Chapter Text
“Hyah!” Rapunzel cried with excitement as she urged her horse on as she raced through the woods.
“Log!” Varian warned her from behind her and she dodged around it, laughing as the Eugene’s horse nearly stumbled into it.
“You doing okay, Varian?” Rapunzel asked, glancing back at him.
He only held on a bit tighter. “Mmhm.”
She giggled and looked forward. “Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of horse-riding soon. It’s so much more fun when you’re holding the reins!”
“Eyes forward, Sunshine!” Eugene teased as he raced past her.
“Oh no, you don’t!” She spurred the horse on faster.
“Princess!”
“Oh, shoot. They caught up.” Varian looked behind them.
“Looks like they’re getting quicker about chipping themselves out of your goo.” Rapunzel looked over her shoulder, then at Eugene. “We need to lose them!”
“Princess!”
“This way!” Eugene led them down another path and then they leaped over a wide river before landing hard. Rapunzel looked back at their pursuers and then at Varian. “You okay? That was a hard fall.”
“I’m fine, Rapunzel! Geez, I’m not made of glass.” He bumped his head against her back with a roll of the eyes.
She giggled.
“Hey, why not ride back with me, Varian?” Eugene suggested as they continued on.
“What’s in it for me?” Varian asked teasingly.
“What’s in it for her?” Eugene raised an eyebrow.
“Favoritism.” Varian said shamelessly.
Rapunzel laughed.
“Oh, shoot, there’s more.” Eugene looked at Rapunzel. “Man, they’re persistent. We’ll have to split up. Meet you two at the wall?”
Varian and Rapunzel nodded and then they split off from Eugene, riding off into the woods with the guards splitting off as well to follow them.
“How’s Pascal doing?” Rapunzel asked.
Varian looked at the chameleon nestled in Rapunzel’s hair on her shoulder. “Seems comfortable.”
“Okay. Hang on, both of you!” She leaped over a large hole in the ground and the guards had to find a way around it, not wanting to test their luck.
“We’re almost to Old Corona!” Varian told her.
“Finally.” She laughed a bit. “But, we’re not going in, we’re going around!” She turned slightly and continued on, finally reaching the wall. The horse helped them both up onto it and they sat down to look out at the horizon.
“Look at that view, boys.” She said, smiling.
Varian chuckled a bit. “There’s so much world out there. Don’t you just wanna go see it?”
“We almost did.” Rapunzel shuddered.
Varian nodded, thinking of their near-kidnapping by the Stabbington Brothers.
“Haha!” Eugene said as he got up, catching their attention. “Okay, okay, 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 ran his hand through his hair.
“Sorry, wind resistance doesn’t work like that.” Varian teased him. “Your body would’ve been weighing you down more than your hair ever would.”
“Nerd.” Eugene playfully nudged him as he sat down next to him.
“Sounds like you’re just a sore loser.” Rapunzel giggled.
“Sure, whatever you gotta say to make yourself feel better.” Eugene grinned.
Rapunzel looked out at the horizon again. “Have you ever seen anything so beautiful, Eugene?”
Eugene took her hand and Varian moved out of the way so he could scoot close to her. “Yes, yes I have.”
They leaned in to kiss and someone cleared their throat, catching all their attentions.
“The game's over, Your Highness. The welcoming ceremony is about to begin.” The Captain of the Guards said, looking exasperated.
“Well, I think we showed those guards who's boss. Now, what do you say we go make you an official princess?” Eugene smiled and stood up with her, still holding her hand.
“Oh, is that today?” Rapunzel said teasingly.
“Haha, very funny. Now come on, we better get you back to the castle. Ooh, maybe I can squeeze in a royal massage. Before my daily trim, of course. Varian, you coming back with us or going home?” Eugene looked at him.
“As if I’d miss my sister’s celebration?” Varian asked as they all got down.
They got back onto their horses and followed the guards back, Varian hanging onto Rapunzel.
“We were so close to getting out.” Varian sighed as Pascal echoed his statement.
“We’ll get there someday.” Rapunzel assured him.
“Hey, Rapunzel.” Eugene caught her attention and grinned. “Race you back.”
Rapunzel gasped and laughed as he took off and spurred her horse on, taking off after him with the guards speeding up to follow them.
