One week later in Anna's bedroom...
Everything for the upcoming ball had been prepped and all that needed to be done was the actual setup as well as finding everyone something to wear. Emma was all set thanks to her mother and Killian said he would manage to find something along with Kristoff as they went off on their day's journey up the mountain to pick the early summer flowers. Elsa decided not to worry too much about finding a dress for herself and focused more on Anna, as it was her engagement ball. Emma was currently going through the many dresses Anna had from years past, but none seemed right for this special occasion.
"What about this one?" Anna asked, holding a green ball gown with short sleeves.
Emma scrunched her face, not quite fancying the dress, "I don't know... It kind of washes away your eye color."
The Princess of Arendelle threw herself onto the bed next to Emma and let out a loud groan, "The ball is already planned and I still can't find the perfect dress! I can't go to my own ball and not have a dress." She declared, propping herself up on her elbows.
"I think it's time we got you something new then." Elsa chimed in as she entered the room.
"What do you mean?" Anna asked, "There has to be one I already have that I can wear."
Elsa pulled her sister's arms to get her off the bed, "And as your sister, I want to get you something new." She smiled, "You're only getting one engagement ball."
"Unless I get married again." Anna laughed, "But I think we are in need of a good sister outing."
Emma remained quiet, catching the queen's attention, "Oh, Emma, you must come along. It'll be fun!"
"Yeah, it'll be even more fun if you come." Anna added.
Emma smiled, but felt they only asked because she was sitting right there, "It's alright." She declined with a weak smile, "I've already imposed so much, and besides I already have my dress."
"Em, come on. You know you're like another sister to us." Elsa pushed, "Kristoff and Killian won't return until later today, what will do here by yourself?"
"Take it from me, there isn't much to do here alone." Anna laughed.
The Princess of Misthaven shook her head, "No, really it's fine. I'm a bit tired... I think I'll go lay down, maybe read a book, practice some magic." She stated, making her exit.
"Well, okay." Anna agreed, not thinking much into it, "I'll bring you back some fresh bread from the bakery."
Emma nodded her head with a smile and left the two sisters. As she walked the empty halls of the castle to her room, she felt a wave of loneliness wash over her. Something she hadn't felt since she was younger. The princess admired her two friend's bond with one another. She knew Anna and Elsa weren't always close, but it was clear they adored one another. She thought of how it must be wonderful to have someone share your entire life with you and have a forever best friend, something she longed for. The princess knew she had many people who she could talk to and lean on, but siblings have a special bond. Something she would never experience. Emma always wondered why she never had a sibling. Her parents would always talk about what it would be like to have another little boy or girl running around the palace. They were more than in love and the baby would surely be loved... Not to mention how much help they would receive with taking care of a new baby. Whenever Emma asked her parents why they didn't have another baby they would always say she was enough trouble for them and laughed. She knew it was a joke, but an obvious detour from the question...
After spending what seemed like the entire day in the library the princess retired to her room and was greeted by an empty, unmade bed. She sighed, sad to see Killian still hadn't returned. First thing this morning he had gone into town to check on his crew and announce the ball to them. Anna had invited them and Killian wanted to make sure that if any of them did attend they were properly dressed for the occasion. Afterward, he went off with Kristoff on a journey they've been waiting to go on for ages now.
Emma laid down on the bed, feeling oddly exhausted. It was early evening and she hadn't done much besides looking at dresses with Anna and some reading. Nobody seemed to return to the castle for dinner, and the princess had lost her appetite. She pulled Killian's pillow close to her body and inhaled the smell of the sea mixed with a faint smell of rum. The smell of her favorite captain... A day without him was a day not worth having she thought to herself. Emma let her heavy eyelids closed and slowly she drifted off to a peaceful nap...
An hour later Killian had returned to the castle with Kristoff and was informed of everyone's whereabouts. It seemed no one but Emma was here all day. The captain felt slightly bad leaving her alone in the large palace... After saying his farewells to Kristoff he made his way to their room with a few early summer flowers he picked on his journey.
