Regina
The palace was beautiful, and Emma was even more enchanting than Regina had first thought. Now? To win her over, get that kiss, and get her voice back and prove she is the girl who saved her.
Regina liked the way that Emma's gaze lingered on her, her eyes followed her as she moved. Her legs were a lot easier to adjust to than she originally thought they would be. She loved the feeling of her dry hair, soft and wavy in her hands. She felt beautiful as a human and she felt herself.
The fact that Emma even recognized her brought hope to the young mermaid's heart. She even guessed her name correctly, that had to mean something. She has to be her true love, right?
She needed to find a way to communicate, to really communicate. She knew the language that humans spoke, but she didn't know their written language. Magic was out of the question for now and she didn't have nearly as much power here as she did under the sea.
"Let's introduce you to my parents," Emma spoke up from her bed as she slid to her feet. Regina gave her a small smile, but she was truly nervous about this. She watched the King and ink-haired Queen from afar, and sure they appeared nice enough, but their daughter just let a stranger she found in the sand into their palace. Her mother would be livid, then again, when wasn't her mother livid?
Emma guided Regina through the halls and into a common room. A fire gleamed in stone and a large window overlooked the ocean. In a ruby fabric chair, a handsome man dressed in blue was braiding the hair of a stunning woman in gold. Her hair was long, and the way he expertly braided it while she smiled made Regina's heart twing with want. She wanted that kind of love.
"Emma," the Queen's voice was warm and welcoming. "Oh, who is this?"
"This is Regina," Emma said, but the tone of voice she used was peculiar, like she was emphasizing. The Queen quickly looked to her husband. He smiled gently and tied off the end of her braid.
"Hello Regina, welcome to our home. I assume Emma has told you a little bit about us?" The King stood and Regina was unsure of what to do. In her kingdom, it was customary to bow your head to royals, but she was a royal so she rarely did so. But in this case, Regina took the courtesy route and she bowed her head to the King. "Oh no need for formality. You're a guest in our home."
"Oh um," Emma began. "She can't speak."
The Queen opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out, instead her lips formed a small smile. The King seemed to realize what she had said.
"Oh! I'm sorry," He apologized and looked to Emma for an explanation.
"I found her by the ocean, she looked like she needed help so I extended a hand. She is one of our people after all," Emma's tone was delicate in the last sentence. Like she was using it to persuade her parents.
"Yes she is," the Queen spoke up. "And she is welcome if she is a friend of yours."
"She is," Emma replied matter-of-factly. "I would love to request that she stay in the palace for a few days, until we can find her family?"
"Sure," the King interjected before the Queen could speak. "Just let us know what you need."
"Thank you," Emma's smile grew wider. "Could I have a word with my parents? I can meet you out in the hallway."
Regina nodded and let herself out of the room, but it wouldn't be like her to idly wait by. She gazed through the cracked door to watch the discussion at hand.
"I think it's her. I think she's the one who saved me," Emma took her mother's hands.
"But-"
"No, I'm pretty sure it's her. I don't know what happened to her voice, I remember a beautiful voice, but my instincts say it's her."
"You should trust your gut," her father rested his hand on her shoulder.
"But, be safe," the Queen urged, looking to the King. "We don't know who this girl is. She's a stranger."
"Mother," Emma insisted. "Trust me. I will figure this out. She could be my true love, like dad is yours."
The Queen sighed deeply and looked to the King. He smiled and shrugged. He must be the easier going parent.
Regina felt a twinge of jealousy, her father was nothing like him. Though she loved him, dearly, her father was incredibly submissive to her mother. Often letting her get away with the verbal abuse she gave her daughters.
Regina quickly stepped away from the door when she heard footsteps. Emma rejoined her in the hall and took her hand.
"I have a few places I want to take you." Emma guided her down the hallway.
The blonde haired beauty pulled Regina out the castle and down a cobblestone pathway. Little blades of grass poked their way through between the bricks, and little yellow flowers bloomed alongside in the taller grass.
Emma didn't say much, but Regina didn't mind. She watched the princess with a hopeful gaze as she guided her down to a little dock by a river. A little wood boat rocked against the current.
"I begged my father for this little boat when I was a kid," Emma flushed pink. "I know it's not impressive."
Regina took Emma's hand and squeezed it with a smile. Emma seemed to get the hint that she didn't mind if it was impressive or not. The princess helped the little mermaid into the boat and hopped in after. She took the ores and pushed their way into the river. Regina watched, mesmerized, by the effortless way Emma managed to look beautiful even while rowing a boat. Her blonde curls falling gracefully around her face, it took all of Regina's strength not to tuck the strands behind her ears.
Emma rowed for quite some time until coming to a little lake. She talked most of the way too, about her parent's, their kingdom, what she liked to do, and her favorite spots to play as a child. Regina nodded in understanding, soaking in every detail that she could. Each mention of Emma's past and personality made Regina fall more and more in love with her. She could tell Emma enjoyed having someone to tell it to as well.
"That's the tree I used to climb when I was just old enough to adventure out on my own. I would climb most of the way to the top and look out to try and see the ocean." She pointed to a large tree just within view. "Well, here we are."
Emma set aside the ores to let the boat float. The little lake was beautiful, with large trees around that draped down vines. Emma leaned forward toward Regina.
"I wish you could tell me where you came from, and your favorite places," Emma smiled sadly. Regina nodded, what she would give to be able to do the same, but then again, giving up her voice has given her the opportunity of her life to be with the girl she had fallen in love with.
"Regina," Emma said softly, testing the name on her lips again. "What if I asked you questions you could nod your head yes or no?"
Regina nodded with a big smile. Emma reached for her hands, which Regina gladly gave. The two teenagers played with each other's palms, Emma traced the lines of Regina's hand while Regina brushed her thumbs against the blonde's skin.
"Did you grow up near the ocean?" Emma looked to the dark eyes of the girl before her. Regina nodded yes, she technically grew up by the ocean…
"Do you like music?"
Regina nodded again, she pulled a hand from Emma to brush her throat again.
"Have you always been unable to speak?" Emma's eyebrows furrowed. Regina shook her head no. Emma's eyes lit up.
"Did you used to sing? Before you lost your voice?" Emma sat at the edge of the bench, nearly out of her seat with anticipation. She had been moving closer and closer to Regina with each question.
Regina was nearly to answer when something forceful hit the side of the boat. It shook violently to the side, throwing her off her balance. The young brunette, still unbalanced in her human form, tumbled into the water with a splash.