Chapter 6
Practically being pulled towards the apple tree outside, Regina looked around worried due to the blonde's strange behaviour. "What is going on Emma? What's wrong? You're worrying me!"
Hearing the panic within the Queen's voice, the princess stops walking and turns to look at her, still holding onto the brunette's arm. "Like I said we need to talk. Or more so I need to talk and you..you're going to listen because this whole thing has been a huge mess!"
Emma pauses, taking a shaky breath before looking into Regina's concerned eyes. "What happened before, should never of happened that way and yes right now I think our friendship is more or less broken but that is why I asked you out here. To fix it. I should never have ran away because I wanted it so much like you wouldn't believe, but I panicked...you were sad and I thought what if you regretted it, I couldn't live with that and I didn't want it to end up all awkward but it has anyway! no matter how you feel about what happened then or now, I need you to know how much you mean to me, how much I have grown to love you in more ways than one and I am completely and utterly in love with you..that I.." Seeing the tears form in the Queen's eyes and not knowing what else to say, the princess decides to act on it instead. Taking hold of the brunette's face, Emma strokes her cheek with her thumb before leaning in for a kiss.
Regina kisses back tenderly and has to take hold of the blonde's arms to steady herself from falling. After a moment, she pulls back but rests her forehead against Emma's before giving a small chuckle. "It's about time..."
The princess smiles staring into her eyes and rubs their noses together. "Better late than never.."
The Queen slides her hands down Emma's arms to around the blonde's waist and pulls her in for another soft, heartfelt kiss. Kissing back, Emma loops her arms around Regina's back to keep her close. When air becomes an issue, both women pull apart and look at one another lovingly. Reaching up and brushing a blonde curl behind the princess' ear, the Queen smiles with a hint of playfulness. "I think now would be the time to tell you that I am also completely and utterly in love with you too"
Emma smiles shyly prompting the brunette to take her hand and lift it up to place a small kiss on the back.
"I also think we may need to get back inside before either of our mothers send out a search party, given that we only came out here to talk and have disappeared on more than one occasion this evening"
Nodding, the blonde heads back inside with the brunette. "My mother may..already know about this. I have not really been myself recently and she was worried and asked me when I came home that day...I had to tell her"
The Queen grips her hand. "Emma it's okay..although if it is okay with you, I'd rather we not go public until I have spoken with mine...you know how she can be"
Turning to face her, the princess smiles at her. "That's fine by me if what you are saying is that we are now together?"
Regina raises an eyebrow with a teasing smile and pulls the blonde closer. "Well what do you think?"
Cupping her cheek, Emma grins. "I think that we are or at least we both want to be. I know we have a lot to discuss but we can do this"
Pecking the princess' lips, the Queen steps back again so they can re enter the ballroom. "Then yes we are dear and we can do all that later, right now I want to enjoy the rest of the night as I was not really having the best of time before...too busy thinking if you were coming or even talking to me"
The blonde strokes her arm then heads back inside having the Queen immediately guided away to talk among other guests.
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Strolling up to the table where her mother is, Emma sits herself down beside the patiently waiting woman as the dark hair Queen looked towards her daughter to see what she has to say. "...well?"
The princess turned to her mother and slowly smiles. "It went well..."
Snow sighs, rolling her eyes at her daughters vague answer. "And?"
Emma bites her lip already feeling embarrassed and shy even at the mention of it. "She feels the same"
Leaning across, the Queen smiles while hugging the blonde tightly. "I am so happy that you have finally found someone!"
"Thanks mom..you know with her I finally get it, how you and dad feel. It's pretty amazing"
"What is this I hear? Young Emma has finally found herself someone to marry?"
The princess pulls back from her mother's hug and looks towards the bitter brunette. Snow beams knowing that Cora will hate it and gives her a smug smile. "Yes she has actually!"
Emma's eyes widen and mutters to her. "Mom..." Giving her mom a head shake, Snow realizes and stops talking.
Cora raises an eyebrow looking between the women. "My guess is that is it someone here considering when you first turned up Emma, you looked more like you were heading to a funeral than a ball"
"I..well.." The princess sighs because she is terrible at lying, then usually babbles a load of nonsense so decides to be partly honest. "Yes..you're right but that is all I am going to say, I do not wish to jinx it after all"
The older brunette doesn't look impressed and nods before walking away in disappointment.
