Different Worlds

Chapter 3

Leopold and Snow are patiently waiting for us as we arrive. Classical music and snippets of conversation can be heard behind the ballroom doors. Leopold waves over a servant who leads Emma away. Snow quickly jumps in to take her place, standing between her father and I and grabbing our hands.

"Oh I just love royal balls!" Snow looks up at me with a grin. "Is this your first?"

"Yes," I answer, trying to think of why Emma has been taken.

Leopold seems to have read my mind as he reaches his free hand over to rest on my shoulder. "Although we call Emma Snow's sister, she doesn't join us in royal entrances or certain events because she wasn't born into the royal family. She's simply a companion for our daughter, my love."

"I'm sure everyone would rather look upon the princess as white as snow rather than a little peasant anyway," Snow says joyfully.

The doors open and with a heavy heart, I force myself to smile as our names are announced. My eyes sweep the room for Emma but end up locking on my mother's. Instinctively, I stand a little straighter, lift my chin a little higher. I will give Mother no reason to find fault with me. I am a good queen and an even better daughter.

Snow skips off to join her royal friends while Leopold leaves me to mingle by myself as he goes to talk with allies and kings. I grab a glass of wine to calm my nerves, thankfully able to avoid my mother for a few minutes at least.

The room soon becomes stuffy and hot, and I sneak off to a nearby hallway to cool off. A group of kids are laughing and goofing around nearby, Snow in the midst of them. At first, I merely glance at them with disinterest. But as I hear a body hitting the ground and a familiar cry of pain, my sights are set on the small group.

The kids have surrounded Emma who has been knocked onto the ground. Her lip is bleeding and her dress is torn, but she looks ever the defiant warrior even as the children spit vile words aimed at her.

"Shouldn't you children be in the ball room?" I speak up as I walk over to address them.

As all eyes turn on me, Emma takes the chance to escape, running further away from the ballroom to safety. I size each of the children up—2 boys, 4 girls, including Snow. All looking to be older and bigger than Emma.

"We're sorry, Your Majesty," a boy stammers.

"We will return right away," a girl adds.

I turn my gaze onto Snow who pouts just the slightest. "We were just having fun with her."

I dismiss the other children, grabbing Snow's shoulder to keep her from following. I turn her around to face me, and from the look in her eyes, she is truly frightened. She manages to keep her gall about her though, even with me looming over her.

"You lay a hard hand on me and I'll tell Father," she warns.

I lean down so we're practically nose-to-nose. "If I see you or your friends say or do anything cruel to Emma again then I will personally punish you myself—there will be no telling the king. After all, I'm sure he will agree with his wife."

Snow's lip trembles, her doey green eyes fill with tears. How I wish to rip her heart out and crush it in my fist. I lay my hand on her chest, wanting nothing more than to do so. But I don't—I can't, without magic. I step back and straighten myself, giving her a pointed stare.

"Do I make myself clear, Snow?"

"I thought you were nice." Snow quickly wipes away a tear that has fallen onto her cheek. "I thought you loved me, but you don't. All you care about is that—" the girl is wise to bite her tongue. "All I wanted is for you to be my mother."