A/N: guys. i'm sorry i didn't have this sooner. honestly, i was unsure on where i wanted to go with everything with eugene. i think what i have will be good enough. at least i hope. but i'm sorry it took so long. much love to all my lovely reviewers. i hope you are pleased with this chapter.

The air was felt thick with the tension shared between Rapunzel and her parents. They hadn't said anything yet. It was making Rapunzel incredibly uneasy. Her parents had sat on either side of her, each gently taking her hands. They were hoping that the news wouldn't be too harsh on her.

"Well dear." The King started off before clearing his throat, "We've decided to assign Eugene on a special mission, not just on the battlefield. With him being an ex-thief, he has a lot of skill not many men possess. Things such as stealth, a quick mind, and much, much else. Once close enough to enemy lines, Mr. Fitzherbert will be put under a disguise and escorted to the kingdom's palace. There he will sneak in an perform an assassination attempt to the kingdom's prince."

The King stopped to look over at his daughter. Rapunzel eyes were casted to the ground, as she was feeling sick to her stomach. Or that was her pregnancy talking. She looked back up at her father, biting down her bottom lip.

"He has to kill someone?" She asked quietly.

"It's for the best of the kingdom." The King replied.

"But why?"

The Queen decided to take answer to this question, "Well darling. We had some reason and proof to believe that the kingdom didn't start this war over a broken treaty, but more or less looking for more power. And our kingdom would be the beginning of this." She explained.

Rapunzel shifted uncomfortably, "Did Eugene know before he left?" She asked. Her parents simply nodded at her. Rapunzel frowned and stood up, "And he didn't tell me? And you didn't tell me what this was actually about? You had to lie to me."

The Queen frowned and walked over to Rapunzel, "Honey. We didn't want you to worry anymore then you already were. You have so much to deal with, we just didn't want to add this on." She said quietly, putting her hand on her shoulder.

Rapunzel simply shrugged it off and walked over to her desk sitting down, "Can you please leave now?" She asked, her eyes not leaving the floor. The King looked at his wife with a worried expression. She simply offered her hand to his as they both left the room.

Rapunzel didn't know how to feel at the moment. She guessed half of what they originally told her was true. Rapunzel toyed with a piece of parchment on her desk, letting out a frustrated sigh. She looked down at the paper, feeling she wanted to write Eugene. Rapunzel quickly grabbed her quill, dipping it in the inkwell. She began to write, telling him everything her parents and said, asking him if this was true. Rapunzel felt silly for not trusting her parents, but sometimes it just wasn't easy to trust.

xxxx

Nighttime had fallen for the soldiers defending the land of Corona. The soldiers were all down for their rest except Eugene. Words didn't exclaim how much he had missed Rapunzel. He didn't realize how hard this was actually going to be on him. Eugene couldn't even imagine the pain Rapunzel must have been feeling. Especially having to deal with their baby on her own.

God.

He wanted to be there so badly.

Eugene let out a frustrated sigh, running his hands through his hair. He stayed like that for a few moments before hearing rustling. Eugene sat up, grabbing the nearest weapon towards him. He made his way around a few of the sleeping soldiers as he neared the rustle. Eugene let out a startled yelp before coming face to face with the captain. He let out an amuse laugh, patting Eugene on the back.

"We have something for you, Fitzy." He said. Eugene raised his eyebrow at the odd abbrevation of his last name. He simply shrugged and followed the captain back to the station area of their camp. The place was dimly lit with a few candles and lanterns around the table. A few of the commanding officers were huddled around the table. The captain and Eugene walked over to the table as he eyed the white envelope sitting on the table.

The captain took it off the table, handing it to Eugene. Eugene looked down at the envelope quickly opening it, "Thanks Sir." He said as he went off to read the letter from his beloved. Eugene couldn't help but smile as he read the letter. He was glad that Rapunzel was doing well, along with the baby. Though as he read farther down, the smile was soon replaced with a frown. So her parents had decided to tell her about that.

After finishing the letter, Eugene walked back over to the table. The captain already had a fresh piece of parchment and something to write with for him. Eugene thanked him and went to quickly write a response.

xxxx

About a week had passed since Rapunzel wrote her letter and got nothing back. She was scared that something terrible had happened to Eugene. All this stress was taking a toll on Rapunzel. She was lacking sleep. She wasn't eating as much. The Queen was worried. If she kept up this habit, it wouldn't be good for either her or the baby. She made a mental note to go and speak to Rapunzel later. She couldn't keep this up any longer.

Around noon, the mail carrier had come by, delivering anything that may have come. Since no servants were around at the time, the Queen had gladly accepted the mail, thanking the flustered young man. She looked down at a few of the letters, noticing one addressed to Rapunzel. It had to be from Eugene. That was the only logic person who would be writing to her.

The Queen took the letter, tossing a few of the other things aside. She hurriedly ran to her daughter's room, figuring she was off from lessons at the moment. She stopped before knocking at the door. Rapunzel got up from the bed, opening the door at seeing her mother. The Queen offered the letter, her facial expressions saying all. Rapunzel quickly took the letter and opened. Rapunzel read the letter with haste, wanting to reply as soon as possible.

She sat down on her bed, rereading it again. Rapunzel was glad to hear that Eugene was doing well. It already felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulder. She was glad to hear that he had yet to have any fatal injuries. A few cuts and bruises, but he was a strong boy. Rapunzel wanted him to come home soon.

She looked down at her swelling stomach, resting a hand on it. It pained her to think he might not make it back for the birth of their child. She knew she at least had a few more months left. There was still hope, but Rapunzel didn't have much of it left. She wanted to have more faith he was going to return.

After Rapunzel had replied to the letter and sent it to the mail carrier, she headed off to find her parents.

Or Mother.

Or Father.

Whoever would be available at the time. Rapunzel was sure her parents knew a thing or two about holding onto hope and faith. After all, they did do it for eighteen years. Rapunzel walked into her mother's study, seeing her working on some type of paper.

"Mom?" Rapunzel asked. The Queen looked up, giving her daughter a warming smile.

"What is it, dear?" She asked. Rapunzel walked over closer, settling on the arm rest. She rested her hands on her stomach.

"How did you hold onto hope and faith so long when I was gone?" Rapunzel asked.

The Queen looked at her and smiled, "Well honey. There's the memories that you have that will always keep you moving forward. Our hope had definitely dissipated over the years you were gone. But you just have to have a strong heart, honey." She said. Rapunzel slightly relaxed, "You said Eugene made a promise of his return, right?" She asked. Rapunzel nodded.

"Then he will return." The Queen simply said, "Eugene is a man of his word."

Rapunzel smiled at the words of her mother. She leaned down, kissing her mother's cheek, "Thank you so much, Mom." She said, "I love you." The Queen smiled at the display of affection Rapunzel had shown.

"You're welcome, honey. I love you too."