A/N: A short one here, but with a major answer! & then some. ;)

Suitors of Rapunzel

Ch11 □ Day -10 ⌧

playlist on YouTube as SoR - Ch11: Day -10

Eugene woke an hour earlier, as instructed, with Tom's help of gently yanking him out of Rapunzel's bed.

He dressed in his own room, into more new clothes the royal tailor was accumulating for him. And again, with Tom's help, since without knowing the nature of this meeting, he did not know what to wear. A simple brown satin doublet, with brass clasps, over a loose white shirt, and black pants, would do for this covert morning meeting.

Eugene stepped up to his dresser with a sigh, glancing over all of his own mementos, but landing on a new jewelry box. His heart stung as he passed over his Rapunzel-emerald ring, and instead picked up the other one now in there; a ruby ring. It had been gifted to him from the King on the last day of the Homecoming Celebration.

He stuffed it on his finger, watching himself in the mirror. With a sigh, he also plucked up a new jewelry pouch… A moment later he was wincing as he worked pushing the post of a new gold earring hoop, with a sapphire at its base, through his neglected, tightened piercing.

Head down, he turned back to Tom, slowly lifting his eyes.

Tom was wincing back at him.

Eugene looked away. "Just… Anything to throw off suspicion, ya know…"

Lips pursed, he nodded.

Tom led Eugene back to the King's private meeting room.

But Eugene froze when he entered, a white-hot panic clicking onto high alert. "What-..."

The King and Queen, their advisors, totalling three between the both of them, and the Captain, all sat at the large council table, filling all but two seats.

All eyes were on him.

Tom's hand gripped his shoulder from behind -making him shudder- and whispered to him, "Relax. Yor not in trouble." He chuckled as he patted his back, then went to take a seat.

Eugene made his way over much more slowly.

The King and Queen greeted him good morning.

The Captain turned in his seat, throwing an arm up over the back if it, watching him approach. "Heh, I hear I get ya later, too."

Eugene squirmed. Gaaah, if I wanna be a guard, gonna have to get used to being around HIM all the time!

Tom had left the last seat open to be the one between him and the Captain.

As Eugene passed, he smirked and cocked his eyebrows at him. "Eager, are we? At least take me out to dinner first."

–FUCK! - The King and Queen are right there! He took his seat, trying not to think about it; hoping they would not think anything of it. Sure, he did not want suspicion, but nor did he want questions otherwise.

Along the other side, the King sat across the Captain, the Queen across Eugene, an advisor flanked each monarch. The third advisor sat on the other side of the Captain, but had all the files in front of him. A couple other servants hovered about along the sides.

"Eugene?" The King asked.

"What?" he answered quickly, skittish and alarmed again, as if caught off guard.

"We were just saying, we've compiled a list," He gestured to the thick leather-bound folder sitting in front of the third advisor. "Of potential suitors."

Eugene could have sworn he blacked out. Stomach dropped and heart got caught in his throat all at once. Everything else drained out of him, leaving him dizzy and nauseous.

Through dark vignetted tunnelling vision, he kept watching the King's mouth keep moving emphatically, but could not hear anything. Nothing except the drumming of his pulse in his head, unfortunately telling him that he was very much alive right now, that this was not even Hell yet.

"EUgene?" the King stressed for what sounded like a second time.

"Huh…" he vaguely made a noise to respond.

Annoyed, he leaned forward. "Are you paying attention?"

"Yes sir!" he snapped-to. "Yes, I- I'm trying to, Sir - I'm sorry, I just- It's just much earlier than I'm used to waking up- ah-" He desperately laughed it off and rubbed his eye for effect. "Sorry."

The King immediately motioned for a servant. "Would you please fetch Mr. Fitzherbert a coffee?"

Eugene twisted back and forth in his seat. I hate you SO MUCH right now. WHY are you being so NICE?!

But he forced a gracious smile, then surprised himself when he realized it was genuine. You're taking such good care of me... "Thank you, Sir." But take care of her! By letting her be with ME! Oh God how am I going to break all this to her?!

His heart stretched in two different directions at the old man. I still love you. I still hate you.

