Chapter 4
The King and Queen's Castle.
Making her way through the large doors of the castle, Emma froze upon seeing her mother. Snow looks at the blonde in a state of shock at how dirty she is then crosses her arms with a serious expression. "We need to talk..your father is already waiting in the dining hall"
Gulping slightly, the Princess nods sadly then follows the Queen to the hall where she is met by David sitting on one of their luxurious arm chairs by the fireplace. Glancing across he to, appears shocked by the young woman's appearance.
"Dad, I can explain everything..that friend I told you about, it is serious! I learnt that it is her own mother who is treating her like a slave..and I wanted to help her, so I did..then her mother came home and I had to leave"
"Well I can only assume as you have been to this girl's home, you now know the names of the family?"
Emma cringes as Snow watches the pair confused. "No..but Regina has a brother and sister? Plus a really scary mother"
The Queen goes wide eyed then looks to her husband. "Oh no..not the Mills..please Emma tell me you did not befriend Regina Mills, the daughter of Cora Mills?"
Frowning in concern, the Princess bites her lip. "I am not sure mom as I do not know their names but I would take a guess that there are not many Regina's within the Kingdom? She's around my age and has dark hair.."
"..often in a braid?" Snow finishes off her daughter's sentence in dismay upon seeing the blonde nod. "Emma please you need to stay away, I have nothing personal against Regina but it is her mother I am worried about..we try to be civil with one another and still leave open invitations to attend our balls but I must regretfully inform you that we have a bad past with the family.."
"But she's my friend...I don't..have any other friends..." The Princess looks down, visibly upset.
David rises from his seat and places a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Nonsense. What about those girls you spoke to at the previous celebration?"
Shaking her head, Emma tries her best to not let her emotions get the best of her. "No dad, you don't understand..this life..it doesn't give you friends like Regina is to me..those girls just wanted a free pass into our lives, so they could live the same..be royalty" glancing between her parents, the blonde grips her dress. "Neither of you will understand how lonely I have been..you want me to be Queen..but right now, I don't even want to be a Princess" turning to leave, Emma rushes out the door to head towards her chambers.
Snow goes to prevent her but is stopped by her husband's hand upon her arm. "Leave her be..she doesn't mean what she says.."
The Queen sighs. "David, she does mean it..I have seen the way she looks when we take part in anything to do with her royal duties..she is not ready"
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The Mills Estate.
Having followed her daughter back to her room, Cora waits until the brunette gives her, her attention. Turning to face the older woman, Regina bites her lip with a mix of guilt, fear and sadness spread across her face. "I'm sorry..that I-"
"I need you to ensure that your siblings have their best suit and dress ready for the royal ball" Cora demands then goes to leave.
Frowning, the brunette steps forward, questioning. "You are attending the next ball?"
"Not that it is any of your business but I am actually in alliance with the royal family. I do not like them but I do like their power. We are the only family not of royalty to attend. It is an honour, now get to work!"
Clasping her hands together nervously, Regina doesn't move from her spot despite the instruction. "May..I go?"
Sniggering, Cora looks towards the young woman then laughs seeing that she is in fact serious. "Don't be ridiculous, look at the state of yourself, you wouldn't have anything decent to wear and besides like I have told you previously, I do not want people aware of our relation"
"But I am part of this family..."
"Hardly dear, you're the help"
Looking knocked down, Regina lifts up the laundry basket aware that her mother is still present and staring patiently in her direction. Walking past the older woman, the brunette descends the stairs and towards the kitchen. Entering the room, she stops wide eyed at seeing all the plates and pans dispersed around the kitchen surfaces covered in the soot she had collected previously from the fire with now an empty bucket sat by the chimney.
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The King and Queen's Castle.
Sat at her dresser within her chambers, Emma draws patterns on the shiny silver surface with a bobby pin while staring in a daze and resting her head against her other hand. With a knock, Ruby enters the room with the intention of exchanging the Princess' new attire with the one she had gotten dirty while helping Regina.
"Princess, I drew your bath.."
Sighing, the blonde looks through the mirror towards her maid. "Please do not call me that..my name is Emma.."
Biting her lip, Ruby quickly closes the double doors to allow them privacy before making her way over to Emma and standing beside her. "What happened? I mean really? You was all excited about seeing Regina this morning and then you come home all dirty and depressed. It doesn't suit you..I for one prefer happy Emma because it makes my job a lot easier"
Emma drops the bobby pin and rubs her forehead while attempting a smile. "She found out who I was..and now she said she needs time, so that is it. Friendship over." Sighing again, the blonde looks towards the tall brunette. "I don't want it to be over..she needs a friend, someone who cares for her..her lifestyle Ruby is horrendous. Her mother uses her and all I can keep thinking about is that I want to protect her"
"Then get her to the castle and tell her all this"
Standing up, the Princess begins to pace at the idea. "It is not possible. For one, my parents would never allow it, they just told me to stay away and another, I have no way of telling Regina without going to her house, invading her space which she said she needs or seeing her mother"
Crossing her arms in disbelief, the maid raises an eyebrow towards the blonde. "Emma when do you ever do as you are told? Invite her to the ball..need I remind you, it is your ball, for your birthday"
Stopping mid step, Emma looks over with a smile. "You're right and I think I may know what to do..or at least I hope it will work"
Heading back towards the door, Ruby opens it then spots Henry walking towards the bathroom with a mischievous grin on his face. "Well good, but right now, I think your brother is about to steal your bath"
Dropping her mouth open, the Princess rushes past and grabs him in time as he was about to strip. "I do not think so kiddo" lifting him up, turning him upside down, the blonde carries the giggling Prince back to his playroom.
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The Mills Estate.
Barging into the kitchen clearly disgusted at being in there, Zelena looks to the brunette stood at the sink. "Mother just informed me that I am allowed a new dress for the ball so you need to go to the village tomorrow and place my order which I might add, you better not screw up!"
"Write exactly what you want and I shall pass it on to the dressmaker.." Regina replied obviously fed up of all these demands.
"Oh and Neal needs a uniform too, mother reckons that he should make a good impression for the Princess as she choose who to wed at her celebratory ball now that she will be of age for the throne"
Dropping a plate and smashing it in the sink, the brunette jumps slightly at her actions then looks over at her sister who turns her nose up at her. "I am sure..that..it is promising for him.." Gulping down a lump, Regina turns back to the dishes, biting on her lip as she gets teary.
Having not noticed, Zelena rolls her eyes and leaves her to it.
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The King and Queen's Castle.
Laying in her bed that night, Emma shifts positions a few times then huffs sitting up. She could not get Regina out of her head and hoped to god that her plan would work. Suddenly remembering what the brunette had previously said to her within her attic about the castle, the Princess rises to her feet, taking her robe and placing it around her shoulders as she steps out onto her balcony. Peering just above the grounds protective wall, she smiles seeing a glimpse of the brunette's house noticing a tiny light which would be Regina's room. The light being merely bright enough to look like a star in the distance.
Tomorrow, things were going to change.
A/N: I hope you're liking the story! I got a few ideas for it and I have a feeling Regina will not be able to stay away...:)