The next morning I wake up to a knock on my door. Cassandra enters and she has a sad look on her face.
"Raps, about yesterday. I'm sorry about- about everything. I shouldn't have accused you of anything and- it's just that I was reminded about my past and it made me upset. It made me feel like I couldn't do anything or even stand up for myself like when I was in high school. That day that the most popular girl in school had announced it to everyone I almost didn't return and I had called Andrew names during that time. Especially after I thought he was asking me to prom out of pity. I guess all that anger I had I was taking it out on you. Can you forgive me for being a terrible friend?" she asks.
"After you requested the night off just so you could make sure I had my shoes and I'm assuming my dress for today? You didn't go out with Andrew. Of course I forgive you! Mainly because this is the first time you've called me your friend. However I want to know why you didn't end up going out with him? It would've been your first date," I respond reminding her about her story from yesterday.
"After you left, probably to cry to Eugene, I started to get dressed in my normal clothes that I wear when I'm not being your lady in waiting. This little voice inside of me told me I was being stupid and selfish. I ended up asking your mom for the rest of the day off and then just ended up putting the finishing touches on your dress. After that I did about a hundred things to get your shoes looking new. Besides, I wanted your help getting ready for my date. Did he ask about tonight or Monday?" she asks.
"He may have said something about Monday evening at five," I tell her with a small smile on my face. Her face lights up. Should I tell her about Eugene's proposal? Suddenly there is a knock at my bedroom door and Mom enters.
"You both made up! That's good! However, Rapunzel, would you join your father and me outside in the garden for breakfast?" Mom says to me. Oh, no. I did something wrong already.
"Okay. I'll be down in a few minutes. Just let me get dressed and brush my teeth," I respond.
Ten minutes later I walk outside and to the gazebo where both Mom and Dad are eating breakfast. Anne is nowhere to be seen. I catch my reflection in a window and look at my makeup and the fact that I don't look like myself. I hear Pascal from my shoulder.
"It'll be alright. Once I become crowned princess we won't have to worry about being unsure about things. Right?" I ask him. He shrugs. Once I reach my parents I put Pascal on the railing and join them. They look at me smiling.
"What's wrong?" Dad asks.
"Nothing! Mom said you wanted to talk to me," I respond looking at her in hopes she didn't tell him about the proposal yesterday at this exact spot.
"Your dad and I wanted to tell you how proud of you we are. This is a big step and both of us believe you will, with hard work, become a great queen," Mom tells me.
"Although Primrose, I wanted to also ask her what happened yesterday. She seemed upset during dinner and as a father it concerns me," Dad tells Mom.
"I was just tired. It had been a long day and we ran into someone Cass knew and then her and I had a fight over something stupid. After that Eugene and I had- we had a disagreement. After that I kind of just wanted to be by myself," I announce. Wasn't a complete lie. Pascal and Mom give me a judgmental look.
"You want to talk about it?" Dad asks.
"I'm okay now. I mean, Cass and I are friends again, but I haven't seen Eugene at all today. I'll be fine," I reassure him.
"Oh! Now might not be a good time, but Thomas, I heard bad news that Lady Cain had been spotted in town. I told the Captain of the Guards to double the amount of men if he can. We can't have anything happen or any trouble everywhere at any time," Mom reminds Dad. He begins looking concerned again.
"Absolutely not! Thank you for doing that, however I wish you would've told me earlier," Dad responds going deep into thought.
"Who's Lady Cain?" I ask.
"She's a horrible woman who's has been wanted longer than Eugene," Mom explains. I try to think about a person who could be more wicked than Gothel.
"Maybe we should discuss this later," Dad announces.
"Very well. The coronation is in about an hour so should we should focus on that instead of her," Mom says getting up and handing the plates to the a maid that had come out to clear the table. Out of the corner of my eye I see something on the roof, but when I look back I don't see anything or anyone. I shrug and follow my parents in where I find Eugene hiding in the corner as soon as my parents are a few feet away he comes out of his hiding spot and kisses me.
"Princess Rapunzel?" a guard asks. We stop kissing and look at the guard. It's Conli and he looks a bit scared.
"What's wrong?" I respond.
"Where are your parents? Lady Cain has been spotted in the castle. At least we think she has," he says quickly.
"Lady Cain? She's more wanted than Flynn Rider- I was," Eugene tells me.
"My parents went to their room to prepare for the coronation. Maybe I should tell them about this," I suggest.
"No! I mean, if they found out I told you then I can lose my job," Conli explains.
"Well, like I said they're in their room," I shrug going to my room to finish getting ready.
"Thank you, Your Highness," he says bowing slightly as I walk past him.
"You know, you don't have to bow or call me 'your highness'. You can call me Rapunzel, and forget about bowing. It's just too much of a fuss," I tell him walking up the steps.
"Raps?" Cassandra calls from the top of the steps. She runs down the steps at least two at a time gripping onto the banister in case she trips in her heels.
"Is everything alright Cass?" I ask as she reaches the last step.
"You have to finish getting ready. Oh, and you're wearing those shoes just in case. I wasn't supposed to tell you this, but this horrible woman was spotted on the roof! Her name is Lady Cain," Cass informs me.
"Conli said she was spotted here in the castle. How is she dangerous?" I respond.
"Your father must have been informed that she was spotted in here after you went looking for the princess," Conli announces daring not to look Cass in the eyes.
"You son of a-," she starts to say.
"Cass," I warn her. With that she gives him a hard shove and drags me up the stairs.
Forty-five minutes later the both of us are waiting for the guy in charge of announcing me to announce me. As I pace I see a girl with auburn colored hair and dresses in a sleeveless brown top with matching sweats like pants. I notice what looks to be a rose and skull on her arm.
"Raps, they just announced you," Cass says as I watch the girl disappear. I enter the room, and as I walk towards the alter I ask myself how I didn't notice the chandelier in the middle of the room. I walk slowly making sure I observe everything- especially anything unordinary like that girl. I pause when I hear a small squeak, when it's gone I start walking once more. People begin to freak out, and I look up to see the chandelier coming down from the ceiling. Eugene shoves me out of the way and I tumble to the ground. My ears ring for a few seconds, and everyone starts to sound muffled. I continue to lay down, but with almost all the strength I have I turn my entire body to see Eugene laying almost lifelessly on the ground. I lift my head up hoping I can shake this off. I feel myself fall back down and my world goes dark.
So sorry this chapter is so short and was left on a cliffhanger, but I have a lot planned for what happens next! I hope to post part 2 within the next couple of days.