Chapter 4

Rapunzel stared at her parents in shock. "He… what?" She stuttered, trying to get her thoughts in order. It felt like the room was spinning. "But… I'm only eighteen!"

William nodded. "Yes, but you are eligible for courting as of your seventeenth birthday. While it's true that you cannot marry yet, you are allowed to start the courting process."

Rapunzel felt fear rise in the back of her throat. "But-but I don't want to be courted! I just got here! I'm still learning, I'm not ready for this!"

The queen looked heartbroken. "Sweetheart, trust us, we have done everything in our power to come to agreement with our allied kingdoms that you would not be courted by their princes… until you had settled back into your former life." This was a partial lie told by the Queen - one of the main reasons they had made these agreements was because of how much they knew Flynn Rider and their daughter meant to each other. It had been plain to see from the moment they saw them. Flynn and Rapunzel had a deep connection, and the King and Queen had not wanted that to be disrupted.

The King continued. "All agreed to our request… except Tamarac. We hadn't even learned of their king's decision until just a few moments ago. Prince Darin sent a message from his father." He held up an opened letter for her to see. "He has said that to deny his son the rights our law gives him would be unforgiveable, and that he would be forced to break our treaty."

"Treaty?" Rapunzel asked as she rubbed her temple with her fingertips, her head starting to pound.

"Tamarac is well-known for their war tactics and weaponry. They provide us with military assistance when we have need of it, and we provide them with our surplus goods for their villagers. If we deny Darin his courting rights… his father will break that treaty and may declare war."

Rapunzel's mouth fell open and she was silent for a moment, processing this information. "That's so… extreme."

"The King was born a soldier at heart. To him, war is the answer to everything." Victoria said.

Rapunzel felt her hope slipping farther and farther away. "But… Eugene…" She whispered, unaware that she was speaking out loud. Her eyes began to fill with tears as her parents watched helplessly. He would be so hurt… and she couldn't bear that, no matter what.

"Rapunzel, there is a silver lining…" William said gently as his daughter looked up at him. "Prince Darin has only thirty days to court you. If at the end of that period you have decided you are not interested in being his bride, you may reject him. He will have no choice but to return to his kingdom and seek a princess elsewhere."

"A month?" Rapunzel asked. That wasn't so long… if she could just get to Eugene before he heard anything, they could talk about it and she could reassure him that she had no intentions of being this prince's princess. They would get through the thirty days, she would send this 'Darin' home, and she could continue spending her days with Eugene.

"I guess that's not so bad." Rapunzel said, trying to be optimistic despite herself. "I just…" She blushed slightly, her eyes drifting down to the ground. "I um, I need to tell Eugene about all of this…"

The Queen nodded. "Of course, dear. Rapunzel… we are so sorry you have to do this. If there were any other way, we would've done so. But… we can't afford to risk a war right now. It's selfish of us, we know… and we know how you feel about Fly- Eugene." She corrected herself. Her daughter blushed even more and she couldn't help but smile for it. "But we promise that after this has passed, your father and I will do absolutely everything possible to make sure this situation doesn't happen again."

Rapunzel met her parents' eyes. "I'm not angry with you." She said softly. "I know you didn't mean for this to happen. And I…" She paused, taking a little breath. "Ilove you both. Very much."

Her parents smiled tenderly and felt their hearts lighten at the first spoken words of love their daughter had said to them. They pulled Rapunzel into a hug, thinking to themselves just how blessed they were to have her home again. As they embraced, the King and Queen shared a look and an unsaid promise passed between them. They would do whatever it took to make sure no one stood in the way of Rapunzel's happiness again.

The door suddenly banged open and broke the happy trio apart. Rapunzel turned away from her parents and saw a tall, muscular and well-dressed man standing at the entrance. His face showed slight guilt at interrupting the family, but his eyes showed no remorse, causing Rapunzel to irrationally believe he had interrupted them on purpose.

"I am so sorry - the guard told me I could come in." He lied. The guard had said no such thing. He took a look at Rapunzel, who had moved slightly closer to her parents and away from him. Her face showed uncertainty. He slowly walked towards them with a cordial smile, his boots making soft sounds against the marble floor.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Your Majesties." He directed to the King and Queen with grace. Then his eyes met Rapunzel's. "And you must be Princess Rapunzel." He reached for her hand without request and kissed her fingers, causing her to unwillingly step towards his pull. "It is my honor to make your acquaintance. I am Prince Darin." He said, giving her a sultry smile.

Rapunzel withdrew her hand, smoothing her dress nervously. "It's nice to meet you too." She responded simply. She turned to her parents and gave them a pleading look, which they interpreted immediately.

"Darin, you must be exhausted from your journey. Why don't you follow me and I'll personally show you to your room." King William said, gesturing to the door.

Darin shook his head. "Wouldn't think of it, sir. All I've thought about on my way here was how much I've been looking forward to meeting your lovely daughter and all the time we're going to spend together." He looked at Rapunzel, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as if to question her. "I would love a tour of the palace, if you would be willing."

Rapunzel was surprised. She had never heard someone openly defy her father, not even someone of royal blood. A quick glance at the King's face told her that this didn't happen very often. She looked to her mother for help, but she seemed to be at a loss as well. Turning back to the rebellious prince, Rapunzel forced a smile and nodded unenthusiastically.

"I'd be happy to."