Wonderstruck
Chapter 3:
Author's Notes: I've been working on this for almost a week now. I'm finally at a place where I'm happy with it. I hope everyone else is too. I'll try really hard to get the next chapter written but it might be a while seeing as my job is getting hectic…Anyways please let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy!~ Bella
PS: Also I have a HUGE list of Kingdoms with various intricate parts to them that may be needed as we go along. If it gets to that point I'll post them so everyone can see what they need so that they have some idea of what's going on.
Emma sighed as she took a slight gasping breath. She hated wearing corsets. Why couldn't she just wear pants? What was so wrong with that? At least her mother had given in and allowed her to wear a deep emerald dress instead of the puffed pink one she'd originally picked out. Her heels clicked as she climbed the stairs beside her mother heading towards the ornate thrones. Tonight was her 20th birthday and yet it didn't feel at all like a birthday should. Much like the dress that clung to her frame, Emma found herself feeling strangled knowing what this was truly about. She sighed as she carefully sat down on the smaller, silver carved throne beside her mother.
Glancing out across the sea of faces, she recognized a few. Prince Stefan and his parents, Queen Rapunzel and King Flynn of Moonshollow they were speaking to Queen Aurora and her daughter Caroline. Caroline shot Emma a small smile which Emma returned. Caroline was much like her mother, long light brown hair and a pretty heart shaped face that reflected more of her grandmother then her mother. Her brown eyes though were all her father. People from Starsflow tended to reflect the pale light of the stars. It was the case with both Aurora and Caroline given how pale they both were.
Caroline had been Emma's first. Neither had been in love with the other, but as friends they had felt more comfortable expressing their needs to one another than to anyone else. They both knew they would keep the others secret. Emma forced her face to remain blank not wanting to get her friend into trouble. She continued her perusal of the room, her eyes falling on the King and Queen of Sunfaire. Queen Ariel was looking particularly pretty in her light sea foam green dress. Her husband, King Eric, looked dashing as usual. She wondered if Charles and Melody were here but they didn't seem to be close to their parents so perhaps they was talking to King Maurice and his new family.
The King of Lighthaven had chosen to remarry and have a son of his own after his first wife had died in childbirth and his daughter had been taken from him by the Dark One. Emma shuddered at the thought. Darkkeep was one of the hardest places to find and yet those desperate enough to call for Rumplestilskin had always managed to find him in the past. Her eyes sought out Queen Cinderella of Autumnamour knowing she knew exactly what that felt like. She sent a small smile to Alexandra. Like her mother she was a willowy blonde with warm eyes. She was pretty in the way that people from her Kingdom all were. Most were willowy with light complexions. It was always easy to tell who came from where just by their looks alone, the Princess mused as she swung her head around. She snickered trying to hide it when her mother shot her a look out of the corner of her eye when she noticed Grumpy had stationed himself by the buffet table or more specifically by the hard cider table.
Drunk dwarves were hilarious. Grumpy alone would cause all sorts of trouble but if his brothers joined in then the revelry would be kicked up quite a few notches. Emma watched closely hoping, when a small commotion at the door of the large ball room caught her attention. She stood up; joining her mother as the guards slowly lifted their spears and allowed the small procession to step forward. Emma blinked, she didn't recognize the gold and deep burgundy the elder man had chosen to wear though she could clearly see the gold circlet on his wizened head. She cocked her head looking at her mother who smiled. "I invited the King and Queen of Springfall."
"Springfall? I thought they were staying out of the affairs of the other Kingdoms as best they could." Emma remarked cocking her head to one side.
"They are but that doesn't mean it does them any good to be so isolated. They have a daughter about your age but not many people have seen her. Their trade with Agrabah combined with the deserts that border their Kingdom makes it easier for them to avoid the ogres and the other Kingdoms greedy eyes."
Emma bit her lip and nodded. Her eyes sought out Caroline's as she blinked and cocked her head silently asking the blonde Princess what was happening.
Before Emma got a chance to respond, an elderly man and his wife were standing in front of them. Much like Emma, they were wearing darker colors. The gold was muted as well as the deep burgundy of their clothing. She watched as the King dipped into a gentlemanly bow but she noticed where he seemed more fluid in his movements, his wife, remained rather stiff. She curtsied as was proper but she didn't drop her head. She met Queen Snow's eyes head on. Emma shivered, noting how cold the look was. Her mother actually wanted an alliance with this woman?
