Hello Everyone I am so so sorry that it has been so long since I updated. Things in my life have been quite challenging and all my energy has gone into trying to sort things out. But I'm back now and loving writing this story again, so I hope you enjoy this little chapter xxx
Chapter 7. Children stories and New Meetings
It was a hot July afternoon in the Kingdom of Corona, today was the day of the King's and Queen's annual garden picnic. This was usually an occasion attended by nobles and a few picked townspeople. But for the King's silver Jubilee the royal family wanted to make this year's picnic special by inviting all the children from the orphanages so they can have good food and a chance to play with the noble's children as equals.
Eugene's had the pleasure of keeping all the children entertained, he organised games, competitions with prizes and off course his speciality; story time. After the children had their food and play time Eugene called them all for a story, all the children sat around him waiting patiently for him to start. Charlotte had climbed up and sat on his knee, she had only met him less than a week ago and she had grown very attach to him and Rapunzel. She felt very happy and proud about having an Uncle and Auntie who were the Prince and Princess.
"This I the story of how I died," he said in a series voice, all the children looked up in horror and gasped. But Eugene quickly carried on "but don't worry this is actually a rather a fun story and the truth is it's not even mine. This is a story about a girl named Rapunzel" He looked over at his wife and gave her a cheeky wink and a smile. Rapunzel just rolled her eyes and giggled to herself "How did I know he was going to tell that story" she thought to herself.
All the children sat listening and watching Eugene with such concentration, gasping and cheering in all the right places. Eugene really had a gift of bringing a story to life. Emma who was also watching her brother entertaining the children came and sat beside Rapunzel.
"He is very good isn't he, I can see all the children are taken with him especially Charlotte" Emma was very pleased that Charlotte is fond of her new Uncle. Charlotte was very excited when her mother told her that she had an Auntie and uncle, she had never had any before as her father was an only child.
"They've had always loved him, every Saturday we visit the orphanage and he brightens up their day "Rapunzel replied.
"I bet he'd make a great father, have you thought about children yet?" Emma inquired.
"We talked about it but we want to enjoy being married for a while before children"
"I can understand, Thomas and I were married for four years before we had Charlotte and…." Emma paused and looked away from Rapunzel. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes and she could not bear anyone to see her cry. Rapunzel just put a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her the best she could.
"You must miss him so much?" She could see it In Emma's eyes, she could not imagine life without Eugene.
"I do but I must carry on and stay strong for Charlotte and now I have you and Eugene" Emma smiled and placed her hand on top of Rapunzel's, not only had she a new Sister- in- Law but she had gained a new friend.
Eugene was now nearing the end of his story "Now I know what the big question is, did Rapunzel and I ever get married? Well after years of asking and asking I finally said yes" Eugene said with smugness. Rapunzel shook his head and went over to him.
"Eugene," she said giving him a look that told him she meant business.
"All right I asked her" he admitted.
"And were living happily ever after" she wrapped her arms around him and looked at him with all the love in the world.
"Yes, we are" Eugene leant in and gave Rapunzel a sweet and tender kiss. All the boys were giving them "errr's "while the girls were going "awww". Eugene turned to the all and told them to go and play before home time. Rapunzel took Charlotte with her to play with the other children so Eugene and Emma could have some time together before they all needed to get ready for the Masquerade Ball started.
"You are so good with them Eugene," Emma told her brother.
"Well I grew up surrounded by kids you kind of develop a knack for it" he answered.
"I can tell, Charlotte and the others loved listening to your story, she is so found of you and Rapunzel" Eugene was touched by that, he enjoyed spending time with his little niece. She was such a sweet little girl and had so much energy, just like he had as a kid.
"I adore her too, she's a wonderful girl and she's a credit to you and Thomas. Our parents would have been proud of you both" She smiled at him and she knew he was right.
"They would be proud of you too Eugene" Emma tried to convince him but he just shook his head.
"What that their son became a thief, living in and out of abandoned barns and inns and breaking into places to steal just enough to survive" Eugene turned away from his sister, he didn't want her to see him vulnerable. "I was never proud of the life I was living when other thieves were around I was always boasting and pretending I was the best in the Business" He took a deep breath, even though he had tears in his eyes and his emotions was threatening to take over him, he felt he needed, to be honest with his sister; to explain his actions to her, he turned towards her and looked her straight in the eye.
"One day I was approached by two brothers, they said they heard about me and wanted me for a job that would change my life and make me rich beyond my wildest dreams. The job was to steal the Lost Princess's crown, it was worth so much how could I give up an opportunity like that? To finally not live in filth and never knowing where your next meal was coming from. Not to be hunted by guards but live on my own Island and never worrying about anything again it would be a dream come true. So I agreed. It was only when I meet Rapunzel I realised there was so much more to life than money, that there was love. Something I had not had for a long time" then there was a long silence Emma was stunned by what she heard.
She saw it in his eyes and she could feel his pain, tears left her eyes expressing the sorrow she felt for her brother. She pulled him into a hug and held him tight. He finally let himself cry on her shoulder, he never let anybody see him cry before except for Rapunzel.
"Eugene I'm so sorry" she whispered softly as she held him in her arms. She wanted to show him how much he meant to her, despite his past she loved him and was so thankful to have him back in her life.
