Emma straightened her shirt one more time and then rounded the corner. When she spotted her very own home, she wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. The house, her home was hard to miss; it was the largest and most substantial estate in the White Kingdom. It used to belong to another king then my parents took it from him, the seven dwarfs saw the coming troubles and packed up my family and fled. Emma had thought the dwarves a coward, but now she knows that they were trying to save her mom and myself. For as long as Emma could remember, the guest house as always called 'the small house,' but it was a poor term. The 'small house' was more substantial than two standard village properties because it was held for the servants. My mother believed in equality and being fair with the servants. She wanted to give them a good home.
Emma walked through the large front gate were two soldiers stand at the front. Emma scowled as she approaches the entrance, and to her surprise, the guard nearest the gate latch opened it and let her in. Emma walked through and proceed to step up the stairs. Slowly, Emma made her way up the stone steps where two another soldier stood guard before the entrance. She knew one of the guards, he used to work for my parents and now he didn't have the choice but to work for the Evil Queen, not that I blame him.
She looked up at the sky one last time before entering the door, inside her home. Emma was prepared for a long-drawn-out argument but instead, the door opened and the soldier he recognized as being one of the princesses, me. Emma whispered to herself, "I listen and obey. Listen and obey."
The castle didn't know any different, other than the King Leopold occupying her home. She was expecting more guards than the two outside than the two inside but was very surprised not to see any others. Queen Regina's guard stopped suddenly, causing Emma to nearly crash into his broad back. He turned around and faced Emma.
"If you throw as much as crumpled piece of paper at Queen Regina, I will kill you."
Emma looked up at the guard's face and then broke into a smile, "how long did you practice that, Goliath?"
"I mean it?"
"Yes, I know," Emma patted Goliath on the hand, surprising both herself and him. "I have watched you walked next to her for months."
"That was a lucky throw."
"You should have given her a helmet."
"I should have killed you," he growled back. He led her to King Leopold's office up the stiars and indicated for Emma to walk through. Emma entered the room, which looked quite sparse, a desk in the middle and that was it. There was nothing personal about it to indicate its owner and the room was to suggest someone actually occupied it. "What's this?"
"This is King Leopold's office."
Emma studied the room again and slowly shook her head. "It's cold. There's nothing to say it belongs to. He doesn't even have a piece of paper on his desk," Emma bent her knees slightly and tilted her head to the side to inspect the desk surface. There's no more warmth or knowledge of the Charmings' family that used to occupy this home. "It's also dusty."
He sighed as he looked at the ceiling. "Do you always talk so much?"
"No, not always. When I am 'doing rocks'" as he claimed, "I am quiet as a mouse." Emma smiled when he gave her a disgusted look. Did he really think what I did was a rock? Interesting.
"I don't know why they are hiring you. You are a menace."
"You are worried I'll still want to kill her."
"I am not worried."
"Really?"
He stared at Emma, "you won't get another chance. I will kill you first."
"Kill, kill, kill, don't you know that it's not nice to threaten to kill new maids?" How old are you?" Emma asked expectantly.
"Why?"
"I want to know."
"You're very strange."
"No, I'm just bored," Emma replied and inspected the cold room to find a spot to sit down. There weren't any chairs other than the one behind the desk. "Where is your king?"
"He is busy—"
"Killing people."
"Stop that!"
Emma grinned, "are you sweet on her? I think you are, in a evil way, I mean."
"Stop talking."
"You know she's married, right?" His eyes narrowed as she gazed back at his face. He avoided the topic for a moment before he turned back to bemused Emma when King Leopold walks in, "you want to help Queen Regina, don't you?"
Emma gazed up at the King and slightly bowed before the king. She looked a man who supposed to be her grandfather before her, "I am Regina Mills' maid."
"Queen Regina," he corrected her.
"You are Emma Swan?" He asked that took Emma by surprise.
"Yes."
"Are you a good maid?"
"No. I have never been a maid before."
King Leopold looked up with a slight smile, "I am sure you will learn very quickly. Where are your belongings?"
"My what?" refusing to call Leopold king or otherwise unless required.
"Your suitcase."
"Why?"
"You are moving in. Didn't Granny tell you?"
Emma glanced at him with a perplexed look on her face. "I live right across the street." I mean I own this town so I can live anywhere I like but I choose to live a cabin in middle of the forest.
