Yes, it had been a month. Yes, I have failed you guys. My apologizes. I have been stuck on editing this chapter for a while. It's still not great (I know I shouldn't insult my work but). Now I can work with it at least. Updates are going to be slower, as I've started another wip. I have a problem.

Hope you enjoy.

Chapter Sixteen

"Oh! This is so exciting!"

Rapunzel spun around in a circle. She couldn't help herself. Their luggage was being loaded into the carriage. Back to Corona. Back to her old room (hopefully). Eugene chuckled at her innocence. Though Rapunzel knew fully well that he was just as excited as she was. Maybe even more so. She would never admit that.

"Milady, your carriage awaits," Eugene took her hand.

The two stepped into the vehicle. Eugene made her promise before they left that she wouldn't "fall asleep" again. She did. But only after he promised that he would spend some time with Edmund while they were there. She also had to make sure that he wasn't crossing his fingers behind his back. Rapunzel could always find a way to make them have fun together. Weather that be shoving them in a dungeon or bribing them with cookies.

Upon arriving at the castle, Rapunzel hugged her parents. She went around to each of the servants, greeting them as usual. Exchanging an inside joke or two.

"Hi Friedberg!" she exclaimed.

Friedborg said nothing. Still staring straight ahead.

Rapunzel chuckled, awkwardly. "Nice to see you, too. You look . . . good. Did you do something with your . . . face?"

Still nothing.

"Heh, heh, well, that was fun."

She turned away and sighed. But put on a smile for the cook.

They found their room. Rapunzel began to get out her paints. The room they would share for these kinds of visits wasn't finished yet, so for most of their visits, they would be staying in this one. Might as well spice it up a little. She got down to work.

Her thoughts wondered, going back to the time when Arianna sat her down and gave her the talk. Not that one. The one about marriage. Rapunzel's marriage to the Dark Kingdom's prince. Arianna told her that she needed to produce an heir to the throne. That was her one job as queen. But she still hadn't. By this point, people were probably starting to wonder about it. Four months. They had been married for four months. Yet they still weren't expecting.

A child born of Corona and the Dark Kingdom would do them wonders. There had been wars in the past because one kingdom couldn't give them an heir. That had been ages ago, but her dad told her that history often repeated itself.

But it was fine. Everyone in Corona was so nice. They wouldn't rally up and attack. Rapunzel didn't know many people from the Dark Kingdom yet. But they didn't seem like the kind of people that would do something like that.

When she backed away from her work, Rapunzel was pleasantly surprised. It looked even better than she thought it would. The wall was now decorated with bits of both of them. Sketches from the Flynnigan Rider books. Mini portraits of her friends. Rapunzel even included a little one of Queen Alexys for Eugene.

Pascal hopped onto her shoulder. It was like before the wedding. Rapunzel painting. Pascal keeping her company.

"Isn't this nice, Pascal?" she wondered out loud, "We hardly ever get to spend time together anymore."

They set up a game of chess and began to play. For the two of them. Pascal ended up winning, since Rapunzel surrendered. They chased each other around the gardens until it was time for dinner. She promised that they would spend more time together more often. Rapunzel never broke a promise.

It began to rain lightly during their meal. Their parents excused themselves to bed. It was getting late, but Rapunzel was wide awake. She glanced over at Eugene. He stood and offered his arm to her. They found their way down to their room.

Eugene yawned. "Anyone else suddenly exhausted?"

"It's the rain. If it weren't so late, I would go outside."

"You like going outside in the rain?"

"Well, yeah. There's puddles to jump in and you can catch raindrops on your tongue. It's almost as good as catching snowflakes on your tongue." She demonstrated, making him chuckle.

"I'll have to try that sometime. For now, my favorite thing to do in the rain and get in my nightclothes and relax with a good adventure story."

Rapunzel changed into her nightgown and began to brush her hair out. She turned to grab her other brush after her first broke and found herself facing a shirtless Eugene. She blushed, brightly. Rapunzel covered her face with her hair, a knee jerk reaction. Neither of them spoke before they got into bed. Ignoring the situation they had just encountered.

She groaned softly as she nested into her pillow. Giving her achy body a rest. Eugene threw his face into his. Rapunzel laughed.

"Does that feel good?" she asked.

"You betcha."

Rapunzel began to rub her calf. It was a bit sore after her playing with Pascal. Nothing too bad. Eugene noticed.

"You okay?" he wondered.

"Yeah, just kind of hurt myself today."

"May I?"

"Okay."

He began to massage it, lightly. Rapunzel sighed with a grin. Now she understood what all the other woman meant about having a strong man to massage you at the end of the day was like. It was utter bliss. How had she gone on so long without it?

"Good night, Eugene."

"'Night."

Thanks for reading! Reviews are always welcome!