A/N: Okay so I have been doing so much reading. And my heart came up with this. I was sitting in a waiting room for almost two hours and I wrote half of this while I was there and I couldn't wait to share this with you. I hope you like it.

How Could I Love You?

Prologue

The Pact

As payment for the Kingdom's advancement, The First born of the Kingdom shall wed the heir of the Lord. Henry of the Mills…

This pact was made shortly after Regina Mills was born. The White Kingdom had been plunged deeply into poverty after having fought, and won a war to defend its borders. Yes, with the victory, the white kingdom had expanded to include the Mills Lands, but it was unable to sustain it's new citizenship.

The young royals of the land had inherited the struggling kingdom, when King Leoplod had mysteriously taken ill and died. Queen snow white and her new Shepherd King David Took control and reached out to the wealthiest of constituents in their kingdom for help. They Immediately love The nobleman of the Mills for his kind and gentle nature.

When asked to a private audience with them. He entered the room and bowed low. "Your Majesty."

"Lord Henry, we would like to welcome you and your manor to the White Kingdom formally." Queen snow white said with a smile.

"Thank you." Henry answered. "Though I am intrigued by your summons my Queen."

"We are in dire need financially." Snow said and paused to look at the meek man trying to gauge his reaction. "We have exhausted our resources and are looking for a solution diligently with our wealthiest families."

Henry blinked at the young queen's admission. "I would be happy to help the kingdom. We are a young family fortunate to have amassed our fortune. My wife has just given birth to our first child and must discuss with her of your need." He knew that he would have given in but Cora was more business minded. If only she hadn't so recently given birth she would have been here to help make the decision.

The Queen conceded, and Henry headed home. After a fortnight, the White Kingdom received a few coffers of gold with a message from The Mills Lands.

The gold is yours without repayment with the promise that our daughter will marry your first born. Think of it as a dowry as she is so precious to us and worth much more than what you have received.

Regards

-Lord and Lady Mills

Snow looked at her husband and sighed. "Charming, what if we never have a son?" She asked. "Your father cursed me."

"Snow, we will pay them back." King David said holding his wife, and they lived on signing the Pact and working on their son.

Four

When Regina was four years old, she loved playing with her daddy. He doted on her. She was a daddy's girl through and through. They would play so many things together. Henry Lavished his only child with anything she could possibly want. His wife had become barren due to a fever shortly after Regina was born. The doctors said that it had ruined her and she would never conceive again.

The couple was devastated, but hoped that in Regina, their bloodline would continue.

"Daddy…" Regina said one day as she and her father had a tea party.

"Yes Dear?" he asked.

"When I am a princess, will you come and live with me?" Regina knew about the arrangement. She was being raised to be a proper princess. The only vice Cora allowed her was to tag along with her father to the stables. With each passing year, her mother fretted about not receiving news of an heir of the White Castle being born. They were by no means poor and in need of repayment. They were well respected. It was the title of royalty that had Cora alight.

"Henry!" Cora shouted racing into the sitting room where her husband and daughter sat. "Queen Snow is expecting and is soon to give birth!" Cora stated.

"Oh!" Henry said and looked at his daughter. At least she won't be much older than her spouse.

"She has invited us all to visit the castle as we will be the first to greet the new royal. Hopefully a prince!"

Regina looked up at her mother and smiled. she had never seen such happiness in her mother. She was even lovelier than ever to her.

A month later, after a long fortnight of travel, much too long for a four year old girl to withstand, they arrived at a magnificent White Castle.

"Wow," Regina stated.

"One day, this will all be your home." Cora said to her daughter. The little girl smiled and took in the grandiose palace her father's money had helped rebuild.

They entered a great hall beautifully decorated. It was filled with guests and a great table set for a feast. Her father placed the gift they had brought for the baby, a golden sword, and placed it where it seemed were other gifts for the child. Other people began to find their place settings, and The Mills were escorted to the seats closest to the royal couple.

