Adventures of the Sun and Moon

by Wolf of the Black Rose

Rapunzel returns to Corona and meets her stepfather and stepbrother: King Quirin and Prince Varian, who has a connection to the dark powers of the Moonstone, the Sundrop's counterpart. When her hair returns, the lost princess and her new brother have adventures while adjusting to life and each other with their friends as they try to solve the mysteries of the Sundrop and Moonstone.

1. Chapter 1: Before Ever After (Part One)

I'm sorry for taking this story down. I had reasons before, but now I'm bringing it back.

Verian Evans: Yes, you may translate my story. All I ask is that you give me credit for the original story.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Tangled franchise. I only own this story idea and any minor OCs I create, such as Galaxy. I got the look for Varian's royal attire from a picture I found online, so credit goes to the artist. Another fanfiction on AO3 inspired Quirin's outfit, so credit goes to that author. The extra lyrics in the song "Wind in My Hair" belong to Angelxoxo.

Edit: Yes, I've changed the chapters again. I'm experimenting with story layouts to find one I can use for most Tangled stories. So now, instead of taking up over six chapters, "Before Ever After" will only span two chapters. I may divide the double-length episodes into two chapters. I'll see when I get to them.

"This is the story of how I died… and went to heaven!" Eugene chuckled, showing a series of murals. "Okay, so the Kingdom of Corona, to be exact, but hey, let's not get hung up on semantics. Once upon a time, a single drop of sunlight fell from the heavens– You know what? I'm just gonna give the rapid-fire shorthand here. The Sundrop created a golden flower with healing powers. Creepy, old Mother Gothel sang a song to said flower to regain her youth. Yada, yada, yada, the Queen got sick. Flower healed Queen. Queen gave birth to Rapunzel, who was born with the flower's magical healing powers, and everything was all flying lanterns and cheering subjects until Gothel stole the Princess and kept her locked in a tower for eighteen long years. Then, the Princess was rescued by a dashing, steely-eyed, suave, smoldering, devilishly charming rogue. Now, some people might have called him a thief, but I always preferred the term 'misunderstood good guy.' You see, it wasn't always easy for young Eugene. Raised as an orphan on the rough streets of–"

"Hey, Eugene," Rapunzel interrupted the story. "Focus?"

"Huh? Oh, right, sorry. So, the beautiful maiden—that's you—and the handsome rogue—that's me—made a deal. We followed some lanterns, I saved you from Gothel, you saved me from death, and then you got arguably the world's most overly dramatic haircut, and then–"

"And then I was reunited with my long-lost family," Rapunzel finished for him. "Well, most of them…"

"I know, Sunshine, I know," Eugene said comfortingly. "You see, eight years before I found Rapunzel, her birth father, King Frederic, became sick. Really sick. Despite the best efforts of several doctors, he died before ever reuniting with his daughter. Due to an old custom or law or whatever, Queen Arianna was expected to remarry, and she did. That's where a man named Sir Quirin Ruddiger comes in. Quirin was a retired knight and the mayor of the farming village of Old Corona. He was also an old friend of King Frederic and Queen Arianna. He had lost his wife, Ulla, sometime before this, leaving him to raise their son Varian alone. Believing they could help each other in their darkest hours, the Queen chose Quirin as her new husband. So they married, and Varian was crowned a prince."

"And eight years later is where our new story began," Rapunzel said. "Six months had passed; I was loving life inside the Kingdom of Corona, and my coronation to officially become princess had finally come."

"We all had a few surprises that day. Didn't we, Sunshine?"

Pascal squeaked out a chuckle. "Laugh it up, Frog!"

"Now, I know what you're all thinking. Yes, Eugene and I did get married. But make no mistake: getting to the wedding day and our happily ever after would be the biggest adventure we would ever face. And it all started with meeting my younger brother…."

"Ooh, that's good."

(Six Months Ago)

Rapunzel jumped up and down excitedly as she and her parents waited before the castle doors. Her younger brother was coming home from the Kingdom of Koto today, and she couldn't wait to meet him. (Technically, he was her stepbrother, but she didn't quite understand the difference. They were family at the end of the day, so semantics weren't crucial to her.)

Since her return, she experienced various ups and downs. Upon arriving at the castle, she was joyfully reunited with her parents, King Quirin and Queen Arianna. In gratitude for returning her, her parents pardoned her boyfriend, Eugene Fitzherbert—also known as Flynn Rider—for his past crimes in Corona. They welcomed him into the castle and granted her friends from the Snuggly Duckling fresh starts, empowering them to pursue their dreams.

The low times came when she learned the man she met on her return was her stepfather. Her birth father had passed away eight years prior. Once she settled in, Rapunzel was shown her father's grave—a heartbreaking experience. Eugene had to console her for hours after that.

While she was sad to lose her dad before meeting him, Rapunzel was eager to get to know Quirin. He was a tall, strong-looking, middle-aged man with brown hair and brown eyes. He was dressed in royal attire similar to what King Frederic wore in his portraits, but it was more teal than blue, and he always wore black gloves. He also wore her father's old crown whenever he performed his official duties as king.

Quirin was a calm, serious, and focused man, the opposite of Rapunzel in many ways. However, she also saw his character's kind, caring, and understanding side. He was a good king, having led a farming village before marrying her mother. Like her birth father before him, he was loved and respected by everyone in the Kingdom.

To top it off, Quirin had a son from his previous marriage, Varian. That was who they were waiting for at the palace gates.

Quirin and Arianna stood behind their daughter, expressions reflecting more concern than joy. Make no mistake; they were thrilled to see their son again, especially Quirin. However, they were apprehensive about how he would respond to Rapunzel's return. Varian had been gone for nearly nine months, assisting another kingdom, marking his first venture outside the castle and away from Corona. Following Rapunzel's kidnapping, they were anxious about Varian's safety, feeling the need to send him with nearly half their guards. Yet, deep down, they felt reassured that he would be fine.

"I can't wait to meet him!" Rapunzel exclaimed happily. "Do you think he'll know it's me? I mean, I did lose my hair after all."

"I'm sure he'll know. Varian's always been perceptive that way," Queen Arianna assured her.

King Quirin smiled slightly before his expression turned downcast. "He's changed so much over the years…"

"What do you mean?" Rapunzel asked. Before they could answer, a horse's whinny was heard. The family looked up to see a royal carriage passing through the archway.

"He's here!" Rapunzel gasped excitedly.

The carriage stopped in front of the castle. They all waited as the guards surrounded the coach in a straight line, and the footman moved to open the doors.

"Presenting Prince Varian Ruddiger of Corona."

The doors opened, and a black boot stepped out. Rapunzel watched as the person descended the stairs.

Standing before her was a teenage boy who appeared to be about fourteen. He had a slender build and two prominent front teeth. His skin was fair, with freckles across his cheeks, and he had light blue eyes. His black hair, with brown highlights and a single teal streak (which made Rapunzel stare for a minute), was about chin length, with long bangs on the right side of his face. While neatly brushed at the moment, she felt his hair would be messier on a typical day. His clothes were a theme of blue and indigo. The long-sleeve collared shirt was cornflower blue with a white cravat, and his pants were dark gray. Over the shirt was an indigo vest with a darker collar, gold buttons, and Corona's sun crest on the right breast. The brown belt with large pockets and holsters containing vials of unknown substances stood out against the outfit. He also wore large, thick, bulky gloves nearly reaching his elbows. On his right shoulder was a male monochrome raccoon with green eyes, its tail wrapped around his neck.

Though tired from the long trip, Varian smiled slightly at the home he hadn't seen in almost a year. Not much had changed; it was still the same old castle he had called home for six years… His smile fell at the thought. If he were honest, a part of him hadn't wanted to come back. He loved his father and stepmother and hated being away from them, but he didn't want to return to royal life. Alchemy and inventing were where he felt at home, not entertaining nobles.

He was surprised that his parents had even let him go to Koto in the first place, but he had a duty to help Corona and other kingdoms. Having access to the Royal Library and other resources, Varian's alchemy and engineering skills had grown by leaps and bounds. His talents were now in high demand, which made the prince preen a little when he thought about it. Besides, this was something he had always wanted to do: travel to other places and create things to help improve people's lives. Plus, he had become good friends with the youngest princess, so a new alliance between their kingdoms was possible.

"Varian!" A squeal interrupted his thoughts as he was suddenly pulled into a tight hug by a brown-haired woman, nearly knocking his raccoon to the ground.

"It's me, Rapunzel! Your big sister!" she gushed, pulling back to get a better look at him. "Oh, look at you, such a handsome boy!"

"Uh, thank you…" Varian blinked, smiling awkwardly.

"I can't wait for us to know everything about each other and–"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, uh, can we–can we slow down a minute, please, heh!" Varian held up his hands, trying to get her to pause. He looked uncomfortable, which confused the woman. "I–I'm still registering that you're here. You're finally home! We—we missed you…".

Rapunzel smiled and hugged him again. "I missed you, too!"

"Okay, hugs! Sure!" he responded awkwardly. The raccoon started chittering to get their attention, reminding them he was still there. "Oh, yeah, this is Ruddiger."

"Isn't that–?"

"Yeah, I gave him my last name. I figured it would do alright."

"Well, I think it's cute," Rapunzel smiled, poking Ruddiger's nose playfully, receiving a happy squeak.

Varian managed a genuine smile before speaking again. "Anyway, I'm kind of tired from my trip. Do you think we can wait to get to know each other?"

"Sure, I understand," his sister nodded.

Varian nodded in thanks before walking past her to reach their parents. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad."

"Welcome home, Varian," Arianna smiled warmly.

"How was your trip, son?" Quirin asked, relieved that his boy was home safe.

"It was great. We couldn't solve the meteor problem completely, but we were able to come up with a long-term solution that should cut down on the damage and give people more time to rebuild."

"Excellent," his father nodded approvingly.

"Now, you've had a long journey. You should get some rest," his stepmother encouraged him kindly.

"Alright," Varian agreed before heading inside.

The princess smiled after her brother, but she was also confused. What had their parents been talking about before? She didn't understand what was wrong.

"That was actually an improvement compared to when he left," Quirin said as if sensing her confusion. "I suppose time away from Corona did more good for him than we could've asked for."

"What do you mean?" Rapunzel asked, returning to their side.

"Varian used to be more… outgoing than you've just seen. Much like you in a way," the new king explained, struggling to find the right words. "He's been acting… different ever since I married your mother and we moved to the castle."

"His powers became more noticeable as well," Arianna added.

"Powers?" the princess questioned.

"Rapunzel, do you know about the Moonstone Opal?" her stepfather asked.

"No." Rapunzel shook her head.

"As you know, you received your powers from a magical flower created from a drop of sunlight that fell from the sky. However, the Sundrop wasn't alone when it fell to the earth. A drop of moonlight also fell, creating an opal stone known as the Moonstone Opal. But its powers were the opposite of the Sundrop. Instead of healing, it hurt people, unleashing a deadly plague that would kill anyone who ventured too close. It was hidden in a kingdom far away from here until it fell due to the Moonstone's magic."

At first, Rapunzel didn't understand what this had to do with Varian. However, as she began to put the pieces together, her eyes widened in realization when she murmured, "Wait, so… are you saying that Varian…?"

"Yes," Quirin nodded. "At first, his powers weren't noticeable. The odd stripe in his hair was the only clue that something was… different." The princess subconsciously fiddled with a lock of hair, remembering her once-golden tresses. "A few months after we moved to the castle, we realized something was amiss," he continued, looking as disheartened as he felt. "I don't know what caused it—the change in living, the stress of being a prince—but one day, there was no denying that my son possessed some of the Moonstone's power. Having seen firsthand how dangerous it could be, we limited Varian's contact with people until we could find a way to block his abilities. Wearing gloves seemed to do the trick, but under stronger emotions, his powers would… leak out regardless of whether his hands were covered."

"It didn't help that his powers seemed to get stronger as he got older," Arianna continued, looking just as solemn as her husband. "Varian became so frightened of himself and what he could do to others that he began isolating himself from everyone. Neither of us liked it, but we didn't know what else to do."

