Ok, guys you're probably thinking that I'm dead. I really apologize for my unintentional delay. But I was so busy that I could hardly make time to seat before the computer. I've to work & study night & day & I've hardly a time to relax. But I'm now back into the business again.

This chapter is long and I'm not really satisfied with it. I just lost my inspiration for a while as well as the terrible attack of writer's block and the load of studies just consumed me. Still now thanks for your patience for waiting for that long. It's not my best chapter but still I hope that it's at least readable.

Reviews are welcome as always.

The chapter song is 'Everything I do' by Bryan Adams.

'What's your decision, darling?' Rapunzel could hear Eltor whispering in her ears. His warm breath was trickling her skin sending a chill through her spine. She closed her eyes for a moment. She had no time to think now. She had to take her decision right now. She opened her eyes to find her fallen knight defeated, chained & surrounded by the guards from all the sides. He was struggling hard to free himself, cursing the men around him saying that he was the lost prince. The wild crowd was cheering around him saying 'Look Rider has gone mad.' Eugene's pleading eyes met Rapunzel for once asking for her help. That look tore her heart into pieces. She could feel there was a truth behind Eugene's claim but no one would believe him until he could show them a proof for his claim. And they had nothing. He had done enough, suffered enough just for her. Now it was her turn to save him with any cost. Rapunzel took a deep breath & set her clam eyes upon Eltor's cruel dark ones 'Yes, I've decided.' A smile of satisfaction crossed Eltor's thin lips. His face glowed with a savage joy. He encircled his arms around her waist & kissed her lips gently 'I know princess; you're a woman of vision.' That kiss made Rapunzel to cringe inside. But she concealed her emotions carefully with a fake smile 'I've found myself anew suddenly Eltor.' Then she freed herself from him & walked near the prisoner.

The crowd fell silent as the princess stepped into the ciaos. Her bold movement silenced the rising whisper. She walked near the guards who were holding the prisoner firmly & commanded 'Unhand the prisoner,. I've something to tell him.' The guards couldn't ignore the bold command from their princess. They loosened their grip around Rider's shoulders & the prisoner sank into the ground as his feet were tied together. 'Rapunzel!' A ray of hope flickered in Eugene's brown eyes as he saw her coming near him. He tried to smile at her. But the princess never smiled back. The lines of her face became firmer. 'How dare you to call me by my name, Rider?' she hissed 'Call me your highness, Rider.' Eugene's eyes widened with her words. What was she saying? Did she know that?

But Rapunzel was trying hard to resist her tears. How could she talk with her love in that way? But she had no other options. But she could never say that to anyone. She slowly knelt before the prisoner to look into his gorgeous brown eyes trying to say that she never wanted to hurt him.

Eugene looked into her beautiful jade green eyes. The same eyes he knew, the same eyes he saw in his old Rapunzel. The sadness, the fear in those eyes was telling him that how much she was suffering inside. His eyes met Eltor's eyes for a moment. The prince wasn't trying to hide the savage excitement was playing inside him. And suddenly it became clear to Eugene- they had made a deal, a mean deal like Gothel had once made with Rapunzel.

'No Rapunzel, don't do that.' Eugene couldn't resist himself from screaming at her trying to stop her to step into this mean trap. But Rapunzel's head shot up with these words. She glared at the prisoner & screamed 'How dare you talk with me in that way, Rider? I've decided my own life. Don't try to stop me, you mean thief.' She turned her face away from Eugene. She couldn't look at him, because if she looked at him now her all resistance would be broken. She could feel how much she was hurting him but she had no other way. She continued to say 'Prince Eltor have opened my eyes. Now I see where I really belong. And I've decided to marry him tonight.' The crowd fell silent with her declaration. And the princess couldn't recognize her own voice. Was it the real Rapunzel or someone else was taking with her voice? A strange lump was beginning to form inside her throat. She couldn't swallow that. Her knees were feeling very weak as if they would give up carrying the weight of her decision anytime.

She looked at her brave knight who was still watching her with a disbelieving look in his eyes. But she knew that he could feel the truth & understand the message that she had given to him. 'Take away the prisoner.' She ordered to the guards. And their eyes met for the final moment before he was dragged away towards the prison van. She threw away her crown & rushed to the carriage.

'No, Rapunzel, don't do that.' Eugene tried to struggle the guards to free himself. But a heavy blow over his shoulder stopped him. 'Don't dare to talk with the princess in that way again Rider.' One of the guards' harsh voices rang in his ears.

