After breakfast, Rapunzel went to her room to prepare for their trip to town. She said that she would meet the others in Cass and Eugene's guest room when she was ready.
While they waited for her, Eugene figured it would be a good chance to tell Lance and Varian about what happened the night before. After making sure no one, none of the King's guards in particular, were listening in on them.
"The Princess snuck out to a pub?!" Varian gasped.
"And you didn't take us with you?!" Lance accused.
Cassandra shushed them. Then she checked outside their room to see if anyone was listening, which fortunately, there was no sign that anyone had overheard them.
She glares at them. "You're both lucky no one overheard either of you."
"Sorry." Varian said, at least he looked guilty.
Lance didn't bother to even pretend to be sorry. "What's the big deal?"
Eugene replied. "Because her parents don't know about this. If they did, I'm not sure how her mom will react, but from what Rapunzel told me, I know her father will go crazy."
That caused Lance to smirk. "Sneaking behind her Dad's back, huh? Remind you of anyone, Eugene?"
Eugene blushed, causing Lance and Varian to laugh at his expense. Even Cassandra smirked at her brother. He hated all of them so much right now.
"What's so funny?" Rapunzel asked as she entered the room.
Eugene noticed she wasn't wearing the princess gown she was wearing earlier or the pink dress she was wearing last night. She was now wearing a pink blouse with rolled up sleeves and black vest, a leather belt, and a shin-length, two-colored skirt. She was also wasn't wearing shoes. Hopefully no one would notice when they left.
Lance was about, but Eugene spoke quickly. "Nothing!"
"Oh, okay." Rapunzel asked. Eugene wasn't sure if she really believed him, but he was grateful that she didn't ask about it.
"You look like you're all set for an adventure." Eugene pointed out with a smile.
Rapunzel smiled. "Well, I figured it would be best to blend in since I won't have the guards surrounding me while we're out. What do you think?"
"You look great." Eugene replied. And she really did.
"Thanks." Rapunzel said. "You know there is a tailor I can introduce you to, he makes the best."
"Eugene smile grew. "That would be great. I have been thinking of getting a new jacket for when the guys and I-"
"We just finished telling Varian and Lance about what we learned last night." Cassandra interrupted. "Are you all set?"
Rapunzel nodded. "Just wanted to see if you were all ready."
"Well, we are." Lance said. "So let's go!"
"Wait!" Eugene pulling Lance away from the door. Then he said in a quieter voice. "We need to be careful when we leave."
"What do you mean?" Rapunzel asks, her voice getting quieter.
Eugene quickly opened the door to see if anyone was listening in. He didn't see anything that indicated people were listening in on them, but there were a few guards stationed around. Not wanting to take a risk, he closes the door and continues to speak quietly.
"I think your father will send guards to watch us when we leave." Eugene stated.
"What?" Rapunzel asked.
"Why would you think that?" Varian asked. "The king said he wouldn't send guards with us."
"No, but he may send some guards to watch us without us noticing them." Eugene countered.
Rapunzel shook her head. "Eugene, my dad wouldn't-"
"Blondie, you told me your father is very protective of you." Eugene pointed out. "Don't tell me you weren't surprised that he agreed not to have guards come with us today."
Rapunzel didn't say anything, but Eugene knew from her frown that he was right. But seeing her like that, Eugene felt bad making her doubt her own dad like this.
"I mean, he may, I don't know." Eugene quickly stated. "But I'm just saying we should be careful."
Then Cassandra spoke. "This is a powerful item we are looking for. We should make sure no one learns what we're looking for or why we want it. I'm not just talking about guards, our father and the Brotherhood warned of us people wanting to abuse its power."
That seemed to perk the blond princess up a bit. "You're right. You both are. Speaking of which we better leave before everyone starts wondering why we haven't left yet."
Then Rapunzel left the room, with Cass and Varian following. Eugene followed with Lance by his side.
"Blondie?" Lance snickered, causing Eugene to blush again.
"Oh, shut up." The Dark Prince groaned.
Everyone managed to leave the castle without any trouble. The guards did look at them a little funny, but Rapunzel expected that. It was incredibly rare for her father to allow her to leave the castle without an escort.
Though she remembered what Eugene and Cassandra had warned her earlier. She didn't think her father would do something like that, she didn't think he would have reason to have guards watch them without her knowledge, but she still had her guard up.
Though the blonde supposed that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy being in town without guards 'protecting' her.
"Oh, that's the art shop I mentioned on the map you had, Cassandra!" She said as she pointed to a shop. "Oh, and that café! The croissants are delicious!"
"That sounds great." Cassandra said, with a hint of a smile. "But let's try to stay focused, okay, Raps?"
"Oh, right! Sorry." Rapunzel apologized. "So, follow me and I'll show you all to where Xavier works."
As they walked, Rapunzel noticed something. As they past several villagers, none of them really gave her a glance. Whenever she was out with the guards, she stuck out like a sore thumb, no matter where she would go, the moment people saw a group of guards, they recognized that their princess was with them and the villagers would try to act more 'proper' for her.
She understood what they were doing, but it still upset her. It made her feel lonelier than she already was.
But today, with Eugene, Cassandra, and their friends, no one seemed to notice her. No one gave her a second glance, no one stopped to bow at her, or say polite, but stiff, greetings. It was rather nice.