The guests all stood as the doors to the Great Hall opened. A very pregnant Snow White and her Prince Charming entered the hall.

Regina stared at the Queen in wonderment. She was beautiful with her long Raven Hair and baby blue eyes. She looked so kind too. "Why is her belly so big?" Regina whispered loudly to her father. But the queen heard and blushed a little patting her belly.

"The baby is in there," her mother answered shushing the girl.

"How did he get in there?" she asked again, and snow laughed.

"Oh Lord Henry she is lovely." The queen stated. "Lady Cora," she smiled acknowledging her for the first time. Then she turned to Regina and held out a hand. "Pleased to meet you Princess Regina."

Regina smiled liking the Queen immediately. Regina enjoyed everything about being there. The meal, the ball. She had danced with the king until she was tired and fell asleep in her daddy's arms.

The next day, she awoke hoping to play with the King and Queen again, but her mother told her that she was not feeling well. so she occupied herself with exploring the castle grounds. She was lost in the halls and passages. Then she heard a noise beyond a door. There were many voices speaking urgently. Then a grunt of pain rang out. Curiously, she poked her head into the Queen's antechamber. She could see the women walking in and out of the bedchamber. The little girl stepped inside and hid behind the tapestry on the wall. She watched the king as he worried his hands as he sat on a high backed chair. Then suddenly there was the cry of a baby.

Both Regina and the king started at the wail. He shot upright and headed toward his chambers. Regina slid gingerly from the tapestry and walked slowly toward the door making sure to stay out of the way as much as possible. No one noticed her walking toward the sobbing Queen and her child.

"We can pay them back, don't worry. We will find a way." the king whispered to his wife.

"Can I see the baby?" Regina finally spoke up.

Snow looked at David and nodded. The king stood up and brought the little girl closer to the Queen. Regina looked at the very pink tired looking little person and then back at the Queen. "What's his name?"

The Queen smiled. "What do you think her name should be?"

It was a girl? Regina blushed happy that she would have a girl to play with instead of the boy everyone hoped the baby would be. "I like the name Emma." Regina stated.

"Emma…" The Queen said wistfully. "I like it." The king smiled and offered to take the little girl out to her parents.

Eight

The Queen only sent word to the Mills of a new pregnancy twice. Their daughter was eight and would soon be too old for any child she might bear. Snow white was prone to miscarriages and give birth to stillborn children.

Their son James, a year after Emma was born stiff as a board. Just dead. but this time, enforced by magic, the Queen knew she was having a boy and he was alive.

Emma was four and aware at how badly her parents wanted a boy. Every time her mother's belly swelled, Mother became cautious and stayed in her bed. Emma never got to play with mother, though she loved her a lot. They read together mostly, but she loved to play swords with daddy.

Emma was a tough girl and loved to play battle and ride her pony. She also liked when visitors that had young boys came to visit. Especially Lord Rumplestilskin. Lord Rumple came to speak with her parents shortly before mother's belly swelled this time. and he brought his son Bae along with him. He was a weird man with green scaly skin and Bae always looked a little sad to Emma. so she set off to make her guest feel welcomed.

After the first night, Lord Rumple and Bae came every fortnight and Emma played with the boy. He was six.

This time Emma was riding her pony when she saw Bae and his weird father approached. She rode toward them. expertly as fast as she could make her little pony go. "Bae!" Emma shouted bringing the galloping pony to a stop and jumping off of the very small horse.

Bae looked at the little animal in shock. "I've never seen a horse so little before."

"It's magicked that way. I got it from blue fairy. She is my godmother." Emma stated.

"What's it's name?" He asked petting it.

"Cleo." Emma said and took Bae's hand. She liked this boy.

On their Yearly visit to the kingdom. The Nobles of the Mills could feel the tension build. Their carriage ambled on as they approached the castle and Regina looked out. she could hardly wait to see the four year old. She had been so precocious and happy, she had captivated Regina.

