The Other Swan Sister

Chapter 45

"Why didn't she remember me? I mean, she didn't even mention my name."
You're sat in someone's home. It wasn't hard to ask for somewhere private and every person volunteered their own home to you.
"I'm just as confused as you are, Ivy." Emma paces as you lie back on the mattress, attempting to alleviate some tension.
"Oh my god, wait." You sit straight back up.
"What?" Emma practically jumps.
"When I arrived in Storybrooke, Regina said she 'wasn't aware' our parent's had another child."
"So?"
"So- Regina didn't know I existed until she met me in Storybrooke." You smile at your findings. "She doesn't know there's another daughter."
"So you don't have to hide..."
"But what do I do?" You find your next hurdle rather hard to pass.
"Granny knew who you were." Emma blurts suddenly.
"What?"
"When we arrived. They all bowed."
"Yeah, to you, I guess."
"No. It was for us."
"Wait-" She holds up a hand as she reaches for the handle of the door.
"Excuse me?" She calls out, beckoning Granny over.
"What is it, your highness? Do you need anything?"
"Just one question." Emma smiles at the older lady.
"Of course." She bows her head.
"You're sure that Regina knows nothing of my sister, yes?"
"Oh, of course." Granny exhales. "Nobody has never and will never dare to tell her of you, Princess Ivy. Your secret remains with us." She keeps her head down.
You stand in shock. This wasn't the conclusion you came to.
"Thank you." Emma closes the door on the woman.
"Great, so I'm the best-kept secret in fairytale world." You quip.
"At least you're safe. Some of us are fighting to keep our heads off of sticks."
"My girlfriend literally just killed someone in front of me. I'm quite literally freaking out as much as you right now, Em."
"Girlfriend?" She gawks.
"Is that really the focus of what I just said?"
"I mean- I knew you loved her but I didn't know there was a label. I never would have pinned Regina as a labels kind of girl."
"So you're more shocked about that than her snapping someone's neck an hour ago?"
"In all fairness..." she waivers. "I did know her before you did."
"Oh my god." You smirk at her attempt of a joke. "She's not that bad."
"She's pretty bad."
"In this realm, yes." You agree.
"In all-"
"Everything okay in there?" You hear Granny call.
"Uh- yeah- yes. Thank you." You stumble,
Emma hits your arm at your fuck up.
Opening the door once again, you thank everyone for their hospitality and continue on with your journey.

"She really snapped that man's neck for lying." You suddenly blurt, still shocked by her behaviour.
"And you wonder why we were all telling you to be careful of her..." Emma rolls her eyes.
"What did Mom do to her?"
"It's a long story."
"We have time." You encourage her.
"No, actually..." Emma stops mid-thought. "I don't think we do."
You both take in the beautifully-aged Inn stood before you. The bustle of people with familiar faces and unfamiliar attitudes throws you both.
"Are we in the next town already?" You ask curiously.
"I think so."
"You know what that means... Regina's coming."
"And I need to hide, stat." Emma heads directly into the building.
You both stop in your tracks when you're met with gasps and silence.
"I'm not gonna get used to that." You mutter toward your sister.
"Forgive us." Emma announces. "I am seeking a place to hide from the Queen. She is on her way and she mustn't see me."
"What makes you think we'll risk our lives for you?" A short man heckles.
"If you give my sister a safe space to hide I will speak to the Queen. None of you will be harmed by her and you may leave me to do the dealings."
"Ivy!" Emma protests harshly in a whisper.
"It's okay." You nod.
And with that, everyone jumps to attention and rushes your sister out toward the back rooms.
"You're such an idiot." Emma calls over the noise.
You simply smile at her, not realising until now how ridiculous your plan was.
How is Regina going to act toward you?
This isn't the same woman you know.
"Can I get a drink?" You clear your dry throat, wiping your palms along your dress and taking your hair down.
There's no way she won't suspect anything when you look this put together.
Another smaller man smiles as he places a metal mug of what looks like cider, in front of you. You give a nod of gratitude in return, downing the drink in an attempt to rid the butterflies.
"She's here!" Someone shouts and the Inn goes silent.
You decide to stay sat at the bench whilst everyone lines up.
You take a deep breath as you hear the sound of heels clicking outside.
"It's just Regina." You whisper to yourself.
You look up briefly to see Gold, as he looked in your previous timeline. Slightly glittering, longer hair and a sinister grin upon his face.
This is what he wants to see.
"Where is Snow White?" You are abruptly brought out of your thoughts with Regina's booming voice. Her heels click along the stone as she eyes the group of villagers. "I believe you've heard what happens to traitors..." she continues.
You keep your back faced to her and notice her stop. Feeling her presence behind you, you turn.
You fight hard to keep your face passive as you look directly into her eyes. Her face covered in make up and a dark expression covering that what you would recognise to be your Regina.
"Care for a drink?" You ask, keeping a neutral tone.
"And just who might you be to address your Queen like that?" She snarls at you.
You've got a plan. Finally.
"Someone who knows you won't regret saying yes to..." You attempt to flirt. Can't help it. She's so hot. "your majesty." You add.
"Clear the room!" She demands her guards, never once taking her eyes off of you.
You stand your ground.
Once the room stands quiet, you rise from your seat.
"Apple cider?" You ask casually, flexing your knowledge to the un-knowing Queen.
"Yes." She sounds almost amazed, you hide your smirk. "I do not have time to waste." She rolls her eyes at you.
Though you know her well enough to know she's intrigued.
"Believe me this won't be a waste of your time, your majesty." You purr, knowing you have the upper-hand. She stalks over to you and takes the cup from your hand, apprehensive. "Now, I know something that you may not believe. But I can assure you, it's true." She looks at you blankly, waiting for you to divulge. "Snow White has a second child. Another daughter."
She drops her mug and grips you by the throat. Jesus Christ.
"Liar." She grits her teeth.
"You wish I was lying." You look deep into her eyes. "You know I'm not."
"How would you know something like this?"
"I work at the palace." You respond, oddly turned on by this violence. Oops. "Remember 21 years ago? When Snow went into hiding. Don't you ever wonder why? Why you've never known? You were too busy trying to kill them you couldn't see what was staring you in the face."
"How dare you!" She squeezes harder and you intake breath sharply. Your eyes darken and she notices, somewhat enjoying the display.
"I am your Queen, you will speak to me with respect."
"Yes, my Queen." You obediently respond once she loosens her grip, knowing how she gets with those displays.
"Good girl." She purrs. Oh my god. "You're coming with me." She instructs firmly, letting you go.