I know I let you wait for a long time. But I had to figure out a few things before I could go on with writing. But I think you will be surprised at the end of the chapter.

Before you start reading, I want to thank two people: sarahhaley, my fantastic new beta reader, and MydniteShadow1996, who came up with the idea of sarahhaley being my beta reader. So, I assume there isn't more to tell. Start reading and have fun!


The next morning, everyone noticed immediately that everything was fine again between Eugene and Rapunzel. They entered the dining room hand in hand, as if nothing ever happened. When the king asked why there was suddenly peace again, they just smiled. They preferred keeping the secret of their late meeting for themselves. It would get Eugene into trouble.

They had just finished breakfast when King Peter announced, "By the way, you will have no lessons today and tomorrow. My brother in law and his family will arrive this afternoon and I want you two to visit the town with us tomorrow." Rapunzel, who was smoothing her turquoise skirts at this moment, looked up anxiously.

"But father, what about the Stabbingtons?"A legitimate question. Her whole family would be in danger. She and Eugene were the targets, but she didn't want her parents or other relatives to get hurt.

Eugene looked at Rapunzel and frowned. What was happening in this moment was exactly what he had feared. She was worried. Normally, she loved visiting the town and never missed a chance to go there.

"Don't worry, there will be enough guards," Queen Susan answered, smiling reassuringly. She was worried, too, but despite everything that happened in the past, she trusted the guards.

"Wow, what a comforting thought," Eugene commented sarcastically. But he didn't want the guards, who were of course in this room, to be mad at him, so he spoke very quietly. Rapunzel was the only one who heard it. She grinned, but stayed silent. Her gaze turned to her parents again.
"Why didn't Uncle Gregory visit us before?" Many people travelled to the palace after she had returned home, including many different relatives. But her Uncle, his wife and their children, according to Rapunzel's Mother a boy and two girls, had never been here before.

"His kingdom is situated on an island, very far away from here. So he can't leave often and comes along quiet rarely," her mother replied, her smile becoming a little sad. She would be happy if her brother visited her and her family more often. But he had to watch over the kingdom where he, she and their younger siblings grew up.

"What is he like?"

King Peter smiled. "It would be the best if you get to know him yourself. Oh, and his daughter Rosalin is about your age. Ginger is fifteen and Harry is seventeen, as far as I know. Maybe you two get along well with them, " he explained and smiled at his daughter and Eugene.

Both nodded. Due to the fact that Rapunzel was a princess and Eugene her future husband, they didn't have many friends their age. They liked the other princesses and princes like Tiana, Belle, Cinderella, Dimitri, Eric and the others, but it wasn't possible to visit them often. After all, their kingdoms were far away from Corona. It would be good to meet other young adults.

"I'm really looking forward to meet them. When will they arrive?" Rapunzel asked eagerly. Her eyes had this curious shimmer again that Eugene loved so much. He couldn't help but noticed once again how much he had fallen for her.

King Peter smiled and answered, "Their arrival is planned for the early afternoon. So you and Eugene have some free time. Do whatever you please. Your mother and I will take care of everything." With these words, Eugene and Rapunzel were allowed to go. They decided to go to the library. At this time of the morning they would hardly meet someone there, so they could talk without being disturbed.

A while later they sat in the aforementioned area in two armchairs. The library was a very peaceful place; in the air was a smell of old and new books which could be found in the many shelves that nearly reached the ceiling. Rapunzel often spent many hours here, when her time allowed her to. She wanted to read as many books as possible. In the first eighteen years of her life she read only three books, after all. Therefore her thirst for knowledge was almost immeasurable now.

But Eugene was here every now and then, too. Usually, he read The Tales of Flynnigan Rider. He had been very surprised when he found it in the library because he would have never thought any king or queen would let their children read it.

In the rays of sun that fell through the windows danced fluff. The little dust flakes swirled around the other ones and floated up and down. But Eugene and Rapunzel didn't even look at the pretty sight. They were busy with their conversation. When it ended, the silence didn't make them feel uncomfortable. In the right moment, being quiet could be a very nice thing. Just one wrong word would ruin everything.

The words Rapunzel chose weren't wrong, at least not in her eyes. But Eugene would have preferred if she hadn't started talking about that kind of thing.

"Do you feel uncomfortable because my family visits us?" It was an innocent question, but Eugene started to feel and see a few things he would rather not remember. He frowned, looking at her confused.

