Chapter 3

The King and Queen's Castle.

"Ruby, what do you think of this dress?"

The tall, brunette. maid looks over from making the Princess' bed with a smile. "I would say, it is very nice and possibly appealing to your young brunette friend..also I would say thank you Princess for asking of my opinion" Ending with a smirk, Ruby watches as the blonde rolls her eyes.

"Very funny and you know that I see you more as a friend Ruby, you opinion counts. Seriously..would this come across too dressy? Last time, she commented on my attire and I want to look nice in case she notices again" Emma gives a coy smile and holds the dress up against herself.

"I stick with my previous statement, you have got it bad" seeing the Princess pout, the maid laughs. "Wear the dress"

Disappearing briefly behind her screens, Emma slips the dress on over her under garments then stands at her vanity to brush through her hair, staring through the mirror while Ruby ties up the back for her. "Do you really think I stand a chance...with Regina I mean?"

Looking over the blonde's shoulder, Ruby looks serious. "Emma, you are a Princess, how could she not?"

Sighing sadly, Emma turns around once the maid has finished to face her. "Because of what you just said. I do not want anyone liking me for the sake of my title. There is more to me behind the crown, which is why she does not know yet of who I am..no not who I am, but where I belong"

"Are you going to ever tell her?"

"When the time is right..when I am sure that..she is the woman I hope she is to be and I already think she is halfway there. Honestly Ruby, she is unbelievable"

Rubbing the blonde's shoulders, the maid nods towards the door. "You better get going, otherwise you will be late"

Emma gives the girl a quick hug before heading out of her chambers and down towards the kitchen to collect her basket from Granny. Walking down the steps, the blonde smiles on view and takes the ready and waiting basket off of the small table. "Thank you Granny though you needn't go to such trouble"

"Nonsense Princess, I could not let you leave empty handed" Granny quickly walks around the table and adds an extra package for a treat.

Clutching at the handle with both hands, the Princess looks towards the door. "Granny if you are to see my mother at any point can you inform her that I am with a friend please"

"Of course my dear, now go have some fun before the real work starts"

The blonde rolls her eyes at the hidden mention of her being Queen then smiles, also giving the older woman a hug before ascending the stairs to make her way out of the castle building and towards the stables.

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The Forest.

Riding up to their usual point, Emma climbed off of her horse and tied him to the nearest tree before turning back for the picnic basket. Having arrived early to prepare, the Princess then sat upon the grass and waited for the brunette to appear. Racing towards the clearing right on schedule, Regina stopped herself from toppling and stood before the blonde, staring with wide eyes at the surrounding area. "What is all this?"

Shifting to her knees, the Princess smiles. "I thought we could..eat..while we talk"

"Oh.." Looking at her, the brunette attempts a smile but appears to be somewhat shaken.

Staring up at her, Emma frowns noticing a change in the woman's appearance. "Regina?" Quickly rising to her feet, the blonde steps towards her in concern. "What has happened to your face?"

Realizing that it is now noticeable, Regina hastily places a hand over her cheek to cover the red mark that has formed. "Oh..this..it's nothing"

Removing the brunette's hand, the Princess turns the woman's face by her chin to look. "Someone hit you...who was it? Was this your employer?"

"it's not important"

Sighing, Emma drops her hand and resumes her position on the grass looking sad. "Why won't you let me help you? I told you my father could-"

"Could what?! There is nothing either you or him can do! This is my problem Emma" Regina watches the blonde then sighs at clearly upsetting her as the Princess looks away. Joining her on the grass, the brunette sits beside her. "You know..this stuff happens sometimes when..well you're middle class..I am a servant and sometimes I do not do the right thing and therefore I am punished"

Still not facing her, Emma grits her teeth angrily. "No one should be treated that way"

Biting her lip, the brunette begins to fiddle with the hem of her cloak. "Emma, she's my mother..."

Turning around, the blonde looks shocked. "Your mother?"

Nodding slowly, Regina takes a deep breath before explaining. "I..live with my mother and I have one brother and one sister whom my mother adores and gives anything to. Then..there's me, the disappointment. The what you would call, 'runt of the litter'. She didn't use to be so bad when my father was alive but when he died..it all went downhill. I was moved up to the attic so my room could be split between my siblings, so they could extend their own rooms. Lately..though its..it's getting worse. If I don't have dinner ready on time or I go somewhere without permission..then I am given extra chores. I never leave the house unless it's to collect supplies from the village..and the other day she insisted that I call her ma'am and not mother because god forbid that anyone actually knows I'm her daughter"

Emma looks teary having listened to the whole story then hesitantly wraps an arm around the brunette's shoulders. "She should not be allowed to...that is terrible. You deserve so much more..you are not a disappointment"

Regina bites on her lip to prevent her lip trembling, leaning into the Princess. "Yes I am..look at me Emma, I'm a mess..a no good slave"

"That is not what I see..I see a woman that yes may need help but underneath it all, there is a caring, strong and extremely beautiful woman" the blonde looks at her in hope that she actually listens.

Staring back in amazement, the brunette gives a small smile, once again mesmerized by the Princess' eyes. "You..you really believe that?"

Watching her closely, Emma smiles back then leans over stroking a wispy bit of hair that had escaped the woman's braid behind her ear. "Yes.."

Launching herself across, Regina hugs the blonde tightly, clinging to her back as if her life depended on it. Smiling more, the Princess hugs back just as tight then remembers what the brunette had said. Pulling back, she takes hold of the woman's arms, looking at her. "Do you need to leave? I mean if your mother.."

"No. Fortunately she has taken my siblings away for the night..something about formal attire. They have however left me with a mountain load of chores.."

