It was the birthday of Amber's favorite historical princess, Rapunzel! She had planned a whole lantern scene at night just for the occasion. Her twin brother, Sir James, noticed her dedicated planning. "Why are you celebrating Rapunzel's birthday? She's been gone for years and this is Enchancia, not Corona," James said.
The soon to be queen automatically told her brother, "Because she is honorable. Sixteen years she was gone but was still a perfect princess. Rapunzel is a beautiful princess and was a princess at heart despite not growing up as one. Besides, wouldn't you want our birthday celebrated in, say, Freezenburg years to come?"
James paused then shrugged and replied, "Honestly, not really." Amber then asked about Tangu instead and James cheered, "Oh yeah! That'd be awesome!" James turned and realized his princess, Isabel, had just arrived from Avalor. "Well, I'll see you later, Amber. Isabel and I are gonna help set up all of the lanters."
Amber watched as James placed his helmet back on and walked out of the throne room with Isabel. Amber wondered who else could help her. Sofia was busy with Hugo on one of their protector missions so they couldn't help. She was 22 years old and about to be queen in a few years. Surely she could plan this on her own. Desmond was supposed to be here but was running late! "Desmond is never late. I wonder what is going on," she said to herself.
Unbeknownst to Amber, Desmond was actually already in Enchancia. "I don't know, James... what if she's not ready?" he said to his friend. He stared down to the small box in his hand.
"Why would Amber pass up an opportunity for new jewelry?" James replied with a chuckle.
Isabel elbowed James, rolled her eyes, smiled, and went, "James! That's not the point. Des, she's going to be thrilled. Don't worry. You've been together for about eight years now, right?"
"Yep..."
"Well, that sounds like plenty of preparation time to me!" Isabel laughed. James paused and turned to his girlfriend stating how they've been together for seven years but haven't gotten engaged. "YOU'RE the one hesitating. Just like Desmond," Isabel said.
James shrugged then turned to his life long friend and said, "Do you remember how Sofia felt when Hugo asked her?"
Desmond began to smile. "Yeah. She made it seem like it was one of the greatest days of her life. Amber also seemed more thrilled than Sofia," he answered. Sofia and Hugo had been engaged for about a year now. They aren't really ones to rush, it was more like a promise that one day they WILL be married. Now it was Desmond's turn to ask Amber. "But I don't nearly have as much courage as Hugo," Desmond told them.
James chuckled stating how that didn't matter. "You honestly chose the perfect night to do this. Plus, think of how much you'd regret it if you didn't ask," he said.
Frantically pacing in the throne room, Amber was throwing out idea after idea. "Imagine if we got the lanterns to form the shape of Rapunzel," she said to Baileywick.
Looking up from his scroll, Baileywick responded, "You want the lanterns to be made to look like Rapunzel?"
"No no no. When the lanterns are released I want them to be arranged in the shape of Rapunzel," Amber clarified.
Another person had entered the room and a very familiar voice stated, "Well, that would take very precise timing, planning, and staging. You would need dozens of people to know exactly when to set off their lantern. It'd be nearly impossible to plan all of that out and have it perfect within eight hours. It would be much easier to have Cedric cast off fireworks that look like her during the lantern ceremony."
Amber turned to find Desmond walking in the room and an instant sigh of relief was made. "Desmond! You made it! I'm so glad you're here to help me plan this," she said as she hugged him.
"Sure thing, Amber. I wouldn't miss your party. I also know how much you look up to Rapunzel, so this will be exciting," Desmond replied. Amber told him how tonight will be perfect and memorable. Desmond gave a gentle smile as he stroked Amber's blonde hair and went, "Yeah... You have no idea."
Immediately after planning how the lanterns should look, Desmond made his way to Cedric's tower. Finding Cedric's niece and new apprentice, Calista, Desmond asked where Cedric the Great was. "Up there," the fifteen year old said as she pointed to Cedric near the ceiling grabbing a few bottles. "Can we help you, Mr. Desmond?" Calista asked.
"Actually, yes. Princess Amber needs help with something tonight for her ceremony. I need help with something too, but... it's supposed to be a surprise," he answered.
Calista began to clap. "Ooo! I love surprises! What is the surprise, Mr. Desmond?"
Desmond's face began to flush. Noticing the commotion, Cedric came down the ladder. "Prince Desmond, Amber sent you up here I suppose?" Cedric questioned. Desmond wondered if Cedric heard him tell Calista that and Cedric replied, "No, you just do everything for her."
Desmond gave an embarrassed laugh, he wasn't going to deny this fact. He then went on to explain, "For the Rapunzel ceremony tonight, Amber wants a few fireworks to go along with the lanterns. Some of them should be shaped to look like Rapunzel herself."
"Sounds easy enough, anything else?" Cedric said.
Desmond gulped, rethought to himself if he was ready, then took a deep breath adding, "At the end of the fireworks show, can you... can you... ummm...-" Cedric told him to just be brave and spit it out. Desmond then continued, "I want you to also shoot off a firework of Amber and me. And then..." Desmond's voice became wheezy as he finished, "And then a firework of a ring."
"Awwww. Does that mean what I think it means?" Calista replied. A large smile and almost teary eyes formed on her face. "That is soooo sweet, Mr. Desmond." Cedric began to ponder then question if that would disturb everyone else's moments of the lanterns. Calista put her hand over her uncle's mouth going, "Oh stop it, Uncle Ceddy. I think it's sweet." She reformed her smile and turned to the prince concluding, "It sounds like it will be perfect, Mr. Desmond. We would love to help."
