Love is in the air, don't you think? Yeah, I know it's summer time (it is in the states, at-least), but I've got an extra special Valentine's Day edition chapter here for 'Living the Dream'.

1. Okay. I know what I said last chapter, how I told you all that the next one (this one) would be longer. Truth is... it was. It was insanely long. Like, we're talking 8,000 words and I wasn't even done writing it (still am not)! Which is why... I've chosen to split it up into a few chapters. I hope you all will understand.

2. It's not shown much in this chapter but the next few ones have some intense amounts of dialogue. And I just wanna say, I am not good with that sort of stuff; though, I am trying my best. I'm sooo sorry if it's sloppy or anything; I'm not a professional as you've all probably guessed by now, and it's way harder than it looks because each character is different in their personality and the way they speak, etc.

3. I'm trying my hardest to get out of this habit of constantly reminding y'all of the character's names. I'm talking about the stuff like, "Eugene shook his head. 'I don't get it, girl,' he said through a few laughs." And then like his next line of dialogue, start the exact same thing with his name again. I don't know if it makes any sense; it probably doesn't in all honesty, and you guys and gals might not even care for it. I'm just trying to strive to become a better writer, and I've grown to care so much about this story and the universe... all I want is to give everyone a Tangled story they can remember for the ages.

4. I want to shout out the one constant reviewer for all my chapters, and you know who you are. I wish you had an account so I could private message you my entire thanks, because you've been a staple here throughout my story since the beginning and there are no words to express how thankful and grateful I am for your kind words each chapter. Also for those who do read (My story stats tell me how many different, varying visitors I get for each chapter, so I know there's a small few of you who do), if you're up to it, feel free to send a review in! It only helps my inspiration to know there's actually people out there relying and depending on me to continue updating. :)

3. Enough chit-chat on my end! Apologies for any spelling/grammar mistakes that fall through the final cut and for this ridiculously long wall of text. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 38 - Valentine's Day

Type: One-shot leading into a three-shot.

Description: It is Valentine's Day in the Kingdom of Corona! We catch up with the newly engaged couple and see where and what they've been up to throughout their day. As the both of them return home for the evening, they are greeted by a surprise guest - someone neither of them could have ever expected.

It was a splendid, cold winter day in the Kingdom of Corona. The day marked February 14th, otherwise known as Valentines day! Rapunzel and Eugene spent the day together travelling around and about the town, greeting the citizens of the state. It's been quite some time since the initial announcement but the entire Kingdom has been rocking out ever since they got news that there would be a new Prince Consort around and about.

Though, of course, there were still some people who had their own reservations. But Eugene's efforts to change and become a better man hadn't gone unnoticed, for by this time, most of the Kingdom's citizens actually seem to... forgive him. It probably didn't hurt that he had the entire Royal family backing and supporting the notion throughout this first year that he has in-fact and indeed changed for the better.

At lunchtime, as per Rapunzel's request, the two lovebirds made a short trek down to the good ol' Snuggly Duckling pub where they met up with some of the guys! Of course, all of them were splendidly happy to be in the presence of the happy Princess, but less so excited with the former thief. Apparently it's completely fine if Rapunzel is too busy to come on down and visit the unorthodox gang, but when it's him, Eugene, who's the one who is busy with all sorts of responsibilities, he's apparently cast as the devil's favorite demon.

How lovely. Hah. Get it? Lovely... because it's Valentine's Day?

I'll see myself out.

Nonetheless, Eugene and his darling girl did spend a few hours at the pub with the few regular thugs, getting to know what everyone's been up to in the past half year since the big excursion that took place on her birthday. Big Nose and his girl whom he met during the initial celebration have been doing well, Eugene and Rapunzel learned. Hook-Hand, too, has been slowly working his ways up the chain in the musical business. Good to know, good to hear. Heck, even Atilla, they learned, has been doing alright. The big, helmeted thug actually told them how he's thinking about petitioning to buy a small shop in the main town of the island to really get started on his baking career.

They finally left and said their goodbyes at around four PM, much to the many thugs' dismay. Eugene had to remind them, the thugs and his soon to be wife (who had also become eager to stay, much to his discomfort) of what day it was, and that he and her highness had some special business to care of back inside the castle. The thugs seemed to understand after hearing such, jeering and cheering him on as they left.

It was a twenty or so minute walk until they finally reached the bridge that led into the main island, and Eugene held Rapunzel's hand as they walked on it and re-entered under the small archway. "Wow," Rapunzel remarked, "these weren't here earlier, right?" She lifted a finger and gestured to the many heart-related decorations that now speckled the nearby town houses and shops.

Eugene, with his free hand, rubbed the hair on his chin. He recalled in his mind that such decorations definitely were not present when they had originally exited the island hours before. "I don't think so, awfully weird for them to only be setting them up now."

"Why?" Rapunzel responded almost immediately.

"Well, the day's almost over, sunshine," he said before chuckling. "They're just going to have to take 'em down sooner rather than later."

"I don't know why they would," she sighed lovingly as another couple walked by them, hand in hand as they were. The two unfamiliar people must have recognized Rapunzel even without her stereotypical tiara on top of her head, because they soon stopped and bowed. Rapunzel curtsied, and Eugene sent the two other lovebirds an assertive nod with a two fingered salute before finally walking by them.