Her parents however where dour. "Henry, if this child isn't male I will not withstand it." Cora Railed. "Regina will marry into the kingdom even if she has to marry that girl."

"Cora, don't be ridiculous, our bloodline will end with them if we do so." Henry stated. "Maybe we should forgive the loan, or demand gold payment. The kingdom has been gracious with us."

"Regina will be Queen, at this point she will only be princess eight years older than her husband. she will be much too old to bear an heir by the time he is able to lay with her." Cora stated.

"Cora, don't be so crude." Henry Chided.

"Mother, do you think Emma will play with me today?" Regina asked trying to cut the tension in the carriage.

"I shall hope so darling. She is a wild little thing isn't she." Cora said.

Regina smiled. "She is so much fun."

Cora sighed. "There are ways for a woman with magic to have children with another… Regina will be just fine."

Henry sighed. "Not this magic thing again."

"It is within her Henry, it will come out sooner or later." Cora said looking at her daughter who was now leaning out of the carriage a little too far. Cora used her very own magic to lift her away from the window and sit her firmly on the seat.

"I suppose. But they mustn't know." Henry said.

Cora smiled.

Regina saw Emma and a little boy standing next to the miniature horse. Regina smiled and waved. Emma looked up seeing her intended and frowned. She didn't like to see Regina, because every time she came, the two became close in that month that they stayed and then she left for an entire year and Emma missed her. At least Bae came every fortnight. Regina lived too far.

As she stepped out of the carriage, Regina walked shyly to the little girl and boy. "Hi Emma," She said.

"Hi." the little girl said softly. "This is Bae." The two bigger kid greeted each other. "We're gonna go play war. Wanna come?"

Regina nodded and made to follow, but Cora magically stopped her. "I can't Mother won't let me."

Emma shrugged and pulled at the Boy's arm. "Come on, Bae let's put Cleo in her pen."

Regina stood paralyzed and watched the two walk toward the stables. She stomped her foot defiantly then turned and walked in the direction of her parents. As they walked inside, Regina took note of the commotion of preparations around them. There was to be a feast, she supposed to welcome them as always, but there was another feeling in the castle all together.

Then there rose a murmur. "It's a boy, he is alive. The prince has arrived." Regina blinked and her heart beat in her chest. The boy she was to marry has been born. She would be a princess after all.

At the naming feast eight days later. Regina sat with her parents, and was brought forward to the King and queen. "Prince Neil, heir to the Kingdom of White will wed Lady Regina of the Mills when he is of age.

Regina looked down at the pink wrinkly thing and couldn't for the life of her imagine herself married to him.

Twelve

"Come on, Come at me!" Emma shouted at Bae as they sparred. As a friend, Bae visits with the princess often. Lord Rumple resides not too far from the castle, and Bae frequents weekly.

"Are you kidding? you're a little girl!" He answered clearly hesitant to strike a woman.

"I can beat you with one hand tied behind my back." Emma stated.

Regina watched the pair delighted from the back of her horse Rosinante. She had come to tend to her duties as wife to be to the four year old prince and was glad to be rid of the brat for a while and watch Emma whom she had a continued infatuation with. It had not passed, Regina found the girl to be more beautiful with each passing year.

She watched the ensuing battle rooting for Emma, she see's Emma backing up on to a rock that will most likely bound to trip the blond. Regina made a fist clamping her eyes shut and waited for Emma to cry out in pain. But nothing came. What she did see was two very shocked children.

"how did you do that?" Bae asked.

"how did she do what?" Regina asked.

"She just did…" He started.

But Emma's smile lit up the entire area. "I made back flips! I can't believe it."

Regina still felt a tingle in her hands, so she looked down at it and saw purple sparks emanating from her hands. "Neither can I." Regina muttered.

"Regina! It is Play Time for Neil, do go play with him." Cora stated.

Regina groaned. "Mother I want to ride Rosinante. I haven't ridden him in ages."

"Ride him later, right now, entertaining that boy is your duty." Rerina groaned and headed off to babysit.

