Angel: Thank you to Megan Guess for all of your ideas for this chapter. I managed to find and implement all of them into it XD Also, for some reason, the spacing from last chapter is being weird. I've noticed this in other chapters of my stories too. I don't leave edited episodes like that, I think it's just because of the ads that they're like that XD Rise of the Guardians is still in the lead for the poll!
At the Dark Kingdom, pieces of the two caravans are lying around where they crashed. Two black boots step onto the planks, walking to a certain telescope. The foot kicks at a bag as it belongs to Cass, Owl flying up to her. He turns to the woman and she sees something that was miraculously intact; a painting of her, Rapunzel, Harmony, Pascal, Owl, and Daisy.
"I sense your guilt, Cassandra."
She turns to the Enchanted Girl. "After all, the two sisters were your friends, and you betrayed them. But, one could argue that they deserved it."
"Maybe..." She looks at the painting forlornly.
"Oh, yes. More than you know...for they have already taken pieces of your newfound power."
This stirs up anger in Cass as she turns around, lightly touching the moonstone.
"It's just on the other side, almost there," Rapunzel is leading a handmaiden down the secret passage. "Just a little farther."
Moths fly out, to the woman's horror. "Da da da da~!" He moves away the curtain. "Secret passage."
She takes one look at the dirty, musty, rat-infested passage and recoils back. "Uh, what does that have to do with being a lady-in-waiting?" She asks slowly.
"Well, you never know when you might need to sneak out of the castle," Rapunzel pulls her forward. "Right? Plus, it's so much fun down here."
"Oh my..." She notices a skeleton nearby. "Is that a millipede?"
Rapunzel eyes it closely. "Oh, it's a centipede, actually. But, you were only off by a few hundred pedes."
The handmaiden books it out of there. Pascal eats the centipede as the woman bumps into Eugene, Harmony, and Varian.
"Oh, whoa, whoa. Sunshine, there you are," They notice her walking into the hall. "Hey, I'm trying a new hair product today. Tell me, honestly, too stiff, or just bouncy enough?"
"Please, someone answer the question," Harmony closes her eyes pleadingly.
"Oh! Hey, get a load of this. Eugene's preening again. Huh, huh?" She leans in towards the handmaiden. "Do you wanna, uh, zing him with some sort of witty one-liner?"
Harmony and Varian glance at each other knowingly. "Uhh...I should go hem something," She moves away awkwardly.
"Oh, okay. Well, thank you, for all your help today!" Rapunzel calls out as they watch her run away. Varian holds out a complimentary muffin out for her and she takes it from the basket. "What a dud."
Harmony stares at her sister, raising a brow. "Really, Rapunzel?"
"Okay, sorry, that was harsh. I didn't mean that. Still, I don't think it's gonna work out."
"Not that!" The girl sighs at her.
"This is the fifth handmaiden we've tried out. I mean, don't you think maybe you're expecting your new lady-in-waiting to be someone she's not?" Eugene places his hands on her shoulders.
"I am not expecting her to be Cassandra," She moves away, crossing her arms.
"I never said that."
"Well good, because she's gone. And I'm over it," She keeps a glare on her face and even Harmony can tell that she's lying.
"Well, maybe you need to give the dud a little more time."
"He's right," Varian nods in agreement. "Why do you think we keep baking these muffins for them?"
"You and Cass took a little while to warm up to each other, just like you and your own sister, didn't ya?" Eugene asks the blonde.
"No," She places her hands on her hips and Harmony crosses her arms, raising a brow. "We all pretty much got along right away."
Eugene and Varian look to the young crown princess, who shakes her head in denial.
"I can't stand her! I want out!" Cass complained to Old Lady Crowley.
2 years ago
"No, you're not getting reassigned," The old woman denied.
"Look, being a lady-in-waiting to one princess is one thing, but I did not sign up for this!" She gestured to the redecorating that Rapunzel had done in her short time of being in the castle. Her younger sister, Harmony, had returned home a few days prior and while Rapunzel had tried, she hadn't yet to appeal to the young princess.
"Cry me a river. Listen, unless somehow a better job falls into your lap, you're stuck with the princesses."
"Ms. Crowley, you don't understand," Cass started off. "It's not just the painting, it's the constant singing and the ventriloquism and-"
One of the painted knights' armor shook behind her, a rat coming out of it. It ran right past some people and they screamed in fear.
"Ugh, come on, it's just a rat," Cass groaned, walking up to them.
"Get away! Get back beneath the castle!"
They ran right past Rapunzel and Pascal. She peeked from the doorway as Cass picked up the rat into her hands. "Let's go, little guy." Rapunzel watched as she opened the window and fist-fingered the rat, which left.
"See that, Pascal? I told you she had a good heart. Harmony, Cass, and I are gonna be best friends yet!" She tripped and fell onto the floor. Cass saw her and she waved with a smile. "Hi."