And then his eyes met Rapunzel's for a moment.

Eugene could see the apology in her eyes. He knew that she had no other option. All she wanted him to be alive so that she could know that they were living under the same sky or breathing in the same air. She wanted him to remain silent, so that she could save him from Eltor's evil clutch. But the poor girl didn't know what she was doing to herself. A sigh ripped Eugene's chest. All he wanted to rush near her & stop her from sacrificing herself in this way like he did when she was sacrificing herself for him to Gothel. But it was late, too late. He could see no way to save her.

()()()

Can't we cancel the wedding?' King Rupert's question hung in the air. All the councilmen exchanged confused looks among themselves. Why the king changed the decision at the verge of the wedding? And Queen Anne gave a grateful smile to her husband. Yes, she wanted him to be brave in this way.

'But sire, all the preparations of the wedding is finished.' Lord Denvan stood up to speak 'And according the treaty the princess must marry the crown prince. Is it a wise decision sire?'

King Rupert raised his right arm to stop him 'But Lord, the happiness of my daughter comes…..'

Before he could finish his words the great wooden door was opened & a bunch of guards entered with a prisoner. 'Sire' the jailor spoke first 'Rider is trying to interrupt the royal wedding by claiming himself as the lost prince of Naldora.'

And the council room was filled with the confused whisper of the present councilmen 'Rider! How can he be alive?' And the king looked at the face of the prisoner. A part of him wanted to be happy with his return but another part was saying him to be a king before being a father. He had no idea how this young man survived yet but the father inside him wanted to hug this young man for this. He was tired of seeing his only daughter sad. But the king part was telling him not to be emotional.

The queen was really happy to see that remarkable young man alive. A slight ray of hope began to grow inside her. She looked at her husband's face. May be this time everything would be alright.

Sadly the king defeated the father again. He looked at his councilmen. 'Rider has just committed the highest crime by disgracing the royalty in public. Now what we should do with him?' His voice was as cold as ice. He was trying hard to hide his inner struggle.

And the whisper rose again among the councilmen. 'The punishment of disgracing the royalty is death.' One of the councilmen said. 'Yes, he's already a condemned thief.' Another said 'There's no question of pardon.

Lord Denvan stood up & faced the king 'Sire, Rider is already a condemned thief. He should be dead by now. We don't know how he survived from his previous punishment. But it's unnecessary to think about his punishment again.'

King Rupert sighed. Yes, he knew that. But still he would try to save this young man. He looked at the prisoner & said 'Do you have anything to say in your defense Rider? Do you've any proof for your claim?'

Before Eugene could open his mouth a voice silenced the council. 'Father' Rapunzel's sweet childlike voice rang from behind silencing the growing whisper 'Can't we just postpone these trial things on the day of my wedding?'

'What?' Both the king & the queen threw a confused look at the princess. The queen stepped from her throne & walked near her daughter. Her large emerald eyes were clouded with confusion & they were watching the face of her daughter. Why this change? She looked into the identical eyes of her daughter trying to see inside her soul. But the princess was hiding her soul behind the veil of a false firmness & she couldn't see through that. 'What are you saying, darling?' Queen Anne whispered at last 'Do you know what you're doing?' Her fingers pressed her shoulders gently. Rapunzel felt the lump forming inside her throat again. And the tears were building in her eyes. She took a deep breath. She needed to be strong now. She gently brushed away her mother's fingers from her shoulder. She looked into her mother's eyes adding extra firmness in her tone 'Mother, I thought many times & I think it's the right path for me.' She turned her eyes towards the prisoner who was watching the strange behavior of his beloved helplessly. She knew that he wanted to stop her but she ordered him to remain silent. And he could never defy her orders. 'Mother,' She spoke again turning her eyes away from the thief 'I can't love Him especially what he had done to me today. He disgraced me as well as the visiting royalty.'

Just then another voice joined her- Prince Eltor. 'Yes your highness.' He stood beside his future wife 'She's right.' The queen's hands slacked from Rapunzel's shoulder. Her eyes were widening with disbelief. She never knew this Rapunzel. She said nothing but covered her mouth with her small hands & rushed to her throne.

And Eltor was satisfied when he looked at the tired face of his bride. But he concealed his emotions inside him & turned to face the council. His sweet bell like voice echoed across the council hall 'Sire, I just agree with that. I also think we must postpone the trial.'

