The title of this chapter reveals all!
1. If you don't recognize/remember this character, I suggest going back to re-read 'The Ballroom Dance Tragedy'; more specifically, parts 2 and 3.
2. After this four-parter, there are still a few little ideas I want to try to put on paper (or, in this case, on screen) before the eventual big royal wedding. I've also written a very rough draft of the royal wedding, which is obviously going to have to be re-written because... well, I had not planned back then to have a few specific characters take part. I originally wanted to mold it off the tangled short of Eugene and Rapunzel's wedding, but that'll have to be changed. Though, I do still plan on including some aspects from it.
3. This four-parter has been insanely hard to write. Lordie, please forgive me if some parts sound awkward. But, at the same time, I had a fun time... if that makes any sense. I think there are quite a few comedic moments here, which I'm proud of.
4. I'm really glad I decided to split all this up, seeing how long it's gotten. The original chapter had I not split it up would've definitely been 15,000 words at the minimum.
4. Without further adieu, I think it's far past time for you all to be re-introduced to the character of Leonard Patterson, Prince of Dresonia. My apologies for any spelling/grammar mistakes that fall through the final cut. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 39 - The Prince From Dresonia: Part 1 of 4
Type: Four-shot, direct continuation from the last chapter.
Description: Rapunzel and Eugene are shocked to see that the man who has come to see them is none other than the Dresonian Prince himself, Leonard Patterson. They convene, catching up to what the Prince has been up to, and Leonard informs them of his predicament he's found himself in.
Eugene's brow furrowed in confusion, barely recognizing the face that now stood in front of him. Not even caring to look to Rapunzel, he responded with a voice that oozed and reeked of confusion. "Do I know you?"
Rapunzel immediately elbowed him in the gut, eliciting a quiet groan from his mouth. She leaned up on her tiptoes and grabbed on his earlobe, pulling him down. "Don't be rude!" she hissed in his ear.
Eugene scoffed and pulled back, wincing in pain. "Rude? Blondie, I seriously don't know who this guy is-"
"Hello? Remember the dance from last year when you went full psycho?"
Eugene's eyes widened. He had discussed with Rapunzel shortly after the incident of that… wretched, horrific dance that he had wished to put that behind him and leave it in the past. His silence must've told her of his still blatant naivety to the situation. "It's Leonard, silly!" She pinched his side, eliciting a small gasp instead of a groan this time. As Eugene recovered and lifted his head back up, he watched as Rapunzel ran forward into the man's arms.
"Leo, it's been too long! How are you?"
"I've been well; and yes, it has been far too long." Leonard stepped away from the hug and dusted himself off before turning to Eugene. "You seriously don't remember me?" He didn't sound all that mad about it; if anything, he sounded as if he couldn't believe it.
Eugene eyed him up and down, now fully recognizing and remembering the man who had walked up to him on the day of that dance. He hasn't seen him since, though, and he's quite interested as to why he's decided to pop up here in Corona on Valentine's Day of all days. He's also starting to worry a tad bit that this little incursion might ruin his special evening he's been planning. "Well, I do now," he walked forward and extended a hand as a nice gesture. "It's good to see you again, Leonard."
Leonard took his hand and shook it firmly, "It's good to see you, too."
"What brings you to our lovely Corona, Leo?" Rapunzel asked.
Eugene snickered and added, "Yeah, Leo, what brings-GAH!" Eugene yelped as Rapunzel elbowed him in the side, probably for being 'rude' again.
Leonard looked unaffected, and even managed a chuckle. "I was actually visiting the area for diplomatic reasons, representing my family and Dresonia in its entirety. Though, my meetings came to an unexpected early close for the day. I had not made plans for the evening, so in good faith, I decided to pay my favorite cousin and her fiancé a visit."
Rapunzel, swaying on both her heels, replied happily. "I'm your only cousin, silly."
"Well," Leonard replied through another chuckle, "that confirms that you are, infact, my favorite then."
