Emma sank into the piping hot water, her eyes falling shut, as she threw her head back, resting it against the edge of the tub. For a few long moments she just sat there luxuriating in the lavender scented water.

Then she grabbed a cloth that was sitting, folded by the edge of the tub and began to wipe the grime from her skin. Life as a peasant was dirty, compared to the life as a royal, and she wondered if indeed she had been meant for a life of luxury.

She tried to imagine what it must be like to grow up in a castle, with all the rules and regulations, and the bowing and the scraping. It would have been confining, and lonely at times, but she would have at least had her family. She might have met Killian at a ball, and they might have fallen in love.

Wait… love?

Where had that come from?

Surely she didn't love Killian already. It was far too soon. But then, why was kissing him bringing back her memories. She'd grown up in a land with magic all around her. She'd even seen it on occasion. But never up close.

Only True Love's Kiss had magical properties. It broke curses.

But Emma Swan knew she wasn't cursed. She couldn't be. She'd lived a hard life, but she'd been happy with Henry. She wasn't cursed.

Emma sighed. Being here was doing strange things to her. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea for them to stay. Perhaps she should take Henry and leave. They would leave the cottage by the lake and go where Killian couldn't find them. She would forget that all of this had happened.

No. That wouldn't work either. Henry would make her talk about it. He would urge her to reconsider. That's what he'd always done for her. He'd always urged her to do the right thing. And she knew that running away wouldn't solve anything. Especially when the person she wanted to run from was a stubborn and determined prince.

Emma washed her long silky tresses with the array of soaps and perfumes that the maidservant had laid out for her. afterwards She rang the bell, and the maid brought her a thick towel and a dressing gown. Emma wrapped the silk around her body and fastened the garment.

"And what would the lady like to wear?" asked the maid. She wandered over to the wardrobe, opening the doors to reveal an array of breathtaking gowns. 'The king and queen died some years ago, but Liam wouldn't hear of getting rid of their possessions." The maid looked through the gowns, finally pulling out a beautiful red one. "This would look stunning on you miss," said the woman.

Emma smiled and thanked her. "What is your name?" she asked.

"Lucy," she replied.

"Well, Lucy, I have never worn something so elegant in my life and I wouldn't know where to begin in putting it on."

Lucy smiled and helped Emma into the dress, tightening the laces of the gown, until Emma could barely breathe. "You look lovely, miss," said Lucy. "I think the prince will approve. Now if you please, sit at the vanity and I shall set your hair."

Emma could barely breathe in the dress and corset, and she wondered how the royals wore these kinds of dresses on a regular basis. At the very least though, this was not extravagant. It was a deep rich scarlet with long sleeves and crystal beads lining the neckline. It flared out at her hips,, and the skirts were full and heavy, but not further weighed down by useless finery.

For the first time in her life, she felt like a princess.

She chatted with Lucy as the maid set her hair. Lucy asked about her son, and Emma recounted stories of their life together. Lucy put the finishing touches on her hair by adding a few sparkling clips. "You look beautiful," said Lucy.

"Thank you," said Emma.

"I will go and make sure your son is prepared," she said, "If you'll excuse me."

Emma nodded as Lucy disappeared into the other room. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, and the woman looking back at her was a complete stranger, and yet something felt incredibly right about all of this.

There was a knock on her door. Without a second thought Emma said, "Come in."

The door opened and Killian slipped in. He had changed for dinner as well and looked as regal as he had ever seen him, in sleek brown coat and an elegant black vest and breeches with sturdy leather boots. Emma felt her cheeks heat up as she stood. "Killian," she said softly, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

Killian was looking at her as if she was an angel, fallen from heaven. He came to her and immediately took her into his arms. "You look radiant, Emma."

"I can hardly move," she said with a small smile.

"You might not be able to move, but you cut quite the figure in that dress," he said, cupping her cheek.

"I feel like a princess," she said.

"That's because you are a princess," he said, "One who is far too beautiful for this lowly prince."

"You think too much of me, Killian," said Emma.

"And you think far too little of yourself, Emma," countered Killian. "But I intend to show you how beautiful and truly special you are. You deserve the best in life, and I intend to make sure you get it."

"That is quite a promise," said Emma.

"You know that I am a man of my word," said Killian.

Emma smiled slightly. "I do," she said.

"Mother," said Henry, coming into the room. He stopped when he noticed that his mother was in the arms of the prince.

Emma and Killian sprang apart. Her heart clenched as she looked at her son. He looked like a little prince. "You look very handsome, Henry," said Emma.

Henry grinned. "You look beautiful, mother," said Henry.

"I cannot help but agree, young sir. My brother is awaiting us in the dining room," he offered his arm to Emma, and she took it lightly. "Shall we?"

"We shall," said Emma. "Come on, Henry.

-/-

"Brother, I would like to present to you, Miss Emma Swan and her son Henry," said Killian proudly, grinning at Liam.

Liam bowed over Emma's hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Swan, my brother did not exaggerate when he spoke of your beauty."

"You are too kind, your majesty," said Emma, her cheeks burning.

"And how old are you, young sir," asked Liam.

"Thirteen, your majesty," said Henry with a bow.

"Well, it is a pleasure to welcome you both to the castle," said Liam. "Please take your seats, and we shall dine."

Liam moved to sit at the head of the table. Killian, ever the gentleman, pulled out Emma's char for her, his hand lingering on her shoulder for a moment before moving to sit across from her, while Henry sat beside her. Killian wistfully thought of a day some time in the future that Emma might always be directly by his side.

