'One, two, three…' Eugene was counting his steps through his way to the library. 'What are you doing?' Rapunzel was watching him with the pure wonder in her emerald eyes. 'Just counting my steps to the library.' Eugene replied with a typical Flynn Rider grin. That smile on his face removed all the unnecessary fears from her mind. Eugene had been so depressed since the accident & all the events that were happening around them had made her really worried about her beloved. Especially those grim words from his mouth had added another burden to her fear. But this smile had really lightened the tension since the evening.

They stopped near the great ornamented wooden door & pushed it open. A blast of air laden with the familiar musky smell of old books blew on their faces. Eugene inhaled deeply to fill his lungs with the long forgotten fragrance. Oh, how much he missed this smell since their visit to the public library on the day of the lantern festival.

Rapunzel watched his amusement. She knew only this place could bring a smile to his handsome face. She gently took his hands & led him to the bookshelves. 'Which one do you want to read?' she whispered. She placed his hands on the rows of books. Eugene could feel the heavy leather covers under his fingertips & the golden engravings on them. He pulled the book out of the shelf & opened it. Rapunzel saw his trembling fingers were running over the letters written on the pages & his golden brown eyes were focused on the white pages with a hope to see the beautiful letters written on them.

But the dark curtain that was separating Eugene from the rest of the world wasn't gone. Eugene's eyes began to water but he couldn't see through the darkness. That thought made him feel lonely & afraid. His hands trembled & the book landed on the marble floor with a big thud. The next moment Rapunzel found him sitting on the floor with his palms over his face. She knelt beside him & gently removed his hands from his face. She could see a single drop of tear at the corner of his eyes. 'Rapunzel!' his voice was broken 'I can't read anymore.'

'Hushh!' Rapunzel stopped him by placing her slender index finger on his lips & wiped his tears away with her thumb. 'I'll be your eyes.' She scooted closer pulling his head into the softness of her bosom 'I'll read this to you.'

Eugene couldn't remember the next few hours. He could remember that Rapunzel was reading to him-

Lady Venessa gently took Rider's arms 'I can't leave without you.' She threw herself in his warm embrace. "Neither can I.' Rider traced her soft lips with his calloused fingers & whispered 'Are you ready?'

Lady Venessa shook her head. She wrapped her arms around Rider's neck & took a glance of the castle where she spent her childhood days. But she decided her future- with her beloved.

'They eloped!' a thin smile laced Eugene's lips 'I always like this part.'

'What does it mean?' Rapunzel became curious as she had never heard about this weird phrase before 'What do you mean by eloping?'

'They ran away together.' Eugene pulled her closer brushing his lips against her cheeks. She was so innocent & naive that he always felt very protective over her. 'Why should they run away? They love each other.' Rapunzel set her big curious eyes upon his face. The warmth radiating from her lean body was driving Eugene mad. 'One day you'll know.' He chuckled pressing his lips against her soft tender ones. They met like two pieces of puzzles fitted together perfectly. She was so fragile but perfect. Eugene wouldn't regret anymore. His life was complete with her.

But the couple was broken by a voice from behind. 'May I escort the princess to the dinner?' They heard Eltor's voice. They stood up together breaking the kiss. Rapunzel's cheeks turned bright scarlet. But she was feeling uneasy with the presence of that man. 'I'm coming with Eugene.' Her grip around Eugene's arms tightened. 'Ow!' Eltor raised his eyebrows 'But a princess must be escorted by her fiancée, not by a lowly thief without any background.' Eugene's jaw tightened with his comment. But he knew it would be wise to keep peace at this moment. 'But we should honor her wish, shouldn't we?' he spoke in a cold voice.

'Well, Rider is talking about etiquette!' A sly smile crossed Eltor's face 'But you should know what the law says. And you can't escape from the law.' Then he grasped Rapunzel's free hand & pulled her closer 'We're late for the dinner.' 'Eugene!' Rapunzel threw a helpless look at him. Eugene grasped her other hand more tightly 'No, Rapunzel, don't leave me.' But Eltor pulled Rapunzel with more force & her hand slipped from Eugene. 'No, you must honor her.' Eugene ran to grab Eltor's shirt but he couldn't make out his exact position from his voice. He hit the wall instead missing Eltor & fell on the ground. 'Eugene!' Rapunzel gasped & gave a pleading look to Eltor 'Please let me go.' 'No, Princess' Eltor held her hand more tightly 'I can't break the law when you are going to marry me.' 'What?' Rapunzel froze in her place 'Why should I marry you?'

'You liar!' Eugene stood up & hissed.

'Stop that!' a voice spoke from behind. All of them fell silent as Queen Anne walked near them. 'Enough!' she stood between Eugene & Eltor. Then she looked at her daughter 'Darling, you should go with Eltor.'

'But mother!' Rapunzel tried to speak. 'Not another word.' Anne stopped her 'You shouldn't disgrace your family in front of the guests.' Rapunzel fell silent at her firm glare. But she could read the hidden pain behind those emerald eyes. 'Yes mother!' she lowered her head & followed Eltor silently.

Then Anne walked near Eugene who was standing silently in his place. 'I'm sorry.' Anne grasped his hands tightly "I've no other option to save the kingdom. Can you forgive me, son?'

"Your majesty!' Eugene was surprised as he felt a drop of warm tear on his skin. The queen was crying! She was regretting for her decision. "I can feel your pain.' He spoke in a half whisper. Anne watched the young man who saved her daughter twice. She could read the pain written in his handsome features. She knew how it felt when someone's heart was broken.

The strange constricting pain in his throat began to suffocate him. He didn't know why everything went wrong with him. Why were his dreams always broken? Why would he suffer always? He wasn't afraid of the darkness around him anymore but he was now afraid of the pain of living without her. How long he could bear this pain?

How about this one? I'm not so satisfied with it. But I've many twists & surprises for you. Hehehe…

I'm very afraid the number of reviews are decreasing. Why? tell me the problems.

I've a bad reputation of not writing romances but I'm trying hard.

Guys REVIEW please, please & please….. I love your comments & forgive me for my unintentional mistakes.

EugeneDylanFitzherbertFan & EugeneloverRapunzel – I'm very pleased that you can guess.

Princess Shaharazad- Things will not be so smooth.

Sheep1215- I was actually inspired by your story (Don't kill me for copyright). I'm glad that you love this one. Still you rock & a great writer who can write romance & emotions (I can't. sad face) thanks for all those awesome reviews.