Jealousy
"So it's official. As of today, you're my royal engineer." Rapunzel announced brightly.
Most of the court clapped. Nigel folded his hands in front of him and scowled. "Royal Engineer. What even is that?" he scoffed. Varian heard him and was about to say something in anger, when Rapunzel stopped him.
"Varian. Nigel. Why don't you two come with me to someplace more private. I think you need to talk." Rapunzel said.
Nigel and Varian both followed her, although Nigel refused to look at Varian even when they were in the hallway and away from prying eyes.
"Boys, talk it out." Rapunzel instructed. "Varian, you start."
"With pleasure. Nigel, what is your problem with me?!" Varian demanded.
"You erased the King and Queen's memory and usurped my position!" Nigel pointed out.
"Well you had Stan and Pete throw me out into a blizzard! I could have died!" Varian shot back.
"If only..." Nigel muttered.
"What was that?" Varian hissed.
"I'm sure Nigel meant to say 'if only we had treated him with more kindness that day.'" Rapunzel hastily interjected.
"I suppose." Nigel said, without much enthusiasm.
"This is a good start. You two just need to open up to each other more. Varian, why don't you tell him about the red rocks?" Rapunzel suggested.
Varian was nervous. "Wh-what's to know? You and I stopped them by working together." Varian stammered.
"Varian." Rapunzel said with gentle firmness.
"...Fine. They show you your greatest fears and mine… was seeing my dad trapped... and everyone saying it was all my fault." Varian mumbled.
"It was your fault." Nigel remarked.
"...I know." Varian agreed, looking miserable.
That surprised Nigel. He had expected the boy to disagree vehemently. But instead, Varian was standing there, shoulders slumped, tears about to fall from his eyes, looking as if the pain from that day was still fresh. Perhaps Nigel had misjudged him. He certainly seemed as remorseful as Rapunzel always claimed he was, but how could Nigel ever fully trust a boy who had nearly taken over the kingdom twice before the age of 16?
"And now you, Nigel. Tell Varian what the red rocks showed you." Rapunzel prompted.
"Your Highness, I don't see what that has to do with anything." Nigel tried to wriggle out of it.
"Nigel." Rapunzel said, a bit more forcefully than she had urged Varian.
Nigel hesitated. Could he really admit to this, this troublemaker, the only thing that scared him more than dragons? "Mine was the kingdom in danger, and I could do nothing because… I'm useless." Nigel murmured.
"But you're not useless. You know that, right?" Varian told him.
"Then why has Rapunzel never consulted me the way her parents did?" Nigel demanded.
"Maybe because, she's not her parents? Everyone has different leadership styles and Rapunzel's style is caring, caring about everyone in Corona. Just because she doesn't come asking for your opinion all the time doesn't me she won't listen if you approach her. You just have to be honest with Rapunzel and, and trust that she'll help you. She always does." Varian insisted.
Rapunzel smiled. "Aww, Varian!" she gave him a big hug.
Nigel thought it over. "I guess that's… true. I never really thought of it that way. Rapunzel is… a different sort of ruler. Not a bad different, of course your Highness. I would never dream of criticizing you!" Nigel demurred.
"Why not? If I've done something you don't like, you have every right to tell me about it." Rapunzel replied.
"Well, in that case, I don't agree with your giving that… "Nigel paused as if searching for the right word. "...impudent teenager such an important position." he finished.
"Your objection is noted, but my decision stands. Varian is my Royal Engineer." Rapunzel declared. "And while you don't agree with my decision now, I think given time, you will see the merits of it. Varian's a good boy… you just have to trust him."
Trust was a hard thing for Nigel to give, and Rapunzel was right that he wasn't ready to do so. But perhaps one day he would be.
The End
Nigel is hard to write! I don't think we're supposed to dislike him but his actions in the series seemed rather petty and harmful, if I'm being honest. After Queen For A Day and Rapunzel's Return, I think things would be tense between Nigel and Varian, as both have wronged each other, so I tried to reflect that in this post epilogue encounter.