Trying to look as comfortable as possible, Eugene was still trying to adjust to the new life living in the palace. It had been almost three months since Eugene brought Rapunzel home. He couldn't help feel that many people, to include one dark-haired handmaiden, were very much on edge that he was living in the palace.

This was a man who, very recently, had been ordered to be hanged. Things got very messy once he showed up to the front gate with the lost princess. While most people believed it was as simple as waltzing up to the king and queen with their long lost daughter, it was not as simple as that.

Eugene was still known as Flynn Rider at that time. He went through a long, and a bit of a painful interrogation process as to how he was able to locate the lost princess. It wasn't until Rapunzel had found out were and why Eugene was being held in an interrogation chamber for a number of days, that the painful questioning had stopped. It was Rapunzel who told her father to let him stay. She had told her father of what Eugene had done for her back at the tower. Rapunzel had also made it clear she will not stand for any more torturous interrogations so long as she was back. Her father took his daughters words to heart. Thus he ordered Eugene to be released.

"I can't believe they did this to you." Rapunzel sighed. She helped Eugene remove his shirt.

"Really? I can." He said slowly. The slightest movements made his body tense in protest.

Rapunzel's lips parted in shock as she eyed the blue and purple markings all around his midsection. There were areas where the skin had been broken. The blood had dried. They didn't need stitching, but they certainly need to be cleaned.

"It's awful what they did to you."

"Rapunzel, they were doing their job." Rapunzel looked at him. She furrowed her brows in question. "A well known criminal brings back a missing royal family member. Naturally, they are going to have some questions. I mean, 'how did you find her,' 'did you know she was there' 'were you working with the one who kidnapped her' like I'd be concerned as well. If it were my daughter, I would want to know how my finest couldn't find her, but a criminal could."

Rapunzel let her shoulders drop understanding what he was saying. From her father perspective, it look very strange. But she still didn't like it.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Eugene was sure to keep a very low profile. He was only around when he was needed. He did his best to stay out of the way. His room was in the servants quarters, so staying hidden wasn't difficult to achieve. Eugene even befriended a few of the servants. However, not many really wanted to associate with him. He was able to gain a little bit us trust with a few of the kitchen staff. Eugene would run small errands for them. He would help wash dishes, and clean the kitchen. It wasn't much, but he did what he could. Eugene knew he was in a grace period. So he did not want to screw anything up. Plus that crazy dragon lady kept fallowing him. Eugene wasn't sure if she knew that he knew he was being watched. However, it seemed like anywhere he went, she was somewhere around eyeing him like a hawk.

One evening, he took what was left of dinner out back to the compost pile. He knew this handmaiden was following him. Eugene was careful to not let on that he knew she was there. He turned a corner. Just as the handmaiden turned the corner to follow him, Eugene was standing there waiting for her. The handmaiden jumped in surprise not expecting to see him there.

"Why are you following me?" Eugene's tone was flat and low.

"I don't trust you." Her eyes narrowed.

Eugene didn't respond right away. He stared at her confused. "Okay. And..?"

"Do you really think you can just walk around here freely without someone keeping an eye on you? She jabbed a finger in his direction. "You should not be trusted by anyone, especially Rapunzel. And especially the king and queen."

Eugene looking more confused than ever asked "Who are you?"

"The name is Cassandra."

"Aren't you one of Rapunzel's hand maidens?"

"For now…." Eugene raised an eye brow waiting for the follow up explanation. "But my father is the captain. He needs to know where you are at and what you are doing at all times."

A small smile started to pull at a corner of Eugene's mouth.

"And, the captain put you up to this….illustrious task?" He asked.

Cassandra faltered for a moment. "Well he…"

Eugene subtly laughed. "He didn't did he?"

Cassandra's eyes narrowed in frustration. "He needs to know what's going on. Like I said, you shouldn't be trusted." There was disgust in her voice.

Eugene didn't say anything. He just stood there leaning up against the brick wall that was the palace kitchen. He wasn't going to let someone like her get him riled. The last thing he needs to do is lose his temper over someone who came across as petty.

Eugene had two options: try to convince Cassandra he could be trusted, or let her think she was winning. Eugene liked games. He liked allowing people to eat their words. That's what he chose. He chose to let Cassandra think she had the upper hand. Eugene was going stay cool and collected. If she was anything like her father, she would be hot headed quick to react.

Living the way Eugene had, had taught him an extremely important lesson. Know when to react and when not to. It was like a game of poker. You couldn't let the other players know what was in your hand. So that's what Eugene did. He wasn't going to try to convince her of anything. She was going to eat her words one day, and its going to taste awful.

