Regina, sits her at dressing table the following morning, and whilst brushing her long raven hair, she pauses.
She looks at herself in the mirror, and thinks back on the last few days.
They had certainly not been dull, and the range of emotions she had felt, had certainly thrown her for a loop.
Hurt and betrayal, were the most prominent emotions, that she could Identify. Especially, upon finding out that Emily Swan, was all a lie, and the woman is actually Emma White. Princess Emma White to be exact.
However, last nights talk over the dinning table, has seemed to dull those feelings, and gain back some trust.
She now, can understand why Emma had been reluctant to tell her the truth. As the blonde princess, had been through much since her daring escape. Not to mention, what she must of gone through growing up, with those imbeciles.
She realizes, that Emma is resilient woman. Many, would of faltered and given up by now, but not Emma.
Her mind then goes to Killian. The bastard, she thinks to herself.
He must of been the first person, Emma had truly trusted in her life, and he let her down. Badly.
The thought of him, hurting Emma like that, made her angry. Because, Emma deserved much better. She deserved someone, to truly rely on.
Regina then, takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself, whilst putting her brush upon the table and standing up.
She walks to the tall window, within her chamber, and looks up at the clear sky.
It would be a good day to go riding, she thinks to herself, before sighing. As her royal duties had to be put first, and she had to attend a meeting with her advisors this morning. Before, signing off on a stack of parchments.
"Better get it over with" she mutters to herself, under her breath. Before turning, and walking to her chamber door.
She makes her way towards the hall, whilst thinking of Emma once more.
Something she did often, since meeting the blonde.
She wonders, what the future holds for them both.
What Emma is doing, right now.
If the woman, is happy to stay or wants to leave.
However, her questions go unanswered, as she comes to the hall, and she walks in, to find her advisors, standing talking to one another.
"My Queen " A guard calls out, alerting everyone to the Queen's presence.
They all turn and bow their heads.
"Take your seats gentlemen" she calls out to them seriously, and they all hurry to sit in their usual places.
Regina however, makes her way to the head of the table, but doesn't sit down.
She puts a hand upon the top of her tall chair, and straightens her back.
She wants to show an air of confidence. As a Queen should.
They say nothing.
"So" she then says confidently, with her chin slightly raised. "I have decided, that I shall send reinforcements to the border. I need to put the safety of my people first, and its about time, I show all the realms, that we are strong and united" she tells them seriously, and some of them nod in agreement.
"That could work in the short term" one says.
"Won't their Queen, think your up to something?" another says, and Regina rolls her eyes.
"Well, I think that is obvious" she says sarcastically, and then adds "Hopefully she'll realise, that I know of her plan, and think twice about sending her army here. But I don't think she's that clever" she then smirks to herself.
"What if, she still brings her army?" another advisor asks.
"I shall prepare for all eventualities. However, I shall listen to any of your inputs or suggestions, as you are my trusted advisors" she smiles slightly, wanting to keep them on side.
"May we consult, your majesty?" One man asks permission, and she nods in agreement.
She then, takes her seat, and watches over them. As they talk, eagerly. Urgently...
Meanwhile, Emma has just had breakfast in the kitchens. Whilst listening, to stories about a young Regina.
"She loved anything with apples" Mrs Lucas says, with a smile.
"I should of known. As she loves her apple tree in the gardens" Emma replies, with a smile.
"She also loved baked biscuits, until, her mother put a stop to it, but don't tell her I told you that"
"Why?" Emma asks, curiously.
"Cora said they were not healthy. She also told Regina, that they were making her fat"
Emma gasped.
"No, that's terrible. Has she had a baked biscuit since?" Emma then asks.
"No. I think it brings back bad memories"
"That's awful"
"It is"
They then fall into silence for a long moment, until Emma remembers, that Mrs Lucas had mentioned a granddaughter, that was returning to the castle, but she had not seen her.
"Um, is your grand daughter still returning to the castle?" she asks.
The woman smiles.
"Yes, I had been expecting her, but something came up. I hope to see her, in the next couple of days"
Emma nods, and they then talk some more, before Emma stands up.
"What have you and the Regina got planned for today?" Mrs Lucas asks, in curiosity. As the castle staff, had been gossiping, about the blondes and the Queen's new found friendship.
"Oh, I'm not sure. I'll have to ask Regina"
"Well, I hope you both enjoy the rest of your day" Mrs Lucas then says simply, and Emma smiles.
"Thanks, you too" she turns, and makes her way out and through the castle, looking for Regina.
When she makes her way towards the hall, she notices, that the door swings open, and a dozen men walk out and they walk past her.
She frowns, at their concerned faces and then steps into the hall.
Where she see's Regina, talking with Graham.
She dares not interrupt them. So, she waits patiently by the door. Whilst, sneaking glances over at the Queen.
She doesn't notice, that Graham has just spotted her, and he smiles, before saying something to the Queen. Which makes her turn her head, to look at Emma.
Emma raises her hand slightly, and waves it awkwardly.
She suddenly feels like an idiot, but its worth it, when Regina smile widens.
Graham, then whispers something to Regina, which makes the Queen rolls her eyes.
Now what was that about? Emma thinks to herself, whilst tilting her head to the side.
However, before she can think much more about it, as Graham bows and takes his leave and Regina, makes her way over to her.
"Hello Emma" Regina then says lowly, as she comes to stand opposite Emma.
The blonde startles, but meets brown sparkling eyes with her own.
"Hi" Emma replies with a smile.
"Have you had breakfast?" the Queen asks.
"Yeah, have you?"
"I had an apple, from my tree" she smiles.
"That's not breakfast"
Regina chuckles.