And the confusion grew again. All the eleven pairs of eyes were set upon the royal couple. Even Eugene's eyes widened when he heard Eltor speaking in his favor. But Eltor was indifferent. He encircled Rapunzel's waist with one arm 'Me and my princess agreed that Rider has not only disgraced her but also disgraced the royal family of Naldora by claiming himself as the late Prince Eugene. So it's better to hold his trial in the presence of the people from two kingdoms.'

Then he took a glance of his future bride who was watching her fallen knight trying to say him to stay silent. And the confused look of his rival increased his amusement. He knew that Rider would never deny the request of his princess. Oh, what a pleasure!

And his prediction was right. The prisoner never said another word while the king declared the council 'So the trial is postponed until the wedding of the princess. Till then he'll stay in jail.'

The king sank into his throne. He had no way to stop the wedding now. .The council rose to congratulate their princess. And the queen was watching her daughter collapsing in the arms of her fiancée. She looked tired & defeated. Right then the veil of her royal firmness fell down. Now the queen could see the real soul of her daughter. She did this to save her beloved.

Eltor's eyes were shining with the joy with his victory.

()()()

One by one the council members left the council room. The princess was taken to her parlor by the maids to be prepared for the ceremony in the night. And King Rupert accompanied his tired wife to the royal bedchamber. She looked pale & sick as if she was tired to see all the things happening around her. And the king was hiding his emotions behind the mask of the dutiful ruler but his brown eyes were sad with the worry of the uncertain future of his daughter.

Prince Eltor walked out of the room & took a deep breath. At last he was successful. His dark eyes were following each & every movement of the people around him. Their sorrows & worries were filling his heart with a savage satisfaction. At last he was going to fulfill the dreams of his late father. A smile twisted his thin lips while he began walking towards his own parlor.

And then a shadowy woman rushed out of his way. Eltor's keen eyes narrowed to see his follower. His careful ears picked up a soft footstep behind him & a familiar smell filled the air around him. His eyebrows were drawn closer to make a frown. And again the shadow moved behind him. It was coming closer to him. Eltor steadied his mind & took a sharp turn to catch his follower. And then he felt a small, soft trembling body between his arms. He looked at his follower- Queen Rubina. Her thin body was trembling in his arms.

'So you're overhearing us?' Eltor's fingers were now pressing Rubina's shoulder firmly. His dark eyes were now set into her brown ones sending a chill through her spine. 'Do you think that you can stop me?' Eltor's face lightened up with a savage pleasure. He was shaking the poor woman violently 'Tonight Naldorian army will attack the kingdom. And your precious son will be executed in public. Understand?'

But the mute queen's lips trembled a little. The fear was playing in her brown eyes. And that increased Eltor's pleasure. 'You can never stop me Aunt.' He loosened his grip around Rubina's shoulder as the queen fell on the floor in a heap. At last he won the challenge. Now no one could stop him.

()()()

Queen Rubina remained sitting in the corridor alone, thinking about her defeat. She was now tired of playing this game for long eighteen years with her nephew. But now it seemed that all her hopes were gone. And she had lost the game. A sigh ripped her throat. She buried her face between her knees letting her tears to soak her silk gown.

She didn't know how long she stayed there like that. A soft nag on her neck startled her. Queen Rubina raised her head to find her pet Gale sitting on her shoulder with a quill & a paper between his beaks. His bead like red eyes was set upon his mistress as if he wanted to say 'Don't lose heart, mistress.' A ray of hope flickered in Rubina's mind. She knew who could help her now. She quickly took the paper & quill from Gale & quickly scribbled some words on the paper. And then she looked at her companion. Gale knew what to do & where to go. He took the letter between his beaks & flew away.

Queen Rubina watched him flying away. She leaned against the wall & took a deep breath. Eighteen years ago, after the death of her husband, she promised herself that she would protect her only child by any means. Her eyes flew open. A new surge of strength rushed through her body. She pulled herself up upon her feet again. No, she couldn't break the promise now.

And her little feet knew what to do. She rushed to the royal stable where the trusty royal stallion- Maximus lived.

()()()

There was some unfamiliar smell coming from the north. The white stallion- Maximus sniffed again. Yes, he never knew that smell before. The horse knew each & every smell of Corona. But it was nothing like that. A new sense of alarm rushed through his body. He could feel a tension hanging in the air. Everything implied that a grave danger was coming.