Cass sighed, rolling her eyes. She glanced to the hallway behind the brunette to see her younger sister walking past, reading one of her books for her lessons.
"Sister," She stepped up from behind and saw her on the floor. "Mother has asked me to help you learn about how to act."
"Oh, well, we can always do that later!" Rapunzel stood up. "You've only been back for a few days. How about we do something fun together?"
"Perhaps teaching you about what forks to eat with?" Harmony held up the book.
"Um...I was thinking..."
"Tada!" Rapunzel held up a needlepoint she made of Cass, Pascal beaming nearby. The banana for the mouth fell off and Pascal put it back into place.
"Why?" Cass asked after a few seconds.
"I can't help but feel like all of us aren't exactly...hitting it off? I mean, you are a great lady-in-waiting to us, but why can't we all be great friends, huh? Hence, ta da!"
Cass gave an annoyed look. "Okay, not a fruit fan. Now I know you're gonna love this one," She moved away a curtain to reveal make-shift statues of the two, even though they looked ridiculous. "Hmm?"
Harmony signed nearby, pinching her nose. "What about it? It's us, we're-"
"Smiling, yeah," Cass deadpanned at her. "There is no way that is going in my room." She walked off.
"See? Told you we shouldn't have made it so big!"
Pascal just shrugged, Daisy rolling her eyes at him. "I must take my leave now," Harmony curtsied to her sister and started to leave.
"Uh, Harmony? You don't need to do that every single time, you know," Rapunzel called out, the girl looking over her shoulder.
"I am a princess. I do what I must to show respect," She closed her eyes, shutting the door behind her.
"Why is it so important to you, oh right there on the temples, to be friends with Cassandra, anyway?" Eugene asked the brown-haired princess as she paced in front of him. "And you're trying too hard with Harmony. She doesn't seem like the type to hang out."
"Because they're...real. Eugene, I spent 18 years of my life with someone who lied to my face. And here's Cassandra and Harmony, sure, yes," She removed the cucumbers from his face. "Cass may be rough around the edges, but she's forthright and honest and just-"
"We're still talking about Cassandra, right?" He asked, getting a look in return. "Okay, okay."
"I know what a lot of people have said about Harmony: that she's evil, dangerous, and not friendly, but what I see is a teenage girl that is smart, kind, and really loves Corona."
"Ooh, that feels great, but could you give us a second, thanks?" The man moved away from him to give them a moment. "What about bonding activities? You know what, my friends and I used to bond over the jobs we pulled. Oh ho ho ho, man! This one time, we stole-"
Frederic cleared his throat as he, Arianna, and Harmony were now in the room. "The show! With our dance number! No joke. It—it was soft shoe, it brought the crowd to tears. I could do a little bit for you if you'd like. You a fan of the soft...Zapato?" He noticed the king's glare. He stepped back into his chair.
Rapunzel got onto her feet. "Rapunzel, Harmony, an official princess event is upon us! The Contest of the Crowns!" He announced to his daughters.
"Contest of the Crowns? Are you kidding? That's great!" She smiled happily. "I can't believe it, the Contest of the Crowns! The Contest of the Crown...what is the Contest of the Crowns?"
"It's a friendly competition between the princesses of the seven kingdoms," Arianna told her.
"What are we competing in?" Rapunzel asked curiously.
"Well, we don't know yet. You see, it's up to each queen to select an event."
"And the most important part, you'll need a partner for the competition," Frederic stated, glancing to Harmony. "And both of you will be competing for Corona."
"Father, that seems a bit unfair," Harmony raised a brow.
"Yes, but it's the first one you two will be participating in!" He smiled, putting an arm around her shoulder. "You may choose your sister or someone else if you'd like, Rapunzel."
"Hmm, a partner, huh?" Rapunzel tapped her chin as she got an idea.
"Are you sure you don't wanna ask somebody else to be your partner?" Cass asked as she sewed up Rapunzel's sleeve from her dress. "Eugene? Old Lady Crowley? Your sister? ...That fern?"
"Cass, this is a great opportunity to become better friends!" Rapunzel exclaimed in excitement. "I have all the time in the world to spend with Harmony, and besides, they're holding an event for her to find a partner."
"Listen, I have my job to do, and you have yours. We can be partners if you want, but a lady-in-waiting and a princess becoming friends?" She walked off with her knitting supplies, laughing. "That's like a one-in-a-million chance." And with that, she closed the door.
"Wow, did you hear that, Pascal? One in a million?"
Pascal squeaked at her encouragingly. "I know! It means there's a chance!"
Inside a cottage from Old Corona, a young boy was building a helmet. He looked up at the path in front of his window that led to the castle. He thought about the young princess of their kingdom, and why he was doing this. He had started to like her for a few months now, but had never actually met her. Of course, that was only because she had been raised in the castle with no human contact to the town. He felt bad for how she was raised, not unlike him.
