It took some time, especially since I had to rewrite the previous chapter, but the official chapter is now ready for posting.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Tangled movie or television series. I only own my original characters and any concepts I add to the story.
It had been six months since the Coronan royal family reunited. Days became weeks, and weeks rolled into months. Before anyone knew it, six months had passed, and the time had come for Princess Rapunzel's Coronation.
The whole kingdom was excited and busy preparing for the event. Castle maids bustled around to prepare for the esteemed guests that would be visiting, and the guards made sure their armor and weapons were cleaned up.
Out of everyone, Derek was probably one of the busiest. He had been helping his sister prepare for the event with the help of Cassandra, Corbin's older sister, and his other sister, Sarah, though he doesn't help often since he has his own duties to attend to.
However, this morning, he had some spare time on his hands and hoped to put it to good use.
The curtains were opened in Derek's room to let the sunlight in. "Morning, Derek!"
The young prince groaned as he got up, shaking off his blankets as he stretched. "Hey, Cor…."
At eighteen years old, Corbin was Derek's best friend and equerry, the male equivalent of a lady-in-waiting. He was five inches taller than Derek and slightly muscular. Corbin had medium-fair skin and green eyes, and his black hair was in a short, military haircut. Since he was working, he was dressed in the castle's red and black Equerry uniform with white pants, black boots, and white gloves.
"Ready for the big weekend?" The older teen asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Derek replied, setting his feet on the floor as Roxie hopped up on the bed next to him.
"Have any plans before the welcome ceremony?"
"I have a few projects I want to wrap up, so I'll be in my lab. Speaking of plans, what's Kat up to?"
"She's probably hanging out with her brother," Corbin responded, gathering Derek's outfit.
"Which means they're both with my sister," Derek concludes as he moves behind the changing screen.
Kat is Katniss Fitzherbert, Derek's other best friend and the younger sister of Flynn Rider, whose real name is Eugene Fitzherbert. Ever since Rapunzel returned with the man in tow, Kat has been taking every opportunity to reconnect with her brother, which often meant she was with Rapunzel by default. Not that she minded, Kat actually liked spending time with his older sister.
"Your Highness?" A voice called from the doorway.
"Hey, Faith," Derek greeted, peering around the screen.
Faith was a young girl about Derek's age with fair skin and freckles. She had light blue eyes and long brown hair and was dressed in the blue and white lady-in-waiting dress with white shoes.
Faith was originally one of the castle maids but was now training to be a lady-in-waiting and helping Cassandra take care of the princesses. With Rapunzel's return, they were worried about stretching Cassandra too thin with taking care of two princesses, so Derek suggested having Faith trained to be Sarah's new lady-in-waiting. Faith had more responsibilities now and also helped with Rapunzel's lessons.
"Faith, shouldn't you be with my sister, helping the princesses?" Corbin asked as the Prince ducked back out of sight.
"I was, but then Mr. Fitzherbert came in and offered to take Princess Rapunzel riding before the ceremony. She left with him, and Miss Cassandra had me ready Princess Sarah on my own. Just as I was finished, Miss Katniss invited her to accompany her brother and Princess Rapunzel on their ride. I wasn't sure what else to do, so I came looking for you once Princess Sarah's room was cleaned."
"Well, if the princesses' rooms have been cleaned, you should go find Cass. She should be preparing Princess Rapunzel's dress for the opening ceremony. She's probably expecting you to prepare Princess Sarah's dress since she told you to take care of her room."
"Of course. Thank you, Mr. Corbin."
"Also, you don't have to call me 'mister.'"
"Oh, right! Sorry!"
"You're doing great, Faith," Derek held up a thumbs up for her to see. "Keep up the good work."
Faith smiled shyly as she curtsied before leaving the room. Once she was gone, the boys walked out from behind the changing screen with Derek fully dressed and headed to the vanity table.
"You think she's gonna be okay?" Corbin asked as the younger teen sat down, grabbing a hairbrush.
"Who? Faith?"
"Yes."
"She'll be fine. All she has to do is stand next to Cass and look composed," Derek stared at his reflection as Corbin brushed his hair before turning serious. "It's Rapunzel I'm worried about…."