Eugene had a decent coffee in no time, and the King continued.

"So, I don't know if you heard me before," he said with the disappointed sarcasm of a true parent, "Buuut…"

Over the rim of his coffee mug, Eugene eyed up the Queen's reactions.

She was calm and reserved, or perhaps just likewise tired herself, as she sat turned and listening to her husband beside her.

I thought for sure SHE'D be on my side?

She seemed to notice the stare, and glanced in his direction, but could not actually bring her eyes to rest on him, and so kept them cast down toward the table.

…maybe I really did fuck something up… Not punishable, but where they don't want me anymore. –if I ever even did stand a chance at all… They couldn't have found out I'm sleeping with her - 'cause anyone else would assume we're fucking, and I'd be right outta here for sure. …just… not enough to get to the actual literal top. He turned his attention back to the King, better mentally prepped now for that S-word.

"This is a committee, put together, with the agenda of selecting a suitor for Rapunzel."

Eugene nodded curtly, taking only shallow breaths. Just as alarming, he felt himself slipping behind another effortless mask.

The King carried on. "We've sent out correspondences to as many kingdoms as possible, for any eligible prince to reply with their interest. From there, we here will decide which one is best for her, and for Corona."

"Then why isn't Rapunzel here?" Eugene blurted. However, he immediately joined everyone in looking shocked at his interruption. "Er- sorry."

"Eugene," the King sighed. "You, I would imagine, are one of the people who should understand best, that such a decision is not something that can be solely left up to her. Both because of her inexperience in the world, and how the very future of Corona depends on that decision."

Eugene took a deep breath, nodding though he looked away. Yeaaah…

"However, that also means, I do NOT want anyone telling her about this committee. Eugene? Tom? Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir," Eugene croaked automatically.

"Yes Sire," Tom nodded.

Wait– Eugene turned his focus inward again. Well, there goes that problem. I don't have to figure how to explain this, but- in exchange for… Can I get around not telling her, but also not lying?

"Now then, as replies come in, we plan to take a vote, on whether or not they're a desirable option. The exceptions there will be in the form of vetoes, held by myself, the Queen, the Captain, and," he paused and stared at him, "Eugene."

He double-blinked. "What?"

"Are you aware of how such a system works?"

"Uh, yes, Sir, but- me? Did you mean that-"

"Yes, you will have a veto as well."

Eugene set a serious game face on. "Thank you." If no one else is gonna protect her, I WILL. If everyone else is denying her freedom, I will use whatever power I can get here to give that back to her. But how to get her input without telling her about this, and without lying?

"But, uh, Sire?" he questioned. Not at all unconfident in this part in particular, his tone was clearly mocking a dumb idea, one he certainly considered below an all-powerful king.

Said King did not miss it, but did not fully understand. "What is it?"

"Heh, with all due respect, Your Majesty," Eugene chuckle-scoffed, ready to continue painting the proposal ridiculous. "You can't just pick someone for her."

All shocked and wary eyes shot to the King for his response.

The King sat back, intrigued to listen.

Everyone else followed him in looking back to Eugene.

He lost his insulting humor, but continued, entirely seriously. "Sure, you can narrow down the choices here. But ultimately, you have to let her pick. It has to be her decision. She was a prisoner for eighteen years - her whole life. You can't just give her to someone else she doesn't even know."

The King's eyes had narrowed, devoid of any amusement himself. "And what do you suggest?"

Don't worry, I'm actually not talking about myself. "Well, past the screenings here, let her meet them. Let them put their own effort into courting her, then let her decide. She's our only princess- our only heir. You can't just let anyone snatch her up so quickly - wouldn't that make you look too desperate? If you hurry through this too quickly?"

"Hmm." The King's thoughtful gaze had drifted as he deeply considered all he was saying. He finally cleared his throat and looked him back in the eye. "Indeed."

A gratefully proud grin popped up across Eugene's face.

"Mr. Fitzherbert has several excellent points there. Very well, then! As replies come in, we will screen their responses and qualifications here in meetings as needed, and put it to a vote. I had been assuming," he glanced to Eugene to reassure him, "That we would, of course, interview anyone once they arrived as well, and have another vote, but, courtship beyond that sounds like it would be most agreeable to her."

