Chapter one

It had been two months now since Rapunzel came back to her parents to the kingdom of Corona. She still wasn't used to the fact that she was now a princess and almost forgot that today was supposed to be her coronation as an official princess. That morning she woke up in her huge bed and looked around. Her little chameleon Pascal came to her.

"Good morning, Pascal." She yawned. "Now it's time for the usual morning…"

"Ahem!" She was cut off by her mean handmaiden Jenny, the biological daughter of the Captain of the guards who was standing angrily in front of her bed and looked down at her with crossed arms.

"Oh, good morning, Jenny!" Rapunzel greeted her.

Jenny answered sarcastically: "Well, nice of you to finally join the living again! Ugh! You overslept, 'Princess'! Here!" She threw her a dress. "Get dressed already! We haven't got all day! Your coronation is today!" She sighed. "I don't understand why this is even necessary! I mean, you are already a princess, but here we are! Now get on with it, and yes, I know I should help you get dressed but you are perfectly capable of doing that yourself! Now hurry up already! Ugh! I hate this job! I'm only doing it because otherwise my dad will send me to a convent! But sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be better!"

Rapunzel took the dress and put it on behind the wardrobe. Then Jenny pulled her out.

"Come on! Come on!" Jenny took powder and quickly dusted Rapunzel's face with it. Rapunzel sneezed.

"Oh, stop it, will you? Now come on!" She pulled her along. "This welcoming ceremony is just the beginning." Suddenly she looked down and noticed her bare feet. "Barefoot? Seriously? Look, Rapunzel, I know this whole thing is new to you, but you've got to at least try to act the part!"

"Don't worry, Jenny. I know how important this is to my dad."

"And mine too, you egoist!" Jenny shouted and angrily pushed her into the room where their fathers were discussing.

"Hi, Dad." Rapunzel greeted her father nervously.

"Oh, there you are, my precious!" Frederic hugged her. "Now, that you are a princess..."

"Oh, while we're at it. Do you think I might get some alone time soon?" Rapunzel asked. Being a princess had really been exhausting. She was always surounded by people and just wished to finally get a day all to herself. Or to her and someone else special actually, but she couldn't tell her father that.

"Well, Cordelia…" He started.

"Rapunzel! Please, I thought we agreed to call me that! It's the only name I have ever known!"

"But this name only reminds us of this flower and that we…"

"Please, Dad!" She begged. She couldn't stand getting a new name or actually her old birth name. Her current name was one of the last things she had from her old life and she didn't want to lose it.

The king sighed. "All right, Rapunzel! Look, I know this is all new to you, but you'll get used to it. Now, as for today…"

Suddenly a very familiar voice called from outside. "Um, hello? Rapunzel?" Rapunzel gasped happily while the others all groaned.

"He's here!" Rapunzel called joyfully and pushed the others out of the way to quickly run out of the room.

The king angrily called after her. "Rapunzel!"

Jenny groaned. "Ugh! I think her Romeo's here!"

Rapunzel ran through the halls and then gasped happily as she saw Flynn looking around. She grinned happily.

"Eugene!" She shouted and ran towards him.

As he saw her, he also grinned happily and ran towards her. "Rapunzel!"

They ran into each other's arms. He picked her up and spinned her around. Then he gently set her down and stroked her cheek. "Hey, sunshine!"

She laughed happily and they kissed passionately. Jenny angrily cleared her throat. They stopped and looked sideways. Jenny, King Frederic and the Captain of the guards were all standing there staring at them furiously. Flynn and Rapunzel giggled awkwardly. Jenny gave Flynn an angry look.

Rapunzel laughed nervously. "Uh…Hehe! ...Um, Eugene, you remember Jenny, my lady-in-waiting?"

"Oh, sure! Hi Jenny!" He awkwardly held out his hand, but Jenny slapped it away. "Ouch!"

"Oh, save it, you wanted criminal!" Jenny shouted angrily.

"Hey, I told you, I stopped stealing!" He tried to defend himself.

Jenny was still angry. "I don't care! Once a thief, always a thief! I will never trust you!"

Rapunzel became very angry. "Jenny!" She shouted. "Um, oh, well, you already know the others! Um, the Captain…"

The Captain gave Flynn an angry look and groaned. "Rider!"

Flynn laughed nervously. "Uh… Hehe! Hi, Captain! Um…looking good!"

"Shut up, you wanted criminal!"

"Wow, like father, like daughter!" Flynn said.

"Shut up! Just shut up already, Rider!" The Captain groaned. "You know very well what I think of you! You shouldn't be here! You should be down in the dungeon where you belong! Oh, I can't believe you pardoned this criminal, your majesty!"

The king sighed. "Did I really have a choice? I couldn't lock up the man who saved my daughter…"

"But that you let him be with your daughter!" The Captain covered his face and sighed. "I can already see that the kingdom's doomed! A girl who knows nothing of royalty on the throne and right next to her: a wanted criminal! Oh, you are dooming your kingdom, Frederic!"

"Please, Captain! Don't talk like that about my little girl!"

"But she's with him, your majesty! How can you let them be together? He is a former criminal! How would he run a country? Not to mention that we'll become the laughingstock of the entire continent when the other royals find out about this horrible love affair!" He covered his face.

Jenny sighed. "Oh, I know how you feel, dad! Oh, Rapunzel, think of your kingdom and its future for once and dump this idiot already!"

