Chapter 3: The Five Families
Regina sat hunched over her desk in her study, the low candlelight flickered across her papers, and the fresh streaks of morning sun cut through the windows, casting checkered shadows across the room. Sydney stood by, reading aloud the responses that had come in from the five kingdoms. The confirmation of their participation in the tournament had come quickly, as expected—none of the kingdoms wanted to miss a chance at an alliance with her, especially with the weight of the Ogre Wars looming over them all.
As Sydney read off each name, Regina listened with a carefully controlled expression. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest of her chair, a habit she indulged when she needed to keep her temper in check.
"The first," Sydney began, glancing down at the parchment in his hand, "is the Southern Kingdom. They will be presenting Prince Killian Jones."
At the mention of his name, Regina's fingers froze mid-tap, her lips tightening into a thin line. The Southern Kingdom had naval power—one of the strongest fleets in all the realms. Their involvement in the tournament was, in theory, a promising prospect. But Prince Killian Jones? The name made her blood simmer with a mixture of disdain and wariness. She would have thought he'd married off to some loose woman he met at a brothel by now. Not much left of the family if they were sending him.
Referring to him as a prince was generous, at best. He had never been much more than a pirate in royal clothes, an opportunist with a penchant for thievery and a roguish charm, a drunken sailor that grated on her nerves. She had crossed paths with him once, many years ago, when they were both younger and less burdened by titles. Even then, they had shared a mutual dislike, the kind that simmered just beneath the surface of civility. His arrogant smirk and devil-may-care attitude had made Regina want to throttle him, though propriety—and the presence of others—had kept her in check.
Sydney cleared his throat and continued, "Next is the Western Kingdom. They will be presenting Prince William Scarlett."
Regina let out an audible scoff, her lips curling into a slight sneer. "Another thief," she muttered under her breath, her irritation evident.
But Scarlett, unlike Killian Jones, wasn't a pirate. He was a black sheep in his own right—though one could call that a generous description. If anything, he was an enigma. Regina had heard whispers of him over the years, but little concrete information. He was the twelfth son of the Western Kingdom, and with eleven older brothers, the odds of him ever sitting on his family's throne were as good as nil. He'd only see a crown through marriage, and everyone knew it.
Still, Regina had to admit—grudgingly—that the Western Kingdom brought significant strategic value to the table. Their land, nestled deep in the rugged mountains, was both desolate and treacherous. Cold winds whipped through barren valleys, and winters stretched long and harsh. The landscape itself was a natural fortress, making it near impossible to invade. It also held valuable resources that her kingdom might need as the war progressed—iron, timber, and other essentials for rebuilding and defense.
"If nothing else, the mountains could prove useful," Regina murmured, her thoughts drifting to the possibility of using their terrain to trap and eliminate large groups of ogres. The cold could easily work to their advantage, freezing out enemies who were ill-prepared for such harsh conditions.
Sydney, ever professional, managed to suppress a smile. "It is true that Prince William has a reputation for being… discreet, Your Majesty. However, his upbringing in such treacherous lands has made him resourceful."
Regina couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the idea of spending too much time with Scarlett. He had a reputation for being elusive, the kind of man who moved quietly through shadows and knew how to disappear in a heartbeat. Raised in tunnels and passageways that cut through the mountains like veins, it was said he had learned from a young age to navigate the darkest, most dangerous parts of the world. Odd habits developed in such isolation, and she suspected Scarlett was no exception.
Sydney shifted through his letters, "The third acceptance is from the Eastern Kingdom. They will be sending Prince Ali Ababwa."
Regina's lips twitched with the faintest hint of a smirk. "Aladdin." She murmured.
The Eastern Kingdom was a vast, sun-scorched desert, with most of its wealth and power centered around the oasis that Aladdin's family ruled. Regina had read of their kingdom in books, their lands surrounded by endless stretches of sand dunes and the legendary wild beasts that roamed the desert—giant creatures, ferocious and untamed, some even kept as pets or used for protection by the people. Exotic and dangerous, the East had always fascinated her. But it wasn't just the land that intrigued her.
Aladdin himself was… a possibility. The best of the three options so far, at least. Handsome, she knew that much, and undeniably charming—if the rumors were to be believed. Despite his many qualities, she found it strange that he had remained unmarried this long. His kingdom's fortune was no small thing. His family had amassed incredible wealth through trade, precious jewels being their most prized export. Their kingdom was one of the few with access to lands beyond the known edges of the maps—lands Regina had only heard whispers about, but never ventured into.
