By the time morning had finally come, Rapunzel had gotten little to no sleep. It felt as if every time she closed her eyes, everything that happened in the Moonstone chamber replayed in her mind. From Gothel instructing her to closer to the opal to Cassandra running off with it, black rocks rising and falling all around them.

And she couldn't stop thinking about her being the Sundrop. But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Why else would her parents allow her hair to grow as long as it was without cutting? And it explained why her hair glowed when the Black Rocks struck at the church. And why her parents, especially her father had been getting more and more paranoid.

But if that was the case, why didn't her mother tell her when she left? And if her father knew, why wouldn't he allow her to return to the Dark Kingdom to stop the Moonstone and keep the Black Rocks from invading Corona.

Then that got her thinking. If Cassandra took the Black Rocks away from the Dark Kingdom, did the same happen for Corona as well? Or were the Black Rocks still getting close to her home?

Her mother had mentioned that she would tell her father that Rapunzel had left with that wilting flower. Though the way her father had been behaving when she left, she knew that he would not be happy. He was probably going out of his mind with paranoia, worry, and anger. Maybe she should try to do something to soothe that.

While it was morning, she figured it was still rather early before anyone would need her for anything. She got out of bed, leaving Pascal to get some more sleep, and got out her room. Maybe there was an office close by where she could write a letter to her parents and have it sent to Corona.

Eugene stared at spot on the wall where his mother's painting was. He had gotten up early so he get to it before anyone else in the castle could. If anyone else had seen it, they would've thrown it away without a second thought, he believed. So he decided to take it before anyone else could. While it was indeed damaged beyond repair, it was still his mother. He couldn't just get rid of it.

"You're up early." Quirin called to him. Turning, the prince saw the Brotherhood approach him.

Eugene shrugged. "Had things to take care of." He simply said.

"What happened to Delilah's portrait?" Hector asked. "It was hanging-"

"It got destroyed when the black rocks were going crazy yesterday." Eugene stated.

The trio looked at each other in shock at that. Quirin put a hand on Eugene's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Eugene. I know that portrait meant a lot to you."

"Great." Hector growled. "As if Cassandra didn't cause enough damage-" Adira elbowed him to shut him up.

But Eugene heard and frowned at the warrior. "Can we please not do this? Its too early for this." The prince did not have the energy to argue with Hector. Too much had happened in too short time for him to handle.

Hector frowned, but his face did soften at the younger man's tone. He bowed his head. "My apologies, Your Highness."

Eugene nods thanks at the warrior.

Then Adira speaks up. "I had scouts sent around the kingdom. We haven't seen anymore black rocks. But there have been some casualties."

"Many were injured, but it looks like there have been no deaths." Quirin adds. "And most of the damage can be taken care of as it remains within the inner city of the kingdom. we've already sent some soldiers and volunteers to help with the repairs. But it looks like it will take some time to repair the damages to the castle."

"Alright. For now, focus on repairs to the city and the farm lands." The prince suggested. "And make sure to bring medical supplies to the injured and see if inns, taverns, and other local places can provide temporary housing for those who homes were destroyed or too damaged to live in."

"Of course." Quirin nodded. Adira nodded as well.

But Hector frowned. "With all due respect, I can't say I agree with the first part. We can't focus all our attention on the towns, we need to repair the defenses on the castle in case something were to happen."

Eugene frowned. "If something were to happen, it can't be any worse than what we've already endured. Besides, the castle is still standing, it should be handle not being repaired for a little while. And even with the damages, this place is still strongly guarded and we are capable of defending ourselves."

"What about your father?" Hector countered, causing the others to flinch. "He's still showing no signs of recovering."

"Hector..." Quirin said in a warning tone.

But the warrior didn't stop. "And if we spread our resources too thin, then we might not be able to give him the care or protection he needs!"

"You think I don't know that?" Eugene snapped. "But if he were here, you'd know he would want us to focus on helping the people, as the crown's first duty if to them. My father will be fine."

"How would you know?" Hector asked. "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Hector!" Adira scolded.