"What makes you think that, darling?"

Rapunzel giggled. Darling. He had never said that before. Usually, he called her ´Blondie` or, once in a while, ´Goldie`. But when she giggled, he just looked even more confused, so he had probably talked without thinking about what he said. She shook her head, smiling. He could call her darling if he wanted. She liked it.

"Your face just has this strange expression whenever my parents speak about their visit," she answered his question. She knew her Eugene very well. It was difficult to notice the tiny tension of his muscles and the change of the expression of his eyes when someone spoke of their relatives. The typical expression when he thought about something bad. And unfortunately, there weren't many nice things Eugene could remember.

"I don't know much about the rest of my family. My mother had two siblings, but her sister died when I was an infant. I don't know why. And her older brother had been seriously injured in some war, so he wasn't able to care for a little child. I have no idea if he's still alive."A deep sigh escaped Eugene's throat. His family seemed really out of luck.

"I don't know anything about my father's family. The only thing I can remember is that he has an older sister. But she obviously didn't want me." He gritted his teeth and Rapunzel could see how his jaw muscles tensed. His gaze became hard and distant and he tried to control the upcoming feeling of anger. How could anyone let their nephew be taken to the orphanage instead of caring for him?

"Why not?" He looked into Rapunzel's innocent, green eyes. She watched him with a worried expression. How could she still be so concerned about him? How could she still be there without asking although he already bothered her with so many of his stupid family stories? Did he really deserve her? Her kindness and her willingness to sacrifice anything for him? Her love?

He sighed. Because he didn't understand why he had such luck and to answer Rapunzel's question. His broad shoulders rose and fell. He didn't know what to answer. No one ever told him his aunt's reasons. He had been a child, after all. Helpless, hopeless, desperate and very, very sad and lonely.

"I honestly don't know, Blondie. She didn't even bother with visiting me. I don't want to meet her. Ever." There it was again, this hard expression which had been replaced by the emotions he felt as a child. Rapunzel didn't like it.

She smiled at him brightly, trying to give his thoughts a happier direction. "But you can try. I will ask my father if he is alright so send men in order to search her, then you could-"

"No!" The word echoed through the empty library, the sound of his voice was sharp and piercing. His facial expression almost frightened her a bit for one moment. He didn't look evil, but she wasn't used to see him that furious. Only a few moments later, his face and his gaze softened again. Again he said quietly, "No."

Rapunzel looked at him calmly. She knew her Eugene. He didn't want to harm anybody; he just wasn't very good at controlling his anger. All the young princess could do was waiting until he wanted to speak. She couldn't force him. So she just went over to him, sat down on one of the armrests. She smiled at him, encouragingly. Silence was between them for minutes. One, two. Then, he began to speak.

"I don't think I want to meet her. She is a bad person. No one who lets the only child of their dead brother grow up in an orphanage can be a good person," he muttered. Rapunzel looked at him more closely, studying his angry but yet sad features. She leaned her head against his chest so she could feel his heart beating and asked very quietly, "Like thieves can't be good people?"

He knew what she was trying to say. "I've never said that I am a good person! I have done many things which weren't right. You don't even want to know how many." And he regretted every mistake he made. Well, most of them.

Rapunzel smiled triumphantly, but he couldn't see it because her face was turned away from him. "But everyone forgave you. Try to forgive your aunt, too."

He wanted to contradict. She couldn't compare these two things. However, a picture flickered before his mind's eye. The picture of a certain tiara, made out of pure gold which artfully encircled three diamond and many small gems. A tiara which was currently lying only a few centimeters away from him. It had been the only thing Rapunzel's parents had left of their daughter, besides their memories. They had missed her for eighteen years. And he had taken the tiara away. He thought that was nearly as mean as not caring for the child of a family member. Or even worse.
He began to ponder about everything and became silent.


Just in time, all four of them stood before the palace doors, looking down at the courtyard. They could hear the sound of the horses' hooves and knew that they would soon be able to see the carriage. Rapunzel seemed to be the only one who was really nervous, although she seemed to be very happy.

"Do you think they'll like me?" she asked Eugene, who stood beside her. He let his gaze slide down on her. The wide skirt of her dress was turquoise and rippled slightly with every slight gust of wind. Her corset was dark blue, a nice contrast to the other color. The white sleeves only reached a little past her elbow. The dress was pretty, she was beautiful, and in addition to her looks she had a personality that captivated everyone. He didn't see what her problem was.