"Yes, I know you do, but you will move into this castle."
"I don't think so," Emma muttered and glared at King Leopold. "I am a maid, not a servant."
"That's the same thing," King Leopold spoke as he stood up from his chair, "You are moving into the top floor of this house to be with Queen Regina. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good. How old are you?"
"Fourteen."
"Can you read and write."
"Yes, Your Majesty," spoke with snare force to say 'your majesty' with disgust. He called out his guards, "take Emma Swan upstairs to Queen Regina's office."
Regina sat at her desk, her long, raven hair falling across her face as she looked at the painting she held in her hands. Regina remembered, so vividly, the day that photo was taken. She has been excited to be out to ride her horse. Her love for horses and Daniel who was killed my mother. She raced on her horse to tell her beloved and their plans of escape before being forced to wed King Leopold. Regina shook her head at the memory and sighed, "Oh, Daniel," she whispered to the man in the painted picture as she brushed away tears. She put her painting photo aside and went back to the letter in front of her, and mountain of paperwork to double check King Leopold's orders.
She looked up at the sound of knocking, and quickly composed herself, "Enter."
The door opened, and King Leopold's guard entered. Behind him come Emma, clutching her back, "Regina…"
"Just a moment," Regina said not bothering to spare more than a glance at Emma. She finished writing the letter and put her ink aside. She stood and walked around the desk and sat on the edge of it while she watched Emma looked around the room. "You can go, James."
"Queen—"
"James, you can go. She won't attack me."
James scowled and held his ground for a moment before he turned and walked out. He closed the door behind him. "So, this is how our slave masters live?" Emma sarcastically said as she looked around the well-furnished room. She smiled when she caught sight of her painting on the wall she recognized well. "I painted that," Emma said proudly. It had been the last painting I have painted in this home.
"You're very talented," Regina replied and glanced at the painting of the courtside of this castle.
"No, I wasn't. It was magic that did that," Emma whispered, cleared her throat and then continued to look around the room. The desk was positioned near the window, and a light breeze blew the curtain over the chair. Emma looked up at the small painting that was on the desk and peered at it. She recognized Regina quickly as a gangly teenager on the horse. She was smiling then Regina pulled Emma out of her thoughts, "find anything interesting?"
Emma jumped a little at the nearness of Regina's voice, and glanced back at Regina, who hovered nearby. "That's you?"
"Yes."
"I have talent for horses."
Emma glanced back, "Hmm," was all she said and turned back to the painting photo. There was something about the boy that reminded her of someone, but she wasn't sure who or why. "Who is he?"
"You ask a lot of questions."
"Are you going to tell me?"
Do I have to?" Regina responded, her tone a little irritated by Emma's inquisitive nature, "He was one of my stableboys."
"He has gentle eyes," Emma said, still gazing at the photo. "Who is he?" Emma smiled when she heard Regina's sigh behind her. She had to work with her, but Father Henry didn't say she had to "behave" the entire time. Annoying Regina Miles was going to be fun, making her stay in the house more enjoyable.
"No, he was one of the villagers," Regina found this bothered, "Can you stop looking at the photograph like you're going to find the meaning of life behind it?"
"Is it bothering you?"
"No, it is not, but I find it strange that you would look at it for so long."
"What's his name?"
"None of your business!"
"Does King None of Your Business answer to Queen None of Your Business?" Emma quipped, getting an angry look in return, enjoying this thoroughly.
"You are going to be an insufferable goat."
Emma smiled, "I have never been described as a goat before. That's new. Are you going to tell me his real name or do I call him "Prince None of Your Business" for all eternity?"
"His name is Daniel Colter, and before you ask, he passed away before I wed Leopold."
"I am sorry for your loss," Emma abruptly ceased her teasing and noticed a flicker of uncertainty cross Regina's face. She was about to ask more questions, but Regina interrupted her, "stop interrogating me."
"How else will I get to know you while I'm working with you?"
"You are working for me."
"No," Emma shook her head. "You're deluded. I am working with you. Remember, this maid business is a ruse."
"No, it is not. I really do need a maid."
"Oh, wonderful!" Emma exclaimed and slapped her hand over her head. "I do not want to be a maid to an Evil Queen's daughter. Why do you need a real maid for?"
"To be a maid, silly," Regina replied.
"Do I look like I'm village idiot?" Emma scowled.
