Before She Cursed

Chapter 8

"Get up." Regina instructs firmly toward the blonde on the floor.
Emma looks up through her eyelashes, unsure of her position with Regina right now. She sees Regina's penetrating stare before she meets her eyes and shyly rises to sit next to her.
The blonde avoids eye contact and doesn't have the courage to say anything just yet, she is so unsure as to what Regina is thinking.
The brunette watches her intently but Emma still refuses to peel her eyes away from the small window next to her.
"Emma." She jumps slightly as Regina clears her throat, her tone still firm but not necessarily angry.
"Are you angry?" Emma timidly mutters as she turns to face Regina, still avoiding eye contact.
"Look at me." Regina firmly responds and Emma snaps her eyes up quickly.
They stay silent for a moment, with each woman looking deep into the other.
"Why would you think that was a good idea?" Regina remains cold but keeps her anger at bay, Emma swallows thickly.
"I don't know. I just want them to see that you're not a bad person. And I trust you, I don't think you'd hurt me." Emma admits with a little blush, still unsure of Regina's feelings toward her.
"Emma. You cannot do that again." She turns her attention away.
"I'm sorry. I just... I want everyone to know the real you."
"Did you ever think that maybe I don't want everyone to know the real me? You don't even know the real me." Regina snaps and Emma flinches back, processing the information.
"Regina-"
"No, Emma." She interrupts firmly. "One of these days you'll get hurt and I don't want to have to be responsible. I can't protect you. I can't do what you want me to."
Emma's heart softens a little at Regina's concern, she smiles to herself slightly.
"I'm sorry, Regina. I never wanted to betray your trust. I just thought I could help them understand you better."
"No one understands me." Regina snaps under her breath. "Not even myself."
"I want to." Emma urges softly
Regina turns her head sharply, clearly shocked by Emma's admission.
"Why?"
"Why do you always ask me that?" Emma asks innocently, looking gently at Regina to try to encourage her to open up.
"Because I'm the Evil Queen. I am a bad person, Emma. No matter whether you think I am or not." Regina rolls her eyes at the notion.
"You're Regina. I don't think you're a bad person because I know you're not. I don't know what happened to you but I know I want to help."
Regina laughs deeply at the blonde.
"I don't want your help." She almost spits.
"Then why I am here? Why didn't you stop visiting me all those nights ago? You like having me around, admit it." Regina gives her a glare as if to tell her to shut up but Emma simply smirks a little. "It's okay, I like it too." She smiles before turning back to the window.
She feels Regina's eyes on her a second later but she doesn't turn to meet them.

Emma struggles slightly as the guardsmen clamp down on her once more and begin dragging her away.
"Leave her." Regina bellows and the guards stop immediately, turning back in confusion.
"But, your majesty-"
Clearly her impatience is already running thin, because Regina merely purses her lips and snaps her wrist; consequently snapping the neck of the guardsman who talked back.
Emma gasps as she's dropped from the men's clutches and looks at Regina curiously.
"Follow me." She instructs as she turns swiftly toward the castle.
Emma catches up quickly. She follows in silence, still so unsure as to what to say around the intimidating woman.
"This is your room." Regina announces as two huge doors bellow open.
Emma's jaw drops open, this room is almost nicer than her own bedroom at home.
"And close your mouth, Princess. Catching flies doesn't suit you." Regina almost smirks as Emma enters the room.
"I thought you said I was going to the dungeons-" Emma begins, still taking in the beautiful architecture of the room.
"Yes, well, consider yourself lucky." Regina brushes over but Emma widely grins at her.
"You're still my prisoner, Emma, so don't look too pleased." She holds back a smile and it only makes Emma's bigger.
"Thank you, Regina. It's beautiful." Emma stops herself from hugging the woman tightly.
They both gaze at each other for a moment, just enjoying the company, before Regina snaps out of it.
"Well. I can't afford to waste my day entertaining you, so- I must go." Regina declares formally but Emma can see she doesn't want to go.
"Will I see you later?" Emma asks hopefully, almost blushing from her unintentional forwardness.
Regina turns back, slightly shocked but Emma can see it's pleasant surprise.
"You may join me for dinner, if you wish. I'll have one of my staff dress and inform you."
"Okay." Emma answers with a smile, though she's desperately thinking of something else to keep her here. "Thank you. Your majesty." Emma quickly adds.
Regina smirks at the blonde before shaking her head with a soft chuckle and turning to leave.

The corset tightens harshly around Emma's waist and she holds in her groan at the familiar feeling. Her dresser is quiet and Emma wants to know more about her role here.
"Have you worked here long?" Emma asks with a kind smile as the girl begins working on her hair.
"Yes, Miss. I'm not supposed to talk to you." She mutters nervously.
Emma nods slowly.
"Is that what Regina told you?" She rolls her eyes lightheartedly.
"Oh, no, Miss! I have never had the honour of speaking to her majesty." Emma can tell the girl's nervous.
"Oh. Right." She responds. "Well you don't have to be nervous around me, I really don't bite." Emma smiles a little wider but the girl only smiles slightly, clearly still scared.
"I'm sorry Miss but I really can't speak to you."
"I understand. You can always tell R- her majesty that it's my fault." Emma chuckles slightly to lighten the mood but again the girl merely smiles. "One more question, what's your name? I'd hate to be rude."
"It's Sophie, Miss."
"Thank you, Sophie." Emma smiles kindly before letting the girl get back to her work.

Emma looks in the mirror to see herself draped in a beautiful red gown and her hair placed up gently out of her face. She has to admit, it's beautiful.
"Oh, thank you. You did a wonderful job, Sophie." Emma smiles as the girl nods and shuffles out of the room.
"I can show you where the dining hall is."

The girl leaves Emma to walk along the final dark corridor alone, pointing at a specific door to enter.
Emma smiles to her before exhaling and slowly making her way. She opens the door to see Regina sat regally at the head, it's a smaller table than her own back at the castle, but it's nice. A more intimate setting.
"Good Evening, your majesty." Emma curtsies before sitting at the place closest to Regina, much to her surprise.
Regina doesn't say a word, she just watches the young princess for a long moment.