Rapunzel and Leonard dove into light conversation as Eugene stood back, a few feet away. Nigel, who had been present during all of this, walked over to his side and leaned toward him. He whispered slyly. "I'm terribly sorry, Eugene. Prince Leonard just showed up out of the blue without any warning."
"No," Eugene whispered back, "It's fine." In reality, it really was not fine, because now that Leonard's here, Rapunzel's probably going to want to pull him into some seating room and get to know everything that's been going on with one of the only blood relatives she has that's remotely close to her age, he thought. Leonard, from his knowledge, is not an only child, but he is the youngest at twenty four years aged, ironically his own age as well.
"Do you want me to request the royal chef to set aside your meal for the evening?" Eugene looked up and watched as Rapunzel stared happily at Leonard as he spoke.
"Actually, yes-"
"Eugene, come on!" Rapunzel interrupted him, calling to him as she pulled and tugged Leonard down one of the halls. Just as he suspected and guessed, of course. He took a few steps forward and turned around to Nigel one final time before disappearing down the hall. "If you could do that, yes. I'd appreciate it."
Nigel nodded somberly, understanding Eugene's situation. Practically all castle workers knew of what the soon to be Prince Consort had planned for the evening, and while he in particular had his initial reservations for the former thief, he's come to see how much he has changed in this first year, and it's painfully obvious how happy he makes her highness, Princess Rapunzel.
Eugene turned back and rushed down the hall, catching up with his girlfriend and her cousin.
"Sooo…" Rapunzel took a sip of her hot chocolate, which a servant had just brought them. She, Eugene and Leonard found themselves an unused study, which they were currently seated in. "How's life been in Dresonia?"
Eugene sat on a leather chair in the far corner, while Rapunzel chose to sit next to her cousin on the couch. He watched them both intently, even locking eyes with Leonard for a split second, seeing as the man's face fell. That was when he began to suspect something was up.
"Ah… well," Leonard took a sip of his own drink, too, savoring in its heat as it seeped down his throat. After, he placed it off to the side on top of a coaster. "I won't lie to you, Rapunzel," he said, his voice serious. "Life could certainly be better."
"What's wrong?" Rapunzel asked almost instantly.
Leonard hesitated and locked eyes with Eugene for a split second, before leaning forward and twiddling his thumbs between his interlocked hands. "I've found myself in a bit of a predicament." Rapunzel placed a hand on his knee for support and Eugene leaned forward, interested as to what the Prince had to say. "My father… you remember him, right? From your visit."
Faint memories of her brief visit to Dresonia back in early September, merely two weeks after that Ballroom Dance, now flooded Rapunzel's brain.
"I can't believe how big this place is!" Rapunzel exclaimed, her eyes fixated on the many paintings and murals that decked the walls of this old-fashioned stone-brick castle.
"Really?" Leonard asked. "Are you sure you live in a castle, Rapunzel?" he finished through a laugh.
Rapunzel shrugged her shoulders, "You know, I haven't always lived in a castle like you have." She said it so sincerely and honestly without a tint of sadness or apprehension, and Leonard found it very easy to forget that Rapunzel had, infact, lived inside an isolated tower her whole life. But with the way she'd acted so far during her visit, and during the brief minute they met just the week prior at the dance, he's not sure if even he could tell if he were looking in from the outside without an extensive knowledge of the situation. "And yours already feels so much bigger than ours back in Corona," she finished.
The Dresonian Prince stroked his chin. "You know, before the dance... the last time I stepped foot inside your home was back when I was a wee-little ten year old, and do you want to know what the first thing I remember telling myself?" She nodded, "'wow, I don't think I've ever been in such a large building in my entire life!'"
She giggled. "Is that so? You hadn't visited Corona at all before the dance?"
He nodded. "Well, I've been in Corona plenty of times, I just hadn't stepped foot inside the castle. I've always wanted to come visit more, though, because the area is... far more lively and vigorous compared to here in Dresonia, as you've probably seen."
"Mhhhm." She looked at the old and worn down stone walls, "I guess your father likes things to be..."
"Old fashioned, yes." Leonard's head dropped and he sighed, "I don't understand that old bastard."
