Cassandra tossed and turned, begging some unknown force to grant her some type of peaceful slumber. She had hoped that finding a nice hotel and a comfortable bed might drive away some of the nightmares she'd been experiencing. Sadly, this was not the case, and tonight's dreams were worse than any she'd had since leaving Corona. Not only did Rapunzel's face and gentle voice haunt them, but now the idea that she might not be the last member of her family also ran wild. Ambrosia's declaration from the night before fueled her terror. In her dreams, a practically unending stream of Gothels swarmed her, telling her what to do and who to be.

"Don't forget to brush that unruly mop!"

"I told you to make dinner!"

"Good girls always do what mother says without question…"

Each statement was stiffer and more controlling than the last. Finally, Cassandra sat straight up in bed, covered in a cold sweat. Her breathing was rapid and shallow, and her eyes darted this way and that, crazed in their attempts at finding relief. It took a moment, but she remembered where she was, and she was able to regain a steady breath. Swinging her legs out from under the covers, she grabbed the nearby candlestick and set it alight. In its glimmer, she was able to read the clock on the nightstand beside her.

3:30…ugh, she groaned inwardly.

Finding continued sleep to be rather impossible, she picked up the candle and carried it over to the desk. Her journal and parchments were still scattered about from where she'd written Rapunzel earlier. She suddenly realized, with no small jolt, that she'd yet to receive any kind of return letter. It was extremely odd, as her best friend was seemingly always ready with a kind word. She wondered if Rapunzel was busy or if, in the never ending hustle and bustle of a princess's life, she'd simply forgotten.

Well…wherever you are right now, Raps, Cassandra thought, I just hope you're okay.

It was at that moment that Rapunzel's response smoked its way into the room. A smile spread across Cassandra's face as she reached out and plucked the transport tube from the air. It seemed that she wasn't the only one having trouble sleeping. She quickly undid the small rope surrounding the tube's lid and lifted it, sliding one hand gingerly within and removing the paper held within. It was sealed, as usual, with the Coronan Great Seal, updated with great gusto by Rapunzel herself. Cassandra stifled a chuckle as she remembered how certain citizens hadn't been too keen on the redesign.

Oh, Raps…only you could make enemies over a drawing, Cassandra thought before cracking the seal and unfurling the letter.

My dear Cassandra,

I'm sorry it's taken me a bit longer to respond to you, at least, relatively speaking. Things were kinda…life changing today. Eugene…well…he finally proposed! I can't believe it, Cass. I'm getting married! The thought sends chills down my spine. I mean, I always knew that it was coming, but the way it came was so romantic and beautiful. He mirrored our "first date" and took me out in a canoe and…oh, Cass. It was just perfect. He had a little help from Pascal and Max, but the whole thing was him to a T. You know, underneath all his bravado, he has a wonderful heart…and that's what I fell in love with.

But enough sentimentality. I'm so thrilled that you made it to Vardaros! It's great to hear that they're doing well and trying to inject life into the city. I always hoped that they would. There are far too many colorful characters there to live in a place totally devoid of architectural vibrance. I have hope for that city, just like I have hope for you. Cass, I miss you…I miss you more than you could possibly imagine. Everything in Corona is wonderful, but there's a definite hole. Every single day that I wake up, I have to remind myself that you aren't there. It hurts, Cass. It breaks my heart. I'm thrilled to be getting married and all of that…but it feels…somewhat hollow without you.

I'm gonna talk to my Dad and see about getting your banishment lifted, if only for the week of my wedding. I can't fathom you not being there.

All my love and more,

Your sister,

Raps

Cassandra felt her tears hit the desk, staining the wood beside the letter's fragile parchment. Her lip quivered and she grasped Rapunzel's words to her chest as if holding a precious memory. Reels of footage played throughout her mind of her time with Rapunzel. She saw their friendship first truly form at the Contest of the Crowns. Her time as Rapunzel's lady-in-waiting flew by, with all the trials and tribulations that came with it. Then she saw their shared journey outside of Corona and her ultimate choice to betray Rapunzel and take the Moonstone for herself.

"How?" She asked out loud, clutching the letter even closer. "How could I have been so damn foolish?"

She pulled the letter back and re-read it, cherishing every single word.