He hated admitting it, but Quirin felt responsible for his son's behavior. He had tried so hard to protect others from Varian's moon powers that his fear of the Moonstone became ingrained in his son, causing him to fear himself. The stress of being thrust into the life of royalty didn't make things easier either.

"Ever since you returned, there have been reports that his powers have completely vanished. The people of Corona… most didn't accept him before because of his dark powers. It seems they've looked past that with your presence, but…" Arianna stopped before smiling gently at her daughter. "Give him time. After all, he'll be teaching you how to be royalty."

Rapunzel stared after Varian as he retreated into the castle. "Varian…" A part of her understood how troubled he must have been, living with powers he barely understood and the isolation they imposed. It was almost exactly like her old life.

However, Rapunzel still believed they could become true siblings. Even though Varian had been scared and alone, he had the same kind and caring heart that she did. She could see it when he talked about the good he did in Koto.

Like their mother said, she just needed to give him time.

(Present Day)

Outside Corona's capital, Rapunzel rode through the woods on her horse. Her mount was a brown mare with a black braided mane and tail, accented by a bit of white above her hooves and a stripe on her face. She sported a brown saddle adorned with the sun symbol of Corona on her saddlebag, complemented by a red saddle blanket trimmed in gold and black. 'Fidella' was beautifully etched in gold on the saddle harness above the sun. Soon, her boyfriend, Eugene Fitzherbert, rode up beside her on Maximus, the guard horse. An unknown rider was chasing them from behind.

"They're gaining on us!" The princess glanced behind her, urging Fidella to go faster. Eugene did the same with Max, sticking close to her. However, they weren't the only ones. As they chased the couple through the woods, their pursuers picked up speed, and their numbers grew simultaneously. "There's more of them!" she looked at her boyfriend with concern.

"Good. It'll keep things interesting," Eugene smirked. They raced down the dirt road and over the foothills, leaving dust clouds in their wake. Their chasers kept pace with them, always a few horse lengths behind. "Man, these guys are persistent."

"So am I," Rapunzel smirked at him. "I'll meet you at the wall!"

"Sounds like a challenge!" he called out as the brown horse pulled ahead, taking the high road.

"Think you can keep up?" she called down cheerfully.

"Oh, it's not me you have to worry about," he gave her a smug look.

Confused, she looked over her shoulder. "Uh oh!" One of Corona's royal guards was right behind her.

"They're your problem now!" Eugene chirped, his voice echoing slightly off the ravine walls. However, the former thief soon noticed he had two remaining guards to deal with, one of whom was an old adversary of his. "Oh, great!" he muttered, rolling his eyes. The Captain of the Guard was right on his tail and looked mad. Then again, he was always angry when it came to Eugene.

Max and Eugene continued down the ravine, with the guards slowly closing the gap between them. "Okay, Max, follow my lead–Oh!" he started to say but gasped when he noticed a fallen tree wedged between the walls before them. "Log, log, log!" Thinking fast, Eugene jumped off Maximus and over the log as the horse passed under it, landing in the saddle on the other side without stopping. The Captain pulled off the same maneuver and continued after him. However, the other guard's horse stopped short, causing him to be flung out of the saddle and crash into the dirt.

"Ohh, good thing the ground broke his fall!" Eugene said teasingly when he saw what happened.

Meanwhile, Rapunzel was having less fun as their guard chased her and Fidella. She watched the guard before looking forward, where she saw bunnies munching on carrots all over the road.

"Whoa!" Rapunzel pulled on the reins, urging her horse to avoid them. "Bunny crossing! Careful, Fidella!" Fidella carefully navigated through the herd, cautious of fluff balls under her hooves. The bunnies ducked and flinched as the massive horse stepped carefully through the colony. "Watch out, watch out, cute little bunnies!" Rapunzel cooed as they rode off once they reached the other side.

The guard chasing them had less luck. He pulled on the reins to try to stop but crashed into the bunnies, forming a horse-and-rider-shaped pile. One of the bunnies had its carrot snagged by Pascal, who took a smug bite as they left the guard in their dust.

Back with Eugene, he was having more problems of his own. The Captain had caught up to him, and the former thief was getting worried. "You're not getting away this time!" the Captain said aggressively, reaching toward Eugene.

"He-yah!" Rapunzel suddenly jumped out of the foliage before him, startling the Captain's horse into stopping as she rejoined her boyfriend. "Sorry!" she called over her shoulder before looking forward. "We're almost there!"

However, as she said that, the Captain suddenly jumped out of the bushes behind them. "Oh, come on!" Eugene groaned. However, Rapunzel just smirked, matched by her boyfriend. Up ahead, they galloped toward a stream in the distance. The only way across was a downed tree that had fallen into the water. The couple's horses jumped once they reached the bank, practically flying over the river.

"Woohoo!" the princess hollered, spreading her arms as they soared. Fidella and Rapunzel landed safely on the other side. Max landed on the log, causing it to fall before he and Eugene hopped onto the bank. However, the Captain wasn't so lucky as he landed in the middle of the river.

Hearing the splash, Eugene pulled on the reins to make Max stop and turn around as Rapunzel galloped ahead. The Captain and his horse pulled themselves out of the water, the former's helmet on the latter's head. They looked annoyed but otherwise uninjured. "Looking good, Cap!" Eugene pointed at him with a grin before riding after his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, Rapunzel rode ahead through an open field until she had Fidella stop when they reached a tall wall at Corona's borders. It was called the Wall of Corona, indicated by the sun symbols. It was one of the last significant projects her birth father had been working on before he died. Rapunzel and Fidella reached the Wall, standing just inches apart. The mare looked back at the young woman, who urged her forward. Fidella reared up, placing her hooves against the Wall while Rapunzel climbed up. The mare nudged the princess upward, helping her grasp the ledge. Rapunzel pulled herself onto the Wall with a bright smile and gazed at the world beyond. She inhaled deeply, extending her arms as she admired the stunning horizon ahead.

"Pascal…" she said dreamily. "Look at that view."

Her chameleon companion squeaked happily, letting out a contented sigh.

"Ha ha!"

Hearing enthusiastic yelling behind them, they turned to see Eugene standing on top of Max as they approached the Wall. The horse stopped abruptly, launching the man off its back. He flipped through the air before landing gracefully on the Wall beside the princess.

"Okay, okay," Eugene straightened up, fixing his vest. "I know what you're thinking. Now, it may have seemed like you won, but you gotta take into account that my hair is actually longer than yours now, so we gotta factor in wind resistance." He flipped his hair in emphasis.

"That's not how that works," a voice said, startling the couple. They turned to see Varian standing on the wall a few feet away, Ruddiger ever-present on his shoulders.

Unlike their initial meeting months earlier, Varian wore a teal-blue shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, paired with his familiar black gloves. He also wore a brown leather apron, light brown trousers, and black boots. As Rapunzel had anticipated, Varian's hair remained characteristically shaggy and disheveled, and brown and gold goggles rested on his head.

"Nice try, guys, but we still managed to catch up with you," he said, kneeling to give his horse, Galaxy, an apple for her effort. Galaxy was a sleek, black mare with blue eyes, mirroring her rider's, and her mane and tail flowed freely, unlike the tied-up styles of the guard horses. She wore the same saddle and blanket as Fidella and Max, although hers featured a blue blanket adorned with silver and white trim. The saddle bag displayed a moon symbol, and Galaxy's name was elegantly etched in silver on the harness.

Ruddiger, the ever-hungry little beast he was, licked his lips before hopping down onto the horses to raid their saddlebags. Maximus huffed in annoyance but couldn't do anything to stop him.

"Caught us again, huh, kid?" Eugene rolled his eyes but smiled as the teen joined them.

"Please, these woods are my old playground. Not to mention how often I come out here to look for alchemy ingredients. I know this forest like the back of my hand," Varian explained proudly before turning shy. "Just, uh, don't tell my dad. He'd freak."

"Our lips are sealed." The older man zipped his lips.

Rapunzel smiled as she watched her brother and boyfriend interact. She remembered when she first introduced Eugene to her brother. Like Eugene, Varian was a fan of the Flynnigan Rider books and thought the older man was the real Flynn Rider. Trying to tell him the truth was awkward, but he still liked hearing about some of Eugene's real exploits, so it was okay. It wasn't much, but they managed to get Varian somewhat out of his shell. Some taboo subjects and situations would shut him down, but they were making progress as long as they were avoided.

"Wow!" Rapunzel looked back at the outside world as she and the boys gazed at the majestic view. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"

Turning to his girlfriend, Eugene took her hand with a soft smile. "Yes, yes, I have."

Rapunzel smiled back at him before leaning toward each other for a kiss. Pascal covered his eyes while Varian mimed a half-hearted gagging face.

"Game's over, Your Highnesses," the Captain interrupted them. They looked back to see him and the other guards gathered by the wall and their horses. "The welcoming ceremony is about to begin."

"Well, I think we showed those guards who's boss," Eugene joked. "Now, what do you say we go and make you an official princess?"

"Ohhh, is that today?" Rapunzel asked teasingly.

"Haha, very funny. Now, come on, we'd better get you back to the castle," Eugene motioned for her to follow as they climbed down the Wall. "Ooh, maybe I can squeeze in a royal message…" He climbed down before popping back up again. "Before my daily trim, of course."

At the mention of the ceremony, Varian's jovial mood evaporated instantly. Looking back at the horizon one last time, he sighed heavily before climbing off the Wall and going over to his horse. Galaxy noticed a change in her rider's emotions as she lowered herself to help him get on. She craned her neck to look at him, nickering in concern. Varian rubbed Galaxy's neck in reassurance, but his mind was elsewhere.

Not far away, Maximus also noticed the new prince's mood change. When Eugene mounted him, he motioned toward Varian, cluing the man into the problem. Seeing Varian's mood shift, Eugene walked Max over to him. "You okay, Hairstripe?"

"Yeah… Let's just get this over with…" Varian sighed again, motioning for Galaxy to start walking. Ruddinger hopped back onto the prince's shoulders and shrugged at Eugene as they left, unsure what to say if he could talk.

The older man sighed as he watched the prince's retreating back. He couldn't deny it. He worried about Varian a lot. Just when they thought he was breaking out of his shell and acting like a normal fourteen-year-old should, something would cause a regression, and they'd be back to square one…

Rapunzel watched the others from the wall before glancing at Pascal when he squeaked at her. She turned back to the view, knowing what he was thinking. "I know, Pascal," she sighed. "We'll get out there soon…"

Ever since she returned, she had almost the same restrictions Varian had for years. She was lucky they could go riding at all, though Quirin was willing to negotiate when she wanted to go out.

Rapunzel gave the outside world one last look before jumping back onto Fidella. "Ha! Race you back to the castle!" She and Fidella took off swiftly, with Eugene and Maximus following seconds later. The Captain groaned as they raced off. He wasn't paid enough for this.

Varian was brought out of his slump when the couple raced past him. Seeing an opportunity, Galaxy and Ruddiger encouraged him with animal talk, which made him smile a little. "Oh, it's on!" he smirked as Galaxy broke into a gallop so they could catch up.

Eugene and Rapunzel smiled when Varian pulled up alongside them. It may only be for a moment, but at least the teen prince was smiling.

The horses slowed to a walk as they reached the bridge, crossing into the capital of Corona.

This is life after happily ever after

Everyone in town was decorating the city for the coronation ceremony. Event announcements were hung on the walls for anyone who didn't know. Kids played with the flag banners as they were hung, while adults watched fondly as guards passed by on patrol. One woman hung a lantern with the sun and moon symbol by her window.

The coronation was to name Rapunzel as Crown Princess of Corona officially, and Varian would be made second in line to the throne. However, Varian would only become king if, Sun and Moon forbid, something happened to Rapunzel and/or Eugene when they eventually married.

And it's all just as sweet as the stories say

By this time, almost everyone had accepted Varian as their prince. However, there were still some who were… skeptical of having him around. As soon as they saw him, they would either give him dirty looks or scramble away in fear of what he might do, and that was only on the rare occasions he stepped out of the castle. It didn't matter to Varian anyway. No matter what he did or where he was, there would always be someone who was either scared or didn't like him. He had come to accept it despite the hurt it caused him.

