Wonderstruck

Chapter 7

Regina wore off white that night. Emma watched her acutely unable to help herself as she noticed the beautiful brunette girl stayed close to her father most of the evening. He spoke something in her ear and she turned looking up at Emma. A hesitant smile crossed her pretty pouting lips, which the blonde princess returned, before her mother touched her arm drawing her attention away from the dark haired princess.

"Did you mean what you said last night?" Snow asked, studying her daughter closely.

Emma's shoulders barely hitched as she let out a soft breath. "No, but it's what she wants."

"She's a child Emma. I don't think she knows what she wants." Snow sighed, "And it's too late anyways. We're so deep in the negotiations that backing out now would mean war and I cannot afford to wage it on both fronts."

"Regina was under the impression the contract was already signed."

"It would be if her father was the one to sign it but her mother refuses until she has what she wants."

Emma frowned, glancing over at Regina. "Is that why she's wearing white then? That's not a color typically associated with her Kingdom."

"No, but it is a color associated with ours. Her mother is making it a point to tie her closer to us due to her own wants." Snow sighed as she watched the Queen of Springfall speaking with Queen Ariel of Sunfaire. She turned slightly so that she could speak to her daughter. "There is to be a tournament held on your name day. There we are planning to announce your engagement to Princess Regina."

Emma nodded and remained quiet for a few moments before she asked, "What does the Queen of Springfall want Momma?"

Snow remained quiet before she shook her head, "We'll speak on it later when there aren't so many prying eyes and waiting ears."

Emma nodded and rose to her feet. Her beautiful silver dress trailed across the dais as she walked down the stone steps. Slowly she made her way to Regina's side.

"May I speak with you?" She asked.

Regina dipped into a curtsy and nodded, "Of course, your grace."

Emma smiled softly before holding out her arm allowing Regina's small hand to rest in the crook of her elbow. "Come, let's go outside. We can speak in private out there."

"It's not proper Princess."

"I think we're past propriety's sake but if you want me to bring along a chaperone I can." She lifted her hand, motioning towards Grumpy who cut his eyes at her. He took a long sip of the tankard in his fist before pushing his way through the crowd, mindless of the people who shot him nasty looks.

The dark haired princess arched a silent brow but didn't say a word. She followed Emma willingly outside as the gruff dwarf followed them continuing to drink from the large cup in his hand. Grumpy didn't say a word to which Emma was grateful as he allowed the girls to walk ahead of him. He stayed within eye sight but not within ear shot.

The snow had stopped falling, leaving with it an icy wind that bit through both their frames. Emma sighed, realizing they wouldn't be able to stay out here long.

"I spoke to my mother," She stated bluntly. "She said the contract hasn't been signed yet. There is still time to get out of it if that's what you want."

Regina sighed, crossing her arms over her chest to keep warm. "It is, but it doesn't matter what I want. I'm to be married to you. My mother insists and my father falls into line with her."

"Why? He's the King and she's his Queen. Does that not make him equal if not greater than her?"

"There are a great many things wrong in the Kingdom of Springfall your Highness. Most I'm sure you'll learn after we're married and in which case it will be too late for you to flee from me." The princess' frown and self-loathing tone made Emma draw closer to her.

Tenderly, she lifted the girl's chin giving her a soft smile. "I don't think there is much that can send me fleeing from you as you say. What's the worst that can happen?"

Regina's chin wobbled slightly as her lips trembled. Emma blinked, shocked when the other girl suddenly turned away from her. "You're goodness amazes me, your highness." She spoke softly, haltingly as though overwhelmed by Emma's simple words.

The blonde's lips parted to speak but no words came forth. She merely offered a small smile. "I've never been told that before."

"Well perhaps I'll be the first to set forth that trend."

The princess shook her head watching the dark haired beauty. "You look beautiful tonight. Ivory is a good color for you."

"It's not a color I'd pick for myself." Regina sighed, as she turned her chin downwards.

Slowly the blonde took a step towards her and slowly slid her arms around her waist. It was improper and had it been anyone but Grumpy she knew they would tell her to back away and keep to a proper distance but she didn't care at that moment. All that mattered was comforting the younger girl in front of her.

"I'm sorry I did this to you."

"You already apologized once your highness."