"Just be sure you aren't this nervous and wheezy when you ask her, young prince," Cedric advised.
"Yes. Of course. Thank you both," Desmond replied before heading out of the tower.
Around sunset, Amber was out in the courtyard. "Oh. Rapunzel, I hope you feel honored by this," she mumbled to herself.
James chuckled going, "You know she's not here, right?"
Amber shot a glare to her brother. "I know that! I just mean that she'd feel honored if she knew about it," she replied.
James gave another laugh. "Yeah. Whatever. I'm gonna help Isabel pass lanterns out," he said as he picked up a bin. "And look! We made it to where they can get an already decorated lantern or one they can decorate themselves," James added as he showed his sister the bin of lanterns.
"That's- a good idea," Amber told her twin as a proud smile formed. James winked at Amber in response then started heading down the bridge where many of villagers were waiting.
Desmond approached Amber. He could tell how stressed she was. Ever since they were kids she was always stressed about things being perfect. What if there aren't enough lanterns? What if Cedric and Calista mess up the fireworks? What if the lanterns don't float? What if, what if, what if. Desmond grabbed Amber's hand. "I think you need a break," the Mezbez prince said.
"A break would be nice. However, there is no time for that. The lantern ceremony will start in one hour," Amber replied.
Desmond grew curious as he thought of a way out of this. He saw Isabel walk by and his face lit up. "Hey Isa, can you be in charge for a few minutes while Amber takes a break?"
"Sure thing," Isabel said as she gave a thumbs up.
Desmond looked back at Amber going, "See. Isabel's got this. She has great ideas, I'm sure her being in charge for a few minutes won't harm anyone."
Amber began to walk away with Desmond but then whispered, "It will if James is involved too..."
Amber and Desmond were now in Amber's room. Amber plummeted on her bed. "Maybe we could pick out a dress for you to wear during the ceremony," Desmond suggested. Amber instantly sat up, her face completely shocked and worried. Desmond laughed a bit. He knew Amber so well that he could tell what she was thinking. She had been so busy that she hadn't even thought of what dress she would wear. "Well then, I was thinking either one that looks like Rapunzel's usual dress but a different color or a new dress but it's purple like Rapunzel," Desmond suggested.
Amber refused. This was Rapunzel's honorable night. She would not steal that from her. Amber automatically thought back thirteen years ago when she has taken over a party meant for Sofia. She had so many regrets since then. She promised to never do that again unless requested. The two spent more and more time looking until Amber spotted the perfect dress. "Look! It's golden and has sewn in flowers," she said.
"It'd look beautiful on you, Amber," Desmond agreed.
The two walked back out to the courtyard and the sun had fallen. It was nighttime. "Where are Cedric and Calista? Does everyone have their lanterns?" Amber panicked.
"It looks like Cedric and Calista are already right over there like they're supposed to be," Desmond answered while he pointed over the the sorcerer and apprentice.
James showed Amber the empty bin, confirming how everyone had a lantern. Isabel approached Amber and Desmond with two lanterns in hand. "The only ones missing lanterns are you two," she said.
Desmond and Amber took their lanterns. "Let the ceremony begin!" Amber cried. Everyone cheered and went to find where they would release their lanterns.
"Wait, there's one last thing," Desmond told Amber. Amber was very curious. From what she recalled, that was all they had left!
Desmond guided Amber to a small rowboat. "We can get an amazing view. I just hope we don't fall off," Desmond said. The two entered the rowboat and went off to the middle of the lake. Amber was stunned. It felt exactly how she pictured it when she heard the tale of Rapunzel and Eugene.
Lanterns filled the night sky from a dark blue to a beautiful purple. Fireworks then began. Cedric and Calista made fireworks both classic and unique. "Look at this, Uncle Ceddy," Calista cheered as she made a firework look like the magic golden flower. Cedric smirked down at his niece so proud of how far she had come.
"Desmond, this is gorgeous. What made you think of getting this view?" Amber questioned. Desmond chuckled a bit as he answered that he's read the tale many times so it just came to mind. "Well, I love it. Thank you," Amber said as she leaned and gave him a kiss. All of a sudden Amber noticed a firework looked like her and Desmond. "What's this?" She wondered.
At first she was very worried that Cedric and Calista had messed up. The next firework, though, had them both again but back when they were kids. A ring then appeared in the sky. Amber gasped. She turned back to Desmond who had his usual gentle smile. "Well, Amber. I've been anticipating this moment since I was a kid. Just like Rapunzel on this day, my dream is about to come true. What do you say?" He pulled out from behind his back the small box he had been storing. He opened it to a gorgeous golden ring with a large diamond and many accent peridots. Amber looked down at the ring and her eyes widened and she covered her mouth. She looked back at Desmond whose face was now pink. "Will you marry me?" he concluded.
Amber squealed. As she gave Desmond a huge hug. "Oh, Desmond! Yes! Yes yes yes!" Instantly, Desmond's nervousness had faded. Instead of a nervous small smile, he had an excited large grin. He slipped the ring on Amber's left hand. And Amber gave him a long kiss and another hug. The boat began to rock due to their movements. The two readjusted themselves and began to laugh. They looked back up at all of the lanterns and fireworks of flowers and Rapunzel. This night was even more perfect and memorable than Amber had planned!
The End!