Rapunzel's eyes widened "Leonard Patterson!" She said sharply, causing the Prince to stop right in his tracks. "That's hardly any way to speak about your father!"
"That's chump change compared to the crap he's called me," he mumbled under his breath off to the side. Leonard then picked his head back up, retaining his proper posture. "I know; just a force of habit, I suppose."
"You suppose?" Rapunzel cocked her hip and crossed her arms, showing off this newly learned trick Eugene had recently taught her - it makes her look more authoritative, he had told her. It apparently worked, for Leonard quickly admitted his mistake and apologized.
There was a short silence between them now. Pascal was along for the walk, as per usual, and he had been staring at Leonard for quite some time. His curiosities finally got the best of him when he scurried up Rapunzel's neck and perched himself near her ear. He whispered something to her.
"Oh!" Rapunzel yelped, surprised by the sudden sensation. She had stopped walking, as did Leonard, and stood there listening intently to her little friend for a few seconds. After Pascal leaned back and scurried back down her neck to return to his spot, her face lit up. "Leo!"
"Yes?" He raised an eyebrow and chuckled, finding himself to actually rather like the way she apparently understood what the little reptilian had to say.
"Pascal wants to know if you have any pets! Do you?"
Leonard's brow furrowed for a second in thought, "You know... I actually don't." Rapunzel's face then fell, "Unless you count a horse as a pet-"
"You have your own horse!?" Rapunzel asked a tad too loudly, her face lighting up like a lantern, voice echoing. The few servants that were walking by had stopped and looked at her oddly. Leonard closed the gap between them, bringing his arm to her backside as he led her forward. "I'm sorry, I sometimes get a bit too excited-"
"No, it's fine," he said softly. "The servants here are just picky about loud noises because of the echo."
"Oh, okay." She sighed happily, forgetting Leonard's claim for a few seconds. Pascal babbled something again, which caused her to remember. She then jerked his head back to him rather harshly, wearing a bright and tight grin. "You actually have your own horse!?" she asked a bit quieter this time, but her excitement was still clearly visible.
"I do. He was a gift to me for my eight birthday, and we've been a triumphant duo ever since!"
"What's his name?" Pascal, too, looked quite interested.
"His name is Midnight, because the color of his fur is as dark as the midnight hour." He smirked smugly, "It was my chosen name for him, if you're wondering."
"That's... so cool! I don't have a horse of my own, but I am friends with one!" Pascal nodded in agreeance, his eyes closed.
"Okay, my turn to ask," he said as cocked his head down. "What's this lucky steed's name?"
"His name is Maximus, and he is simply the biggest sweetheart anyone could ever meet!"
"Maximus..." Leonard stroked his chin, finding the name oddly familiar. "I swear I've heard that name before.."
"You probably have," Rapunzel explained, "because he was actually the horse that led Eugene to my tower. Without him, I... wouldn't be standing here." Her face fell, the conversation having gotten all too serious all of a sudden. Leonard quickly thought of a way to brighten his cousin's mood, having seen how enthusiastic she is about the prospect of horses and all.
"Hey, tell you what: How about you and I go down to the stables and pay ol' Midnight a visit?"
Rapunzel's face then re-lit up, "Really? You'd... do that for me?"
"Of course, Rapunzel. You're my family, and family..." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, finishing in a much quieter and gentle tone. "They support one another." Or they're supposed to, he thought inwardly.
"Leo," Rapunzel stopped walking and immediately flung her arms around his upper chest. He gasped in shock, "I'm so glad I'm related to someone as sincere and kind as you are." After a few tense moments, Leonard relaxed and wrapped his arms around her, too. All his life he had infact been wondering about where his lost cousin might be, but mostly, if she were indeed alive, what type of person she would've turned out to be. Because, certainly, there was the obviously large chance that if she survived all those years, that she wouldn't be the all-so innocent and nice girl that she thankfully is now.
