Chapter 6
The morning of the ball dawned bright and beautiful, very fitting for a royal gala. Emma Swan paid it little attention, however, as she sat hunched over the long table steadily working through the pile of books stacked in front of her.
Wavy, blonde hair obscured her strong jaw and light green eyes set beneath a furrowed brow. A frustrated sigh escaped full lips as she closed the book she was currently studying and added it to the large pile on her left. Dexterous fingers reached for the nearest book from the smaller pile on her right and dropped it onto the clear space in front of her. Long, strong arms rose above her head and a low pop sounded as she stretched out the kinks in her neck and shoulders before returning to her tedious task.
Every day after breakfast, she scoured the shelves for anything that might prove useful in her search for Regina. Maps, books, and scrolls all lay scattered across the table behind her. Most, like the one she'd just discarded, were completely useless. Others, however, had provided valuable insight into the world she now found herself. Those she had set aside to study in more detail.
Her hope for a successful outcome diminished with every text she read.. The brief glimpses she'd caught of the horrors within the Wilderness alone were enough to raise the hairs on the back of her neck and send chills down her spine. She had made a promise to her… their son, however, that she would find his other mother. While the search had been postponed due to the upcoming ball, she had every intention of carrying out that promise as soon as possible.
The dull thud of approaching footsteps permeated the silence as a servant in yellow knickers and a black coat and tails set over a dark gold vest entered the library. Emma still thought it was a dorky uniform and resisted the urge to roll her eyes as he bowed deeply. She had liked it so much better when they didn't know who she was.
"Your Highness, the Queen has sent me to remind you that the festivities are set to begin within the hour."
Surprised green eyes shot to the only clock in the room located over the mantle of the fire place. Not wanting to tire herself out before the party, she'd skipped her weapons practice after lunch and had decided to spend the extra time going through the remaining books she'd pulled from the shelves that morning. She'd been so engrossed in her task that she hadn't even felt the hours slipping away. Now it was nearing five o'clock and she hadn't even begun to get ready.
Luckily, she'd been able to talk Snow out of making her wear that monstrosity of a dress that would have required four maids and a couple of hours just to get her into. She would have preferred to go in pants and a jacket, but the simple dress she and the brunette had finally settled on wasn't half bad. She couldn't deny she looked pretty damn good in it, too.
Quickly, she marked the page she was on and straightened up the table as best she could. She didn't bother to put anything away as she grabbed her notes and headed towards the doors; no on seemed to mind that she'd claimed all available table space, with the exception of the large desk.
Snow and Charming had begun to school both Henry and herself in the ways of royalty. Recalling one of those lessons now, she turned back to the tall man with bright blue eyes and long black hair slicked into a low ponytail.
"Thank you... Rupert," she hesitated on the name slightly. There were hundreds of servants throughout the castle and it was going to take her a while to learn all their names. "Could you tell the Queen I'm on my way now to get ready?"
"Of course, my lady," he said with another low bow.
The blonde wasn't sure she'd ever really get use to all the bowing and formalities, but she didn't seem to have much choice in the matter.
Emma paced in front of the large ornate doors as the three other occupants of the otherwise empty corridor watched on. The dark red dress twisted and swirled around her long legs with every turn while thin off the shoulder sleeves and a square neck line showed off a fair amount of skin without being risqué. The bead-work that once covered the bodice had been removed and the puffy skirt had been smoothed down to a slight flair at her hips. Snow had lamented the changes to her dress, but Emma was not a fan of frill and had held strong until the other woman relented.
Long, curly hair was pulled up and back, but still hung around her shoulders in golden waves. Make-up lightly dusted over angular features to accentuate bright green eyes and full, red lips. A simple teardrop diamond necklace and matching earrings were the only jewelry she wore, while black sandals with a low heel completed the outfit.
"Emma, relax. Everything is going to be fine," Snow White's soft voiced soothed as a delicate hand encased in long silk gloves gently gripped her arm; effectively holding the blonde in place.
Emma stopped and took in the shorter woman at her side. A thin golden crown lay atop a fashionable pile of dark brown hair, while the broad amethyst necklace that sat against the hollow of her throat matched the sleeveless lavender dress she wore. Delicate beading of gold and pearl flowed across the top in an intricate floral pattern that tapered off as it reached the ruffled skirt. With Charming behind her in his gold accented blue jacket and thick gold crown atop his head, they looked every bit the happy royal couple they were.
"But I don't even know how to be a… a princess," she protested.
"Snow is right," Charming's low voice broke in. "Nothing happens without a reason. One day soon I'll tell you how I became king. Maybe then you'll understand why we both have so much confidence in you."
She had no idea what he was talking about, but before she had a chance to question him further, a light tap sounded against the door signaling it was time to begin. Charming shot her a quick wink as he wrapped Snow's free arm around his and led her to a spot just in front of the doors.
Emma watched as their eyes locked and a moment of stillness settled around them where they saw nothing but the love they shared. She had witnessed similar occasions in Storybrooke, but those had always been dimmed in some way by "David's"complicated relationship with Kathryn. Now, however, they were able to express themselves freely and did so... often.