A pale-skinned woman with dark pink lips, hazel eyes, and black, bob-cut layered hair with gray highlights was impatiently pacing in front of the city gates. She wore a blue and white dress with a white headdress and matching shoes. When she looked up, her eyes widened at the sight of the Princess, Prince, and Eugene entering the Capital.

I feel wild, free, as light as can be

And ready to explore

Eugene dismounted from Maximus and helped Varian and Rapunzel do the same. Once off the horses, Rapunzel and Eugene were about to attempt another kiss when the woman walked over. She gently grabbed Rapunzel's wrist and pulled her away, much to Eugene's dismay.

With nothing at all standing in my way

Eugene watched them go with annoyance, knowing the woman did it on purpose. Maximus kissed the former thief on the cheek, causing him to wipe it off in disgust. Varian, Ruddiger, and Galaxy snickered at Eugene's expression, receiving a slight glare from the older man.

"Varian!" the dark-haired woman called back.

"Oh, gotta go," Varian said, jogging to catch up with the girls. "Sorry, Cass."

"It's fine."

Cassandra, known as Cass to those close to her, was Rapunzel's lady-in-waiting and best friend. Varian also considered her a friend, but like everyone else, he kept a level of distance between them because of his powers. Now that they were gone, the young prince started to open up to Cassandra a little more.

True, there are certain customs I have to follow

Cass led the step-siblings through town, with the Royal Guard following behind. Citizens along the road would bow and curtsy to the royal siblings, and Varian bowed in return.

"Curtsy," he and Cass whispered to the inexperienced princess, who also curtsied.

Several small obligations I can't avoid

A little girl held out a bouquet to Rapunzel. The princess smiled as she knelt, plucking one of the flowers to put in her hair. Cassandra bent down beside her as Varian walked on, trying to ignore the twinge in his chest when he saw how the people treated Rapunzel compared to him.

"Princess, the time." Cass dragged Rapunzel away, who waved to the little girl as she left.

A few rules, too

Well, more than a few

Commitments by the score

Once back at the castle, Cass pulled out a to-do list, reviewing what they still needed to do before the ceremony. While walking through the halls, the three abruptly stopped in front of Old Lady Crowley, the head maid. Crowley pointed disdainfully behind them, revealing the muddy footprints that Rapunzel had tracked all over the carpet.

The princess waved sheepishly as her two teachers pushed her along, leaving the older woman to clean up the mess.

Aside from all that, though, I'm overjoyed

As she was escorted down the hallway to her room, she met three maids: a mother and two daughters. They started pampering and fussing over Rapunzel's appearance. Two male servants also joined them, and they began fixing Varian's hair.

"This way, Princess," Cass said.

And sure, there are corsets and buckles and bows

As they walked along, the maids put makeup on Rapunzel and adjusted her corset—a little too tightly. She felt like she would suffocate as the youngest maid, Faith, tugged on her corset strings. Glancing beside her, she saw Varian receiving similar treatment. The butlers were messing with his hair and adjusting his vest. At first glance, he didn't seem bothered by it, but a flinch here and there revealed that he was uncomfortable with the grooming.

Plus all those names to recall

"Jane?" Rapunzel guessed, pointing to the maid brushing her hair.

"Ethel," Varian and the oldest maid reminded her, the latter looking annoyed that she didn't remember.

"Right!" She could remember the daughters' names, Hope and Faith, but never their mother's.

Still, I can hardly complain, I suppose

Pascal was getting irritated with all the commotion around his friend, and he squeaked in protest when he received a face full of powder. At the same time, Ruddiger's fur was brushed, and he was given a sparkly rhinestone collar to wear.

This is happily ever after, after all

When they reached Rapunzel's bedroom, Cassandra turned around and stared in disbelief at the messy scene as the maids and butlers fussed over the siblings. She also noticed how uncomfortable Rapunzel and Varian were with the pampering. "That's enough," she assured the servants sharply, shooing them away. "I'll take it from here." They returned to their duties, leaving the step-siblings and Cass alone. "How you holding up?" she asked the princess as she redid her corset ties.

"Busy," Rapunzel laughed awkwardly, brushing her hair aside. "But, busy is good."

"If you say so," Varian muttered, glancing at the paintings of their parents.

"I'm glad you think so, Raps, 'cause this welcoming ceremony is just the beginning," Cassandra reminded her before holding up Rapunzel's arms to adjust her sleeves. "Tomorrow's the festival, followed by the Royal Banquet, and that's all before the actual coronation on Sunday." Turning the princess around to fix her corset, she frowned when she saw Rapunzel's hiked-up dress and bare feet. "Oh, come on. Really?"

"Rapunzel, we've talked about this," Varian sighed.

"Look, Rapunzel, I know this whole princess thing is new to you," Cassandra knelt to pull her skirt back down to cover her ankles so her feet weren't as noticeable. "But you've gotta at least try to act the part. Haven't you been paying attention to Varian's royalty lessons?"

"Trust me, Cassandra, little brother, I know how important this is to my dad," Rapunzel smiled, lightly touching a portrait of Quirin.

(At the same time)

"As you've requested, Your Majesty," the Captain of the Guard said as he placed a miniature plastic guard on a model of Corona. "We've doubled security at both the main gates and the south towers."

"Good," King Quirin nodded in approval. "We have guests from all over the world, not to mention the late king left a few enemies behind…" he muttered in annoyance. Although King Frederic was an old friend, Quirin didn't always share his views. In the years preceding his death, Frederic had adopted a harsh stance on crime, with many describing his approach as a rampage. Even the pettiest of thieves faced jail time with penalties that seemed excessive. Quirin firmly believed that the coronation would attract individuals aiming to take revenge on the crown, so they had to prepare for any potential threats.

"I want to make sure everyone is safe. Everything for the coronation must be absolutely…" Quirin walked out the door and headed to Rapunzel's room. He opened the doors to find Cass adjusting Rapunzel's dress again with Varian nearby. "Perfect."

"Hi, Dad." Rapunzel greeted him, smiling.

"And now that, at last, you're back in our arms..." He smiled softly, Cass stepping aside as he walked over to them. Rapunzel threw her arms around her stepfather while Varian bowed to his father, looking pained as he did so. "I won't allow you to fall." He pulled back to look at his stepdaughter and son. He kept a hand on Rapunzel's shoulder while moving his left hand to his son's shoulder, startling Varian into looking at him. "I will protect you from all that could harm." He stroked their hair gently before taking their hands in his. "We'll live happily ever after, after all." The family smiled briefly at each other, even Varian, before Quirin got to business. "Now, I don't mean to put more pressure on you, but as prince and princess, you're not only representing yourselves and the family but all of Corona."

"Don't worry, Dad. We won't let you down," Rapunzel assured him, rubbing her arm nervously before putting it around Varian. "And Vari's been a great teacher and little brother to me. I've definitely learned a lot."

"Well, I tried…" the prince said quietly, embarrassed by the nickname.

"Alright, then, let's run through what you do at the ceremony," Quirin decided to quiz her. "Say I'm one of the nobles visiting. How do you greet me?"

"Um…" Rapunzel hummed, racking her brain around everything she'd learned. She knew there were several ways to greet nobles and nobility, depending on their origins. Would she have to give different greetings to each person? She didn't think she'd memorized them all yet!

Quirin noticed that Rapunzel was overthinking things and decided to change tactics to help her. "Let me give you a hint." The new king bowed at the waist.

"… Oh!" Rapunzel figured it out after a minute, curtsying in return.

"Very good," Quirin praised, straightening up.

The princess tried to smile but felt embarrassed and disappointed in herself. How was she supposed to greet royals from across the land when she couldn't remember something as basic as a curtsy?

Seeing her doubts, Quirin smiled encouragingly, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about specific greetings for right now. We'll focus on those when you're actually meeting foreign royalty. For today, all you have to do is curtsy and say, 'Welcome to Corona.'"

"Okay, Dad," Rapunzel nodded, perking up a bit.

Quirin then turned to Varian, surprising the teen by pulling him into a hug. The prince hesitated before returning the hug. After a minute, Quirin pulled back to look his son in the eye. "Varian, I know how uncomfortable you are with crowds. I promise the welcoming ceremony will be the only time you have to interact with anyone directly."

"I'll be okay, Dad." Varian tried to assure him, though he wouldn't deny his nervousness.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Hey, Dad, while we're on the whole coronation thingy," Rapunzel spoke up, nervously fiddling with her hair. "I mean, all these royal activities are great, but do you think I might be able to catch a little downtime soon? So that I can get to know my brother more, at least?" With all these preparations since she returned, she hadn't been able to spend much time with Eugene or Varian. She wanted to get to know her stepbrother better.

Quirin hummed in thought, considering it. "Well, if I recall correctly, there isn't anything happening tomorrow before the banquet. Nothing you need to be present for, anyway. If you want, you can have the morning off to relax or go to the festival in town."

"Oh, thank you, Dad!" Rapunzel almost squealed in excitement, hugging her stepfather.

"Now, if you decide to go out, I would ask that a few guards accompany you," Quirin reminded her. "With all the visitors in the Kingdom, it would be for safety reasons."

"I understand, Dad." The Princess nodded. Even if she had to have guards with her, at least she could have some fun.

"I know this is all new, and things are going to be different after this weekend, but I have faith you'll adjust," Quirin assured her, kissing her forehead. "After all, your boyfriend seems to be getting on just fine."

(Elsewhere)

While Quirin spoke with his kids, Eugene was hanging out at the royal spa, preparing for the ceremony. He was checking his appearance in the mirror, wearing a new forest-green tail suit and trying on a black hat with a white feather. "Ooh-hoo-hoo! Hartmut, my man, this hat ties the whole outfit together!" He praised the tailor, who silently giggled instead of agreeing with him. Eugene then dramatically tossed the hat aside as he began talking with his friends from the Snuggly Duckling who had stopped by.

"Now, I know what you're all thinking," he said as he sprayed on some cologne before tossing it to Shorty, who did the same. "'Why is Eugene in such a good mood today?' I mean, what gives?"

"Now that we're living splendidly," he sang, looking over Big Nose as the thug ate the cucumbers from his spa treatment. "Our dreams fulfilled extendedly." He shaved the shaving cream off Attila's helmet, who hummed in approval. "Why leave things open-ended for Rapunzel and moi?" the former thief summed up as he handed Vladimir a bride and groom ceramic unicorn, who then had them kiss. "Tonight, I'll hand this rose to her," Eugene plucked a rose from a nearby vase and handed it to Shorty. He spun the old thug around on a dress mannequin before sliding down on one knee in front of Big Nose, Ulf, and Maximus. "Kneel down and then propose to her. And give this ring I chose to her!" He opened a small box to show off a beautiful gold ring with a small diamond in the center.

"Nice," Big Nose approved as Ulf swooned.

"Life's gonna feel like strawberry sherbet," Eugene sang as he danced around with Max. "Once she is Mrs. Eugene Fitzherbert." The thugs and Maximus glared at him, disapproving of his wording. "Okay, not great, but how about this?" He jumped on a couch in the room as Shorty swung by in his Cupid outfit, scattering rose petals. "Once she is Princess Eugene Fitzherbert~!" Maximus walked over to Eugene, smiling in full support as his former nemesis leaned on him with a grin. "And what better day to propose to a princess than at her coronation?"

(Meanwhile)

After the conversation with his dad and stepsister, Varian returned to his room to prepare for the welcoming ceremony. His bedroom had a similar size and layout to Rapunzel's, featuring the same furniture. The key differences included the absence of a canopy bed, no murals, and a color scheme of blue and silver with a moon motif instead of purple, gold, and sun imagery. Varian's bed was outfitted with metal gadgets, including claws and a comb, operated by a lever on the right side. A rack of beakers containing glowing substances served as his nightlight on the left side table.

His bookshelves were filled with the "The Tales of Flynnigan Rider" series, along with adventure and mystery books that Arianna recommended. He also had books on alchemy, physics, mechanics, engineering, mathematics, botany, herbology, and geology to help with his projects. Additionally, he had books about history, languages, etiquette, politics, and anything else he thought would help him be a good prince. One shelf was reserved for various gadgets and gizmos that Varian had built.