So when he had heard that this girl was evil, he didn't really believe in that. There was more to her than what everyone else was saying...despite what he had heard, he still thought that she was a good person. After all, she never used her power, and because her sister had cut off her magical hair, her powers had since been inactive. She was beautiful, and sure that she was just a girl that needed a friend...
And a partner.
He already knew that no one would partner with her because of her past...powerfulness. But he hoped that she would choose him and that he would finally get to meet her...know her better...
He just had to make sure that she didn't know his real identity. If he went down there as himself, she would never pay any attention to him. He was a poor boy from a village, and she was the princess of his home.
"Here we go…" He took a deep breath, putting on the mask.
"People of Corona," Frederic announced to the people in front of the castle doors. "As you know, the Contest of Crowns is upon us. However, Princess Harmony shall require a partner. If you wish to be in the contest with the princess, step up now."
Everyone inched away from the stage, Harmony shaking her head. She should have expected that reaction: they were still not used to her and her power, and it seemed as if that affected their decision...
"Father...perhaps I should withdraw from the competition," She spoke up. She knew better than anyone that no one would be her partner for this. Which was why she had a bit of doubt ever since this started. She could just not compete and support her sister from the crowd.
"Well...if that's how it must be, then-"
"I volunteer!"
Their eyes widened at the voice as a boy stumbled past the crowd. He was wearing a black and gray coat and a gray bauta, which brought out his light blue eyes. He crawled onto the stage, standing in front of the princess.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, bowing to her. "I would be honored to be your partner, Princess Harmony."
"Erm..." She noticed his mask, eyeing him closely. He sweated a little. "I do not believe I have ever seen you before, uh..."
"Oh! Um," He glanced around, "Ruddiger. My name is Ruddiger!"
"Ruddiger...well, then may we prevail in the contest," She curtsied to him.
Carriages arrived in Corona for the Contest of the Crowns. "Welcome, one and all, to the Contest of the Crowns!" The announcer boomed. "The Queens of all seven kingdoms have selected seven spectacular challenges. But only the top two teams will reach the final event, and have the chance to have their names engraved for eternity on the hallowed Contest of the Crowns trophy!"
"Is your mother on that trophy?" Ruddiger whispered to the young princess.
"Yes," She smiled a bit and he blinked upon seeing it. "She and my Aunt Willow won a few years ago. I was very proud of them." She cleared her throat and said nothing else.
"Competitors, your time is about to begin!"
"This is so exciting!" Rapunzel gushed to Cass, Ruddiger, and Harmony. "I have never seen so many princesses from so many places before."
They took one look at Harmony and gasped, turning their backs on her except for two groups. Ruddiger glanced at the girl, who didn't seem to care by this action. "Koto, Neserdnia, Bayangor, Galcrest, Pittsford, oh Ingvarr."
The two were sharpening their weapons, looking up at the four.
"Whoa," Cass murmured at this.
"We are gonna have so much fun together! And I'm sure you and your partner will become great friends, Harmony!" Rapunzel stretched her arms. Harmony glanced at her partner, and if she could see past the mask, she would see him smiling.
"Maybe, in a few months time," She remarked, earning a small frown from him. But it was better than never, right?
"Which kingdom did you go to again?" Rapunzel asked her sister.
"Galcrest. They had sent a letter requesting assistance for better living. Their people were limited on certain technology, so I built a few crop cutters, some feeding machines for their animals, and that was in the course of about 6 months."
"That's very admirable of you."
Her eyes widened as she turned to Ruddiger. "Uh, what you did," He rubbed the back of his neck.
She blinked slowly at the compliment. No citizen from Corona ever thanked her for it. "...Thank you."
"That's exactly what friends should do!" Rapunzel gestured to them. "I even made us, ahem, wait for it, spirit bracelets!" She held them out to Cass, one of them having her name on it. She took it into her hand, hearing the snooty laughter from one of the teams.
"Spirit bracelets..."
Harmony glared at them and they flinched, quickly running off.
"Why do you let people fear you?" Ruddiger couldn't help but ask.
"Because they do not know what else to feel around me."
His eyes softened at her nonchalant tone regarding her answer.
"Now let's go get 'em!" Rapunzel exclaimed, holding out her hands to Cass. "Come on, bring it in!"
"Ah, ah, ah, personal space," Cass warned her.
"Air hugs only. Check," She hugged the air and Harmony sighed, shaking her head.
"Sister."
Cass groaned and walked off.
"Our first event has been chosen by the Queen of Koto! Ballroom dancing in the traditional Kotoan style."
The two princesses curtsied before starting to dance. The Queen of Ingvarr rolled her eyes in disdain over the whole thing.
"Ooh, fancy," Rapunzel commented from the crowd.