"Eugene, they would be so proud of the man you are today, yes you had a bad past and you've made mistakes but you are doing so much to make up for it, the people of this Kingdom see that the King and Queen see that and most importantly Rapunzel sees it. You are a good man Eugene and you are a good Prince, and it's time you realise that" Eugene was so taken back by her words. Here was this woman who barely knew him, someone who just loved him unconditionally and already had so much faith in him. And he knew he loved her just as much.
"Thank you, Emma, that means so much to me, I'll make you proud and I'll always be there for you and Charlotte" And he meant it.
"You already have and we will be there for you too, come on we need to ready for tonight" Eugene could tell she was looking forward to the ball.
They started walking towards the main doors of the Castle.
"I hate balls just can't get used to the suits and stuffy nobles" He explained
"Come on Eugene it's your Father-in-law's Silver Jubilee ball and Masquerade Balls are a lot of fun you might even enjoy yourself" Emma was hoping he might get into the spirit of it.
"You sound like Rapunzel, another thing you have in common. Hope you two don't gang up on me with frying pans" Emma just laughed and so did Eugene.
The palace corridors
James was walking down the palace corridors toward the Prince and Princess's bedchamber, he had been called to help Prince Eugene get ready for tonight's balls. He knew that Eugene was a little uncomfortable at first having someone help him dress but the more they got to know each other the easier it became. James had really come to like and respect the new Prince, he knew he had a hard past and he did some bad deeds but he was trying to make up for it by being the best Prince he could be, it was just ashamed that some of the nobles couldn't see it or chose not to. It really made his blood boil. He had always believed that people should have a second chance if they are willing to work hard for it.
It had really touched James when Eugene had called him his friend a week ago. He never thought a Prince would see someone like him as an equal. That was another thing he admired about Eugene; he saw people for who they were whether they were noble or just ordinary people, like himself.
James was so deep in his thoughts that he failed to see a woman who had walked through another door onto the corridor.
BOOM
He fell and landed on his back unsure what had happened till he looked up and saw a woman on the floor. He quickly rose to his feet and went over to her to help her.
"I'm so stupid I should have been paying more attention" he was thinking to himself as he held out his hand to help her up.
"I am so sorry Miss it's all my fault. I should have been paying more attention" The woman took his hand and he gently helped her up on her feet.
"It alright Sir accidents happen, no harm is done" The young woman turned her head up to look at him. James felt his heart stop when he saw her: she had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen, deep rich hazel eyes. Her face was framed by thick dark red delicate curly hair.
"Are you ok sir" a voice spoke out and interrupted his gaze.
He realised at that moment he must have been staring, he shook his head, cleared his throat and tried not to look embarrassed about knocking over this beautiful woman.
"Yes Miss I am, again I'm so very sorry I should have been paying more attention"
"Do not worry about it, it is just as much my fault" The lady said back, her voice was just a gorgeous as her eyes "My name is Lady Emma Copper, may I ask you yours?" She smiled
"My name is James Eastman. Lady Emma? As in Lady Emma Prince Eugene's sister?" he asked.
"Yes, the very same" she answered, she had been asked that a lot. The news had spread around the kingdom the day after Emma had arrived that she was the Prince's long lost twin sister. She continued to watch this man's face. His face had changed from curiosity to absolute horror as he realises that he not only knocked over a lady but the Prince's own sister.
"Please Mr Eastman you must not think any more about it ; accidents happen and no harm was done, I promise you my brother will not have you hanged, drawn and quartered" she laughed lightly. Hoping he would not be too hard on himself. She was relieved to see a slight smile appear on his handsome face. His emerald green eyes lightened at her joke, they truly were beautiful. They say the eyes are the window to a person's soul and Emma could tell this man hand a kind and peaceful nature. He was very tall if she had to guess he was about 6ft 4 6ft 5 Eugene was only 6ft 2. She felt miniature next to him at 5ft 2.
"I do hope not Lady Emma, there are no one else that he will let help him dress for dinners and parties" he explained.
"So you are my brother's Valet?" Emma asked she Knew Princes and Nobels had valets but she never thought of her brother having one.
"Yes my Lady I am, I have been for a few months now since his wedding" he continued to look into her sparkling Hazel eyes till he realised that the Prince was waiting for him.
"I do apologise, my Lady but I must be making my way to Prince Eugene to help him prepare for this evening he will be expecting me any minute" He knew he must hurry now but there was a part of him wanted to continue talking to Lady Emma until a small voice came from the back of his mind telling him he must remember his position. He is a servant and she was a proper Lady of a noble family and the sister of the Prince Consort and future King.
"Of course Mr Eastman I must not keep you from your duties, will you be attending the mascaraed ball tonight? I've been told the senior servants have been invited" She asked. She was surprised at herself for hoping his answer would be a yes as she would very much like to see him again, maybe have a dance or two.
"Stop it, Emma, you've only just met the man"she gave herself a stern warning.
"Yes, My Lady I will be attending tonight by the Princes orders" He chuckled. Emma's heart skipped a beat but she remained composed.
"Then I look forward to seeing you there Mr Eastman" She replied.
"As will I, My Lady," He said as he gave a short bow of his head and proceeded down the corridor towards her brother's room. She started making her own way to her room but not before turning around one more time to get one last look at him before entering her own room and for the first time in two long years she felt her heart soar.
I hope you enjoyed please review would love to hear from you and I promise I will update a lot sooner xxx