Right then his thoughts was interrupted by a soft touch around his neck. Maximus woke up from his slumber to find the visiting queen sitting beside him. And her big brown eyes were asking for something- help! The northern wind blew again with the unfamiliar smell.

These two mute creatures could understand their silent words. The horse kneeled before the queen allowing her to ride on his back. And then he began to run towards the source of the new smell.

()()()

A pair of strong arms pushed Eugene into the prison cell. Eugene didn't struggle. The Iron Gate shuttered close behind him. He could hear the sarcastic laughter of the guards behind. 'So, back in your right place, Rider!' One of the laughed out loudly. 'What a lousy trick! Rider is a lost prince…ha ha ha…..' The jailor busted into laughter as the other guards joined him. But Eugene said nothing. He was just practicing of keeping his mouth shut not knowing the exact reason. But he was just obeying the order of his princess.

The guards continued laughing while the prisoner crawled at a corner to hide himself in the dark. Now he was back again to his old prison cell. He visited this place many times before as it became like an old home to him. In his thieving days he considered this place as a place for refreshment. But now it really seemed like a prison to him. He looked around him-the same gloomy room, hard stone wall, the tiny window & the same cold stone floor. The prisoner sank into the ground burying his face between his knees. All doors were closing around him. And he had no way out.

Yes, Rapunzel, his beloved had just declared about her wedding this morning. For a moment her words puzzled him too. But when he looked into her eyes, he realized the truth. She was sacrificing herself for him. A strange lump began forming in his throat. The shadow around him was growing larger & larger. The sun was setting outside. Only two hours to go. Then Rapunzel would belong to that mean prince Eltor. A sigh ripped his throat. She ordered him to stay calm. And he could never defy her orders. But how could he stop the rising storm inside him. He clutched his hair firmly between his fingers. He had never felt so lost before.

He had no idea how long he stayed in the dark. 'Rider,' the jailor's harsh voice pulled him up from his slumber. 'You've a visitor.' He said again. Eugene's head shot up with those words. 'Rapunzel!' a faint ray of hope flickered in his heart. Probably she had changed her decision. With a great hope he rushed near the Iron Gate. And then he stopped when he saw the person standing on the other end of the prison bars- Prince Eltor.

'Good evening, cousin.' Eltor's lips twisted with a sly smile 'It's a shame that you're missing my wedding.' Eugene's eyes travelled from his head to feet. In the faint twilight he could see the shining golden Corona emblem on his vest & the eagle crown was shining on his head. And the growing shadows casted a mysterious pattern upon his handsome face.

'I'll miss you tonight cousin.' A fake sadness clouded Eltor's voice 'But it's her decision. I've nothing to do with this. But that woman has a good taste. She just can't resist herself from testing two royalties.'

Those words touched Eugene's skin like a red hot iron & burnt through his skin. How could he dare to mention Rapunzel in that way! Anger began boiling under his skin. He had remained calm enough. Now he was really tired of that. Eugene gritted his teeth while sending a burning glare to his cousin 'You can't make me to believe this cousin. I know her heart.'

Those words brought a slight smile to Eltor's lips. He raised his eyebrows sarcastically 'Now I see why that foolish girl stepped into my trap. True love!' he chewed out the last words 'Now cousin, see the fate of the true love. I'll marry your girlfriend right under your nose while you'll see Corona burning into ash tonight.'

The last words really made Eugene losing his self control. He clutched Eltor's collars through the prison bars & hissed 'Why you're doing this Eltor, why? Your fight is with me. Then why you're putting the lives of some many innocent people in danger?'

But these words made Eltor to laugh out loudly. He carefully brushed Eugene's hands away from his collar & smiled sweetly 'For the same reason my father- your uncle killed your father King Arnon eighteen years ago. For the same reason he sent you to an exile for eighteen years leaving a life of a common thief. I just can't seat back & watch my baby cousin becoming the king while I remain stuck in the next to the line to the throne.'

Those words made Eugene's hands slip from Eltor's collar 'Uncle had killed my father!' He sent a burning glare to his cousin 'Do you know I can send you to the gallows for this crime?'

But Eltor remained as calm as before. He carefully strengthened his collar & smiled 'Yes, I know. But before that you better think about saving your own neck from the noose. You can never prove your true identity as a prince in the joint council tomorrow.' Then he turned his heels & walked away.

