Pirate Princess

Chapter 1

The castle gardens were always the most beautiful at midday. The sun's rays slipped through the tree's branches, creating a path of light that decorated the grass. The flowers danced in the wind, swaying slightly to an unsung tune.

Dendrobrium orchids were her favorite. White with purple tips and outlines, the flower was small, small enough to fit into her palm comfortably. It was simple, but beautiful, and her favorite part was the gold bulb in the center. It was partially closed, only open slightly so one can glimpse inside and merely wonder what other treasures lie inside.

Emma was a dendrobrium orchid, beautiful on the outside and undiscovered on the inside. Her long, golden locks, so like her sister's, were enough to catch anyone's attention, and if her hair didn't ensnare the heart, then her bright green eyes did. However beautiful she was, she was pushed to the side, forgotten by the kingdom and often, it felt, by her family as well. Emma was still a product of True Love, and she always would be, but she was no leader like her parents or no perfect princess like Emeline. She was just Emma, the youngest daughter of Queen Snow and King David and the little sister of the woman who saved the kingdom from a war with the Evil Queen.

"Emma," a voice called out softly. Her eyes drifted up, spotting her mother standing under the shade of a tree near the garden's gate, but she made no effort to stand. Deep down, she knew it was improper and it went against all of the lessons she learned from her tutors, but thinking through plans had never been a strong suit of Emma's. "You're almost an hour late for your lessons."

"I already know history, Mother," Emma sighed, twisting the flower in her hand.

"You never really know history," her mother pointed out, and Emna suppressed another sigh. "You weren't there when it happened, and so you can never truly know all of it. The only history you know is your own, and even if you know something, you may not understand it."

"If we don't know if it's true, then why bother learning it?"

Snow chewed the corner of her red bottom lip thoughtfully before laughing lightly. She stepped closer to her daughter, smoothing her dress out as she took a seat on the bench next to Emma. "You have a point, my dear. You know, I was never fond of history either."

Emma cracked a smile as Snow nudged her with her shoulder gently. Her eyes, however, never left the flower.

"What's wrong, Emma? You've been acting differently ever since Regina was defeated." Snow waited, but after realizing Emma wasn't going to answer her, she added, "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

More silence.

Snow shifted slightly. "It isn't about Emeline's and Baelfire's recent news, is it? About the baby?"

"No, Mother. It's not about the baby. Or the wedding. Or the end of the Evil Queen."

"Then what is it?" Snow asked gently, resting her hand on Emeline's arm.

Emma shrugged, still twirling the flower. "Recently, I've decided that I want more than studies and princess manner lessons. I want to become skilled in swords, like Father, and I want to learn archery like you."

"You don't need to learn weaponry to be a good leader though."

"Yes, but Emeline knows them. Baelfire knows them. Everyone seems to know them except for me. If I was a commoner, I think that maybe I'd be more likely to learn more than I do now!"

Snow furrowed her eyebrows. "You don't like being a princess?"

"No, I do. But I just want to feel-. Mom, I just want to feel special." Snow looked confused, so Emma decided to elaborate, twirling the flower even faster in her fingertips. "Look, Mom. You and Dad are such brave warriors and wise rulers, and you have a love story that everyone in all the kingdoms know. Emeline is the hero of the realm, complete with magic, a man she loves, and a baby to come. And then I'm just... here," Emma shrugged.