"You mean, unbearingly stuffy?" Cass pointed out, to Rapunzel's slight annoyance.
"Contestants, please, take the floor."
"Um," Ruddiger coughed awkwardly. "Do you know how to do this dance?"
Harmony grunted a bit, clearing her throat. "Yes...follow me."
The others stepped forward and Cass sighed slowly. Ruddiger and Harmony stood in the middle of the contestants. "Raise your right hand with the other behind your back." He did so and she placed her hand over his. "Now, watch my feet. Turn slightly and then switch hands."
He was a fast learner, and thankfully, he managed to perform the dance as well as the others.
"You do realize that you do not need to be my partner if you wish to drop out."
He stared at her as they continued the dance and she had a forlorn look on her face. "Most people would have left me to withdraw from the competition...but you did not. Why is that?"
"Because I want to get to know the real Princess Harmony. I never...feared you, you know. There's more to you than what people say or think."
Her mouth slightly dropped open as she stopped dancing, looking into his eyes. No one had ever told her that before...
"I'm totally gonna respect your personal space thing after this," Rapunzel stated as they spun around. "I promise...ugh. You're right, Cass, this is stuffy. Let's say we make this a little more exciting, huh?"
She stepped backwards, alarming Cass. "Rapunzel, wait, what are you-"
The older brunette looked to Pascal, who held out a flute to her. She started playing a little song while Pascal was on the bongos.
"Do you wanna lose this competition?" Cass whispered to her. The Queen from Koto gasped sharply, huffing as she waved a fan.
"How embarrassing," The princesses from Koto walked past them and Harmony looked on in slight horror.
"Stop that, don't-give me-would you just—give me that," Cass jumped over Rapunzel, grabbing the flute and landing safely. This shocked the Queen from Ingvarr, to say the least. Rapunzel noticed the instrument was out of her hands, and they were put in third, much to Cass' annoyance.
"Oops...at least it was fun."
"Fun? Yeah, that was real fun!" Cass walked off, the Queen of Ingvarr staring at her. She stormed off into the hall, the two princesses from Ingvarr joining her side.
"West Corridor at dusk. The Queen of Ingvarr would like to have a word. Don't be late," One of them simply said, and with that, they left her alone. Her eyes went wide as she remembered that they were the two sharpening weapons.
Cass entered the corridor. "Uh, excuse me? Your majesty? Your daughter said to meet you in the west corridor?"
She was hiding behind one of the columns. She drew her sword and swung for Cass. She jumped to one of the armors from the wall and grabbed a sword from it. She stumbled onto her feet as she faced the woman. They clashed swords, and the Queen quickly disarmed her. She glared up at the woman.
"You have a fighter's spirit."
She could only stare, confused by her words. The Queen sheathed her sword, walking past the lady-in-waiting. "What do you know of my homeland?"
"That it's a kingdom of warrior women," Cass answered her.
"And how would you like to join that army?" She turned around to Cass, who beamed at the question. "My challenge is the final event. Should you triumph, there may be a place for you in my battalion. A chance at a real future for you."
"Wow! I-I mean, thank you."
"Not so fast," The Queen continued. "Only the top two teams can get to my event. So you'll have to do well in all the others."
Cass stood up straight, bowing her head to her. "Yes, your majesty. I'll see you there."
She smiled and left, Cass chuckling at the opportunity she was given. But that would mean that she and the other team would have to prevail, and she couldn't do that if Rapunzel wasn't as focused as the other Corona team.
"Rapunzel!"
She looked up as Cass approached. "Ah, what I said earlier...I was just frustrated."
Rapunzel smiled softly. "These games aren't that bad. I, uh, I was actually thinking it'd be pretty great if we win."
"Really?" Rapunzel stood up. "Cass! By the time we're done, we are going to be finishing each other's..."
"I'm not saying sentences," Cass crossed her arms.
"But you did!" Rapunzel squealed, the woman rolling her eyes. "Go team!" She waved a flag.
Harmony and Ruddiger were walking together in the castle garden, both of them staying silent. They seemed to admire the view instead of talking for the moment. That was, until Harmony broke it.
"Did you mean what you said to me back there in the first event?"
She hugged herself as they continued their stroll. She couldn't stop thinking about his words during the dance. Normally, it wouldn't have fazed her if it wasn't for the fact that it was the first time that someone, much less a boy her age, said that to her.
Ruddiger took a deep breath. "Yeah...yeah, I meant it."
"You hardly know me," She said quietly. "And yet you speak as if you do."
"I know that I might just be a stranger to you, but...it's not fair for others to judge you if they don't get to know the real you. You're their princess, and they should trust you."
"I...I will admit that what you say is correct. But I do not have hope that I will ever get along with them or my sister," Harmony sighed as she sat on a bench. Ruddiger sat next to her.