Liam, aware of his brother's feelings for Emma, played the perfect host engaging Emma and Henry in polite conversation throughout dinner. He seconded the offer to have the sword master give Henry lessons tomorrow. Emma tried to be polite and keep her focus on the kind, but her attention kept drifting to Killian. She could always feel his gaze on her, and it made her incredibly self-conscious. She would glance at him, and he would smile at her, silently reassuring her that she was making a lovely first impression.

At long last they finished their meal, and Liam called Lucy to put the boy to bed, requesting a private audience with Emma and Killian. Emma kissed her son's forehead. "Do exactly as Lucy says and go straight to bed," said Emma.

"Yes, mother," said Henry. "Goodnight, Killian, Your Highness."

Liam rose a brow at the boy's informal address of his brother, but Killian grinned. "Goodnight, lad."

The boy went off with Lucy leaving the three of them alone.

Killian offered his arm to Emma, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "You are doing wonderful, Swan," he said reassuringly.

Emma smiled, gripped Killian's arm a little tighter and moved a little closer as the three of them made their way to the study.

-/-

Liam sat down behind his enormous mahogany desk. Kilian and Emma sat on the other side, and without a second thought, Killian took Emma's hand in his.

Liam smiled slightly. His brother was in way over his head. The Swan girl seemed far from a fortune hunter, and their connection was almost palpable. Plus, she did look familiar. He had met the daughter for Snow White and Prince charming once before. When the child was three or four years old. He remembered a little girl with wide green eyes and golden curls, practically attached to her mother's hip. Snow and Charming had come to the kingdom to ask for help. The Evil Queen was still out for revenge and had threatened the life of their child.

His parents had done what they could for Snow and Charming, but their forces were hardly any match for the forces of the Evil Queen. Snow and Charming left the following day, heading for Rumplestiltskin's castle.

"So, Miss Swan, what exactly do you remember from your childhood."

Emma glanced fearfully towards Killian, seeking comfort, before turning back to Liam. "Everything I thought I knew is no longer clear," admitted Emma. "I used to believe that I grew up in the care of a miller and his wife."

"And what changed?"

"I met Killian," said Emma, "and—"

"Brother, now is hardly the time to go digging into the past. That is something that we will need the Blue Fairy for. She is coming in the morning, yes?" said Killian.

Liam nodded.

"Then I suggest we all get some rest. It will be a long day tomorrow," said Killian. "I will escort Emma back to her room."

"Very well," said Liam. "We will meet in the portrait hall at sunrise."

"Thank you, your majesty," said Emma, inclining her head.

"You may call me Liam, Miss Swan," said Liam.

"Thank you, then, Liam," said Emma. "I do not deserve such hospitality. Good night."

Then she stood up, curtsied and left the study with Killian.

"Why did you do that?" asked Emma.

"Do what?" asked Killian. "Keep me from telling your brother about my memories."

"I know that it is a painful subject, and I wanted to spare you from reiterating it twice," said Killian.

"Your brother will think we are purposefully keeping something from him," said Emma.

"You need not worry about that," said Killian.

"I want him to think well of me," said Emma softly.

Killian's eyes widened slightly, as he stopped and took Emma's hands in his. "Is that so?" he asked.

"Yes," said Emma, not meeting his gaze.

"I thought that Emma Swan didn't need anyone's approval,"" said Killian with a teasing smile.

"He's important to you," said Emma, "And so—" Emma stopped. Now was not the time. It was far too soon. "Never mind. I'm tired."

Killian stared at her for a moment. He didn't need her to tell him what he already knew. He was important to her. She cared for him, and for now, that was enough.

The reached the suite a few minutes later. "Goodnight Killian," said Emma.

Killian did not release her hand. "You'll not even give me a goodnight kiss? Bad form, Swan." He grinned at her.

She shook her head. "You are relentless, aren't you?"

"You can hardly blame me. You look absolutely ravishing tonight, Emma. If I could I would not let you leave my side tonight."

Emma flushed at his compliment and his implication. "Couldn't you just demand it? You are a royal."

"I will never force myself on you, Emma. You are far too important to me. But know this now. When I win your heart, and I will win it, it will not be because of any trickery, but because you want me."

Emma swayed into him slightly, lips only an inch from his. "How do I know that you're serious? Other men have made promises to me before and broken them."

"I'm not like the others, Emma," said Killian. "You'll not get rid of me so easily." Then he captured her lips in a gentle kiss, his fingers carding through her hair, Emma pressed herself against him as she kissed him back, and suddenly she saw a dark haired boy, about Henry's age. He reminded her of Killian.

She stepped back.

"What did you see this time?" asked Killian.

"I think it was your brother," and then she realized how that sounded, how it must hurt Killian to know she was thinking of his brother while she was kissing him. "I'm sorry," she said. "I don't understand what is happening."

"It's not your fault, Emma," said Killian sounding a little bitter. "I will leave you now."

"Wait Killian, please, don't be upset with me," she said. After all, Killian had just promised to win her heart, and the thought of him backing away because of some silly memories was almost painful.

Killian drew her back into his arms, his hand stroking down her back. "Emma, we will discover the truth, but I hope you'll dream of me tonight, rather than my brother, and then placed a feather light kiss upon her lips. "Goodnight, Emma."

"Goodnight, Killian," said Emma slipping out of his embrace and opening the chamber door.

"I will come for you in the morning," said Killian.

"I look forward to it," she said, as she closed the door.