A few days later Eugene was approached by the king.

"You want me to attend a what?"

"It's like a meet and greet to welcome Rapunzel back home. She can meet many of the lords and lady's of our kingdom. She will be queen one day, so she needs to know who she will be dealing with on a regular basis. There will also be other royal leaders from surrounding kingdoms that want to welcome her. I think it would be a good idea for you to get acquainted with some of the customs we have around here. So I want you to attend. As more of a spectator than her escort." The king explained.

The king had not decided if it was a good idea that Eugene stay living with them yet. Much to Rapunzel's protests, Eugene asked her not to intervene. If Eugene was going to get in her parents good graces he needed to do this himself. He needed them to trust him on their own. Threats of Rapunzel leaving the kingdom was not going to help the matter.

Eugene wanted a home. He wanted a family. He wanted to be a part of something. He was tired of running, and living low. This was Eugene's chance to finally do some good. Maybe he could right all his wrongs in his life. It was going to be slow. But he desperately wanted to live right.

Eugene had agreed and humbly thanked the king for the consideration.

"Oh we need to get you something a little more….formal. Go speak to the royal dresser. He will fix you something nice for the event next week.

"Yes sir."

Eugene found the royal tailor. He was muttering to himself about all the things he had to get done before the ceremony. While it wasn't the most important ceremony, it was the first of many to come. He had much to do in a very short amount of time.

Eugene lightly wrapped on the door before crossing the threshold. The tailor abruptly stopped and turned to who was knocking at the door. He didn't recognize Eugene.

"Yes, what, what do you want?"

"Uh…" Eugene stammered, suddenly feeling nervous.

"Don't just stand there. What is it? Use your words."

The tailor was unusually short. He had dark hair that nearly came down to his eyes. He had a sharp upturned nose. His spectacles came right to the tip.

"Uh, the king...he said to come to you for-"

"Of course he did." The tailor cut Eugene off. "As if I don't have enough to do." The tailor clapped his hands. "Come now, don't just stand there like a new born deer, I don't have all day."

The tailor grabbed Eugene's hand and pulled him inside his work room. For being such a small man, the tailor was strong. He whipped Eugene around nearly knocking Eugene off his feet. The tailor eyed Eugene up a down for a good long while. He circled Eugene as he inspected him. Eugene had never felt more exposed before.

"Yes, yes I see." The tailor muttered. He hastily scribbled on some parchment. He pulled out a long measuring tape, and before Eugene knew what was happening the tailor wrapped it around him in several places.

"What, whoa, what are you-"

"Shush I don't need to hear your prattle."

The tailor stood on a step stool and wrapped the measuring tape around Eugene several more times before scribbling again on parchment. Eugene did his best to stay still. The tiny man was making him nervous. This was not a feeling Eugene was used to.

The tailor hopped off his stool. Without even looking at Eugene he waved his hand and said, "Come back tomorrow. I'll have something for you. Go away now."

"...Ok...thanks…." Eugene cautiously walked out. "That was weird." He muttered to himself.

"Eugene!" A familiar voice came from behind.

"Hey Blondie!" Rapunzel bounded happily toward Eugene.

"Ya know, I'm not blonde anymore. You gotta find a new nickname." She pecked him on the cheek.

"Yeah I'm working on it. The best I could come up with so far is Sunshine." Rapunzel smiled with approval.

"I like it."

"Yeah?" Eugene offered his arm to her as they walked down the corridor. "So no crazy handmaiden today, huh?"

"She's not crazy, Eugene. She's just tough that's all. And no, she had to run errands in town before the ceremony next week."

"Well that explains why I haven't seen her all day." Rapunzel cocked her head in question. "She likes to follow me. She's weird, and a little scary." Rapunzel rolled her eyes.

The day's leading up to the ceremony were kind of a blur. Eugene had been more involved in the preparations than he was expecting. He helped mainly with setting up, and helping staff. He didn't mind. He liked being useful. The staff was starting to warm up to him, he thought anyway. Whether it was setting up chairs, taking trash out, or doing heavy lifting, he kept himself busy. He didn't even think about whether or not Cassandra was still tailing him. Honestly, he didn't care either. He was busying doing his thing.