Rapunzel finished her thought after they resumed their pace. "They're just all so… beautiful, don't you think? What would hurt if they kept these up for a few more days?"

"Maybe that can be your first order when you're Queen," he chuckled again. "A petition for all holidays to be extended by a few days."

Rapunzel playfully punched him and giggled, "You're too much."

Eugene wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. He placed a kiss down on the top of her hair. "Apparently I'm not, because I get to hang out with this awesome brunette haired girl who I've been given the wonderful honor of being engaged to." Rapunzel sighed in contentment and Eugene felt as she snuggled up close to him. He's known this girl for less than a year, but... he feels as if he's known her his whole life. That's just how easy he connects with her, just how much he loves her. And, boy, is he lucky to have someone like her in his life. Who knows where he'd be had he never met Rapunzel..

Hell, who knows if he'd even still be alive.

They walked a little more until finally reaching the castle. Eugene noticed right away the two familiar guard friends of theirs, Stan and Pete, rocking the gate duty. "Good evening, your highness," they both said in unison before bowing.

Rapunzel giggled, "Oh, come on," she said with a wave of her hand. "You know the both of you have my permission to call me by my name, right?"

Stan and Pete both rose, exchanging glances with each other before chuckling awkwardly; again, they did such in unison. Stan was the one to speak up after a few moments, "Just a force of habit, we guess," he shrugged. "But it is good to see you home safely, the both of you." The well-built mustachioed guard sent Eugene a sincere smile, which he took and responded with a nod.

The two guards raised the gate and Eugene walked in hand in hand with Rapunzel. They walked slowly towards the stairs on the left side, and he took a moment to gaze up and admire the castle for all it was. Still to this day, he sometimes had a hard time believing that this was his life, this was where he was going to live out the rest of his days.

Finally got me that castle, he thought happily to himself.

Unknown to Rapunzel, he did not intend for their day to end so abruptly. There was still one tiny little surprise he had up his sleeves for the both of them, something he's been working hard to organize (and he can safely say he actually thought this through beforehand instead of thinking of it last minute and staying up all night with the preparations!).

The two guards positioned at the front doors saluted him and Rapunzel, opening them up right after. Eugene grinned mightily and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath, already envisioning how this awesome night would go, but more so, how it would end. He quietly laughed at the thought, forever thankful now he can fool around with Rapunzel without having to face the potential repercussions now that they're engaged.

Engaged. To her. It still doesn't feel real that he's actually going to get to spend the rest of his life with this awesome girl; this same girl, in fact, he had only just recently found out fosters one of the... surprisingly, most dirtiest of minds he'd ever met. Just recently, she proposed to him that for the next time they make love, they should re-enact the scene when she tied him up with her hair-

Yeah, it's time to stop now.

He was just about to open his eyes and lead Rapunzel in, helping her take her coat off before swinging her down the hallway in the direction of where his surprise laid for her when he was thrown out of his thoughts by a specific annoying voice. "Your highness!" Eugene cringed, for this voice had a deep British accent in the most annoyingest of ways. He opened his eyes, and his instincts proved to be true; there in front of him stood Nigel, the royal speaker for the family.

"Good evening, Nigel," Rapunzel greeted him politely.

Nigel bowed, "Good evening, your highness, and good evening to you as well, Sir Fitzherbert." Yeah, that's a thing now, apparently. Has been ever since the word of their engagement got out to the castle workers and the public. Eugene's been greeted as "Sir Fitzherbert" many times, though for whatever reason, he finds it oddly annoying. Or maybe it's just it's such a formal title for such an informal, devilish and charming man like himself.

"Is there something you need?" Eugene asked him. He hoped that whatever Nigel wanted with them, because he surely had something or else he wouldn't be looking as anxious and eager as he looked right then, that it wasn't anything too significant. During his preparations for the big surprise, he went out of his way to ensure with his and her majesties that he and Rapunzel would be left to their own doings on this day. They agreed, but it took a lot of convincing after the Halloween stunt he pulled.

"Yes, actually; while you two were out in the town, we've had a visitor. He has requested a short meeting with the both of you, whenever you are ready."

Rapunzel, who by this time had locked her arm around Eugene's own, replied after exchanging a glance with him. "Is it someone we know?"

"Eh… yes," the royal speaker awkwardly explained. He shook his head, probably to regain his composure and sanity. "I should be blunt with you, Princess. The man who has come to visit us is-"

"Standing right here."

That voice sparked faint, ill memories for Eugene as he, Rapunzel and Nigel all turned their heads in the direction of where the voice had come from. In Nigel's case, he turned around in a complete 180 degree turn. "I'm able to introduce myself, Nigel. But, thank you." The man who stood there looked at him and Rapunzel and smiled. "Eugene, Rapunzel... It's been a while."

A/N: Who might the mysterious man be? Well, whoever it is, I have a strange and odd feeling this is only the beginning (or maybe it isn't... maybe they've made an appearance before? Who knowsssss) of their involvement in this story...

Find out who the mystery man is next time on 'Living the Dream'!

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