I'm sorry I left Varian like this in the former chapter... Life got in the way but I'm back ! I've also finished my very first animatic (about Varian !), you can check it out on tumblr or youtube watch?v=fm-2jF0S1x4
That was a lot of work, so, I'm confident I will get more time to write !
On with the story. Please R&R !
CHAPTER 61
The full moon shone bright in the sky as the whole land bathed in the darkness of the night.
Epoisses was a small part of the Kingdom of Corona, and equally beautiful. But that night, no sight was as beautiful as the one of Arianna in her silk and velvet gown.
Vain people may say it was due to the dressmaker's talent, and although the dress was a pure piece of art, Arianna was wearing it to perfection. She held her head high on top of a long, slender neck that rose from the delicate neckline, emphasized by her hair skilfully weaved up in an elaborate bun. She was walking around in such light steps she might as well have been gliding on the floor, the gentle sway of her skirt matching the one of the very long velvet sleeves. Her elegance didn't come just from her attire, nor her title. She was the embodiment of grace itself.
To honor the moon, the ball would take place outside on the plaza in front of the Duke's palace. The musicians had already started to play, and the most delicious food had been laid on endless tables covered with white linen, candlesticks providing a soft, flickering light here and there.
The atmosphere was so nice and peaceful despite the crowd that Frederic and Arianna had completely forgotten about the incident that occurred upon their arrival. As they marched down the front steps, the chamberlain announced :
"Their Royal Majesties, the Queen and the King of Corona !"
Everybody on the plaza stopped dancing or chatting to turn around. There was a gasp of surprise and admiration, even murmurs spreading. Then, as one, all the guests collectively remembered their place and bowed respectfully.
A nasal voice broke the silence.
"Ah, Your Majesties ! You are most welcome in our humble home !", greeted the Duke cheerfully. His wife was beaming, holding him by the arm. They were a queer couple, the Duke wearing an oversized grey powdered wig and a tail coat that revealed a plump belly sticking out under its shorter front, and the Duchess was a very skinny figure walking too stiffly due to her grand panier that extended her hips so much that the Duke had to lean on one side.
Arianna caught herself in time to stifle a chuckle. They were such a funny sight, but she didn't mean to be disrespectful, and they obviously had put a lot of efforts for this reception.
"It's been a while, my old friend", Frederic stepped in. "How are you doing in your splendid Duchy of Epoisses, Your Grace ? I've noticed everything is so spot on."
"We just try our best to be worthy of their Majesties' trust," he replied with genuine respect. "As rulers of this land, we have always striven to make this part of the Kingdom prosperous and happy."
The King and the Duke exchanged smiles before the latter held out his hand and snapped his fingers, a signal for the musicians and dancers to resume.
"What about you, my dear Catherine ?" Arianna asked the Duchess as she came closer to her, "how are you ? It's been such a long time, we have a lot of catching up to do."
"Oh, I should be the one asking, Your Majesty !" she replied, obviously a bit nervous. "It's been more than a year since your daughter returned. We were delighted to hear the news !"
"Please Catherine, it's Arianna. And I know, dear, you wrote me the longest letter I have ever seen ! I can't thank you enough for rejoicing with us."
"You must be so happy ! How is the Princess adjusting to her new life ?"
"Amazingly well, actually. I'm so proud of her. I wouldn't say it's easy every day, though… We lost a baby and she came back as a young woman. Sometimes, I feel like I'm the one struggling to adjust…" she trailed off, staring at nothing.
Catherine remained silent, not knowing what to say or what to do. She didn't mean to probe and end up being rude. She tensed, feeling the awkwardness of the situation, but too scared of making a mistake to make a move.
Luckily for her, Arianna quickly got a grip on herself.
"Speaking of daughters, where is your little girl ? I would be so happy to see her !" she moved on with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She was genuinely looking forward to meeting the little Duchess, but the reminiscence of Rapunzel being away had sent a nostalgic pang in her heart. Being far from home, and far from the boy who needed her support so much only made her feel worse.
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Little did the Queen of Corona know how much she was deeply needed. At the same moment, in the castle of Corona, a young maid and a raccoon were hugging each other as the girl was crying hot tears. As the day faded, she had come looking for Varian for that story time routine they both enjoyed so much. Remyus had already been informed by a guard that his patient wouldn't be returning to his chambers until further notice and that infuriated him to an extent no one in the castle had seen in all the years he had been around.
The old physician had demanded explanations to Hans, angry beyond words at the young man's nerve for taking such decisions without the King or Queen's consent, even without asking him for medical advice. He was responsible for Varian, and he knew how much putting him back in a cell was a very bad idea for his mental state. But Hans remained inflexible, threatening the old man to lock him up as well just like he had done with Phil and claiming he was doing this first and foremost for Corona.
