Hi, everyone! This idea wouldn't stop bugging me until I wrote it down, so here's my second Jackunzel fic. I hope you guys like this! Listen to:
Enchanted (Orchestral Cover) - Taylor Swift
She remembered the first time she saw him.
It was during her cronation preparation that she noticed him. He was a quiet man, always keeping to himself but once or twice she had caught him joking with his friend, Aster, from the kitchen staff. Other than that, he would always have his head down, concentrating on his work.
But somehow, he had filled her heart with warmth- something she hadn't felt since her beloved Eugene's death. Rapunzel was still mourning, yes, but it had been nearly five years since the riding incident and she wanted so badly to let go.
He provided her a distraction, someone who her eyes would always wonder to when they were in the same room. He was tall and lean, with a mop of unruly brown hair that she found adorable. His subtle brown eyes would concentrate on his blueprints, lost in the haze of his own thoughts. Kind of like how she was lost in the haze of his presence.
"Your Grace?" the annoyed voice of her trusted adviser, Lord Urwell called her back to reality.
He was still holding up the guest list, waiting for her to give her thoughts and opinions.
She gave him a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I was daydreaming again."
Lord Urwell followed her train of sight and landed on the ice sculptor who was staring blankly at the space where Corona's sigil made out of ice was to be placed.
The lord looked back at her and found that the Princess was once again daydreaming.
"Yes, concerning regards to your invitation for the king and queen of Lors- do you think it is wise your Highness? Trade between our country and theirs hasn't been fruitful in a while and..." Lord Urwell trailed off when he found the Princess' eyes straying back to where her object of infatuation was.
"Who is he, Lord Urwell?" she whispered, her green eyes wide.
Lord Urwell cleared his throat. "He is of no utmost importance for Your Grace to be concerned with."
"Is it true that he comes from a land very far away from here?" she asked in hush tones, not hearing him.
The adviser sighed. "Yes, he comes from a Peninsular unknown to us, but we heard he is the best in his trade. Now milady, if you may..."
The afternoon passed by dreary for Rapunzel as she busied herself with the preparations. She signed well over ten documents and had suggestions thrown to her more times than she could count. The Princess rubbed her head. Who knew inheriting the Crown could be so complicated?
Her parents- the King and Queen of Corona were gracious enough to let her handle the preparations at her insistence. She knew they were growing old and she had offered to oversee everything with her adviser's help. At first, they were wary that their daughter was taking up all the pressure of preparation but finally relented when she uttered sadly that it would take her mind of Eugene.
The Princess sighed in peace when she entered the library- one of her favorite rooms in the castle. She was even more relieved when she found it to be empty.
Retrieving her favorite book on poetry, she curled up into one of the chairs and started reading. The book absorbed her in and she almost didn't hear the door opening. She looked up and saw the ice sculptor walking in, a look of amazement on his face as he surveyed the library. Rapunzel couldn't help the jolt in her heart when she noticed him.
Jack was blown away to say the least. His brown eyes darted to and fro, taking in the sight of the infamous Corona library, built by the Queen for her daughter since the Princess loved reading. He didn't know where to start. Noticing a girl on one of the seats, he decided to go up and ask her where the books on designs were located. It was only when she turned around that he realized he was sharing the same room with the soon to be crowned Queen.
He hastily bowed down. "I'm sorry Your Grace...many pardons, I didn't notice it was you."
She gave him a small smile and reassured him it was alright. He didn't realize it but the Princess looked even more pretty up close with her bright green eyes and soft, full lips.
Jack found himself suddenly self conscious of the simple way he dressed- in just a white tunic and water stained breeches from where the ice had melted.
"Um, Your Grace," he addressed her. "I was just wondering if there were any books here about designs."
She smiled amicably."I think there may be a few, here, I'll show you."
Jack hastily backed away, a look of hesitation on his face. "I-It's okay, Your Grace, you could just instruct me, I don't want to interrupt you."
"Please," Rapunzel said gently, her green eyes sparkling, unknowingly pulling him into its depths. "This library is vast and I would hate for you to lose yourself," she said with a shy smile.
Jack reeled back, mildly surprised. Did the Princess herself just offered to show him around the library? And did she just...flirt with him?
"Um, sure," he replied with a tentative smile. "If that's okay with you, Your Highness."
"It would be my pleasure," she replied as she led him to one of the shelves furthest away from the library. Rapunzel knew the rack of books by heart, having spent almost every single day finding inspiration for her art.
"It's right up here," she said, reaching up towards the highest rack.
Jack tried to tell her that it was alright, that he could take it from here but she stubbornly replied that this was the best book for designing and all the other books didn't have clear instructions unlike this one.
She balanced herself on the lower shelf, her fingers brushing against the book. "I got it!" she exclaimed triumphantly and was about to descend when her foot slip. A gasp was wrenched from her throat as she flailed for a moment, panicked.
Strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist before she could fall and set her upright. She breathed hard, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat.
Rapunzel looked up and found Jack staring at her with such concern it would've been comical had she not been reeling from the shock.
"Princess, are you okay?" he asked, worried that she might have bruised herself.
She gave a breathy laugh which turned into a giggle. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you, but-" she trailed off, laughing. Jack could only give her a smothered smile.
"I'm such a dummy," she said between chortles. Jack put a hand around her shoulder, repressed laughter shaking his body.
"You gotta admit, it's not everyday I save Princesses from one inch drops," he replied and that just made Rapunzel giggle harder.
"I'm sorry," she gasped through watering eyes, "I know I must look a sight."
He laughed and it took her breath away. "It's alright," he said, grinning at her.
She sobered up but still had a faint smile on her lips. "I should have you knighted, O Gallant One."
Jack shook his head in amusement, bangs falling to his eyes. Rapunzel chuckled and helped him push his hair out of his face, her fingers brushing against his temples. She then felt a jolt go through her like static and she knew Jack must've felt it too because his eyes widened and his face heated up.
He pulled back from her touch and she dropped her hand, a surprised look on her face.
"I'm sorry-"
"I'm sorry-"
They both apologized at the same time, and a he gave her a sheepish smile.
"It's alright," Rapunzel said although she didn't feel particularly apologetic. Jack seemed to feel the same way, his eyes glinting mischievously.
She cleared her throat and handed him the book. "Um, here you go," she muttered shyly.
He took it and gave her a grateful nod.
Rapunzel was just about to turn and leave when he cleared his throat. "Uh, Princess?" he called out.
"Yeah?" she replied and turned to him.
"You gave me a book about amphibians," he retorted, grin in place.
She blushed again, this time in mortification. She hid her face behind her hands, smothering her apologies.
Jack held her hands with an amused smile. "Princess, I heard you're really good in art..."
She peeked up, her embarrassment momentarily forgotten.
"And it would be my honor if you could help me with the design" he asked, subtle hope in his tone.
Rapunzel perked at that thought and a smile broke out on her face, as bright as the morning sun.
"I would love that."