Hello my friends! I am so sorry for my long absence. My sister had her baby and I've been helping out with the new little one. Yay!
Anyway, I hope there are some Chuck fans out there, because the beginning of this chapter is a tribute to the best tv show on television!
Thank you to DarkRose2006, WhatsMyAge, disneyisbeautiful, SilverParachutes, CupofTeaforAliceandHatter, MaximumMik6325, , RadosianStar, PampleMousse07, Bagel-chan, Starzinmieyez, and Kaiyojin Kobayashi for reviewing! Ya'll are amazing! Oh and special cookies for Kaiyojin Kobayashi for recognizing my inspirations from Phantom of the Opera! Good job on that. Anyone who hasn't seen it must! It's a wonderful musical!
Thank you guys and I hope you enjoy!
Eugene's eyes instinctively squinted at the sun shining through the cracks in the curtains. The light was waking him after a rather stressful night and he wanted to shut it completely.
His body was halted immediately when he felt a soft hand squeezing his own. In his half asleep state, he had forgotten about his Princess lying in front of him. Her back as pressed tightly to his chest and his hand was on her hip intertwined with hers. He looked down at their hands together and then turned his head in panic only to see the guard positioned to protect them had fallen asleep. He felt Rapunzel's finger tips glide across the top of his hand and he turned his head back toward her.
His heart felt as though it would beat out of his chest. He knew it was wrong to still be in bed with her but he couldn't help but feel the intensity of the passion between them.
Eugene leaned his head down to slow his breathing but Rapunzel turned her body toward him to look in his eyes. They were both frozen. She was breathing quickly as she had never felt anything like this before. Her body seemed to take over, willing her to be closer to Eugene. A foreign tug pulled deep within her stomach and as strange as it was, it felt right.
Eugene noticed her parted lips as she took ragged breaths against him. He looked between her pink lips to her green eyes. Not only did he feel immense love for her but he never wanted a woman more in his life.
After what seemed like forever, the passion was too much to ignore as their lips crashed down together. A frenzy took over as they melted into each other. Their hands freely roamed each others' backs and Rapunzel wrapped her fingers into his hair.
Their bodies danced together as they swayed up and down off the bed. The kiss was all consuming and Rapunzel never felt this kind of magic before. The love filled the room as their lips parted and closed. Their breath came through their noses and began burning the others cheek.
Eugene caressed her cheek in an attempt to calm the situation. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed to put the fire out before it burned brighter. Their kiss slowed at his sudden gentleness.
Their lips parted and they both gasped for air. Their passionate breaths filled each other's ears and almost spurred Eugene on for more but he placed his forehead against hers. With his eyes closed, he whispered, "I have to get up."
"No." Rapunzel grasped at his night shirt, "Stay here with me."
"Oh believe me, Blondie, I want to." He brushed her hair away from her face, "But there are pressing matters that must be dealt with."
"I'll come with you." She started to sit up.
"No, you should stay here and relax. I'll have the cook make you breakfast in bed. Would you like that, Princess?" Eugene kissed her cheek and smirked. He got up.
"Don't call me that." Rapunzel pouted slightly but finally nodded.
He turned to slip past the guard but stopped when he heard her whisper his name.
"Thank you for this morning. It was… well, it was really nice. I like waking up with you." She blushed.
Eugene smiled brightly, "So do I, Blondie." He kissed her once more and just as quickly slipped out of the room.
Rapunzel fell back on her pillow with a sigh. She grinned at the memories made that morning and wrapped her arms around the pillow Eugene slept on. She inhaled his scent and suddenly longed for him more. She had a feeling she knew why there were certain rules but she still didn't understand why something so natural and pure could be so wrong. Another smile formed when thoughts of marrying Eugene filled her with wonderful daydreams.
After calming down from his passionate kiss with Rapunzel, Eugene went to visit the Royal Chef first to fulfill his promise of breakfast for his Princess. After that he freshened up and got dressed for the day.
He needed to speak to the King about creating more protection for Rapunzel. He was just a few steps outside the dining room when he heard the King and Queen's hushed voices.
"The people of this kingdom are crying out to see their lost Princess. Many subjects saw her at Eugene's trial and have spread the rumors." The Queen whispered, "What are we going to do?"
The King sighed, "I honestly don't know. That would make her more vulnerable but on the other hand, we don't want the people to become restless. They have been waiting just as long as we have for their lost Princess."
"I believe we are going to be forced to officially present her. I see no other way."
Eugene decided to make his presence known by stepping in the room, "Forgive me, your highnesses, but putting Rapunzel in that position at such a delicate time would only put her in more danger."
The two monarchs shared a glance. They knew he spoke the truth but it seemed they had no choice.