The older teen paused to look at him through the mirror.
"I just think six months is too soon for this. She's barely had enough time to learn how to function in the real world, let alone be a princess."
"I know you're worried, but she won't be doing this alone," Corbin assured him, getting back to business. "She'll have you, Sarah, Cass, me, and Faith helping her. She'll be fine."
Derek sighed. "I guess so…."
(Meanwhile)
Outside the Capital of Corona, Rapunzel was doing some horseback riding through the woods by the wall.
She wore a slightly different dress from the one she wore when she returned, but it was still in the purple and pink color palette she had before. Her hair was still short, but it looked like it had grown out a little.
She was riding a brown-haired mare with a black, braided mane and tail, plus a touch of white above her hooves and the stripe on her face. She wore a brown saddle with the sun symbol of the Kingdom of Corona on her saddlebag and had a red saddle blanket with gold and black trim. Her name, Fidella, was etched onto the saddle harness above the sun.
The princess's boyfriend, Eugene Fitzherbert, soon joined them, riding the guard horse Maximus.
Eugene's attire had also changed slightly. He wore a black vest instead of a turquoise one, his pants were khaki-gray, and he had black boots in a similar style to his old ones. He also had a different colored belt and mini satchel.
Three Coronan guards on horseback were chasing the couple while two unknown riders on brown and black horses were at the back of the group.
"They're gaining on us!" The Princess glanced behind her, urging her horse to go faster. Eugene followed her example.
They weren't the only ones, however. The guards picked up speed as backup arrived.
"There's more of them!" She noticed, looking concerned.
"Good. It'll keep things interesting." Eugene smirked as they rode down the dirt path, the threat still following them.
They ran on, leaving dust clouds in their wake. The guards kept pace as they rushed down after them.
"Man, these guys are persistent," Eugene commented.
"So am I," Rapunzel smirks toward him. "I'll meet you at the wall!"
"Sounds like a challenge!" He calls out as the brown horse pulls ahead, taking the higher road as the mystery riders follow her.
"Think you can keep up?" She called down cheerfully.
"Oh, it's not me you have to worry about." He gives her a smug look up at her.
Confused, she looks over her shoulder and sees what he's talking about. "Uh oh!"
One of Corona's own guards had caught up to her.
"They're your problem now!" Eugene chirped, his voice echoing a little off the wall he passed by.
However, as Maximus ran between the high roads, Eugene noticed that he had two of his own guards to deal with.
"Oh, great!" He muttered, rolling his eyes.
The Captain of the Guard was right on his tail, and he looked mad. Then again, when didn't he?
"Okay, Max, follow my lead–Oh!" He said to the horse, then gasped as he noticed a tree branch stretched across the path in front of them. "Log, log, log!"
Eugene leaped off the horse to let him run under the branch and then landed back in the saddle. He looked behind him to see that the Captain pulled off the same maneuver as he did. However, the other guard's horse stopped suddenly, causing him to be flung out of the saddle and crash into the dirt.
"Ohh, good thing the ground broke his fall!" Eugene said teasingly before looking forward.
Meanwhile, Rapunzel was having less of a fun time. She and Fidella were still in the sights of the mystery riders and the guard.
Looking forward, she realizes bunnies were munching on carrots all over the road!
"Whoa! Bunny Crossing!" Rapunzel pulled on the reins, urging the horse to jump over them. "Careful, Fidella! Watch out, watch out, cute little bunnies!"
Fidella started to carefully make her way through, cautious of fluff balls under her hooves. They were able to get safely past the flock and continue on.
The guard chasing them didn't have as much luck. He ended up crashing right into the bunnies, forming a horse-and-rider-shaped pile. Pascal stretched out his tongue and snagged a carrot from one of the bunnies, taking a bite as they raced on.
The unknown riders, however, weren't deterred by the pile-up. Not breaking in speed, they steered their steeds right past the downed guard.
Back with Eugene, he was now having problems of his own. The Captain had caught up real close, and he was starting to get worried.
"You're not getting away this time!" Captain Vogel said aggressively, reaching out a hand toward the former thief.
"He-yah!"
