Apologies for anymore mistakes than usual, could not proof read as I usually do as I was limited with time! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 12
The Summer Palace.
Pulling apart the double doors leading to the large chambers, Emma grins on sight and walks in, twirling on inspection as it had been years since she had been here and yet it was still exactly how she remembered it. Regina steps inside, following the Princess speechless while looking around. "This is..bigger than my whole house..."
"I used to love coming here when I was young because I used to think that due to the size of this room, it was my own mini palace.." Sitting up on the large bed, the blonde smiles in awe of the memory. "I used to section parts of the room off so there would be the sleeping quarters and then the dining area..and I would line up all my teddies and give out orders like they were my guards.." Chuckling, she shakes her head. "I don't know what I was thinking..you must now think I'm crazy"
The brunette smiles at how happy Emma appears to be and sits herself beside her before slowly placing her hand on top of the blonde's, on the bed. "No, not crazy..I love hearing stories about you..I love you and I want to know everything about you"
The Princess looks shocked for a moment then stares at her with a beaming smile causing Regina to look confused and raise an eyebrow. "What?"
Still grinning, the blonde bumps her shoulder playfully. "You just said you love me..."
Eyes widening in realization, the brunette looks at her worried then glances away while biting her lip feeling awkward. "I..well..I.."
"Regina?"
Turning back at hearing her name, Regina slowly looks up into Emma's eyes. The Princess leans forward and places a soft kiss onto her lips before moving back an inch, still being able to feel each other's breaths on their faces. "I love you too"
Closing the gap again, the brunette takes hold of the blonde's face, cupping her cheeks and kisses her with all that she has, to make sure that Emma does regret the words she had just spoken.
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The King and Queen's Castle.
Pacing along the hall, hands clasped together in front of her, Snow takes a deep breath before pausing and looking towards the double doors that open, revealing a visitor. Walking through to meet the Queen, Zelena looks confused as she is brought to a stop by the guard to bow. Doing so, the young woman frowns at Snow and waits for her to speak.
"I..I could be making a big mistake here but..the thing is, I want to help and the last thing I need on my conscience is knowing that I sent you away only for Cora to hurt you in some way like she did to Regina. I may appear to be a soft touch but it is only because I am very protective..especially when it comes down to my children and..with Regina and now you, I keep asking myself what would happen if Emma were to be in your position only to be cast aside. Now, your sister is currently away, so I am giving you the opportunity to show me that you are willing to change for her sake and for your own. You will stay within the castle and do exactly as I or my staff and guards tell you and I most certainly do not want to regret my decision as I am giving you a chance. Do I make myself clear?"
The redhesd looks shocked and simply nods, not being able to find her words. "..you..won't..I..yes your majesty.."
Letting out a small smile, the Queen nods. "Very well, I will have someone take you to your room then you are to see Granny in the kitchen.."
Zelena slowly smiles and nods again as a guard approaches her. Stepping forward quickly, the woman reaches for Snow's hand. "Thank you..really..thank you"
Looking to their hands, the Queen then looks at her noticing the sincerity of it all and pats her hand. "Your welcome..just..don't let her down"
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The Summer Palace.
After speaking with her father over a personal matter, Emma braces herself as she stands outside her chamber door while clutching a wooden box under her arm. Walking inside, the Princess looks towards the brunette still sat on the edge of the bed and smiles briefly. "You know you can make yourself more comfortable.."
"I know Injust..this is your chambers.." The brunette answers while still staring out at the view from the balcony.
Moving closer to the bed, the blonde sits down beside her again and sets the box next to her. "Our chambers..the one good thing about coming here..and what my mother does not know, is that father intends on going away on business tomorrow..so it will be just us here.."
Regina opens her mouth slightly shocked and looks over at Emma to respond then sees the box and panics. "Emma..why..why do you have that..where did you get it from?"