That intrigued her more than anything. The thought of untapped resources, hidden in lands few had explored, sent a spark of interest coursing through her. While the Southern and Western kingdoms each brought something useful, it was the Eastern Kingdom that offered something Regina didn't already have—access to the unknown. And in times of war, the unknown could be the greatest advantage.
Sydney hesitated for a moment, frowning slightly as he tried to make out the next name on the list. "The fourth kingdom is the... Southwestern Kingdom," he said slowly, squinting at the parchment. "I can't quite make out the full name, it's smudged... but they will be sending Prince... Leroy."
Regina's eyes widened slightly, and then she couldn't suppress the groan of irritation that escaped her lips. Of all the realms in the land, the Southwestern Kingdom was the one Regina wanted nothing to do with. It was a mess—a tiny, fractured territory constantly embroiled in petty feuds with small, ever-changing tribes. Every few years, a new group of wild leaders would rise, only to be overthrown or disappear into the chaos that seemed to define the place. Unstable didn't even begin to describe it.
The Southwestern Kingdom was a wild place, full of bearded, rough men who spent more time hiding in caves and wandering the mountains than actually governing. The small tribes within it were fiercely independent, constantly fighting each other, and it was a wonder the place hadn't already dissolved completely off the map. That it still existed at all was a mystery to her, and the idea of marrying into such chaos made Regina's skin crawl.
"They have nothing to offer," Regina said, her voice sharp. "No stability, no wealth, and no power that could stand against the ogres. Marry into that kingdom, and it would crumble within months."
Sydney cleared his throat awkwardly. "It is true that the Southwestern Kingdom doesn't hold the same strategic value as the others," he said, choosing his words carefully, "but it's possible that they're trying to solidify their place through marriage. Perhaps they see this as their last chance for survival."
Regina's gaze flicked to Sydney, a mix of irritation and disbelief on her face. "Their survival will not come at the expense of this kingdom. We need strength and stability—not wild men from the mountains who barely have control of their own land."
Sydney fumbled with his stack of papers, his face flushed with an unusual uncertainty. He flipped through the letters again, his brow furrowing as he came up empty. "It seems… there's no response from the Northern Kingdom, Your Majesty," he said hesitantly.
Regina smirked, a cold satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "I'm not surprised," she replied, her tone dripping with disdain. "The Charmings have never been the most… timely sort."
They had a reputation for being a prosperous and happy realm, their people content and their lands thriving. But Regina had never trusted that image. There was something too perfect about the Charmings, about Snow White and her husband, Prince Charming. It all seemed… contrived. Fake, even. No one could be that happy in this life. The burdens were too much.
How could a kingdom be so happy, so peaceful, when the rest of the realm was on the brink of war? How could they pretend that life was so idyllic when the Ogre Wars raged just beyond their borders? It didn't sit right with her. There had to be something beneath the surface—something they weren't showing the rest of the world.
And then there was their daughter.
Regina's smirk deepened as she thought of the one thing she and Snow White had in common—neither of them had produced an heir. Snow White had one child, a daughter who was well past marrying age, and yet there had been no talk of weddings, no announcements of heirs to secure the kingdom's future. It seemed the girl had disappeared into obscurity, staying out of the court life, far away from the pressure of ruling.
Whoever this daughter was, she had the right idea. Stay away from men. Stay away from the courts. Stay away from the crown. It was a choice Regina herself had never had the luxury of making.
But Snow, at least, seemed to have found some twisted happiness in it all. Her kingdom functioned well, her people were content, and her daughter—whoever she was—seemed to live a life free from the chains that bound Regina. It infuriated her.
For a fleeting moment, Regina imagined what her life might have been like if she had that freedom—if she could walk away from the crown, from the throne, and live a life untethered by the burdens of the kingdom. But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. That was not her reality. She was bound by her duty, by the war that threatened her people, by the need to secure her kingdom's future through marriage.
Regina rose from her chair, her expression cold and resolute once more. "Send another message to the Northern Kingdom," she said curtly. "Tell them the tournament is approaching. If they don't wish to be left behind, they should send their answer soon."
Sydney nodded, quickly gathering his papers. "At once, Your Majesty."
Snow White's voice, sharp and filled with frustration, echoed through the grand dining hall, cutting through the normally peaceful evening. She paced in front of the fireplace, her expression tight with anger and concern. Charming, seated at the head of the table, watched her with calm, steady eyes, though his own tension simmered beneath the surface.