--
“Welcome back, princess.” Cassandra said as she met them at the door. “Did you have fun?”
“Uh-huh.” Rapunzel helped Varian down.
“Good, because now you have to stop playing and start acting like your title.” She said, leading her through the castle halls with Varian trailing after them like her shadow.
“Oh boy, what do I have to?” Rapunzel asked.
“Don’t worry, you’ve got a pretty full day.” Cassandra assured her.
--
A pretty full day, Rapunzel found, was a bit of an understatement. She had to learn the names of all the maids, she had to judge food choices, introduce herself to the Advisor to the King (among other important people) and learn about etiquette and also learning names of all the royalty that had been invited.
It was all a lot for her, but Varian dutifully took note for her in his mind. She could always rely on his memory skills, he could remember an entire book after having read it once. Just for kicks, she had Cassandra teach Varian how to bow when she was learning to curtsy and she looked to him for advice on the food.
“You know, he won’t always be next to you.” Cassandra commented quietly.
--
“Alright, I need to get her ready, so you need to shoo.” Cassandra said, leading Rapunzel into her room.
“Okay…” Varian frowned.
“C’mon, short-stuff.” Eugene grinned and led him away.
“You ever think your, uh, brother is kind of…needy?” Cassandra remarked as she helped her get changed.
“Well, it was just us for years, and he was pretty protective of me during those years. My…kidnapper was pretty…well, mean. She kept trying to break me down, and he kept building me back up. He just wants to make sure I’m not hurt, that’s all.”
“Hm.” Cassandra started brushing Rapunzel’s hair. “I guess it’s understandable, then. That explains all the sleepovers, too.”
Rapunzel giggled. “No, those are my idea!”
“Of course they are.” Cassandra rolled her eyes. “How you holding up?”
“A bit frazzled, but I’m okay. I’m doing okay, right?” She looked in the mirror.
“I know it’s a lot, but you’ll get it.” She smiled. “With or without your brother.”
“Right. I got this.” Rapunzel nodded.
“I'm glad you think so, Raps, 'cause this welcoming ceremony is just the beginning.” She shooed off the maids messing with Rapunzel’s dress. “Tomorrow's the festival, followed by the royal banquet, and that's all before the actual coronation on Sunday.” She paused. “Have I really been walking you around this whole time with you not wearing any shoes?”
“Shoes are constricting!” Rapunzel argued.
“Look, Rapunzel, I know this princess thing is new to you, but you've got to at least try to act the part.” She went to get something to clean her feet before she’d put shoes on her.
“Trust me, Cassandra. I know how important this is to my dad.” Rapunzel assured her.
--
King Frederic looked out the window anxiously, watching as the boats and carriages started to arrive.
“As you've requested, Your Majesty, we've doubled security on both the main gates and the south towers.” The Captain said as he stood behind him.
“Good. We will have guests from all over the world here and I don’t want anything to happen. Everything for my little girl’s coronation must be—” He looked over as Rapunzel came in followed by Cassandra and smiled fondly. “Perfect.”
Rapunzel smiled. “Hi, dad.”
He walked over and held her hands in his. “You don’t have to fear a single thing, Rapunzel. I will make sure that you are never hurt again.” He gently stroked her cheek and hugged her.
“I know you will.” She smiled up at him.
He nodded, then turned to the window. “Are you ready? As princess, you are not only representing yourself and the family, but all of Corona.”
She pursed her lips and then smiled. “Don't worry, Dad. I won't let you down. But while we're on the whole princess, coronation thingy, I mean, all these royal activities are great, but do you think I might be able to catch a little downtime soon?” She asked, glancing to the side a bit.
“I know this is all new, but you'll adjust. After all, your friend seems to be getting on just fine.” King Frederic said, side-eyeing the door.
--
“So, what do you think?” Eugene asked as his outfit was adjusted.
“About?” Varian asked, looking a bit bored.
“The outfit, of course!” Eugene looked over at the boy, who was also being dressed in something fancy for the event. “Does it fit me?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Varian shrugged.
“Well, I think it does. It just brings the whole new look together, you know?” Eugene struck a pose, then sighed. “Ah, Varian, I got big plans.”