She had teased them mercilessly in the Real World for their teenage like behavior. Secretly, however, she had longed to share moments like that with someone. Several times over the last few months, the blonde thought she'd caught Regina watching her with that same look of love and devotion on her face. Where Charming's was steady and pure, hers had always been mixed with fear that she was quick to hide as soon as green eyes met brown. Emma realized now that the older woman must have feared her reaction to the truth.
A small hand sliding into hers brought Emma out of her reverie. She glanced down and couldn't help but smile at the look of pure excitement reflected in wide, green eyes and large grin aimed her way.
Henry had literally danced for joy when Emma and Snow had informed him of the ball and all that it meant. His eagerness had waned slightly through all the fittings and etiquette lessons, but had never dimmed completely. Even this morning he had nearly vibrated out of his chair as they ate breakfast.
A loud voice broke through the silence drawing everyone's attention on both sides to the thick doors.
"Presenting His Majesty, King James and Her Royal Highness, Queen Snow White."
Thunderous applause echoed down the stone corridor as the doors opened and the royal couple stepped through. As instructed, Emma and Henry had gone down a smaller hallway in order to stay out of sight of the awaiting crowd until the doors were once again shut. She squeezed the small hand still in hers before leading him to the recently vacated spot to wait for their turn.
Fluttering butterflies filled her stomach and her heart pounded in her chest as she nervously readjusted her dress. While her outfit was beginning to feel tight and restricting, Henry seemed perfectly relaxed in his formal clothing.
His outfit was similar to Charming's, but his jacket was a deep forest green and the trim around his wrists and along the lapel was silver instead of gold. She resisted the urge to chuckle as the young boy puffed out his chest and stood straighter in an attempt to appear taller as that same voice once again broke the silence.
"Now presenting Miss Emma Swan and young Master Henry."
Large doors once again opened and Emma's eyes threatened to bug out of her head as the large circular banquet hall was revealed to her for the first time. Stained glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling and the fading light streaming through them painted the room in a colorful mosaic. Candles hung suspended in mid air further illuminating the hundreds of clapping people now watching them.
This is not 'small'.
She plastered a smile across her lips and concentrated on not tripping as she and Henry made their way down the cleared path to the marble dais set in the center of the room. Several familiar faces peered back at her from the crowd, easing some of tension in her muscles. She made a mental note to find them after the official ceremony, Red and Gepetto especially.
Snow White and James beamed with pride as she and Henry joined them on the raised platform. A tall black man dressed in white and gold linen patiently waited to begin the ceremony. Emma knew that they had no official religion here, but she couldn't help thinking that the man was dressed like the Pope.
Large hands rose slightly and the crowd immediately quieted. His deep voice sounded clearly through the now silent room.
"Lord and Ladies, we have come here today to celebrate not only our return to this wonderful world we call 'home', but to share in the joy of a family once torn apart now made whole again."
Emma watched as light tears trekked silently down Snow's cheeks. Even Charming's blue eyes seemed suspiciously bright. The large smiles on their faces, however, told her that they were tears of joy and happiness and not ones of sorrow.
Her vision blurred briefly before she was able to push back her own tears. She'd spent her entire life searching for her parents and now here she was. It was all so very overwhelming. She only lacked one vital piece to complete her happiness, but now was not the time to worry about that. Tomorrow would be soon enough.
The officiator's words about the importance of friends and family all ran together in her mind until it became a gentle white noise. So it was a complete surprise when Henry stepped forward and knelt as Charming placed a simple silver crown atop his head.
The small boy returned to his place at her side as everyone's eyes now turned to her.
"Emma Swan, please step forward and kneel so that you might be crowned as well."
She stepped forward and knelt before the King and Queen, her parents. James placed another silver crown, similar to the one Henry now wore, upon her head and held out his hand to assist her up. She shot him a grateful smile as she accepted his help before stepping back into her previous position.
The official nodded his head and the four of them turned to face the crowd.
"It is my great honor to officially present to all those standing here before us, Crown Princess Emma and Prince Henry."
Every head dipped as those gathered bowed out of respect and loyalty. The applause that followed was deafening in it's intensity as they cheered for the newest members of the royal family.
From her vantage point, Emma watched as a split formed at the back of the crowd and continued forward towards the spot she and her family stood. The applause died slowly as others became aware of the lone, dark figure nearing the dais. Silence thick with tension settled over the hall as the last of the crowd parted to reveal a woman with pale skin, bright red lips, and flashing brown eyes.
"My, my. Such a… sweet family reunion I seem to have interrupted."
Emma barely recognized her, but there was no mistaking that voice.
Regina.
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to update. I suffered a mild case of writer's block and it took me FOREVER to get past. I may have also gotten addicted to Castleville on Facebook. It was mostly writer's block, though. I swear. Hopefully, it was worth the wait and, hopefully, you won't have to wait long for the next chapter. I'll try to post it early to make it up to you all because you really are the best. As always, let me know what you think and thanks for reading. Knowing that someone other than myself likes this story is what keeps me writing.