"This is ridiculous!" Snow exclaimed, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Our family has a strong claim to the Enchanted Kingdom. My father was the king there, many years ago. It's our inheritance! Charming, you should be next in line, not Regina!"
Charming sighed softly, his patience as endless as the quiet strength that defined him. He had always been gentle with Snow, knowing her fire was born from her desire to protect their family and their people. "Snow," he began, his voice low and soothing, "the peace we have here is worth far more than any throne or kingdom. We have a stable home, and our people are happy. What good would it do to claim something that's only filled with war?"
Snow stopped pacing and whirled around to face him, her eyes flashing. "But if we ally with Regina, there will be war anyway! The Ogre Wars are at her doorstep, and she's dragging everyone into it. If we agree to this farce, it will only benefit her—and that's all she cares about, Charming. Herself."
Charming stood, walking over to her with a quiet confidence, his hand resting gently on her arm. "I don't disagree," he said softly, meeting her fiery gaze with his calm one. "But you know as well as I do that we cannot afford to make an enemy of Regina. If she marries into another powerful kingdom, if she gains the support of their armies and resources, we could be looking at something far worse than just the Ogre Wars."
Snow's expression faltered, her worry slipping through her anger. "Our people will suffer," she said, her voice quieter now. "No matter what we do."
Charming nodded. "Yes. But if we make an alliance, we can at least try to ensure that the suffering is minimized. We can't stop the war from coming, Snow, but we can position ourselves so that we're not caught on the wrong side of it."
Snow crossed her arms, her mind spinning as she tried to find a way around it. The idea of allying with Regina—of giving her what she wanted—was unbearable. Regina had always been cunning, always thinking two steps ahead. This tournament, this marriage ploy, was just another way for her to secure power, to wrap the kingdoms around her little finger. Snow could see right through it.
"And how do you propose we do that? We do not have a son." she asked, her voice filled with reluctance.
Charming's eyes darkened slightly, the weight of the decision already pressing down on him. "I don't know yet. But I'll find someone."
Snow looked up at him, her eyes filled with worry and reluctance. "And if it backfires?"
Charming's expression softened as he held her gaze. "Then we'll face it together, like we always have. But I can't stand by and do nothing while the rest of the world prepares for war."
Emma leaned back against the old oak tree, the warm breeze of early spring gently rustling the leaves overhead. The soft scent of blooming flowers mixed with the crisp air from the nearby lake, creating one of the few places where she could truly relax. She stretched her legs out over the grass, the book in her lap occupying her thoughts, though her mind occasionally drifted beyond the pages.
She had found this book in the little bookstore down in the village, one of the many that she frequented. While her father's library was filled with history, politics, and dry court documents, Emma preferred the stories of the people—tales of adventure, romance, and fantasy. It was so much more interesting than the dense tomes her tutor had forced upon her. Right now, she was lost in the adventures of a young knight, Arthur of Camelot, as he ventured out to find golden chalices and wield mighty swords in battles that were both heroic and harrowing.
As she read, her thoughts wandered to a life far away from the castle, where she could be like Arthur—wandering on horseback, helping those in need, and carving out her own adventures. She could picture herself galloping through forests, finding treasure, and saving villages from danger. It was the life she craved: one of freedom, far from the expectations of court, far from the burdens of being a princess.
A rustling sound broke through her thoughts, and Emma snapped her head up, startled. Ruby had silently approached and was now settling herself beside Emma against the tree. Her warm grin was mischievous, as usual, and Emma couldn't help but smile at her friend's sudden appearance.
"Sorry for scaring you," Ruby said with a chuckle, snuggling up close to Emma, her shoulder brushing against Emma's. "Should've announced myself. But then again, where's the fun in that?"
Emma shook her head, smiling.
Ruby smirked but quickly turned a little more serious. "I, uh... wanted to apologize for the other day," she said, biting her lip. "For kissing you, I mean. I shouldn't have had so much ale. Got a bit carried away."
Emma shrugged it off, her smile easy. Ruby's kiss hadn't bothered her, not really. They were close, and boundaries had always been a little fluid between them. "No need to apologize," she said, her tone light, though she eyed Ruby curiously. "But... just out of curiosity, would you ever want to marry a girl like me?"
Ruby tilted her head, her fiery red hair catching the sunlight as she gave Emma a sidelong glance. "I don't know. Would you marry me?"