"We're to be married, I think you can call me Emma now."

"It's not proper."

"To hell with properness," Emma muttered causing the other girl to gasp.

"Don't say such things your grace. They aren't…"

"Proper." The blonde princess cut in.

Regina let out a small breathy laugh as she finally turned in the other girl's arms. Emma had never been this close to her. She felt her heart rate accelerate as her mouth dried out. She was beautiful from afar but up close she was breathtaking. Soft brown eyes met her own and for just a moment it felt like the whole world stopped. Then she blinked and the princess of Springfall was pulling away. "We must keep to propriety. If we don't, they will question whether or not we have acted against it and done as we will before we are married. And the marriage will never go through because we'd both be worthless."

"You'd never be worthless." Emma denied vehemently.

The brunette shook her head, "To you but to everyone else I would be." Her eyes had softened during the exchange and the small light in her eyes that the blonde had admired was now becoming a burning blaze as she stared at her.

The blonde nodded, "We should go back inside, it's getting cold and I know you aren't used to this temperature."

"I'd best get used to it. After all, I'm to be winter's bride."

Emma offered her a small smile. "I hope sooner rather than later."

"You still gonna go through with this Snow?" Grumpy asked, folding his arms across his chest as the Queen sat in front of him at her vanity brushing her hair. It wasn't out of the ordinary for the two to talk late at night like this. Seeing Snow in her robe and little else wasn't really an issue for him since he viewed her much like his sister.

The Queen shrugged, "I have no choice, to pull out of the contract now would mean war and I told Emma already I cannot fight that on both fronts."

"Do you know anything about the snake you're getting in bed with?"

"I've heard the rumors, same as you. I know what Cora is and I also know what her pretty daughter is."

"And you'd subject your own flesh and blood to that?"

Snow remained quiet for a few moments, "I believe Regina has a kind a heart and I don't think she'll allow her mother to take control of her once she comes into herself."

"But how do we know that's gonna happen? For all we know she could just let that bitch do whatever she wants and she'll drive both your Kingdom and hers into the ground." Grumpy flopped down on the couch and pulled out a flask, taking a sip of the strong mead. He needed it to get the headache that was forming between his eyes to recede.

"I have faith in Emma."

"And what happens if an accident befalls her after she takes the throne? Then Mommy and Mommy's puppet does whatever she wants. You have to consider that it's an option Snow."

"I have," She snarled as she flipped around on him. He glared back at her, not at all upset about having the Queen suddenly in his space.

Her anger flared quickly and then settled back into the regal mask she'd grown for the world to see. "I am well acquainted with the ambitions of Cora. I knew what I was getting myself into when I agreed to go to King Henry about a marriage contract. My people are dying though and the Ogres keep coming. I don't have enough able bodied people to keep our Kingdom safe for very long. The wall doesn't hold them back like it used to. People are being crushed in their sleep and those that are left are starving. I have to do something. I'm their Queen and they look to me to make their decisions. Springfall is isolated but they have a strong trade with Agrabah and enough food to keep my Kingdom from starving. Though they will not agree to sending soldiers to our aid but they have agreed to send supplies and those are things we desperately need."

Grumpy frowned, "So the loss of one for the sake of hundreds yes that sounds just like you righteous monarchs." He stood up. "Don't expect to sit by and allow you to ruin Emma. She's your daughter Snow. You're meant to protect her; not offer her up on a silver platter like a lamb to the slaughter."

"I'm doing what I can to keep Emma alive." She snapped. "Or we may just find ourselves turned out in the cold before long."

"You're giving her control of a failing Kingdom and a child bride that doesn't even know her own two feet yet. Yeah, I can see you're really doing what's best for her."

"Don't tell me how to protect my daughter Grumpy."

"You made me her godfather when she was born. I take that responsibility seriously and since you won't protect her; I sure as hell will; even if it means having to sleep outside her bedroom door for the rest of my life."

Snow narrowed her eyes watching as the dwarf walked surprisingly steadily towards the door. "I'm doing what I think is best." She spoke softly.

"For you and everyone else; not for her. So who looks out for her if not you?" Grumpy frowned and pulled the door open. He didn't bother to slam it closed behind him. He knew Snow knew how angry he was with her for the decision she'd made. And now Emma was going to pay the price for it…again…