He looked at her, seriously. "No." She was shocked at this, but before she had time to be really worried about what he said, he started to grin broadly. "They will not like, but love you, Blondie. Everyone loves you. Trust me."

"But you love me most?" she asked, grinning as well.

"'Course I do" Eugene replied and placed a kiss on her hair. She smiled happily. He gripped her hand and squeezed it lightly. Their fingers entwined while they stood there, still waiting.

Finally, the carriage arrived on the courtyard. It stopped near the stairs which led up to where Rapunzel stood with Eugene and her parents. The driver jumped off his place and quickly opened the doors of the carriage. Rapunzel looked down from the balcony, curiously and expectantly.

The first one who got out was a man around the age of her father, maybe a little older. His hair was brown, slightly lighter than hers or her mother's. He was a smaller than Eugene and her father and he enjoyed his food. That was clearly apparent by his round figure.

The next person seemed to be her aunt. Her curly hair shimmered red in the sunlight, which was quite bright for it being fall. Her aunt was much thinner and a little smaller than her husband.
Her cousins got out after her. The older girl had light brown hair, while her younger sister's was dark. Both were not particularly slender or thick, pretty normal, to say it this way. Her brother, who was the last one, seemed to be the only one who had inherited his mother's hair color. He wasn't that muscular, but not totally slim.

All five went up the stair together to meet their relatives. Rapunzel's parents smiled at them welcomingly. Rapunzel and Eugene stood beside them, still holding hands, and smiled, too.

"Greg, how nice to see you again!" Susan greeted her older brother and went the last steps in his direction, smiling widely and happily. She gave him a short peck on his cheek. It was her brother, after all, and she had really missed him.

Peter shook his brother-in-law's hand. "Welcome to Corona. All of you, of course." He smiled at Greg's wife and their children.

Rapunzel and Eugene stayed where they were while their parents welcomed the visitors. Rapunzel used the time to take a closer look at her relatives. All of them had green eyes. Her uncle, Harry, and Ginger shared the shade of green her eyes had, the soul mirrors of her aunt and Rosalin were darker.

Her cousins seemed to watch her and Eugene, too, but the adults didn't look at them until they were done with exchanging questions like "How are you doing?"

Gregory smiled at them. "Ah, then you must be Rapunzel" he said. His voice was almost as deep as her father's, but he spoke with a slight accent. A sign that he came from further away. Her mother sometimes spoke like this, too, but not very often. She nodded and watched how her uncle looked at Eugene. He seemed surprised; he probably hadn't expected anyone to be there beside her and her parents.

"That's Eugene, Rapunzel's fiancé" Susan explained, smiling. He raised an eyebrow, but then began to smile, too. He was surprised that his sister and her husband didn't mind that Rapunzel would get married that soon. She hadn't even been home a year and a half, after all. But he knew he could ask for more details later.

"Well, hello." He shook Eugene's hand and smiled at him and Rapunzel again. "As you probably know, I'm King Gregory, and this is my wife Katharina. And these three are our children, Ginger, Rosalin, and Harry. But I'm sure Susan and Peter have told you about us, " he explained, grinning at the last sentence. While he spoke he pointed at each person he was speaking of. First his wife, then his youngest daughter, then at the oldest one and his son. All of them smiled politely and bowed slightly.

Queen Katharina was the only one who didn't move. Instead, she looked at them with a very strange expression. Her eyes seemed to be fixed on Eugene and she eyes him from head to toe. His eyes, his features, his whole appearance. The future Prince Consort began to feel a little uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat. "Excuse me, your highness, but is there a specific reason why you are staring at me like that?" The queen seemed to awake from her trance and shook her head while the others stared at her with confused eyes.

"No. You just look a lot like someone I knew once," she replied, blushing slightly. Eugene kept looking at her for a moment, but then he shrugged. Dark hair and brown eyes weren't that rare in this kingdom.

It wasn't long until this incident was completely forgotten. There was too much everyone wanted to tell and ask. They went into one of the large rooms of the palace and sat down to talk for a while. Only a few minutes later, everyone was busy with answering or asking questions. Rapunzel was talking with her two female cousins.

Eugene was right. With her happy, friendly way of talking and smiling it was easy to become friends with them.

