Yeah, I'm updating ! I'm so hyped since the episode "Pascal's dragon" aired. Somehow, Nigel reacted the same way with the dragon as with Varian. He believed there was a threat and didn't hesitate to go against his sovereign (although Rapunzel explicitly told him to stand down), blinded by a tunnel vision. His choices can be explained by the traumas he faced, although they're reckless. Anyway, I'm so satisfied to feel I got his character right !

Thank you all for keeping on reading ! And for sharing your thoughts ! Also, please, even though learning about you guys being so hooked is a great reward for a writer, try not to neglect too much your duties :) (look who's talking, okay, I've been there too, not being able to stop reading !)

Enough rambling, more story telling !

CHAPTER 77

Of course it was nice for Ethel not to have to forcefully get the boy to eat for once, but this time she was fretting over how she would keep him from scarfing down his meal in a frenzy. It was like Varian had no other goal in life other than getting his energy back as soon as possible, not caring if his stomach would most certainly protest afterwards. Elora was just watching with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.

"Varian, I will have to take the tray away from you if you're not being sensible. You've gone with little to no food for many days, and you can seriously harm yourself by eating too much and too fast. Now, slow down. Chew. And breathe between bites, for the love of-"

"But what if the Queen's condition gets worse while I'm here ?" Varian interrupted, his mouth still half full. "There's no time to lose."

Ethel rolled her eyes. "First of all, as you know, the old man is with her," she pointed out and Varian rolled his eyes as well at the fact that the elderly maid was never able to call the physician by his name - while she, he was sure, was genuinely fond of him. If those two were not an official couple, they might as well have been. Varian had no clue what it was like to grow up in a household with two parents, but he guessed that was the sort of antics that could happen between people who have known each other for years.

"Besides," she went on, "no need to rush. You're absolutely not leaving this room without my say-so," she explained in a tone that left no room for argument. "You need to get you washed and you'll rest some more today. If you can't go back to sleep, you can read or play games with Elora. End of conversation."

Raising one eyebrow higher than humanly possible, Varian gave her a deadpan look in protest, shoulders dropping, but surprisingly gained a genuine smile from Ethel instead of stiffness or annoyance. The kid was back to the regular teenage mode, sass and all. To the old lady, there was no better evidence and no greater relief.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The moon was round and bright. The royal bedroom was peaceful and quiet. In the large bed, Arianna shifted a little, drifting awake slowly.

A light click was heard though, contrasting with the sheer silence. She felt a cool draft on her skin but quick got overwhelmed by sleep again.

Moments later, she was jerked awake by heart-wrenching screams. A baby was crying. Something was wrong, she could feel it instinctively.

Alarmed, the Queen of Corona sat up and patted the mattress next to her, as it was too dark to see, to get her husband to wake up. But her hand could only find the flat, soft silk bedsheets. Instantly, she looked up in the direction of the cries, and saw a silhouette on the balcony. The door was wide open. Obviously, the intruder either didn't bother to close it, or was impeded by the tiny bundle in their arms. That tiny bundle that desperately called for help. Called for her.

Arianna jumped off the bed instantly and ran, arms outstretched. She ran and ran but reaching the balcony was taking too many strides than it should have, as if she was walking on goo and couldn't move forward. Had the time stopped ? The silhouette was oddly standing there, not moving an inch.

She finally made it to the door, panting and begging, pleading whoever was there not to take the baby away. She reached out, trying to snatch the swaddled form from the cruel arms. There was a loud, wicked laugh and Arianna only had time to catch a glimpse of the baby's face, framed by jet-black hair in which a blue streak was standing out, before the ghostly figure vanished in a cloud of black dust.

Arianna woke up to the sound of a broken, desperate cry that she did not recognized instantly as her own. Remyus' wrinkled face was bending over her, wiping her forehand with a damp cloth and shushing her gently.

"It was a dream, Your Majesty. Only a dream. Take deep breaths, now. Everything is fine."

The Queen's mouth opened and closed aimlessly a few times before she could speak between panicked breaths.

"Rapunzel ? Varian ? My children ! Where are my children ?", pleaded the raspy voice.

Remuys looked at her intensely, torn between worry for her sanity and sadness at how confused she looked. Then the physician in him took over as he remembered high fevers were likely to induce nightmares and hallucinations.

"They're all right, Your Majesty. You must take care of yourself and sleep. Rapunzel is safe with Eugene and Cassandra. And you will see Varian later, I will send for him when you're better."

"Rapunzel… Varian…", she called again, too weak to rise her voice above a whisper now. "I will see them soon, won't I ?"

"Rest now, Your Majesty," Remyus coaxed again. "You have to save you strength."

For what's to come, he finished silently as she closed her eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Across the table, Varian was trying his best not to laugh at Elora's contorted face as she was thinking hard of her next move.

As far as he was concerned, he was ten moves or so ahead already at that moment of the game and was starting to get bored.

Although he reluctantly agreed to play chess with the young handmaiden at first, he was happy to use his brain again. His naturally curious mind quickly got caught up in the game, and his old habits came back with ease. A new move, so many new possibilities. But what will his opponent do next ? The strategy, the challenge were lighting the flame within anew.

However, the thrill ended too soon. Elora had learned how to play, that was a fact, but she had little to no global vision of the game, only seeing the risks or benefits of her very next move.

Repressing an annoyed sigh, the teen moved his rook forward.

He jerked when he heard someone clear his throat behind him and then froze immediately. Elora turned her head and a flash of surprise spread on her face.

"Oh, good afternoon, Your Majesty,' she said promptly, standing up to do her curtesy.

Varian didn't say anything. He was angry at himself at not hearing, not feeling him coming. He's been too careless and felt so unprepared for this. What does the King want now ? he wondered, shaking slightly. He's probably so mad at me for the Queen getting sick.

His hand found his upper arm and rubbed it softly. He barely noticed he was doing it, but that was what he would always do when he was stressed.

"Elora,", he heard the King say calmly, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I would like a moment with Varian, if you don't mind."

Varian recoiled at those words but kept his mouth shut as he watched Elora and her grandmother leave the sick room. The situation reminded him of the day before the King and Queen left for Epoisses, when the man had sent Phil and Elora away to talk to him, and the conversation they had that day in the garden wasn't such a fond memory of his.

"What do you say if we play chess, Varian ?" the King offered almost casually.

Varian felt he had no choice.

"Uh, oh, um… very well, Your Majesty", he stuttered, looking away.

Frederic grabbed the chair and sat down. Varian could feel the weight of the man's gaze upon his trembling frame.

"But from now on, my boy, no more condescending moves, am I clear ?"

Varian's shoulders visibly tensed.

"I… I don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty."

"Your rook. You decided to lose on purpose. To let the girl win the game," Frederic countered, and there was no hesitation in his voice. "I'm hoping for a worthy opponent, honest and loyal."

Varian didn't dare make a single move. Was the King still talking about the game or about the subject in front of him ?

After seconds that seemed hours, he felt compelled to raise his gaze. His eyes met the King's, and they were soft, void of anger or resentment as Varian had expected. Still, the teen swallowed hard. Deciding quickly, he let a pawky half-smile stretch his lips.

"Agreed… Your Majesty."