"I'm glad... that I met you, Rapunzel," he said sincerely, stepping back. "Eugene is one lucky man." She raised an eyebrow, and his eyes widened as it dawned on him. "No, oh, oh god, no," he said through frantic breaths, causing Rapunzel to giggle. "I didn't mean it like that, I-oh, god, Rapunzel I am *not* that type of-"
Her giggles grew in intensity, and Pascal fell over laughing on her shoulder. She wiped a small tear, "I know, I know... but, wow," she stopped as more laughs came out. Leonard, finding the situation quite humorous now, joined in. They stood there and lost themselves to their laughter until a loud and ferocious bark came from a nearby closed door.
"Fred, you can't be serious. That boy is a thief!"
"He *was* a thief, Tom."
Rapunzel and Leonard both simulatenously tensed up, fully recognizing the voices of both of their fathers speaking to one another.
"They never change." There was a slight pause before a loud *THUMP* could be heard. It sounded as if a large stack of papers had been dropped onto a desk. "I've had Reginald retrieve Flynn Rider's case files. Each one of these papers represents some sort of treacherous, heinous act that he either pulled as a solo job or with his other thieving buddies. If you've forgotten, Corona wasn't the only Kingdom he's stationed himself at. We've had our countless run-ins with the bastard. And to think you pardoned him simply because he asked you. You're the last person I would've expected to be so forgiving."
"Incase *you've* forgotten," Frederic retorted sharply, "his name is not Flynn Rider, as a matter of fact. It is Eugene; his name is Eugene Fitzherbert, and he is the man responsible for bringing my daughter back home."
"Uh-huh. I get that; Fred, I really do. I don't know what I would've done if Leonard, Jennifer or Bill went missing at that age, so I sympathize with you knowing all the pain and heartbreak you've had to suffer through. But you seriously can't be so naive about what his true intentions are, right?"
"And what do *you* think his true intentions are, Tom?"
There was a slight pause. "Well, first off, he wanted his name pardoned. That's obvious in itself."
"He asked for such a thing because he wanted to be in my daughter's life without any potential repercussions."
"And that's been going swell so far, hasn't it?"
"Excuse me?"
"Fred, please. Don't play dumb. I wasn't there when it happened but everyone's heard about the act he pulled two weeks ago at that dance of yours. He doesn't love your daughter. He is incapable of love, and all it took for his true self to show was a couple sips of alcohol. Once he gets what he wants, which I'm willing to bet is still that crown of hers, he'll make off and leave Rapunzel there heartbroken."
Rapunzel felt a hot burn in her eyes, an anger within. Her blood was boiling as she listened to Leonard's father, King Thomas, say these mean and hurtful things about *her* Eugene. The same Eugene who has sacrificed and given up so much to be with her and to protect her. She took a step towards the door, fully intending to slam it open and give her Uncle a piece of her mind before feeling a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We should probably get going-"
"Why?" She raised an eyebrow, Pascal copying her remark. "I'm interested in what your father has to say."
"No, Rapunzel, you really *don't* want to hear what he has to say-"
"Hell, if I were in your position, I would've hung him right on the spot," King Thomas continued. "No questions asked. It's what I would do to Jennifer's husband, the nerdy sucker if he ever told her such a thing even remotely close to what that Rider said to your daughter."
"I..."
"Oh, hold on," there was a slight pause. "You were actually planning to hang him, weren't you?"
"..."
"This is too good," Rapunzel and Leonard both heard that awful laugh of his. "What stopped ya? Was it Arianna? She's always been the more compassionate and caring one between the two of you."
"...It was Rapunzel," Frederic admitted quietly.
"My God, Fred." King Thomas sounded as if he was shocked and scared, even. "What have you gotten yourself into?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Look, again... I get it. I get you not wanting to step in and interfere with your daughter's life and who she acquaints herself with because you don't want to ruin the fragile relationship you two have only grown since June. But I'm starting to think Rapunzel isn't the only member of your family Flynn Rider has wrapped around his finger."