Rapunzel stared at everyone and then shouted. "Ok, that's enough, everyone! Leave him alone! He is my true love, and he has changed! He's not a selfish thief anymore and in fact, he never really was! That was just an act!" She turned to Flynn, took his hands and smiled at him. "But actually, he is very kind and gentle and…" She sighed happily. "And I can't imagine my life without him!"

Flynn smiled at her. "And I can't imagine my life without you, Rapunzel! I love you!"

Rapunzel laughed happily. "And I love you!" They stared at each other lovingly and sighed dreamily. The Captain and Jenny groaned angrily while Frederic sighed.

"Rapunzel, I…" He started.

Flynn turned to him and bowed down. "Oh, I'm sorry! Good morning, your majesty!"

Frederic sighed. "Good morning, Flynn…or Eugene or whatever you call yourself now…look, it's nice of you to visit today, but…well, look! Um, the welcoming ceremony is only for royals, so…"

"Oh! So…you want me to go?" Flynn answered disappointed.

Rapunzel got angry. "Dad!"

"Look, I'm sorry but the rules are…"

"What rules, honey?" The queen came into the corridors and walked towards them.

"Oh, Ariana, sweetheart!"

"Mum?"

"Oh, your majesty!" Flynn bowed down but Ariana pulled him up.

"Oh, you don't have to do that! We're family now!"

"Ariana!" Frederic said angrily.

"Oh, what does all this mean, Frederic?"

"Well, it's just that the other royals will be arriving soon, and I just wanted to…"

"To ask me to leave of course! I understand that!" Flynn turned to leave but Rapunzel stopped and held him.

"No! Don't go!"

"Ask him to leave? Oh, why Frederic?" The queen asked.

"Well, this welcoming ceremony is only done by royals…"

"And he's our royal guest! Of course, he's welcome there!"

"Oh, no, thank you. I don't want to cause any trouble." Flynn said.

"You're not causing any trouble. You're staying." Rapunzel said and hugged him tightly.

"But…" The king started.

"Of course, he is welcome, Frederic! We'll offer him a place at the ceremony. Just as I think we should offer him a room in the castle!"

"Oh, no, certainly not! I don't trust him near our daughter and besides, I already bought him an appartement!"

"Yes, a one-bedroom appartement, very generous, dear. But he's staying here for the ceremony and that's final!" Ariana said.

"But…"

"Please, if it's such a problem for me to stay, then…" Flynn started.

"Please, stay, Eugene!" Rapunzel looked at him, pressed his hands and whispered. "Please, I can't do this without you!" She looked at him pleadingly and he smiled.

"Then of course I will stay!" He caressed her cheek. She laughed and hugged him. Frederic sighed and stared at them suspiciously.

"Now, dear! It's time! Come on!" Ariana took his hand and pulled him along. He sighed and left while the others followed. Rapunzel hesitated but Flynn hugged her.

"Are you ready?" He caressed her. She breathed out and smiled at him.

"We can do this!" With these words, they left. In front of the castle the royal guests arrived.

"Your Highness, may I present Dame Elizabeth van Hoskins of Rochester." The royal advisor explained. Rapunzel hugged her. The crowd gasped while the woman moaned. Flynn stepped forward and took her arms.

"Um, sweetheart…perhaps, you could..." Rapunzel looked up and saw that everyone was shocked, She quickly let her go and sighed nervously. Flynn took her in his arms and caressed her. The lady straightened up.

Rapunzel laughed nervously. "Uh, Hehe, uh… So nice to meet you!"

"Ugh! I really must say…" The lady rubbed her dress then looked up. When she saw Flynn, she gasped. "You!" Flynn swallowed hardly while Rapunzel stared. "You are the thief who stole all my jewels! What are you doing here?"

He laughed nervously. "Uh, I'm sorry. If I still had them, I would of course give them back…"

"Ugh! I can't believe it! What is that criminal doing here?"

Frederic groaned and covered his face. He sighed. "Well, I hate to say this, Madame. But...That criminal is sort of courting the princess!"

The Lady gasped. "Oh, no! Frederic! How can you allow this? This is the end! The kingdom's doomed! What are you thinking? Oh, why? There are plenty of respectable, handsome, young princes of your daughter's age still available! Oh, why do you allow this?"

Frederic sighed and covered his face. "Oh, what choice do I have?"

"Well, you could very well just make her…"

"And it's nice to welcome you here too, madam! Thank you very much! Next, please!" The lady growled while she was led away. Rapunzel and Flynn looked embarrassed.

"May I present Lieutenant Commander General James Rutherford-Carver III."

The commander looked up and saw Flynn, He gasped. "Oh, no! It's you, Flynn Rider! The thief who stole my gold!" Frederic covered his face in embarrassment. Flynn laughed nervously.

"Well, uh... welcome anyway…"

"Oh, save it! Frederic, I heard it! I can't believe it! You let a criminal near your daughter? What kind of father or king are you?" Frederic still looked embarrassed.

"Welcome to our kingdom, Lieutenant. The next one!"

"Um, may I present The Duchess of Quintonia."

"Well, nice to meet you." The duchess looked at her bare feet. „Sadly, not nice enough to wear shoes, I'm afraid." She laughed while Rapunzel looked sad. Flynn got angry.

"Hey, leave her alone! This is all new to her! And there's nothing wrong with going barefoot!" He shouted.

"Oh, and what have we here?" She examined him. "Flynn Rider, the great thief?"

