I just want to apologize right now for such a short chapter. I was attempting to make this longer but I figured I would leave it how it is and

update either tomorrow or Monday. ;) That being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Friendly reminder that I do not own Robin or Regina but I sure do wish I did.

Regina let out a deep sigh, body falling back against the overly soft cushion of the plane seat. Never once had she had the luxury of flying on a private jet. Champagne just for her. The amount of comfort and space one could dream of. A grin appeared on her face as she flipped through a fashion magazine, only breaking her concentration on the page when Killian came to sit beside her.

"Someone seems to be enjoying themselves. I take it you're glad you agreed to come?"

She let out a small laugh, shrugging her shoulders. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for champagne and fine chocolates." Giggling a bit more at his eye roll she continued on, "The jet is lovely. As for everything else… ask me after I've met the man and get a taste of what I'm really after."

Killian cleared his throat. His smile fading, the sudden feeling of anxiety washing over him when he realized he didn't exactly tell her about Robin.

"Yeah, about that… listen, Regina, there's something you should know – " he was cut off when the pilot suddenly came over the speaker to let them know they were about to reach their destination in London. Ignoring his word, Regina eagerly leaned over her seat as the grin on her face grew a bit more when her eyes met the outside.

"That's Big Ben!" she shouted, a little too excited, like a small child in a toy store. "I've always wanted to see it in person."

Sighing at the sudden loss of interest, Killian glanced out the window, smiling softly at her excitement. "Perhaps I can get one of my best mates to escort you there while you're here."

"Escort?" Regina question, glancing over at him. "Like a bodyguard? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

He shook his head. "You're spending time with a soon to be king. The press will be all over you for the next few weeks. Trust me love, an escort is necessary."

She nodded in understanding, shrugging off the annoyed feeling. Perhaps this is a life she would have to get used to, or at least until she got back to New York.

When the plane reached its marked spot, she quickly gathered her things and followed Killian towards the exit of the aircraft, allowing him to help her down the narrow steps.

Before making their way to the limo, he turned to her quickly speaking in a low manner, "Regina, starting now your life is about to change. Things… could get ugly throughout this competition so I need you to promise me something."

Staring back him with sincerity in her eyes, she nodded along with every word before responding, "Anything."

He sighed. "Promise me that you won't let this change who you are. You won't let evil get the best of you. You have this beautiful personality that I don't wanna see you lose. Just, promise you won't do anything you'll ever regret," he asked, practically pleading at this point. Regina mimicked his sigh, a smile appearing on her face as she nodded once.

"Don't worry. I don't think anything can hurt me right now more than I've already been hurt. When this all ends I'll be Regina. I'll always be Regina. That's a promise."

He nodded, giving her a smile before motioning his head towards the awaiting limo. Holding the door open for her, he let her slide in first before climbing in after her and shutting the car door behind them. She sighs, taking everything in before glancing over at him.

"Is this one of his… cars?" she asked, brows raised, while her slim fingers ran over the soft leather interior.

Killian nodded with a chuckle, "They sure know how to impress." She laughs at that, eyes roaming all over the car before they fall on a magazine that was resting alone across the way. Curious she reached over, grabbing it gently before turning it over, and when she did her stomach practically dropped at the front cover. There in bold black letters was:

ROBIN LOCKSLEY. SOON TO BE THE NEW KING OF ENGLAND HOLDS COMPETITION FOR A WIFE TO BE.

Sick. That's what she felt. Anger? Hurt? Would it be fair of her to feel such things? She had only met him for about five minutes. But still, flirting with a woman and not necessarily sharing the fact that you're a prince about to be in charge of running a country isn't exactly something that should be ignored either. Then it started to register… Robin said he was visiting New York with friends. Two friends. Killian. Her gaze broke away from the tabloid and fell on Killian instead.

"Y– you're a friend of Robin's? He's the prince?"

He broke his focus away from the road, a mumbled 'Hmm?' as he turned his attention towards her. The hurt look on her face almost broke him. 'Bloody hell,' he mumbled under his breath as he reached out, taking the magazine from her grip.

"Regina, listen to me. Yes. Yes Robin is the prince. But there's a fair explanation as to why he didn't say anything."

She raised her brows, arms crossed against her chest, not saying a word, waiting for him to resume.

Letting out a sigh he continued, "When we left for New York, it was his last taste of freedom. Something he won't be able to do again. He wanted to feel normal for once. He didn't want to be known as the prince. He didn't want to feel like people needed to give him some sort of special treatment or like he was being used. Turns out he was feeling miserable that entire trip. But then he met you."

Her gaze softened a bit, stance becoming less irritated, so he took a breath and continued on. "He returned back to the room speaking highly of you. About how beautiful you were. How he had only just met you yet he wanted to be around you. How he felt utterly upset that he was leaving so soon and wouldn't be able to see you or get to know you."

She smiled. He had felt the same way she had felt but didn't dare say aloud. Feeling tears start to form, she nodded softly letting him go on.

"So I did what any friend would do. I invited you to England. He actually has no idea you're here but what a surprise that'll be for him."

