A/N: I'm so sorry for the wait! I was somewhat stuck on how I wanted this chapter to go, and then suddenly I was struck with inspiration the other evening. Most of this chapter was written in a couple days, which is a new record for me. Usually I take weeks to write something (mostly due to writer's block) but I'm glad I didn't have that problem with this chapter.
Without any further ado, I hope you enjoy this last chapter :)
Early morning sunlight drifted in through the French doors and spilled onto the large bed, alighting on the peaceful sleeping pair. Rapunzel shifted slightly, opening her eyes halfway to find her hand rested upon Eugene's bare chest. Her mind experienced temporary confusion until the memories of the night before came rushing in all at once.
Their lips crashing together. Her hands on his exposed chest. The way his touch sent fresh waves of pleasure coursing through her body.
Her cheeks flushed anew as a smile took form on her face. She reveled in being near him, watching as his chest slowly rose and fell.
"Eugene?" She whispered, caressing her fingers against his face. "It's morning."
He shifted slightly, his eyes barely open as his gaze landed on her face. "Blondie?"
Rapunzel couldn't help giggling at the hoarseness of his voice. She'd never seen him like this before, with his normally tidy brown hair all mussed and tangled, and his skin warm against her palm. The sight pulled at her heartstrings, and she swore she'd never loved him more.
"You should probably get dressed for the day, before anyone finds you here." Rapunzel muttered, glancing at him. In response, he gave her a charming smile, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Or…" His voice grew low and husky as he looked at her. "We could lie here a little while longer." With one swift movement, he turned onto his side and enveloped her in his arms, her petite frame pressed against him. Her cheeks bloomed with a light blush, accentuating the freckles dusted across her nose.
"Eugene," Rapunzel scolded gently. "I have duties to attend to, and so do you."
"I've got fencing training with the Captain today, and you know how much he hates me. Take pity on me," Eugene moaned dramatically, yet he couldn't help smiling at her exasperation.
Rapunzel rolled her green eyes, looking to the ceiling. "And that's the only reason you want to stay, to avoid the Captain?" Though her tone had been teasing, his gaze suddenly turned serious.
"I want to savor this moment, for as long as I can. And I don't give a damn if I sound selfish." When she looked back at him, she was taken aback by the sincerity in his eyes. Her mouth stretched into a soft grin, her hand moving to cradle the back of his head. He shut his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling sharply as though he were intoxicated by her touch.
"Then stop talking and kiss me."
Eugene chuckled, his laugh vibrating through her chest and causing butterflies to flutter in her stomach. His lips captured hers in a passionate kiss, and soon they were caught up in each other once more.
It had been difficult for Rapunzel to keep her features schooled into an expression of politeness during her geography lesson, especially when all she could think about was the mental image of Eugene's sculpted body, and how it had felt gliding her fingertips along his naked skin. Her mind wandered as her tutor kept speaking, and it took everything she had not to grin uncontrollably at the memory of him kissing her over and over, repeating those magical three words like a mantra.
"...and roughly six hundred miles away is one of our strongest trading partners, the kingdom of Arendelle. They are essential in providing clothing and―Princess, are you even listening?"
Rapunzel averted her eyes from a small window in the room, snapping out of her temporary haze. She noticed her tutor had lowered her pointing stick from the map on the wall, and was regarding Rapunzel with a somewhat miffed expression on her smooth face.
"I apologize, Mistress Lena. I promise it won't happen again."
"Are you sure you're alright, child?" The mistress asked, her piercing blue eyes staring at her student with concern. "Do you feel ill?"
Rapunzel smiled encouragingly. "I'm just tired, that's all. Please continue with the lesson."
Mistress Lena's contemplative frown told her that her tutor wasn't fully convinced, though she proceeded with the lesson as usual. Unfortunately, Rapunzel's mind was still far too distracted to lend her full attention, but she made sure to nod every once in a while. When the lesson was finally finished, Rapunzel leapt from her seat and quickly headed out the door, leaving her tutor greatly confused.
Her hands fidgeted in her lap as she sat in the cushioned chair, waiting for her mother to arrive. A tray laden with a pair of porcelain teacups sat upon a low wooden table, and steam issued from the intricately designed silver teapot. Alongside it, there was a simple cream colored bowl filled with perfectly square sugar cubes, each cube stacked messily atop one another. As the minutes ticked by, Rapunzel began to fidget with her white gold ring, spinning it around her finger.
