Sorry about that little peek into almost-married life. Hope you enjoyed it. Now back to the serious stuff. Rapunzel encouraged me to pursue history so it's what I do.

When the word got out from hidden castle lips to the town criers that Gothel was perhaps descended from Visigoths, the antagony toward the queen grew intense.

Who leaked Gothel's birth certificate? Was it Atilla the Hun?

"I want everyone out of my room at once!"

"But madame-"

"That includes you, Ganther. I trusted you. How could you accuse-how could you dare accuse Atilla the Hun the Vth of stealing my birth certificate? He is one of my most trusted, loyal, honorable men. I have it right here."

Gothel patted her red, velvet dress looking for non-existent pockets. She rifled through every drawer. She even looked under the bed and the trunks therein.

"I apologize, Ganther. It seems we had a spy at our meeting."

It never occurred to Ganther that he had known one of these spies.

"I apologized too... but to Atilla. He is a tough guy on the outside, Highness, but he would never hurt a fly. May I remind you it was one of your ladies who dare such an accusation upon the kingdom's cupcake maker?"

"I doubly apologize, Ganther. I know you are not on the best of terms."

"Because one of your ladies... should I say?"

Gothel sat on her satin bed sadly. She looked at her hands. "Yes," she parted her mouth hesitantly. "You may speak."

"It was Brumhilda."

"Brumhilda?" Gothel's shock could not be absorbed by the springy, outdated mattress. "She-she was my mother's midwife."

"I know-but please don't jump to any conclusions, m' lady. She could've heard it from som' other."

Ganther shirked at what may have come. "You are right, Ganther. The castle is full of spies. I'm going to fire everyone."

"Your upmost Highness! You can't do that! Hundreds of people depend on the palace for their livelihoods. The economy tanks. The towns and prairies are in shambles. You've seen-"

Gothel fingered his chin seductively. "Sssilence," she whispered still seductively in her false falsetto.

Ganther gave a knowing smile. Gothel would always be on his side even though the state of things changed her. He knew he brought out the best in him. He thought he could change her.

The door shut behind Ganther. The room was their hideout until the gossip quieted down with the night.