5 Months after the Stable Incident

The sound of the squire's boots hitting the stone floor, echoed loudly through the halls as she followed a lanky young lad to the throne room. She had been summoned by the Queen and everyone knew to not keep Cora waiting.

Once the blonde had stepped into the room and been announced, the lad left dragging the doors closed again.

Cora stood from her throne, meeting the blonde half way across the room. Her cool eyes took in everything as she circled the squire slowly.

"You sent for me, your Majesty?"

The squire's stance went rigid as the Queen asked coyly, "Don't I receive the title of, My Queen?"

"Your Majesty?" The blonde kept her breathing steady.

"Will do just fine, dear." Cora turned to walk the room as she continued speaking. "I remember when the King brought you here. You were so thin, practically lifeless if I recall correctly. Look at you now."

Unsure of why she was there, the blonde kept up with the conversation. "I owe my life to the throne."

"A true knight in the making, Emma Swan. Now," the sound of Cora's hands coming together caused the blonde to look her way. "As I am quite sure that you are aware, it is my daughter's twenty-first name day in a moons time."

"Yes, your majesty. The castle has been preparing for the ball, for some time now."

"Only the best for my daughter, wouldn't you agree?" Onyx eyes locked onto green.

The squire couldn't hold the scrutinizing gaze for long, instead nodding and shifting ever so slightly in her footing, hands flexing behind her back.

With grace only a lady of class could possess, the older brunette glided across the room to sit on the throne again.

In a tone of indifference, Cora continued, "It has been brought to my attention that the White Queen has fallen."

At this, the blonde's head snapped up to attention. "Fallen?"

"Dead. I meant to say she is deceased. The poor dear was sick, much like my beloved husband." Her voice may have sounded grief-stricken but her eyes told a different story.

"This is terrible news," the blonde muttered as she hung her head in respect.

"Yes, yes it is, but…" Cora rose from her seated position, "The kingdom must carry on. Naturally the King will be in need of a new wife."

Greens eyes darted back and forth, confusion etched in her brow. A new wife, but he's just lost his Queen. What has this …

A sinister grin pulled at the older woman's lips as she approached the squire. "King Leopold shall be joining us for Regina's ball. And you…" Suddenly sharp nails dug into the flesh of the knight's neck. "Will make sure, your Queen is the perfect princess, who will leave with him, when he goes back to his kingdom."

Due to her deep seeded loyalty, the blonde did not fight the Queen's hold. Her cheeks flushed red due to the lack of oxygen.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand." She understood but her mind was reeling. How could she possibly have known?

Nails pierced skin. Darkness swirled within cold eyes. "Don't play games. I hear everything. I see everything. She's becoming too old, she should have been married by now but this is perfect. You will make Regina the only woman the King could possibly desire. And if you don't," the Queen gripped harder, "she will be slain."

For the first time fear shone within green eyes as they searched the other woman's for the lie.

There was no lie.

A cold chill ran through the blonde's veins as the Queen whispered, "By your hand."

Oxygen was consumed hungrily as the grip disappeared from Emma's throat. Her legs felt weak. Not the same weakness she experienced around her love, but a weakness that brought her to her hands and knees. Panic kept the air from reaching her lungs properly.

The Queen watched on. When she had heard about the White Kingdom's loss, she knew that it was possibly her last chance. It was time to put her plan into action before another opportunity was lost. She would gain more power and this lowly woman in front of her was her first move.

An aged hand tilted the blonde's head up until she was upright on her knees.

"I can see why she likes you." Purple swirled within beady eyes as they trailed slowly over the squire. "I will make sure you are put to good use when my daughter is gone."

Lips collided with the blonde's. The bite to her lower lip was merciless, as was the thrumming agony suddenly within her groin. A pained whimper fell from her mouth.

Cora could only smirk as she stood up once more.

"Who do you serve?"

"The throne, your Majesty."

"And who is the throne?"

Emma paused momentarily. "You, your Majesty." Bile rose in the blonde's throat.

With a nod, the Queen exited the room, leaving the squire to the silent sobs that overtook her defeated form.

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

King Leopold had arrived a few days before Regina's ball. His fourteen year old daughter, Snow, accompanied him. She was just as she'd been described, hair black as ebony, skin white as snow, definitely on her way to being one of the most beautiful in the land.

After only a few hours, Snow couldn't be removed from Regina's side. Everything about her, made the girl smile. Their age difference was closer to siblings but she didn't care. She would make sure Regina came home with her and her father.

Cora had been a sickly sweet hostess. She even allowed Henry to be up and about from the catatonic state she had kept him in for the past three years.