Frederic's voice grew louder. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"I am. I think that because he brought your daughter home, you can't pull yourself to see him for who he really is. You have this idea in your head, this fantasy you've been living in that whoever eventually brings your daughter home would be some sort of Prince Charming. But, newsflash, friend, she wasn't returned by a charming, well-educated Prince. She was returned by a thief. A no-good, sucker, gold-digging thief." There was a pause. "Old age really hasn't done wonders for the same old ruthless and keen-eyed Frederic Helmsworth I once knew, no sirree."
Rapunzel's eyes narrowed to places otherwise thought to be impossible, and she took one step forward with her hands clenched at her sides. Just when she was about to grab the door's handle, it swung open.
"What in the word-" Frederic's voice caught when he saw just who was standing in the door's way. "Rapunzel?"
Rapunzel looked up to him, her eyebrows still narrow and her eyes burning, just barely holding in all the tears. She stared at him for a few seconds before feeling her strength wear thin, which was when she threw herself into his arms, sobbing quietly into his jacket.
"It's alright, young one," Frederic rubbed her back gently. He lifted his gaze to see Leonard. He whispered quietly to him, "she heard all that, didn't she?"
Leonard nodded somberly, afraid for his own dear life now for what his father might do or say to him for eavesdropping.
Frederic nodded, "I see. Well," He looked down to Rapunzel, who had lifted her head up from the fabric of his jacket. He felt a sharp pain in his chest when he saw how reddened and teary-eyed she was. "I believe it's far past time we head home."
"Home? C'mon, Fred, we haven't even had dinner!" King Thomas called from his seat behind his desk.
Frederic jerked his head to him, donning a serious scowl. He spoke low, "I've lost my appetite, and I'm quite sure Arianna will feel the same way." He then walked forward and away, holding Rapunzel close as they slowly disappeared off into the distance in the hallway.
Leonard stood there all alone now, with no barrier between him and his father. He had a clear view to the older man.
"Eavesdropping, Leonard?" King Thomas rubbed the bridge of his nose with his pointer finger and thumb, sighing. He shook his head. "Really? You've stooped that low?"
"Father... I-I-"
"Save it," King Thomas said with a wave of his hand. He got up from his seat and walked to the door, not even caring to stop and meet his son's eyes. "We'll discuss this later. Ready yourself for dinner." He walked off down the hallway in the same direction Rapunzel and Frederic had gone.
"Yes... sir."
Rapunzel shook her head, escaping from her inner thoughts and memories. "I do…"
"Yeah," Leonard chuckled, but the uneasiness in his voice was still lingering. "For the past few months, he's been… well, we're not being formal here I presume?" He looked to Eugene for whatever reason, who did not know what to say in response except for a slight nod of the head. "Well, let's just say he's been… getting on my ass for the past few months-" Rapunzel quietly laughed at his visible uneasiness about using profanity, "-about… finding myself someone."
"...Someone?" Eugene finally broke his silence, still quite irritated by his plans for the evening being basically ruined. He was, though, slowly finding himself interested in what Leonard's little predicament really was. Besides, he's Rapunzel's family and is practically the only other sane man his age he's come to know and... befriend. That the right word for it?
Yeah, he really should get out more.
Leonard opened his mouth, nothing coming out for a few seconds. "Yes, a… a love interest. A girlfriend, a lady… someone who would one day be my… wife. Father hasn't forced anything on me yet, but I fear that he's coming awfully close to his waiting limits."
"Why does your old man care if you've found yourself a love interest?" Eugene asked, now fully intrigued.
"Because I'm royalty," Leonard explained, sitting back in his seat. He leaned over and took hold of his drink, sipping some of it down. "I'm a bachelor at twenty-four, and Princes usually find themselves a wife, or at-least someone of interest, by the time they turn twenty. Plus, my older and sister and brother have each long been married. I've explained many times to my father that I'm only interested in finding the right person for me, that I don't want to rush the tides of love and end up making a grand mistake by choosing the wrong person. He doesn't seem to understand that, though." He sighed and bit his lip, looking off to the side.
"You want our help, then?" Rapunzel looked to Eugene, who was shaking his head sharply with a clenched frown. Leonard turned back and sat up, rubbing the temple of his forehead, not noticing Eugene's movements.