"I quit…"

"Never mind all that! You have quite an unusual taste, princess! Surely strange to see a Princess as a former thief's mistress. Isn't it, Frederic?" She laughed. Frederic covered his face in embarrassment again.

Later that night, he was surrounded by the other royals who were very angry.

"Really, Frederic! You can't allow this!"

"There are certainly a lot of handsome young princes! Ever heard of Prince Lars of the northern kingdom? We would be a perfect match for your daughter!"

"But you must stop this unholy union or rather that unholy love affair!"

Frederic groaned. "Oh, just leave me alone! What do you want me to do? Order her to break up with him and stay away from him? She'd never listen to me!"

"Well, I'm sure there is a law against such a marriage!" The duchess said and touched the law book.

"Well, yes, there is such a law, but…"

"But what? You wanted to abolish it for her? Well, shouldn't such a great king like you know better? Hm?" They all looked at Frederic who hesitated and looked back and forth.

"I…um…well, would you excuse me for a moment?" He left the room.

Meanwhile Rapunzel was sitting outside at the docks and sighed. Flynn appeared next to her.

"Hey, are you all right?" He asked worriedly, sat down next to her and took her in his arms.

She sighed. "It's just…it's hard being a princess!"

"Yeah, I noticed that too! But don't worry, sunshine!" He hugged her. "You're not alone! I will always be with you! I love you!" He brushed her hair from her face. She smiled and laid her head against his.

"And I love you, Eugene!" She sighed dreamily. "I don't know what I'd do without you! You certainly make this a lot easier! Thank you for being there! You are the one constant in my life!" She smiled at him while he caressed his cheek. They kissed. She sighed. "I just wish, I was allowed to be with you more often, we barely saw each other these last two months. Always guards following me and everyone gets angry when we try to kiss. It's an outrage! Oh, I want to do so much more than kiss! Oh, what am I saying? I think, I should…probably go back inside before someone else catches us here! She got up but Flynn took her hand and turned her around.

"Um, Rapunzel?"

She smiled. "Yes, what is it?"

"There's…um, there's something I wanted to ask you."

She smiled. "Yes?"

"Um?" He took a deep breath and got down on one knee while holding both her hands with one hand. "Rapunzel?"

She laughed. "What are you doing down there? Did you drop something?"

"Well, since you kind of already mentioned it indirectly...Rapunzel, you are the most amazing person I have ever met! You are my dream; my light and I love you with all that I am! Um…" He took out a small ring box, opened it and held it out to her. Rapunzel gasped happily and covered her face.

"Eugene! Are you…"

"Princess Rapunzel, will you make me the happiest man in the world? Will you marry me?"

She gasped with joy and grinned. "Yes! Yes! Yes! I do! Of course, I will!" He grinned and stood up. They kiss passionately. Then he put the ring on her finger. She smiled at it and they laughed. He picked her up and twirled her around. They put their heads together. "Oh, you always find a way to fix everything! Oh, this is the best day ever!" They laughed happily.

"Let's share the good news!" He carried her away.

Meanwhile, Frederic and Ariana were sitting at a table, surrounded by the other royals. Frederic got impatient.

"Where is that girl? It's really not acceptable to miss this banquet!"

" Oh, please, honey! Give our little girl some air to breathe!"

"I know, but all the other royals…"

"It doesn't matter what they say! All that matters is that she's happy here with us!" Frederic sighed. Suddenly Rapunzel and Flynn ran into the hall, laughing.

"Woah! Sorry to interrupt but…" Rapunzel giggled, while hugging Flynn. She smiled at him. "But we really need to talk to you, Mum and Dad! We..." She giggled. "...have an announcement to make!"

Frederic raised an eyebrow and looked scared. "What is it, dear?"

"Um, could we talk in private? I mean, the others will know soon of course, but we would really like to tell you in peace." She giggled. Frederic narrowed his eyes and they went into a private room.

"Well? What is so important that I had to leave my guests?" Frederic asked angrily.

"Oh, Frederic, please!" Ariana said.

Rapunzel laughed and rested her head on Flynn's shoulder, while he put his arm around her. Rapunzel held his other hand. She giggled. "Well, we both have very important, very wonderful news!"

Frederic sighed impatiently. "What is it?"

"Eugene and I…" She laughed and shouted happily. "We are engaged! Tada!" She held out her hand with the ring. Frederic opened his eyes in horror and opened his mouth. He gasped. Ariana looked happy.

"Oh, my darling! What wonderful news! I'm so happy for you…" They smiled.

Frederic shouted angrily: "No!" They all looked at him in confusion.

Rapunzel stopped laughing."Huh? What?"

"No! You can't! There will be no wedding!" They all stared at him. Rapunzel and Flynn looked at each other in fear then looked at Frederic.

"Frederic!" Ariana shouted.

"No! You can't! Period!"

Rapunzel stared at him. "Well, I'm sorry that you can't be happy for us but…I wasn't actually asking!"

"Neither was I! You can't marry him, Rapunzel!"

She laughed. "Well, I'm sorry, dad! But I don't need your permission!"

"You certainly do!"

Rapunzel got angry. "No! I'm a grown woman!"

"I didn't mean my permission as your father; I meant my permission as your king!"

"I don't need that either, dad! I will marry him whether you like it or not!"

"No! You won't! You can't!"

Rapunzel shouted angrily: "Why not?!"

Frederic sighed. "Because…There's this law!"