King Leopold was enamoured with Regina as soon as they'd been introduced. She had been perfect, everything a man could possibly want in a potential wife and mother for his child. The Queen couldn't be more pleased, well, perhaps if she had had her heart intact.

At night Regina would sneak out into the gardens, seeking the comfort of her lover's arms. It was risky, especially after Emma having told the princess about her encounter with the brunette's mother, save for the unwanted kiss. After that day, they had noticed Cora or one of her advisors, everywhere. The women wondered how they hadn't noticed the silent presence before. It didn't matter now. They only had a few more days before Regina would be gone.

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

On the night of the ball, the feast was extravagant and the wine and mead were plentiful. Everyone was in high spirits with the talk of an upcoming wedding.

Regina's boredom had kicked in after the first heroic tale King Leopold had told to those at the royal table. Her eyes had strayed to a certain blonde more times than she could count. Both of their eyes held an all telling sadness, so their gazes never held for long.

A warm hand gently grasped the princess' forearm, breaking her out of her reverie.

"Regina." His voice was weak but warm. Love swirled with despair in his eyes.

"Daddy?" she questioned with concern, whilst she leant closer to him.

The older man's eyes closed momentarily. "I am so sorry, sweetheart."

Her brows furrowed but before she could question further, her father interrupted. "I should have been more, done more, for you. I know Emma…"

"Please," Regina begged in a whisper.

His eyes were kind, his hand squeezing gently before moving down to take his daughter's hand. "He seems a good man. Give him a chance," before he trailed off into silence, "Get away from here."

Before anything more could be said, William had made his way to her side, extending a slightly greasy hand. After a glance back to her father, who had his head in his hand, she stood to follow the man to the floor.

Once he had made a small speech about how she would be missed, the dance became reminiscent of every other dance they had shared. His wandering hands, pungent breath and egotistical conversation.

If she had to move his hand from her rear one more time … It became unnecessary when the song ended and another person cut in.

"Emma," Regina sighed with relief.

"One last dance, my Queen?" the squire gave her a small smile as they spun apart before joining hands, falling into symmetry with the other dancers.

Soft words were interspersed between movements and brief changing of partners. Slender fingers clutched fiercely to the coarse uniform material as the music came to its end.

Cora was making a final speech, wishing all a good night but her words went unheard as the pair attempted to commit one another to memory whilst also conveying all they couldn't voice out loud.

Regina kissed the blonde's cheek, followed by a heartfelt whisper. "I'll miss you."

A calloused hand gently brought the princess' to Emma's mouth. "Forget me not," caressed her skin before lips lingered slightly too long but never long enough.

Everyone dispersed to their rooms.

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

A King clutched the post of his bed as blood spattered onto the cloth he held to his mouth. His wife's eyes swirled purple, a wicked grin in place. Everything was falling into place.

In another wing of the castle, another King fell asleep with ease, whilst his daughter dreamt of life with her new mother.

Silent tears streamed down a brunette princess' face as she stared up at the stars. She wouldn't sleep tonight. A blonde stared up at the same stars, an overwhelming ache in her chest. Tomorrow she would lose everything she held dear.

In the main hall, the Head Knight remained seated. Mead dripped down his front as he took another swig. Something in his mind snapped. A wave of jealousy, revenge and misplaced blame crashed through him. As his tankard slammed onto the table, one name fell from his lips.

"Swan."

LINE BREAK LINE BREAK

The next morning saw Regina kissing her father's feverish head goodbye before reluctantly making her way to the awaiting carriage. Cora's farewell was well rehearsed, with a tear thrown in for good measure.

Knights stood to attention as their princess was helped into the carriage by King Leopold. Snow was talking animatedly as soon as the brunette was seated. With a final farewell to the Queen, King Leopold took his seat across from his daughter and wife to be.

William's blue eyes followed the carriage until it disappeared. His gaze cut across to his female squire. His lips morphed into a sneer. She may have been standing like a statue but he knew she'd be hurting from the impromptu sparring match he'd engaged her in early that morning. Her mind had seemed elsewhere at the time, though that hadn't stopped his violent blows which only grew in their intensity.

He had heard her constant praise of King Leopold whenever she'd been in Regina's presence. That was enough for him to link her with the princess' all of a sudden willingness to marry. Swan would pay for his love being taken away.

Cora's smile fell from her face once the carriage was out of sight. The knights were dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Emma went to follow William but stopped in her tracks at the sound of her name being called. The blonde turned, eyeing the Queen in her figure hugging, royal blue dress. Only one word was spoken but it caused fear to slide down her spine and coil within her stomach.

"Come."

The squire followed the Queen to her bedchambers.

AN: Chapter 4 complete. Thoughts? ... All reviews, faves and follows are greatly appreciated :)