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One drop. Two drops. Three drops. Four, five, six, seven. Several drops of water dripped onto Eugene's forehead. He finally opened his eyes and drearily looked up. Water was dripping off the giant willow he was sitting under. He wiped the water from his face and opened his eyes wider. It took him a moment to realize where he was. He was sitting on a bench in the palace gardens... in his night clothes, he suddenly observed. Rapunzel was nestled under his arm, leaning against his chest, still asleep. Funny, he didn't remember even coming close to falling asleep last night.
He didn't move, not wanting to wake his wife yet. She looked too peaceful to disturb. He thought back to the night before. He remembered waking up to Rapunzel walking out the door of their bedroom, then getting up and following her outside. He remembered the murals. He couldn't believe that Rapunzel had never mentioned them before, muchless shown them to him. She usually liked to show him everything she did.
More importantly, what was she keeping from him? He knew she was not telling him something. Something was bothering her. She put on a pretty good act last night by saying she had a nightmare. It probably would have fooled anyone else, but not him. He was her husband after all, he was supposed to know when something was bothering her. He was confused. Usually she was very opened with him, spilling out all her emotions and worried, no matter what. What was different this time?
Rapunzel began to stir. Eugene looked down at her and saw her eyes slowly open. She turned her face up towards his and seeing he was awake, smiled. He returned the smile and kissed the top of her head, "Good morning, sleeping beauty."
"Mmm... morning," she mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes, "Are we still in the garden?"
"Yep."
Rapunzel gave a half content, half amused smirk. "What time is it?"
"No idea." He probably could have figured out if he wanted to, but he was feeling too lazy to try.
"It looks like it's almost time for breakfast," Rapunzel said, sitting up straighter, "We should probably go inside."
Eugene gave a sleepy sigh, removing his arm from around her shoulders. "Oh if we must," he said, giving an exaggerated yawn.
Rapunzel pushed off his chest and stood up. Eugene stood up as well. She headed towards the castle and he trailed after her, still wondering what she was keeping from.
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Rapunzel didn't eat much at breakfast. Eugene could tell that he was not the only one who noticed this. The king and queen eyed their daughter with questioning stares, but she seemed oblivious to any of them, her mind elsewhere.
Finally she looked up from her full plate. "May I be excused?" she asked, "I have something I need to take care of."
No one said anything for a moment, but eventually the queen nodded. "Of course," she said, "But come back as soon as you can. Your father and I have something we need to speak with you about."
Rapunzel nodded and hurried out of the room. There was silence in the room for a long while, everyone contemplating Rapunzel's behaviour. It was unlike her to hurriedly leave the table without a good reason. And if there was a reason, she would always explain. She would never just say 'I have something to take care of'. She would always be specific.
"Eugene," the queen addressed her son-in-law, "Is there something wrong with Rapunzel? She seems a little down."
Eugene shrugged. "I have no idea," he said, "She's been acting like this since last night. She got up in the middle of the night and wandered around the castle, eventually ending up outside. She said she had a nightmare and was trying to clear her mind, but I'm not so sure that's entirely true."
He heaved a sigh. "I think she's hiding something from me."
The king and queen processed this information. "I don't think she would intentionally hide something from you," the queen stated, "She probably either just doesn't want to tell you or she is not sure what is wrong and won't bring it up until she is sure."
"Well whatever it is, it's clearly giving her grief. She should talk about it with someone," Eugene said.
"Give her some time. She'll come around," the king assured him, "Right now, I have something important to tell you both."
Eugene wasn't sure of what to think of that statement. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. "What is it?" he inquired.
"We'll tell you as soon as Rapunzel returns," the king replied.
A short time later, Rapunzel came practically skipping back into the breakfast room. She gave both her parents a hug and Eugene a quick peck on the mouth before she sat down and began eating rapidly. She ate like she had not had anything to eat in months. Her parents and husband watched her, bewildered by her sudden change in attitude. She still did not offer any explaination for her leaving the table.
"Father, how come you didn't say anything about retiring servants," she asked suddenly before stuffing another forkful of eggs into her mouth.
Everyone was taken aback by the out-of-the-blue question. "Uh... I didn't think it was neccessary," the king replied, "Why?"