"You do not look like the village idiot, but you are acting like one. Do you know anything about being a maid?"
"I do not like you. I know how to sew, how to clean, and how to cook. My mama taught me how to be a good wife someday. Do you know how to do those things?"
Regina shook her head, "No, none of those."
"Who's the village idiot now?" Emma snickered and turned back to the painted photo and wondered, "do you always have a maid to do all those things for you?" She asked sarcastically.
"Yes," Regina was smiling when Emma turned in surprise. "Wealthy people need maids."
"I didn't have one," Emma whispered to herself then looked up to Regina, "then you need to marry someone rich or else you will be doing the cleaning, the washing and the cooking."
"If I ever need to remarry and needs marriage advice, I'll call you."
"You can always hire me as your maid," Emma quipped, then chuckled at her own joke. She turned away and finally stopped staring at the painted photo and focused her attention elsewhere around the room.
"You speak in different languages? Where did you learn how to speak Latin, Greek and other languages?"
"My mother taught me. She had tutors," Regina sat down on the couch and motioned for Emma to join her.
"Oh yeah, I forgot, you're the bastard child," Emma retorted, ignoring Regina's request.
Regina took a deep breath and flexed her fingers. "How did the meeting with King Leopold go?" She asked, ignoring Emma's last comment.
"Other than being an asshole, he asked how old I was and if I could read and write."
"You can read and write?"
"You must have a hearing problem. I am not the village idiot," Emma said defensively. "I also know how to speak Latin and Greek," she muttered.
"I am sorry; I didn't mean that way," reading and writing is only tutored by wealthy families. The more I talk to her, the more I wondered who she is.
"What were you doing before I come in?"
"You ask too many questions."
"Yes, get used to it because that's the only way I find anything out."
Regina glanced at Emma and shook her head, "I was writing letters and orders upon my husband to several towns around the White Kingdom."
"Why?"
"One of ours were killed last night," Regina responded tersely, "Emma, we are on the same side. I do not want to fight with you."
Emma shook her head, "you don't understand, I am not on your side. Your side killed my mother, and my people. I hate you!"
"Why do you hate me?"
"Because you are a callous bitch."
"You don't know me," Regina replied, sounding hurt by the bluntness of Emma's answer.
"You were there when my mother was killed. I saw you," Emma looked up to a perplexed Regina looking back at her. "I heard you."
"You heard me? I don't understand."
Emma was not fooled by the innocent look. She was expecting it. Here was the demon she hated with all her soul, the woman she wanted to kill to avenge her mother's death, and Regina was staring at her with the most puzzled expression on her face as if she genuinely didn't know what Emma was talking about. Emma nodded, "I have to hand it to you, you're good."
"I really don't know what you're talking about."
Emma was angry. She was enraged at the woman sitting opposite her who was calmly denying what she had done.
"When my mother lay dying, you should by your husband and let her got killed then I heard you laughing. I saw you," Emma said and waited to see if Regina reacted. Regina sat back and shook her head, "that is abhorrent. I would never laugh at anyone who was dying. I most certainly did not laugh," she said vehemently. "I wouldn't do that."
"I wasn't expecting you to admit it," Emma shrugged. "You are the enemy and the Evil Queen have no heart."
"You have me all worked out, don't you? You think you know me," Regina replied angrily. She should up and walked over to her desk, turning her back on Emma. "You don't know anything," she said quietly, hurt and heartbroken at Emma's bluntness and hatred when she did nothing and she's a prisoner and abused by her husband.
"I know what I saw and what I heard," Emma continued, unfazed by Regina's emotional outburst. "I can't deny that."
Regina took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and regained her composure. She turned around to find Emma was staring at her. "You are wrong. I was most certainly not laughing."
"Someone was laughing," Emma replied.
"I am sorry about your mother's death, but I didn't laugh."
"You didn't even know her. How can you be sorry?" Emma stared at Regina. "I know what I heard." She stood and walked over to Regina and looked up defiantly. "You are the Evil Queen's daughter and yet you want to help us? It doesn't make sense unless you're a spy. I don't buy 'Father H is my father' crap and that's why I am doing it."
"Why is it so difficult to believe?"
"You're the enemy and you took my home."
"You are right in that I am not helping because of Father Henry," Regina replied. "I'm helping you for my own reasons. My reasons are none of your business."