"King Henry and Queen Cora of Springfall." The page's voice sounded as people stopped and stared. The music stopped at the exact same time as they both rose to their feet as Snow dipped into a curtsy of her own motioning subtly for Emma to do the same.
"Your majesties; I'm glad that you could join us for this wonderful occasion." Snow greeted as soon as she had righted herself.
"I must apologize for our tardiness your grace. Our horses are unused to such cold." The King spoke with a warm smile, his dark eyes shone with kindness. Emma liked him immediately.
"Of course your majesty; we understand. Such things cannot be helped." He bowed again before moving slightly to one side.
Behind him stood the most beautiful vision Emma had ever seen. The room seemed to grow quieter, the fairy lights and torches faded away as the blonde princess' eyes zeroed in on the beauty before her. She felt like someone had knocked the wind out of her.
"Princess Regina, heir of Springfall." The page announced but Emma only focused on her name.
"Regina," She breathed, as the Princess lifted her head from her deep curtsy. Rich chocolate eyes met jade and Emma forgot again how to breathe.
Her mouth hung slightly open as the brunette lowered her eyes, playing with her long fingers. She was clearly uncomfortable with the attention but the blonde couldn't help herself. Never had she seen a lovelier vision then the one standing before her. The princess looked up through thick black lashes and Emma forced herself to shut her jaw with an audible click. She swallowed, her throat feeling dry as she took in the warm honeyed glow of the other girl's skin set off by the deep crimson of her gown. She was beautiful, absolutely gorgeous really.
Emma looked at her mother, who was watching her slightly out of the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry Mother, what did you say?"
"I asked you if you'd like to greet our guests properly?" Snow arched a brow, looking at her daughter in concern.
Emma bit her lip, a slight blush flushing her cheeks. "I'm sorry Mother. I didn't hear you." She forced herself to speak, keeping her eyes away from the beautiful princess. "Thank you King Henry, Queen Cora…Princess Regina for coming so far to help celebrate my birthday. I look forward to getting to know you three much better in the near future." She managed with only one fumble when Regina had lifted her eyes and met hers as her beautiful full red lips had tilted up in a slight smile.
She flushed brighter looking at her mother who offered her a small smile. She glanced at the musicians and with a slight nod of the Queen's head they began to play again. Slowly the shock wore off the other visitors as they began to mingle once again. Emma bit her lip glancing through the crowd trying to keep her eyes on Princess Regina.
"Emma, you don't have to stay up here. You should go and dance with your suitors and enjoy time with Caroline. You two used to be inseparable." Snow pointed out as she settled back down on her throne. She offered a tender smile to Emma. "Go and enjoy your birthday darling. Don't waste it with just me."
"It's a not a waste to be spending it with you Momma." Emma offered her a small smile in return before her eyes looked back out seeking out the dark haired beauty that had made her heart stop. Her eyes found Grumpy's and he shook his head subtly warning her not to act on impulse but she merely rolled her eyes. She turned to look at her mother before standing up and dipping into a small curtsy. "I'll be back soon Momma."
"Take your time darling. Enjoy yourself a bit."
The blonde nodded and stood back to her full height before descending the stairs. Men immediately swept towards her but she put them off carefully with a small smile and a laugh dancing gracefully out of their reach before heading straight for Caroline.
"Hello Princess," The White princess offered with a small smile. She dipped into a small bow which looked awkward in her dress but she didn't care.
Caroline laughed and slipped into a deep curtsy. "Good evening Princess Emma. Happy birthday," She offered.
"How are you finding the ball so far?" Emma asked holding out her arm for Caroline to take. The petite brunette didn't hesitate to put her arm through Emma's allowing herself to be taken away from the people her mother was speaking with.
"Perfectly fine…but a bit boring; it seems to be more for the adults then us."
"Yes, it does." Emma agreed easily looking around.
"You seem quite taken with her." Caroline remarked, noting the blonde's wandering jade eyes.
"Who?" She asked, forcing her gaze away from finding the one she was seeking and looking back towards her friend.
"The Princess of Springfall; I must admit she is lovely. This is the first time I think anyone has ever even seen her before."
