Chapter 15 E & R

Faint sound of music could be heard in the background. The bards kept a soft and gentle tone around the dinning table. Still, the silence felt heavy in the air. Regina kept her head down not at all interested in this sham she was being forced to partake in. She hadn't even touched any of the food that was presented on the table. She made the excuse of feeling unwell. Cora didn't push it either she was not about to make a scene in front of their host.

"Ahem….Emma dear why don't you take Regina and show her around the castle?" Snow popped open the question to give some time alone to the two so they could become better acquainted. Emma had been watching Regina the moment they had sat down and noticed Regina not even bothering to spare anyone a look.

"Uhh…only if Princess Regina desires it to be" Emma said still keeping her eyes on Regina. Everyone's eyes turned to Regina as well.

Regina wasn't stupid she could feel someone's eyes on her. She just didn't bother to address such an action. But now Emma had put her on a spotlight. She turned to her mother and gave a her pleading look. Cora in return gave a her look that meant she better do as was requested.

"Yes dear that's an excellent idea why don't you join Emma" Cora spoke with a smile towards Regina and the others. But Regina knew what those words meant. It wasn't a choice at that point.

She slowly stood up and so did Emma. They both made their way out the door together with two guards following not too far behind them.

Once both the princess were out of sight Charming decided to get straight to business.

"Well then shall we discuss the matter at hand?" King Charming spoke as he addressed King Henry and Queen Cora. He signaled at the bards and the remaining guards in the room to exit.

Emma decided to take Regina to show her the garden her mother loves tending to. She tried to make few conversations here and there but was barely getting any sort of reply back from Regina. It was if Emma was talking to herself which frustrated Emma quite a bit.

But the moment Regina's eyes laid on the garden, they lit up like a lantern. Emma saw Regina dash toward the gate and let herself in, Emma following right behind her.

Regina became a totally different person at the sight of the garden, a big smile on her face and her enthusiasm as exploring the garden with such excitement. Emma couldn't help but smile while looking at her, her frustration out the window.

"Hmm no apple tee?" Regina questioned out loud looking to spot one.

"What was that?" Emma asked as she barely heard what Regina said under her breath.

In that moment was the first time Regina completely was face to face with Emma only a few inches away because Emma was trailing right behind her and didn't notice how little space was there between them.

Emma quickly turned to the side and was blushing controllably.

"I don't see an apple tree anywhere" Regina said still keeping her eyes on Emma who slowly turned to face Regina again to address her.

"Ahem…..yeah I guess…you are right. My mother tends to this garden. I'm not into these things" Emma responded back trying to find her composure.

Regina didn't say anything and turned around and got herself busy with exploring the garden again, touching and taking in the beauty of different flowers all around.

Emma just watched her for a while, trying to find the courage to talk to Regina about what she has been dreading the moment she saw her. She knew there was no honor in hiding the truth from Regina. Eventually she will have to know and she also needed to find a way for the both of them to escape their parents plans for them. So it was now or never.

Emma was so lost in her thought that she didn't even notice when Regina appeared right in front of her.

"Maybe we should head back" Regina spoke as she took steps towards the gate going past Emma in the opposite direction to where they entered from.

"Ruby is dead!" Emma blurted out without even thinking to ease into the topic. She just knew she had to let Regina know. It wasn't going to be easy but she needed Regina to know about Ruby.

Regina immediately stopped in her tracks and turned around to face Emma. Tears had already welled up in her eyes and were running down her face. She slowly walked back to where Emma was standing and noticed the tears in her eyes.

Before Emma could speak again, she felt Regina's palm make harsh contact with her face. The slap took her by surprise. She held her now stung cheek with her hand looked at Regina, and noticed the rage in her teary eyes.

"How dare you speak such nonsense?!" Regina spoke as she felt her legs give out making her fall to the floor. She held herself up with one arm while she used the other hand to keep her screams at bay by covering her mouth.

"I am sorry, I had to let you know" Emma sobbed out as she tried her best to keep her tears at bay.

"H..how?" Regina asked.

Emma didn't know if she should share the events leading up to Ruby's demise.

"HOW DID SHE DIE?!" Regina finally screamed out, "How?! Why?! Why her?" Regina was now sobbing uncontrollably. This news was breaking her down all over again. Her heart was being shattered to pieces.

All of a sudden the guards were inside and stopped at the scene in front of them. Emma signaled them to stop where they were at. Regina was now holding on to her knees and rocking back and forth, mumbling and crying Ruby's name.

Emma composed herself and knelt down to be at a face level with Regina. She went to take hold of Regina's shoulder but was met with rejection when her hand was smacked away.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Regina spoke with resentment in her voice as she looked at Emma with disdain. "Who gave you the right to touch me?!" Emma was shocked at the reaction and tone Regina demonstrated.

It genuinely hurt her to be treated in such a manner. She just wanted to comfort the woman but Regina didn't anything to do with her.

Emma slowly got up to her feet again and looked down to where Regina still was sitting. "I'll leave you be then"

She made her way to the guards. "Stay here until she is ready to go inside."

Both guards nodded their head in agreement. Emma walked past the guards and made her way out of the garden without even sparing a look back.