"No, I'm not going to shelter him from the truth! He's not a child anymore!" Hector declared. "Eugene, your father could die any day now and not once have you seemed like you cared!"

"That's not true!" Eugene defended. "We've been dealing with a lot, I've been busy!"

Hector scoffed at that. "So have we, but we've all made time to see Edmund, even Cassandra took the time to check up on him."

Adira and Quirin tried to calm the pair, but Eugene spoke, his tone getting angry. "Well, I'm sure he'll understand. He's always saying how his duties keep him too busy-"

"Is that what this is about?" Hector asked, rolling his eyes. "Eugene, you are not a child anymore! Edmund can't spend every minute humoring you-"

"That's not what I meant-" Eugene tried to explain, but Hector didn't give him the chance.

"I don't care!" The older man stated. "If you can make time to speak to a silent painting then you should be able to-"

"SHUT UP!" Eugene shouted, his voice echoing through the halls. Hector was about to say more, but he stopped at the sight of the prince. The younger man's face held no anger, but was rather mixed with pain, sadness, and...guilt?

It was when Hector noticed the tears that were growing in Eugene's eyes that the anger and frustration in him began to die down.

Before Hector could say anything else, Eugene stormed off, seemingly not noticing he had passed the princess from Corona.

When Rapunzel had heard Eugene shouting, she had gotten worried for him. But when she finally found him, he had stormed past her. He didn't look like he had noticed her.

But she had noticed the way he looked. He looked like he was about to cry. But he moved too fast for her to stop him and ask what's wrong.

"You just don't know when to stop, do you, Hector?" She heard Adira's voice ask, her tone indicating she was not pleased. Turning, she saw the Brotherhood together, with Adira and Quirin looking not so pleased at Hector.

"Maybe I was a little harsh." Hector admitted. "But he needed to hear this. We can't keep wasting time trying to protect his feelings."

"What's going on?" Rapunzel interrupted. "What happened?

When the three warriors noticed the blonde princess, they straightened themselves. Hector responded. "It's nothing you need to concern yourself with." Then he walked off.

But that didn't satisfy Rapunzel's concern. She faced Adira and Quirin. "What happened, I've never heard Eugene shout like that before."

"We have." Quirin thought, somberly. Then he replied. "Eugene and Hector got into an argument. But like Hector said, you don't need to worry. We'll just give Eugene some time to calm down, then we'll try to talk to him."

"Let me talk to him." Rapunzel insisted. "Maybe I could help."

Quirin shook his head. "I understand you're concern, your Highness, but that isn't-"

"Please." She begged. "I...I care about him, and I can't just stand by and do nothing while he is hurt like this. So please, let me talk to him."

Before Quirin could protest again, Adira silenced him. Then she spoke up. "Go ahead, you might actually be able to help him better than we could. He most likely went to his room. Do you need me to show you where it is?"

Rapunzel shook her head. "I should be able to find it." Then she walked off to find Eugene. Writing a letter to home could wait, right now, she had to see Eugene.

"Why makes you think she'll be able to help him?" Quirin asked.

Adira didn't say anything. She just smiled and walked off.

Once Eugene was alone in his room, he sat on his bed and tried to calm himself. He quickly rubbed his eyes, trying to wipe away tears before they would have the chance to fall. He did not want to be seen crying, he had such an ugly crying face.

But then there was a knock at his door, startling him a little. But then he took a few deep breaths, to try and calm himself some more.

"I'm not in the mood for visitors." He said, hoping his voice sounded calm and even stoic, and not depressed and sad.

"Eugene." A gentle voice called. "It's me, Rapunzel. Please, let me come in."

Eugene was conflicted. On one hand, he wanted to be alone, he didn't want anyone, especially not Rapunzel, to see him like this. But on the other hand, a part of him wanted to talk to someone, to seek comfort from someone. And that part of him wanted that someone to be Rapunzel.

"Alright, you don't have to let me in." Rapunzel calmly said. Eugene was worried that she was leaving, but then he heard her say more. "But please, everyone is worried about. I'm worried about you. And I meant it when I said I wanted to help you. So please, let me help you."