"If we win, they might change their minds."
"Perhaps..." She rubbed her arms, which he noticed.
"Are you cold?"
"Just a little, but-"
He took off his coat and wrapped it around her. They were very close now, almost touching as he adjusted the collar.
"Is that better?"
She stared into his eyes, his hands still on the collar as she tugged on the sides of the coat with her hands. He stared right back, the wind immediately seeming to die down.
"...Yes..." She smiled softly at him. "Thank you, again."
"Not a problem, your highness."
"Please, just Harmony," She told him as they turned to look at all the plants.
"R-Really?"
"We are partners until the end of the contest. We might as well address each other by first name...Ruddiger," She murmured slowly, finding his name...unique. He saw a white rose from the red rose bush and plucked it. He held it out to her and she smiled bashfully, her heart beating as she took it into her hands, lightly twirling it between her fingers.
"A princess must identify the correct cutlery. Which fork is...the oyster fork?"
Ruddiger tried not to gag at the sight of the oysters. "Okay Rapunzel, do not pick up a fork unless you're absolutely sure-" Cass noticed her playing with the oysters, knocking them out of her hand. "Cut it out!" She accidentally picked up the forks, and the announcer thought that was her answer.
"Half incorrect!" Harmony had the right fork, though.
"No, these aren't-" She growled as Corona was put into fourth place.
"Befriending woodland creatures is a must for the modern princess. Whoever emerges from the forest with the most critters wins!"
Cass was holding two raccoons, Ruddiger holding up another one. Harmony had some ducklings with her and Rapunzel whistled. A wolf came out of nowhere, scaring the other princesses. The raccoons moved away from Cass' hands, the ducklings flying away as the animals scurried around.
Cass dragged a hand down her face.
"I'm too pretty to be a snack!"
Corona was now in last place...
"Today's final event, Steed Capering, is off to a smashing start! With the first five teams putting in solid performances. Yes, Team Ingvarr is looking perfectly in sync."
The two princesses walked side-by-side perfectly. Rapunzel got onto Max, with the two teens having borrowed horses from their stables.
"Team Corona, please take your mark."
"Steed Capering was invented in Corona," Cass looked relieved by this event. "Plus, we've got Max on our side, so we should be able to nail this one."
Rapunzel waved to her parents, Harmony simply bowing her head. Cass looked up at the Queen of Ingvarr, who simply nods.
"Just remember, winners focus on winning," Cass told the others.
"I know we didn't have the best luck with this last time..." Rapunzel held up her flute.
"Rapunzel, don't you dare-"
"Pascal."
"No," Cass complained while the two teens cringed. Pascal played first, followed by Rapunzel. Max started moving along to the music, Frederic shaking his shoulders. Arianna looked at him in amusement and he stopped. Max danced in front of the others, who could only watch. Then he bumped right into Fidella and the other two horses, causing them to run off. She knocked Cass off into mud, Harmony going flying as well. Ruddiger snapped the reins, the horse regaining control and running up to Harmony. He held out his arms and caught her, to the surprise of the crowd. The horse slid to a stop, Harmony's eyes squeezed shut.
The other princesses from the crowd laughed at Cass. Rapunzel reached the mud puddle, jumping off Max. "Cassandra, let me help-"
"Just leave it, Rapunzel!" She snapped at her. "You've already done enough damage."
She looked up at the Queen of Ingvarr, who simply looked at the board. Corona was taken off the listing...
"I, um, I...uh...I didn't mean to..."
Cass simply walked away with Fidella. Harmony looked up slowly at Ruddiger, her arms around his neck. Her heart beat faster again.
"You saved me...thank you."
"Aha...it was no trouble at all, Harmony..." He looked away sheepishly.
Cass opened the door to her room, pulling off the headdress. She had just finished getting cleaned up, seeing something set up in her room.
"What is this?"
"I couldn't help but feel like we've been a bit out of sync, so I figured, what better way for two friends to reconnect than a sleepover? And look, Harmony is here too!" She opened up the fort's entrance to reveal the girl.
"Why can't you understand? We are not friends! I don't like dumb dance moves, or spirit bracelets, or sleepovers! My idea of having fun is not to have fun. Goodnight."
"You're right...I was pushing too hard...besides Pascal, I haven't made any friends in 18 whole years, so maybe I don't know how..." She walked towards the door, Harmony looking up at her. "I'll just...leave you alone." She retreated to the fort.
"But this is my room. Ugh," Cass rolled her eyes, Harmony watching as Rapunzel put on her bracelet. Pascal frowned as he curled up next to her, Daisy chirping.
"You know..." They looked up to see Cass moving away the door. "I'm probably not that good at making friends either. I grew up with the Captain of the Guards for a father. He's not big on warm and fuzzy. Heh. I guess I...I got a lot to learn about being a friend."