Emma pretended to think, her eyes drifting back to the book in her lap as she teased Ruby. "Well, you're beautiful, wild," she said with a playful smirk, "basically everything a man wouldn't want in a wife." She looked back at Ruby, her expression softening. "But you'd make a good companion on an adventure. And that's more important than being stuck in some stuffy marriage."
Ruby grinned, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Emma eyed her playfully. "And you wouldn't be too bad of company in the evenings, near a large warm fire, our bodies lying together… Huff!"
"I'm more than a bed mate, you know," Ruby elbowed her in the rib, a playful tone on her voice.
Emma smiled, leaning back against the tree as she let out a soft laugh. "I know, I know," she raised her hands innocently, her voice tinged with the same unspoken weight. "If the world were different… maybe things would be easier for us."
Ruby's smirk faded slightly, and she tilted her head, studying Emma's face. "You could make the world different, you know," Ruby said, her voice soft but certain. "You're royalty, Emma. You have power. You could make it whatever you wanted."
Emma's gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers absently tracing the spine of the book still resting there. "I wish it were that easy," she murmured, a note of frustration creeping into her voice. "But there's always something standing in the way—responsibilities, expectations, rules." She exhaled slowly, her mind turning back to the conversation she had overheard between her parents the night before. "There's more going on in the world than I ever really cared to think about till now."
Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Spill. What's going on?"
Emma bit her lip, her thoughts churning. She hadn't meant to bring it up, but now that she had, the words spilled out. "There's this… tournament," she explained, her voice growing more animated as she spoke. "My parents got a letter about it. It's from Queen Regina. She needs to marry someone, and kingdoms are sending people to compete for her hand."
As Emma told Ruby all the details, her voice gained a certain edge, and Ruby could sense the longing beneath her words. Emma wasn't just telling her about the tournament—she was desperate for something like that. Something bigger than the life she had here, something that could give her the adventure she craved.
Ruby's heart ached as she watched Emma's face light up at the mere thought of it. She felt a pang of compassion for her friend, knowing how trapped Emma felt in her role as a princess, knowing how much Emma wanted to be free of it all. "You should go," Ruby said softly. "You deserve to do something big, Emma. You're destined for more than this place."
Emma's eyes widened slightly at Ruby's words, a spark of hope flickering behind them. She sat up straighter, turning to face Ruby fully. "You should come with me," she said, the idea suddenly forming in her mind. "You're my best friend. We could run away together, leave this place behind. We could do it—go on adventures, find our own way."
Ruby laughed lightly, though it was more out of disbelief than amusement. "Me? Running off to some faraway kingdom?" She shook her head, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. "I'm not like you, Emma. I'm not the kind of girl who just picks up and leaves. This is my home. I'm stuck here, just like everyone else—working, surviving, until the day I die."
Emma's expression softened, her voice becoming quieter, more insistent. "You deserve more than that too, Ruby. You're not meant to just stay here and fade away. You're too… wild for that."
Ruby looked away for a moment, her heart tightening as she swallowed the growing lump in her throat. She knew Emma meant it, knew Emma believed that they could just leave, that they could take on the world together. But Ruby also knew herself. She was tied to this place in ways Emma couldn't understand.
"Maybe," Ruby said softly, the smile fading from her lips as a new thought began to take root in her mind—a painful, unsettling thought. She had an idea, one that would give Emma everything she wanted, but it would mean Ruby losing her. Possibly forever.
She turned back to Emma, her expression shadowed with something Emma hadn't seen before. "What if…" Ruby hesitated, knowing this was a path she might not be able to come back from. "What if there was a way for you to go to this tournament? To do what you're destined for, without being tied down by… anything or anyone?"
Emma frowned, tilting her head slightly. "What are you talking about?"
Ruby forced a smile, though her heart ached as she spoke. "You deserve to do great things, Emma. And maybe, if you went to the tournament, you could find a way to be free. Even if that means…" Ruby swallowed hard, pushing down the pain. "Even if that means leaving me behind."
Emma's face fell slightly, confusion clouding her expression as she tried to process Ruby's words. "Ruby, I don't want to leave you behind. That's the whole point."
Ruby's eyes glistened, but she quickly blinked away the moisture before Emma could see it. "I know. But if it came down to it… if you had to choose between staying here and going out there, you know what you'd do. And I wouldn't stop you. You deserve that life, Emma. You've always deserved it."
Emma was quiet for a moment, her gaze lingering on Ruby as the weight of her words settled between them. She knew Ruby was right—deep down, she knew that if she had the chance to leave, to chase the adventure she craved, she would. But the thought of doing it without Ruby by her side felt wrong, empty.