Eugene nodded. Not letting just anyone even near her. There were plenty of decent guys she danced with all week during the celebration, but those few assholes– I want them weeded out BEFOREhand.

The assistant with the most papers then opened up a leather-bound portfolio. "We've already received one response. A Prince Andrew."

As the assistants read off details of the response and profile, the King, Queen, and Captain all commented and deliberated a bit. But everything seemed quite mundane and favorable.

Eugene stayed silent, his mind distracted again with heartbreak already, and the doubled pain of hiding it.

He jumped and picked his head up as the call came for votes in favor or against.

If I say no, then it's a flat-out no. I… I could possibly be the last deciding vote. Oh my God – But, I can't! Especially not for the very first one! If I do, what'll he think my motives really are?! Feebly, he mumbled with a dry throat, "Aye."

Eugene sat with Rapunzel at her breakfast table in her room. Both of them were rather mopey, though edgy.

"So! What did my dad wanna see you about?"

Eugene coughed, which prompted another drink and bought him some time.

"You okay?" she asked sweetly.

"Yeah, yeah," he cleared his throat. "Sorry, what-? Oh, yeah! I got my first day of guard training later today!"

"Oh, right," she chuckled, "I hope the Captain's not mean to you…"

Eugene smiled at the successful dodge. "Yeah-hah, right? But, hey, he's gotta be happy I'm on the right side of the law now."

She sighed, "Yeah… But what about my dad?"

"Oh," he replied nonchalantly, "Nothing important. Just some… paperwork stuff…" Dismiss! Dismiss! "That's gonna be really annoying," he quickly added on to grouch. "So, honestly, I don't wanna talk about it. If you don't mind?" Pleeease don't make me lie, Blondie…

"Oh," she settled back. "Okay…" But I like even talking about boring stuff with you… So, what else is there to talk about? She saddened as her heart picked up.

His sly, mischievous-romantic look followed her, though. "I'd much rather talk about what we're doing tonight."

She smirked, still a bit sadly. "I thought you didn't wanna only talk about… well, bedroom stuff, I guess…"

He took a deep breath, indeed shaking his head once, but clarified. "I mean, going to the Duckling after I'm done with training."

"Oh! Yeah!"

He snorted out a little chuckle in good humor. "Not that 'bedroom stuff' is really going all that far, anyway – Which is totally fine! That's all fine. Not worried about any of that." So long as you love me…

She hummed a shy smile at him, and continued eating. …so long as that's all with you. I feel more blind than ever, but I'm trusting you in all this.

…you DO love me, right? He shook his head, dismissing himself. "So, dusk? Be ready to head out?"

"Yup!"

"You, uh," he desperately tried to keep his smile on. "You head out with Tom, and I'll meet you over the bridge."

She deflated again, keeping the slightest smile. "Okay."

If Eugene could complain about only one thing about the Captain during training, it was how off-putting this new dynamic was.

The Captain used his true last name, not even in a sneer. Given the bullying Eugene was expecting, he would almost say he felt treated better than any of the other recruits.

True, easily outperforming the others helped.

But it still creeped him out.

The sun had already set, and Rapunzel and Tom were still waiting on the mainland side of the bridge.

"Would training have run over time?" Rapunzel asked with great distress.

"Not after dark, certainly," he replied, not at all worried.

She sighed over and over, leading Max around in tiny pacing circles as she kept glancing back down the bridge.

"Rapunzel," Tom tried to soothe, "It was only guard training. I'm shor whatever it is that's keeping him, he's fine."

She suddenly paused her pacing. "What was that meeting about this morning?"

"Ohhh," Tom tossed out casually, also sounding boringly annoyed. "Budget and trade."

"Oh," she said with disappointment. "He just said it was really boring and he didn't wanna talk about it."

He watched her pleasantly, then looked away with a chuckle at the relayed cover. "He did think it was… beneath him."

She nodded, and continued pacing, squinting at the opposite shore.

Tom sighed and chuckled. "Come on, Love, stohp worrying so much!"

