A/N Sorry for the delay in updating this one. I did plan to update it sooner, but stuff got in the way. I'll try and get the next chapter up by the weekend.
A month later, Regina returned to the castle, with mixed feelings, she was sad at having to leave her father, but also excited about this opportunity.
She was shown to her chamber upon arrival. Then to the rather large room, of which she'd make the dress.
"If you do well, you could end up perminatly living here" the housekeeper told her casually, as she let Regina into the sewing room and Regina just nodded at her, as she hadn't thought about that and then she gaped at the room, which had the finest materials and everything Regina could ever need.
A long moment later, she ran her hands through the fabrics, that were laid out, on the large wooden table, not noticing Emma walk in.
"Hello Regina" Emma said, with a bright smile upon her face and her heart racing, as she had practically run to the room, after being told Regina had returned. The sight of the bruntte, also wasn't calming it.
Regina looked up and smiled widely. She had been looking forward to the princess again and seeing her now, made her feel something. That she had never experienced before.
"Hello Princess, are you well?" she asked softly and raked, her eyes over Emma's attire, of blue pants and a loose, frilly white top.
"Yes thanks and yourself?" She beamed and unconsciously stepped closer. so they were only a few feet apart.
"I am well" Regina then replied and they smiled at each other for a long moment.
"Have you decided on a style for me?" Emma then asked, licking her lips and looking to the material on the table.
"Yes, I have. Do you wish to see it?" Regina asked and moved to the drawing table, where she had placed her basket, but Emma shook her head.
"I'll wait to you finish it" she told her and Regina turned back around.
"As you wish" she then said.
"Hows your dad?" Emma then asked, whilst tilting her head at Regina.
Regina smiled at the mention of her father, she also, hadn't expected Emma to inquire about her family.
"Very well, thank you"
"Thats good"
Regina gave a nod in agreement.
"It is. I will miss him, whilst I'm here" shr then said.
"I understand" Emma quickly replied and she sighed. "Anyway, I'll let you settle in and maybe later, I will show you around if you want and you can tell me more about your father"
Regina nodded.
"That would be nice" she replied softly.
"Okay then" Emma stepped away and added "Until later then"
"Until then" Regina replied back and she wondered, if the princess was promised to anyone, but she quickly shook her head at the thought and thought no, it is none of my business nor concern.
It was early evening, when Emma began to show Regina around.
"Will your parents not be bothered, that your showing me around?" Regina asked, feeling a little out of her depth.
"No. I told them we we're going to be discussing my dress and stuff, whilst showin you around" she smirked.
"You lied to them?" Regina muttered in surprise.
"Its a white lie Regina. It's harmless"
Regina scoffed.
"You are certainly full of surprises" she then muttered and shook her head in amusement.
"And you are easy to talk too" Emma grinned goofily and this made Regina scoff again.
"Your the first person to tell me that" she then told Emma, who went a little wide eyed.
"Really!"
"Yes"
They then reached the library and Emma opens the doors and they walk in. Regina gapes, she has never seen so many books.
"Do you read?" Emma asks, as she watches Regina intently.
"Yes. I own, only three books and this…you must have hundreds here" she gestures to one of the large bookshelves and Emma shrugs.
"Yeah…you can read any you wish, while your here" she offers.
"Can I?" Regina asks in awe and surprise.
"Sure" Emma replies casually, as if its nothing and Regina, walks to the wooden shelves and scans the book titles. Emma stays close, watching her with a longing feeling. Until Regina pulls a thick brown book out of its place.
"Oh. That's a book with maps of our kingdom Emma mutters and looks at the book in Regina's hand.
"I know. I have always wondered if I have travelled everywhere there is within it" she sighs.
"Have you lived, in that village your whole life?" Emma asked curiously.
"It's my home, but I have travelled around the kingdom, for work" she swallowed and opened the book.
"I'd like to travel too but I can't freely go around the kingdom" Emma muttered and Regina looked up.
"I thought you would have seen many places" Regina says, as she tiltls her head at Emma.
"No. My parents are rather protective...I've only been, a few miles from here" she stares at the book, not meeting Regina's curcious expression.
"I see" she then frowns and looks back at the book.
As the following days passed. Regina spent many hours of the day, making the dress and was pleased to have the Princess visit her, daily.
They discussed random topics of likes, animals, their parents and of the upcoming ball. They spent evenings in the libary, as Regina was keen to look at more books, whilst Emma was just happy to see Regina smile and seem content, as she looked through the types of books that were there.
When the day came, for Emma to try on her ball dress. Emma beamed as she walked into the sewing room and saw Regina looking worried.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked, as she stepped closer to Regina, at the wooden table.
"I have concerns. That the dress, may not be to your or your parents liking" she said flatly and then looked to Emma, who just shook her head.
"I've like seen you working on it Regina and don't, you think I would of said something if I thought it wasn't right" she told her and Regina suddenly felt more at ease and said "You better put it on then"
"Okay" she smiled and picked the red dress up and went to change, behind the screen within the room, whilst Regina fiddled with her hands nervously, while she waited.
She then saw Emma stride over to the mirror, with a groofy grin her face and a long moment later, Emma said "This is like amazing Reigina" she beamed "And I'm not big on dresses, as you know"
This made Regina blush and her heart to swell. The princess looked so beautiful, wearing a dress she had made for her. This was by far the best day, of her seamstress career.
"I'm glad you like it princess...I mean Emmah" she stepped forward, behind Emma and looked at her through the mirror.
They both locked eyes and froze, looking at one another with held breaths and emotions that were confusing yet exhilarating. It seemed like the world paused as they gazed at one another longingly.
"I'm glad you like it" Regina then said a little breatlessly and the princess ducked her head, suddenly feeling bashful and her cheeks then started to flush.
She still kept her gaze down, biting her lip. As she pondered her next words and Regina watched her intently and stepped back as Emma turned herself around to face Regina a Regina saw a look of sadness upon Emma's face.
"What is wrong?" Regina asked.
"It's just...you have made this great dress and you can't even come to the ball"
Regina sighed in relief, she thought something was really wrong.
"That doesn't matter Emma. You are the Princess. I am just someone, who makes dresses"
Emma frowned.
"I just, wish you could be there, that's all" she sighed and turned to walk back behind the screen. Leaving Regina, looking surprised at the princesses statement and it took her a moment to speak.
"But you barely know me Princess" was all she could think to say back, as she stared at the screen.
"I know...but I kind of feel like I do, know you. Its a strange feeling really. I can't explain it...I know, it may be to much to ask but I want us to be close friends"
Regina blinked and immediately felt a warmth fill her chest, at Emma's words and she took four steps forward, reaching a hand out to place on the screen, but then quickly realized what she was doing and shook her head and turned away, confused.
"Are you still there?" Emma then added and she sounded a little worried.
"Yes. I am here...I...I would like that very much. I mean, us being friends" Regina said with sincerity, not seeing Emma break out into a radiant smile and as she was, about to reply, the door to the room opened...