"Law?" Rapunzel asked in shock.

"Yes, a law that says a royal can only marry another royal!" He crossed his arms.

Rapunzel widened her eyes and looked at Flynn frightened. "You…you mean…"

"I mean, a princess can only marry a prince! That is the law!"

Rapunzel stared at him in horror and shook her head. She breathed heavily while looking at Flynn. He looked at her heartbroken. Rapunzel turned back to Frederic. "Well, then just change it!"

"No, I can't just change a law!"

She shouted. "Of course, you can! You are the king!"

"No, I can't! This law is sacred!"

"Now don't exaggerate, Frederic! I think this is a rather old-fashioned law and we can surely…" Ariana started.

"No, we can't! Not in a kingdom as traditional as Corona!"

"Well, honey…"

Frederic shouted. "No! This is my kingdom, Ariana! And the law stays the way it is! And that's final! I'm sorry, Rapunzel! But you have to break up with him!"

Rapunzel stared at him, shocked and angry. She shook her head. "No! I won't!" She squeezed Flynn's hand. "We belong together, and we will stay together even if we can't get married!"

"No, you can't! You can't be together if you're not married! It is not allowed!"

"I don't care what's allowed!" She shouted angrily.

"No, you can't be together! What will our people think of you if you spend all your time with someone who you can never marry? Rapunzel, you can't…"

Rapunzel shouted angrily. "I don't care!"

"Rapunzel, bad things are going to happen to you!"

She hugged Flynn. "I don't care!"

"That would be the end of our kingdom! You'd be a sinner!" He screamed. "No! I will not allow it! Break up with him! At once!" Rapunzel stared at him in horror. "And woe to you if I ever see you with him again!" He pointed his finger at her, then straightened up. "Now! I will give you some time to break up! We're going back to the feast and once you're finished, I expect you to join us, is that clear?" Rapunzel stared at him, heartbroken and started to cry. Frederic looked away and left. "Ariana!"

Ariana looked at Rapunzel and Flynn. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetie! If I could, I would immediately change that law right now myself!"

Rapunzel looked at her pleadingly. "Then just do it!"

The queen sighed. "I'm afraid I can't, honey! But your father is in charge because he was the heir to this kingdom! I only married into it! And besides, a king has always more power than a queen!" She took her daughter's hand. "I'm sorry, honey! But if you can never marry, then you can't be together!" Rapunzel looked at her, heartbroken, shaking her head. "I'm sorry! Really, really sorry!" Ariana let her hand go. "I…I'll leave you two alone now!" She turned and left the room. Rapunzel stepped out of his embrace, hugged herself and closed her eyes.

Flynn looked at her, breathing heavily. "Rapunzel…"

She sighed heartbroken, took off her ring and put it in his hand, closing his fingers around it. "I'm…I'm sorry!" She cried. He took her in his arms, caressing her and started to cry a little too. "Oh, I can't do this! I can't break up with you, Eugene! I can't live without you!"

"I'm afraid we don't have a choice, Rapunzel! Not unless your father changes the law!"

"Maybe…" She wiped away her tears and looked at him. "Maybe one day he will!"

He wiped away his tears. "Hopefully! But…I'm afraid until then…" Rapunzel shook her head and hugged him again.

"No, I can't! I love you!"

He hugged her. "And I love you, Rapunzel! But…if we can never get married, then…we can't…"

She looked at him. "Yes, we can still be together! I'm sure he'll change his mind one day!"

He caressed her cheek. "But until then, we can't…"

Rapunzel took his hands. "Yes, we can! We just have to make sure that no one sees us!"

"But…Rapunzel, if we get caught, then…"

"Then we won't get caught!" She caressed his cheek. "We'll just see each other in secret! No one has to know!"

"Rapunzel, a lie can't stay hidden for very long! We would get caught!"

"No, we won't! We'll meet in secret! And in the meantime, I will talk to him so long until he finally changes that law!" She pressed his hands. "But I can't live without you!"

"And I can't live without you!" He nodded. "All right! But we can't see each other here! It's too dangerous!"

"Then where can we see each other?"

"Outside the walls of Corona."

Rapunzel gasped excitedly. "Oh, I so want to explore that region! Let's go there on a date and have some alone time! Tonight! Please, I can't stay here, eat with all these people and pretend nothing has happened!"

Flynn caressed her cheek. "Say no more! I will sneak you out of the castle tonight! I know all the secret passages out of here! One of the perks of being a former thief!"

She laughed and smiled at him. !Thank you! You're the best! I could never lose you!"

"But we have to make sure no one notices!" He squeezed her hand. "I think it's best you go back to your parents and tell them you need some time alone, then meet me in the throne room! I will take you away from here and bring you back tonight!"

"Thank you, my love!" She kissed him. "I'll meet you there!" Then she entered the great hall at the banquet, looking down sadly and pretended to cry. She approached her parents.

"Well, there you are. Now we can…" Her father started.

"Ugh! Dad! Can't you see I don't want to see anyone now?" She cried. "I just broke up with the love of my life, my other half, my dream, the one that I love completely!"

"Oh, sweetie…" Her mother tried to hug her but Rapunzel stepped back.

"No, please! Oh, I can't believe you made me do this! How could you?" She looked at Frederic, heartbroken and he sighed sadly, looking down. "Don't you care how I feel? Do you want me to be miserable for the rest of my life? Do you? Oh, I can't believe it! My feelings don't matter to you! What kind of father are you?"