After what had felt like hours, the sound of the doorknob turning caught her attention. Queen Arianna's lavender gown swirled around her ankles as she walked into the private parlor, turning to Rapunzel with an apologetic smile.
"I'm so sorry I'm late. The councilmen insisted on further discussing politics and I had no choice but to stay." Her mother sighed heavily, promptly sitting across from Rapunzel. Despite how tired she appeared to be, her posture never faltered.
Rapunzel nodded. "It's okay, mother."
A beat passed before her mother spoke again, breaking the silence.
"What did you wish to talk about, darling?" The words from her mouth sounded so casual as she poured tea into each beautifully crafted teacup. Rapunzel swallowed back the nervous lump in her throat, gathering every ounce of courage she could muster. There was a split second of regret where she almost wished she hadn't requested to meet with her mother, for she didn't know how she'd handle such news.
"So..." Rapunzel continued playing with the ring around her finger, distracting herself by focusing on the cluster of diamonds and emeralds adorning the piece of jewelry. "Something happened last night."
At hearing this statement, her mother's brow furrowed in worry. She leaned forward, keeping her gaze fixed on her daughter. "Did you have another nightmare about…"
She trailed off, not wanting to say the name of the woman who had kidnapped her child all those years ago. Though she knew Rapunzel's safety was no longer threatened, she still couldn't bear to think of the kidnapper, and how much she'd stolen from her.
Rapunzel's eyes widened at the suggestion. "No, it's not about that this time. I actually wanted to address something else with you, and I hope you will understand."
The queen waited patiently for Rapunzel to proceed, trying to quell the questions swirling inside her head. She watched as a soft smile crossed Rapunzel's lips and a pink blush spread from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. In addition, she noticed Rapunzel toying with her ring, and admiring it with a look so tender it took the queen by surprise.
"What happened?" She prodded gently.
"Last night, Eugene and I...well, we...we spent the night together." The last part her mother nearly didn't catch, for Rapunzel had mumbled it to her lap.
The queen blinked, absentmindedly twirling a strand of dark hair around her slim finger. Of course, she wasn't blind to the couple's obvious adoration for each other, but she certainly hadn't been expecting news like this.
"You what?"
"I know it's not ideal. But you know how hard it's been for us to not see each other, mostly because of our daily lessons and responsibilities. I missed him a lot and―"
The queen cut her off mid ramble, her expression one of bewilderment. "I thought we'd agreed for you to wait until you two were wed."
Rapunzel rubbed a hand across her face, exhaling deeply. "I haven't forgotten, mother. And it's not like I meant for us...I mean, it just happened naturally."
"Rapunzel, I don't know what to make of this. You were supposed to wait."
"Mother." Rapunzel's green eyes held such an intensity that her mother was forcibly reminded of herself years ago, when she had been courting the king and beginning to feel the seeds of passion. "I love him, and I refuse to feel guilty for what we did."
The queen raised her eyebrows in shock at Rapunzel's boldness. When she stayed silent, Rapunzel took the opportunity to keep speaking, to try to convince her mother that what had transpired hadn't felt wrong in any sense of the word.
"Eugene makes me so unbelievably happy, mother. He's sweet and respectful...and last night was the most wonderful moment of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Queen Arianna sat in silence for an entire minute, trying to process what her daughter had revealed to her. She didn't quite understand why she felt so stunned; after all, it was no secret that the two had grown in their relationship, and she supposed it was only a matter of time before Rapunzel's maidenhood came to an end.
"Please say something." Rapunzel's pleading voice dragged her out of her thoughts. The queen averted her gaze back to Rapunzel, whose wide green eyes begged her mother to respond kindly.
Her mother sighed deeply, smiling softly. "If you're worried about me being upset, I assure you I'm not. I'm just surprised, that's all."
"Really? You won't lecture me about any of this?"
"I will not," her mother confirmed, laughing gently. "I see everyday how happy he makes you, and I cannot find it in me to be mad about a man who brings you joy."
Rapunzel's face broke into a relieved smile as she stood from her seat and walked to her mother, wrapping her in an embrace. Her mother returned the gesture, rubbing her back reassuringly.
"Thank you," Rapunzel whispered quietly, her eyes welling with happy tears.
"You're welcome."
A/N: Please leave reviews if you liked this chapter/story in general :) Another Tangled story is in the works, and all I can say is that it's set within the Regency era, and will be full of plenty of romance ;) Thank you so much for reading!