"And I have grown sheltered from people who fear me and what power I used to have for my whole life..." Harmony looked at her left hand. "I have not been exactly...friendly towards others because of that."
"Maybe...maybe we could learn together?" Rapunzel asked slowly. "Maybe I won't try so hard to be friends?"
"And I guess I could try harder not to...not be your friend," Cass replied back.
"And I suppose I could be nicer to people who wish to be close to me..." Harmony moved a bang away from her face bashfully, remembering Ruddiger.
"Wait…" Rapunzel gasped sharply, alarming Harmony a little. "You like Ruddiger, don't you?"
"W-What?" Harmony blushed as she stammered, which was a bit unlike her, to say the least. "Me? H-Having feelings for Ruddiger? Whatever do you mean? I..."
"Well, do you feel anything for him at all?" Rapunzel squealed, jumping up and down.
"Even I have to admit that it's obvious," Cass smirked, crossing her arms.
"Everytime I lay eyes on him...I suppose...my heart beats a little faster...than normal," Harmony played with a bang from her hair.
"Aww," The older sister clasped her hands together. "Your first crush!"
"No, no, that is not what has occurred," The girl shook her head quickly. She was a princess, she had a duty to her people...she had to make sure everyone else was safe, and if that meant to put her feelings aside, so be it.
"But we can help you and then we can have double dates with Eugene and-"
"Sister, no," Harmony sighed a little. "I have never had these feelings before...last year, I decided to focus on my hobbies so that...I would not have to fall in...love," She bit her lip. "And now...with this new...experience..."
"Hey," Rapunzel placed a hand on her shoulder. "Any guy would be lucky to have you."
"She's right. It's not bad for a teenage girl to have these kind of feelings for a boy. I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Harmony smiled weakly at them.
"Hey, what do you say you help me clean my room, huh? Some weird princess made a mess of it," She threw a pillow at Rapunzel, biting her lip nervously. All of them end up laughing together, a rare sight from Harmony. This woman...her sister...she had an air around her that was contagious.
"6 teams remain in the Embroider-a-thon."
The citizens watched, the two Corona teams working together on their project. Rapunzel bit off the thread and they held up to reveal a large Corona banner.
"A princess must keep her composure during the wild carriage!"
The two princesses from Pittsford flew out of the carriage, the two teams waving to the crowd.
"And who will win the great cake bake-off?"
Cass threw a strawberry to Rapunzel, who swung around and put one of the final touches. Ruddiger held up a vial and poured it on the cake, giving it glitter and leaving four little statues on top of the cake representing the two teams. They waved to everyone and Pascal played the bongos again.
"And the two teams progressing to the finals will be Ingvarr...and after a surprising comeback, Corona!"
Harmony and Ruddiger blinked, beaming at each other. "Yes!" Rapunzel hugged Cass before remembering the rule. "Oh, sorry. Personal space."
"Ahh, what's a little invasion of personal space between friends, huh?" Cass put an arm around her. Ruddiger took Harmony by the waist and spun her around, shocking both of them.
He cleared his throat, placing her down. "Sorry...I..."
"It's fine, Ruddiger," She smiled softly and he turned to her in surprise to hear her speak a normal sentence. "Er...what was that you had done with the cake earlier?"
"Oh, you mean alchemy? I do a lot of stuff with science..."
"Perhaps if we win...you could teach me someday?" She asked slowly and he smiled softly.
"I would be honored."
"In a matter of moments, the final teams will go head to head in the final event: Capture the Flag!"
The four teams were getting ready in a tent. "Cass," Rapunzel looked at her. "I just wanted to say...thank you for being my partner. And Harmony, thank you for what you taught me before this competition. I've learned so much from you."
Harmony gave her a small smile and then the Queen of Ingvarr arrived. "Ah, good luck, Cassandra. I have a feeling Ingvarr will be welcoming a new soldier soon."
Harmony's eyes widened at this. "New soldier?" Rapunzel asked in confusion. "What is she talking about, Cass?"
"Uh..." She felt like a deer all of a sudden. "Nothing!"
"Didn't she tell you? I've offered her a position in my army, if she does well in this competition."
Harmony slowly stood up from her chair, staring at Cass' back. Rapunzel gave a hurt look. "After all, like you said, Cassandra, you're dissatisfied with your current station. Aren't you?" And with that, she left the tent.
Cass turned around to the two, Harmony walking past the woman. "Harmony, wait," Cass called out, but she only stopped. She turned to look towards Cass.
"Cassandra...how could you? You have been my lady-in-waiting ever since you arrived at the castle. I thought you were a friend..."
She took her leave as well as Cass removed her headdress. Ruddiger went after the princess as Rapunzel rubbed her neck.
"Why didn't you tell me you were unhappy?"
