Through all of this, Eugene had attempted to be there for his now fiancée. He'd brought her gifts, showered her with attention and affection, and invited her to do the things that she truly enjoyed. But every day, Rapunzel seemed to grow more depressed. Her only moments of genuine happiness were when Cassandra's letters magically popped into the castle. But even these began to fade into darkness. They became infrequent for a time and Rapunzel started down a road of desperation.

"What if she's hurt?" She pondered to Eugene as they sat on the edge of her bed one evening. "What if…"

Eugene knew what she was hinting at, but she couldn't bring herself to say the word "dead."

"Look, sunshine, this is Cassandra we're talking about," he said, trying to calm her. "She's the bravest fighter in all Corona and certainly the best survivalist."

"Best survivalist or not, she's still human," Rapunzel said. "I mean, she can make mistakes…or something could just naturally go wrong…"

"Sweetheart, I don't want to trivialize your feelings, but you aren't sounding like yourself. I mean, where's the optimism? The happiness? The hope?"

Rapunzel looked at him. "Even I have moments of darkness…and when my best friend is the center of it all…"

She couldn't finish, breaking down in tears. Eugene moved closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She turned and buried her head in his shoulder, sobbing gently but avoiding a full hysterical episode. He bent around her, trying his best to alleviate her pain. It was something that he'd never seen from her before and, with any luck, he'd never see again. After all, Rapunzel and he were to be married before too long.

Is this gonna be a regular occurrence? He thought, then quickly shook it off. No, absolutely not. I mean, this is Rapunzel! The queen of free spirited, risk taking, adventurous joy! She'll be back to her normal self just as soon as Cass fires off another letter.

Right on cue, one of the enchanted message bottles popped into the room. Rapunzel, seeing the small puff of smoke, immediately plucked it from the air and raced over to her desk. She popped the top off and unfurled the small scroll inside. But upon reading it, she felt tears begin to fall once more. Yes, the letter confirmed Cassandra's continued status among the living, but it also brought back memories that the princess would rather have locked away.

My dearest Rapunzel,

I cannot believe it's been a full year since I last held you and heard your words of affirmation and friendship. I know I've never been one for the sappier things in life, but to say that I miss our daily connection would be an understatement. As I write this, I am mere steps away from The Dark Kingdom. Much as I wish I could bypass it, I cannot. I must journey through its very heart, dominated by vistas of black rocks that prick at my soul. I remember everything, Raps. My betrayal…you crying out after me…your endless determination in the face of my wickedness. All of it.

I don't know why my destiny's path has brought me here, to a place that I wished I'd never see again. But, it has and now I must face the past. I'm scared, Raps. I'm scared beyond anything I've ever felt before. My nights are plagued with the most vicious dreams I've ever experienced. They're all centered around the choice I made…and, what's worse, in my dreams, I win. I kill you, Rapunzel…I slaughter you and destroy Corona and I wake up in tears every single time.

These nights are pushing me to my limit, Raps. I don't like to make myself so vulnerable, but I'm not ashamed to tell you that there are moments where I feel I can't go any further. But then…I think of you and everything we've gone through. This is my only chance to make amends with Corona. I will find my destiny…and then I will return to you.

I promise.

Your sister,

Cass

By the time Rapunzel finished reading, a waterfall had made its way down her cheeks. Slowly, she set the letter down and turned to face her fiancée. But, she had no words. The nightmares that Cassandra was facing out in the wilderness said everything. Rapunzel's best friend was battling, not only the elements, but her own mind as well. Once more, memories came flooding into the princess's head. She saw every moment of her and Cassandra's beautiful, tumultuous relationship. Complexity met grinding simplicity on their road of ruin and rebirth, catalyzed by the fine sands of time itself.

"I…I can't do this, Eugene," Rapunzel finally managed to sputter.

"Can't do what?"

"This! I can't do this!" Rapunzel said as her frustration over the entire situation made it to the surface. "I can't get married, I can't make convincing arguments to my father, I can't live life…not without Cassandra here. Eugene, something's going to happen to her. Something terrible. I just know it."

"Hey, hey, calm down, sunshine," Eugene said gently, stroking Rapunzel's short, brunette hair.

"Eugene…I know I have my free spiritedness and my joy and my smile and all of the things that everyone tells me make up the sum of my parts. But at the end of it all, I'm still a person…a person who's lost her best friend to the whims of fate. Yes, I'm an optimist, but even an optimist has to stop and examine things realistically sometimes. Eugene…my faith…is waning."

Eugene looked away for a moment, then back. "Well…I must say, this is new territory for me. I've never heard you question your faith in your friends, not once. But, all the same, I get it. I've never been the type to just believe in something upon hearing it, so I know how fragile it can be. That said, I also know you. I know you never gave up on her when she was fighting you and I know you won't give up on her now."

Rapunzel turned and looked at Eugene. She knew he spoke the truth and the love in his eyes reflected this. Her mind raced as she waged a war within herself that she never thought she'd ever need to. This idea of trust and faith in those she loved was one that, she suddenly realized, she'd always taken for granted. Now, it was under attack and the only person who could save it was her.

"I…I…" She stammered.

"Yes?"

"I…I'm going after her," she finally got out.

Eugene's eyes nearly bugged out. "Wait, sunshine, I never said that-"

"I'm going after her, Eugene!" Rapunzel said with fire in her eyes. "I am not going to allow my best friend to face this alone. She didn't leave me when my destiny was on the line and I'm not leaving her."

"But…what about-"

"-us?" Rapunzel finished, smiling before giving him a small kiss. "Don't worry, my love. Everything's going to be fine. I'm gonna go get Cassandra, help her find her purpose, and then we'll all be back here in Corona together."

"But, Rapunzel, how the hell can you guarantee such a thing?"

"I can't," Rapunzel said as she began scurrying about her room, gathering items for her sudden journey. "But I know one thing. Life in Corona won't be complete without Cass, and there certainly won't be a 'happily ever after' if she's not here to witness it. I'm going after her…and that's final."