Eugene gripped the iron bars so tightly that they began cutting across his palm. His anger began consuming his brain. Now everything was clear to him. It was a trap, a clearly planned trap. And poor Rapunzel had just stepped into it.

'Please let me out.' He screamed to the guards sitting at the door. But they just threw him a disgusting glare 'Why Rider?' But Eugene had no time to consider their insult. He continued saying to them knowing it was of no use 'Please let me out. The princess is in a grave danger. We must stop the wedding now.'

But his plea echoed across the stone wall of the prison. No one listened to his words except they continued to laugh, 'Rider has gone crazy. I think the asylum is the best place for him.'

Eugene fell on his knees. A strange mixture of anger, grief & defeat began building up inside his chest which began choking him. The Iron Gate was unbreakable & the cruel stone wall was too hard to break.

He had no proof for his claim. He had no way to escape.

()()()

Two people were sitting at the foot of the corona mountain under the blood red sky. The shadow was growing larger & larger around them. But none of them were saying any words. The captain looked at the woman sitting beside him. The murderous red glow of the setting sun was reflecting upon her brown hair. She was as beautiful as he saw her ten years ago. But he never imagined seeing her again after that night she stormed away from their home.

This morning the captain took his day off. He needed to refresh his brain in the fresh early winter air. Prince Eltor's strange behavior just turned all his previous beliefs in a second. He grew up knowing that he must obey the royalties. Their orders must be obeyed. But Prince Eltor seemed different. And suddenly he realized that all the royalties were not right always.

He was walking through the market place when he noticed the crowd cheering around a prisoner. He stepped into the crowd to take a closer look of their subject of interest. It was no one but Rider & he was claiming himself as the lost royalty.

Right then the dutiful captain spoke inside him' Rider is planning to make another trouble. He must be arrested.' As the thought flickered in his mind, a hand snatched his arms pulling him into the shadows. 'Please, Albert doesn't stop him.' A familiar voice pleaded 'Let him do what he is doing.' There was something in the voice that made the captain stop in his pace. He narrowed his eyes to see the face of his captor. And suddenly he saw her face- Lady Emlyn.

The darkness engulfed the silent couple. The night sky lightened up with the thousands of dazzling fireworks. The kingdom was now ready to celebrate the wedding of their princess. The couple looked into each other's eyes,. The regrets that burdened their hearts for last ten years were about to spill in a moment. And the captain never knew the true identity of his former wife. She suddenly appeared in the kingdom from nowhere with an eight years old amnesic boy. They fell in love at the first sight. They got married a month later. The young boy stayed with them as their son.

Things began happening a year later. That boy was caught by the guards for stealing in the market. But Emlyn begged bail for him in the court. And that thing hurt the captain's pride. 'You shouldn't speak for that boy in the court.' The captain scolded his wife 'I can't stay with a criminal in the same house.'

The next morning the little boy was sent to the Corona orphanage.

From that day Emlyn became silent, very silent. And another two years passed quietly. And everything began turning to normal again. But then Rider was caught for another crime. He was sent to the jail. This time Emlyn again begged bail for him. When she returned home the storm rose again. 'I can't believe that you're giving privilege to a criminal constantly.' This time Emlyn raised her voice too 'But Albert, try to think from Rider's side. He's a orphan. He needs protection.' 'What protection?' the captain bellowed 'I can't allow my wife giving protection to the criminals like him.'

That was their last night together. Emlyn stormed away from the house & he never saw her again.

'So you've protected Rider all these times.' At last the captain broke the silence 'You've sent the princess the extract of the healing flower to revive him.' 'Yes,' Emlyn nodded 'I promised to his mother that I'll protect him always until he finds out the truth and now he knows the truth. My duty is over. Rider is free to decide his own life now.' Those words made the captain frowning 'Who's his mother? And what's the truth?'

But this time his former wife didn't answer. The captain looked into her eyes. She was keeping a secret. But he was never allowed to know that. The night sky lightened up with the fireworks again. The cold wind blew sending a shiver through their bodies. And Emlyn's brown eyes were looking at the dark horizon. The captain followed her eyes to find the golden eagle flying towards them. At last it settled on Emlyn's shoulder. He was carrying a letter between his beaks.