Emma smirked at her sister in law and walked up to Bae. "What are you staring at?" Emma asked.

Bae jumped and looked away from the brunette. "Nothing."

"She is marrying my brother you know." Emma said.

"Of course I know that." Bae insisted.

"You like her." Emma teased.

"No I don't," he said.

"Well you can marry me then." she said

"No thank you." he stated and walked into the stable.

Emma walked away annoyed and frustrated to the castle.

Fourteen

Regina is of marrying age at fourteen. But her prince is only six. this posed a problem. But Regina was no longer required to spend an exorbitant amount of time with him. The visits had moved up from once a year to once every quarter year. and she stayed for a month. She did her studies with Emma at the White castle and Magic she learned to control at home.

One evening as she did her studying, Emma walked into the library with her own books. Tutor had assigned her several assignments the week prior that were due the next day and she had not started. Regina watched as the girl began to pour into her studies, and effortlessly get her work done. Nothing came that easy for Regina, and for Emma it was like Magic.

When Emma's sea green eyes looked up to her, Regina realized she had been staring. "What?" Emma asked.

"Nothing, I was just wondering how is it that you come to everything so easily?

Emma shrugged and continued her work. "Your Husband takes up a lot of your time doesn't he." Emma said. "You used to get to play with me before, I remember."

"Yes, but you play so roughly. Mother never allowed me near a sword." Regina answered.

"That's too bad." Emma said giving Regina a smile. She worked a little more, then she paused and looked out toward the door. "Do you have a boyfriend Regina?"

"What? No!" Regina stated.

"Why not? It isn't like you can go around kissing Neil." Emma stated putting the finishing touches to her work.

"Because I am Neil's"

"Well do you at least like someone." Regina did, but she didn't understand why she did.

"No." Regina answered.

"Well… Daniel, the stable hand said he liked you. You should see if you like him back." Emma said. "He's been looking at you the same way Bae does, and I know he likes you." Emma paused and looked at Regina. "Plus you are really very pretty."

Regina blushed at the compliment. then she shook her head and furrowed her brow. "Wait Bae likes me?"

"Yes, but he is mine!" Emma said. "I'll show him I can be pretty too. Just wait till my bosom's come in.

Sixteen

Regina really did like Daniel, and they saw each other often when she visited. They were together in secret. He was the only one that could make her forget the thoughts she had been having about her Sister in Law to be. Well almost.

At twelve, Emma had grown taller than her already. at twelve she had become a coquettish girl, her wild streak still intact with the added bonus of hormones. She had yet to physically blossom, so Bae still paid her no attention as he was fourteen and sought a woman. But Emma was shameless in her flirting and still relentless in her friendship with him.

Truthfully Regina had started to Resent the princess free to make her own choices in true loves. What she did, because she was no longer heir to the throne. She didn't have to marry anyone. Regina didn't want to marry a boy. He is eight years old and discovering he is the one that dictates the relationship.

She felt Trapped by convention, and the stupid Corsets that have become extremely tight due to the growth of her chest. She did notice the looks she got from men. She was aware that she was beautiful, and that made her want to be even more demure.

As she stepped out of the carriage, Daniel taking her hand to help, Regina smiled at the Stable hand and he bowed. "Lady Regina, would you like for me to prepare Rosinante for a ride?" Daniel asked.

"Not today Daniel, the lady has just arrived." Cora stated and pulled Regina along into the Castle.

"Mother, I want to ride!" Regina stated.

"Regina, if I did not know better, I'd say you and the Stable hand were in love." Cora said. Regina stopped short shocked at such a close guess. but corrected herself quickly before her mother saw her reaction.

"I just, I don't want to see the Prince right now." Regina said.

"Regina it is only polite to greet your hosts." Cora stated. Regina sighed knowing it was true.

As she walked into the Castle, Princess Emma Ran inside in a casual dress of a peasant , off the shoulder and loose about the bodice. Her long Blonde hair loose and sun kissed. Her skin also bronzed by the sun. The signs of budding womanhood upon her and it caused Regina to go breathless. yes she loved the stable hand, but the princess still captivated her.