"Rapunzel, please…"

"No! Just leave me alone! I can't go to the feast with you tonight! I'm far too heartbroken! I just need some time alone! And please, let me rest and don't try to comfort me! Because you can't! See you tomorrow at breakfast! Good night!" She turned and ran out of the hall.

"Rapunzel…" He looked after her and sighed. When Rapunzel was out of the hall, she started laughing.

"Haha! Pascal, did you see the look on his face? Oh, he looked so guilty! Oh, I'm sure I can get him to change that law in no time! Haha! Ok!" She took Pascal. I need you to stay here and make sure no one knows I'm gone! Can you do that?" Pascal nodded. "Oh, thank you!" She hugged him and put him down, then she ran to the throne room and looked around. "Eugene!"

"Here I am, sunshine!" He came out from behind a tapestry.

"Wow, good hiding place!"

"Not just any hiding place!" He pulled on the rope of the tapestry. Suddenly a secret passage opened. Rapunzel looked astonished, while Flynn laughed and held out his hand. "Milady, your passage to freedom!" She smiled and took his hand. Then they went through the passage.

Meanwhile, Ariana went into Rapunzel's room. Pascal looked at her in horror and hid in her room. Ariana knocked on the door.

"Rapunzel? Rapunzel, are you in there? Can I come in?" Pascal panicked. "Rapunzel? Sweetie, I just wanted to tell you that I am so sorry! I know this isn't right and I promise I will speak to your father as soon as all these guests have left and try to get him to change that law! Oh, honey, aren't you going to say anything?" Pascal squeaked and Ariana raised her eyebrows. "Rapunzel? Rapunzel, are you all right?" She opened the door and went inside. She looked around and saw only Pascal. Ariana stared at him. "Pascal?" He looked embarrassed. She picked him up. "Where is Rapunzel?" He raised his hands awkwardly. The queen sighed. "She is with him, isn't she?" Pascal looked panicked, shaking his head and she sighed again. "Look…"

Suddenly Frederic knocked on the door. "Rapunzel? Can I talk to you?" Pascal looked pleadingly at Ariana. She sighed, left the room and immediately closed it. "Ariana? What…"

"Rapunzel needs some rest! Some alone time, Frederic!"

"I just wanted to talk to her…"

"Do you really think she wants to talk to you now? After what you did?"

"Look, I know it was…well, wrong. But I had to, because, um…well, the law…"

"You are the king! You can certainly change the law anytime!"

"Well, not in a kingdom as traditional as Corona!"

"Oh, we're not that traditional anyway!"

"But the laws are important!"

"More important than our daughter's happiness?" The king sighed and looked down. "Well, honey, it's your choice but if you don't want to change it, at least let the girl get some rest! She was completely devastated!" Ariana walked away, while Frederic looked at the door and sighed.

"I just want to protect her and prepare her for the day she becomes queen!" He sighed and left. Pascal looked outside and exhaled in relief.

Meanwhile, Rapunzel and Flynn left the secret passage and arrived in the stables where Maximus patrolled. Flynn whistled and Maximus looked at them.

"Hey, Max! Could you give us a hand?" Max smiled and nodded. Then they quietly rode away with Maximus towards the mainland. When they arrived in the forest, Rapunzel jumped down and pulled Flynn along.

"So, Max, could you make sure the coast is clear and call us if anyone comes?" Max nodded and walked towards the edge of the forest. Rapunzel smiled and looked at Flynn.

"So, we're all alone at last!" She laughed and then pulled him into a passionate kiss. Then her hands moved to his vest and began to open it. Flynn quickly pulled away.

"Woah! What are you doing?" He quickly closed his vest again.

"Don't you want to?" Rapunzel asked sadly.

"Yes, I do, of course! But we can't!"

"Why not?"

"Because we're not married yet and we don't even know if we ever will be!"

"Who cares?"

"Everyone does! It's not right to do it before marriage and besides, well, something might happen and then everyone would know and we would be doomed!"

"Nothing will happen if we do it just once!"

"It could still happen and furthermore, I couldn't bear to do it just once and then maybe never again! Believe me, it would be torture! We won't do it! Not until we are properly married!"

"Come on!"

"No, and I thought you wanted to explore the forest tonight!"

"I'd rather explore something else!" She said, walking towards him. He stepped away.

"Please, Rapunzel, don't talk like that! You're starting to scare me!"

"But I want it so badly! No, I need it so badly! Come on!" She came closer and tried to hug him. He moved away. Suddenly he saw a light behind her.

"No...wait, what is that?"

"Now, don't try to distract me!"

"But there is something glowing behind you!"

"What?" Rapunzel turned around and gasped. A glowing light was hovering in front of her. Somehow, she could feel magic coming from it.

"Oh, Rapunzel, please stay away from this! It looks dangerous!" Flynn touched her shoulder, but she stepped forward and held out her hand.

"I just want to…touch it…just once…" She held out her hand and her finger touched the light. Suddenly she was thrown backwards and a huge light blinded them. Flynn picked Rapunzel up in his arms.

"Rapunzel! Are you alright?" He lifted her up. She looked up and noticed a glowing blonde streak on her head. Suddenly her long blonde hair grew back. They looked at it in horror. Maximus arrived and gasped. "Woah! What just happened?"

Rapunzel stared back at Flynn. "I…have no idea!"

"Oh, we'll deal with that later! Come on! We quickly have to get you back before your parents notice! Then we worry about the hair, alright?"

