Chapter 2

From The Tales of Flynnagan Rider

Violetta

They say that you never forget your first true love. Well, it's been quite a while since I've seen her. I will never forget this beautiful woman with the longest brown hair I've ever seen. It ran mid length to the small of her back. She had the widest brown eyes and the longest lashes I'd ever seen. She was 16 years old and her name was as lovely as the rest of her, Violetta.

She was the daughter of a prominent banker who wife had died of consumption, leaving him with to raise his only daughter. She was engaged to be married to someone else when I met her, walking alone in her garden. We were together for four months until she married her young man. But during that time, she showered me with money and love, kindness showing me around the Kingdom of Caledonia. Everything was done in secret, even our goodbyes by the Healing Waters where she brought me after my duel for her hand with her intended, Geoffrey. Everyone thought I was dead and I decided that it was for the best that I remained so. And so I moved on to my next adventure.

XXXX

Eugene closed the book and looked over at Rapunzel. They had been together for weeks, both reading the book. Rapunzel was fascinated and Eugene loved her reactions to the story line.

"Eugene, this is great," Rapunzel exclaimed, her large green eyes aglow with excitement. "I can't even imagine what it would be like to be Flynnagan Rider. "

Actually, he thought, neither could he, but he would love to someday.

"Someday, we'll find out," Eugene said, looking into her eyes and smiling.

Sometimes they would even act out some of the scenes from the book, she being the damsel in distress, he being the hero. All in secret, mind you. If his parents knew he was seeing a 10 year old servant's daughter with the strange name, he would be in so much trouble.

But she wasn't your typical 10 year old either. She was cute and funny and made him forget everything that his parents were stuffing down his throat. It was strange but he wanted to be with her. Maybe she seemed young now, but in a few years, who knows? It wouldn't matter so much, would it? He was sure his parents would realize this and change their minds after a while, wouldn't they?

Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," blared from his Samsung. It was his parents. Donna King had arrived at the mansion and was waiting for him. He slid the bar across to hang up; then pocketed the cell. They were here to finalize plans for a merger with her parent's company and his, and this wedding would pull everything together. This was part of his destiny, part of his growing up, Maybe it would make him forget about Rapunzel, but he knew it wouldn't be true. He had to thank his lucky stars that she wasn't going anywhere.

"Who was that, Eugene?"

"My parents. It seems that Kings are already here. There's something big on the horizon, Rapunzel and we've got to get back."

Rapunzel nodded. "Thanks for letting me know, I don't want you to get in any trouble because of me."

"Don't worry," Eugene said, "Things will all turn out right in the end, Princess. Trust me on that one."

XXXXX

Rapunzel stared out her bedroom window. In her hand, were two tickets to the Island Kingdom of Charon where she was registered to attend Gunther's School of Art. She was also to study under an Healing apprentice after school.

She was remembering her conversation with Greta earlier in the evening, right after dinner.

"Don't you want to make something of yourself, Rapunzel?" Greta asked. "You can paint up a storm and you're a great healer. Why should you keep these powers of yours hidden?"

"Mother," Rapunzel protested.

"Go to school, learn how to refine your talents."

"But why, Mother. I thought you needed me here."

Greta was panicky. She didn't want her to leave. She didn't want her out of this house. She was so afraid that they would follow her and lead them to the truth and she would be found out.

But there was nothing she could do now. The Fitzherberts made it clear that they wanted Rapunzel away from Eugene; they were seeing too much of one another. It just wasn't done in polite society. Privileged boys did not go out with servants, besides there was just something unwholesome about the entire relationship. And if they managed to separate them at this young age, they would forget each other, right?

"Listen, flower, you've got to go. We've got no choice. You're plane leaves for Charon tomorrow morning at 8 with a stop at the island of Caledonia for a day of sightseeing. Don't worry, Rapunzel, we'll keep in touch. Text or IM me anytime you like. I'm giving you my tablet and you can take your laptop.

Rapunzel brightened. "Then I can still talk to Eugene, can't I?"

Greta friowned and shook her head. "No," she answered. "I promised that you'd never see him again. At least, not until you get back, if you get back." Greta touched her daughter's hair. "Don't worry, my girl, we still have each other. Always. You can count on that."

And the two hugged one another.

Rapunzel let her tears fall. She would really miss Eugene. In these last few weeks, she had really come to like him quite a lot, but he didn't want her and neither did his parents. She made no attempt to dry her eyes, but she knew that this would be the last time she'd cry. Maybe Mother was right. This was the best thing for her. She'd learn a lot and return a famous painter and healer. And then the Fitzherberts wouldn't have any objection to her seeing her son.

She made a vow and she was going to go through with it.