The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 10

He grins before diving back into another kiss, her toes curling happily. These boys will be the death of me, Valerie decides, her mind drifting to Killian.

~~~

A few weeks later Valerie gets summoned to her mother's quarters and she makes the trip with a sick feeling in her stomach. The only other time she was summoned to her mother's room like this was when she was playing tag with Kelly and some of the servants' children. She ran into a priceless vase and it shattered and so she lied and said it was Kelly's fault. Valerie remembers feeling so guilty for lying and broke as soon as her mother called her into her room and just stared at young Valerie.

She stands at the door, evening out her breathing before raising a slightly shaky hand to knock. She only has to wait a few moments before she hears her mother tell her to come in. She pushes open the heavy wooden door, and peeks her head in before going inside. She finds her mother sitting by the window, gazing outside.

"You wanted me, mother?" Valerie asks, walking closer and Miranda turns to look at Valerie.

"Yes. I have some news I need to tell you darling." Miranda says, making Valerie's heart drop down to her stomach, joining the sick feeling.

"What kind of news?" Valerie asks hesitantly.

"Come sit darling." Miranda says, gesturing at the chair across from her. Valerie sits down and looks at her mother, starting to pick at her cuticles nervously. 

"What is your news?" Valerie asks again, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Your father and I have gone through a lengthy discussion over who you are to marry." Miranda starts and Valerie pulls in a sharp gasp of air. 

"You have? Who is it?" Valerie says, her mind racing between the three boys. She's sure it isn't Neal, his family won't be good alliances and he was too shy to kiss her parents' asses. It's a toss-up between Robin and Killian which has her stomach in knots.

"After looking over their family, connections, and how they treat you, we've decided on Robin." Miranda says and Valerie suddenly realizes that wasn't who she wanted Miranda to say. She suddenly thinks of Killian. Wonderful, charming, handsome Killian who makes her stomach flutter and her brain mushy. 

"But what about Killian?" Valerie blurts, and her mother raises an eyebrow.

"He hasn't grown up enough to run a kingdom. Even though he is obviously smitten with you I don't want him to be your husband." Miranda shrugs. 

"I want him to be my husband." Valerie protests.

"How many times have I told you it doesn't matter what you want?" Miranda says and looks out the window, her interest in the conversation obviously gone. 

"If I have to marry and live with someone why can't it be with someone I love?" Valerie asks desperately and realizes what she just said. Miranda turns her head back to Valerie, an interested look in her eyes.

"Love? You love this boy?" Miranda asks, leaning forward slightly.

"I... I don't know." Valerie mumbles, looking away from her mother. 

"We are making the announcement tonight at supper. The boys' parents are coming back to the castle for one night only. Do not speak of this to anyone; we merely wanted to let you know beforehand so you didn't cause a scene or do what you did right now." Miranda says.

"I wouldn't cause a scene." Valerie frowns. Miranda smirks, her face cold.

"Whatever you say darling." Miranda rolls her eyes. "You're dismissed, please go to your lessons."