Chapter 2

The King and Queen's castle.

"Where do you think you are going young lady?"

Emma pauses in the doorway of the grand hall with a look of disgust at being called lady. Putting on her happy face, the blonde turns to face her frantic looking mother who is currently inspecting fabric for the Princess' ball gown. "To get out of your hair?"

Squinting her eyes while raising an eyebrow, Snow scoffs and points to the nearest chair. "I do not think so, you are needed for your fitting"

Throwing her hands up, the Princess huffs. "Seriously?! You have to do this every time you get a dress made? Why can you not just have them measure one of my already made dresses and copy it?"

"Emma!" Scolding the girl for raising her voice at her mother in front of the staff, the Queen again points to the chair. "Sit down this instant!"

"But I need to-" closing her mouth, the blonde sighs looking down then walks over to the chair, glancing across at Ruby sadly who understands her predicament.

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The Mills Estate.

Strolling into the attic without knocking, Zelena stood, arms crossed, in front of the brunette who sat upon her bed while fixing the buttons to one of Neal's shirts.

"Where have you put my green dress?"

Stopping mid stitch, Regina sighs and nods towards the pile she is yet to do. "I haven't got round to it yet, you know the rules, mother's garments are fixed first then Neal's because he's the oldest.."

Glaring, the redhead scoffs. "That is a ridiculous rule! I hate being the middle child!"

Rolling her eyes, the brunette continues with the task at hand. "If you do not like this rule Zelena, you could always speak with mother, it's her rules after all"

Zelena huffs knowing that she cannot complain to their mother as she would not win. "Fine. I will just have to take one then.." Glancing around at the piles of clothes nearby, the redhead smirks lifting up a pale blue dress, knowing that it is not hers so it must be Regina's. "I'll wear this one"

Looking across, Regina's eyes widen in a panic. "No! That's mine..you can't I just..finished..you cannot take that one!"

Sniggering, the redhead walks back towards the door, dress under her arm. "I didn't ask, sis"

"But-" watching the door close, the brunette looks down to herself and her rags teary. The dress Zelena had just taken was the one she had made especially for seeing Emma. Building up her courage, Regina stands determined to get it back before heading out of bedroom and down the long flight of stairs that leads away from the distant attic. For the brunette however it still wasn't far enough.

Walking up to her mother's study, the brunette gives a sharp knock before entering.

"Regina? Why on earth are you disturbing me at this time? If you have finished the sewing, you can sort the kitchen" Cora looks up from her desk annoyed by the interruption.

"No mother, I haven't finished yet and I shall need to go to the village for some more supplies. I have come to talk to you about Zelena, she wanted her green dress but I am still working on Neal's shirt so she took one of my dresses that I need back"

Raising an eyebrow at the girl's courage, the older brunette rises from her seat, walks around the desk and past her daughter before walking out of the study, Regina following behind in confusion. Making their way to Zelena's room, Cora gives a soft knock and waits. "Zelena dear? May I come in?"

"Of course mother!"

Smiling, the older woman walks in, once again followed by her youngest. Stopping short of the redhead's bed, Cora looks over at her. "Zelena where is the dress that you borrowed from Regina?"

Looking slightly panicked as to why their mother is helping her younger sister, Zelena walks over to her wardrobe and pulls the blue dress out. "Here mother"

Pursing her lips together, Cora looks the garment up and down with a chuckle before turning towards the brunette. "I do not see a problem with Zelena having this dress, it is clearly evening attire and you never go anywhere..if anything a dress like this is too good for you"

Zelena smiles and puts the dress back into her wardrobe. "Thank you mother"

Staring at her mother crushed, Regina swallows a lump in her throat. "But..its mine...I made it.."

Cora looks at her unimpressed at her trying to argue on her mother's judgement. "Hm..who knew you could make clothes..maybe I should inform the seamstress that we no longer require their business because the idiotic child, dare I say, in our family thinks she is a better dress maker than they are! Would you like to add making your siblings their clothes on top of your other chores?!"

"No mother..."

Smirking, the older brunette walks around her before pausing at the door. "Oh and another issue I have with you...try to refrain from calling me mother. I would not like anyone on the outside know that I gave birth to this..ma'am will do"

Gulping, Regina nods slowly trying to hold back her tears then glances across at her sister who shrugs without care. Watching their mother leave, the brunette looks down and walks back downstairs to the hall to fetch her cloak and head into the village, later than planned.

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The King and Queen's Castle.