His desk was cluttered with blueprints, writing tools, and measuring sticks. A guitar rested against the fireplace while an archery set hung on the wall. From the ceiling hung lanterns resembling those released on his sister's birthday, yet these were blue and adorned with a moon symbol. Rapunzel had gifted them to him about a week after his return from Koto.

This is life after happily ever after

Varian sat at his bay window with one of his Flynn Rider books. He hoped reading would help calm his nerves, but his mind couldn't focus on the words. He was too anxious about the meet-and-greet. Varian looked out the window, thinking about the odds of this going well. He wasn't sure which would blow this: Rapunzel's inexperience or Varian's social anxieties.

But it feels like a life that's not my own

He closed the book, focusing on the forest, knowing his old village lay just beyond it. Varian missed his old life before becoming royalty. He knew the pressure Rapunzel was under, and it didn't feel any more manageable now than on day one.

I was happy, free, doin' alright

But now, when I see the mirror

The boy looking back is someone that I don't know

He sighed lightly, leaving his book on the bench as he got up. Walking over to the vanity, he looked at himself in the mirror. Taking in the details of his reflection, Varian had to admit he looked somewhat better than a year ago. His eyes were brighter; he looked more awake and alert.

He started thinking about the people in his life: his father and the hope he had seen in his eyes; his older sister and Eugene, how they included him in their activities and wanted to spend time with him; Queen Arianna, who welcomed him into her family and supported him like a mother should, even giving him his own lab in the castle; Cassandra taking steps to get to know him beyond his new title; and even some castle staff, such as Faith, who were getting more comfortable with his presence.

Now that his powers were gone, he could stop being afraid and be more like himself again.

Sure, there are still some hurts to undo

But maybe this could be the start of something new

He removed his goggles and looked at a silver crown, like his father's, before taking a deep breath.

This is happily ever after, after all

Meanwhile, Rapunzel leaned on her balcony, looking at the sky.

"This is life after happily ever after." She sang along with Eugene and Varian. "And our story has finally reached its end."

"Settling down here," Eugene hopped into a chair.

"Year upon year," Rapunzel added.

"Contended and secure," the former thief took a bite of cake while Big Nose, Ulf, and Shorty enjoyed some munchies.

"With dozens of duties we'll have to tend," Rapunzel looked around her room, eyes falling on some of the birthday lanterns she had hung from the ceiling.

"I don't know how we'll do this, but this day still has to end," Varian moved to stand by his window again.

"And now that we've gotten the dream that we chose." All three sang as the prince glanced at his book again. "Now that we're in for the hall," Eugene said, pulling out the ring and smiling. "Now our adventures can come to a close," Rapunzel spun her globe while Varian placed a hand on the cover, and Eugene put the ring away. "Living happily ever after, after all."

Rapunzel looked at the mural she'd painted on her wall, depicting her life from the flower until her return. "Now that I've gotten the dream that I chose…" She lightly touched the part where she was reunited with her family before looking around the room. "Why does my world feel so… small?" She walked over to her vanity table, where her crown sat on a pillow. "If this is it…" Rapunzel moved to pick up her tiara but wavered at the last minute. "And it is… I suppose…" She then looked in the mirror as her doubts and fears emerged. "Is this happily ever after… after all?"

"Okay, no pressure. Just introducing myself to the most important people in the world," she said, giving herself a pep talk as she brushed back a strand of hair. "Representing my mom, dad, little brother… and the entire kingdom." She looked horrified for a second before taking a deep breath, trying to smile confidently. "We got this…"

(Back in town)

Out in town, a young boy was posting flyers for the upcoming coronation. Around the corner, a black rat with red eyes squeaked, eyeing the boy before ducking behind his sack of flyers. Snatching one while his back was turned, it ran into a nearby sewer grate, taking care not to get the announcement wet.

The rat entered the sewers before approaching a chamber that had been turned into a hideout. There was an ornate desk with a comfortable chair facing the wall and a portrait of the late King Frederic. A mirror hung adjacent to it, with plants suspended from the ceiling, piles of treasure, and a bed of hay made to look like a canopy bed in the corner. The only light sources were a five-piece candelabra and whatever light filtered in from outside. A man stood in the shadows, watching the rat enter the living area and go to the desk. It climbed up and approached a shadowed figure sitting in the chair. The only thing visible of her was a feminine arm with a skull-and-roses tattoo. She held out her hand to the rat, who released the flyer into her open palm with a rat-like bow.

"Lady Caine," the man, Pocket, stepped out of the shadows. "What is it?"

The woman looked at the announcement before speaking. "Time to pay our respects to our beloved royals." She held up a candle to light the poster, burning it away.

(Back at the Castle)

The courtyard was full of Corona nobles attending the celebration. Trumpets played as carriages came through the gates, carrying other nobles from neighboring lands. Rapunzel and Varian stood between their parents before the castle doors. Rapunzel stood beside the queen, while Varian stood beside his father. Cassandra was also present, standing behind Queen Arianna.

The princess wore a fancy pink and white dress, a matching necklace, pink earrings, and neatly brushed hair. Pascal, always the supportive one, sat on her shoulder, on his best behavior. Meanwhile, Varian wore an indigo and black tailsuit, like Eugene's outfit, with shiny black boots. His hair was brushed back and held in place with gel, and he wore white gloves. Ruddiger was perched on his shoulders, where he always was, nuzzling his human to help him stay calm.

"We're good at making people feel welcome. This is completely doable… ish," Rapunzel told herself, glancing at her parents nervously.

"Just remember what we went over upstairs," Varian said.

Rapunzel nodded, smiling a little in thanks. The princess glanced toward the crowd gathered in the courtyard, spotting Eugene in the group. When their eyes met, he began waving enthusiastically at her. Rapunzel started to wave back when Varian stopped her with a subtle shake of his head. "Oh. Right," she whispered. "Thanks."

"Sure," he replied, giving Eugene a quick smile. "Also, Pascal might want to disappear when the guests start walking up. I know some of the noblewomen will scream if they see him."

Pascal saluted the prince and climbed behind Rapunzel's shoulder, ready to turn invisible immediately. "What about Ruddiger?"

"Watch this."

The raccoon winked before curling himself around Varian's neck like a collar. He covered his face with his tail and folded his ears back.

"The newest fashion for noblemen is fancy fur collars. Ruddiger will curl up and pretend to be one whenever I have to interact with nobles."

"Wow!" Rapunzel said in awe, impressed by their ingenuity.

Trumpets played again as more carriages came into the courtyard. The teens both took deep breaths as the first carriage pulled up in front of them.

"Your Highness, I present Dame Elizabeth Van Hoskins of Rochester," the footman announced as he opened the door for an older noblewoman to step out in a fancy red dress and hat.

Rapunzel gave a polite curtsy as the Dame approached while Varian bowed. "Welcome to Corona, Dame Elizabeth Van Hoskins!" the princess smiled politely.

The woman smiled back and gave her own curtsy before going inside. Varian gave Rapunzel a quick thumbs-up before the next carriage rolled up.

"I present Lieutenant Commander General James Rutherford-Carver III." The next guest was a man about their father's age, wearing a military uniform and holding several medals.

Rapunzel curtsied and smiled. "Welcome to Corona!"

The man looked the teen royals up and down before bowing at the waist. "You're doing great," Varian whispered to her as the commander moved along. Their father nodded in agreement.

Rapunzel beamed, even blushing a little at the praise. All she ever got from Gothel were jabs and insults, which she called jokes.

"I present the Duchess of Quintonia." The Duchess appeared before them, fanning herself with a judgmental expression. She was a makeup-covered woman in a fancy pink dress with a tall, white powdered wig.

Varian blinked twice at her, raising an eyebrow. Looking at this woman, he could already tell she was everything he hated finding when interacting with the high-class citizens of Corona. However, what was odd was that he didn't recognize the name of her homeland at all. Since coming to the castle, he had studied all the kingdoms around Corona and couldn't recall any land called Quintonia. There was also the matter of not giving her name; everyone else had provided their full name and title so far. This woman simply called herself 'the Duchess.'

"Welcome to Corona, Duchess!" Rapunzel curtsied, not seeing anything out of the ordinary. "Can I just say I love your hair! I used to have really long hair, too–"

"This is a hand-woven coiffure, weft from the finest silk and Vicuna fabrics. It designates high social status." The 'Duchess' interrupted her impatiently, snapping her fan shut to point at the princess. "You'd think you'd know that." Varian's eyes narrowed at the woman as she opened her fan again. Seriously, what did these nobles expect from her?! She had only been back six months! That's not enough time to learn everything, much less what tacky fashions are going around the upper class.

"Uh… still," Rapunzel continued awkwardly, trying to regain her composure. "Nice to meet you."

The Duchess glanced at her before directing her attention downward. "Sadly, not nice enough to wear shoes, I'm afraid," she said condescendingly at the sight of Rapunzel's bare feet, giggling with a smirk. "Really, you'd think your own stepbrother would have taught you better by now. I suppose you're simply a lost cause."

"Excuse me, Your Grace?" Varian spoke up, surprising all of them. He looked at the Duchess with cold, angry eyes as he spoke in an equally icy tone. "If you're done insulting my sister, please move along. Before we decide you're not high enough in status to be in our presence."

The Duchess gasped before huffing indignantly, appearing slightly rigid as she walked away. Varian watched her like a hawk as she left. He may not be close to people out of habit, but no one insults his family.

Ruddiger chittered in amusement, patting Varian's face in praise for standing up for his sister. Pascal looked at the Prince appreciatively before glaring after the woman. Rapunzel looked toward the ground sadly, her newfound confidence broken. She felt the weight of everything she still didn't know and what she still needed to learn.

Queen Arianna placed a gentle hand on her shoulder with a matching smile. Quirin did the same while Varian took her hand comfortingly. Ruddiger moved from Varian's shoulder to Rapunzel's, patting her cheek like he did for his boy. Rapunzel managed to smile slightly before looking at the males in her family.

"Sorry," she whispered, frowning.

Quirin shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for." She smiled at him and brightened up, ready for the next carriage.

(Later that night)

The evening had fallen as Rapunzel sat alone in a gondola by the docks. She needed to unwind away from people after a long day as a princess. Despite the day going well, she stared glumly at her reflection in the dark water. The Duchess's words still stung despite her family's reassurances. Suddenly, Eugene appeared behind her, catching her attention.

"Well, that wasn't so bad. I mean, aside from Madame Puffy Hair." The former thief chuckled, but his girlfriend only gave a strained chuckle, hinting that something was bothering her. He hopped into the boat beside her, turning to the princess with a sympathetic smile. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, great." She smiled, but it looked forced. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Eugene saw through her act, looking at her with concern. Seeing that he didn't believe her, Rapunzel sighed deeply before opening up.

"It's just… Eugene, is all this everything you dreamed it would be?"

He smiled at her, reaching out to take her hand as she smiled back a little. "Rapunzel, you are my dream. So, as long as you're with me, that answer's always going to be 'yes,'" he assured her before frowning. "Why? Don't you feel the same way?"

"No–" she started to say before stammering, "Ye–Yes! I mean, of course I do! I love you with all my heart, Eugene." Despite her proclamations, Rapunzel heaved a depressed sigh at the end.

"Look, I know this has gotta be weird. No one's expecting you to take it all in overnight," Eugene said. "But believe me, I've been all around the world, and it doesn't get any better than this. This—this castle, our friends, your family, each other. What else could you possibly want?"

She sighed again before smiling at him, shaking her head. "Nothing." The couple leaned in to share a kiss. Closing their eyes, they were inches away from each other–

"Time to go!" Cassandra said suddenly, startling Eugene into falling out of the boat as Rapunzel looked over the side in concern. Varian stood next to Cass, giving her a look. He wore his casual clothes, and by the look on his face, he didn't want to interrupt them. Eugene swam back to the surface, clinging to the gondola, coughing up water as Cass chuckled.

"How's that water feeling, Fitzherbert?" she asked smugly, crossing her arms.

"Cass," Varian disapproved.

Eugene gasped heavily. "Dark… and icy… just like you."

Cass just scoffed before looking at the princess. "Come on, Rapunzel, it's time to head in. You don't want to be exhausted for tomorrow."