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As the ball drew to a close and everyone had started to part ways, Regina was preparing herself to say goodbye to Emma. It was always the hardest part of the visit, however she hated it now even more so as they had only just admitted how they felt towards one another and she hardly got the chance to spend any decent time with the princess due to talking among other guests.
Stepping out onto the steps leading to their carriage, Snow bid farewell and carried on ahead to give them a moment alone. Turning towards the brunette, Emma gives a sad smile. "I hate this part..."
The Queen nods and reaches out fiddling with the tie on the blonde's cloak, ensuring that it is done up properly to prevent the cold touching her skin. "Me too but we will see each other soon"
"Yes but how soon?" The princess looks down slightly and takes one of Regina's hands.
The brunette links their fingers and purses her lips together. "What if I came to you?"
Emma looks up in shock. "Regina you can't, you have your duties.."
The Queen shakes her head. "I am sure the kingdom would survive a day or so without me..besides I owe you so much more. You always welcomed me when I was young and then mother had her own ideas leading to me never being able to visit. I want to come"
The blonde resumes her usual grin gaining a chuckle from Regina. Wrapping her arms around her neck, the princess hugs her Queen tightly and whispers in her ear. "I love you"
Allowing a huge smile to spread across her face, the brunette plants a kiss to Emma's shoulder as the woman had buried her head into her. "I love you too"
Reluctantly pulling away, the princess makes her way down the steps before returning to the spot next to the Queen and kisses her quick then runs back down holding her dress as she goes.
Regina smiles in a daze touching a finger to her lips missing the contact already. Sighing contently, she watches the blonde reach the carriage then remembers what she had not done. "Emma?!"
Turning to look up at the Queen standing tall in front of her castle, Emma looks curious. The brunette gives a little smirk and gestures with her head. "You look so pretty in that dress"
Smiling cheekily, the princess bows her head in thanks and enters the carriage to head home.
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Sat within her chambers, Regina cannot keep the smile off of her face as she brushes her hair in the mirror. She just had probably the best birthday ever. She had finally fell in love and was loved back. Right now it was the best feeling in the world despite missing the princess already.
Hearing a knock upon her door, the brunette glanced through her mirror as her mother entered the room.
"Regina, your ball was a success in more ways than one tonight. You were actually acting the part for once and the guests seemed to understand how much of a role I have taken on within the kingdom"
Gritting her teeth, the Queen took a silently breath at her mother's torment. "Yes mother..I am pleased for you"
Cora smiles proudly and continues into the room, placing herself at the foot of her daughter's bed near Regina's stool. "Not to mention the young princess finally on her way to marriage"
Regina frowns, looking confused and places her brush down. "Mother what are you talking about?"
Knowing it would pain her daughter to lose her friend, Cora smirks while watching her daughter stand. "Why Emma of course dear? She was in conversation with her mother. Practically glowing! She then admitted to me that she had found someone. Snow looked rather relieved if you ask me"
The Queen hides a smile as she makes her way over to her bed. "Oh? That is good news, she deserves to be happy"
"Hmm..at least she has not got the worry of being not wanted like others" glancing over at Regina, the older brunette pats her leg.
Looking insulted, the brunette frowns. "What is that suppose to mean?"
Cora shakes her head. "Come on dear, we both know you've had your chance..and unfortunately the king..well he's dead which means you are going to alone for the rest of your life"
Regina sighs frustrated. "That is not entirely true mother..."
The woman scoffs. "Please Regina, you and I both know that once you are married, that is it"
"No its not. I am not going to just give up on being happy because my husband who I was forced to marry, died!"
Cora looks over surprised at her daughter arguing back. "Happy? You are living in a dream world child! No one will want to love or marry you when all you are is second place!"
The Queen gets up in fury and marches over to the door, opening it. "Get out of my chambers now!"
The older brunette raises an eyebrow and gets up, walking towards her daughter. "You are only upset because I am right"
Regina glares at her face on. "No you are not right! You know why? Because I have found someone who loves me and who I love. I will be happy!"
Cora rolls her eyes. "If you are so loved, where are they? How comes I have never met them?"
The Queen takes a deep breath. "You have met her..."
With her eyes widening, the older brunette stares at her daughter. "Her?"
Regina smirks at her mother. "Emma"
Cora's face drops in shock at the revelation that her daughter is in love with the princess of the family she despises.
Feeling more confident, the brunette leans close to her mother's ear. "Now. Get. Out."
A/N: yay for the Queen and Princess! Are you guys still with me?