Rapunzel suddenly jumped out in front of him, startling the Captain's horse. While his ride was rearing from having to stop short, the Princess and her boyfriend raced down the road. However, the riders on the brown and black horses were still on them.
"Sorry!" Rapunzel called back over her shoulder, then looked forward. "We're almost there!"
Just as she said, Captain Vogel suddenly jumped in front of the brown and black horses, catching up to them.
"Oh, come on!" Eugene groaned at this.
However, Rapunzel just grins, and so does Eugene.
Looking ahead of them, they gallop toward a stream in the distance. The only way across was a log that had fallen into the water. The couple's horses jumped over it like it was nothing.
"Woohoooo!" The Princess hollered as she and Fidella landed safely on the other side.
Max had to land on the downed log, causing it to fall, but he and Eugene made it.
Judging by the splash behind them, the Captain wasn't so lucky.
Eugene pulled on the reins a bit, coming to a stop. He turned around to see Captain Vogel and his horse getting out of the water, looking annoyed.
"Looking good, Cap!" Eugene grinned, pointing at him.
The mystery riders gained speed, and their horses jumped over the obstacle. Eugene's eyes widened before riding after his girlfriend.
Rapunzel rode on through a field until she reached the tall wall at Corona's borders and slowed down. It was called the Wall of Corona, indicated by its sun symbols.
They slowly approached it. Fidella glanced back at the young woman, who gestured for her to move. The horse planted her hooves on the wall, allowing Rapunzel to climb on her head and grasp the edge of the stone. She got on top of the wall and took a deep breath, looking out at the expansive, beautiful view.
"Pascal…" She chuckled happily at the sunrise, mountains, and streams. "Look at that view."
Her chameleon squeaked in agreement, sighing in contentment.
"Ha ha!"
Hearing enthusiastic yelling behind them, they turned around to see Eugene standing on Max, who stopped abruptly. Launching off his horse's back, he lands on the wall a few feet away from the princess. The man straightens up, adjusting his vest before walking toward her.
"Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking. Now, it may have seemed like you won, but you gotta take into account that my hair is actually longer than yours now, so we gotta factor in wind resistance." Eugene argues, fuffing his hair for emphasis.
"Yeah, I'm no nerd like Der, but I'm pretty sure that's not how that works." A new voice cut in, startling the couple.
They turned to see Eugene's sister, Katniss "Kat" Fitzherbert, standing on the wall a few feet away. Rapunzel's sister, Sarah de Sonne, was sitting next to her, feet dangling over the Coronan side.
Kat was the same height as Rapunzel, 5'1", and had a petite-looking build (Don't let that fool you; this girl could pack a punch when needed). She had brown hair and light blue eyes like Derek, only her hair was a couple shades darker than the Prince's. Her hair was long with a light wave, stopping somewhere between her upper and middle back.
Kat wore a simple dress similar to Rapunzel's clothing, only with short sleeves and a shorter skirt that stopped at her knees. It was a cute light purple dress with a faded magenta bodice and white floral patterns on the skirt. She also had blue leggings and dark gray boots.
Meanwhile, Sarah was the shortest of the girls at 4'10" and was built more like a dancer. Her skin is the darkest of the Coronan siblings but is still considered fair. She has long brown hair that's lighter than her brother's and sister's and is kept in a high ponytail by a simple golden-orange hairband. Her eyes are bright blue-green, as if they were a combination of Rapunzel and Derek's eye colors, and are covered by a pair of thin, round glasses.
For clothing, Sarah also wears a dress similar to Rapunzel; only her colors are orange and red. The skirt was split to show an inner layer, and her dress didn't have lacey ends like her sister's dress. Unlike Rapunzel, Sarah does wear shoes, her preference being light pink flats. On her left wrist is a red and pink bracelet that Rapunzel gave her about a month after returning.
Perched on the wall next to her were three female nightingales, sisters named Topaz, Cleo, and Daisy. While they were identical in coloring, brown with reddish tails and white underbelly feathers, they could be told apart by the different flowers they each wore near their right ears. Topaz had a purple iris, Cleo had a pink rose, and Daisy had an orange daisy. They could be told apart by size: from largest to smallest, it's Topaz, Cleo, and then Daisy is the smallest, only by a few centimeters.