Rapunzel took another bite of food before answering. "I just found out that Dr. Frankfort is leaving next week, and so is Amelia's mother, and that man who works in the stables, and Mr. Johnson-" She scarfed down another bite.
"Well, those people are all very old," the queen explained, "We allow servants to live in their own homes once they reach a certain age if they so wish."
Rapunzel nodded, understanding. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" she suddenly changed the subject.
They all shook off Rapunzel's strange behavior. The king leaned forward over the table, and everyone mimicked his movement. "This is gravely serious," the king said in a low voice, "And highly confidential. It involves both of you." He pointed at Rapunzel and Eugene.
The said couple leaned closer, Rapunzel losing interest in her food. "What is it?" she asked.
"You know of the kingdom of Lacoria?" the king asked.
Eugene and Rapunzel nodded. "Well," the king continued, "We have reason to believe that they may be planning an assassination."
"Assassination?" Rapunzel cried, "Why?"
"Years ago, twenty one years to be exact, after you were taken, Rapunzel, your mother and I were without an heir to the throne," the king explained, "After several years, we were advised to find someone who could take the throne when our time was past. Of course we never gave up hope that you would be returned to us, but it was a precaution that we were pressured to take."
"Anyways, we owed the kingdom of Lacoria a favor," the queen took over the explanation, "They once allied with us when Corona was invaded, and saved our kingdom from downfall by doing so. Therefore, after you had been missing for several years, we promised the queen of Lacoria, that if we did not produce an heir within a certain number of years, her son would inherit the throne. You follow so far?"
Rapunzel and Eugene nodded. "But what does this have to do with an assassination?" Eugene wondered.
"The deadline we agreed on for us to produce an heir is almost up," the king said, "Since Rapunzel was returned to us, we have an heir and the prince of Lacoria will not inherit our throne. However..." The king's voice darkened and his mouth curved into a deep, menacing frown. Eugene almost feared for his life just looking at that face.
"However," the king said, "We have reason to believe that the queen of Lacoria still wants her son to take over the throne."
"Why?" Rapunzel asked.
"We aren't sure, but it's probably because we are one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the area," the queen replied, "That's often why kingdoms covet other kingdoms."
"I still don't see how an assassination connects to all this," Eugene stated.
"Don't you see?" the king asked, "In order for the prince of Lacoria to take control of Corona, we cannot have an heir. So, if it is true that the queen of Lacoria does want her son to take our throne... she will want Rapunzel out of the way before the deadline is up."
Eugene choked on his own saliva and Rapunzel dropped her fork with a clatter. "Wait, this queen wants to kill Rapunzel?" Eugene sputtered.
The king and queen nodded gravely. "Now we don't know for sure," the queen said, "This is why we wanted to talk to you. We need both of you to go to Lacoria to figure out if there really is a plot concerning Rapunzel's life."
"You want to send Rapunzel somewhere where people may want to kill her?" Eugene asked incredulously.
"That's the point," the queen said, "They would never expect us to send her to their kingdom."
"I don't follow," Eugene said.
"She will not go as Princess Rapunzel of Corona," the king said, "She will go as a noblewoman from Faldonia. And you, Eugene, will go as her main attendant. They have never seen Rapunzel or you before. They don't know what you look like."
"Faldonia?" Rapunzel repeated, "Does Nathaniel know about this?"
"Yes," the king replied, "You will go to Faldonia next week and from there to Lacoria. That is if you accept this assignment."
Eugene didn't like it. What if their identities were discovered? What would happen to Rapunzel? What about Corona? However, before he could express his concerns out loud, Rapunzel spoke up. "I'll do it!"
"Rapunzel! Those people might want to kill you!" Eugene warned.
"'Might', Eugene," Rapunzel said, "There's only one way to find out and that's by going to Lacoria."
"But-"
"Come on, Eugene. When was the last time we had a chance to do something like this?" Rapunzel asked, "Remember my murals last night? I saw how you lit up as you recalled each memory. I know you want another adventure as much as I do."
She could read him like a book. He wished he could do the same with her. He sighed. There was no changing her mind and she would need someone to protect her in Laconia. Besides, she was right... he did miss adventure.
He faced the king and queen. "OK. I accept too."
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Phew! Lots of explaining. Sorry if it got a bit dry.
Review please! I will send you virtual brownies if you do! :D