"I'm not unhappy, it's just that this is a great opportunity for me!" Cass put the headdress back on. "She offered me a place in her battalion, if I prove myself in the finals. I mean, how could I turn that down?"
"So, all this time, I thought we were all actually having fun..." She gave a disappointed look.
"We were having fun," Cass told her, feeling guilty.
"You were just using me!"
"Rapunzel, I-"
"Contestants, get ready!" The announcer interrupted.
"Let's just win this thing so you can take advantage of this great opportunity. Maybe that will be better for both of us," Rapunzel glared at her face.
"Yeah...maybe it would."
Rapunzel threw her spirit bracelet into her hands and Cass looked on sadly. She opened up the bracelet.
"It's the moment you've all been waiting for! The conclusion of the most thrilling Contest of the Crowns!" The three teams stood side-by-side in the field. "Brought us by the Queen of Ingvarr..." The woman waved to the crowd with a smile. "It's the final event: Capture the Flag! From the ferocious...fanged fury of..."
The ground started to shake, bringing slight concern. "Of...of..." Flames came out of the ground from a trap door in front of them. "Of...Of...The Iron Lion!"
Standing in the middle of the smoke from the flames was an iron lion. Harmony's mouth opened in shock, the king and queen concerned about this. The Queen of Ingvarr looked actually pleased from her challenge compared to the others.
"The first team to grab the flag wins! Good luck! On your marks...get set..."
"On my command," A few Ingvarrs were inside controlling the lion. "Right paw attack."
Cass looked to the other three, who were dead set on focusing on the lion. She went back to her spot sadly as the announcer blew the horn to start the challenge. Everyone ran forward except for Cass. The trio sped past the Princesses of Ingvarr.
"Now."
One of them pulled the lever, bringing the paw forward to knock Rapunzel into the ground.
"Rapunzel!" Eugene exclaimed in worry, Harmony sliding to a stop. She ran back to her sister and bent down to her.
"Sister!"
Frederic stood up, only for Arianna to stop him. The lion then attacked the other two princesses, and they went flying.
"Rapunzel, you okay?" Cass turned to her.
"Don't worry about me. Winners focus on winning, remember?" She glanced to the lady-in-waiting, Harmony giving her an accusing look. Cass put on a winner's face as she ran up to the lion, only to get hit along with everyone else. The princesses landed in the fence while Cass, Harmony, and Ruddiger slid to a stop.
"It's like it's always two steps ahead of us!" Cass looked up at Rapunzel, who narrowed her eyes. The lion roared slightly.
"Then let's make this a little more exciting!"
The three sat up, watching her race up to the metal animal. The right paw moved again, Rapunzel sliding underneath it. She jumped onto the mace, landing on the back.
"Wow," The three murmured in awe.
The lion spun around to try and get Rapunzel off, but she was trying to keep her balance. Cass ran up to the Corona flag and grabbed it. Rapunzel slid off the back as the lion stood up, the two teens running up to help. Cass brought herself forward, Harmony doing the same as Ruddiger held onto her. They landed on the head.
"What was that?"
"There!"
Cass crawled onto the top, Harmony and Ruddiger reaching the back.
"Sister, now's our chance!" The two princesses ran over as Rapunzel tried to hang on.
One of the princesses grabbed her leg. "Gotcha!"
She pulled Rapunzel off and she slid onto the ground.
"Hey! No citizen alive, Ingvarr or not, shall do that to my sister!" Harmony yelled at them. Cass looked up at the Queen, who laughed and gestured for Cass to take it.
"Go, Cass, keep going! Get the flag!" Rapunzel urged her.
"Get the flag," The Queen of Ignvarr gritted her teeth, but Cass smirked. She got onto her feet...and a shadow loomed over Rapunzel. She looked up to see the lady-in-waiting holding out her hand. Harmony and Ruddiger were standing next to her.
Rapunzel took the help. "Cass, what are you doing? You have to go get that flag!" Rapunzel tried to push her forward. "If this job means so much to you!"
"There's something else that means a lot more," Cass smirked up at the Queen. Pascal squeaked, holding out the friendship bracelet for Cass. She took it into her hands, putting them around their wrists. Rapunzel hugged her and the horn blowed.
"Uh oh, looks like we lost."
"Your Contest of the Crowns Champions, the two teams of Corona!"
"What?" The two women blinked in shock and Harmony smirked, holding up the flag from behind her back.
"Friendship is ideal...however, winning is something we should all share as well."
Cass looked up to the Queen of Ingvarr. "Even though I did win...I refuse your offer. I have somewhere else I'm needed," She smiled toward the two princesses. The Queen frowned deeply and left from her place.
"Let's make a graceful wave for victory," Rapunzel smiled as they waved to the crowd. The two women smiled at each other and Ruddiger held Harmony's hand, holding it up in the air.
"Go Princess Harmony!"
"She did it!"
Harmony smiled softly at the cheers from the crowd.
