Rapunzel stood on her balcony, looking down at the castle courtyard. She could feel the emptiness in her heart grow day by day. Her mom had suggested dating, hoping to get Varian off her mind. However, that wasn't working. She dated the prince of Bayangor. Something was wrong with him. She could see he was cruel deep down like his father, despite his charming pleasantries.
Next, she dated the only prince of Ingvarr. As much as she liked him, he was more occupied with his fighting skills. They agreed they were better off as friends. Their relationship as friends was much better and they wrote to each other every now and then.
She now just ended a relationship with a duke's son. Well, he was the one to end it. once again, he treated her well, and he was a very good person, Rapunzel could tell. But he could see that she wasn't ready. She was still worried about Varian. He even offered to search for him. Of course, Rapunzel shook her head sadly and explained that she didn't want him to come back unless it was on his own terms.
Seeing that she still needed space, he advised her to wait until she was ready. She didn't have to move forward yet, and to take her time that she needed. Once again, that relationship ended as a good friendship. Rapunzel felt like she could rely on him to help her whenever she needed it or asked. Perhaps they could have been more if she was under different circumstances, but he was right. She wasn't ready. It didn't feel right that she was here and brother was out there facing who knows what.
"Can I come out here with you?"
Rapunzel turned to see Arianna. The queen had been recovering recently and was able to move around more. She was utterly heartbroken by Varian's disappearance. She was told by Fredric that he was in a rebellious stage and he ran away. Which was partially true, just not the whole truth. She'd be lying if she said she understood why Varian ran away without so much as a good bye.
"Yeah," Rapunzel answered, offering a smile.
The queen rested her arms on the railing of the balcony. "Thinking about him again?"
Rapunzel nodded. She supposed she should tell her mother the truth behind Varian running away, but it would break her heart to know what Fredric did. Then again, what if she knew the answer why.
"Mom..."
"Yes?"
"Why does dad hate Varian?"
"Rapunzel? What makes you say and think that?" Arianna shifted uncomfortably, telling Rapunzel that her mother already came to the same conclusion herself. That confused her. Unless she figured out what happened to Varian, or she knew something else.
"Is it because he's adopted and he doesn't actually feel like he's one of us?" Rapunzel pressed.
Arianna sighed. "No. Not that."
"Then why? Why would he do the things he did to Varian?"
"What did he do to Varian?"
Rapunzel felt tears in her eyes. "Mom, he beat Varian. For a while before I found out. Mom, when I found him, he was torn up... Mom... if it weren't for me, I don't think Varian would have chose to runaway, but I don't know what would have happened to him. He's out there because I made him runaway... now I sit here day in and day out, wondering if I made the right choice if I made him suffer out there more than he would have here if he stayed..."
"Rapunzel... why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I don't know? Maybe the same reason Varian didn't tell us. I didn't want you to be hurt by what Dad did, but I can't take it anymore. The confusion in your eyes, the fake concern in Dad's... What is going on? Mom, I need to know!"
Arianna sighed. "You should know, I suppose... just... don't say anything or he'll know I told you. Fredric doesn't hate Varian because he's adopted. He hates Varian because he's not his son but he is my son."
"What?"
Arianna sighed again, and took a moment before slowly continuing. "You see, Rapunzel. I married your father because I was betrothed to him. He was a good man when we first met, but at the time, I loved another man. Well, after I had you, I became super sick. Eventually, I went on a year trip to the sea side to help recover. That man happened to be there and let's just say we got a little carried away in our privacy. We could have passed Varian as Fredric's had Fredric been present that year. but I was five months pregnant when I returned home, so it was obvious what happened. I refused to say who I cheated Fredric with. It was wrong of me to cheat on Fred, I know, but... I was so happy then... I convinced Fredric that we should keep Varian, so we came up with the adoption story..."
"Wait, so Varian is my half brother?"
"Yes."
"You cheated on Dad?"
"Yes, and it was wrong of me. At the time, Fredric had done nothing wrong and he was faithful and, dare I say, he loved me more than I thought. It killed him, what I did. I never spoke to the man again, not just because of his safety, but for Fredric's sake. Your father hates Varian because he sees Varian as a reminder that he wasn't enough for me. Although I will never forgive Fredric for hurting Varian like that, it is my fault that Fredric is no longer the man I married. Perhaps, if I had let go, Fredric and I could have loved each other and lived happily ever after. But because of my selfish intentions, I tore my family apart..."
Rapunzel squeezed her mother's hand. "We all make mistakes. Some feel harsher than others, but the point is we learn from them, move forward and try to fix what is able to be mended. You told me that before..."
Arianna smiled. "And it's nice to be reminded from time to time..."