Eventually, they arrived at Xavier's smithy. Xavier was in the middle of polishing his tools when he noticed the group. He gave the group a smile, but it didn't look like he noticed Rapunzel.
"I don't think I've seen you before." He pointed out. "Travelers from the Dark Kingdom, I take it?"
Varian's eyes widened. "How did you know that?"
"I recognize the crest on your clothes." The blacksmith pointed out. Then he gave a curt bow to Eugene and Cassandra. "And if I'm correct, you are Prince Eugene and Princess of Cassandra of the Dark Kingdom."
Cassandra nodded. "Yes, we are."
"What can I do for you today?" Xavier asks. "I can show you what I have available at the moment, but if you wish to commission something, I can see what I can do."
Eugene shook his head. "We're not here to buy anything. We came because we were hoping you could tell us something." Then Eugene added in a quieter tone. "What can you tell us about the Sundrop?"
Xavier frowned. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can-"
"Please, Xavier." Rapunzel begged, finally making her presence known. "They came all this way and this is important for them."
Xavier was quiet for a moment. Then he subtly looked around for a moment before returning his attentions to the group. "Let's continue this conversation somewhere more private." He said quietly, then he led the group into his home.
"Did he see one of my father's guards watching us?" Rapunzel thought for a moment. "No, that can't be. My father promised me. He wouldn't lie to me. I trust him." Rapunzel repeated to herself, but found herself believing it less and less.
Once they were all inside the blacksmith's home, he gestured everyone to take a seat. Lance, Rapunzel, and Eugene took seats at his table, Cassandra didn't sit down, but she stood beside them. Varian noticed a bookshelf and went over to look at the books Xavier had.
"Woah, you have a lot of books here." The alchemist commented. "'The Cheating Willows'? What's that about?"
"It is one of my favorites." Xavier said with a smile. "You can read it if you want."
"Sounds interesting, Varian admitted. As he looked at the books, he noticed one. "'The Legend of Lord Demanitus'? Where did you get this?"
Xavier went to the bookshelf and took out that book. "He is famous among the legends and myths of Corona. Are you all familiar with him?"
"Not a lot I'm afraid." Rapunzel admitted. She was familiar with the name, but with all her studies, training, and her father's near-constant supervision, she found it hard to find the time to read.
Cassandra nodded at Xavier. "Our father would tell us stories when we were kids."
"He was a famous inventor and engineer." Eugene added. "He's pretty popular back home too."
"But we didn't here to speak of Demanitus." Cass reminded. "If you know something about the Sundrop and where it could be, we need to know."
Xavier frowned. "Why do you wish to find it?" He asked, his voice full of suspicion.
The Dark Princess frowned. "It personal. Its for the Dark Kingdom."
The blacksmith wasn't convinced and seemed to become more suspicion. Cassandra was about to snap, but Eugene put his hand on her shoulder.
"Please, sir." Eugene begged. "Our kingdom is in terrible danger and without the power of the sundrop, our kingdom could be destroyed."
Cassandra wasn't pleased that her brother had told the blacksmith that. Yes, it was true that their kingdom was in danger, but that doesn't mean they had to tell civilians about what they were doing. She didn't want word to spread around Corona that the Dark Kingdom was in trouble, it would attract the wrong kind of attention. But her brother never did have a sense of self-preservation.
Xavier looked less suspicious, but he wasn't sure. Then Rapunzel spoke up. "Its true. I was there. So please, if you know where we can kind the Sundrop, please tell us."
Xavier still seemed conflicted, but he took a deep breath and spoke up. "Last I heard, your father used it to heal your mother, Princess Rapunzel."
"So its true." Rapunzel thought. Her father did know about the Sundrop. He knew about it and still refused to help the Dark Kingdom.
"Before you judge your father, Your Highness, let me tell you why." the Blacksmith stated. "Shortly before you were born, your mother fell very ill. The King was worried she wouldn't survive, or you. So he sent his guards all over to look for the Sundrop flower and when he did, he used its power to heal the Queen and allow you to be born."
The Room was quiet as everyone processed this information. Her father used to it to heal her mother and, by extension, Rapunzel herself. "Is that why he's so protective of me?"
"But why would he still have it?" Cassandra asked. "Rapunzel and the Queen are fine now. So why not just give it to us?"
"That, I can't say for sure." Xavier stated. "The King's motives are never always clear. But I hope what I said can help you and your kingdom in some way."
"Yes, it did. Thank you." Eugene said. "We should be leaving now. Thank you, Xavier."
Xavier nodded. "It is my pleasure. Feel free to come back anytime."
As everyone walked out of the Xavier's home, Varian spoke. "May I borrow that book on Lord Demanitus for a bit. I promise I'll bring it back, unharmed."
Xavier nodded. "Of course." Varian nodded and took the book from the bookshelf and joined the others.
"Your Majesty!" The captain of Corona's guard called as he approached the King in the Throne Room.
"What is it, Captain?" King Frederic asked. "Is it Rapunzel? Is she hurt?"
The captain shook his head. "My guards have not reported anything like that. But we have had reports of two strange men causing trouble here."
"Have you found them?" The King asked.
"No, but apparently, they're looking for the Sundrop." The Guard Captain admitted.
Frederic grew pale and felt himself sink into his throne. Why were so many people looking for the Sundrop? Were they part of the Dark Kingdom too?
"Your Majesty," The Captain added hesitantly, "There is something else you should know."