"Very noble," Emma replied. "I couldn't care less about your reasons." Emma stared at Regina for a long moment then asked, "have you ever changed your mind?"
"Yes, I've changed my mind many times. I've changed my mind about killing you although that could change again." Regina shook her head slightly before continuing. "I changed my mind about my mother and her agendas."
"You're telling me that when you found out who your real daddy was, you wanted to help the people escape?" Emma asked sarcastically.
"You are not going to be easy to get along with, are you?" Regina blurted, she has no idea about me and my story and yet here she is, assuming that I changed after I found out my father; which isn't the case.
"No," Emma replied, "get used to it."
Regina sighed. She was getting tired of Emma's antagonism. She had enough hated to deal with in her life and adding one more person who hated her was just overwhelming. Her mother has been pressing about family and treating vermin Leopold as a husband when he has been forcing me to live in a shadow of his dead wife. He doesn't even recognize me or even socialize with me. The parts between me and him, she will never speak of it and doesn't want to think about it. One thing she always does, keep her head high and hope somehow Emmett or someone finds a way to overthrow Evil Queen and she'll be gladly to help him. She has some ideas she wanted to run by with Emmett.
Father had warned her about Emma was going to be doggedly determined to hate her no matter what. She thought he was stretching the truth a little, but she could see that winning Emma's trust was going to be difficult, if not impossible. "Do you know the story of how King Leopold propose to me?" Regina asked, motioning for Emma to resume her seat on the couch. One thing I must do is to tell the story, the beginning of the story about Daniel Colter.
"No," Emma shook her head, but for a moment, she ignored Regina's request then she sat down again.
Regina went to the window and stared out, "I was in love with stableboy and one afternoon, I was riding my horse." She tried to collect her thoughts when she thought of Daniel, "I remember I heard a girl's cry when horse went ballistic, so I chase after her and caught the horse. The girl was scared and didn't want to ride horses again, so I reminded her that it's okay. Before I know it, King Leopold was right in my home and proposed to me. I was about to decline, but my mother accepted my proposal."
Emma felt oddly familiar about the story, it can't be the same Snow White, her mother she's talking about, "what happened to that girl you saved?"
She mentally shook herself as she continued, "I was planning to run away with Daniel, but the girl caught us and about to report her father what she has witness. Luckily, I caught up with her and convinced her to keep it a secret."
Emma didn't like how this is going, her voice no longer sounding angry when obviously she married Leopold, but "what do you …?"
"My mother found out my secret and Daniel Colter has been killed by my mother's hand," she didn't want to give her the exact details of this part," Regina said, trying to regain her composure before turning to face Emma.
"Oh," Emma whispered.
"We both know how it feels to lose our beloved people," Regina said, "you are not the first to lose someone." Regina slowly lowered herself onto the couch again.
"Is this when you decided to work against your mother?"
"No, it was after because I was on bend revenge on the girl for telling my mother my secret, but Evil Queen hired a hunter to kill the girl when she got older. She made her escape and as far as King Leopold knows that she dead by the hunter's hand," Regina replied, she wasn't about to reveal everything about herself to Emma, but she hopes this will help Emma to stop hating her.
Emma didn't know that part of the story, and she wishes she could ask mom if this was true, but it looks like it is because Regina's having hard time to keep her composure and quiet than usual, "I mean it, Regina. You are everything I hate."
"You don't know me. How can you hate me?" Regina reasoned.
"I don't need to know the devil to want," Emma stopped for a moment, "her dead." She continued, "But … I also don't think your life is worth a hundred souls."
"Oh."
Emma asked again, "How did you found out your father was Father H? Did you roam the entire Kingdom and ask every villager you met if they knew about your father?"
Despite the sarcasm, Regina found the question funny and chuckled, which only cause Emma to scowl. Regina composed herself but couldn't help the smile that creased her face, "you have a unique way of expressing yourself."
"It's a gift," Emma shrugged and folded her arms across her chest, grew to want to know more about her even through parts of her does hate her, "So, what's the story?"
Regina paused for moment and got up from her seat, went to her desk and took another painted photo that's hidden beneath several sacks of papers. "This is my parents," she said and gave it to Emma. Emma looked at the painted photograph of a striking woman and a younger version of Regina. Without a word, Emma handed the painted photo back, "so that's how Father H knew who you were."