"I… yes, that's why I came here... if I'm being brutally honest. It's safe to say I'm not like many of the Princes and Princesses' our age, just like yourself. And I mean no offense by that, Rapunzel."
"None taken," she smiled back to him.
"It's… it's hard for me to explain. As a Prince, it's expected, but not required thankfully, that I find someone of a high-social status to settle down with… someone with experience being wealthy, someone who can act and play the part well. That's… just not me, though. Quite frankly, I think I'd actually like to meet someone… someone genuine, someone not snobby and stuck up like many of the women my age that I've met. Someone who would like me for me, not because of my status or my financial situation."
"You're saying you want to meet a commoner… someone like me?" Eugene pointed his thumb to his chest.
Leonard hesitated again, clearly uncomfortable talking about such a topic and his feelings. "Yes… if it hasn't been made clear already, that's my preference. I'd like to meet someone who wouldn't be aware of my status as a Prince until we get to know each other better."
Rapunzel and Eugene exchanged looks, hers being a smile, his being an uneasy frown. Finally, Eugene spoke up again. "Think this could wait a day?"
"Eugene!" Rapunzel scolded him with a wide mouth.
"What?" Eugene said, a tad irritably. "Rapunzel, it's late, and I've been waiting all day to show you my big surprise for the evening!" He flailed his arms up for dramatic effect. "You do remember what day it is, right?"
"Of course I do! But your surprise for me can wait." She turned to Leonard, who had just placed his drink down back on its coaster. "Eugene and I will gladly help you find that special someone."
Leonard looked between her and Eugene. "Uh… if you had something planned for the evening, then I'd hate to be a burden and interrupt. Really, I know my visit wasn't scheduled beforehand and that this came out of the blue."
Eugene leaned forward and opened his mouth to happily agree and thank Leonard for his most sincerest hospitality and ability to read the room, but was interrupted by Rapunzel. "Oh, I assure you," she confirmed to him, "it's no burden at all." She stood up and puffed out her skirt. "The night's still young. How about the three of us go out in the town and have ourselves a fun evening?" She looked over to him, giving the ol' puppy eyes treatment, and after an inner battle, Eugene relented with a sigh. He too stood up.
Leonard, now the only one in the room who was seated, looked baffled. "You're sure?"
"Absolutely. I'm going to go ready myself, meet at the front doors in ten?" She was looking at Eugene as she asked, who took a deep breath before nodding.
"Alright. But you owe me," he said with a wink of the eye, causing her cheeks to blush bright red. Rapunzel didn't stay in the room for much longer, for she scurried her way off and down the hallway.
There were a few awkward moments of silence as Leonard still sat there as Eugene stood there in front of him. Finally, the former thief turned to the Dresonian Prince and walked over to where he sat, taking a seat next to him. "Love really is a wonderful thing, you know."
Leonard chuckled, "That I have seen. Though, I'm quite worried. I didn't actually think you both would want to help me, and I wouldn't necessarily call myself the… ideal charmer."
"Well, if I was being honest, I was and still am kinda ticked off because your timing couldn't have been any worse. I had this wonderful meal planned out for Rapunzel and I to finish off the night."
At that notion, Leonard's face fell. "Eugene, I.. I'm so sorry-"
"No," Eugene waved a hand, "what's done is done. Besides, you've actually done me a favor, believe it or not." He leaned back in the seat and pulled both his arms behind his head, resting them there. "Because of this, Rapunzel now owes me," he elbowed Leonard with a sadistic grin, "if you know what I mean."
Leonard blushed slightly, his eyes widening as it dawned on him what Eugene meant. "Oh," he laughed. "I'm glad, then, to have given you both reason to… you know." They shared laughs for a few minutes, along with some common chit-chat, getting to know what each other had been up to in the recent months. Leonard was, quite frankly, shocked to learn all that had gone down just that last November. Eugene was also shocked to... learn that the living situation back in Dresonia hasn't been all that... healthy, you can say, for Leonard.