"Good try, guys, but not good enough," Kat said triumphantly.
Sarah giggled quietly before pulling two apples out of her pocket. She leaned over and gave them to their horses, Sorrel and Eclipse, as a reward for their hard work.
Sorrel was a Friesian stallion with his thick mane and tail left loose instead of tied up like the guard horses, feathered legs, and blue eyes. While most Friesians are black in color, Sorrel is different since he is brown. He had the same saddle and blanket set as Fidella and Max.
Meanwhile, Eclipse was a Clydesdale, Shire, or a mix of the two. It was hard to tell the breed because while most Clydesdales were bay, Eclipse was black. Even so, he still had the white blaze on his face and white splashes on his feathered legs. He wore the same saddle and blanket set as the other horses, but unlike Sorrel, Eclipse's mane and tail were braided since he was part of the guard horses.
Sorrel was Derek's horse, but Kat borrowed him so much to go riding that he was practically her horse. Meanwhile, Eclipse technically didn't belong to anyone in particular. Still, he often worked with Corbin when the teen needed a horse (Ironically, Eclipse was Fidella's younger brother, who was ridden by Cassandra half the time). Still, Sarah had ridden Eclipse before, so she had borrowed him for the outing.
"Caught us again, huh, Kitty?" Eugene rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling.
"Forgetting who I used to be?" Kat sassed with a smirk. "Besides, I've been out here so many times helping Der collect ingredients for his science stuff, I could find my here blindfolded."
"Just don't mention that to our father," Sarah spoke up, looking crossed between shy and uncomfortable. "I don't know how he'd react if he knew Derek had come out this far from the castle."
King Frederic had been very paranoid about his children's safety after Rapunzel's kidnapping. None of them were allowed to leave the castle without an escort by the Royal Guard. This had become a source of tension between Derek and their father ever since the Prince entered his pre-teens.
"Our lips are sealed," Eugene promised, zipping his lips to assure her.
Rapunzel giggled a bit, watching her boyfriend and the girls interact.
She remembers when she first introduced Eugene to her brother and sister. Derek warmed up to the man after a few days and now sees the man as an older brother. On the other hand, Sarah had taken a little longer, but now, she's come to enjoy Eugene's company and presence in their lives.
Then there was Eugene's reunion with Kat. Apparently, she knew the men from the Snuggly Duckling, and when she heard they had broken someone out, she went to see what was happening. When she heard it was Flynn Rider they had helped escape, Kat raced back to the castle and found him with Rapunzel and her family in the foyer. The siblings stared at each other for a long moment, with Katniss covering her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.
"Hey, Kitty." Eugene had said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Hey, you big jerk." She replied before running forward and throwing her arms around his waist. "I thought you were dead in a ditch somewhere."
"Sorry I scared ya, Sis."
The next thing Katniss did after he introduced the girls was give the Lost Princess a hug full of gratitude for bringing her brother back to her.
Back in the present, Rapunzel turned back to the outside world again. "Wow! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"
Eugene looked out at the majestic view and then took her hand with a soft smile. "Yes. Yes, I have."
They turned to each other and smiled, leaning in towards each other. Pascal, Sarah, and the birds covered their eyes (well, Topaz did. Cleo and Daisy peeked a little) while Kat mimed a half-hearted gagging face.
"Game's over, your highnesses," The Captain's voice interrupted them. They looked over to see him and the other guards, who had gathered by the wall. "The welcoming ceremony is about to begin."
"Well, I think we showed those guards who's boss," Eugene joked. "Now, what do you say we go and make you an official crown princess?"
"Ohhh, is that today?" Rapunzel asked teasingly, causing him to laugh.
"Haha, very funny. Now, come on, we'd better get you back to the castle," Eugene jumps off the wall, hanging on the edge as he starts to climb down. "Ooh, maybe I can squeeze in a royal message… before my daily trim, of course."
When he dropped to the ground, he looked back at his sister. "Wanna join me, Sis?"
Kat pretended to think about it. "Well, it's your girlfriend's big weekend, so I may as well dress up."
"That's the spirit!" Eugene cheered as she got down off the wall.