Once arriving at their shared room, he opened the door to find Emma fast asleep. Quietly, he closed the door and made his way over to his favorite princess and covered her with their thin white sheet, not wanting to wake her. He then decided to place her new flowers in the vase on her vanity. He did his best to remove the ones that looked like they were dying as he gently replaced them with new ones. The captain decided he might as well get ready for bed. He took off his heavy coat and threw it onto a nearby chair, following his famous red vest. Afterward, he decided it was time to retire the sword for the evening and removed it from its holster. To his dismay, he ended up hitting the vase full of flowers with his elbow, sending them spiraling to the ground.
The princess shot up in bed, alarmed by the sound, "My apologies, darling." Killian said as he picked up the broken pieces, "Go back to sleep, I'll clean this mess up."
Emma rubbed her tired eyes, "Don't think much of it." She responded, emotionless, as she cleaned up the mess with a wave of her hand.
Killian took note of her straight face and lifeless eyes. This was not the same Emma he left this morning. "Are you alright?" He asked sitting at the end of their bed.
She didn't look him in the eyes, "Yeah, just tired."
The captain crawled up in bed next to her and placed a kiss on her cheek, "Well, lucky for you we're already in bed." He said, trying to make her smile. Sadly, his jokes weren't helping, "Swan, I know when something is bothering you."
Emma signed in defeat. He knew her too well, "What was it like having a brother?" She asked, partially changing the subject.
The question made him nervous. Had she found out about her mother's pregnancy? No, she couldn't have... Elsa knew better than to say anything and if Emma had known she wouldn't be so calm right now, she would be trying to go home... He cleared his throat, "Why do you ask?"
"I just want to know what it's like to have a sibling." She clarified as she turned her body to face him, "Sometimes I wish I had one."
Killian brushed a strand of hair away from his princess's face. Her eyes were full of anticipation, waiting for his response. He missed his brother dearly and rarely ever talk about him... Emma was the only one he ever talked about Liam with. He stared into her forest green eyes one last time and took in a deep breath, "Well he was a pain in the ass." He said, causing Emma to laugh. His favorite sound... "But I looked up to him all my life, I wanted to be just like him." He explained, "I always thought he could do no wrong, but he often did as boys tend to do... I loved him anyway."
Emma placed a hand on his stubbled cheek. She knew his brother was a sensitive topic, "You must miss him... He raised you after all."
As usual, she was right. His father had abandoned them and their mother passed before he got the chance to know her. "Aye..." He responded quietly, "He would've loved you." The captain whispered with a smile.
The princess blushed at his remark, "Please... I'm sure he imagined you with someone with a simple life, perhaps even someone you could send the rest of their days out at sea with you."
The captain cleared his throat. She was referring to the typical princess responsibilities while all he could think of was her life on the line with Rumplestilskins threat... "I can tell you he would never believe I fell in love with royalty." He laughed, trying to ease his mind, "But I know he would adore you, he might even try to take you from me." He said with a wink.
Emma giggled, "I guess that makes sense, you did say he looked up to kings and queens... I don't fall too far behind that status."
Killian's face went straight. He wasn't referring to her status. They both could care less about it. "I meant he would love that you can best a man in any fight." He clarified, "And I know he would love that you don't let anyone push you around." He continued, " He would especially love how knowledgeable you are about everything." The captain added, "He always thought a woman should be more than just a pretty, submissive, face."
Women typically did as a man asked, and frankly, a woman with a mind of her own was undesirable compared to someone who obeyed. Emma knew she was lucky to have been born royal. She could backtalk to any man and order them around no problem, but a commoner would've been a different story. "He must have loved a challenge." She teased.
The captain laughed, "Indeed." He agreed, "Liam always thought the best people in life were the ones that challenge you, and you love, are indeed a challenge." Killian teased as he rubbed his nose against hers.
"He sounds amazing." The princess responded leaning closer into his chest as sleep fogged her brain once more, "I wish I could've met him."
The captain rubbed his princess back as she began to doze off, "Aye, me too."
Killian wasn't sure where the curiosity of what having a sibling was like came from. Maybe it was because she had been spending a lot of time with Anna and Elsa. Maybe it was because she was coming closer to the truth... Regardless, talking about his brother brought him joy and it seemed to help Emma feel better. Content with their conversation he followed her off into a deep slumber. Both their days were very unproductive and he had a lot to sort out regarding how to keep her in Arendelle longer, or even what to do when they did leave... but all he could do right now was rest and hope for a solution to come to him.