Before you guys hit me over the head with a frying pan, yes, this chapter is short. I'm anticipating 2 maybe 3 more chapters. I made this one slightly shorter so the next 2/3 could be much longer and have more awesome stuff in them. Now if you would please lower the frying pan... :D
Robert shoved Rapunzel from the dungeons before she could even catch a glance of Eugene. She stood in front of the door and felt everyone staring at her. Rapunzel sank to the floor and pulled her knees up to her chest. She wished everyone would leave and stop looking at her. She heard her mother say something to Kathryn and her father. Rapunzel glanced at Eleanor and saw her gesturing widely to Rapunzel. Their eyes locked and Eleanor dropped her arms. She grabbed Jonathan and pulled him toward Rapunzel. Rapunzel wasn't expecting her to have such a fierce look on her face.
"Rapunzel, we'll go talk to them," Eleanor said softly and tugged Jonathan into the dungeon. Rapunzel looked over at Kathryn and saw that she was staring at her seriously.
"What?" Rapunzel snapped. She had liked Kathryn for the short time she had known her, but now Rapunzel felt like she couldn't trust her. Kathryn didn't respond to her, but walked toward her and sat down. Rapunzel set her cheek on her knees, looking away from Kathryn.
"Rapunzel… I know you hate me right now, for not stopping the captain but… look, I want to help you," Kathryn said quietly. Rapunzel didn't reply. "Rapunzel, I haven't been completely honest with you. I was working with the captain to capture Rid… well Eugene." Rapunzel snapped her head up and opened her mouth to say something but Kathryn continued quickly. "Wait, listen to me. The captain is lying, and you're right to believe Eugene. Robert has had the crown for along time. He wants Eugene to be rid of so that the kingdom will be safe and-"
"Eugene isn't a thief!" Rapunzel blurted.
"I know, Rapunzel, but Robert thinks he is. I've been helping him for quite some time now, but I want to help you. I know Eugene isn't a thief anymore and I don't want to see him, or you, get hurt. I can see how much you care for each other and I don't want that to be ruined." Rapunzel stared at Kathryn, dumbfounded.
"You really do want to help me?" she asked. Kathryn nodded toward the door.
"That is, if the King and Queen don't sort it out now." As if on queue, the door swung open and Robert glared down at Rapunzel.
"The King and Queen wish to speak to you, your highness," he said darkly. Rapunzel jumped to her feet and looked quickly back at Kathryn, who smiled and put a finger to her lips. Robert moved out of Rapunzel's way and she rushed into the dungeon.
"Eugene!" Rapunzel breathed, seeing him standing between her parents. He grinned at her and she hurried over to him, squeezing herself between Eugene and her mother.
"We apologize, Rapunzel, for the little misunderstanding," Eleanor said. She sent a quick glance toward Jonathan who crossed his arms. Eleanor whispered to Rapunzel, "He'll be fine. He does like Eugene, trust me, he's just having a hard time forgetting about Flynn at the moment." Rapunzel held tightly on to Eugene's hand as Robert came back into the room.
"To make sure this doesn't happen again, Robert, we're going to keep you and Eugene right under our noses, okay?" Eleanor said nicely. Robert glared at Eugene, but didn't respond. They all stood there for a few minutes and Rapunzel wished someone would say something. When nobody did, she stepped forward and faced Eugene and her parents.
"Well, how about Eugene and I go for a walk outside? We've never been in the gardens before," she said.
"That sounds like a brilliant idea," Eugene responded quickly stepping toward Rapunzel.
"Okay, you two go on out and have a nice time," Eleanor said. Eugene quickly pulled Rapunzel from the room, staring straight at Robert. Once they were out, he let out a sigh.
"Yikes, I thought I was a goner," he said as Rapunzel grabbed his hand.
"Of course you weren't! Did you really think they weren't going to believe you? Well, my father seems to be having some problems, but he'll get over it. Right?" Rapunzel said.
"Yeah, I think he got over it. It's only been a few days, after all." The two headed across the hall and Rapunzel didn't even notice Kathryn sitting right where she had left her. Craning her neck, Rapunzel looked back at her. Kathryn waved and smiled at her until the dungeon door opened and Robert came back out. He was speaking hurriedly to her and then pulled her to her feet and out of the room. Rapunzel didn't forget what Kathryn had said. Robert was still planning on killing Eugene. One way or another. But Kathryn would help. Shoving the thought from her mind, Rapunzel looked up at Eugene. He felt her looking at him and glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing. I'm just admiring your nose." Eugene laughed out loud.
"Really?"
"Yep. Hey, now that you're no longer a thief, they have no more posters to mess up your nose," Rapunzel said.
"Good point," Eugene replied, scratching his chin. Rapunzel smiled and squeezed Eugene's hand as they walked out into the warm summer night.
This wasn't a very exciting one, I know. Let me know what you think of Kathryn. Despite how short this chapter is, it was surprisingly difficult to write. I promise the next one will be more interesting and longer! Don't forget to review :)
P.S. Over 50 reviews? Love you guys! :-)