"We better get going, Rapunzel," Sarah suggested, moving to get down as her birds followed her. "We still have to get ready for the ceremony."
Rapunzel watched them before glancing at Pascal when he squeaked at her. She turned back to the view, knowing what he was thinking.
"I know, Pascal," She sighed. "We'll get out there soon…."
Ever since she'd returned, she had the same restrictions Derek and Sarah had for fifteen years. She was lucky they could go riding at all.
Rapunzel gave the outside world one last look before jumping back onto Fidella. "Ha! Race you back to the castle!"
"You're on!" Kat smirked.
Fidella and Sorrel took off swiftly, Maximus and Eclipse following in seconds.
The Captain groaned as they raced off. He didn't get paid enough to handle these four. The only saving grace was that the Prince wasn't with them this time.
The horses slowed to a walk as they crossed the bridge into the Capital of Corona.
This is life after happily ever after
Everyone in town was decorating for the coronation ceremony. They hung banners, flags, and event announcements to decorate the city. One woman hung a lantern with the sun symbol by her window.
Rapunzel would be formally crowned as Crown Princess, while Derek would be next in line for the throne. However, he would only become King if, Sun forbid, something happened to Rapunzel and Eugene before they could become King and Queen.
Derek and Sarah had already had their coronations when they were eleven. This weekend is all about Rapunzel.
And it's all just as sweet as the stories say
A pale-skinned young woman with dark pink lips, hazel eyes, and black bob-cut layered hair with gray highlights was pacing around in front of the city gates impatiently. She was dressed in the same outfit as Faith, but hers came with a white headdress.
Faith stood properly a few feet away from her. She didn't have a veil because she was still in training.
The older woman's eyes widened when she saw the princesses, Kat, and Eugene, enter the Capital.
I feel wild, free, as light as can be
And ready to explore
Eugene and Kat dismounted from Maximus and Sorrel before helping Sarah and Rapunzel do the same.
Once off the horses, Rapunzel and Eugene were about to attempt another kiss when the woman walked over and grabbed Rapunzel's wrist, pulling her away, much to Eugene's dismay. Eugene watched them go with annoyance, knowing the woman did that on purpose.
Maximus kissed Eugene's cheek, and he wiped it in disgust. Kat and Sarah snickered at Eugene's expression, getting a slight glare from the latter, making Kat laugh harder.
With nothing at all standing in my way
"Sarah!" The dark-haired woman called back.
"I gotta go," Sarah said, fast-walking with Faith to catch up with others as Kat waved after her. "Sorry, Cassandra."
"It's fine."
Cassandra Vogel, known as Cass to those close to her, was Rapunzel's Lady-in-Waiting and best friend. She was also Sarah's handmaiden before Rapunzel returned and has been training Faith so that she can take care of the younger princess.
True, there are certain customs I have to follow
Cass and Faith led the sisters through town, with the Royal Guard following behind. Citizens along the road would bow and curtsy to the royal siblings, Sarah bowing in return.
"Curtsy," She and Cass whisper to the inexperienced girl, who also curtsies.
Several small obligations I can't avoid
A little girl held out a bouquet of flowers to Rapunzel and Sarah. The former kneeled to pluck one and put it in her hair.
Cassandra bends down to them as Faith stands next to Sarah. "Princess, the time."
Cass dragged Rapunzel away, the older Princess waving to the little girl as she left while Sarah simply smiled at her.
A few rules, too, well, more than a few, commitments by the score
When they returned to the castle, Cass pulled out a to-do list, going over what they needed to do before the ceremony.
While walking through the halls, Sarah stops his sister as they're standing in front of Old Lady Crowley, the head maid. She pointed disdainfully behind them, revealing the muddy footprints Rapunzel tracked all over the carpet from the entrance to where they were standing.
Rapunzel waved sheepishly as her three teachers guided her away, leaving Crowley to clean up the mess.
Aside from all that, though, I'm overjoyed
As she was escorted down the hallway to her room, they met up with three maids, two of whom were Faith's mother and older sister, who started pampering and fussing over her appearance. Two more maids joined them and began fixing Sarah's ponytail.
"This way, Princess," Cass said.