Remyus met Elora on his way back to his chambers, sadness and frustration across his face. She was skipping down the hallway, happy with the playtime she had outside with Ruddiger, and the raccoon was scurrying behind her as he would do with Varian, completely familiar with her now.
The old physician's report broke her young heart.
"No… no, it can't be ! This is so unfair ! I'll… I'll go and talk to Hans and I'll make him…"
"Elora," Remyus tried to soothe her by holding her by the shoulders, "I tried. They won't yield. There is nothing we can do for now. Most of the guards seem to agree with Hans."
"Most of them…" she recalled, eyes searching. "You said Phil has been locked up because he was standing up for Varian, right ? What about Alden, then ? How could he leave like that ?", she asked angrily.
"Wait, what ? What are you saying, Elora ?"
"While I was playing outside with Ruddiger, I saw Alden come out of the stables with a horse. I called his name and he turned around to look at me but he mounted his horse despite his injured arm, spurred him hard and galloped away."
Remyus broke eye contact with the maid, thinking out loud.
"Alden is off due to his arm, why would he take one of the royal guards' hors…" Remyus didn't finish his sentence, hope swarming back into his heart. Could it be that Alden was on his way to Epoisses ? Or did he just flee and went home not to get involved ? After all, he wasn't supposed to be in the castle.
"I have to go to Varian !", Elora's determined tone jerked Remyus out of his thoughts.
"Please, Elora, no matter what you do or say, they won't let him go and they won't let you see him either. You'll only get yourself in trouble, and that's not what Varian would want."
Tears swelled in her big round eyes.
"But… but we can't leave him like that…"
"I'm sorry, Elora. All we can do is hope that their Majesties will be back soon and set things right."
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"My daughter ? Oh, she's doing absolutely fine, Your Maj – I mean Arianna. You won't see her tonight though. She is being taken care of by her governess. Children have no place in official events", she added with an embarrassed chuckle.
"Oh, really ? Well, I must admit I would rather say it's important for them to attend them on the contrary. There's a lot they can learn from shadowing you. Not to mention, we're having such a beautiful party tonight, wouldn't that be a wonderful moment to share with your child ?"
"Oh, but Your Majesty," Catherine's cheeks flushed red, "I'm way too busy to look after a child. I have to greet my guests, make orders, check…"
"…or maybe grab one of those lovely toasts with your daughter and ask her which one is her favorite ! Trust me, Catherine, those things are way more important than greeting your guests."
Catherine looked at Arianna, puzzlement in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Catherine, I'm speaking out of turn. It's just… ". She hugged herself absentmindedly. "I would have loved to share those moments with my daughter. She is back with us now but there is so much we couldn't do together. Besides… children need those bonding moments as much as we mothers do. I've seen… I've learned… how much they need to be loved and supported. And how much fear, sorrow and even hatred can be harboured without that nurturing."
"Your daughter ?..." Catherine tried.
"No… not my daughter actually. There's another child… a boy who is so love-starved… you have no idea how lost he is…" she whispered, looking away as thoughts of Varian rushed back in her mind.
She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"That boy is very lucky. You must love him very much", she said with a soft smile.
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It was dark and cold. And silent. And wet too. Nothing could dry properly in those damp cells.
Varian's thick hair was still mostly wet, even if it had stopped dripping. Now it was plastered awkwardly on his face and around his head. His shirt and pants were damp, the coolness sending uncontrolled shivers in his body.
He couldn't have cared less.
There was only one thing that mattered. To be utterly quiet. Or he will come back to gag him. And they could come and beat him up and he wouldn't be able to call for help.
Across the boy's cell, Phil, who had been awake since dawn, had started to doze off, slumped against the cold bars. He had chosen to stay there instead of lying on his cot. Not that it would have been very comfortable anyway, but he wanted to be as close to Varian as could be. Unfortunately, he couldn't give a reason to Hans for gagging the boy or doing whatever his sick mind could come up with. So he kept silent until he fell asleep, hoping that Varian would do the same.
But Varian didn't sleep. He couldn't even close his eyes, although there wasn't much to see in the darkness of the prison. But he had to keep them open, wide open, to be ready for anything. He was chained to the walls, arms stretched on either side, and felt too vulnerable already. Closing his eyes at all wasn't an option.
And in the silence, the darkness, all he could do was rock mechanically his upper body back and forth, carefully minding his chains so they wouldn't rattle, and mouthing over and over again the same words that no one could hear.
Come to me. Please come back to me. Don't leave me here, please. Help. Help me…
Sorry... I'm being very mean, aren't I ?