"Right! My morning off!" Rapunzel remembered as she helped Eugene back into the boat. She brushed his hair out of his face before kissing his forehead. "Sorry." His shoulders slumped as his girlfriend climbed onto the docks. Cassandra smiled at Rapunzel before smirking at Eugene while she watched him wring out his hair. She then turned to follow the princess.

"You should probably head back, too, Eugene," Varian suggested, looking back at the older man. "We may be the Kingdom of the Sun, but it gets chilly at night. You don't wanna catch a cold."

"Come on, Varian!" Cass called back over her shoulder. The prince looked at Eugene one last time before following the girls.

"Man, she scares me," Eugene muttered, glancing over to be sure she didn't hear him.

(Varian's Room)

After bathing, Varian was in his room, dressed in teal-green pajamas. Sitting at his vanity, he combed his hair with a wet comb to ensure it was thoroughly clean. "I swear, I still feel some of the gel they used…." he grumbled before someone knocked on the door. "Come in."

Rapunzel opened the door as he glanced over his shoulder, setting the comb down. "Rapunzel, what's going on?"

"I… I wanted to talk to you."

"Okay."

Rapunzel rubbed her arm nervously before walking over to her brother. "Would you like me to…" She glanced at the comb, not finishing her sentence.

Varian blinked in surprise at the request but gave his consent with a nod. "If you want to."

Relieved he was okay with this, the Princess picked up the comb and started using it on Varian's hair. "Why is it wet?"

"Just making sure I got all the mousse out."

"Oh." Afterward, they sat in silence for a few minutes. The step-siblings looked into each other's eyes through the mirror. They could see just how different they were… and how similar they were. "Um… Varian, do you…" Rapunzel started to say before sighing. "Do you and Dad get tired of teaching me…?"

"No, no!" Varian gasped, spinning around to look at her. He gently took the comb from her to focus the conversation. "Of course not, Sis!" He might have seemed annoyed earlier about the shoe thing, but he knew Rapunzel was still getting used to things. She had been through a lot… they both had, honestly. The circumstances were just different… "You just need time to adjust, that's all. Dad and I are nothing if not patient," Varian said gently. "It's only been six months. You'll get the hang of things. It's just going to take more time."

"So, you're not mad at me?" the princess asked, hopefully.

"No!" the younger teen shook his head rapidly. "Rapunzel, I could never be angry with you."

She smiled softly and hugged him, surprising the boy. "I missed you, Vari..." Despite only knowing her brother for a short time, it felt great to have a sibling to talk about things with. They may not feel that close yet, but they are still family.

The young prince paused before returning her embrace. A tight sensation gripped his chest as he wrestled with the urge to either cry or smile. Varian had experienced no physical contact for years; he wasn't particularly close to anyone—just his father. He had isolated himself from everyone due to fear of his powers, leaving an overwhelming loneliness inside him. For some reason, Rapunzel radiated a warmth he hadn't felt in ages. It pierced the defenses he had constructed around his heart, allowing him to feel and connect again. It was unfamiliar and novel… yet he embraced it wholeheartedly.

"… I missed you, too," he whispered as a few stray tears fell from his eye.

(The next day)

After having breakfast with their parents, Rapunzel and Varian went to the courtyard to meet up with the guards who would escort them. Varian was dressed in prince attire, though his sister told him he didn't have to. It was his habit to wear this outfit when he appeared as a prince. When they reached the gate, Varian blinked in surprise at the number of guards. He could've sworn his dad said he was only sending a few guards. This was more like a whole squad.

"Alright, let's get going!" Rapunzel chirped, too excited to notice the discrepancy.

"Uh, yeah, let's go," Varian said. They walked together with the guards surrounding them closely in a circle. The prince glanced around nervously and whispered to Rapunzel, "I don't like feeling trapped. Can you ask them to give us a little more space?"

"Oh, okay," Rapunzel nodded, then looked at one of the guards. "Guys, you're all a little too close. It's making Varian uncomfortable." They exchanged glances before giving them a little more space.

Varian sighed in relief, smiling at Rapunzel. "Thanks. I wanted to say something, but…." Rapunzel smiled sympathetically, taking his hand briefly as they walked.

Soon, they reached the center of town, where the festival was being held. When they arrived, a trumpet sounded, causing everyone to turn to their princess and prince. A man announced, "The Princess, Rapunzel, and the Prince, Varian, will spend their day about town!"

Rapunzel retook Varian's hand, taking an eager step forward only to be squeezed between two guards. The princess cleared her throat to get their attention, giving them a look before nodding to Varian. Disgruntled, they backed up a bit as they walked through town.

Rapunzel waved cheerfully to the townspeople they passed, who bowed or curtsied in return. The local butcher made the mistake of waving his cleaver, which caused a guard to tackle him. The two flinched, and Rapunzel leaned toward Varian.

"Are they always like this?"

"They weren't the few times I've been out before." Varian shook his head, a brief, dark look crossing his face as they walked along. It was so fast that Rapunzel missed it, but Pascal looked at him strangely. That kind of face did not belong to a fourteen-year-old.

People started reaching out, hoping to shake hands with Rapunzel. When a guard moved forward to intervene, Varian let out an uncomfortable whine, making him back away. He knew how much his sister wanted this, and he wouldn't let the guards ruin it! Rapunzel smiled and happily took each person's hand as she passed by, with Varian keeping himself as a shield between her and the guards. The prince also got to shake hands with a few people, which was a nice change from fearful whispers and nasty glares.

Next, they paused to observe a group of street performers. One act featured a fire eater juggling torches and breathing flames directly in front of the royal siblings. The step-siblings were so captivated by the show that they failed to notice one of the guards preparing to grab a bucket of water. Ruddiger, however, did notice. The raccoon whispered to Pascal, who saluted before disappearing. Just then, the guard stumbled over his own feet and fell just as he was about to splash the bucket at the performer, drenching himself instead.

"Wow, that was an amazing performance!" Rapunzel said in awe, not noticing what happened until she looked to the side. "Oh my gosh, are you okay?! What happened?!"

Varian also turned in surprise, wondering what was going on. The prince was startled again when Pascal reappeared on his shoulder. Ruddiger held out his clenched paw, which Pascal knocked his claw against. Seeing the display, it wasn't hard for Varian to put two and two together.

He smiled appreciatively at the pets before glaring slightly at the drenched guard as another guard helped him. These guys were starting to bug him, and Varian liked to think he had a lot of patience. "Let's move on, shall we?" he suggested, keeping his irritation in check.

As they continued to explore the festival, they soon came across four little girls doing a braid train by the fountain. One of them waved to Rapunzel, who recognized her as one of the red-headed sisters who had braided her hair when she first visited the Kingdom. The princess was overjoyed to see the four sisters again and ran over excitedly. A guard moved to stop her when Varian decided he was putting his foot down.

"Seriously, do you all trust our people that little?" he hissed, taking the guards by surprise as he glared at them. "They're kids! Not only that, she seems to know them! Leave us alone, and let us breathe! We won't shatter the moment we touch the hands of a commoner!"

Without waiting for a response, Varian approached the girls, leaving the guards astonished. However, as he drew nearer, he hesitated. Years of isolation had made his social skills unsteady. Sensing his discomfort, Ruddiger decided to lend a hand again. He jumped down from Varian's shoulder and waddled over to the girl at the front. Hopping up onto the fountain, he looked at her playfully. The little girl cooed and picked him up for a cuddle. Varian gave a faint smile at this heartwarming sight. Gaining confidence, he sat on the fountain's edge in front of the girls. The sister smiled back at him while Rapunzel beamed from the back of the line.

Once permitted, the guards allowed Rapunzel and Varian to interact with their subjects, watching for potential threats. The princess enthusiastically shook hands and embraced the crowd. Varian was glad his sister was enjoying herself and managed to shake hands with several individuals.

After Rapunzel and Varian cooed over a baby, a local woman offered them some cupcakes. "It's good to see you happy again, Your Highness." The woman smiled at Varian as he took a bite of his cupcake. Some of the locals knew Varian before he became royalty. Even if the prince didn't see it, they often worried about him when he locked himself in the castle all day.

"I'm just glad to have a life again," he said with a smile, tearing off a piece of his treat for Ruddiger to enjoy.

(Later on)

After their time at the festival, Rapunzel and Varian went to the Princess's room to unwind with tea. As she sat on the chaise at the end of her bed, Rapunzel felt conflicted about the day. Despite having fun, some things were… nagging at her. "Let me guess? Big day on the town wasn't all you hoped it'd be?" Cass asked, setting the teacups on the vanity as Rapunzel was pulled from her thoughts.

"No, no, it was great! We had fun!" Rapunzel reassured her before sighing. "It's just the legion of guards that had to come with us." Pascal blew a raspberry with a thumbs down.

"I was surprised when I saw how many there were," Varian spoke up from where he sat on the bed. "When Dad says a few guards, he usually means two or three. This was half a unit that came with us."

"Uh-huh, I get it," Cass placed a hand on her hip.

"I just wish I could get out and see the real world," Rapunzel huffed as she began to pace the room before glancing at her brother. "Don't you want that, too?"

"I do. It's just…" Varian sighed a little, crossing his arms. He did want to see what more was out there, what else lay beyond the walls of Corona. His trip to Koto had only sparked his curiosity further. Still, he knew their father would be hesitant about the idea. After everything, they were just starting to take steps toward restoring their relationship, and he was scared to rock the still-unstable boat…

"You know, if you really wanted, I could get you in and out of here before anyone even knew we were gone," Cassandra offered as she opened the balcony window. Pascal chirped in excitement while Ruddiger crooned happily, agreeing with the idea.

"Uh, you mean sneak me out?" Rapunzel asked, a little unsure despite her grin.

"Exactly. What you do when no one's looking is your business," Cass said, giving her a playful poke. Rapunzel looked thoughtful, then glanced at her brother, who seemed skeptical.

"Vari… I know you've been here for years." Rapunzel walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "But it doesn't have to be like that anymore. You could be more than this…"

"… I…"

Before he could answer, they were interrupted by a knock on the door, catching their attention. "The royal banquet is ready to receive the Prince and Princess now!"

"Cheer up, guys. Hey, maybe your dad got someone to chew your food for ya," Cass said teasingly as she went to get their fancy outfits.

Rapunzel, Varian, and their pets frowned annoyedly, not appreciating the joke.

(The Royal Banquet)

The throne room had been converted into a dining hall for the occasion. Six tables were set up around the room, decorated with gold or silver tablecloths and purple or blue bows. Rapunzel and Varian were seated between their parents near the front while Cassandra served. Eugene looked at the engagement ring thoughtfully before closing the box and putting it in his jacket. Suddenly, he was splattered with food remnants and glanced crossly at the little boy beside him. For some reason, he was seated at the kids' table.

"I'm in charge of the seating charts," Cass said shamelessly as she walked past him. "One of the perks of the job." Irritated, Eugene leaned on his hand, glaring after the handmaiden.

"Sweethearts, I'm sorry about this morning," Quirin said, noticing their silence. "When I asked the Captain to have a few guards accompany you, I didn't realize he was giving you your own battalion."

"It was more like half," Varian joked.

Rapunzel giggled lightly, giving Quirin a small smile. "It's not your fault, Dad. We still had fun, even with the guards being pushy."

"Though we should probably get compensation to the butcher for being falsely tackled," the prince suggested.

"Agreed," Quirin nodded, smiling slightly. "I'm glad you two managed to have a good time."

"Thanks, Dad," Rapunzel said.

Eugene suddenly cleared his throat, catching their attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, Dukes and Duchesses, Barons and Baronesses, Marquises and, you know, the female version of those, may I share a moment of history with you?" he said, gesturing around the center of the room in a zigzag pattern as he approached the head table.

"What is he doing?" Varian whispered to Rapunzel, who shrugged cluelessly.

Eugene then turned to Rapunzel and reached out a hand. "Princess Rapunzel, would you join me up here?" She glanced between him and his hand before getting up with a sheepish smile, worried she would embarrass herself if she didn't. Quirin watched with a raised eyebrow as she walked around the table, taking Eugene's hand at the center of the room. "Tonight, we celebrate our love for the Prince and Princess…"

Rapunzel smiled at the crowd before leaning back to look at Cassandra for any hint of what he was doing. Cass could only shrug and shake her head, just as confused as everyone else. "I, for one, can think of no better way to celebrate the love I have for this woman," Rapunzel straightened up as Eugene pulled her in front of him. "Than this." Without warning, Eugene dropped to one knee. Quirin's eyes widened in shock as Cass and Pascal's jaws dropped open while Ruddiger covered his eyes with his paws.

