"I am so sorry!" Rapunzel apologized over and over again, as she followed the ambassador out of the castle. His face was a swollen red mess and his cloth were still drenched with gravy. He seemed to be very eager to leave and Eugene couldn't blame him.
"Where is my carriage?" The man asked snappily.
The thief's face turned pale. Crap.
"Sunshine, there might be a tiny issue. And before you get mad, I just wanna remind you of how much you love me," he whispered.
The princess examined his face expectantly waiting for his confession.
"I kinda lost the carriage."
Her mouth dropped. "What do you mean? Like how?" She was going to kill him. The banquet had been a disaster and now this!
"It was an accident, I swear I didn't mean to!"
He did the math. There was no way Stan and Pete would be back any time soon - if they even considered the trip home at all. Old Corona was relatively far away.
The princess glared at her fiance and prepared herself for damage control.
"Um, it's rather late. Wouldn't it be much more convenient - "
"No. This is highly unorthodox," the minister informed her annoyed. "I am not staying." He sounded like this was not the first time he had this conversation with Corona's royalty. Before he could say anything else his missing ride turned around the corner. "Ah, there it is." He winked the driver over.
"Haha. Yeah, we just gave it a good old waxing. You know just for the occasion," Eugene quickly covered for his faux pas. The man seemed not impressed.
"Again I am so sorry." By now Rapunzel felt like a broken record. "I hope tonight's events will not reflect on -"
"Good night, your highness." With a pointed look, he closed the door. The girl couldn't even finish her apology.
"Great."
Meanwhile, Eugene pulled Pete aside. "What's going on? How are you back so fast?"
"Varian told us he was fine with walking. We dropped him off earlier so we could make it on time."
"Thank god."
.
.
.
The house was quiet when he entered, and as always the tiny knot in his stomach grew a little tighter.
"Hello? Dad?"
He took a deep breath reminding himself that everything was fine. He lit a candle to fight the darkness.
"Anybody home?"
"Varian?"
He heard his father's voice from above and relaxed.
"What are you doing here?" Quirin asked confused while coming down-stairs.
Not so subtle he glanced over him - a quick check for injuries, bruises, burns, cuts, fractures, sprains, or any other kind of wounds. When he found none he greeted his son with one giant hug.
"Vacation I guess," Varian laughed into the embrace.
His father released him and together they went into the kitchen.
"You look tired," Quirin remarked as he busied himself with reheating the leftovers from tonight's supper.
"Hmmm," Varian hummed in agreement and let his body sink onto one of the wooden chairs. Slowly the warm fire and familiar smell of baked potatoes filled the air. Varian had to admit it felt good being home. He'd missed it without even realizing. Maybe Eugene was right. Speaking of the devil.
"How is your thingy for Eugene working out?"
"Great. Excellent. Fine. No problem. Totally got it!"
Quirin winced at the shower of words.
"That bad huh?"
The boy plopped his head on the table.
"Why not tell him it's impossible?"
"Cause it's not. It only hasn't been done yet," Varian grumbled stubbornly. "I just wish they could use a messenger pigeon instead."
Quirin smiled down as he put a full plate of food in front of him. "You'll figure it out eventually."
Varian sight. "Thanks," he said and took a big bite. It was delicious. "Oh, you're going to the tavern tonight, right?"
"I was planning to. Wanna come?"
Varian shook his head grinning. "Nah, it's fine. Next year maybe. Admittedly, you're right. I could use a little rest."
"I can - "
"Let's catch up tomorrow then," he waved him off with a smirk. "Vacation remember? I am not going anywhere." Ruddiger chirped and Varian gently petted him. "We are not going anywhere," he corrected sheepishly.
Quirin nodded. "Perhaps it helps if you take your mind off it for a while."
"Perhaps," Varian mused. "By the way could you pass a message to Mrs. Sally for me?"
"The in-keeper? Sure."
