Betrothed

Story: Betrothed
Storylink: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10387940/1/
Category: Tangled
Genre: Romance
Author: BookishGray
Authorlink: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/5554155/
Last updated: 11/16/2014
Words: 22708
Rating: K+
Status: In Progress
Content: Chapter 1 to 12 of 12 chapters
Source: FanFiction.net
Summary: Flynn is getting ready to put his dignity on the line and propose to Rapunzel. The only problem is, she's
already getting married. To someone she doesn't even know yet. In fact, she is forced to decide between three princes to
marry. Flynn can either help her choose the right man, or sabotage her and the customs of her kingdom.
Flynn(Eugene)/Rapunzel. Just a random idea I got. :3

*Chapter 1*: Married!

The ring felt heavy in my pocket as I swung through her top-story window. Man, I will never get tired of the view up here
What was I talking about? Oh, yeah.
I swung from the roof into her art room on the top floor, though I almost fell while coming in. I never lost my cool in
situations like this before, but I guess today was no average day. Flynn Rider was never nervous, but I guess Flynn Rider
never had to go through this. I slipped my hand into my pocket and twiddled with the small silver band as I called out,
"Hey, blondie, whatcha paintin'?"
Rapunzel looked up at me with a knowing smile on her face. "Through the window again?" she complained, but was
trying to conceal a laugh.
"For old time's sake," I replied and shrugged. She sat on a stool, facing me, in the middle of the canvas-and-paint-filled
room with an easel in front of her. When I strode around to the other side of the easel to see her newest masterpiece, I
let out a long, impressed whistle to show my appreciation.
"Not bad," I remarked. She had depicted a single tower in the middle of the forest at night. In the sky behind it there were
dozens of glowing lights floating up into the air. A girl with short, brunette hair sat atop the tower's roof. I immediately
understood the painting. She had finally escaped her chains and achieved her dream. Now she just needed another.
"You really think so?" Rapunzel asked, looking up at me with her big, innocent green eyes.
"I know so," I praised her. She grinned at me with a rosy glow seeping into her cheeks. I figured at that point, it was now
or never.
"Listen, your majesty..."
"Eugene, no. I told you, I'm not 'your majesty', especially to you. I'm Rapunzel. Now call me that instead," she corrected
me.
"Is that an order, princess?" I asked with a smirk.
Rapunzel giggled. "Yes."
I knelt down on one knee beside her, tightly gripping the ring in my pocket. "Listen, Rapunzel," I began, emphasizing her
name to make her laugh a little more. God, I loved her laugh. "We've known each other for only a few months, and I know
you're a princess and I'm well, I'm nothing but a thief given a second chance. But I I need to tell - or ask - you
something that's been on my mind for a while, now that-"
"Me too," Rapunzel blurted. My eyes went wide, but I soon calmed myself and let her speak.
"You go first," I told her.
"Are you sure?" she asked. I nodded. Why not? I was positive my question could wait. "Okay, okay. Whew" she took a
deep breath and exhaled slowly to shake off nerves. She then looked me directly in the eyes as she announced, "I'm
getting married."
I can't remember my initial reaction. It could have been a lot of things. I could have started cursing or yelling or stuttering
or just sat there staring. But all I know is that the love of my life had told me she was getting married. And it wasn't to me.
When I finally regained consciousness of the situation, I vaguely remember saying something like, "What the heck do
you mean by married?!" but I think it came out more as, "Wha you married?!"
"In a month. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I... I didn't want you to worry," Rapunzel began playing with one of her
short, dark locks.
"Worry?" I asked aloud, but in my head, I added, "I'm much more than worried." See, being an outcast and a thief and an
orphan, I honestly had no experience with heartbreak at all. This was a wake-up call and a slap to the face and a stab to
the heart all at once. How could Rapunzel be getting married and not even tell me?
"You're just so protective and I was worried you'd be angry if you knew," the princess explained further.
"Wh... Why would I be angry?" I asked her.