"Go back already? But we just got here!"

"We're leaving before another horrible thing happens. And you didn't want to explore the forest anyway!"

"Well, this was the first time we were ever really alone since I got back to my parents and I told you we would have some time alone. Don't you know what that means?"

"Frankly, I'm surprised you even know what that means."

"Well, I have seen servants do it and I have read some books where it was kind of implied. But none of that matters, because I've realized that I wanted to do it anyway ever since our first kiss in the tower!"

"Well, I'm sorry but we can only do it when we're married."

"That is so unfair! Can't we do it in secret?"

"Oh, no! I brought you here to give you freedom, not to disgrace you!"

"How is that disgracing me if I want to do it?"

"Because if we're not married, then it would be a real crime for me to impregnate you by mistake!"

"But that doesn't happen every time someone does it!"

"No, but with our luck, you'd probably get pregnant on the first try! Most likely with twins even!"

"No!"

"I will not risk it! We will go back now and try to fix this hair problem! Let's go!"

Rapunzel sighed heavily and followed, carrying her hair which was now 70 feet long again. They snuck back through the secret passage and looked anxiously into the throne room.

"Ok, the coast is clear! Now hurry to your room!" They hurried into her room. Flynn took a pair of scissors. "Ok, what hairstyle do you want? I can give you a better one now that I'm not…well, dying in the meantime, so…"

"Just cut it the way it was before!"

"Are you sure? I mean…"

"Oh, what will my parents say if I suddenly have a different hairstyle? It has to be exactly same! Come on!" Flynn sighed and tried to cut the hair, but the scissors shattered.

"Oh, no!" He looked at the scissors.

"What is it?" He showed her the broken scissors. "Uh-oh! What happened?"

"I tried to cut it and it just shattered. Has your hair always been this strong?"

"I don't know! You were the one who cut it last time! You tell me! Oh, just try again!" She gave him another pair of scissors and he tried again, but it broke again. "Oh!" Flynn tried it with a knife, a sword and finally an axe, but all of the weapons just shattered.

"O... kay, I think this is not working!"

"Oh, how did you cut it off the first time?"

He scratched his chin. "Well, I…I just grabbed the first sharp object I could reach and…just cut it off in one swipe! I mean, I only had one swipe, because if that devil woman had seen me…" Rapunzel noticed her mirror and gasped.

"Oh, that's it! What if it can only be cut by shards of mirror?"

"What?"

Rapunzel picked up a ball and pointed it at the mirror. "Ok, stand back a little!" Flynn stared at her. She threw the ball at the mirror, shattering it. She covered her face. Flynn ran to her and covered her. "There you go!" She picked up a shard and handed it to him. "Try this! Now cut it just like last time!"

"Are you sure that…"

"Just do it, please! Do you have to be in exactly the same position as last time as well? Okay, get down!" Rapunzel knelled on ground, pulling him down. "Now lie down!" She pushed him to the floor and he lay down. She knelled over him, stroking his cheek. "Ok! Now!" He laughed. He took the shard in his left hand, the hair in his other hand and tried to cut it, but the shard broke in his hand, cutting it.

"Ouch!" He held his bleeding hand and Rapunzel gasped.

"Oh, my gosh! Oh, no! I'm so sorry!" She took his hand.

"No, it's fine. It's just a scratch! What are you doing, Rapunzel?" She puts her hair over his wound.

"Well, since I have my hair back, I might as well…"

"No!" He tried to pull his hand back. "I don't want to use you the same way that…"

Rapunzel started singing. "Flower gleam and glow, let your power shine."

"Stop it!" He tried to pull the hand away, but she covered it with her hair. "I don't…"

"Make the clock reverse, bring back what once was mine."

"Um…" He stared at her and saw that nothing happened. "Rapunzel…your hair isn't glowing! I know that's usually the case with hair, but…"

Rapunzel stopped singing and looked at her hair and his hand. "What?" She saw that his hand was still bleeding. "But I don't understand! The hair is back, so why isn't it…Huh, maybe I sang wrong. Flower gleam and glow…."

"Oh, please stop it, sunshine. This isn't working and I wouldn't want it anyway!" They got up and she stared at him worriedly.

"But…your hand…" Flynn took a bandage and covered his hand.

"It's fine! It's just a little scratch!" He caressed her cheek, brushing her hair out of her face. "It's okay!" She smiled.

"Okay, well…maybe the shard was too big or…"

"Forget it! It's just...Unbreakable!"

She sighed and hugged him. "Oh, Eugene! What are we going to do?"

Suddenly Ariana's voice appeared from outside. "Rapunzel?" They gasped and looked at the door. "Rapunzel? Are you in there?" Maximus and Pascal ran to the door and pressed against it. "Rapunzel? Can I come in, sweetheart?" Rapunzel breathed heavily and Flynn took her hands.

"Hide your hair!" He told her quietly and seriously.

"Hide yourself!" She pushed him away, looking around. "Quick under my bed!"

"And what about the hair?"

"Oh! I've got an idea!"

Ariana was still standing at the door, knocking. "Rapunzel, can I…"

Rapunzel called from inside. "Come in!" Ariana opened the door and walked in.

"Rapunzel, where…" She looked up and saw Rapunzel lying on her bed with a blanket covering the top of her head.

Rapunzel laughed nervously. "Hi, mum! I just had a terrible headache last night and I'm still letting my head get some rest. But it's not that bad, I'm alright."