"Father H is the prince, but he was banished by my mother when King Leopold gave her his throne when they found a way to defeat the White Kingdom," Regina looked down at the photo that she stole from her mother and sighed. "It is not my place to tell you the story, but the truth is that Father Henry Mills is my father. If you don't want to believe it, that's up to you, but it's the truth."
"And you automatically thought Father Henry is your father?" Emma asked with a puzzled expression.
"No, I was told that Father Henry was the honored person in entire Kingdom, and he works with the Charming's, so I asked him if he knew about my father was," Regina replied.
"You just happened to find Father H, who was your real father?" Emma asked incredulously.
"Yes."
"Are you aware how bizarre that sounds?"
She could tell Emma would need a lot of convincing to believe her good fortune, but she didn't say anything yet because she was sure she'll ask more questions anyways.
"So out of all the folks in the White Kingdom or even in this village, you found him?" Emma shook her head in disbelief.
"Yes! I would like to think of it as divine intervention, but I suspect King Leopold chose to conquer this Kingdom."
"Why?"
"I don't know," Regina remained quiet; there wasn't anything more she could say to the young woman. They sat in silence for a while, each of their own world of pain, trying to come to grips with their demons. It was strange, here she was, raised in a life of privilege as the child of Evil Queen and the wife of King Leopold. She was educated, in the best tutors in the entire Enchanted Forest, and yet in some strange way, she was overwhelmed by the feeling that she somehow did not quite measure up to this intense peasant girl with the soft green eyes, whose face was as beautiful as her name.
I knew there's something more to this between us. Already she sensed that there was something about Emma Swan. Something that was sparking emotions and her goodness inside that she has not felt long time or thought it was long gone since my mother took Daniel's heart. She admired Emma's courage and passion. The fire in her eyes when she spoke about the things she loved and her commitment to her home, her White Kingdom. Cupping her hand, Regina stared down at her perfectly red manicured nails as if they encompassed at this moment all that made up the universe.
Regina found Emma captivating and had they been in another time and place, she wondered if they could or would have been friends. She could only wonder if the only thing in Emma's heart a burning desire for revenge was hatred and so much anger inside. For swift and terrible retribution for what had been dome to her Kingdom and to her mother, whoever she was. Who can blame her? Finally, in a voice so low, Emma had to strain to hear, "you realize the risk you are taking."
"Life is full of risks, both great and small," Emma stared deeply into Regina's eyes and slowly added, "for all of us."
"Yes," said Regina, returning Emma's mesmerizing gaze and for a moment, she thought she could feel the spark between them. "I suppose that is true. Well, Father Henry was right. You are perfect for the job."
"Aren't you scared that I may turn around and kill you anyway?"
"You may try, but that's another risk I'm prepared to take."
Regina stood up when she heard a noise going up the stairs, cleared her voice and asked, "you understand, then, what is expected of you?"
"Yes, Queen Regina," Emma meekly replied, standing up as well. "I assure you; I'm a quick learner."
As they heard the knock on the door, Regina said, "Good. You will begin your duties immediately."
"Yes, Queen Regina."
"Come in, Anita Beverly."
In a sweet voice that seemed perpetually out of breath, Granny said, "your lunch is ready, Queen Regina."
"Very well," pronounced Regina. She turned to Emma and said, "at the moment, I am going to finish writing those letters. Will you please bring it up to me?"
"As you wish," the tone of Emma's voice was adequately respectful, but as their eyes met, Regina thought she detected just a hint of grim amusement and lust in Emma's expression.
"This way," Granny panted. Without looking back, Emma followed her out of the door and down the hall. Regina stood at the door and watched Emma as she patiently followed Granny as she waddled down the hallway as if she knew where everything was until they disappeared down the steps. Emma was getting hungry and knew Granny when she served the Charmings but we treated her as family with hopes she'll serve her favorite food of all time that she hasn't tasted since they left the throne. "Granny?"
Granny pointed at the table, "it's on the table, princess."
Emma was thrilled and excited, she hugged Granny tight and kissed her, "thank you so much!" Emma sat at the large kitchen island and starting to enjoy her favorite monkey bread.
"You have to take this up to Regina," pointed the tray nearby and Emma nodded, "yeah, yeah, I will in a moment," wanting to enjoy her monkey bread first. Granny kissed top of her forehead and whispered, "welcome home, princess."