"I figured the last thing you'd want me to do was marry a man I don't know."
I could have fainted. Not only was my beautiful princess getting married, but she didn't even know him. This day couldn't
get any worse.
I tried to be as supportive as I could, though. I didn't know why or who, or even if she wanted to, but I knew I at least had to
be there for her.
"Why... And who?" I stuttered.
"It's customary for our kingdom and those surrounding us to find three eligible princes from neighboring areas. When
the princess comes of age, she travels to all of their home kingdoms and picks between the three princes to marry. I'm
18, so it's time, I guess," Rapunzel continued. I mentally face-palmed. I knew about this tradition. How could I not? It's all
over the kingdom's press when it occurs. And I thought I could propose to her?
"How do you feel about choosing between men you don't know?" I asked.
"I don't know. I'm a nervous wreck. I don't know what to do or how to act. And, to be honest," she looked me right in the
eyes, "there's another man out there I'd rather be with." I doubted it, but she seemed to be directing that phrase right at
me, making sure to say it slow and clear. My heart skipped ahead of me a few beats, but I quickly caught up with it, and
calmed it. I put on my bad boy persona again subconsciously. That tended to happen when I felt upset or humiliated.
Rapunzel soon let the subject drop, though. "So, what did you want to ask me?"
I stood and dusted myself off. I turned toward the window I entered from and didn't even look back as I said, "It doesn't
matter anymore. It was stupid to begin with. Good luck with your princes." I began to walk toward the exit when I felt a soft,
small hand on my shoulder which forced me to stop.
"Aren't you going to be there for me? I can't do this by myself," Rapunzel requested, begged of me. "I can request you as
an escort."
I still didn't turn back to her as I replied, "If you want me there," in a bitter tone. Out of anger - more directed toward myself
and the rest of the kingdom than her - I took the ring from my pocket and tossed it behind me where I knew Rapunzel
could see it. I continued forward, swung my legs out onto the edge of the window sill, and boosted myself up onto the
roof. From there, I headed back to my home on the edge of the city and collapsed onto my bed.
I didn't cry. Not as little orphan Eugene Fitzherbert, not as Flynn Rider, and not as the "new and improved" Eugene
everyone seemed to like. But that afternoon as I lay on my bed, I rethought my last conversation with Rapunzel and felt
like sobbing for the rest of my life. This was Rapunzel we're talking about. Obviously it was a long shot to think I could
ever marry a princess, but I was the one who saved her, right? (Even if I did plan on tricking her and ditching her at first,
but that doesn't matter now...) I had the strongest bond with her than anyone in the world, even her own family.
I realized after a few hours (and a couple of glasses of whiskey) that I really did need to be there for her on her tour. She
needed me, even if it wasn't in the same way I needed her, and I needed to be there for her. Rapunzel was my best friend
first and foremost, and - as much as I hated to admit it - I was nothing without her. Losing her as a friend would be even
worse than losing her as a lover. I sent a letter off to the castle right away (hoping she could read my slurred, rushed
handwriting) and slept peacefully that night. Did I still hope she'd seen the ring I'd tossed over my shoulder? Yes. I hoped
she'd have seen it and stopped the tour altogether and marry me. But that wasn't the case. If she saw it, and knew what it
meant, then she gave no hint to me about it. I only had one thing left to do. If I wasn't going to have her, then I'd need to
thoroughly inspect whoever did.

*Chapter 2*: Thoughts of Sabotage

What's up, people? It's Gray here! You should know that this is my first Tangled fic, so please feel free to PM me with any
errors or OOC-ness you notice. Thank you!
In this chapter: Pascal and Eugene team up to try to "help" Rapunzel during the tour... alb eit, a b it unconventionally.
Thanks for reading!

