"Cass!" Rapunzel called out, rushing towards Cass as fast as her legs could carry her.
Cass's head spun like a spinning top as Eugene sat up and slipped his arms under Cass's armpits to help her sit up. Unlike his normal cheeky smirk, his face had creased into a concerned frown.
"Cassandra!" Rapunzel yelped as she kneeled next to Cass, "Are you alright!?"
She placed a reassuring hand on her knee before squeezing her hand.
Cass's thoughts were racing wildly. The last thing she wanted was to ruin the day before it had even started. She opened her mouth to reply, but Rapunzel began to prod her with questions.
"What happened? Are you tired? Have you been getting enough sleep while exploring?"
Cass held her head, trying to hide how much it was throbbing. She looked up at Rapunzel.
"Yes, of course. Do you really think I'd be able to ride Fidella while half asleep?" Cass replied.
Rapunzel and Eugene looked at each other, concerned.
Eugene reached into Cass's satchel and pulled out her waterskin, tipping it gently towards her lips. Cassandra took the waterskin from him, too embarrassed of even the thought of someone helping her drink.
Rapunzel thought for a moment, watching Cass. "Have you been staying hydrated since you left Corona?"
Cass nodded, the waterskin still in her mouth.
"What about eating- and banana cream pies do not count!"
Cass drew the waterskin from her mouth. She had to think fast, or else Rapunzel would become even more suspicious. She looked towards the markets, where they had come from. Just across the markets sat the café, and the outside tables, full of people enjoying food and drinks.
Cass hesitated. "I...I haven't eaten since breakfast." She stammered nervously.
It wasn't completely a lie, but then again, Rapunzel DID say that the banana cream pie she had in between lunch and breakfast didn't count.
Rapunzel looked slightly bewildered.
"You haven't eaten since breakfast? No wonder you fell on Eugene. Come, we'll go to the café and you can pick something proper to eat."
Cass's stomach churned at the very idea of a meal, but her throat was aching, so maybe a glass of cold iced tea would do her some good.
"How does that sound, Cass?" Rapunzel asked, pulling Cass out of her deep thoughts.
"I-I guess so." Cass stammered, trying to sound the least croaky she could.
Eugene and Rapunzel both grabbed one of Cass's arms, helping her slowly stand up.
Rapunzel picked up Cass's satchel as well as her own, while Eugene put Cass's sword back into its sheath.
Cass was mortified. The last thing she wanted was all the attention on her. She was strong and independent, in sickness and in health.
Rapunzel's voice interrupted her deep thoughts.
"Ready to go, Cass?" Rapunzel asked, gently squeezing Cass's arm.
Cass shivered, feeling cold despite her clothes sticking to her from the fever. "C-could I have my jumper please?" She asked softly, trying to hide her shivers.
For a moment a confused look spread around Rapunzel's face.
"I can't imagine how you're cold after all that jumping around, but of course, it's your choice," Raps said as she handed Cass her jumper, which Cass immediately wrapped around herself.
Eugene and Rapunzel helped her to her feet, and soon the three of them were on their way to the village café.
The Sunshine Cantina was a café dear to Queen Arianna. She had ordered its construction shortly after Rapunzel's disappearance. It was covered in Corona crest sunshine lantern decorations, and while Rapunzel had been missing, being surrounded by those lanterns was a comfort for Arianna.
Since Rapunzel's return, the café had been expanded to twice its size and had become extremely popular.
Rapunzel bounced up to the usher at the front.
"Table for three please!" She asked cheerfully.
Without looking up, the usher looked through her entry folder.
"Perfect! We have a table right this-"
The usher looked up, her jaw dropping to the floor.
"PRINCESS RAPUNZEL!" She shrieked excitedly.
Everyone's heads immediately turned to them. Cass hated staring, especially while she was in this vulnerable state.
Even the manager ran over and started greeting them.
The usher suddenly regained her composure and inhaled deeply.
"M-my apologises, Your Highness. We hoped you'd come to our café someday. Welcome to the Sunshine Cantina! Right this way, we'll ready our best table!"
Rapunzel smiled.
"Please, call me Rapunzel, there's no need for formalities."
The usher smiled.
"Of course. My name is Emily, and this is my manager, Sarah."
Emily rushed up to Eugene and Cassandra.
"And you must be Rapunzel's boyfriend, Eugene!"
Eugene brushed his hand across his hair, chuckling. "Indeeeed I am! Eugene Fitzherbert, at your service!"
Emily turned to Cass.
"And you are...?"
Cass wanted to scream. She felt horrendous. Her head was pounding, and she was sweating like a pig. Even though she was trying to mask her coughs, she was still quite breathless. If it wasn't for Eugene holding onto her, her spinning head and still wobbly legs surely would have made her topple over right onto Emily.
Seeing waitresses walk across the cafe with platters of food only worsened Cass's nausea. She felt like she was going to lose her lunch before she even ate it.
Cass sighed, looking at Emily.
Cass opened her mouth to reply, accidentally letting out a few coughs.
"My name is Cass. I'm Rapunzel's best friend." She croaked out.
Emily grinned. She grabbed Cass's hand and started enthusiastically shaking it, not to mention she had a VERY tight grip.
"Oh, how lovely! Have you been to Corona before? How old are you? I love your haircut!"
Cass desperately tried to pull away. Her hands were already dripping with sweat and Emily's strong grip was not helping to keep her hands cool.
Cass's head was foggy as she tried to answer Emily's questions. "Y-yeah, I lived here for ages. I'm twenty...uh...twenty...twenty..."
"Twenty-four." Eugene finished for her. "Old age catching up to you, Madame Ice Demon?"
Emily was so excited that she was still shaking Cass's hand.
"Twenty-Four! Me too! I'm such a fan of the princess! Is that a dagger on your belt? I like daggers too!" Emily squealed.
Cass stared at Emily, trying to make her own head stop spinning. "That's...nice...could you let go of my hand please?"
Emily kept going. "Are your boots from the markets here? What about your sword?"
"Yes! Please let me go!" Cass responded, firmly. She was becoming desperate as she felt a sneeze coming on. One of her hands was holding onto Eugene and she desperately needed her other hand to cover her mouth.
She yanked at her hand desperately, but Emily was fangirling and far too excited to notice.
Cass was losing her patience. She grit her teeth as Emily continued yanking her arm. "You're sooooo nice! I can see why you're the princess's best friend!" Emily yanked harder.
"Ow! Stop it! LET GO! YOU'RE GOING TO DISLOCATE MY ARM! YOU'RE GOING TO DISLOCATE MY A-AH AH AHH CHOOOOO!" Cass shrieked before sneezing loudly.
The café went dead silent as all heads turned to them at the sound of Cass's yelling. Mucus and snot landed on Emily's apron.
Cass's eyes went wide with embarrassment. She wanted the earth to open up and swallow her.
Standing behind the manager, Rapunzel rushed quickly to the pair. She quickly yet gently freed Cass's hand from Emily's tight grip and patted Cass's hand gently.
Rapunzel grinned awkwardly at Emily.
"Heh, my apologies, that's our Cass, she can get a little hangry at times!"
Cass grit her teeth, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment. "Rapunzel!"
(That's it for this chapter! :) Thanks for reading! :)