The day of the ceremony, Eugene was a little nervous. He was nervous for several reasons. One, he didn't want to screw things up. Two, he was nervous for Rapunzel. It's not that he thought Rapunzel would fail. But he wanted Rapunzel to feel proud. He knew how much she wanted to make a good impression. Her unusual background stigmatized her with many people. Many people thought she was still a child. Many people felt they needed to over explain things as if she wasn't smart enough to understand. The thing was, Rapunzel was probably smarter than most of her tutors. She was constantly staying ahead on her studies. She could memorize pages of books. She could often teach herself her own lessons. But for some reason, people still didn't think she was capable. That made Eugene worry. He knew, that in this world, every step was watched a scrutinized. Rapunzel would take the criticism hard. Eugene just wanted Rapunzel to feel proud of herself for once.

Eugene watched from the third row of seats offered to invited guests. He was dressed in an emerald green waste coat that was decorated with gold trim. He had gray pants with two thin black stripes sewn down the side. It was paired with new black boots. He looked good.

Eugene sat and watched the royal guest greet the princess and her parents. They brought gifts that were handed off to footmen, who then placed them on tables at the side. There was one man in particular that caught Eugene's attention. Something was odd about his behavior. Eugene watched closely. The man wore long dark robes that looked like they were made of something expensive.

Then, he saw something glint in the light. It was fast, and only for a moment. Eugene need to act fast. He got caught up trying to move in between the chairs and guests. Some of the guests gasped by his abrupt need to move. Eugene kept an eye on the man in long robes. The man was getting closer to the royal family. Once he was out of the row of chairs, his paced quickened. The man was getting even closer. Eugene went into a full run.

Just as the robed man was about to take the princess's hand, Eugene shouted.

"MOVE!"

Everyone froze. Eugene tackled the man to the ground. The king watched in slow motion as Eugene and the robed man tumbled to the ground. A clamoring sound came from a dagger hitting the ground. It was covered in blood.

Eugene wrestled with the robed man until he could get his legs around his waist. Eugene squeezed as tight as he could and grabbed a hold of the man's robes at the neckline. Eugene then proceed to choke the man with his own collar. Just as the man's eyes were about to roll back, hands grabbed the robed man and ushered him quickly out toward the exit.

The room was in complete chaos by now. Eugene spied Rapunzel being ushered away. He went to get up, but he felt strong hands pin him to the ground. It was the king. The king had finally seen were the blood was coming from.

"Eugene stay down." The king ordered.

But Eugene wasn't listening. He kept trying to get up. He needed to get to Rapunzel. Rapunzel was in danger. Get to Rapunzel. That was all Eugene could think about.

"No, Eugene lay still."

Still Eugene struggled. It wasn't until the king pressed hard on Eugene's side, that he stopped struggling.

Pain shot through his whole left side as the king laid his hand on top of Eugene's to staunch the bleeding. Eugene hadn't even been aware that he had been stabbed. His eyes widened and he choked on a gasp as the king continued to put pressure on the wound. Eugene struggled against the pain.

"Shhh, it alright. You're ok. Just lay still."

But Eugene still struggled. Panic came over Eugene. His whole body trembled. 'No, not again. Please, God, no not again.' Eugene panicked. His teeth chattered and his hands shook.

The king desperately tried to get through to Eugene. He need Eugene to lay still and calm down. Every movement was causing more pain, and possibly more damage. The king did his best keeping Eugene still, but he kept twisting and digging his heels.

"Son!" Lay still boy. You need to calm down." The king used his free hand cradle Eugene's head.

The king's voice finally broke through. Eugene looked into the kings eyes. The kings eyes were soft but full of worry. Eugene tried desperately to focus on them, but he felt his lids get heavier. The last thing remembered was the king telling him to hold on. Just hold on. The world blurred, then...black.

The King sat in a chair quietly next to Eugene's bed. He had been in the infirmary for the last five days without so much as a stir. They doctor did his best. Thankfully nothing vital was hit, but Eugene did lose quite a bit of blood. Eugene was going to have to rest. The doctor said it was all up to him now whether Eugene made it or not. The next couple of days the doctor continued to watch over him. Each day Eugene's pulse became stronger, and his breathing became less labored. By now, Eugene just needed rest, and lot of it.

As the king sat reading a book, he noticed the young man stir slightly. The king looked up from his reading. Eugene's eyes fluttered open. He looked over to see the king sitting there with a pair of reading glasses.

"Welcome back young man." The king smiled as relief set in.

Eugene tried to speak, but his throat was terribly dry. The king got up to fetch a glass of water. Eugene tried to sit up but the king promptly stopped him.

"Don't move."

The king carefully cradled Eugene's head as Eugene took a few sips. His throat was so dry that he nearly choked.

The king did his best to prop Eugene up on the pillows before he sat back in his chair. The king rest his elbows on his knees and spoke to Eugene in a low, but stern voice.

"Eugene, I need you to answer me. It is very important you answer honestly."