Ten minutes passed before the both of them could even know it, and as such, they exited the sitting room. As they walked in the halls, Eugene could see an all-too familiar lady in waiting walking towards them from the other end. He elbowed Leonard softly and whispered, "Chick up ahead, twelve o clock." Leonard looked up and eyes widened as Cassandra walked and inched closer to them.
"Something tells me I don't want to know what you're up to," she said as she walked up to them. She was holding a small plastic hamper Eugene saw, probably heading towards one of the washrooms.
"And a hello to you too, Cassandra," Eugene put emphasis on the s's in her name, as per usual. "You meet my commoner friend? His name is Leonard, and he's without a doubt the poorest, most normal guy any gal could meet."
Cassandra eyed Leonard up and down for a few seconds, while straightening the hamper on her hip, holding it with one hand. She replied through a chuckle. "How's it been, Leonard?"
"Things have been... alright, I could say. What about yourself, Cassandra?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Meh. Could be better."
Leonard chuckled, too. "I know the feeling all too well. How's your father been?"
"He's… he's been fine, actually. Besides the fact that he's still not accepted that Fitzherbert over here is the soon-to-be Prince Consort." She smirked devilishly at Eugene, who stared at her and Leonard both with widened eyes when it dawned on him that this was in fact not their first meeting. But how, though?
"You two know each other?"
Leonard looked at him, dumbfounded. "Yes..?"
"You know," Cassandra walked by and elbowed him playfully in the side, "unlike you, I actually remember those who I've met." She turned her gaze back to Leonard, now a few steps away. "It's been nice to see you again, Leonard."
"Always my pleasure, Cassandra. Tell your father I send my regards." Leonard bowed slightly and watched alongside Eugene as Cass nodded before continuing her walk down the hall.
Eugene turned to him. "I don't know what I was thinking, and I sure as hell don't know what you're thinking, but I would absolutely not recommend trying to court Ms. Know-it-all over there." And why, oh why did I think even for the splittest of seconds that such a pairing would work!?
"Oh, heavens no," Leonard replied through a chuckle. He took a step forward, with Eugene following. "I'm not interested in her like that. Though, I am interested as to why you seem to be holding a grudge."
"Well, first off, her Pops is the stinkin captain of the guard, also known as the same idiot who whipped me-"
"Whipped you?" Leonard's eyes widened.
Eugene cursed at himself inwardly with a clenched jaw. He lifted a hand, "Forget I ever said that. All you need to know is that the old sucker is a know-it-all who hates my guts."
"I... presume he holds such rash feelings towards you because of the crown heist you pulled last year?"
Eugene stared forward, a tad absentmindedly. "Yeah," he finally croaked out, "add onto that whole ballroom incident, which I know you remember; basically, he and I were just seemingly never meant to be friends, which is perfectly fine. A-okay. As for his daughter, I've only gotten to know Cass more so just recently… but just like him, she doesn't seem to trust nor like me that much. So I choose to not trust and like her either. It's kind of like a silent treaty we've made, I don't bother her as long as she doesn't bother me."
There was a tad bit of silence as they idly walked through the castle halls. There weren't many servants out and about tonight, for most of them were given the night off for the holiday. "You know, Eugene," Leonard said in a comforting voice, finally breaking their silence. "Have you ever thought about having a one on one sitdown with her and her father? To get some things out and off your chest, I mean. I've found this to be quite effective with my siblings and all whenever we're arguing." Though the Prince thought inwardly, it hasn't been working all that well recently. "Just take a half-hour to sit and do nothing but express your deepest feelings in hopes of fixing whatever problems the three of you may have with one another."
Eugene laughed stiffly. "I wish. A part of me does hope one day… we can just learn to live with each other. Especially now since Rapunzel's been adamant about us getting along, me and Cassandra to be specific, because she is her first real friend outside the tower aside from me, the horse and the frog after all."
"Chameleon, Eugene," Rapunzel sang.
Eugene and Leonard both looked up, simultaneously startled by the voice of the Princess. They were apparently so lost and deep in conversation that they didn't even recognize that they had walked all their way to the front door already.