The Dark Prince remained quiet. But he was deeply touched by her words. It wasn't the first time he had heard things like that, but hearing Rapunzel say that, it moved his heart.

He went to his door and opened it. The pair looked at each other for a moment before Eugene motioned her to come in.

Once Rapunzel was in the room, he motioned her to sit down on the bed, which she did, while he was still standing.

"I wanted to make sure you're okay." the blonde gently said. "I...I heard you shout earlier."

Eugene sighed. "I'm sorry you had to hear that."

"I'm fine. It's you, I'm worried about you, Eugene." Rapunzel insisted. "What happened? If you feel like telling me, of course."

Eugene sighed. "Nothing." He tried to assure her, but he could tell that she did not believe him. Then he admitted. "Hector was telling me to go see my father."

"Oh." She said. "Have you gone see him?"

"I saw him when me and the others came back from Corona." Eugene answered.

Rapunzel nodded. But there had to be more than that. "Have you seen him after that?"

Then she noticed him tense up. "No, I've been too busy."

"Eugene, you really should visit your father." Rapunzel gently insisted. "From what Gothel said-"

"You shouldn't take what she says to heart." Eugene declared, her voice revealing a hint of anger. "Whatever she told you about him was just a ploy to manipulate you."

"But it isn't just her." The Corona princess insisted. "I've heard people around the castle talk about his health. You should see him while you can before...its too late."

Eugene looked at the ground, sad. "Rapunzel, I know you mean well, but...I can't."

Rapunzel was confused. "You can't? But why? He's your father."

"I know that." He told her. "But trust me when I say, I can't go see him. Its better that I don't."

"How can you say that?" Rapunzel asked in shock. "He's your father! After everything that happened, I would've thought seeing your father would be the first thing to do. If I were back in Corona and this happened, seeing my parents is the first thing I would've done."

"You know what? You don't get to judge me." Eugene snapped at her. "You have no idea what happened between him and I."

"Well, maybe if I knew would happen, I might understand better." Rapunzel declared, her tone becoming more assertive.

"You want to know what happened?" Eugene asked, his voice breaking. "Before we call came to Corona, you want to know what the last thing I said to him was? I told him I wished he wasn't my father!" Then the tears finally fell, Eugene no longer caring. "That was the last thing I said to my father, and now, I can't even tell him I'm sorry."

Rapunzel watched in surprise as Eugene sat in a chair and put his face in his hands. Then she heard him sob into his hands. Her heart broke at the sight.

"Oh, Eugene..." She gently said as she joined his side. She gently placed her hands on his shoulders as he continued to cry.

"I can't see him, not after what I said." Eugene said, he voice slightly muffled in his hands. "There's no way he would want to see me after that."

"Eugene, you can't believe that." Rapunzel insisted, moving in front of him, she gently took his hands into hers and looked at him. "I'm sure your father would want to see you. One fight wouldn't change that."

"Rapunzel, you don't understand." Eugene sadly replied. "What I said, there is no way he would ever forgive that. And this isn't even the first time we fought. For all I know, maybe this was the fight that finally made him want nothing more to do with me."

Rapunzel then replied. "In a way, I think I do. Look Eugene, I know how it feels to not see eye to eye with your father. And to say things you don't mean because you're angry. I know I can't speak for your father, but I refuse to believe that your father would hate you because you two fight often. I am certain he loves you despite whatever argument you and him would have. And I know its never too late to apologize, you still have a chance to see him and tell him how sorry you are."

"How are you so sure he wouldn't hate me?" Eugene asked her.

Rapunzel looked into his eyes. "Because I strongly believe that there is no way anyone could ever hate you, especially your father."

Eugene was quiet for a moment. Then in the shyest voice she had ever heard, he asked. "Will you come with me? When I go see him?"

Rapunzel gently smiled at him. "Yes, of course I will."

(Sorry for taking so long to write this chapter. I don't know what took so long, I just haven't really been in the mood to write, or do much other stuff, honestly. But I will promise that my next chapter will come much sooner than this. Also, Sorry if this seems lackluster compare to previous chapters.)