Standing on top of the podium, Emma fidgets in her dress that was being taken up for her. Pulling at the corset, the blonde looks annoyed at trying to find any room to breathe. "Mom are we finished yet? I cannot move, lord knows how you expect me to dance in this"

Snow stands from her chair where she took watch on the women mending the dress and circles her daughter, fixated on the dress to ensure it was perfect. "Why are you in such a rush? And I think we may need to add a flower on either side of the hem.."

"No! Mom no flowers!" Sighing, the Princess crosses her arms. "I do not do flowers! Please I just..I had planned to take the horse out across the fields that's all.."

Waving her hand, the dark haired woman sighs. "I think we are done for today, although I really wish you took this more seriously Emma"

Emma steps down the podium and quickly hugs her. "Love you mom!"

Pulling away, Snow scolds her. "The dress! You have pins!"

Giving a cheeky grin, the blonde turns for Ruby to untie the lace at the back so she can step out of it. Watching her daughter's face, the Queen cannot help but smile at how beautiful she has become. "Emma?"

Glancing over her shoulder, Emma looks towards her mother. "Yes?"

"I love you too"

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The Forest.

Having sped up on her journey as soon as she was out of sight of the estate and anyone in it, Regina lifts her cloak to prevent herself from falling and rushes through the forest in the hope that Emma is still there. Reaching the same clearing as when they first met, the brunette scans the area before looking between the trees and hills. Taking a deep breath, trying to steady herself from her run, Regina looks down sadly. The blonde was not there. Truth be told why would she? She had kept the woman waiting, if she had bothered to show at all, but the brunette could not blame her if she didn't because of the state she was in. She couldn't wear the blue dress she especially made for her to see. Turning around to head back towards the village, Regina smoothes her cloak back down and runs her hand through her braid, checking that it is still intact because despite her clothes, she had learnt one thing from Cora that she was now lead to believe. Appearance was everything. Wringing her hands together, the brunette steps back into the forest.

"Wait! Please!"

Freezing in her path wide eyed, Regina slowly turns around in shock upon seeing the blonde ride over at speed on her horse. Watching the green eyed woman bring her horse to a stop then climb down, the brunette lets out a small smile in disbelief.

"..Emma.."

Tying the horse up securely, Emma walks up to her with a laugh. "Still obsessed with my name I see? Or maybe it's not just my name you are obsessed with?"

Seeing the blonde raise an eyebrow playfully, Regina looks away while biting her lip embarrassed. "I..didn't know..whether you would..come"

The Princess frowns and tilts her head to face the brunette. "And why would I not have come? I said I would and I don't tend to break my promises"

Nodding, Regina looks over again, this time taking in the blonde's appearance. "Am I keeping you from attending somewhere?"

"Sorry? Oh.." Looking down at her deep purple dress with the unfortunate puffed sleeves at the shoulders, Emma shakes her head. "I was...somewhere but I didn't feel like changing into my riding attire..especially as I knew I was late to meet you.." Giving a brief smile, the Princess goes and stands beside the brunette. "Shall we walk?"

Simply nodding, Regina offers a smile in return and begins to walk alongside her. "How long have you lived here?"

"Unfortunately, all my life. It is not that I do not like the Kingdom it is just..I want to venture out and experience different places..I heard Arendelle is quite nice, especially in the winter"

"Yes, that would be nice to see the world..to be free"

Pausing their walk, Emma looks across at her as if trying to read her mind. "May I ask what it is you do?"

Suddenly becoming very self conscious at the question, Regina covers her middle with her arms as if trying to prevent the blonde from seeing her rags. "I..well..I suppose I'm what you would call a..house maid?"

The Princess smiles and bumps her shoulder playfully to lighten the mood having noticed how tensed up the brunette had become. "Do not be ashamed Regina, you have a job..that means you are a hard worker and do not take from the Kingdom as many people do. I..admire you for it"

Despite the caring compliment, the brunette looks down, struggling on how to tell the woman, if she should, that it is not quite as it seems. "It is not..really a job..as such..I mean I do not get paid or anything..I just..do it"

Taking Regina's arm disgusted at what she has just heard, Emma questions her. "They do not pay you? Who on earth makes you work like that and do not give you a penny? I think I shall have a word with my father about this!"

Glancing down to her arm, the brunette then looks at the blonde sadly. "There is nothing you can do Emma and I very much doubt that your father could help me either"

Looking annoyed, the Princess sighs, releasing her arm. "It is not right. You should not be treated this way"

"I appreciate your concern, truly but I am fine with what I do..it makes the time pass quicker so there is less chance of me thinking of what I haven't got and what I could have"

"Regina what is it that you want? That you do not have? Maybe I could be of assistance?"

