Eugene and King Frederic actually enjoyed dinner together, at least, from what Eugene guessed. Eugene dropped his napkin a few times, but he honestly can't remember if it was because he was becoming intoxicated or because he was making a fool of himself again.

"Ryder," King Frederic said, less venom than before. Eugene still wishes he would call him by his name, but he's never said anything about it to his face. He didn't want to sound desperate about it. "I have concluded my thoughts on your final task for me," King Frederic finished.

"Oh, uh," Eugene said, trying to keep his focus. He doesn't know how many drinks he's had, but he feels himself loosing focus, so it must have been too many. "Do you think we can talk about it later?" he tried.

"No, this is important," King Frederic said.

"I was afraid of that," Eugene said. Eugene started drinking his water. Maybe the water could help him focus some, if not, all the way. He knows it's a long shot, but the least he can do is try to pay attention to the king.

"Ryder," King Frederic continued. "This task is extremely important. I expect you do accomplish it with no problems if you want me to release you from the decree."

"Yes, sir," Eugene said, putting the cup down, and nearly missing the table. He pushed the cup back onto the table more.

"I ask you to collect an important material we get imported. Their ship was damaged by a sea serpent, so I need you to go there, retrieve the item, and return with nothing lost or stolen. You will be accompanied by Maximus, and the Captain of the Guard." At that, Eugene gulped. The Captain of the Guard isn't at best terms with him. After all, he still calls him Ryder, he's always yelling at him, and he keeps trying to catch him 'in the act.' Max is on better terms but they still aren't good friends yet.

"This is a four days' journey, there and back," King Frederic continued. "There will be many tough roads and thugs on the way, but I have faith you can handle your own out there on the road."

Eugene had lost his focus and didn't hear the last half of the sentence. Eugene just smiled at the king, awkwardly, and nodded when his mouth stopped moving.

"Thank you, Ryder. You will set out tomorrow and meet outside the palace gates at eight. Good luck, Ryder." King Frederic stood, pushed his chair in, and walked out of the kitchen.

Oh, man, this is terrible. Did he give him directions? Did he tell him what to do? What else did the king say? Eugene can usually handle strong drinks more than right now. Maybe, it's because it's a royal wine? Yeah, that has to be it. Rapunzel made Eugene soft, but she couldn't have messed with his tolerance. It's impossible. Unless, he really had no tolerance and he always believed he did?

That's it. Eugene knew he was in trouble. It's not like he could just ask the king what he said. It's all over. He made a terrible mistake. King Frederic seemed so unaffected by the wine, and here's Eugene, barely being able to focus.

Eugene rubbed his eyes. "Oh, man, I'm in trouble," he said out loud. He stood, stumbled, used the table to keep his balance, knocking over his water cup, and it smashing on the floor. Eugene stared at it, looked around, hoping no one noticed, and started scooping the pieces of the glass up. He carried them to the trash can, dusted off his hands, and stumbled out the door.

Rapunzel ran up to Eugene, excited, and stopped when she saw him leaning against the wall. "Eugene?" she asked. "What's the matter? Are you okay?" Eugene looked at her, hesitated for a moment as his eyes adjusted and smiled. "Yeah, no, I'm okay," he said. "I just drank too much."

"Eugene!" Rapunzel said, sternly, and crossing her arms.

"I'm sorry, Blondie, but when the king offers you a delicacy in wines, a man just simply can't refuse," Eugene replied.

"Eugene!" Rapunzel said again, more sternly.

Eugene stared at her. "Okay, fine, I may have had more than I can chew, but I've never had such a fine wine! I mean, man! You should've tasted it, Blondie!" Eugene replied, taking himself off the wall. "I'm okay, now, Blondie."

"Well, you better be," Rapunzel said. Her frown softened. "How did it go? The dinner?"

"It went terribly at first," Eugene admitted. "I couldn't remember which one was the soup spoon, and then I kept making a fool of myself in front of your old man! And then he kept staring at me and it made me uncomfortable. But then we had a great time, but I think it might have been the wine!" He hesitated. "Then he gave me my last task but...honestly...I can't remember half of what he said."

"Eugene!" Rapunzel said.

"I know, I know," Eugene said, putting his hands up. "That was my fault, but I can't just ask the king to tell me the task again."

"Maybe you can ask Max?" Rapunzel said.

"Max?" Eugene questioned. "He's a horse!"

"He's a very good horse," Rapunzel defended.

"He can't speak English, Blondie!" Eugene stated.

"True, but he always finds a way to communicate," Rapunzel said. "I mean, hasn't he laughed at you a few times?" Eugene frowned. "Yeah..."

"See?" Rapunzel smiled. "He can talk! You just have to learn to speak his language!"

"I guess," Eugene said. "Isn't there anyone else I can talk to?"

"You can talk to Nigel," Rapunzel said.

"Nigel?"

"He's my dad's right hand man," Rapunzel said. "He's usually standing next to his throne."

"Oh, the mustache man!" Eugene said. "He doesn't like me either."

"Well, it's Nigel or Max," Rapunzel said. Eugene sighed and rolled his eyes, slumping his shoulders. "Okay, fine."

Rapunzel smiled at him. She watched Eugene walk away. "Oh, Eugene?" she asked, stopping him in the hallway. "Be careful, please."

"You can count on it," Eugene said, winking. He walked down the hallway, stumbled once, and walked into the stable. "Max?" Eugene asked. "Max?"

There came a whinny from the left hand side of the stable. "There you are, Max," Eugene said. He walked inside Max's stable and closed the door behind him. Max huffed and stared at him, confusion on his face. "Don't worry, buddy," Eugene said, sitting on the floor next to him, "I just wanna talk." Max tilted his head.

"I have another task from the king but I have no clue about half of what he said."

Max huffed at him. "Hey, easy, Max!" Eugene said. "Just tell me what I'm doing!" Max stared at him, huffed, and rolled his eyes. Max started playing charades with Eugene, Eugene only guessing what each thing was after three guesses, Max being irritated at his slow pace, Eugene calming him down, and then back to charades. Eventually, Eugene got the whole task.

King Frederic wants him to go to a distant kingdom, in a four days' journey all together, with Max, the Captain of the Guard, which he did remember him mentioning, and keeping the materials safe inside the wagon from thugs. He will be supplied with the things necessary for the journey, and he was supposed to not take Rapunzel with him, even if she insisted. Max was very clear and strict on that part, making sure Eugene understood that completely.

Eugene was irritated that Max put so much emphasis on that last part, but decided to let it slide. "You know, Max," Eugene said. "You aren't that bad! I mean, sure, you do things I have NEVER seen a horse do, and sure, you tried to get me arrested pretty much my WHOLE life, but I think we can move past that and be friends, don't you think?"

Max tilted his head in confusion, sniffed Eugene, and pulled his head away some. "Yeah, the king gave me s drink, but who in their right mind would turn down a drink from the king? Especially such a delicacy!" Max whinnied at him. "Oh, don't worry, Max," Eugene said. "I'm fine." Max huffed at him angrily. Eugene just stared at him.

Max rolled his eyes, picked up Eugene by the collar of his vest, and tossed him outside of his stable, tossing him over the door. "Geez!" Eugene cried. "Fine!"

Eugene walked off, his hands in his pockets, and back to his room.