"Do you know anything of her? Your kingdom sits along their southern border. I know the deserts border the other sides."
"Not much; the people are very private and so too are their monarchs." Caroline sighed. "I think I may have seen her once though but I cannot be certain. It was so far away and she's so tiny."
"She is petite like you," Emma agreed even though she was only a few inches taller than Caroline herself. It was difficult to tell if Regina was as short as Caroline or not.
"I think she likes horses. I saw her…I think riding. If it was her then she's quite good with them." The pretty brunette offered and Emma bit her lip thinking.
She hated horses personally. She figured it was genetic seeing as her mother hated horses as well. In her youth, her mother's horse had run away with her on its back. One of her grandfather's men had stopped the horse and saved her from getting hurt but she'd never gotten over that and in turn had never demanded her own daughter ride. Her mother unlike Emma though was actually surprisingly proficient with horses even if she'd rather keep her own two feet on the ground. Emma, herself, was completely hopeless when it came to the animals. Her skills were remedial at best but maybe if Caroline was right and Regina did love horses than she herself would find a way to appreciate the animals. She glanced around looking for her yet again before she caught sight of the edge of her dress disappearing out the open doors of the ballroom.
"Go after her," Caroline hummed giving Emma a small smile.
"And leave you to the wolves my dear princess?"
"The wolves will still be circling when you return."
Emma grinned back at her and released her arm heading out towards the balcony unhindered by anyone. She stopped when she noticed the fluffy white flakes beginning to fall. She lifted her hands, looking up at the dark sky and twinkling stars. She turned, her eyes going back to the beauty on the balcony overlooking the snow covered gardens that had yet to acknowledge her presence.
She smiled as she stepped up towards her, laying her hands on the cool stone balcony. "It's awfully cold out here."
The girl visibly tensed before, dark flashing eyes glared at her. "I like it." She said coldly.
Emma blinked cocking her head, "I didn't think you would. Springfall is a rather warm place from what I remember."
The girl's jaw set and Emma watched as her hands tensed on the railing. "It's different." She finally offered.
The blonde stared at her for a few moments before turning her own eyes out to the garden. "I know we were formally introduced but I would prefer a more intimate introduction. I'm Emma."
"I know who you are your highness." The beautiful brunette began and Emma opened her mouth to speak again. "I don't know why you followed me out here. If you're hoping for a good conversation you should find someone else."
"But I wanted to talk to you." Emma said softly, beginning to feel a bit put off by the other girl's coldness.
"I don't know why."
The blonde's brow furrowed as she opened her mouth to speak before she noticed the slight shiver that wracked the other girl's smaller frame. Slowly she shrugged out of the white ermine bolero her mother insisted she wore as tribute to the Kingdom. Though the animal of the White House was a snow leopard; her mother insisted that they be protected and as such if anyone were to wear their fur they would be punished severely. Ermine, while expensive, was a good compromise for those that wished to wear fur which during the harsh winters was probably a good idea.
Emma took a small step towards her watching closely as the brunette, with the snowflakes beginning to gather in her dark hair, tensed. She tenderly laid the short jacket across her shoulders.
"You look half frozen."
"I'm perfectly fine." Regina snipped but Emma merely smiled when she noticed her little gloved hands come up and gently clutch the fur a bit closer to her body clearly absorbing the lingering warmth of Emma's body.
Emma smiled softly longing to lay her hands on the girls' forearms that were now covered by the white fur but she remained put. In silence they both looked out over the gardens until Caroline's soft voice interrupted the quiet stillness of the night.
"Emma?" She called. "Your mother sent me to look for you."
"Tell her I'll be right there." Emma offered a small smile to the petite brunette which was returned.
"You'll need this back," Regina started to shrug out of the bolero when she was certain Caroline was gone.
"No, you keep it. It'll keep you warm while you're out here and I would rather see it put to good use then not."
"Why are you being so kind to me?" Her shoulders hunched as her head tilted down.
Emma remained silent for a moment trying to formulate a response before it finally hit her. "Because it looks as though you need a friend."
Regina remained silent as Emma turned heading towards the doors where the music was pouring out along with the laughter and gentle chatter of the guests. She almost missed Regina's softly spoken words but when she heard them she couldn't keep the silly grin from lighting up her pretty face.
"Thank you…Princess Emma."