"He doesn't know I'm here?" she gasped a bit, sitting up. "What if he gets mad? What if he doesn't want me? Wha – " she was cut off suddenly by his gentle hand coming to rest on her shoulder.

"Love, you worry too much. He wants you here. Trust me," he nodded, rubbing her shoulder.

She sighed, feeling slightly uneasy about this all of sudden, knowing that the handsome British man from her coffee stand was the prince. She felt uneasy and… jealous?

She opened her mouth to respond when the car suddenly came to a stop. Her gaze broke from Killian's and focused out the car window. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the mansion. Its detail and architecture took her breath away as she stepped out of the limo and glanced around at everything.

A statue in the center of the driveway with a miniature pond around it. Gardens with the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. For a moment she had imagined what it would be like to live here permanently, in a place so beautiful, with Robin by her side. She needed to win this competition.

"So what do you think?" Killian asked, making her jump slightly and breaking her from her thoughts. For a split second she had forgotten he was even there.

"Oh… uh," she paused shaking her head, a smile appearing on her lips. "It's all beautiful. Like something out of a fairytale."

He returned her smile graciously and motioned for her to follow him up the steps. "I had a feeling you would say that." A chuckle erupted from deep inside him as they both stepped inside.

"About time you showed up! I was beginning to think you and Robin were both lying about the girl." A sudden deep voice made Regina turn her attention towards the grand staircase where a handsome, well dressed man descended. Hm. With the way he was dressed and how his features looked, she assumed he was somehow related to the royal family.

"Well, for obvious reasons we couldn't accompany you and Robin on the flight back so we had to take a different approach mate. Don't be an arse."

The man simply chuckled at Killian's response, walking straight to Regina, taking her hand in his and placing a tender kiss to her hand.

"You must be Lady Regina. I'm David Nolan. Apologies for not getting the chance to meet you sooner but I had to get Robin back here a day earlier than we had originally planned."

She smiled warmly, pulling her hand back and gently letting it fall to her side before shaking her head. "I completely understand. It's a pleasure to meet you. Where is Robin if I may ask?"

"In a meeting with his father. He's actually been in there for a while now and should be out soon. Why don't you allow me to show you to your bedroom?" His gaze then moved towards Killian's. "Killian I'm sure you'd like to wash up and eat something after your long trip?" Killian nodded, handing him Regina's belongings before he looked over at her with a smile and reassured her that he would come check in on her later, and then he disappeared down the corridor.

"Lady Regina, if you would please follow me," David motioned his head towards the staircase; she quickly obliged and followed closely behind him. On the long walk towards the guest room she took the opportunity to glance at all the paintings on the walls. Some were of the king and whom she assumed was his wife. Some were with Robin. The others were just random pieces of artwork.

"And here we are," David broke her from her trance and opened the door to a beautiful room. The walls were painted a light shade of pink and at the back of the room sat a massive side bed with a princess canopy cascading above it. She stepped inside, making her way towards the balcony where she was met with the most beautiful view that overlooked a rose garden and quite a few apple trees.

"I trust you find the room to your liking?" David asked and she smiled.

"Love it actually."

He smiled, nodding his head. "Perfect. Now in the wardrobe over here you'll find clothes that you will be required to wear. These are clothes that would be deemed appropriate for a queen in training to wear. If anything doesn't fit, please feel free to let me or Killian know and we shall have it fitted for you."

She nodded at his words, "Will do."

"Is there anything else I can get you right now?" he asked sincerely.

She shook her head, "I believe I'm okay for now but I'll be sure to let you know if I have any questions."

He smiled, nodding his head once before he turned on his heels, leaving the room and closing the door softly before him. Once he had left, Regina had let out a sigh, walking over to the bed and falling back against it; gaze locked on the ceiling, she found herself lost deep in her thoughts again.

'Clothes appropriate for a queen in training,' David's voice kept echoing through her mind. Appropriate? How was she to know what was appropriate and what wasn't? And why did it matter? Was this what Killian meant when he told her not to lose herself? How could she even promise to stay true to herself if she couldn't be herself? What was she even doing here? All these questions had made her anxiety rise and suddenly she felt sick to her stomach. Maybe she was making a big mistake.

Sure, she could admit she felt something for Robin. She wasn't sure what the feeling was but there was something there. But was all this going to be worth it in the end? What if he didn't feel the same way? What if she misread the signs and he wanted nothing to do with her? What if, when all this comes to an end, he doesn't choose her and it was all just a complete waste of time?

Choking back a sob, she reached over for her phone, opening up her 'United' app. She pulled up the list of morning flights back to New York when she was startled by a sudden knock at her door. Thinking it was Killian, since he promised to check on her, she hopped up from her bed, walking over towards the door slowly and opening it with a smile.

"That was quic – " she started to say, but when she came face to face with the familiar handsome blue eyed man on the other side of the door she had lost her train of thought. Any words she could try to muster refused to come out, and her heart began to beat a little faster than normal.

"Robin," she mumbled.

"Regina."

Don't kill me for the cliffhanger! I promise the next update Robin and Regina get to spend a bit of time together before things get crazy. I have a great ideas for this story and I hope you guys stay with me.