'What's that?' The captain exclaimed. Emlyn took the letter & unfolded it. Her eyes widened as her eyes run through the words written on the paper.

''What's that?' the captain became anxious at the sight of her worried face 'What's wrong?' Emlyn raised her face from the letter. Her beautiful face was clouded with fear & her large brown eyes were sad. She took the captain's hand & gripped them tightly. 'Albert, Naldorian army is invading the kingdom tonight. The princess is in a grave danger. You must stop the wedding now & prepare your army to defend the royal family.

'But how?' the captain was worried too 'How can I do the both things?' Emlyn looked into the captain's eyes & whispered 'Release Rider from the jail. Let him stop the wedding until you can prepare the army.

'But it's against the law…' the captain looked confused. He felt Emlyn's soft kiss on his cheeks 'Sometimes going against the law isn't wrong always.'

The captain looked at the dark horizon, thinking for a while. Yes, she was right.

'Alright, I'll release Rider for a while.' The captain pulled himself from the ground & rode on the back of his horse. And those words made Lady Emlyn to smile. She walked closer & kissed his lips gently ' Now I can join my sister to stop the war.'

'You're the princess of Naldora!' The captain's eyes widened with realization 'You're Queen Rubina's lost sister.'

'Yes' Emlyn pulled the veil over her head & disappeared in the dark.

The captain turned his horse towards the palace. He had many things to do now.

()()()

The maid finished tying the laces of her white corset. 'You're finished your highness.' She said. The princess ordered her to go. One by one the maid left the room. At last no one remained in the royal parlor except the brunette princess. Slowly she walked near the full length mirror before her & looked at her reflection. The white elaborate wedding gown cascaded from her waist in many layers to kiss the marble floor below. The white chiffon veil was trailing behind her. The princess looked like an angel- a sad angel who had her wing tied.

But she was supposed to be happy. It was her wedding day. But she wasn't. The room filled with the lights of fireworks from outside. The cheering of the crowd could be heard. Rapunzel walked near the window & looked at the horizon. The Corona Mountain could be seen from the window. A strange blanket of mist was hiding the danger waiting on the other side. No one knew that except her.

A drop of tear was shining on her cheek like a pearl. She had decided to step into a bigger tower & there was no one to rescue her.

'Darling,' she startled with a soft touch on her shoulder. She turned to find her mother standing behind her. Her identical jade eyes were watching her. 'Are you happy, daughter?' Queen Anne whispered without taking her eyes off her. Rapunzel tried to smile to hide her grief from her mother. 'Yes I'm perfectly happy, mother.' She tried to mumble. Yes, she was determined. Then why her voice was trembling when she uttered these words?

She could feel her mother's fingers wiping away her tears. She could hear her whispering 'Then why these tears dear? I'm your mother. You can't hide away from me.'

And the princess couldn't utter anymore words. She collapsed in her mother's arms letting her tears flow. Queen Anne's hands were patting her back softly. But she didn't console her. She let her cry.

The silence between them was broken when Queen Anne whispered 'You still love Eugene, don't you?' those words made Rapunzel to loosen her embrace around her mother. She said nothing but lowered her head. Anne cupped her chin & tilted her face & looked into her eyes 'You're doing this to save him?'

Rapunzel said nothing. But her mother could feel the truth. Her naïve little daughter was sacrificing herself to save her love. But now there was no way to stop this. It was too late for everything.

The great clock stokes eight. Now it was time to go. The royal messenger came to accompany the princess to the wedding hall.

Rapunzel looked at her mother for the last time & whispered 'If you meet Eugene again then tell him I've always loved him.'

Then she hid her face behind the white veil & walked away from the room.

()()()

Suddenly a shower of light from the fireworks poured through the tiny window above him dazzling his eyes for a moment. The great clock stokes eight. The celebration had just begun.

And Eugene was pacing restlessly across his small cell. Thousands of weird thoughts were storming inside his brain. That poor girl had just stepped into a trap & he was just stuck in this small cell, helpless.

He stopped near the tiny window watching the night sky shining with the fireworks. He needed to do something before it was too late. But what he could do now?

Oh, he never felt this much helpless before. He sank into the ground & clutched his hair between his fingers. What would he do now?

Then a metallic click at the door startled him. His head shot up as a familiar booted footstep entered into the cell. Eugene's eyes widened when he saw his visitor- the captain.