"Oh no," Varian covered his face with his hand, feeling like his raccoon. "Eugene, don't...!" He definitely would have talked him out of this if he had known! As cool as it would be to have Flynn Rider as a brother-in-law, now was not the time!

"Eugene!" Rapunzel looked at him in confusion, then around at the floor. "Wait, did you drop something?"

"No," he assured her, letting go of her hands to reach into his jacket. Pulling out the box, he opened it to reveal what was inside. Realizing what this was, Rapunzel beamed at the sight of the ring. Quirin mirrored his son's reaction, already seeing how this would go. "Rapunzel, from the moment I first met you and you knocked me out with that frying pan, I knew it was love," Eugene said, looking up at her fondly. "You're my light, you're my best friend, and I want to be your partner in all things." Rapunzel smiled brightly at the heartfelt words as he continued. "I can't wait to laugh with you and share with you. I see us raising our children here and our children's children, maybe even watching our nieces and nephews grow up here, too–"

In utter shock, Varian choked on his steak, coughing it up into a napkin. Not noticing her brother's reaction, Rapunzel's smile kept growing bigger and bigger as her boyfriend went on. "And celebrating banquets of our own here in this very hall for many, many, many, many years to come. I wanna ride our horses to the Corona Wall together, each and every morning, until we're both very, very old and gray."

Rapunzel could feel the 'yes' in her mouth, but then the reality of what he was saying started to sink in. Her smile fell as she began to feel dread while listening to him.

"I love you, Rapunzel," Eugene finished, holding up the box, not noticing her jolt slightly in alarm. "And I want to spend the rest of our lives here, together." Rapunzel glanced at her brother, who was watching the scene through his fingers. He felt the same nerves as his sister.

"Here…" she asked slowly. "In this… castle… forever?"

"I mean, unless you wanna rent," he said jokingly. "But I hardly see how we're gonna top this."

Her eyes widened as she ran over earlier conversations with him in her mind.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you here."

"It doesn't get any better than this."

She stared at his smiling face before glancing at her stepfather, who looked at her worriedly. Another voice, sounding too much like her, cut through her mind, reminding her why she must be closely guarded. "Princesses need to be protected at all times."

She looked at her brother and then the guards, feeling eyes on her as she turned back to Eugene. "Rapunzel?" her boyfriend asked, his voice sounding far away yet snapping her out of it.

"Rapunzel?"

She returned to reality, sighing as she tried to get her thoughts together. "Ah, I… wow." She reached out a bit, then clasped her hands together as she chuckled awkwardly. "I… love you, Eugene, but… I–I can't. Just… not–not now." She stepped back a bit before running out of the room. "Uhm, I need some air!"

Everyone was shocked as the princess fled the room. Cass watched her leave with concern before glaring at Eugene, who closed the box with a mix of confusion and hurt. Still reeling from the moment, hardly anyone noticed Varian run off after his sister.

(With the step-siblings)

Varian found Rapunzel relatively quickly. She was curled up by some rose bushes in the garden, her face buried in her knees as her shoulders shook from quiet sobs.

"Rapunzel?" Varian asked, slowly approaching her before crouching next to her. "You okay?"

She shook her head, not looking at him. "You wanna go back to your room? Get changed? Dad's probably called off the rest of the banquet after that."

Rapunzel looked up at him with wet eyes before nodding. Varian offered his hand, pulling her up when she took it.

"Rapunzel?" Cassandra came out to find her.

"Over here, Cassie!" Varian called. When she found them, he nodded to Rapunzel. "Can you take her back to her room?"

Cassandra nodded. "Sure."

"I'll change in my room and meet you there," the prince explained, squeezing his sister's hand. "I'll be right back, okay?"

Rapunzel nodded before following Cass. She looked at her friend with a slight smile. "Cassie?"

"Only Varian can call me that!" Cass said quickly, causing Rapunzel to laugh when she blushed.

About an hour later, evening had fallen, and Varian was wearing his casual clothes as he made his way to Rapunzel's room. When he knocked on the door, Rapunzel called from inside. "Come in."

When he entered the room, he found his sister pacing the floor while Cass sat on her chaise. "How are you feeling?" he asked, getting a hug from his stepsister.

"Well, less panicky," Rapunzel admitted. "But… still a little freaked out."

"That's okay," Varian assured her.

"Ugh, I feel horrible about Eugene," Rapunzel confessed as they moved to sit together on her bed. "I… I do love him, and I wanna marry him someday, but not like this!" She clutched her head, groaning in frustration. "I need to get out and clear my head without a fleet of guards tailing me."

"Say no more." Cass stood up with a smirk before turning to Varian. "You coming too, kid?"

"I…" Varian started, looking at his lap. "I don't know…"

"Please, Vari," Rapunzel pleaded, taking his hands in hers. "You're my little brother, and we share everything, including this. I want you to have an adventure, too!"

Varian looked at Rapunzel, thinking it over. While he didn't like the idea of sneaking out, he didn't like the idea of the girls going by themselves even more. Besides, this could be fun.

Taking a deep breath, he nodded. "Okay, I'll go."

"Yay!" Rapunzel engulfed him in a bear hug.

Varian smiled a little, looking at the clock once she let go of him. "If we're gonna do this, we better take some precautions to make sure no one finds out we're gone."

"Got a plan?" Cass questioned.

"I have a few ideas…" the prince replied as his smile turned into a sneaky grin.

(A short time later)

Since Rapunzel made such a dramatic exit, everyone left her to her own devices. No one questioned Cassandra and Varian coming and going from her room with various supplies.

"So, what does this do?" Cassandra asked as Varian worked on a small device at Rapunzel's desk.

"It's kind of like a music box," Varian explained as he placed the gears. "Only instead of music, it sounds like a person snoring."

"The dummy's ready," Rapunzel announced as she finished sewing a life-size dummy of herself.

"Great. With these, if someone looks in, they'll think you just went to bed."

"What about you?"

"I already had another Snoring Box and a dummy of my own. I set them up while we were getting materials for yours. Still, we might wanna be back before the sun rises."

"Right." Rapunzel nodded. "We'll want to do that anyway."

Cassandra finished dressing the life-like dummy in Rapunzel's favorite nightgown and then laid "her" down under the covers. "Probably best if Pascal and Ruddiger stay here to sell the illusion."

"You guys okay with that?" Varian looked at them.

Pascal saluted him and curled up next to the dummy. Ruddiger nodded, giving his boy one last nuzzle before scampering to Varian's room. The teen prince smiled before looking at the clock again. "It's getting late. We need to get moving."

"Let's head to my room and grab a few things. I'll arrange for guards to watch your rooms." Cass headed for the door.

Varian handed the machine to Pascal and showed him how to wind it. "If you hear someone coming, just wind it up, okay?" Pascal nodded and tested the machine. He gave Varian a thumbs-up when they heard a low, almost purring sound. Varian nodded and then looked at the girls. "Okay, let's go."

They were in Cassandra's room in the servants' quarters a few minutes later. She opened her armoire, making Rapunzel gasp in surprise.

"Whoa," Varian breathed. Every blade and tool that the Royal Guard could use was in there.

"Where's the war?" Rapunzel asked jokingly.

"Well," Cass took off her headdress. "When your dad is the Captain of the Guards, you tend to collect… stuff." She waved a dagger in her hand. Looking at the weapons, Rapunzel took out a metal ball curiously, only to be startled into dropping it when it transformed into a ball of spikes. She gingerly picked it up by one of the spikes and returned it. Varian picked out two dark cloaks for them, one with pink trim and the other with blue. The siblings looked up to see Cass had changed into a more masculine-looking outfit. She wore a grayish-brown tunic with a burgundy shirt underneath, black leather gloves, a dark brown belt with a teal purse and a dagger, dark brown-and-red striped leggings, brown boots, and a sword strapped to her back.

"I have a feeling this is gonna be fun," Rapunzel grinned with Varian as they pulled their hoods up.

(Meanwhile)

Eugene made his way down the hall to Rapunzel's room, where Stan and Pete stood guard. He rubbed the back of his neck as he passed a picture of the queen with her late husband, feeling guilty about earlier. Hanging his head, he approached the doors when the guards crossed their halberds in an 'X,' startling Eugene.

"The Princess's lady-in-waiting made it expressly clear that—" Stan started.

"Wha'? Lady-in-waiting?" Eugene raised an eyebrow before remembering who they were talking about, laughing in disbelief. "Wait, you–you mean Cassandra? First off, calling Cassandra a 'lady' anything is incredibly generous. Secondly, come on, Stan! It's me, your buddy, Eugene! Eugene, the fiend!" He playfully punched the man's shoulders. "You know Rapunzel would want to talk to me if you let me in."

"Sorry, Eugene, orders are orders," Stan whispered, softening up.

"All right. Just doing your job. I respect that." Eugene held up his hands. He started to walk away but then came right back. "You sure there's no way to let me in?"

Stan looked at him before glancing at the cravat Eugene was wearing. Eugene's eyes darted down, pointing at the handkerchief. The guard simply smiled brightly.

After handing over his offering, Eugene opened the door to a dark room. "Rapunzel?"

Pascal stirred from his rest before springing into action. "Rapunzel?" He grabbed the machine hidden behind the dummy and wound it up to make it sound like "she" was snoring. "Already asleep, huh?" Eugene sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I guess we'll have to talk about it… well, after your coronation. You're going to be busy tomorrow."

He looked down at his hands resting in his lap, trying to string his apology together. "I know you're not awake, but I hope you can hear me anyway. Rapunzel, I am sorry. I am so sorry. I should never have put you on the spot like that," He looked at "her" sleeping figure. "But I want you to know, I–I meant it. I want to marry you! I love you!"

Pascal couldn't help but smile adoringly as he listened to Eugene over the snoring machine. "I guess this conversation will have to wait until later." He gently kissed "Rapunzel's" hair before getting up, smiling lovingly at the sleeping figure. "Good night, Princess."

Outside the room, Pete was giving Stan a disapproving look. "I'm aware it's not protocol, Pete. I just… happen to think it highlights my mustache."

Eugene suddenly opened the door, startling them and cutting off their discussion. "Great look, Stan! It really brings out the 'stache!" After the former thief left, Stan gave his friend a dirty look while Pete looked back at him, annoyed.

(Elsewhere)

"Alright…" A stocky man with blue paint on his face like an eye mask stabbed the table with a knife. Behind him was a small crowd of thugs, not the kind from the Snuggly Duckling. One of them, a man with a skull mask, was painting a banner on the wall behind them. "You got us all down here. What's this plan of yours?"

"Oh, it's not my plan, boys," Pocket said as he approached them. "It's Lady Caine's plan."

The group gasped at the name, murmuring in surprise. "Lady Caine?"

"Did he say Lady Caine?"

"See, eighteen years ago, the Princess was taken from Corona," the henchman said bitterly as he turned to the painting of King Frederic. "And it was because of her that the King unfairly cracked down on all those he considered undesirable… us!"

"Yeah… so?" the stocky guy, Otter, shrugged. "The man's been dead for years."

"Gentlemen," Pocket started, picking up an apple. "Lady Caine is promising not only to make you all rich but is offering you the opportunity to exact revenge on the kingdom that wronged us and their precious little princess!" He threw the fruit past the thugs, smashing it into the banner-covered wall. "So, who's in?" he asked with a sly smile.

(Back at the castle)

Cass opened the door to a storage room, using a lantern to illuminate the way. The royal siblings followed her inside, and Rapunzel shut the door behind them.

"Okay, we're actually doing this..." Varian murmured, pulling up the cloak further. "I can't believe I agreed to this."

"Oh, come on, live a little," Cass told him. Moving to the back of the room, she pushed a crate out from in front of a banner. She then pulled the tapestry aside, revealing a tunnel entrance. Rapunzel gasped loudly as she removed her hood, causing Varian to wince.

