Chapter 6

by Starsinger

Don't own them.

Their arrival at the castle was a stark contrast to their journey through the kingdom. Well-fed and opulently dressed people went about various errands in the castle courtyard. One gaudy court dandy stopped to watch them exit the coach. Upon noticing their drab peasant clothing, he sniffed and turned his nose up at them before strutting away from them. A worn, older gentlemen greeted them and introduced himself as Lord Henry, Regina's father. He escorted them to the Queen's chamber where they nervously waited for her to notice them.

Regina studied them. They studied the floor. Finally, she approached them and lifted Snow's chin with the tip of her index finger so she was forced to look at the Queen. "It's amazing, your hair, skin and lips are the same, but the resemblance ends there. Although, you both are quite beautiful." Rose started, she had never considered herself beautiful, Snow was the beauty in the family. "Can you read and write?" she asked both of them.

Rose looked at the desk and swiftly took the chair before it. She pulled out the quill and put it to the parchment as she wrote her name and described a little bit of the ride to the castle. She handed Snow the quill, Snow wrote her own name and wrote a description of the man of her dreams. Regina studied the parchment. "More than adequate. Rose, I need a secretary, you will do quite nicely. You can also cook, I'll pay you for both. Snow, my goose boy needs help in the yard as well as the stable. I hope you don't mind if you give him a hand with that as well."

"Do you have dogs, Your Majesty?" Snow asked

"Yes, why?"

"Some dogs can be trained to keep geese in line. If you don't have the type that fit the bill here, I can bring a couple of pups from home. One of our bitches whelped a couple of months ago and they should fit the bill."

"I'll pay for the dogs as well," Regina seated herself at the desk. She rang a bell, and a plump, motherly woman entered the room. "This is Emily, she'll show you to your rooms. You'll assume your duties in the morning." With that they were dismissed.

They were led to the lower parts of the castle where the servants lived. "You must be hungry," Emily told them as she led them into a cavernous kitchen. "We'll feed you before showing you your rooms," a hearty stew and heavy bread was set in front of them. The girls bowed their heads and said grace before starting to eat. "Is it true that one of you is named Snow White?" Snow nodded with a mouthful of stew. Regina was right, this wasn't good. A sad smile passed over Emily's face. "Pretend to have the Princess back…"

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Renee had barely sat at her desk when the front door of the Mayor's office closed, hard, "I DON'T BELIEVE IT. WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?" Renee waited, well used to Regina's moods, she fired up the computer. "I'M THE MAYOR, I CAN APPOINT WHOEVER I WANT AS SHERIFF!"

"Ah, this conversation is about Emma, the town charter says otherwise, Regina. I'm sure Sydney will win."

"Oh, he'll win all right!" Regina finished as she stormed into her office.

Moments later a blonde woman entered the room. "Hi, I'm Emma Swan, I'm looking for where to put my name on the ballot for sheriff."

Renee smiled as she pulled out the forms needed and handed them to the woman along with a pen, "Fill out the information, there is a $25 fee, cash only. I'll give you a receipt as well as a confirmation slip when you're done."

Emma stared at Renee for a moment, "That's it? That's all I have to do."

Renee laughed, "I had to remind Sydney he had to come in and do this last night." Just as she finished her sentence, Sydney Glass walked in the door. He smiled disarmingly as Renee repeated her spiel to the man. Renee watched as both people sat on opposite sides of the room as they filled out the appropriate forms. Renee shook her head reminding herself that she had work to do. Perhaps fifteen minutes later Emma stood and walked back to her desk. Renee scanned over the form before flipping open the receipt ledger. She filled out the form and handed Emma a copy of it. "Good luck!" she offered the other woman. Soon, Sydney approached her and she repeated what she had done with Emma. She watched Sydney leave and had the impression that he really didn't want the job.

The next day Renee found herself working out of her home. City Hall had suffered fire damage the night before. Fortunately, the Mayor's offices had not suffered much damage, but the building was not safe. Charlotte stopped and laughed, "I wish I could work from home!" Renee aimed a book at her sister who quickly ducked out of the room. Nothing prepared her for that night as Emma stood up to Mr. Gold. Everyone was afraid of Mr. Gold. It was a toss-up who they were more afraid of, Mr. Gold or the Mayor.

It was almost a relief as she, John, and Sonya, another neighbor, sat down to count the ballots. They all took different stacks and separated them into two piles, Emma or Sydney. After separation ended it became clear that it was very close. They couldn't tell who had won just by the size of the stacks. John counted the stack for Emma as Sonya counted the one for Sydney and Renee wrote down the results. They recounted it twice just to be sure.

"Well, it looks like the deputy is getting promoted," Renee said as Regina entered the room. Sonya and John nodded. Regina simply turned on her stylish high-heeled shoes. "She looked happy," Renee replied sarcastically.

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"I miss Mama," Snow said as they readied for bed that night. They were to get the tour of the castle the next day.

Rose nodded as she blew out the candle and hoped for sweet dreams.