Lifting the box with both hands, the Princess passes it over and places it on the brunette's lap. "My father just gave it to me. Apparently before we left...your sister paid us a visit and handed it over. She said it was yours..with special memories and she wanted to return it before your mother..sorted the attic. According to both my parents she..appeared to be very remorseful and admitted that your mother had shown her true self..Zelena said she was sorry..and that you deserved better and you should never to be treated that way. She never knew that Cora..got..physical"
Stiffening up at the last part, Regina looks down and runs her hands over the box before answering. "...sometimes...it really depended on her mood..Emma I never told you this but, when your father came to get me..as he arrived, mother..got a belt and was going to use it..on me but then David knocked and threw mother off course.."
Quickly wrapping her arms around the brunette looking heartbroken, more so that she couldn't help her, the Princess keeps her close and rests her head against Regina's. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything sooner..but I promise you now that you will always be safe with me"
Smiling slightly, Regina opens the box and lifts out some of the items, starting with the pressed flower. "That area of the forest where we met..I used to go there all the time with my father before he died. He was nothing like mother..he was the kindest, most caring man I have ever known..and we used to pick the flowers..and talk about the wonderful things I would do when I was older.."
"He sounds like a real father..and he was right..because you are wonderful..you do wonderful things already and you do not even know it" rubbing the woman's shoulder, Emma continues to watch her intently.
Lifting another item out, the brunette looks over to Emma and smiles holding it out. "This..was my father's ring..well his mother's ring..he gave it to me before he went..when I was..ten.." Taking hold of the Princess' hand, Regina places the ring into her palm and closes her hand up to keep it there. "I want you to have it...I know that he would be happy that I have found you.."
"Regina no..I can't take..-"
"Yes you can and you will because I am not accepting it back.." Regina smiles keeping her hands on the box again to prevent the blonde handing it over.
Emma looks down at it and smiles before kissing it and placing it on her finger. "I will treasure it for the rest of my life..and you will witness me keeping that promise because you will be by my side"
Moving the box to the bed, the brunette quickly wraps her arms around the Princess' neck, getting teary. Holding onto her back, the blonde hugs back tightly and kisses her hair when she hears a small sob escape Regina's lips. "It's okay Regina..I've got you now.."
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The Mills Estate.
"Oh that pathetic girl..I swear Zelena better not set foot back inside this house..Neal my boy, you have to help your dear mother from now on..please go to the village to collect what I need, treat yourself while you are there with what is left over"
Neal looks surprised that he is allowed to go somewhere without his mother on his arm and nods before leaving quickly.
"Well, well, look who has got herself into a bit of a rut..it's a hard life..dearie.."
Cora freezes hearing the voice belonging to the imp she has not seen in many years then looks over at him coldly. "I do not see dear old Rumple helping me out.."
Pacing around the woman, the imp chuckles and points at her. "You do not need my help, you do need help but not mine..oh no.."
"What are you talking about, enough riddles! You haven't changed have you" the older brunette sighs while following him with her eyes.
Rumple stops dead in his tracks and rolls his eyes before explaining. " Cora, you really are thoughtless ar'nt you? You have kept your power a secret from your family for all these years without even realizing that the one who has the greatest potiential for darkness is the youngest child you have just driven away!..she could have given you everything you desired.."
Scoffing, Cora crosses her arms. "Don't be ridiculous..Regina could never be powerful..or dark"
"You underestimate the girl..let me ask you what makes you turn dark? Anger..sadness..loss..who has suffered the most these past years and knows a great deal of heartbreak?" Letting out a giggle, the imp holds his finger up. "Regina. Now there is one thing I am aware of that could..tip her over the edge shall we say? Her dear, dear father..who sadly is dead..only, he's not.."
Gulping, the older brunette glares. "Rumple.."
Continuing on his explanation, the imp smirks. "What if..the poor girl was to find out he wasn't dead but simply left..for her to then be treated in such a cruel way?..back comes the sadness..the pain..the anger and hello darkness!"
Frowning, Cora watches as the imp makes his way over to the front door when a knock is sounded. Opening it to reveal who is standing on the steps, Rumple grins as he watches the older woman's face drops.
"Henry?..."
A/N: that was a drama filled chapter! Hopefully Zelena can help her sister and Henry might stand up to Cora for once?