"Is that a secret passage?!" She ran to look inside, knocking the tapestry off the wall and onto Cassandra.

"It was," Cass said as she pulled the tapestry off her with Varian's help, "before you announced it to the whole ca–?" However, once it was removed, she only saw Varian. "Rapunzel?"

The prince simply pointed to the passageway.

(At the same time)

Eugene was walking around the castle, still lost in his thoughts. He had hoped to talk to Varian and apologize for embarrassing him, but guards were in front of his door. He left it for the morning since they didn't seem like guards he could bribe.

He didn't notice someone approaching from the opposite direction until they collided. "Sorry!" Eugene grunted, recovering from the collision. "I was just–!" The ex-thief closed his mouth with an audible click when he saw he had bumped into the king.

"Your Majesty!" he squeaked but would deny it if anyone asked.

"Eugene." Quirin nodded, calmly staring him down.

"I was–!" Eugene cleared his throat, trying to regain some composure. "I was just… checking for intruders. You know, part of my nightly routine–"

"Eugene," Quirin interrupted him. "Do you know where Rapunzel and Varian are?"

"Oh, uh, in their rooms." Eugene gestured to the hallway behind him, where Varian's room was.

"I see. I'd like to speak with them."

"Uh, actually, Rapunzel was asleep when I went to talk to her, and I wouldn't be surprised if Varian were too," Eugene said quickly.

Quirin looked at him briefly before sighing heavily, glancing toward his son's room. "… Maybe they do need some time to themselves." He remembered what they had told him at the banquet. Talking to them now might not be the wisest idea. He didn't want the teens to recluse in their rooms. He had just gotten his son out of that habit. "When you see them, please tell them I need to talk to them."

"Right, you got it!" Eugene saluted before frowning. He had planned to apologize to Quirin, too, so now was just as good a time as any. "Sir, uh, about the whole proposal earlier…"

Quirin sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. As much as he'd rather not deal with this debacle right now, he knew it was best to nip this in the bud as soon as possible. "Let's go, Eugene," he said, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "We need to have a man-to-man talk."

"Yes, sir." Eugene nodded, following the king's lead.

Quirin led Eugene down the hall, the younger man glancing at the king nervously. He knew they weren't heading to the dungeons, which relieved Eugene, but it didn't answer where they were going. They soon came to a door that opened into the king's study.

"Have a seat, Eugene," Quirin gestured to the couch before entering the room. There was a table with a chessboard set up in front of it. "Have you ever played chess before?"

"No, sir," Eugene shook his head while sitting down. "But I'm a… somewhat quick learner."

"We'll see." Quirin sat down across from him. He placed two drinks next to the board for himself and Eugene. "Remember to think your moves through carefully. Once you touch a piece, you have to move it." He picked up his first pawn and set it down a space forward.

"Got it." Eugene nodded, though his mind was still on the day's events. "Your Majesty, about the proposal earlier…."

"Yes?" Quirin looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm… I'm sorry. That didn't go as I imagined it would…." Not knowing the rules of chess, Eugene copied Quirin's move by picking up his first pawn and moving it forward. "I didn't mean to embarrass Rapunzel, you, Varian–"

"I think he was more embarrassed by the comment about nieces and nephews," Quirin replied calmly.

"Right, yeah, that, too…." Eugene rubbed the back of his neck. "But I meant every word I said, sir! I love Rapunzel, and I want to marry her! I just… I got ahead of myself…."

Quirin hummed in response. "I remember how reckless young love can be. I met Varian's mother when I attacked the guards who were trying to arrest her and her friend."

Eugene nearly choked on his drink at this information, coughing harshly before wheezing, "Wow, that– wow! I… I did not see that coming…."

Quirin cracked a small smile before taking his next turn. "Arianna could tell you her own stories about Frederic's attempts to impress her."

"Whoa…" Eugene breathed, moving a piece.

"They're both so much like their mothers…." Quirin sighed, remembering his late wife. "Maybe a little too much."

Eugene was quiet for a minute before smiling slightly. "Varian's a good kid. He'll be okay with time and a shoulder to lean on."

Quirin smiled back as he moved another pawn. "He was certainly excited about meeting you, Mr. Rider."

The former thief chuckled nervously, remembering the excited teenager he had met a few days after moving in. "Yeah, it was… awkward to tell him the truth…."

"Has he shown you his shrine yet?"

"What shrine?"

"The one of you he keeps in his lab."

"He has a shrine of me?"

"He doesn't know I know about it," Quirin said simply.

"I'm not sure whether to be flattered or disturbed." Eugene smiled nervously.

"Don't worry about Rapunzel," Quirin smiled as he moved another pawn. "She loves you. She's just not ready for that level of commitment. Six months is too soon to be thinking about marriage."

Eugene sighed. "You're right."

"Between you and me, Eugene, I believe six months is too soon for a coronation as well," Quirin added, voicing his concerns. "I wanted to give Rapunzel and Varian more time, but the council was being… insistent, for lack of a better word."

"How about 'annoying?'" Eugene suggested, using Nigel as a reference for the council.

"That too, but you didn't hear it from me," the King responded.

Eugene smothered a chuckle before focusing back on the board. "They'll be okay. They have you, me, the Queen, and Cassandra, though I use her name loosely."

Quirin rolled his eyes slightly as he made his move. Cassandra and Eugene's dislike for each other was no secret.

"It's like you said: They just need time."

Quirin nodded in agreement, a warm smile present as he and Eugene continued their match.

(Outside)

As guards made their rounds on the bridge, the gondola dock was deserted until Rapunzel opened a grate and crawled out. "That was so fun!" she exclaimed excitedly, helping Varian to his feet as he and Cass followed her.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that we're supposed to be sneaking out," Cass said, putting the cover back in place.

"Cass, I think you'll discover that I can be pretty sneaky when I need to," Rapunzel retorted, still a little too loud. Cassandra suddenly ran forward and grabbed Rapunzel, pulling her around a corner, Varian behind them. Seconds later, two guards passed the area.

"Nightly patrols," Cass whispered as Rapunzel adjusted her hood. "We can get by them if we time it right."

"Wait, how did you know they were coming?" Rapunzel asked curiously as the handmaiden watched the guards go.

"I have eyes in the sky," Cass smirked as she held out her arm.

A small, brown owl flew down to them, fascinating Rapunzel. It glided in and landed on Cassandra's gloved wrist. "That is amazing!" Rapunzel looked at him fondly, inadvertently startling the bird. "You have your own owl! What's his name?"

"Owl," Cass replied flatly, then raised her arm to prompt Owl to take off again.

"We should be good to go now," Varian stated, looking at the clock tower for the time. "The next group shouldn't be here for another five minutes."

"How do you know?" Rapunzel turned to her brother.

"I've snuck out before, so I memorized when and where the guards walk around at night."

"Wait, you've done this before?" Cass raised a brow at him.

"I haven't used this passage, but I have found other ways out. I need certain ingredients for my alchemy that I can only find at night."

Cass blinked at him in shock, hands on her hips. "Guess that would explain the dummy and snoring machine you already had. How many times have you done this?"

"I've lost count," Varian admitted. "Just… don't tell Dad, okay?"

"Of course not!" Rapunzel shook her head. "But why didn't you want to do this if you knew how?"

"I just… I didn't want to mess things up with Dad," the new prince said softly. "I finally have a normal life again. I can actually interact with Dad instead of standing awkwardly in the same room or being afraid I'm going to hurt him."

Rapunzel smiled sympathetically, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He'll never have to know, and even if he did find out, he wouldn't stay mad forever." Varian smiled back at her, appreciating her support.

Smiling at them, Cass turned to some crates and clicked her tongue, signaling Maximus to come out of hiding. Poking his head up, he looked around before sniffing the ground as he approached them, Fidella coming out behind him.

"Max!" Rapunzel exclaimed, pleasantly surprised.

"Yeah." Cassandra smiled at her before turning to the horses. "When he heard I was sneaking you out of here, he insisted he come along."

Varian approached the guard horse, patting his snout as he held out an apple. "Thanks for helping us, boy."

Rapunzel and Cass turned to each other with smiles as Varian spoiled the horses. This was the boy they both knew: gentle, kind, and a little shy. It was nice to see him having fun with this despite being reluctant to sneak out in the first place.

"And between you and me," Cass continued, returning to the horses as she whispered, "I think Max's got something for you-know-who." Max whinnied in embarrassment as she walked past them with Fidella before looking bashful.

"Hmm, it'll be our secret," Rapunzel assured him. Varian smiled in agreement. Max neighed happily at them, thankful.

After getting into a boat, Cassandra picked up a bow and arrow with a rope attached. She fired the arrow across the water, where it lodged into something on the other side. Cass then gripped the rope and slowly started to pull it across, careful not to let the guards on the bridge see them. "Hey…" Rapunzel placed her hand on Varian's back, noticing he had a pensive expression on his face. "You okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm just…." Varian sighed before looking at the brown-haired woman. "I'm sorry we had to resort to this so you could have some time to yourself. I know how badly you wanted that…."

"Hey, don't worry about it," Rapunzel hugged the boy. "I'm just glad we're having some family time together."

"Me, too." Varian smiled up at her.

Cass smiled back at the siblings before focusing on the task at hand.

(Meanwhile, back at the castle)

Quirin and Eugene's chess match didn't last very long. It was primarily one-sided since Eugene was inexperienced in the game and slowly got worse as they realized the younger man couldn't hold strong liquor. Once the former thief passed out drunk, Quirin put away the chess pieces and helped Eugene return to his room. He then headed to the chambers he shared with Arianna.

"There you are," Queen Arianna said, looking up from her book. "I was wondering where you were."

"Just giving Eugene a lesson in humility," Quirin said with thinly veiled amusement as he sat at the end of the bed.

"Well, it's getting late, so we should head to bed soon," she reminded him. "Big day tomorrow."

"Right." Her husband nodded. Glancing to his left, Quirin's gaze lingered on a recently painted portrait of himself, Arianna, Rapunzel, and Varian. He sighed heavily as his eyes shifted to the floor.

"Aw, Quirin, stop beating yourself up. The kids just need some space," Arianna said with a small smile, putting aside her book. "Nobody said dealing with teenagers would be easy."

Quirin gave her a 'you're telling me' look before becoming severe. "Teenager or not, Arianna, Rapunzel will be Queen one day, and Varian will be Crown Prince. I have to prepare them for that however I can."

Arianna stared at him, feeling that this was about more than preparing them for the future. Quirin looked back at the family portrait grimly, remembering there used to be a painting of Arianna with Frederic and a newborn Rapunzel instead. He could still recall that fateful night as if it were yesterday. He and Ulla had been staying at the castle so she could keep tabs on Arianna and Rapunzel's health. The Sundrop may have healed them both, but she wanted to be sure everything was okay. Suddenly, they were woken from their sleep by Frederic's call for the guards.

"Guards! Guards! My child! RAPUNZEL!"

Quirin got up and closed and locked the doors to the balcony—the same balcony from which Rapunzel had been taken all those years ago… "I just want to keep them safe…," he said sadly as Arianna stepped up behind him.

(Back outside)

Cassandra navigated the foggy bay, rowing the group to the opposite shore. Rapunzel carefully rose from her seat as they reached the bank while Cass stowed the oar.

Rapunzel: Seems like I've spent my whole life hoping

The princess walked onto the grass, relishing its softness under her toes like the first time she left the tower.

Dreaming of things I've never tried

She embraced Max, wrapping her arms around his neck, and then guided him forward.

Tangled in knots, just waiting for my time to shine

The five of them began their walk into the woods. Varian, glancing around, nervously held onto his hood. Although he had sneaked out before, this was the first time he had done so with others.

Varian: I've been alone my whole life, waiting

Rapunzel smiled and rested her hand on his shoulder. Varian smiled back, feeling slightly bolder.

Now I've got friends the whole way through

Racked with emotions, it's finally my time

The group soon arrived at the border of a field beyond the forest.

Rapunzel: What if the doors began to open?

Rapunzel and Varian stepped forward, removing their hoods.

What if the knots became untied?

Rapunzel looked back at Cass as Varian gazed around in wonder. The older girl smirked, knowing the prince and princess would enjoy this.