"Um, okay, um…" Her mother sat down in front of her. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"

"Of course, I'm more than ok! The headache's almost gone! Hehe!"

"Ok, well, then you can explain to me where you were last night."

Rapunzel opened her eyes wide, while Flynn under the bed looked up in horror. "Uh? Hehe! What are you talking about? I was right here! The whole time!"

"Honey, I came back to talk to you, and you were gone!" The queen crossed her arms. Rapunzel looked at Pascal in horror, who looked back with an awkward smile. Rapunzel looked embarrassed.

"Listen, mum, I…"

"Have you been seeing him?"

Rapunzel widened her eyes. "What? Uh…No, of course not!"

"Rapunzel, please…"

"I told you no, mum! Leave him out of this!"

Ariana sighed. "Rapunzel, listen to me. I know this law is completely unfair but I'm afraid that unless your father changes it, you won't be able to see him again."

"I haven't seen him!"

"Rapunzel, please. You can tell me! I haven't told your father you were gone, and I'm not going to tell him now."

"You won't?" She sighed relieved. "Oh, thank you, mum!"

"But you must listen to me, please! You can't meet in secret. You know what they say: lies don't travel far. It will come out sooner or later. And if you keep seeing him in secret, then…well, terrible things could happen!"

Rapunzel widened her eyes again, laughing nervously. "Uh, Hehe, what do you mean?"

"Um, well…um?" The queen took a deep breath and took Rapunzel's hands. "Um, sweetie…do you already know about, um…the birds and the bees?" Flynn moaned under the bed. Ariana looked down. "Huh? What was that?" Rapunzel panicked and coughed.

"Oh, sorry. It's a bit dry in here. Aren't you dry too? Hehe!" She laughed nervously.

"Um, okay. Well, do you...?"

"What? What do you mean? I know what birds and bees are, mum!"

Ariana sighed embarrassed. "I didn't mean that…I…I meant…do you know…where babies come from?" Rapunzel opened her eyes wide in horror and hid her face in embarrassment.

"Oh, my gosh! Mum, please stop, ok?"

"Oh! Oh, so your…um, kidnapper told you?"

"Yes, she told me all about these horrors and how horrible men are, but I'm sure that it's not that horrible in reality, just like everything she ever told me, but I don't want any details, Mum! Please stop it! Oh, my gosh, mum!"

"Ok, honey, that calms be a bit. I was afraid I was gonna have to tell you all about it, but…"

Rapunzel covered her face. "Mum, please stop, ok?"

"Well, honey, I'm sure I don't have to worry about that. I mean, I know Flynn is a good guy and he seems like a gentleman, but…you know sometimes…temptations…"

"Ok, that's enough, Mum! Stop! I don't want any kids yet and I don't…well, me and him didn't…Oh, gosh!" She covered her face. "Can you just go, please?"

"Alright, honey, I will stop now. But you have to be really careful. Not only with…you know what, but also because if your father finds out you have been ignoring his orders and seeing him in secret, then he'll surely never change that law!"

Rapunzel looked back at her, scared. "What?"

"Please, stop this secrecy!" Her mother took her hands. "Your father will come around, I assure you! He already feels very guilty about yesterday and he will change that law one day too, sweetheart! You just have to give him some time. But please stop with the secrecy. It won't end well. Just be patient. You will have him back soon."

"But…the coronation! Oh, mum, please! I don't think I can do it without him!"

"Alright! I will tell your father that I have invited him. And that he wants to be there as your friend. You just…well, you will have to try to act like friends. Can you do that?"

"Of course, we will. Thank you, mum!" She pressed her hand.

"Of course, sweetie. See you at the coronation!" Ariana went to the door, then she turned around. "Oh, before I forget it: Hi, Flynn!" She looked at the bed and waved. Rapunzel gasped and Flynn awkwardly took out a hand under the bed and waved. The queen waved back, laughing. "Don't worry, I won't tell!" She winked at Rapunzel, who smiled relieved and nodded gratefully. "See you later!" Ariana left and Flynn looked out under the bed-

"Wow, your mum is really nice!" They laughed. Rapunzel picked up her coronation dress and shoes.

"Now you better hurry to the great hall! We can't go in together!"

"Will you be all right?"

"Yeah, sure, it's just one day and then, I will never wear anything like this again! And for the hair, I will just wear a long headscarf."

"Alright! See you in the great hall!" He kissed her quickly. "I love you!"

"I love you too!" Flynn smiled and left. Rapunzel sighed and reluctantly put on the big dress and shoes. Then she put a big headscarf over her head and hid her hair.

Flynn hurried into the great hall and the queen waved him over to a seat next to her. Frederic looked at him angrily. Flynn smiled awkwardly and Frederic sighed. The trumpets started playing and everyone turned around. Rapunzel stood in the doorway smiling nervously. She inhaled and began to walk. Suddenly, she stumbled and fell on the ground, losing her headscarf. Everyone gasped and saw the hair. Flynn hurried to her and took her in his arms.

"Rapunzel, are you alright?" He caressed her cheek and she pressed his hand.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just not used to walking in shoes!"

Frederic shouted furiously. "Rapunzel!" They stopped and looked over, blushing. Ariana looked at them uncomfortably while Frederic stared at them angrily. Rapunzel laughed uncomfortably.

"Uh, Hehe, um…it's not what it looks like…"

"You're just friends now, right?" He crossed his arms.