"So, you're getting married, Raps," she said to the air, choking back tears as she could nearly feel Rapunzel's warm presence beside her. "I've been waiting on this…and I'm so proud of you. I swear once more that I will return one day…whether or not my banishment is lifted."

—

Cass slept soundly through the rest of the night. Her dreams had been full of Rapunzel and all of the joyful times the two had shared. When she awoke the next morning and found the sun streaming in through her window, she almost thought it fitting. After all, her best friend was the embodiment of the Sundrop. Even though the magical element wasn't among them any more, the Coronan princess remained as sunny as ever. Cassandra wouldn't have been surprised if Rapunzel suddenly woke up with the power to control the sun.

Thanks, Raps, she thought as she got ready to leave Vardaros. Last night was just what I needed.

But before she could head off to chase down her destiny some more, she had one final stop to make. This was the Vardaros Penitentiary where she knew that a very unhappy face would be waiting to greet her. But she didn't flinch. Lord Ambrosia was just another criminal caught and tossed away where he belonged. His words the previous evening hadn't fazed her. If anything, they'd added fuel to a fire that already scorched at Cassandra's soul. It was everything she'd ever felt negatively, only now she was able to harness it more appropriately.

She met Quaid at the entrance to the prison and he escorted her inside. Much as with any lockup, the air was stale and the atmosphere thick with depression. They walked along the corridors, passing cell after cell holding captured thugs and miscreants brought to justice by Quaid and Vex. Finally, they turned a certain corner and came to the largest cell of all. It was practically a prison in and of itself. 14 guards paced back and forth in front of the massive iron walls. When they saw Quaid, they stopped and saluted.

"Captain Quaid, sir," the head guard greeted before turning and gesturing to one of his subordinates to open the door.

"Stay alert," Quaid cautioned the guard. "No telling what Ambrosia might pull."

"Got it"

Once inside, Quaid and Cassandra made their way past individual holding cells until they arrived at Ambrosia's.

"Well, well, well," Ambrosia said, turning to face them, "if it ain't the Sheriff and his whore."

"Oh, can it, Ambrosia," Quaid growled. "I brought Cassandra here to see you. She said she had a question for ya."

Cassandra and Ambrosia locked eyes and she was able to truly read him for the first time. It was something Rapunzel had not only taught her but used against her throughout their friendship. Whenever she would be attempting to hide her true feelings, Rapunzel could always see right through her façade. Now, she got to use the trick on someone else, and she almost felt Rapunzel right beside her, guiding her through.

"Whaddaya want, bitch?" Ambrosia spat. "I ain't got all day."

Cassandra chuckled. "You know…you can call me a bitch all you want, but I'm the one standing on the outside of the cell."

"Oh, gettin' cute, are we?" Ambrosia asked sarcastically.

"Cute's not really the word for it," Cass responded. "I'd go more with…a combination of effervescence and optical clairvoyance mixed with the tiniest bit of sarcasm."

"What the hell's she babblin' about, Quaid?" Ambrosia asked, rolling his eyes.

"Ah-ah-ah," Cassandra said, "I'd like you to address me directly, thank you."

"Alright, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GOIN' ON ABOUT?!"

Once more, a chuckle escaped Cassandra's lips. "Oh, you know…this and that. Mostly the fact that I can read you like a book right now."

"How so?"

"Well, the exact manner in which such things are conducted is a Coronan secret. However, I will say that…it's all in the eyes. You're an open book, Ambrosia…and I must say, you carry something particularly fascinating to me."

"Oh…and just what might that be?"

"You said something last night about my kin, even though you supposedly didn't know me before we fought. Tell me, have you ever been to Corona…or do I remind you of someone?"

Ambrosia's face was split with an evil grin. "I ain't tellin' you nothin', girlie. Nothin' at all."

"Fine," Cassandra said, "then you won't mind if I take this."

She drew her sword and grabbed the leather symbol on the front of Ambrosia's armor. One quick swipe detached it and she put it in her pocket. The look on Ambrosia's face as she did so was one of intense fury, which she reveled in. Even though they'd only met the previous evening, any time she got to put him in his place was a triumph. The symbol would be the key to finding out whatever he'd said about her kin.

Whatever this symbol's hiding, she told herself, I swear I will find it…and…perhaps…find my destiny as well.