The King cleared his throat, "Perhaps we have another festival? We light the sky with the lanterns in celebration of her return. We'll allow Rapunzel to come onto the balcony to set the first lantern free and present her to the people. Once they've seen her, we can rush her back inside."
The Queen knew how difficult this decision was for him. To please his subjects or maintain his daughter's safety. The kingdom didn't know about the circumstances of her return and knew nothing of Tristan.
Eugene rubbed his face out of frustration, "I don't know. Perhaps we should discuss this with your daughter. Maybe let her make the choice?"
The royal couple both nodded in agreement to the young man's wisdom. They would wait until she was ready.
Rapunzel pulled her hair out from under her new deep blue dress. She finished fastening all the laces and smiled at herself in the mirror. In the midst of danger, she found that she was so joyful for being brought together with Eugene and her parents. The blessings were too many to count. She then giggled as she remembered how Eugene seemed to shiver during their morning kiss as though he was frightened of something. Of what, she didn't know but she couldn't help but revel in the memory of his touch.
In her happiness, a thought crept back in her mind. While she remembered Eugene's gentle touches, she also remembered the roughness of Tristan's hands. They left soreness wherever she was handled and she couldn't help but wonder if that was part of her fate.
Rapunzel shook her head to clear her disturbing thoughts. She quickly picked Pascal up and laid him on her shoulder while exiting her chambers and running toward the library. She longed to learn more about her kingdom and where better to learn it.
As she burst through the doors of the library, she was surprised at the sight of her parents and Eugene standing in front of her. Her bare feet screeched on the wood floors as she halted to a stop. They all stood in silence for a moment.
"Hello." Rapunzel smirked.
The King walked slowly to stand in front of her. He laid both hands on her shoulders, "Come sit, darling. We have something to discuss with you."
"Okay." She let him lead her to a soft couch, "What's going on?"
Eugene cleared his throat, "Rapunzel, your parents would like to ask you a question."
The Queen smiled at him and turned back to her daughter, "Rapunzel, the people of this kingdom are becoming anxious to meet you."
"They have waited all these years like we have and with just as much love and hope. I understand that this is still a dangerous time, but I believe seeing you and sharing your story will help ease our subject's minds." The King held her hand, "I want you to make this decision. I would never wish to command you to do something that would make you feel unsafe."
Rapunzel exhaled slowly and ran both hands through her hair. She was conflicted. She truly loved the people of Corona for all the kindness they had shown at the Lantern Festival and did not want to cause them anymore pain. But on the other hand, Tristan was a direct threat and the very thought of him being able to watch her from the crowds of people made her sick. She didn't know what to do.
Eugene kneeled in front of her and pulled her hands into his own, "I know what you're thinking, Blondie. Whatever you choose, your parents and I will be behind you."
Rapunzel lifted her head and looked back and forth between her three pillars of strength. Then she thought of those wonderful people out there. She had witnessed them prepare for the Lantern Festival and saw them placing flowers at the bottom of the mosaic of her family. They were so dedicated and filled with such hope. She couldn't let them down.
"Let's do it." She said softly.
"Please don't feel pressured into doing this, sweetheart." The Queen rubbed her back, "There will always be different times."
"No, I want to do this. The people have a right to see their lost princess." She smiled.
The King was so proud of his daughter. She was already showing signs of becoming a great Queen, "Alright, but we will plan it with security measures put in place. We must begin the preparations."
The King and Queen began discussing plans while Eugene pulled her away, "Are you sure you're okay with this?"
Rapunzel looked deep in his eyes and smiled, "I'm ready for this. And besides, you'll keep me safe, won't you?"
Eugene chuckled, "Always."
They went back to the monarchs and continued discussions.
The past couple of days had been exhausting for the palace guard as he walked home through the streets of Corona. He had just finished 72 hours of duty and couldn't wait to get home to his family.
He rounded a corner and was suddenly thrown against the wall. Air was sucked out of his lungs on the impact and he struggled to breathe. A dark voice chuckled, "You were down at the graveyard battle, were you not? Well then, you will do my bidding. It's only fair since you helped rip everything from me. Very soon, there will be a presentation of the lost princess. I need your help."
The guard caught his breath, "What makes you think I'll help you?"
"I think little Eleanor and Jacob would love for me to visit. Oh and your lovely wife, Esther. I'm sure they would enjoy my magic tricks."
"What? No. You can't…"
"I can and I will. I have no issues with doing hideous things to get what I want."
The guard narrowed his eyes and fought back his emotions, "What do you want from me?"
Tristan smiled triumphantly, "I want you to help me kidnap the Princess…"
Bum bum bummmmmm. Lol. Thank you guys for reading. I'll be back with more.
Love ya'll!