'How are you Rider?' he smiled. 'Captain!' Eugene jumped on his feet 'You!' 'Yes, Rider.' The captain was indifferent 'Go save the princess. Stop the wedding.'

The prison door was opened behind him. And he was now free to go. Eugene walked out from his cell watching the changed man behind him. Still he couldn't believe his own eyes. The captain had saved him. He stopped for a while to thank his rescuer.

'Thank you!' all he wanted to say. The captain smiled softly & patted Eugene's shoulder 'It's alright. Go & stop the wedding before it's too late.'

'Yes, of course.' Eugene came back to reality. He had no time to lose now. He hugged the captain for the last time & set his feet out of the cell. No one stopped him this time. He took a deep breath in the freedom of outside. Then he looked at the shining castle where the royal wedding would take place.

The little green chameleon jumped on his shoulder from a nearby tree. 'Pascal!' Eugene took the little reptile on his palms. The poor reptile had just turned blue. His round eyes were sad. Eugene settled him on his shoulder again whispering 'Don't worry, Pascal. We're going to save Blondie again.'

Now he knew what to do. He had found his true destiny.

()()()

The great hall was decorated with flowers & thousands of candles. The wedding alters was beautifully decorated with the golden sun of Corona & the golden eagle of Naldora as the symbol of the upcoming royal friendship. The guests began to take their seats. The guards were guarding the wedding hall carefully.

Now everyone was waiting for the bride.

And she came. Her childlike face was hidden behind the white veil. She was carrying the white flowers in her one arm which matched her purity. Then her father joined her. She wrapped her left arm around his elbow.

The king looked at the face of his daughter. But he couldn't see her face through the veil. But he knew the girl behind the veil was sad, very sad. 'I'm sorry, my child.' He whispered as they began to walk towards the wedding alters. Graceful music began to play & the groom was waiting for her on the altar.

Rapunzel turned her head to look at the face of her father. There was a stray piece of tear was shining at the corner of his eyes. She knew that, the old man was suffering inside for his decision. And the pain contaminated her too. She gently pressed his hand with her little fingers & whispered 'It's alright father. I'm happy with this marriage.'

Now they were at the foot of the wedding alter. King Rupert kissed his daughter's forehead as he let her go 'I'm proud of you, child. If you can, then forgive this old anytime.'

Those words made her breath caught in her chest. Tears began forming at the corner of her eyes. But she fought really hard to resist them from falling. 'I'll always forgive you, father.' She mouthed.

Prince Eltor led her to the altar. "You look gorgeous princess.' He whispered in her ears. Rapunzel tried to smile. She could hardly breathe now. A strange pain was constricting her chest.

The priest began reading the holy verses. But Rapunzel was hardly listening to them. She looked at the prince standing beside her. A moment later he would be her husband & Eugene would be gone from her life forever.

Suddenly the world disappeared around her. Her heart travelled to another place in another time. She couldn't see Prince Eltor in the place of the groom but she saw her beloved Eugene there. He gave her a smoldering smile 'Hi, Blondie.' His eyes were burring with a low fire.

'Is there anyone to object about this holy matrimony? The priest spoke to the audience. Rapunzel looked around her. With all her heart she wanted someone to object.

But the audience remained silent as before. There was no one to object.

'Do you princess Rapunzel take Prince Eltor as your lawfully wedded husband?' Now the priest turned to the bride. A smile of victory was playing on Eltor's face.

A sigh escaped from Rapunzel's mouth. She had no other way. 'I…' she paused for a while before uttering the final words. It was the hardest task in her whole life. She could feel the old wounds in her heart began bleeding again. She took another deep breath before saying 'I…'

'I object. I object about this wedding.' Rapunzel was cut off by a voice from behind. All the fifty pairs of eyes were turned towards to door to see the intruder. The sight of the intruder made them gasp with surprise.

Rapunzel's eyes glittered with pleasure as she saw the intruder. 'Eugene!' she whispered.

I wonder if anyone is still reading this! It's a super long chapter. And I've finished it. Phew. I've worked for it in my little free time I could manage between my exhausting works instead of taking rest I needed. I hope it makes sense.

The best reward you can give to me with your reviews. Then if you read it , then make a second or two to leave a review. It'll assure me that you're still with me & give me the courage I need to write the next chapter.

And the action packed, super-duper suspenseful climax is coming in the next chapter.

If you want to get it then leave your valuable comments.

Review replies will come in the final chapter.