"Regina!" Emma said in surprised and greeted the Princess to be with a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. The princess looked like a nomadic princess with the flowers pinned throughout her hair. which meant She had her hair coiled before going outside and she had taken it out.

Regina smirked, she knew the girl hated her hair to be pinned. She felt her own head full of pins and sighed. Maybe she should let her hair down as well. "Hello Emma."

"Will you come riding with me later?" Emma stated.

Regina smiled gratefully knowing it was an excuse to get her out and with Daniel. "I will."

"We will greet your parents and brother first princess." Cora insisted.

"Yes of course." Emma said and turned to go toward the great hall. She rolled her eyes as she entered.

"Regina!" Neil said excitedly. The eight year old boy was excited to see his playmate who was to be his wife later.

"hello dear." Regina said through ground teeth.

"Do you want to see what father taught me?" Neil asked and he pulled the girl out toward the gardens.

"Emma…" Snow said to her daughter catching a look at her. "Oh dear, I have been lax with you. I must send you to finishing school."

"What?" Emma said in shock.

"It will be good dear, you will learn to be a proper princess." Cora intoned.

Emma looked at her and scoffed. "I am a proper princess."

"Either way, it will not hurt to learn some manners.

Seventeen

Regina and Daniel Kissed in Rosinante's pen. He had her pinned against the wall. His hands roamed all over her body. He separated as they both needed to breathe. He kissed her neck and pressed his body flush against her. Regina could feel his need press against her abdomen.

He lifted her pushing her skirts up to her waist. He wanted her badly. "I can't Daniel." She whispered.

"Run away with me." He whispered.

Regina looked at him biting her lip. "Where shall we go?"

"I don't know, anywhere." Daniel entwined their fingers. "marry me Regina."

Her heart pounded at her chest. It was times like these she forgot the existence of Emma. Though the girl had been gone a year at finishing school, and Regina had missed her dearly. Daniel almost made her forget. "Regina?" The sound startled the lovers. The nine year old narrowed his eyes at his wife to be and Daniel. "What are you doing?"

Regina separated herself from Daniel and straightened her skirts out. "He just helped me off of Rosinante and I…"

"Right…" Neil said angrily. "Emma is home."

A shock of electricity ran through Regina and she followed her intended toward the castle without another word to Daniel. The stable hand stood watching the woman he loved walk behind the insipid royal and cursed the day he had been born.

Regina arrived at the Carriage and watched as Emma emerged from it. She was poised and much more refined than the wild child she had seen leave the castle just a year before. "Emma?"

The princess turned and gave her Sister in Law to be a smile. At thirteen, the girl had blossomed into a woman. Her bosom now large and womanly as her hips had also widened. "Hello Regina." Emma said with a smile. Bae had heard Emma was returning this day, and had been walking to meet her. He was breathless as he saw his friend so refined.

"Emma?" He said and a shock of jealousy ripped to Regina so fiercely it took her by surprise. He was now looking at Emma as Daniel looked at Regina, and Regina did not like it at all.

Emma's smile at the sight of him intensified and she immediately demurred. Regina raised an eyebrow at that. Bae took Emma's hand and escorted her into the Castle. Neil ran ahead of everyone and went to talk to his parents. I didn't care. My eyes were riveted on the proper princess before me.

As the Feast began, and the wine started to pour, Emma's refinement weaned. She was old Emma again, which put Bae at ease. He pulled her away from the table and they went to talk alone at the balcony. Well alone was an over statement. As a budding woman and a proper princess Emma now had chaperones that lurked in the darkness.

The pair walked awkwardly hand in hand. "Emma, you look so different."

Emma smirked her old smirk. "You mean, now I've got bosoms."

Bae laughed. "Well yeah."

Emma moved closer. "Well, now that I have them, what are you going to do with them?"