"Of course it is. A very healthy one. Where as, you most likely had something less so"
Emma rolls her eyes at this, but then smiles slightly, at Regina, knowing her eating habits.
"How was your meeting?" the blonde then asks.
Regina sighs, before gesturing for them to walk.
Emma then moves, and follows Regina's lead, as they walk through the castle.
"I am sending reinforcements to the border" Regina explains, after a long moment.
"Oh, is that good or bad?"
"I am not sure yet"
"I don't think Snow, will take to kindly to it" Emma remarks, and Regina notices, that Emma hadn't said mother, instead of Snow.
"What do you think she will do?" Regina asks.
"Well, I can't be certain. But my best guess, would be, that she'll think your going to invade"
Regina rolls her eyes.
"Is she really that stupid" she then remarks, but then adds "Of course, she is" whilst throwing her hands up.
Emma chuckles at this.
"What's so funny?" Regina then pauses, and looks at Emma.
"You are. They way you said it, is what made it funny" Emma smiles, and Regina looks down and bites her lip.
"Oh" she then replies, and Emma can't help but grin at her reaction.
"I'm glad to see, that I amuse you" Regina then mutters, whilst looking back up, meeting Emma's crinkled eyes.
"Yeah, your pretty great at it" Emma replies, with a dopey smile and Regina's eye's widen at the compliment.
As she's not used to getting compliments, from anyone but her father, and she doesn't know how to reply to that.
But she doesn't have too, as Emma steps back and says "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"
Regina blinks.
"Oh, I have some other duties to attend too, but. That can wait a little longer. If you would like to join me at the stables?"
Emma swallows thickly.
"Are you going, to ask me to go riding with you again?" she asks a little anxiously, and Regina smirks.
"Would you rather muck out the stalls?" she answers back teasingly, and Emma's nose scrunches up.
Cute, Regina thinks.
"You'd really have me do that?" the blonde asks, whilst hoping Regina is joking.
However, the Queen, continues to tease.
"I do need a new stable hand. You can start tomorrow"
Emma's mouth opens and shuts, not knowing what to say.
"You'd be a natural, I'm sure. With the proper training, of course" Regina continues, whilst trying not to laugh, at Emma's facial expression.
"What? A natural, at mucking out shit?" The blonde then huffs, whilst crossing her arms, and that's when Regina bursts out laughing.
Emma, suddenly realizes, that she's been had.
"I take it back, your not amusing at all" she then says, as Regina holds her sides.
"Oh, can't believe you fell for that" she then says, whilst bringing a hand to her chest and Emma begins to blush slightly.
"You seemed serious" she mutters.
"A dry sense of humour, I suppose""
"Yeah"
They fall into a long silence, both smiling fondly at one another, and feeling content, happy even.
Until Regina, takes a step back.
"Shall we?" she then asks, gesturing outwards and Emma blinks and nods in agreement.
It is fifteen minutes later, when Emma has a vice grip around the Queen's waist. As she sits behind her upon Regina's horse.
They are galloping across some fields and Regina has the biggest smile upon her face. Whilst Emma. has her head buried into Regina's shoulder from behind. Whilst hoping not to fall off.
Regina then slows her horse, down to a walk, and Emma can breath again.
"Your really missing out on the view" Regina remarks, and the princess, looks up and around.
Taking notice of the flowers coming into bloom.
They then dismount, and Regina walks with her horse. Whilst Emma walks next to her.
"Sorry, that I'm still not good, with the whole riding thing yet" she mutters, and Regina shakes her head.
"Don't be. This is only your second time, and It will take time to get used to the feeling. However, if you do not wish to get on a horse ever again just tell me. I won't be angry"
"If it gets to that, I'll tell you"
"Okay" she smiles at Emma, and they then continue to walk a little further, passing some flowers. When Emma, suddenly stops and leans over.
She plucks four, of the 5 inch tall, yellow, with a orangey middle daisy.
They are pretty, and she turns to face Regina, with them in her hand.
Regina eyes her curiously, and the blonde shyly smiles at her. Before, stepping towards the Queen, and coming to stop in front of her.
"Sorry. I just thought these were pretty"
Regina looks down to the flowers, in Emma's hand.
"Do you know what they are?" she asks softly.
"They are daises"
Regina shakes her head, with a small smile.
"They may look like a daisy, but they are actually false sunflower"
Emma blinks.
"Really? you know about flowers?" she asks, in surprise.
"I know some" Regina smiles bashfully, and Emma gets lost for a moment, in Regina's bashfulness. She stares at her, in wonder, before quickly trying to cover it up.
"I think, yellow is my favourite colour" she states, with a crack in her voice, and her heart beating faster in her chest.
"Yellow is a bold choice"
"Yeah, it is. It just, makes everything a little brighter. What is your favourite colour?" she then asks, in curiosity.
"I do not have a favourite, but I do like purple"
Emma nods. "That is a royal colour" she remarks.
"Just a coincidence. Although, My name also has a royal connection, as it means Queen"
"Really? That's an even bigger coincidence" she smirks. and then adds "Being a Queen, has a lot of responsibility. I don't know, if I could of handled that" Emma then remarks.
"Indeed it does, but I think, you would of learned to handle it in time" Regina replies simply, and then takes a deep breath, before adding "We should head back"
"Yeah" Emma sighs, before adding "Thank you, for bringing me out here with you. Its been nice"
"Your welcome" Regina smiles, and is pleased, that Emma's has enjoyed their time together, and hopes, that they can share more times like this...
A/N Hope you liked the chapter everyone.
Next chapter, will have Henry taking notice of the exchanged looks, between his daughter and Emma and also Ruby arrives...