The Secret Kingdom

Chapter Three: Parade

While Emma didn't see her departure as a big deal to anyone except her family, she was very wrong because the minute the more she walked from the estate towards the lake, the group is flocked by different people from the kingdom ready to see off the princess. Even though her parents did not call themselves royalty, the people still saw them as such and treated them to gifts and things that the family did not necessarily need. Some of the citizens, particularly the mothers, are trying to give Emma wrapped packages of food or woven blankets, all gifts to take on her journey. She politely declines all of them and insists they keep such things for their families or give them to someone who needs them more.

"Why is everyone thinking that I'm going on some kind of journey around the world?" Emma asks. "I'll only be gone a few days."

"Emma," Belle says. "While your parents don't consider themselves royalty, they're still the leaders of the kingdom and this by default makes you the heir to said leadership, so of course they're going to treat you with the respect and reverence they give your parents."

"They really shouldn't," the blonde groans. She knows that her scandal as a teenager had sullied her name and reputation. While she never regretted having Henry, she knew that there were some people out there who considered her a harlot and not worthy of such honours. She also felt personally that she was never the ruling type, despite what everyone said.

"Well, they do. I'll see you at the docks, I have to go get Gideon from Crystal,"

The beauty then vanishes into the crowds.

A coach pulls up next to them and stops. Three people emerge, three familiar faces.

"Good luck Emma," Ella calls out.

The young queen Ella comes over with her teenaged son, Chadwick, Chad for short, and young daughter Alexandra. Ella had been friends with the Saviour's parents for years and along with her husband, King Thomas had allied with the family during the battles against Regina and King George.

"Emma!" little Alexandra utters, waving happily. At only three, she was as charming as her father and as sweet as her mother.

Her son Chad, however, is currently going through a rough patch and is a different story altogether. He was the same age as Simon and Whitney, so that meant he was in his rebellious teenager phase. He also had a very spoiled attitude that made him not the greatest person to be around. Ella blames herself, but the blame should go mainly on her stepmother Lady Tremaine. Due to the boy being born during the wars, Thomas and Ella sent their son to live with the queen's stepfamily until the conflict was resolved. While Lady Tremaine had been cruel and mean for a long time, she and her stepdaughter had made some kind of peace with each other for a time, and it was enough to take in the boy who was technically her grandson to keep him safe. However, like Anastasia and Drizella before, the woman spoiled the boy and gave him whatever he wanted and set an example of doing whatever he wanted. Even when the kingdom was created and Chad was with his parents again, Lady Tremaine still manipulated Ella and Thomas to send they're to her every summer. That was stopped when the parents saw how horrible and entitled their son had become when he bullied a few kids and threw tantrums when he didn't get his way. While he had been humbled and taught to be better, now in his teen years, the behaviour had resurfaced, but fortunately not as severely. One could also credit that to the birth of his baby sister, whom he did dote on and took care of on occasion. The wicked influence now lived alone, her daughters had also left and started their own families.

"Thank you, Ella and Alexandra," Emma says, going to hug the Queen. The blonde even leaned down and tickled the little one to make her smile.

"Good luck," Chad says in a rather emotionless voice, obviously not happy to be there.