"What? Don't you care about my 70 feet long hair at all?"

"Frederic!" The queen said.

Frederic yelled: "Everybody out! The coronation is over! I want to talk with my daughter in peace!" The guests left. Ariana sighed, looked at them sadly and left. Flynn stayed and hugged Rapunzel, Frederic cleared his throat. "Ahem! That includes you too, boy!"

"Please, your majesty, don't be too hard on her! This was all my…"

Frederic pointed to the door, yelling. "Out with you!"

Flynn put his arm around Rapunzel. "I'm not leaving her!"

"Either you leave now, or I'll have you arrested! Make your choice!"

Rapunzel gasped and turned to him. "Oh, please go! I'll be fine!" They caressed each other's back and sighed sadly.

"Alright. But remember. He's your father, he won't hurt you!"

"Yes, now please go!"

"Bye, sunshine!" He caressed her cheek and walked away sadly. Rapunzel looked up at Frederic, sad and ashamed and told him everything that had happened the night before.

"So, you snuck out last night, went beyond the walls of Corona, where you touched a mysterious light that somehow caused your hair to return?"

Rapunzel looked down. "Yes."

He sighed. "Were you with him?"

Rapunzel looked frightened. "Please, I know you're angry, but…"

"Were you with him?" He asked angrily. She stared at him in horror, then looked down, ashamed. Frederic sighed. "I knew it."

"Please, leave him out of this! This was all my idea!"

"So, you didn't break up with him. You deliberately disobeyed my orders!"

"Your orders are completely unfair! You can't ask me to do that!"

"Rapunzel, the law…"

"The law is wrong! Why can't I marry who I love?"

"Rapunzel, you will be queen one day!"

"So?"

"So? A queen must first think of her kingdom! A queen needs a qualified king at her side! You can't let a former wanted criminal rule a country!"

"He is no longer a thief! He is kind and generous and just! You just don't know him well enough! He's as good as any prince! And remember, if it hadn't been for him, I'd still be in the tower! Probably forever!"

Frederic shouted. "Rapunzel, enough! You are a princess and not just any princess! One who will be queen one day! You must learn to obey the laws!"

Rapunzel began to cry. "Do you want me to be a miserable queen for the rest of my life? Don't you care about my happiness at all?"

He sighed. "Rapunzel, you can't see him in secret. Something might happen and…"

"Please, don't give me the talk now!" She covered her face and sighed. "Dad, why can't you just change the law?"

"Rapunzel, listen. I have suffered for 18 long years and now…"

Rapunzel shouted in tears: "And now you want me to suffer too? Because that's what I will do if you force me to break up with him! I will suffer! I love him, dad!"

Frederic sighed. "Look, I can't order you to stay within the walls of Corona or the castle. I know you wouldn't listen anyway and as an adult you don't even have to listen to me anymore anyway. And besides, I don't want to be like the one who abused you all these years and lock you up, but… But I can order you to break up with him!"

She stared at him. "Don't you see? You are acting just like her! She tried to destroy our love too! Why can't you just accept our love? Why?"

"Break up with him now!" He yelled angrily.

Rapunzel cried. "You can't make me!"

"I can't? Well, look, I'm sorry but you leave me no choice! Either you break up with him now or I will have him arrested for breaking the law and sneaking you out of the castle!"

Rapunzel stared at him in horror. "Father!"

"He broke the law. I'm very generous to even offer you a choice at all."

"He was just trying to give me a break from all of this because he wanted me to be happy and not feel trapped. Because my freedom means everything to him! In contrast to you!" She cried angrily.

Frederic stared at her, then got angry. "You have a choice, Rapunzel, and that's final!" Rapunzel stared at him in tears, then ran away crying. She ran outside the castle and broke down crying in front of the castle. Flynn arrived.

"Rapunzel? What did he do to you, sunshine?" He worriedly tried to take her in his arms but she pushed him away in tears. "What is it?"

Rapunzel wiped away tears and inhaled. "Eugene…we have to break up."

He looked horrified. "But I thought…"

"He'll never change the law now and that means there is no future for us!" She took his hands and cried. "I'm so sorry!" He brushed her hair out of her face and wiped away her tears. "Maybe, one day, by some miracle, he'll change his mind…but until then…we…we can't…."

Flynn sighed sadly. "I…I understand…" He caressed her cheek.

"But…but we can still be friends! I mean, there is no law against that!" Rapunzel said.

"We? Just friends?"

"Well…then at least we could still see each other." She sighed "I know it will be hard but…but I can't lose you completely." She squeezed his hand. "Let's at least try it."

He sighed heavily. "Alright. Let's try to be just friends." He caressed her cheek. "But I will always love you, Rapunzel!"

Rapunzel took his hand. "And I will always love you, Eugene!"

Flynn brushed her hair out of her face, whispering in her ear: "And you will always be my dream!"

Rapunzel laughed sadly. "And you will always be mine!" They stared at each other in tears, then kissed passionately. She cried. "But that was now the last kiss for the next time."

"Yes, of course. Good night, my sunshine. I mean, Rapunzel." He caressed her cheek, then turned and walked away sadly.

"Goodbye. See you some other time." He sighed and walked away. Rapunzel looked after him sadly and sighed. Pascal came onto her shoulder and hugged her. She hugged him back. "I will not give up, Pascal. I know that somehow, someday, some way we will be together again!" She looked up at the stars and sighed.