Varian: What if one day, nothing stood in my way

And the world was mine?

A gust of wind swept through their hair, causing Rapunzel to glance forward again. She opened her arms wide, embracing the cool night breeze. Varian simply absorbed the sensation, allowing it to flow over him.

Both: Would it feel this fine?

Rapunzel beamed with joy as she leaped onto Max. The guard horse crouched down to help Varian mount more easily.

Both: 'Cause I got the wind in my hair

Cassandra climbed onto Fidella, already knowing what Rapunzel had in mind. Varian hugged Rapunzel from behind as the five raced through the field, with the moon watching over them from above.

And a gleam in my eyes

And an endless horizon

They came to a stream, and Rapunzel tiptoed through the shallow section, holding her cloak and dressing up so they wouldn't get wet.

I got a smile on my face

And I'm walking on air

Varian kneeled beside a deeper part of the river with Rapunzel, pointing to the fish swimming around.

And everything life oughta be

Rapunzel and Varian chased after the fish as it leaped from the water and swam upstream. The princess sprinted ahead, competing with the fish, while her brother trailed behind her.

It's all gonna happen to me out there

And I'll find it, I swear

While the fish leaped over the falls, the step-siblings emerged from an opening that overlooked the scene. They smiled at the stunning view as the princess tucked her hair behind her ear, feeling the breeze pick up.

With the wind in my hair

Rapunzel and Varian climbed onto Maximus and ventured along a route behind a different waterfall. As they went by, they playfully ran their hands through the water, beaming joyfully.

Rapunzel: So many roads I've yet to travel

When they reached the woods again, the humans were back on foot. They came to a fork in the road with two paths. One was lit by moonlight, while the other was darker due to the dense tree canopy. They looked at each other before taking the path to the right, the dark way.

So many friends I haven't met

While exploring, they observed various animals nearby. Suddenly, a wolf appeared on the trail, catching them off guard with its intense gaze.

So many new adventures just around the bend

Cassandra quickly pulled out her sword before being left baffled when Rapunzel and Varian cooed over the wolf, who enjoyed the attention. Rapunzel smiled as she rubbed his belly while Varian stroked his fur, and more animals gathered around them.

Varian: So many things I haven't done

After the creatures left, the group continued exploring. Varian moved past a wall of leaves, staring at a lake before him.

The young prince recognized this place. This lake wasn't far from his village. He had come here several times to look for alchemy ingredients or when he wanted to be alone… Back when being alone was an option and not a way of life.

So many thrills I've missed out on

Varian looked at his gloved hands. They had always been covered for as long as he could recall. This was the only way to contain his powers.

Summoning his determination, Varian stared defiantly at the moon, then removed his gloves and tucked them into one of his pockets.

So many new experiences waiting for me

He approached the lake and knelt down, gazing at his reflection. As he reached forward, his fingers skimmed the water's surface, sending shivers through him due to the chill, but he enjoyed the sensation against his skin once more. When he heard the girls calling out to him, he turned and quickly returned to the trail with them.

Rapunzel: Plenty of mysteries to unravel

The trio spotted fireflies in the distance. They exchanged bright smiles, knowing words weren't necessary.

Cass crept closer, pushing aside some ferns.

Varian: Tons of mistakes to not regret

Rapunzel popped up behind her and moved the ferns farther apart as Varian looked over her shoulder. The field erupted with light, making the pond beyond it sparkle with all the fireflies as Varian and the girls looked around with wonder and awe.

Rapunzel: So much to see

Varian: and to do

Rapunzel: and to be

Rapunzel gently held a firefly in her hands while Varian did the same before letting it go. Cass leaned against a tree as the teens observed it flutter away before they followed suit.

Both: A whole life to spend

The three friends chased fireflies, creating shimmering trails as other lightning bugs followed.

And it doesn't end

Rapunzel and Varian got back onto Maximus excitedly and took off running, with a trail of fireflies following them. The horse leaped into the air, silhouetted by the moon.

'Cause I've got the wind in my hair

The siblings smiled determinedly as Max continued toward the Wall.

And a song in my heart

And the fun's only starting

Slowly rising, Rapunzel leaped off his back, landing on the wall just as the fireflies caught up. Moments later, Varian ascended while the fireflies danced around them.

I got a skip in my step

And I haven't a care

With great joy, Rapunzel grasped her brother's hand and twirled him around. Though initially surprised, Varian couldn't help but smile. Rapunzel then lowered a rope down the other side of the Wall.

And everything life ought to be

Cautiously approaching the edge, the step-siblings peered down at the ground beneath them, beyond the Wall.

Well, I know it's waiting for me out there

They paused briefly, glancing back at the castle before turning their attention ahead and making their choice.

And I'll find it, I swear

With resolute smiles, the siblings dashed to the edge and leaped, swinging downward.

With the wind in my hair~!

Once everyone was on the other side, they got back on the horses. A short ride later, they stopped when they reached an old, ruined bridge. "Just remember, no one can ever know I took you two outside the walls of Corona," Cass reminded them.

"Don't worry," Rapunzel assured her. "No one is going to find out. Right, Varian?"

"Right." The prince nodded, though he was starting to look a little anxious. The two royals went first, with Max walking as slowly and carefully as possible across the bridge. However, each step caused the bridge to make noises that had them on edge. A couple of cracks appeared underneath them, causing Max to rear up in panic.

"Whoa, whoa, Max," Rapunzel calmed him down. "Alright, this looks dangerous. Can you… can you stay here and watch Fidella for us?"

"We promise we won't be gone long." Varian smiled at him reassuringly. After getting off the horses, the three humans headed across the bridge, leaving them behind. Max looked at Fidella, whose ear dropped as the humans went alone.

As they walked, a chunk of the bridge fell off, causing the horses to look at each other skeptically. Varian's anxiety rose as the bridge continued to crack and creak. "We'll be okay," Cassandra assured him. "We're lighter than the horses."

"We don't have to be as heavy as a horse to break a bridge this old," Varian countered. "It's been here for ages."

Rapunzel looked around as they crossed the bridge, noticing some signs of ruins everywhere. "Hey, Cass? What used to be here?"

"No idea," Cassandra admitted.

"I remember hearing that there was another kingdom here before Corona," Varian said, feeling better now that they were back on solid ground.

"Really?"

"Yup. This other kingdom knew about the Sundrop Flower, and its people protected and worshiped the flower like it was their god."

"Wow!" Rapunzel oohed, fascinated by the story.

"What happened to them?" Cass asked, also intrigued.

"No one knows," Varian answered. "They just disappeared without a trace. I tried to find out more about them but couldn't find anything, not even a name. It's like someone went out of their way to ensure this kingdom was lost to history."

"Mysterious," Rapunzel said.

"Come on, it's just a little further." Cassandra ushered them along, knowing they didn't have much time.

"So, what did you want to show us?" Rapunzel asked excitedly as the older girl led them down a stone staircase on the side of a cliff.

Cass looked around to ensure the coast was clear before leading them away from the steps. "Believe me, it's better if you see it for yourselves." When they stopped, the group was at the edge of an outcrop across from a monument with several sharp-looking black rocks surrounding it.

When Varian saw it, his heart leaped into his throat, and his eyes widened in horror. It felt as if a pleasant dream had suddenly turned into a nightmare.

"They're… beautiful," Rapunzel murmured, looking at the rocks curiously. "What are they?"

Varian knew.

He knew all too well.

"Don't know. They just kinda sprouted up here about a year ago," Cassandra said, pulling out her sword.

Varian's mind was racing with this new information. Why would the rocks show up here, of all places? Why was he only just now finding out about this?

"And watch this." Cass grinned, holding her blade up before glancing at the royals. "Uh, y–you might wanna stand back for this one."

Rapunzel and Varian inched back a little before Cass swung her sword against the black rock. The blade shattered into pieces without scratching the rock's surface. The siblings recoiled a bit, with Rapunzel looking amazed while Varian appeared shocked. "Wow!"

"They're unbreakable," Cassandra whispered, putting her broken sword away.

Varian watched with horrified fascination. He didn't know they could do that.

"Wanna know the weirdest part?" Cassandra said, walking over to them before looking at the dust-covered monument. The step-siblings followed her gaze and walked to the memorial to look closer. "This is where they found the miracle flower that saved your mom."

"And me…." Rapunzel breathed as Varian stepped closer to her. The princess reached forward, wiping some dust away. When her hand got close to the rocks, it started glowing bright blue, startling the royals as Cass turned back to the two. The rocks glowed brighter and brighter as their hands got closer. A breeze picked up from nowhere, blowing their cloaks back as the spikes lit up. The siblings each touched one simultaneously, causing a strange blue light to burst out, cutting off their screams as they were knocked to the ground. The light spread out, splitting into energy waves that shot across the Kingdom. The water grew wild and splashed close to the outcrop before slowly calming down. Then all was silent.

Knocked out by the blast, it was unknown how long the trio was out before they began to come around. However long it was, they started to awaken slowly, pushing themselves off the ground. Holding her head, Rapunzel felt something hanging in her face. She blinked her eyes and realized it was a piece of her hair.

Her glowing golden-yellow hair.

She tugged at the strand, staring in shock before realizing it wasn't the only light source. Bright blue mixed with the golden glow; Rapunzel turned and realized the blue color was coming from Varian. Not only was her brother's hair stripe glowing, but so were his freckles and exposed fingertips. When Varian finally managed to open his eyes, they widened in horror at his glowing hands.

Before either of them could say anything, a black rock burst from the ground near Rapunzel, causing the siblings to jump back toward Cass, who was still getting up. Another rock soon appeared, stabbing out of the ground around the now-broken monument, causing the group to gape in shock.

Rapunzel looked at her brother. "How are you–"

Another rock burst out of the ground, cutting off her question. "I–I don't know!" Varian stammered in horror before a bunch of rocks suddenly appeared, charging straight at them.

"Doesn't matter! Let's go! Run!" Cassandra cried, grabbing their hands and pulling them away. Bypassing the stairs, the group climbed back up the cliff and took off, the rocks following in hot pursuit.

"Vari, what is–" Rapunzel tried to ask as they ran.

"I don't know, and now is not the time to find out!" Varian cried.

"Get to the horses as fast as you can," Cass ordered as she led them back the way they came. "And don't look back, you two!"

Rocks erupted from the ground ahead and the nearby cliff. Rapunzel grabbed her stepbrother's hand as they dodged some rocks while they ran, Varian's fingers still glowing. Cass looked back and noticed even more rocks approaching.

When they passed an archway held up by a tree, she stopped and urged them on. "Don't stop, you two! Keep going!" she shouted as the siblings ran ahead. Cassandra started kicking at the tree as hard as she could. The vibrations caused the overhanging rocks to collapse. Cass ran after the others as the path to the monument was blocked, slowing the rocks for a moment.

Meanwhile, the royal step-siblings raced through the dark woods, which were starting to become illuminated. Rapunzel's glowing hair began to flash brighter and grow longer as they ran. Varian was forced to shield his eyes with his free hand before finally closing them as Rapunzel led the way. They reached the top of a hill, and the siblings jumped to avoid rolling down it. Rapunzel's hair gave one last bright flash, and when they landed, Rapunzel and Varian felt dread in their stomachs upon hearing something heavy land behind them with a thud. Varian's hair stripe and freckles stopped glowing, but his fingertips continued to shimmer, albeit not as brightly as before.

"Oh no…" Varian said, looking behind them in dismay.

"Um, Cassandra!" Rapunzel called.

"Keep moving, you two!" Cassandra ran out of the woods. "We need to get–whoa, what?!"

The handmaiden stopped abruptly, staring in shock at Rapunzel's seventy feet of restored golden hair. The princess examined the strands of her hair, grimacing with a helpless shrug as Varian pulled at his bangs in confusion.

Since Rapunzel never met her father, I changed the one flashback voice to Gothel.

I tried to portray Varian and Rapunzel's relationship as similar to Anna and Elsa's. The big difference is that Varian is more willing to let people in and accept help.

I also pictured Varian's casual outfit looking nicer than this Season One outfit. Since Varian's royalty in this AU, I figured he'd be able to afford some new clothes.