“Big plans?” He asked as he tried to loosen his collar. He unbuttoned it and the maid dressing him rebuttoned it again. “Like what?”
“Big plans for our future.” He pulled out a box and sighed happily. “I’m going to propose!”
“Pro—Eugene, you’ve known us for a week.” Varian pointed out.
“And I already know that I want to be with her forever.” Eugene smiled dreamily at the box. “I’m going to propose at her coronation!”
“Don’t do that.” Varian pushed aside the hand that was trying to comb his hair out of his face.
“Why not?” Eugene asked him. “You don’t approve?”
“One, it’s only been a week. Two, she’s already overwhelmed as it is. Three, that’s a room full of strangers and she’s going to be pretty stressed out. Four, she doesn’t like big, romantic, public gestures. She’s been living in a tower; you think she’ll suddenly like being in the spotlight for something so intimate? It’s bad enough she’s in the spotlight because of her title.” Varian pushed the hand with the comb away again.
“Oh…I didn’t think about that.” Eugene admitted sheepishly, putting the box away. “I guess it’s good she has you, who knows what kind of fool I would’ve made out of myself, huh?”
“You’ll be okay.” Varian smiled. “You just need to look at things from her view. If you were in her situation, how would you feel about that?” He finally gave up and let the maid comb his bangs back out of his face before it was pinned in place neatly and the rest of his hair tied up in a low ponytail.
Eugene chuckled. “Yeah.” He walked over and grinned. “Looking good, kid.”
“I’m only wearing this thing for Rapunzel.” He said, looking himself in the mirror and frowning, unbuttoning the top button again. This time, the maid decided to just let him have his way since she got his hair.
Eugene chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll get to like it.”
“I’d prefer something a lot less stuffy.”
--
“Varian!” Rapunzel greeted when she finally saw him again. “Aw, look at you! It matches your hair! And your hear is so tidy!”
“Meh.” He looked her up and down. “Hey, she got you in shoes.”
“It wasn’t easy.” Cassandra commented.
“Varian, you’ll be with me for this, right?” Rapunzel said, suddenly anxious.
“Already asked your dad.” Varian assured her. “I’ll try to keep you from making a mistake.”
She smiled and hugged him. “Thanks. What would I do without you?”
“Princess, it’s time.” Cassandra walked over and opened the door for them to join the King and Queen outside.
“I should probably take Pascal.” Varian said, and she passed him over. Pascal blended in with his black shirt and then they went outside, Varian standing behind Rapunzel like an ever-constant shadow.
Frederic smiled at her as they joined them and then they heard trumpets playing as carriages came into the courtyard. Rapunzel saw Eugene in the crown watching and started to wave, but Varian took her hand and subtly shook his head.
“Right. Thanks.” She whispered quietly.
He let go of her hand and then the first carriage opened as a footman declared, “Your Highness, I present Dame Elizabeth Van Hoskins of Rochester.”
“Curtsy.” Varian reminded her quietly.
Rapunzel gave a polite curtsy. “Welcome to Corona, Dame Elizabeth Van Hoskins!” She greeted politely.
Varian gave her a small thumbs-up as the woman smiled politely and did her own curtsy before walking on.
“I present Lieutenant Commander General James Rutherford-Carver III.” The next footman said.
Rapunzel curtsied and smiled. “Welcome to Corona!”
The man looked her up and down and then gave a bow at the waist before walking on.
“You’re doing great.” Varian whispered behind her.
Rapunzel beamed.
“I present the Duchess of Quintonia.” The next footman announced as a woman with a high hairstyle stepped out of the carriage.
‘What, she doesn’t have a name?’ Varian raised an eyebrow, but no one noticed since he was behind Rapunzel.
“Welcome to Corona, Duchess!” Rapunzel curtsied. “May I just say, I love your hair!”
“This is a handwoven coiffure weft from the finest silk and vicuna fabrics. It designates high social status. You think you'd know that.” The woman said condescendingly.
“I’m still learning everything.” Rapunzel said awkwardly. “I was…missing, after all.”
“Hm.” The woman walked on.
Varian watched her go, taking Rapunzel’s hand comfortingly. She smiled at him and brightened up, ready for the next carriage.
‘I should look into that Duchess.’ Varian thought.