"I...I have to go."
"What?" She murmured slowly to Ruddiger. "But...what about-"
"I'm sure we'll see each other again...Princess," He moved away part of the mask, lifting her hand to his lips, kissing her hand. She blushed and he ran off, the girl putting her hands to her heart.
"Thank you, Ruddiger…"
Rapunzel looks at the open journal, frowning sadly. "Look, I just think with this lady-in-waiting thing..." Eugene speaks up from the ladder. "Maybe no one's working out for you because you're not over Cass."
"That has nothing to do with it, Eugene," She defends, closing the journal. "I have moved on." She moves away a book to see the two friendship bracelets she made...She takes them into her hands with a sigh, putting them to her heart.
"Oh, oh, hey...hey, Blondie, it's okay," He sits next to her. "Look, I know it's hard. What Cass did, it's a—it's a very big deal," He puts a hand on her cheek, hugging her.
"No...Eugene, she could've had everything she wanted. She had the chance to become a warrior, but she chose our friendship instead," She looks at the yellow bracelet. "And I'm not giving up on her yet."
Later that night, Cass is demanding an answer. "What do you mean, the sisters stole some of my power?"
"When the two princesses touched Harmony's black rocks...they gave them their protective power. This kept the sundrop and moonstone safe until they made their way to the Dark Kingdom."
"So those powers that they took...belonged to the moonstone..."
"And the moonstone was supposed to be for Harmony, which now belongs to you. So you see, even the power of the Moonstone is not completely yours," She reveals, resulting in Cass creating a black rock out of anger. Even when Harmony doesn't have the moonstone, she still has something that she doesn't. She rips the picture in half and it falls onto the floor.
Harmony and Varian are in her lab, taking a break as she was thinking about Cass...ever since she came to the castle, the girl was friendly to her before she changed...since she had lost hope that the moonstone's power would never go away at the time. However...she did lose them for a while when Rapunzel had cut her hair. She assumed it had to do with the sundrop and moonstone's connection to each other, and it seemed that she was right since she didn't have her powers again until she touched the black rocks.
Which, of course, were unknowingly her black rocks at the time. And the rest was history...
"Um...Mona," Varian rubs the back of his neck. "Remember the Contest of Crowns two years ago?"
"Ha," Harmony chuckles a little at the memory. "Oh man, that was such a different time, Vari, that I barely think about it anymore. That was about a few days after I returned from one of the seven kingdoms, Galcrest. I was only just starting to teach Rapunzel about how to be a princess...or rather, I was learning who she is. I wasn't even going to compete at first when we asked the people until someone from Corona stepped in. Never figured out who he was."
"Well...about that..." He starts off, but then she interrupts.
"He was my first crush, now that I think about it..." She smiles lightly and he blinks in surprise.
"You...liked him?"
"I know, it's weird hearing that from me since I was different back then," Harmony brushes a bang away from her face. "I mean...I was just so focused on how to be a princess after I got home that I didn't really understand what love really was until I met him. And I really tried to get it!" She giggles in amusement. "I just thought that to focus more on my own life because reality sank in to me a long time ago what I was supposed to do for Corona."
He blushes, rubbing his neck.
"And the one thing I could remember was that he used alc-" She pauses in her words, staring at Varian, who's smiling sheepishly. She only feels shock and happiness right now as it sinks in. "...That...you...you were..."
"Guilty," He laughs in embarrassment. "I...I wanted to meet you, but...I didn't think you'd give me the time of day, so I..."
"Varian," She chuckles happily. "We met each other again? And you...said all of that stuff about me when I was trying to push you away," She blushes at the memory, moving a hair away from her face. "I'm starting to think it's fate."
He smiles, holding her hands. "I think it is too."
"But seriously, Ruddiger? That was the name you could come up?" She giggles as she remembers how he introduced himself.
"I couldn't exactly say my real name at the time, could I?" He rubs his neck.
"Well...I think that was sweet what you did for me. And I wanna thank you."
Harmony steps out of her lab a few minutes later, just as Eugene and Rapunzel arrive. "Hey Brownie. We were just about to come see you," Eugene greets her, causing the girl to turn around.
"We were wondering if you and Varian wanted to go and get a snack. I...could really use some time with my friends," Her older sister smiles weakly, Eugene rubbing her arm.
"Oh, you're gonna have to give Varian a few minutes," She replies, confusing them. The crown princess smiles, hands behind her back. "He's a little...out of it from the reward I gave him," She starts to walk away.
"Reward for what?" Eugene calls out.
"Oh, let's just say for doing something in the past."
Once she's gone, Varian stumbles out into the hall, with lipstick marks all over his face. He smiles goofily, the two staring at him in surprise.
"Varian?"
"I did...I did the thing!" Varian holds up a finger as he gives a mushy smile, dropping his hand.