Regina was soaking in hot bath water, deep in thought when Leopold came barging in. He didn't care that she was bathing because he didn't respect her privacy, in fact he didn't respect her at all. She made no effort to cover her exposed breast because that would only anger him and she had no desire to feel his wrath. He looked her over and said
"I expect you to wear your very best gown tonight. There will be hundreds of men at the ball and I want them to see how beautiful my wife is." He said as he sat down on the edge of the tub.
"I have a gown picked out that I'm sure you will approve of, my King." She hated calling him that but it's what he had instructed her to do and she had already paid the price many times for disobeying his wishes.
"Good...then maybe I'll have you in my chambers tonight." He said as he stood up.
She forced a smile. "Don't be late this time," he said as he strode away.
She pulled her knees to her chest and hoped that tonight he wouldn't call for her. She remembered her meeting with Emma and meeting her after the ball in the stables. She wasn't sure why but she smiled. Emma seemed like such a free spirit and she envied her. After tonight Emma would surly know that Regina wasn't a stable girl. She wondered if Emma would treat her differently or be angry that she didn't tell her the truth.
Regina sat upon her throne next to Leopold's empty throne. He was surrounded by a group of knights and was probably telling war stories. She watched as her people danced and laughed enjoying themselves. She saw many women dancing with knights. Regina searched through people with her eyes looking for Emma. She couldn't find her anywhere..."maybe she's not coming" she had thought to herself.
She made her way to the wine table and grabbed a glass of wine. She first sipped the wine and then guzzled the whole glass and reached for another. It was when she was on her fifth glass that she finally saw the blond. To Regina's surprise she wasn't wearing a ball gown. She was wearing tight black trousers with a white blouse with her hair pulled back tightly in a bun. She wasn't wearing much make-up either and Regina admired how attractive she looked. She was being escorted by two handsome men. She watched as Emma bowed before the King and her and the other men talked about something she couldn't hear. The King looked towards the throne and Regina's stomach dropped because she knew what was coming.
The King sent his servant to fetch Regina. "Your Majesty, the King has requested your presence." "Thank you, Will." She said as she walked towards the King and Emma with the some of the other knights. She knew this was coming but she mentally cursed at herself for allowing the charades to happen in the stable earlier. She should have corrected Emma when Emma called her a stable girl.
"There's my beautiful Queen. I want you to meet some of my best knights." Leopold said.
Emma watched as a beautiful brunette who looked much younger than the King made her way beside the King. She was wearing a light blue silk gown that had sleeves off her shoulders. "Don't look at her breast don't look at her breast" Emma thought to herself. She looked up to meet warm chocolate eyes. Emma looked at the Queen and did a double take. It was the stable girl. "Reg.." she stopped herself. "My Majesty, it's an honour to be in your service." Emma said as she bowed before Regina. Graham, Neal, and the other knights in the group bowed as well.
Regina swallowed thickly as she felt the alcohol she'd been drinking. "It's lovely to meet you all." Regina smiled. "Thank you for everything that you do for our people and this Kingdom." Regina said as she looked Emma right in the eyes and then glanced at the others.
Emma suddenly felt embarrassed which was a rare occurrence. She couldn't believe Regina was the Queen. She had called her a stable girl for crying out loud. This was awkward and she needed to leave the situation immediately. "If you'll excuse me, the orderbs are calling my name." Emma flashed a cheesy grin.
Everyone smiled as Emma walked away and began to chatter about their next moves in the war. Regina wondered what Emma had been thinking and was she could have sworn Emma was blatantly checking her out but she didn't miss the surprised expression on Emma's face when she realized who Regina was. Regina wondered around for a bit and made conversation with some of the other royals. As it got a bit later she eyed the King. He was heavily intoxicated and she could tell that from a mile away. He and the other knights were seated with several women around them and he was particularly close to his favorite servant. She cringed as the girl openly flirted with him. Regina decided to head to the stables. Emma probably wouldn't show up but she needed some air regardless.
She held her dress up so it wouldn't get dirty as she walked down the hall of the stable. She heard a winnie and smiled. "I love you, too." she said through a smile as she reached through Rocinate's window to pet his blaze. "I'm sorry. I didn't bring any apples tonight."
"Well lucky for him that I happen to have extra." Emma said. Regina jumped.
"You've got to stop sneaking up on me." Regina said but didn't turn around. She was afraid to face the blond.
"My Majesty...I'm apologize for this morning. I was out of line. I wish you would have corrected me. I feel foolish." Emma said as she looked at the exposed olive skin on Regina's back.
"No. You're not foolish.. I'm sorry. I should have told you." Regina said.
"Well.. why didn't you? Please turn around, my Queen." Emma said.
"Because it was nice to feel normal if only for a moment." Regina continued to stroke Rocinate.
Emma took a step closer to Regina and reached her hand through the window to give Rocinate a treat. She was dangerously close to the Queen and she worried that she may have overstepped her boundaries. "Well..you can be normal anytime with me." Emma said as Rocinate nuzzled her hand looking for more treats.
Regina turned around and her back was against the stall. Emma didn't dare move. "I really appreciate that, Emma." Regina said as she looked from green eyes to pink lips. She felt an attraction to Emma and it was stronger than anything she'd ever felt or maybe it was because she admired Emma so much for the life she led.
Emma leaned in towards Regina's face. She didn't know what was happening. Normally she had more control over herself but before her mind could process anymore she softly kissed Regina's lips.
Regina smiled through the kiss and then pulled away.
"My Queen...I'm sorry." Emma said her voice almost a whisper. Regina put a finger over Emma's lips to quiet her. "You said I could be normal with you so I expect the same in return." Regina said.
Regina didn't want to leave but she worried that the King may call for her presence in his chambers. Emma noticed the change of expression on Regina's face. "What is it, my Queen?" Emma asked as she took a step back.
"Nothing... I need to be going. Have a good night, Emma." Regina said and she turned and gave Rocinate a kiss and then left Emma.
Emma watched the Queen until she could no longer see her. "Rocinate, your Mommy is beautiful." She said and Rocinate winnied. Emma smiled and couldn't believe she had just kissed the Queen. Leopold would probably have her head if he ever found out and she could only imagine the disappointment that Graham would feel. She cursed at herself internally as she headed back into the ball.
"You seem very happy, my lady." Ruby said as she unfastened the back of Regina's dress.
"And what makes you think that?" Regina questioned as she looked Ruby over. Ruby was tall and slender with long flowing brown hair, she was very pleasant to look at.
"You haven't stopped smiling since you walked in and forgive me your Majesty but I do believe you should smile more often. It looks stunning on you." Ruby said as she untied the last of Regina's corset.
"Ruby..." Regina said promptly.
"I'm sorry my Majesty" Ruby said as she looked at the marble floors, anywhere but at the Queen.
"Thank you, Ruby". Regina smiled. "You may go now."
"Yes, your Majesty." Ruby said as she turned on her heel to leave. It was a full moon and her body ached with a longing to run so she was thankful the Queen had released her service for the evening.
Regina slid on her silk night gown and walked out onto the balcony as she did most every night. Leopold hadn't sent for her and she knew that at this point he had probably chosen the servant girl who was batting her eye lashes at him. Regina looked at the stars and she felt something inside of her that she hadn't felt in years. She felt alive and as she smiled into the night she was certain she heard a wolf howling.