"I wonder why your daughter is already engaged, Peter. What happened?" Gregory wanted to know, stroking his beard. "I thought she hasn't been at home for long." If his two girls had been missing for so long, he wouldn't let them get married so quickly.

Peter leaned back in his chair. He thought about it for a moment before he answered, "Eugene is the one who brought us Rapunzel back. The two fell in love and I wouldn't forbid Rapunzel to marry him if it makes her happy."

"Where have you been all those years, Rapunzel?" Queen Katharina asked and looked at Rapunzel, a little curious.

Rapunzel quietly cleared her throat. The woman who had kidnapped me locked me in a tower deep in the forest. She acted as if she were my real mother. But the only thing she wanted was my hair."

Although she said the last sentence quietly, the others heard it. Everyone except Eugene, Peter and Susan seemed to be very confused.

"Your hair?" Ginger asked, frowning.

Rapunzel nodded. Then she explained, "My hair used to have magic powers when it was blonde. But to save me, Eugene cut it. Therefore, it became brown, and now, the magic is gone." The five faces of her relatives had a disbelieving expression, but she couldn't change how things were now. There was no to prove the magic her hair contained once.

There were a few moments of silence in the whole room. Glances that pleaded for help hit Susan, Peter, Eugene and Rapunzel, but all of them just shrugged and nodded. Thing were how they were.

Harry started the conversation again. He cleared his throat to break the silence, which made them all feel uncomfortable, and asked, "How did you find the tower, Eugene? As the first one after eighteen years?" He looked at Eugene, really interested in hearing the story.

But the ex-thief shrugged. "It was a coincidence. I was looking for a place to hide and stumbled over it, " he replied. He skipped the part with the stolen crown on purpose. But he didn't notice how the door, which was behind his back, opened while he was speaking.

"Why did you look for a place to hide in the middle of a forest?" Greg wanted to know. Eugene thought about what to answer, but someone else spoke faster than him.

"Because he is a miserable thief." Eugene, Rapunzel and even the King and the Queen turned around in surprise. Shock was written over their faces. They looked at the Captain who entered the room, showing a well-hidden, evil grin.

However, Gregory, Katharina and their children seemed confused. "What?" For one moment, they looked at the Captain, who still grinned, and then at their relatives, who still looked shocked. Then Katharina asked softly, "Is that true?"

Susan nodded in resignation. Actually, each of them wanted to stay silent about this part of Eugene's past. But now it was too late. They didn't want to lie. That wouldn't solve anything. She sighed and looked at her big brother and his family. "Yes, it's true. But he stopped thieving after he met Rapunzel."

Greg looked at his sister and her family in disbelief. His sister looked embarrassed and seemed to feel uncomfortable; Peter tried to keep an emotionless face. Rapunzel's eyes had an expression of shock and disbelief and Eugene wanted to do two things: disappearing at once or hurt the Captain vary badly. The one who started the whole mess, the Captain, seemed to be very content.

"You let your daughter marry a thief?" Greg finally asked. His sister didn't have an answer on this question. The Captain watched the whole situation and spoke instead of the Queen.

"I don't want to disturb this little tragedy, your Highness, but I need to talk with you and Rider. There is news about the Stabbington Brothers."

Eugene clenched his fists. Oh, how much he hated this man! "Fitzherbert!" he managed to say, his voice shaking from suppressed anger. The Captain turned his head in Eugene's direction and looked at him in surprise.

"What?"

"My name. It's Fitzherbert, not Rider." Eugene looked at the Captain with angry sparkling eyes. The Captain slightly backed up when he saw the pure hatred. Everyone's gaze was fixed on both men, so no one noticed how Katharina's face became very pale.

The Captain shrugged. Then he left the room after King Peter had promised that he would go and talk to him later. In the room remained eight people whose emotions were totally disorganized.

"Katharina, dearest, why are you so pale all of sudden?" King Gregory asked suddenly. Katharina's gaze was so fixed on Eugene that he began to feel more uncomfortable again.

"Eugene Fitzherbert." Her voice was shaking. She seemed hardly able to continue speaking. Her lip was slightly trembling when she asked, "Excuse my question, but was your father's name Thomas?"

Eugene looked at her completely perplexed. He nodded kind of mechanically. There was no way how she could know that. That was creepy. "How do you know that?" he asked, trying not to freak out.

Katharina looked at her folded hands. "He was my brother."