With a warm smile, Eugene walked up to the coat rack and grabbed his coat, while Leonard walked up to Rapunzel. "Of course, how could we forget?" He rubbed Pascal's little scaly head, who sat resting on her shoulder of course, causing the little green guy to purr in delight. Oh, how he wishes this Leonard fellow would hang around more often, for he's so much more civilized than Eugene.
"What were you thinking, sunshine?" Eugene pulled down his coat and brought both his arms through the sleeves.
"I was thinking we'd go to the Snuggly Duckling!" she said gleefully.
"...Isn't that a bar?" Leonard squeaked with a raised finger, visibly uncomfortable.
"Oh for the love of-" Eugene walked up to Rapunzel and placed both hands on her shoulders, his right one barely an inch away from where Pascal sat. "We're trying to get him laid, not drunk!"
Leonard's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean laid as in-"
"Just because we'd be at the pub doesn't mean he'll have to get drunk!" Rapunzel said, unknowingly interrupting her cousin.
"Sweetheart," Eugene rubbed the bridge of his nose with his pointer finger and thumb, pausing to sigh for a second. "We were just there earlier, remember? Haven't you had enough of that place for one day? Because I know I have."
"...Guys, I'm not sure I'm-" Leonard tried to voice his opinion again but found himself to once again be interrupted.
"We just visited it and met up with the guys for the first time in months!"
"Okay, fine. I guess that makes sense. But the whole reason we're helping Leonard out here is because we want to find him a girl. And quite frankly, Rapunzel, I'm willing to bet my entire life's savings that a girl has never ever been inside that pub."
"How do you know that?" Rapunzel replied in a scolding tone, cocking her hip and crossing her arms. "Bars aren't just for men, you know."
"I know. But the Snuggly Duckling is not a normal bar. It is a literal hangout for the roughest and rowdiest male ruffians known in Corona!"
Rapunzel gasped, "They are not ruffians! They may look intimidating on the outside, but they are the sweetest and kindest souls I have ever met!"
"Are you saying I'm not the sweetest and kindest soul you've ever met?"
Her brow furrowed, "Where did you get that-"
"You literally just said they're the sweetest and kindest souls you've ever met right in front of your soon to be hubby." Eugene crossed his arms and shook his head, "Not cool, Rapunzel. Not cool."
"Well, maybe I would've called you sweet and kind if you weren't being such a misogynistic jerk!"
"Oh, I'm the jerk?"
"Guys?"
"What!?" They both said in unison, jerking their heads to face him. Leonard looked as if he just saw a ghost.
"...Do you think we could go somewhere... civilized?"
Rapunzel and Eugene both stared at him for a few seconds. In Rapunzel's case, her lips were pouted and eyebrows narrow, while Eugene looked relieved, as if a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulder.
After some thought, Rapunzel finally relented with a sigh. "Fine." She said flatly. "What did you have in mind, Eugene?"
The way she said his name made Eugene's stomach turn, because she said it in her "I'm mad at you and we're going to discuss this later" kind of voice. Though he did have something in mind, something that would indeed be far more civilized.
A/N: This is only the beginning of what we'll be seeing from Leonard and Cassandra. In the Dresonian Prince's case, the next three chapters are actually going to be primarily told from his perspective. It was definitely challenging to write things out from a different character's POV, especially so since this character is an original creation, but I think I've/I am doing an alright job so far.
To address the little flashback scene, first off... it was a last minute addition. I had actually thought of the idea while I was working (fun fact, for whatever odd reason, I've come up with a lot of my ideas while working. Thank goodness for phones giving us the ability to write down notes!) and I'm actually really glad with how it turned out. As for the passage itself, I italicized its characters just for emphasis that it was indeed not taking place at the same time of the conversation, to emphasize that it had taken place in the past. I worded some important words like *this* as simply a way to provide emphasis, because obviously I cannot put emphasis on certain words via italicization when the entire passage is already italicized, lol. I've also decided this is probably going to be what I'm going to be doing for flashback/nightmare/dream scenarios from now on.
Edit History (MM/DD/YY):
1. 7/6/20
2. 7/8/20