What is it like, living here?"
"I don't know, I mean, it's nice." Emma shrugged, "I haven't known anything different."
"I understand." Killian nodded.
"Do you like sailing?"
"Oh, I love it." Killian grinned, "It's my life."
"It doesn't ever get lonely?"
"I mean, I have my brother aboard with me and the crew, but… yes, it can get quite lonely. The adventure makes it all worth it."
"I wish I could go."
"Maybe you could ask your father." Killian spoke with a suggestive grin, earning a giggle from Emma.
"Doubtful. He rarely lets me out of his sight." Emma sighed.
"Sneaking out is always an option."
"Yes, I'm sure that would go over very well with my parents," Emma smiled, looking back out to the docks, "Which ship is yours?"
"She's not mine, but I ride the Jewel of the Realm." Killian said, leaning over and gently brushing her shoulder as he pointed to one of the ships.
"That's a big ship."
"Aye, she's quite big. I love that ship with all my heart." Killian sighed wistfully, then turned to the princess, "What about you, Princess? Has anything captured your heart?"
Emma smiled to him, her cheeks turning red.
"Not particularly." She responded.
"Maybe it just hasn't come along yet."
"Maybe." Emma smiled, "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you believe in true love?"
"True love?" He repeated, earning a nod, "Yes, I suppose I do. Why?"
"Nothing, it's nothing." Emma replied, shaking her head.
"Oh, now you must tell me, Princess." Killian smiled.
"Sometimes… I wonder when mine will show up." She admitted, "I feel like I've been locked away for so long that I haven't had the chance to meet him yet… what if I've missed him?"
"True love is an odd thing, love. It works in ways no one understands." Killian spoke softly, "If he's out there, you'll meet him."
"What if I already have?"
"Well, then I suggest you act on that." Killian smiled.
Emma drew closer to him, setting her hand on the side of his neck before leaning in and pressing her lips to his gently. He was careful not to kiss her too hard, despite what he wanted. Emma tugged away after only a few moments, her smile growing as she pulled away.
"How was that?" Emma asked softly, making Killian smile.
"You tell me, love."
"Perfect." She whispered, leaning forward to press her lips to his once more. She smiled at his hand on her waist, tugging her closer. Emma pulled her lips from his, simply gazing into his eyes for a few moments.
"I have had quite the night with you, Emma."
"It's been the best of my life." Emma smiled, tucking her chin into her chest, smiling up to him.
"I'm glad to hear that." He grinned, "Now, I probably should go… And you ought to get back to your ball."
"Come with me."
"I can't, love. I've already pushed it." Killian said, "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, and we'll talk more."
"This isn't going to work this way, Killian." Emma sighed, "We need a different plan. My parents will notice if I'm suddenly never around the palace."
"What do you suggest?"
"How good are you at lying?"
"Lying? Emma, I can't lie to the King and—"
"This is truly the only option I can think of, Killian." Emma spoke softly, and he rubbed his chin before sighing.
"Okay, I'd say I'm a pretty fair liar." Killian shrugged.
"You're going to pretend to be a prince, okay? Just, um, be you." Emma said, "I hope my father won't recognize you."
"I don't think he's ever seen me before." Killian shrugged, "Want me to wear the mask, anyways?"
"Masks aren't a bad idea." Emma nodded, putting hers back on as well. She smiled when Killian took her hand in his and led her out of the room. The two walked slower this time down the corridor, eyes shifting every which way. Emma had known right then that she had found the man she had been looking for.
The two walked back into the ballroom, only to be greeted by a worried Snow.
"Oh, darling, we were worried! Where were you?"
"I was showing Killian around. He's the one who asked me to dance." Emma smiled. Snow beamed at the sound of Emma's happiness, looking to the man she spoke of.
"Prince Killian." He spoke with a bow.
"Where are you from?" Snow asked curiously.
He and Emma looked at each other before Killian finally spoke.
"I'm from a kingdom far, far away from here. I sailed across the ocean to meet Emma." Killian smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Killian was the man I ran into earlier this afternoon." Emma added.
"Well, it was certainly nice meeting you, Killian." Snow smiled, "Emma, dear, I think your father wanted to speak with you."
"I'll see you later, Emma." Killian smiled, taking her hand and pressing his signature kiss to the soft skin. Emma curtseyed before following her mother.
Killian waited for Emma, standing by the door the entire night. He watched her dance with many other men, but he could tell that she wasn't enjoying herself. After a while, he looked to the clock with a wistful sigh, deciding that he could no longer watch Emma dance with men who weren't him. So, he patiently waited under her balcony, watching for light to illuminate her balcony. Once it did, he beamed.
"Emma!" He called, trying to be quiet as possible. Emma appeared at the edge of her balcony, her hand clasping over her mouth.
"Are you out of your mind?" Emma grinned.
"No, I just had to say goodnight." Killian smiled, "What's the easiest way to climb up?"
"There isn't really an easy way—possibly the vines." Emma said, pointing to the vines that ran up the side of the palace. Killian grinned and hurried to the wall, starting up the vines carefully.
"Please don't fall."
"I'm working on it, Princess." Killian grunted as he climbed. He was able to grab onto the balcony and get a good footing, making Emma smile.
"You're crazy."
"Some call it that, I suppose." Killian grinned, slightly out of breath, "I had to see you again."
"Come tomorrow morning, when the suitors come."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. I will easily show my parents exactly who I want to court me."
"You wish for me to court you?" He beamed.
"Of course. You're the only gentleman I've met thus far."
"I'll be here." Killian nodded.
"Is it weird that I feel like I've met you before?" Emma asked.
"Maybe in a past life, love." Killian shrugged, glancing down to the ground, "I must go soon."
"Wouldn't want the guards to get you." Emma grinned.
"Goodnight, Princess."
"Goodnight, Lieutenant." Emma spoke softly as Killian leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers chastely. He carefully descended down the vines again until his feet were firmly planted on the ground. He waved up to his princess, smiling when she waved back.