"Oh, Emma… you are trouble." He mumbled and she laughed.

"She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "Meet me at the stables in ten minutes, eh?"

Neil nodded and Emma walked away and back to the feast. Ten minutes later, Emma was headed toward the Stables, but Bae was not the only one there. Daniel was being dragged out kicking and screaming to the dungeons. "What's going on?" Emma cried out. "Unhand him!"

"He has been charged with defiling the Princess to be." The guard said.

"What?" Emma said, and saw Regina come out from the stall Rosinante was in.

"Daniel!" she cried out.

Emma and Bae ran to Regina and helped her up. She cried. "Who the hell told them you were here?" Emma stated in shock.

"Neil." Regina growled. Emma could feel a surge of strange energy coursing through Regina and she let her go. She looked at her in astonishment. She was even more shocked to see that Bae couldn't feel it. "Let go of me." Regina Growled and stalked to the castle.

The next morning, The screams of the Queen could be heard throughout the castle. Neil would not wake up and the Queen was distraught. Cora knew it was magic and went directly to her daughter. "What have you done?"

Regina looked at her mother innocently. "I have no idea of what you are speaking about mother."

"What did you give Neil?"

Regina raised a brow. "Give him?"

"You better pray the prince wakes up, and soon!" Cora said and walked out of the room.

Regina sighed and waved her hand across her vanity. a potion bottle half empty appeared. She smelled it and wondered if there was enough in it to just end everything for her. Just as she brought it to her lips Emma Entered the Chambers they had been shearing. Regina dropped the contents of the bottle on her lap and swore softly. "What was that?" Emma asked. Her eyes rimmed red.

"Oh, just some medicine mother has been giving me." Regina stated and walked over to the distraught girl. she hadn't thought about how ending the little cretin would affect her. "Are you okay?"

Emma nodded. "Yeah, Neil is asleep. he could wake up at any moment the doctor says."

Regina sighed in feigned relief. Then she bit her lip, "Where is Daniel?"

Emma sighed and shook her head. "He was beaten badly because of my brother. I'm sorry Regina."

"Where is he?" Regina asked again.

"The infirmary." Emma said and Regina rushed to be at his side.

Eighteen

Emma's Fourteenth Birthday was a royal affair. Emma was a woman of marrying age now. Though she had no urges to settle down, she played up her part. She danced with several boys, and enjoyed the attention.

Bae had come, and spirited her away to the stables. "you are a woman now…"

Emma smiled. "I am,"

Bae kissed her with all the ardor his sixteen year old body could muster. Finally Emma had gotten what she wanted from him and she was in no rush to stop him. She was a woman now, though she was supposed to be a proper princess, this was what she wanted.

Emma walked back into her party feeling thoroughly loved and completely different. what had happened in the stables was eyeopening, and though she wasn't sure how much she enjoyed it, she knew she had to try it again.

Regina walked up behind Emma and pulled at a straw from her hair. She had gotten to the Party a little late, but she hadn't seen Emma since Daniel died in the infirmary just under a year before. Emma turned and her eyes lit up. "Regina!" She threw her hands around her Neck. "God I didn't know I missed you till I saw you."

"Um… I'm flattered." Regina stated shifting from one foot to the other. "Happy birthday."

Emma smiled. "Thank you."

"how is Neil?" Regina asked.

Emma's smile faltered. "he's asleep."

Regina sighed, feeling terrible for doing that to the boy. Her mother is making her stay now. She will no longer return to her Parent's manor to live. "I'm sorry."

"Ladies and Gentlemen,"the Queen announced. "I have an announcement to make. This Kingdom Thrives largely because of the generosity of the Lord and Lady of the Mills Lands. As payment for the Kingdom's advancement, The First born of the Kingdom shall wed the heir of the Lord. Henry of the Mills. Therefore, Princess Emma, shall wed Lady Regina of the Mills in a fortnight."

A/N: Do tell me what you think... I got caught up in this so you know this happens. would you like more?