Chuckling, Regina clasps her hands together before looking towards the hills. "I doubt that..there are only two things I wish for in life Emma..I am not a greedy person for I thought everyone deserves to experience it once in their lifetime. What I want is..freedom..and...love"

Stepping towards her, the blonde takes hold of her hands within her own, covering them protectively. "Well maybe I could assist you with one..and the other shall follow?"

Staring at her green eyes, the brunette gulps silently. "Emma..I..." Looking towards their hands, Regina suddenly comes to her senses and pulls away. "I need to leave, I am due home.."

"Of course.." Emma looks away sadly and heads back towards her horse as the pair walk silently to where they first met.

Watching her cautiously, Regina pouts a little as the blonde mounts her horse and twists the reigns tightly around her hands so she does not lose grip. Looking ahead in thought, the Princess tries not to look teary. "Goodbye Regina.."

Inhaling sharply, the brunette steps up to the horse and looks up in hope towards the green eyed woman who she has grown attached to already in the short space of time in knowing her. "Emma? May I see you again?.."

Blinking a couple of times, the blonde then glances down seeing the look of hope and fear within the woman's dark eyes. Gradually letting out a reassuring smile, Emma nods. "Same time, same place?"

Regina smiles brightly. "Same time, same place" stroking the horse's nose, the brunette then steps back so the Princess can ride off. "Goodbye Emma"

Biting her lip, wondering whether to test the waters, Emma grins to herself as she goes for it. "Goodbye beautiful.." Riding off before the other woman can stop her, the blonde was not able to witness the extreme look of happiness across the brunette's face nor realize that she had actually just made Regina's day.

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The King and Queen's Castle.

Hastily walking down the corridor, Emma knocks on the double doors then walks in, seeing her father sat at the round meeting table that he uses for when the members of the Kingdom join to solve any recent crisis with the King.

"Dad?"

Looking up from a map he was marking on, preparing for his next journey of business, David smiles seeing his daughter. "My Princess..your mother informed me you went for a ride?"

Smiling back, the blonde nods then walks over and leans against the table to look at the map her father had drawn out. "That far again dad? Why do you never take business nearer home?"

Placing an arm around her shoulder, seeing the sad look upon her face, the King gives her a squeeze. "Because my dear girl, we need to ensure that we do not just have other villages but other Kingdoms on our side.

Emma pouts then sighs. "I need your help.."

Gesturing for them to sit, David pulls a chair out for both of them. Sitting and facing his daughter, the King looks concerned. "Emma, what is it?"

Fiddling with her hands, the blonde looks towards her father. "I know this may not be my place but I have recently made a friend..while riding and the conditions she works in are dreadful. I was wondering if there was any way we could intervene? She works but she does not get paid"

"Right, well where does she work? Do you know the employers name?"

Looking down, the Princess shakes her head. "No.."

"Emma you and I both know there is nothing we can do unless we have all the information, now I am proud that you have taken an interest in other peoples situations within the Kingdom but I cannot help, not unless I know who and where"

"I am meeting her again, I shall find out for you. Please when I have it, will you at least try? I do not wish to see her suffer anymore"

David nods while taking in the blonde's worried expression. Maybe she cares for this friend a little more than she is letting on.

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The Mills Estate.

After finishing off all the sewing, Regina ended up in the kitchen as requested by Cora. Kneeling down to the floor, the brunette looks fed up as she reaches for the sponge in the tin bucket and begins to scrub the tiles.

"If only you would bow down to us more often?" Walking through the kitchen, Zelena walks around her sister and smirks. "You're best suited down there dear"

Gritting her teeth, the brunette attempts to ignore the redhead and continue scrubbing.

"I have a gift for you, do you not want it?"

Sighing, Regina pauses then sits back on her heels to look up. "What is it Zelena?"

"This dress I took, it's too big..I guess it was made to measure?"

"Do not patronize me." The brunette glares then watches as her sister shows her the blue dress which was suppose to be worn for Emma.

"Anyway I thought you might like it back?" Zelena raises an eyebrow in anticipation of Regina's answer.

Rising to her feet, the brunette reaches across to take it back but does not stand a chance as the redhead drops it straight into the bucket of dirty water.

"Oops" laughing, Zelena leaves her sister to it, before returning shortly on the arm of Neal as the pair laugh at Regina knelt on the floor like a slave. Trying to block them out, the brunette sniffles and wipes her brow with her arm as she continues cleaning the floor.

A/N: thank you all for your responses! :)