I'm Back! So sorry for such a long wait, I had some technical difficulties when it came to this chapter. After all this time, it has finally been resolved. With that in mind, I would like to say that this chapter was inspired by FireEmber345's story 'Raccoon Boy'. They are a fellow writer here on FanFiction and their work is really good. I defiently recommend checking them out, it's seriously really great. So with that out of the way, I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Chapter 41-Being there for him:
"Oh I've never missed being fused so much ,"Alice said aloud, as she arrived at Corona castle.
She knew the way from Old Corona to the capital by heart, so it only took her about an hour to reach the kingdom since she rode the faster horse she could find. Alice carefully led the horse to the stables so that he could get something to eat and drink, before she rushed towards the entrance to the castle. She knocked on the door frantically and it was opened seconds later by Nigel.
"Where's my brother ?"Alice asked, already rushing past him in her worry.
"Come with me, I'm actually surprised you got here so fast ,"Nigel commented, leading her towards the throne room.
"Thanks to my training; I have reflexes that move faster than the light, and I can run as fast as a cat after a mouse. Even after so long, I'm still in top physical condition ,"Alice told him.
Nigel nodded and opened the door to the throne room. Even outside and far down the hallway, Alice had been able to hear the ranting of her brother. If she had to take a guess, something, or someone, messed up the ROOSTER.
"Oh dear, it's gonna be one of those days ,"Alice said quietly, approaching her little brother, seeing him pacing as he ranted.
"Ummmm, Varian ,"Queen Arianna started.
Alice took this time to look at her little brother. He wasn't hurt, which she was grateful for, but he was covered in soot but she knew they could clean that up later.
"I told them not to touch anything, after I labored over my invention! I watched all my hard work go up in smoke !"Varian exclaimed, not seeming to hear the Queen.
"Varian ,"Queen Arianna tried again.
"Speaking of smoke, there's probably fires all over the land by now! Flynnolium is a very flammable substance and the metal from the mortar is probably all over the castle ground! I KNEW I should've waited for Rapunzel and Eugene for this !"Varian exclaimed.
"VARIAN OF OLD CORONA, YOU LISTEN TO ME RIGHT NOW !"Alice yelled, causing everyone's eyes to land on her.
Varian finally stopped his rant as he turned towards his sister. It wasn't often that his sister raised her voice like that, least of all at him. Knowing that Alice was often a peaceful person, the fact that she used that loud of a voice truly scared him. Alice took a deep breath as she approached her little brother, before turning her attention to the king and queen.
"Please forgive my outburst your majesties, sometimes that's the only way you can get Varian out of his rants, especially when it's this bad ,"Alice explained, offering a sympathetic smile.
"We understand Allison, we took no offense from your outburst and we understand that what you did was in everyone's best interest ,"King Fredrick told her.
Alice nodded, before turning her attention to Varian. Alice had to suppress a laugh as she saw her brother's face. Thanks to his goggles, the soot covering his face made it look like he was a raccoon. Varian looked like he was expecting a lecture, but Alice merely placed her hands on his shoulders, causing him to look up at her.
"Vary, how was your day ?"Alice asked, her tone light and airy.
"Pretty good, until Lance and the girls decide to mess my invention. Sis, you know I spent weeks working on this, trying to make sure the ROOSTER worked and then it all just went up in-,"Varian started, before Alice placed a finger to his lips causing him to go quiet.
"Stop…..take a deep breath ,"Alice ordered, bringing him closer for a hug.
Varian did as he was told, as Alice gently rubbed small circles into his back, trying to get him to calm down. This had been very common in the past, whenever one, or both siblings got upset. Both knew the exercise by heart and the calming affect it had on their strong emotions.
"Let it out slow ,"Alice ordered, and Varian released the air he was holding, giving a small smile.
"Feeling better ?"Alice asked, giving him a gentle smile.
"Much, thank you ,"he told her.
"Good, now I don't mean to make you feel worse, but you know you look like a raccoon right ?"Alice asked, finally releasing a giggle, Varian merely rolled his eyes and released a groan.
"I would assume you're staying here for the night as well ?"Queen Arianna asked, releasing a laugh as well as she approach the siblings.
"If it's not too much trouble, your highness. I just want to be there for Vary ,"Alice said, gently pushing his bangs out of his face.
"Of course, I'll take you two to your room ,"Queen Arianna said, if not only to assure her husband that she would handle the situation, but also so she could make sure both siblings were alright.
"And I will see that the mess from the ROOSTER is cleaned up and the pieces are found ,"King Fredrick assured them, looking towards Lance, Kiera and Catalina, who were looking at him nervously.
"Come on Vary, let's get you cleaned up ,"Alice said, squeezing his shoulder affectionately as she took him away from the three trouble makers.
As the siblings walked with Queen Arianna, Alice could still sense her brother's distress, especially as they continued through the hallways and all the servants kept snickering at his appearance.
"Hey, it's going to be okay. They're not mad and if King Fredrick and the others can find all the pieces, maybe you can build it again ,"Alice offered.
"I…...I don't know sis….. Usually, when one of my inventions breaks, it's because of something I did. Then, I learn from my failure and try again next time. But, when someone else messes up my inventions, it just leaves heartache and misery ,"Varian sighed.
"Varian, we know this is not your fault. we are thankful for all the good you have been doing for the kingdom. It's only natural to feel upset after all your hard work was wasted ,"Queen Arianna told him, giving him a sympathetic smile.
"Yeah, and think of it this way, we learned not to trust Lance when it comes to alchemy ,"Alice said, causing Varian to let out a tiny smile.
A few moments later they stopped in front of a room that was right next to one of the guest rooms.
"Here, take a nice hot bath while I arrange for some new clothing for you ,"Queen Arianna told the young alchemist.
"Thank you, your majesty ,"Varian said, bowing to the queen.
"Think nothing of it. Consider it gratitude from the royal family ,"she told him and Alice squeezed her brother's hand tightly, smiling at him.
"I'll be waiting in our room when you're done, okay ,"Alice said and Varian nodded, before entering the bathroom.
Both women heard Varian groan from inside the bathroom and both the queen and Alice looked at each other before they both shared a good laugh, guessing that Varian just saw his reflection in the mirror.
I know this chapter is very short however I feel like it needed to be. Besides, I have something planned for tomorrow that just might make up for how short this was. Once again I would like to dedicate the inspiration for this chapter, and the next now that I think about it, to fellow writer FireEmber345. Their work is seriously amazing and they get everyone's character exactly right. I definetly recommend their work, and remember to stay safe, stay happy and I hope you all have a good day.
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