And sure, there are corsets and buckles and bows
As they walked, the maids put makeup on Rapunzel and adjusted the ties of her corset… A little too tight. She felt like she would suffocate as one of the maids pulled on her corset strings.
Glancing next to her, she sees Sarah getting a similar treatment, but she doesn't appear to be bothered by it at first glance. The girl has her eyes closed as she continues walking, make-up being put on her face, being careful not to dirty her glasses. However, a flinch here and there showed Sarah wasn't comfortable with the grooming.
Plus all those names to recall
"Jane?" Rapunzel guessed, pointing to the maid brushing her hair.
"Ethel," Sarah and the oldest maid reminded her.
"Right!" She could remember the daughters' names, Hope and Faith, but never their mother's.
Still, I can hardly complain, I suppose
Pascal was annoyed with all the commotion around his friend, giving a squeak of protest when he got a face full of powder. Topaz, Cleo, and Daisy got the same flowers tucked away, but they were shinier.
This is happily ever after, after all
When they reached Rapunzel's bedroom, Cassandra and Faith turned around and stared in disbelief at the messy scene. They also saw how uncomfortable Rapunzel and Sarah were with the pampering.
"That's enough," Cass assured them sharply, shooing them away. "Faith and I will take it from here."
"R-Right!" Faith agreed.
The servants backed away from the sisters, Ethel and Hope giving Faith a quick smile before returning to their other duties.
Cassandra started to redo the messy corset tie on Rapunzel's dress. "How you holding up?"
"Busy," Rapunzel laughed awkwardly, brushing away a bang. "But, busy is good. I can't believe you and Derek do this every day, Sadie."
"Not every day," Sarah replied, staring at the paintings of their parents. "This usually only happens when there's a big event going on."
"I'm glad you think so, Raps, 'cause this welcoming ceremony is just the beginning," Cassandra reminded her, holding up Rapunzel's arms to adjust the sleeves. "Tomorrow's the festival, followed by the royal banquet, and that's all before the actual coronation on Sunday."
When she turned the Princess around to fix her hair and corset, she looked down and frowned at Rapunzel's hiked-up dress and bare feet. "Oh, come on. Really?"
"Punzie, we've talked about this," Sarah sighed, gesturing towards her feet.
"Look, Rapunzel, I know this princess thing is new to you," Cassandra knelt down to pull her skirt back down to cover her ankles so that it won't be as noticeable. "But you've gotta at least try to act the part. Have Derek and Sarah's royalty lessons taught you nothing?"
"Trust me, Cassandra, Little Sister, I know how important this is to my dad," Rapunzel smiled, lightly touching a portrait of Frederic behind her.
(At the same time)
"As you've requested, Your Majesty," Captain Vogel said as he placed a miniature plastic guard on a model of Corona. "We've doubled security on both the main gates and the south towers."
"Good. We have guests from all over the world." King Frederic approves, rubbing his bearded chin before heading for the door. "I want them to know that they are safe."
He left the room and headed for Rapunzel's room. "Everything for my little girl's coronation must be absolutely…."
He heads for Rapunzel's room and opens the door. Cass and Faith were adjusting her dress again, with Sarah nearby.
"Perfect."
"Hi, Dad." Rapunzel greeted him, smiling.
"And now that, at last, you are here in my arms," He smiled, walking over. Cass and Faith stepped aside as he moved closer, bowing their heads and clasping their hands in a demure manner. Rapunzel threw her arms around her father, Sadie joining the hug. "I won't permit you to fall."
He pulled back to look at his daughters, looking into their eyes.
"I must protect you from all the world's harms," He gently brushes back a brown bang from Rapunzel's face, doing the same to Sarah. "We'll live happily ever after, after all."
They smiled at each other, Frederic taking their hands into his own, holding them reassuringly.
"Now, as Princess, you're not only representing yourself and the family," He explained, walking in front of the open balcony window to close it, turning back to them. "But all of Corona."
"Don't worry, Dad. I won't let you down," She assured him, rubbing her arm nervously before putting it around Sarah. "Sadie and Der have been great teachers and siblings to me. I've definitely learned a lot."
"Well, we tried…." The Princess said quietly.