Thinking for a moment, Emma quickly stands and begins to pack up their picnic. Looking worried at the fact that the blonde may have had a change of heart, Regina rises from her position. "What are you doing?"

"Helping you, two pairs of hands are faster than one..I have my horse, we can get there quicker.."

Reaching for the Princess' hand, the brunette shakes her head fiercely. "Emma no, I am not having you work in such way..and especially in that dress"

The blonde raises an eyebrow at this then becomes embarrassed at her comment. Regina smiles playfully while walking up to the woman's horse. "You think I didn't notice?"

Keeping her head down going red, Emma also walks up to her horse. "I..erm.."

"Want to know a secret?"

Glancing up, the Princess nods with an intrigued look.

Giving a coy smile, Regina steps forward to quietly tell her. "I may have made a dress that I wanted to wear..for you but then my sister stole it and threw it in the dirty water.."

Gasping, Emma looks annoyed again then mounts her horse before holding a hand out to the woman stood below. "I am not taking no for an answer"

Rolling her eyes, the brunette accepts her hand and climbs on behind her before informing her as to where they need to go.

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The Mills Estate.

Leaving her horse by the barn, Emma follows Regina around to the front of the house then steps inside. "You have a lovely home..."

The brunette chuckles then screws her face while shaking her head. "Lovely? Come with me.." Taking her hand, Regina leads the Princess up to her sisters room revealing the walls to be a disgusting lime green.

"Oh wow..okay that is a lot..of green" laughing, the blonde squeezes Regina's hand lightly. "What about..your room? You said you was in the attic"

Biting her lip, the brunette then takes Emma up the next flight of stairs and opens the old, worn out, creaky, wooden door before revealing a large airy space with wooden planks as a floor and a single bed. "..I don't..own much..but I like being up here"

"Why is that?"

Pulling on her hand again, Regina takes the Princess over to her small square window and points outside to the large elegant building in the distance. Emma's face drops before she clears her throat feeling awkward at what the woman is pointing at. "...the castle?"

"Yes..I have always imagined what it would be like to visit there or stay there..don't you?"

Giving a nervous chuckle, the blonde lets go of the brunette's hand and scratches her arm through nerves. "..I guess but you know, I think it's not all it's cracked up to be.."

"Well it is better than here.."

Looking over sadly, Emma merely nods then follows Regina down to the kitchen which is completely stacked with dirty dishes and soot all over the floor from the fire. "This is what I have to do.."

"Okay then.." Playfully bumping her, the Princess smiles while rolling the sleeves up on her dress then tying her blonde locks into a loose ponytail. "Better get to work!"

Regina watches in awe as the blonde gets stuck into the dishes and bites her lip when she notices Emma give a confused look at the brush in her hand. "That..is for the pots and pans..I use the sponge for the plates and cutlery"

"Oh..." Grinning through the embarrassment, Emma begins to wash the plates with the sponge.

After about an hour, both women sigh as they were finished and worn out before slumping down on the floor, resting their backs against the kitchen table. Turning towards Emma, Regina takes a silent breath then kisses her cheek quickly. "Thank you"

Shrugging with a small smile at the kiss, the Princess yawns. "It was nothing, I was merely helping my..friend"

"Please let me clean your dress for you?"

"Regina, no..a little bit of dirt never hurt anybody, besides it is not the first time I have been in the kitchen"

Sharing a smile, both women jump hearing the front door open and close hastily. Rising to their feet, Regina looks in a panic.

"Regina?! Why is there a horse in my barn!"

Gulping, the brunette looks to the door as her mother enters with an angry expression. "Mother, I mean ma'am I.."

"Good lord!" Changing completely, Cora looks at Emma in shock. The Princess also looks worried clearly noticing that the older woman recognises her, especially when she bows down to her.

Rubbing her head, catching the confused frown that Regina is sending her way, the blonde bites her lip. "Erm..you..you do not need to do that Miss.."

Standing up straight, Cora also frowns mirroring her youngest daughter's stare. "If you would excuse me Princess, but may I ask as to why you are here..with my

daughter?"

The younger brunette's mouth drops open while muttering to herself. "Princess?"

"I am friends with your daughter ma'am..we met when we crossed paths towards the village.." Emma replies shakily, glancing across again at Regina who appears hurt.

"What in god's name has she dragged you into?! Look at your dress! You must let us wash it" Cora glares over at Regina before plastering on a smile to the Princess.

Holding a hand up, the blonde shakes her head. "No, honestly..thank you for your hospitality but I must be leaving" walking past the older brunette, Emma reaches the door then notices at the corner of her eye as Cora grabs Regina's arm roughly as the girl makes a move to follow her friend out.

Heading outside to her horse, the Princess turns looking extremely guilty towards her new friend. "I'm sorry.."

"I just don't understand, you have everything..why would you do this?" Regina looks sadly towards her.

Mounting her horse, Emma looks a little teary at the brunette. "Because I do not have everything Regina, I want the same as you..remember what you said? Freedom and love? I told you that the castle is not all it is cracked up to be..my parents are holding a ball to find me someone to marry because god forbid I should find someone on my own...I am truly sorry that I did not tell you but, you were my friend and I hoped that you wouldn't look at me the same as everyone else does..because yes, I am a Princess but in reality..I'm Emma..not a title or crown"

Feeling a shadow appear in the doorway, the brunette glances across at her mother stood at the front door with a raised eyebrow."I have to go back inside..I need time.."

Emma nods sniffling slightly. "Of course..I will see you..when I see you.." Pulling sharply on the reigns before the other woman can say anything else, the Princess rides away quickly as she can feel a couple of tears fall.

Cora crosses her arms as Regina walks up and past her, back inside the house obviously upset. Giving a smirk, the older brunette closes the door slowly with a look of evil spread across her face.

A/N: sorry to leave it there!