The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 19

"I will beat Rumplestiltskin at his own game. I will not go dark. I love you and I will protect you." Valerie smiles but it looks sinister. Killian returns it quickly but nothing feels right.    

~~~

As soon as they got home, Valerie pushed her royal duties to her husband and locked herself in her old room up in the tower. It has been transformed into a lab of sorts. The people in the castle wouldn't call her crazy but she had become cold and closed off. Behind closed doors they said she was just like her mother but they never spoke of the old queen in front of the new queen. Rumors of what had happened at Emma and Regina's engagement party, both false and true, flew fast around the entire land.

Now, half a year later, Valerie had almost completely changed. But she completely denies this accusation. Valerie looks out the window and notices the how sun is setting and sets aside her magic. She pushes away from the table and stands, stretching out her long legs. Her deep purple skirt swirls around her leather clad legs as she descends from the tower and towards the dining hall. Her head is held high and a wintry look on her face. Valerie's strides are long and confident and her make-up has become as dramatic as her personality. When she opens the doors without even touching them everyone's attention turns towards her. Her sister has learned to keep her mouth shut around Valerie but Killian tries his best to talk to the girl he loves.

"Good evening you guys." She smiles, but it doesn't truly reach her eyes. 

"Evening love." Killian smiles and he gets up to kiss her. She feels a warmth spread through her at his touch. When they part she looks down at Kelly and Kelly looks up at her older sister with wide eyes. 

"What? No greeting for your big sis?" Valerie asks with a sugary sweet smile, standing over Kelly menacingly. 

"Good evening Val." She says. A spark of anger eliminates Valerie's happiness from Killian's warm embrace.

"I've told you many times not to call me Val. I am a queen now. I am your superior Kelly." Valerie smiles but it's not a nice smile. 

"I will never call you Your Majesty." Kelly sniffs, turning up her nose.

"Then you leave me no choice." Valerie pouts, watching as her sister's face is left in confusion. Valerie waves her hand and a dark pink cloud envelopes Kelly and she disappears. Valerie takes a seat and the only thing left is the scent of vanilla. 

"Val, where did she go?" Killian asks in alarm. She opens her mouth to speak when servants come in with trays. She watches them with narrowed eyes and they quickly set down the plates and then scamper out.

"She's where she belongs. In the dungeons." Valerie shrugs.

"You can't put your sister in the dungeon just because she refuses to call you by your title." Killian objects. Valerie doesn't acknowledge his statement and takes the dome off her tray, revealing a plate of delectable food.

"I can, and I did. She has treated me terribly for years and I deserve to enjoy my life without that brat." Valerie shrugs, and begins to eat. After a few moments of silence she looks up at Killian and finds him just staring at her.

"Are you all right?" She asks, genuine concern in her voice.

"You're worrying me love." He says, finally eating his food.

"Why?" 

"You are changing Valerie. It's not in ways I'm enjoying."

"I'm changing for the better." Valerie insists, setting down her cutlery.

"You're meaner and colder and more calculating. I want my girl back." 

"I'm not a girl anymore. It's called growing up my darling." Valerie says, and Killian's face falls. "But I still love you. I want you to be happy. I want to protect you as best I can."