"Should we head ba-" Hoofbeats– She looked back again.

And every nerve in her body relaxed at once.

There he was, speeding down the bridge toward them.

"See? Wha'd I tell ya."

When he at last arrived, Eugene seemed more out of breath than his horse. "Hey, Blondie!" he gasped.

She jumped down from Max and ran over to clutch at his leg.

"Whoa," he startled, "Hey? You alright?"

She took a shallow breath and backed up. "Yeah," she squeaked. "Yeah, I'm fi-"

"We've been waiting for you," Tom corrected, his tone unaccusatory, yet explaining all.

"Ohhh," Eugene groaned so sympathetically. He hopped down, and pulled her close.

She fell into him, burrowing into his chest.

Eugene chuckled, looking down at her. "Well, see? Aren't you glad I took a little extra time, even if it was longer than expected?"

"Wha-" She took a deep breath as she stood up straight to look at him. –soap, cologne. "Oh!" she laughed suddenly. "I'm sorry. Yeah, okay."

He laughed as he explained to Tom, still on his horse. "I had to wash up!"

"Ah, there, see?"

Back to Rapunzel, Eugene continued. "I was training, outside, all day. Waaas a lil gross." He chuckled as he ran his hand over her hair and kissed her forehead. "Just the first day, just getting used to everything. But it's alright. We'll get the hang of this, huh?"

"I'm sorry," she whined, "But yeah, I'm definitely trying."

"Aww…" He hugged her extra dearly, whispering just for her. "I told you I'd be here. And I promise, you can always count on me."

She nodded, and squeezed him tighter.

"You wanna ride together?"

She nodded again.

For a Wednesday, only their friendly Pub Thugs were at The Snuggly Duckling.

Rapunzel and Eugene sat in a corner booth, though, snacking, snuggling, and sipping. They chatted with others who came to see them, but otherwise kept it a quiet, cozy evening.

Every so often, one would fall into a daze, simply staring at the other, taking in all that they could. They had to appreciate what time and chances they got, completely unsure what the future held.

Well, Eugene at least knew that the future held a prince named Andrew. At least, with the system we set up, and hopefully they're doing enough research on this guy, at least I know you're not gonna end up with someone who mistreats you. As for us? Whatever I can do to stay close.

Rapunzel thought over everything he had told her he was doing that day: the day that would supposedly become a template for whatever future they could have at all together. He said he doesn't wanna talk about the paperwork from this morning. Tom said he'd found it 'beneath him?' Then I certainly don't wanna make him feel bad about my dad giving him something stupid to do. At least you have a job around the castle- two jobs, really, I suppose. Anything to keep you close.

She leaned her head on his shoulder, pouting.

He looked down, and had to smile. His hand came around to caress her face there.

"I don't wanna keep hiding," she whined in a whisper.

He sighed and his smile vanished. "I'm sorry."

"Oh," she perked up, "No- No, t's not your fault. But-"

"I get it, though." And I'm not entirely sure it's NOT my fault…

"Yeah…"

"And, well," he shrugged, "I hope I'm a better secret than your last reason for hiding?"

She chuckled lightly. "Yes, you're certainly better than any kind of 70-foot long hair, magic or not."

He kissed her cheek. "You're still free to choose how you spend your time. And, I promise, Blondie, I'm going to protect your freedom."

She turned back to pouting. "I don't know if you'll really be able to, though."

"Well damn if I'm not gonna try, as much as I can." You may not have a choice as to whether or not, but you'll at least get to choose which one…

The night was not even very long yet, but it had been too long of a day for Eugene. Where he sat snuggled with Rapunzel, his head drifted to lean against her, until finally he peacefully dozed off there. Safe. Surrounded by friends. Warm atmosphere. Happy chatter and laughter. Lots of good-smelling food and drink clinking about.

Despite the heavy talk of resigning their relationship entirely to secrecy, the immediate scene was all he could ever want. And so, though the weight of their thoughts had furrowed his brow and carved a frown all day, as he slept on Rapunzel's shoulder, he relaxed, and a slight smile appeared.

A/N: Next day is… -1. dun dun DUNNN.

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