However, she had the same concerns as Derek. While they had shown Rapunzel a lot, they don't know how much of that information she retained. Plus, no one was making sure she attended her lessons at all.
"But while we're on the whole princess coronation thingy," Rapunzel spoke again, nervously fiddling with her hair. "I mean, all these royal activities are great, but do you think I might be able to catch a little downtime soon?"
With all these preparations since she returned, she hasn't been able to spend much time with Eugene, Derek, and Sarah. She wanted to get to know her brother and sister better.
"I know this is all new, but you'll adjust," King Frederic assured them, kissing Rapunzel and Sarah's foreheads. "After all, your friend seems to be getting on just fine."
(Elsewhere)
While Frederic spoke with his daughters, Eugene and Kat were hanging out at the Royal Spa with their friends from the Snuggly Duckling and Maximus. They were getting dolled up for the ceremony while Eugene regaled everyone with his plans for tomorrow night's banquet.
Eugene was currently checking over his appearance in the mirror. He was dressed in a new forest-green tail-suit and trying on a black hat with a white feather.
"Ooh-hoo-hoo! Hartmut, my man, this hat ties the whole outfit together!" He praised the tailor, who silently giggled instead of agreeing with him.
"Is this dress gorgeous or what?!" Kat squealed as she twirled in her fancy dress for the coronation.
It had a purple-pink bodice with dark violet off-the-shoulder long sleeves and a matching skirt that reached her legs with a lavender leaf pattern and a yellow ribbon around the waist tied into a bow at her back. On her feet were white knee-high boots with heels to die for, and Kat had never felt so fancy.
"And this amethyst necklace just completes it!" She smiled and ran her hand over it as a maid tied her long hair up with a lavender-colored ribbon.
"You look lovely, Miss Katniss." The maid said, braiding her hair after it had been tied up and finishing with another lavender-colored ribbon at the bottom.
"Looking great, Kitty!" Eugene praised before dramatically tossing the hat aside.
"I think you mean… Fabulous!" Kat corrected with a confident smirk, swiping a perfume bottle and spritzing herself with some.
"Now, I know what you're all thinking," Eugene sprayed on some cologne before tossing it to Shorty, who then did the same. "'Why is Eugene in such a good mood today?' I mean, what gives?"
"Now that we're living splendidly." He looks over Big Nose, getting a spa treatment and eating the cucumbers they use.
"Our dreams fulfilled extendedly." He shaves the cream off Attila's helmet, who hums in approval.
"Why leave things open-endedly for Rapunzel and moi?" He hands Vladimir two tiny porcelain unicorns, one with a groom's top hat and the other with a bride's veil. The unicorn-loving thug pretends to have them kiss.
"Tonight, I'll hand this rose to her," Eugene plucked a rose from a nearby vase and handed it to Katniss. He spun her around before sliding down on one knee in front of Big Nose, Ulf, and Maximus. "Kneel down and then propose to her and give this ring I chose to her!"
Eugene showed them a small box he had pulled out his fancy jacket. Opening it, he showed off a beautiful gold ring with a small diamond in the center.
"Nice," Big Nose comments in approval while Ulf swoons.
"Life's gonna feel like strawberry sherbert," The man sings, dancing with Max. "Once she is Mrs. Eugene Fitzherbert."
"Hm, Nah." Kat shook her head as the thugs and Maximus gave him a look.
"Okay, not great, but how about this?" He jumped on a couch in the room, causing it to fall over. Shorty swung by, dressed as a cupid while scattering rose petals. "Once she is Princess Eugene Fitzherbert~!"
"Much better." Katniss approved as Maximus walked over to Eugene, smiling in full support.
"And what better day to propose to a princess than at her coronation?" Eugene asked, leaning on Max with a grin.
(Meanwhile)
While all that was going on, Derek was in his lab, finishing up some projects that were ninety percent done.
It was mostly dark, save for a few torches lighting up the place. Two tables were set up with various beakers, science equipment, and chemicals. A desk sat near the room's brighter part with blueprints, writing utensils, and measuring sticks. Along the walls were several bookshelves filled with different books on alchemy, science, engineering, etc. Some shelves also had gadgets and gizmos Derek had made on them. There was also an area where safety gear, a cleaning station, and an emergency water bucket for those odd lab mishaps were set up, just in case.