"I don't want to go without you," Emma said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Ruby smiled sadly, the pain in her chest growing as she leaned her head against the tree, staring out at the peaceful lake in front of them. "Sometimes we don't get to choose," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I want you to be happy. That's all that matters to me."
Emma's shoulders folded over, Ruby's hand softly clenched in her own.
Ruby leaned closer to Emma, her voice lowering conspiratorially, the usual teasing smile replaced by something more serious. "I know someone," she said, her eyes darting around as if to make sure no one was listening. "A man that comes into town sometimes from the boats."
Emma's brow furrowed, already suspicious. "Ruby, if this is about some pirate or thief—"
"No, no, nothing like that," Ruby interrupted quickly, waving her hand. "He's... well, he's a little creepy, honestly. He has some kind of skin condition, kind of scaly. But he sells magic potions."
Emma immediately stiffened, a warning flashing in her mind. "Magic?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Ruby, you know magic isn't something to mess with. It's dangerous."
Ruby sighed, rolling her eyes but giving a quick nod. "Yeah, I know. I've heard all the warnings. Don't take it lightly, don't trust it, blah, blah, blah. But listen, I'm serious. This guy... he's different. He sells potions that can change people's lives. Literally."
Emma raised an eyebrow, a disbelieving smirk forming on her lips.
Ruby insisted. "I've heard people talk about him. He can do things—change things that no one else can. If your parents want a son so badly, he can make you one."
Emma blinked, then burst out laughing. She doubled over, clutching her sides as she tried to catch her breath, the absurdity of Ruby's claim too much for her to handle. "You... you can't be serious," Emma managed between fits of laughter. "You actually think some creepy guy from the docks can just make me a man for my parents?"
Ruby's cheeks flushed slightly, more from irritation than embarrassment. She crossed her arms and gave Emma a hard look. "I'm not lying."
Emma quickly sobered up, wiping at her eyes. "Sorry, Ruby," she said, still chuckling under her breath. "I just... I mean, come on. You really think I could just walk into the castle one day as someone else, and my parents wouldn't notice?"
Ruby's expression didn't change. "That's just the thing," she said, her tone more serious now. "It's not just about changing you into a man. He can change them, make them believe they've had a son all along."
Emma shook her head, unable to wrap her mind around it. "Ruby, have you been spending too much time inhaling saltwater or something? This... this is ridiculous. Magic doesn't work like that."
Ruby frowned, her frustration starting to seep through. "I'm not crazy, Emma. I'm telling you, this guy is the real deal. He's like some kind of wizard. People say he shows up when you really need him, like he's waiting for the right moment."
Emma stared at her, incredulous. "And you want me to go down to the docks and wait for some creepy, scaly guy who just happens to have a magic potion that'll solve all my problems?"
Ruby nodded again, oblivious to how ridiculous it all sounded. "Exactly."
Emma rubbed her temples, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm hearing this. This is insane."
Ruby's eyes flashed with anger, and she leaned forward, her voice more forceful. "I would never lie to you, Emma. You want this life of adventure so badly, and I'm telling you, this guy could make it happen. What's the harm in just talking to him? Just talk to him."
Emma stared at Ruby, the weight of her friend's words sinking in. She knew Ruby meant well, and she could see the determination in her eyes. But the idea of magic this powerful, something that could rewrite not only her own life but her parents' memories—it seemed too far-fetched to be real. And yet, she couldn't deny the small seed of curiosity Ruby had planted.
"What if he's lying?" Emma asked, her voice quiet but serious. "What if it doesn't work, and I end up cursed or worse?"
Ruby sighed, her frustration melting into a softer, more compassionate tone. "I don't know. But I do know that you deserve more than what you have here. You deserve to be free, to have that life of adventure you dream about. And if there's even the smallest chance that this guy could give you that, isn't it worth trying?"
Emma didn't respond right away, her mind racing with the possibilities. Could magic really do something like that? Could she change her life so drastically? And if so, would it be worth the risk? She had never believed in easy solutions, and yet, Ruby's earnestness made her pause.
"I'll think about it," Emma finally said, her voice quiet.
They sat in silence for a while, the stillness of the lake and the soft rustle of the wind filling the space between them. Despite the absurdity of it all, Emma couldn't help but feel the faintest flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was something out there waiting for her. Something more than the life she had. And maybe this strange, scaly man could offer her the one thing she had always wanted—freedom.
