That morning, I was on my way to meet with Cecelia, when I noticed Diana sitting on the stairs. "Diana!" I sat down next to her, anxious to hear about their kiss.
"Rapunzel… I need to talk to you."
"Don't worry. I already know what happened last night. This is huge!"
"How did you find out?"
"It was only written all over your face! So? What was it like?"
She blushed "It was… very nice." Her face suddenly turned serious and she looked at me with worried eyes "I saw Ben working this morning and my heart started pounding and my face started flushing and I just felt so…weak. I don't know what to do. I have never felt this way before."
I gasped "Oh, Diana! Do you know what this means? You're in love! This is wonderful!"
She looked thoughtful for a long moment and I waited for her to say something. I didn't understand. What could she possibly be thinking about? She should be happy, shouldn't she?
"Rapunzel!" Cecelia called "There you are! It's time for your fitting." She looked at her daughter. "Your sisters are in the garden if you wish to join them, Diana."
She held out her arm towards me "Come along."
Cecelia needed to fit my gown for the ball. It had ruffled sleeves with ribbons decorated along the skirt. She tied the strings in the back really tight, making it hard to breathe. But she said it would help give me posture support. Then she pinned the places she needed to take in. She wanted it to fit perfectly.
Next, she showed me a pair of shoes. I pulled up my dress to look at my bare feet "Why do I need shoes? No one can even see my feet."
"Don't be ridiculous, Rapunzel." I sighed and slipped them on. They were very uncomfortable and pinched my toes. Cecelia said I just needed to get used to them. She thought it would be a good idea to make me walk up and down the hallways with them on.
"They still don't feel very good." I complained
So she made me try on another pair… and another and another. They all felt the same and my feet were starting to ache. Who knew trying on shoes could be so painful.
"I think I've got a pair you'll love." Cecelia said "I'll be right back."
The second she turned the corner, I kicked off my shoes and ran off. There were guards by the front doors so I made the quick decision to hide in the nearest closet. It was tight and crammed with cleaning supplies, but it would have to do.
Eugene just happened to be walking by and I pulled him in. "Hey, what's going on-"
"Shhh!" I warned him, leaving the door a crack open to keep watch.
"Rapunzel? Rapunzel?" Cecelia called, coming up the hallway. I held my breath as she walked by. She didn't find us, thank goodness.
I felt Eugene's eyes on me and I looked at him. He moved even closer, making me blush. "Eugene. Not here."
"Why not?"
I looked around us "We're in a broom closet."
"Then is the coast clear?"
I grinned "Let's go"
I took his hand and we made a run for it. When we turned the corner, we bumped into my father. "Oh! Hi, Daddy!"
He quirked a bushy brow and pulled his hands behind his back, slightly leaning over "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
"Um… nowhere." I replied
I heard Cecelia call my name again from down the hall. My eyes widened with alarm. It was obvious to my father what we were trying to do. "Ah, I see. Be on your way then. I'll take care of her." He winked at me.
I grinned and whispered "Thanks, Daddy!"
Eugene and I took off and headed for the back doors. We ran until we reached a nice spot near the stables. I sat down and grabbed my foot in pain. "My feet are killing me. And this dress is so tight I just might faint."
I fell on my back closed my eyes. It felt so good to lie in the grass with the sun beaming on my face.
"You look nice though." Eugene offered, trying to cheer me up. He took my foot and rubbed it for me. I laughed and pulled away "Stop!"
He shrugged innocently "What?"
"You know I'm ticklish."
"Oh that's right." He moved closer.
"Don't even think about it."
"I was just going to kiss you."
I smirked "Liar."
He crossed his arms and sat there sulking. I thought he was faking but when I crawled beside him, he looked away. I gently moved a piece hair away from his face. "Eugene?"
Then he grabbed me and started tickling my sides. I begged him to stop but he wouldn't let go. So I decided to bribe him instead. "If you let me go," I giggled "I'll kiss you!"
He released me. "Deal."
I laughed and leaned in to kiss him but something stopped me. I noticed Ben walking by, carrying a sack of hay, and I called him over. He approached us with a friendly smile. "Hey, guys."
"Ben! I'm glad I saw you."
Eugene frowned "Yeah, thanks a lot, kid."
"Ignore him." I stood up and smiled "So I heard about you and Diana last night."
He flushed "Yeah? How much did she tell you?"
"Oh it's okay. I already know everything. I think she really likes you."
His face lit up "You think?"
"Oh I can tell. You should see her again."
Ben beamed "I plan to."
One of the other workers called his name so he said goodbye and got back to work. I watched him walk away then turned to Eugene. "I think my plan is going great, don't you think?"
"Mhm…" He said, pretending not to care.
I plopped back down and moved closer to his face. "Hey. I didn't forget our deal."
He smiled smugly and I pulled him in for his kiss…
Later on in the castle, I passed my mural where I painted all the new things in my life.
Gothel hardly ever showed any interest in my paintings and sometimes it hurt my feelings. My real mother knew just how happy painting made me. She had asked me to paint in the main wing where the walls were simply too plain. I was anxious to please her and anxious to paint again so I got started right away. In just a few days, the walls were covered with paintings. Mother was very impressed and so was everyone else. People going in and out of the kingdom would always stop to admire my work.
I noticed Diana standing there, staring. She didn't even notice me walk up beside her. I cleared my throat to get her attention.
"Oh, sorry, Rapunzel. I was just…" She trailed off then looked back up. "You're quite talented."
I grinned, "Thank you."
"I know them." She smiled, pointing to my painting of the pub thugs.
"Yup! And there's my parents and Max and Eugene. It's still not done. I like to add a little more whenever I can."
Diana frowned. Something seemed to be bothering her. "What's wrong?" I asked gently
She turned away "Rapunzel… I can't keep doing this."
"Huh?"
"I can't see Ben anymore."
"What? Why?" I demanded
She glared at me "Because! I'm falling in love with him! I can't do that! I'm engaged!"
Something made me want to yell back. "Why, Diana? Why are you engaged? You don't even love him! And I know you don't want to marry him! But you'd never admit that to anyone. Not even yourself."
"I don't have a choice! My mother did everything she could to arrange this! I can't just change my mind!" She blinked tightly and a tear slipped down her cheek. "I can't love Ben because we can never be together and it's killing me… but I can fight it."
Maybe my plan was a big mistake. All I did was make things harder on her. All I did was make her realize how awful it is to love someone she can never be with. "We can make this work-"
She shook her head slowly, forcing herself not to give in "No… Please, I need you to tell him that we can't see each other anymore. And tell him… I'm sorry. Would you do that for me?"
I hesitated.
"Please, Rapunzel?" She begged, tears filling her eyes again.
"Okay." I finally agreed.
She let out a little cry then hugged me.