Derek had a pair of brown gloves and matching goggles, moving around one of the tables. He crouched down so he was eye-level with the equipment, making sure the chemicals shifted around as they should. Once a drop of yellow liquid fell into the red flask, turning it light green, the Prince straightened up and checked a parchment with the formula on it to ensure it was the proper reaction.
"Perfect." He murmured with a satisfied smile.
He turned to walk towards the desk when one of the bookcases creaked open like a door. Roxie padded in and chirped at him.
"Time to go, Roxie?"
The raccoon nodded.
"Alright, let me shut everything down."
After turning off the equipment, putting his gear and chemicals away, and giving the table a quick wipe-down, Derek grabbed one of the torches and walked through the passageway, Roxie on his heels. After a few minutes, a light appeared at the end of the tunnel. Blowing out the torch, the Prince ducked down through the opening and came out of the fireplace of his room.
"Good thing we cleaned this thing…." Derek thought aloud, pushing the mantelpiece back and closing the entrance.
This is life after happily ever after
His room was about the same size as Rapunzel's, with the same layout and furniture. A king-size bed, side tables, a window seat by the balcony, etc.
The differences were that his bed wasn't a canopy bed, there was blue instead of purple, and there were different gadgets around the room that he built to help with his daily routine. Derek's ceiling was also painted to look like the night sky, a project he had undertaken himself.
There were also a few things scattered around that showed the different activities he participated in.
An area of the room was set up with an easel and paints at the side. A guitar was on the fireplace mantel, and a telescope was in the corner. Finally, a sword and sheath were mounted on the wall near the door.
But it feels like this is all going by too fast
Derek sat at his vanity, waiting for Corbin to help him prepare for the meet-and-greet. Looking towards the window, thinking about the odds of this going well.
They weren't great, but they weren't zero either.
I know that she's been through a lot, and maybe it's too soon
Even though we're all glad that she's home at last
He sighs lightly, looking at the crown sitting on a pillow at his vanity. It looked like a smaller version of his father's crown, only silver with blue sapphires and red spinel.
Roxie hopped onto the table, pulling a smile out of her human. He reached over and gave her some pets as a thank you.
Sure, it's still hard to take all of this in
But this could be the start of a new begin
The Prince took a deep breath, looking at his reflection with determination.
This is happily ever after, after all
After Sarah left to prepare herself, Rapunzel threw open her balcony doors, looking out at the kingdom.
"This is life after happily ever after," She sang along with Eugene, Kat, and Derek. "And our story has finally reached its end."
Eugene hops into a chair. "Settling down here."
"Year upon year."
"My family right here." Kat sings, lounging on a chaise sofa while she enjoys a cupcake.
"Contended and secure." Eugene takes a bite of his cake while Big Nose, Ulf, and Shorty enjoy other munchies.
"With dozens of duties, we'll have to tend." Rapunzel looked at some of the birthday lanterns she hung in her room.
"I don't know how we'll do it, but this day still has to end." Derek stands up and looks out his window.
"And now that we've gotten the dream that we chose."
"Now that we're in for the haul." Eugene pulled out the ring and smiled at it.
"Now our adventures can come to a close," Rapunzel spun her globe while Eugene put the ring away. "Living happily ever after, after all.~"
Rapunzel looked at the mural she'd painted on her wall, depicting her life from the flower until her return.
"Now that I've gotten the dream that I chose…." She lightly touches the part where she's reunited with her family before looking around the room. "Why does my world feel so… small?"
She walked over to her vanity table, where her crown sat on a pillow.
"If this is it…." She moved to put her hand on her tiara but wavered last minute. "And it is… I suppose…"
She stares at herself in the mirror, her worries becoming known. "Is this happily ever after… after all?"
Rapunzel sighed but tried to regain her focus. Yes, this was her life now. She was a princess and so had to play the part.
"Okay, no pressure," She told herself, giving a mental pep talk. "Just introducing myself to the most important people in the world. Representing my mom, dad, little brother and sister… and the entire kingdom."
Rapunzel looked horrified for a second before taking and releasing a deep breath. "We got this…."
And on to the next chapter!