Eugene was being interrogated again. His heart sank as he looked at the king. Eugene wasn't sure if the king would ever trust him around Rapunzel. What a way to wake up from nearly dying once again.

"Eugene, did you know the man that tried to attack my daughter?" Eugene shook his head. His eyes were cast down. "Do you know anything about the attack that happened that day?"

"No." Eugene could feel a knot rise in his throat.

"How did you know that man was going to attack?"

"I just pay attention." His voice was audibly distressed.

The king looked at Eugene not quite understanding what he meant.

"I watch people, all the time. It's how I know how to anticipate. I look for odd movements. How people act. What's normal, what's not. I've had to learn how to read people. It's what I do. It's how I survive." Eugene didn't look at the king. His heart ached. He was worried the king didn't believe him. He was afraid the king thought Eugene might have something to do with the attack.

"I believe you." But Eugene didn't seem to hear. "Son." The king said sternly. Eugene's eye's met the kings. Hearing that word, son, made Eugene want to cry. "I believe you." Silent tears rolled down Eugene's cheeks. "It's alright, Son. I had to ask, both as a king, and as a father. You might understand one day."

Eugene looked up at the king with red eyes. The king smiled warmly at him. Eugene wiped the tears with the sleeve of his cotton night shirt.

"Did you find out anything from him?" Eugene asked

"Unfortunately no. He took his own life not long after we was locked up. Whoever he was, or what he was trying to do, he took to his grave."

"You thought I might be connected to him?"

"It was a thought. Maybe someone from your past. An assassination is something I had been expecting though. With no one owning up to the assassination, who knows what the motive was or where he'd come from. That's honestly part of being in this kind of position. Arianna, and I have had several attempts on our life throughout the course of our reign. Unfortunately it's just the nature of the beast. It iss something both you and Rapunzel are going to have to be very aware of form now on."

Eugene nodded. While Eugene was not unfamiliar to the dangers of people trying to kill him. Rapunzel, on the other hand, was not used that kind of danger. She was going to have to learn about the ugly and even terrifying side of the world that Gothel had tried to scare her with. Eugene was determined to help her prepare.

"You know, that was the third time you've risked you're life for my daughter."

Third? Eugene looked at the king confused. "Sir?"

"Well there was the time in the tower. Rapunzel told me all about that. But then there was also the time you brought her back to us. You could have ran. You could have convinced her not to come back. You had a death sentence hanging over you, and yet you still chose to come with her to bring her back to us. I would say your risked your life doing that."

Eugene hadn't really thought of it like that. Yeah, he was aware of the risks, but he hadn't really put much thought into it past just needing to help get Rapunzel home safely. Especially after what they had just gone through.

"Why did you act like you wanted to kick me out then? Why the intense interrogation?"

"I am sorry for what happened to you during that, Son. I was not aware of the beatings until Rapunzel brought it to my attention. However, I needed time to see who you really were. I've been keeping an eye on you for a while. I see what you've been doing. You're a good man Eugene. You have a good heart. You just, were led down the wrong path." The king squeezed Eugene's hand to assure he meant what he had said.

Eugene nodded his head. Someone, finally believed him. Someone finally saw him for who he really was, and not just a worthless criminal. Eugene felt as if a huge weight had been lifted. A weight he didn't know he was carrying.

"So how can I repay someone who has given me what is most precious to me?"

Eugene smiled. "Just let me stay with Rapunzel. If she'll have me that is."

The king smiled wide.

"Oh I don't think that will be a problem. Today was the first day I could get her to leave your side." He patted Eugene's hand as he softly laughed.

Just then a knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

"Come in!" The king called, loudly.

It was Cassandra. Eugene couldn't help but roll his eyes as she entered.

"I apologize for interrupting, but the princess has been asking to see Eugene now."

The king smiled. "Certainly. I think she's been waiting long enough." The king stood up stretching is limbs letting out a groan. "Oh and one more thing, Son, you will keep an eye on her for me, right?"

Eugene smiled "I promise."

"Good."

The king turned with a smile to call his daughter in with Cassandra tailing behind. Rapunzel bounded past her father to Eugene's side. He let out a groan as she hugged him tightly. A soft remorseful 'sorry' quickly followed.

Cassandra spied from the doorway. The king put a hand on her shoulder.

"He's got a good heart, Cassandra. Ease up on him." She nodded.

But something in her heart just wouldn't let her. She despised him. This man, no this criminal, was being treated like royalty after what he's done his whole life.

Cassandra left the door cracked as she left them alone. Maybe one day she could understand the anger she had in her heart towards Eugene.