Chapter 4

Killian POV

He walked through the main entrance of the palace with wonder in his eyes. Never, in his 15 years had he ever seen a home so magnificent and, well, just huge. The entryway itself was bigger than is home.

"Killian, I'm sure you must be tired, so we can take you straight to your room if you'd like. Or we can have Emma show you around?" The queen stated.

"I would love to see your palace, your majesty. Her highness has had a long journey as well, so if the princess wishes to retire for the night I would understand."

"Oh, I'm too excited to be home to sleep. Of course I'll show him around."

"Go ahead and do that dear, we will have some clothes brought to his room. He shall be staying in the 3rd room on the left of the north hall," she hugged her daughter, "After he is settled in we can talk about your trip. Come to our room when you finish." Looking back to Killian and hugging him she said, "Goodnight, young man. It is a pleasure to have met you. Things will get better, just never lose hope."

"We will see you soon, honey." The king said, he nodded in Kilian's direction, "Mr. Jones. Have a goodnight and we shall see you in the morning." He watched them walk away hand in hand in the opposite direction as Emma came and stood next to him. He looked down at her and saw her watching them longingly.

"I want to love someone the way they love each other. It's True Love."

"I didn't know there was such a thing. I've never actually seen it, until now." Once he had learned their names, all the stories he had heard ran through his mind. The stories of The Evil Queen hunting down Snow White and placing her under a sleeping curse, and Prince Charming awakening her with True Loves kiss. He had not yet been born when it all took place, but stories as great as theirs last forever.

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SNOW POV

She took her husband's hand as they walked down the hall towards their room. She was excited to see that Emma had a new friend in the kingdom. Most of hers were in different kingdoms, and even though she was able to see them regularly with the royal balls the families all held, it would be nice to see her have someone close to spend time with.

"How old did he say he was?" Charming asked her.

"I believe 14."

"Hmph, he seems like a nice kid, but I want to keep an eye on him for a while until we know we can trust him."

"Oh, Charming don't worry. Didn't you see how excited Emma was to have a friend here? I don't want her to be lonely."

"I don't either, but he is 14 and she is only 12."

"Oh, Charming, she will be fine. They are going to be good friends."

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EMMA POV

As soon as her parents turned the corner she looked at Killian, "Come on!" and took off at a run. He followed behind her and she stopped as they came to the first room, "This is the dining hall. It's one of the biggest rooms in the palace other than the council room and the ball room. It's also the easiest room to get to. All 4 of the main corridors lead to this one room. It was made that way so it was hard to get lost."

She could see the look on his face as he took it all in, looking in every direction as not to miss anything. He walked over to one of the paintings on the wall, it was one of her favorites. It was an abstract of a man embracing a woman in dance, using every color that you could think of, "That's my favorite in the whole palace."

"This is amazing, your highness." He whispered, "The man resembles your father."

She laughed and walked up to it and tilted her head this way and that,

"Yes, I suppose it does a bit. Come on, there's loads more to see." He followed her throughout the entire castle. She took him to the kitchens where they snuck a piece of pie that had been leftover from dessert. Killian said it was the greatest thing he'd ever tasted. From the kitchens they moved to the servants housing, she didn't like calling them servants, though. She knew every one of them by name. They walked by the room that held portraits of her past family members, and suits of armor. They then moved to the gardens.

All the flowers and trees that you could imagine were in that garden, "My mom always came here when she was pregnant with me. I think that's why I like it here so much."

"It's very quiet." He said taking in a deep breath of the fresh air, hinted with the fresh scent of flowers.

Watching him take everything in had been a sight. She had shown people around her home before, but it was usually her friends, each of whom had a palace of their own that they lived in. He had never set foot inside a castle, according to him.

"Would you like me to show you where you will be sleeping? I know you must be tired." He'd been through a lot today, and the night was getting late.

"That would be fine, your highness," he said stretching out his back, "I suppose I am very tired."

"Follow me." They walked back through the rest of the garden and through a doorway that would lead to the corridor he would be sleeping in. "Your room isn't very far away from mine. I'm just at the end of the opposite hall." They walked past several doors, and she stopped in front of one, "Ok, third door on the left, this is you."

She opened the door and let him inside the room, "Someone will come get you in the morning for breakfast if you feel ok. We will also have you examined by a doctor to see if you are well after everything today."

"Thank you, your highness. You have shown me such kindness. I won't forget everything your family has done for me, and I will repay them. One day."

"Killian, please call me Emma, and don't worry about a thing. We are glad to have you."

And she walked out and shut his door with a smile.

KILLIAN POV

As soon as she shut to door, he tested her name, "Emma.." He smiled and crossed the room to the bed, he lay his head back on the pillow, closed his eyes, and was immediately asleep.

AN: sorry this one took a little longer, work has been busy. I have had quite a few favorites and followers and that makes me very excited, this story had been in my head for a while. Anyway, after the next chapter things will start moving pretty quickly and I am excited to get to the main idea:). Review and let me know if you have ideas or questions!

PS. I haven't decided if there will be any fluff later on in the story that will change the rating, I will post at the beginning of that chapter if there is