The next month passed just smoothly as its predecessors did. The only problem was the overhanging thought of the
tour coming soon. Rapunzel could sense my dread, I know she could. She knew how I felt about her, it was obvious. I
thought I knew how she felt about me, but I wasn't sure. I often thought of - and dreamed of - that song we sung on the
lake, and that moment in the tower when she - er, I - kissed her. No, who am I kidding? She kissed me.
But did that mean she loved me still? Maybe she got over me. Maybe she didn't want to be seen with a non-royal. Maybe
she thought my past was too bad. Those insecurities were on my mind 24/7 that month. I don't think it mattered, anyway.
No matter what she felt, she was determined to honor her kingdom and go through with the tour. Royalty sucks.
Though it was constantly playing like a broken record in our minds, it was only until two days before the tour that
Rapunzel even mentioned it again.
"So... Are you ready?" She asked out of the blue. I had just entered the room - the library this time (and, yes, it was
through the door, thank you) - and she didn't even need to look up from her book to know it was me.
"Ready for...?" I prompted, not yet knowing what she meant.
"The tour, silly!" She exclaimed. She stood from her chair, ran up to me and gave me the tightest hug I've ever felt. "I
haven't seen you in a week! Where have you been?"
"Oh, you know, here, there. At work, mostly," I replied nonchalantly. At the time, I had worked at a carpenter's shop.
"I was worried you wouldn't show," she commented, pulling away from me so she could see my face.
"Me? Not show up?" I put on a face of mock insult that turned into a subtle smirk. "I couldn't just leave you to fend for
yourself in those distant kingdoms. I'll have to make sure and watch those princes real close."
Rapunzel pushed my chest back, breaking our gentle hug. "Oh, no, you won't!" She argued, but still smiling.
"How else am I going to make sure you find the perfect man?"
Her face turned stony for a fraction of a second. "Am I going to?" she whispered, suddenly serious.
"To be honest, Blondie, I don't know for sure, but I ain't letting you walk out with some sleaze ball."
"I know you won't." She gave me a sad smile that pretty much screamed, Sorry, b ut it will never work... I'm taken-to-b e.
A royal guard entered the library just at that moment. "Your highness," he addressed Rapunzel with a bow. "And Sir
Flynn," he added awkwardly. "I have come to fetch you. The king and queen have summoned you both into their
chambers."
I looked at Rapunzel and held my arm out, which she took gladly. The guard gave me a strange look as we passed - one
that could have been either confusion, surprise or resentment - but I ignored it. Hey, I changed. I'm not wanted anymore; I
(kind of) saved the Lost Princess. Well, she saved me too, but that's a whole different story.
As we walked through the lavishly decorated halls, I couldn't help but think how good the royals have it. As a child, I
dreamed of having gold and riches, but had rarely ever seen a coin in my life. How nice it would be to be a prince...
But you better not take that wrong. That had nothing to do with my wishing to marry Rapunzel. I was accused of that far
too often for my comfort at the time. Heck, I'm accused of it now.
Where was I? Oh, right. The King's quarters.
As soon as we entered the room, the queen rushed toward us and hugged her daughter, then me. Rapunzel's mother
has always liked me, it seems. Ever since she had first met me, she seemed kind and accepting, which wasn't what I
was expecting at the time.

Rapunzel's father wasn't so keen on me, though. He saw me for what I was: a thief who stumbled across his daughter
by accident. The only problem was, he didn't seem to think I had changed, which I very well had! But getting my name
cleared from the "Wanted" posters didn't convince him, I guess. The king just stayed, standing firm, in the same position.
His wife led us over to him, and gently chided me when I tried to bow.
"Now, now, Eugene. You are no less than us. You are family. You needn't bow in our presence." The queen gave me a
comforting smile, and Rapunzel squeezed my arm assuredly.
The king cleared his throat loudly and began in a firm, formal tone, "My daughter, Princess Rapunzel of Corona, has
requested you as her only escort and mentor during the upcoming tour. Of course, we will be sending some of Corona's
finest royal guards to escort you both. I trust you know about this?"
I nodded once.
"Good. The next part, however, you don't know is that a prince of one kingdom has dropped out, and has been replaced
with another from a kingdom farther south." I nodded again, not seeing any significance. "To make up for lost travel time,
the two of you must leave immediately."
I raised an eyebrow. "As in, right now?"
"That is what 'immediately' means, Mr. Rider," he replied in a deadpan tone. I opened my mouth to say something more,
but, as if he were reading my mind, he answered the question I was about to ask. "Don't worry. We've gotten enough
packed for you."
"You... packed clothes for me?" I nearly asked, but kept the question inside. I didn't really want to upset the king.
"Come, Rapunzel," the queen beckoned her daughter to follow her, "We'll get you dressed for the trip."
"But, mother, I already am-"
"Nonsense. It's a mother's job to make her daughter look nice for things like this." The queen left the room, Rapunzel
following closely at her heels. I felt like Rapunzel looked good enough, and there was another reason she was forced
out of the room.
"You know why Rapunzel wants you with her, I assume?" The king asked as soon as the women were out of the room.
He's definitely a man to get straight to business.
I shook my head. I honestly didn't know. It could be a lot of things. I figured it was mostly because we were close, though.
"You don't? Well, I believe it has to do with her feelings for you. She doesn't want to lose you," the king told me. I felt my
cheeks burning and glowing, and I must have been as red as a tomato because the king laughed before continuing.
"You're a good man, Eugene," Those were the last words I expected to come from his mouth, "and I expect you will help
my daughter make the right choice."
"I-I will, your majesty," I stuttered pathetically.
"Just remember," he added as he turned and walked away. "The right path is not always the one everyone else wants
you to take." I'd like to think I'm pretty smart and all, but I had no idea what he meant by that. What was he trying to say; let
her decide? Don't let the others weigh in? I couldn't tell. I decided not to dwell on it for too much longer, and strode to the
door I saw Rapunzel and the queen enter. I was about to knock on it when I realized there were hushed voices coming
from the other side.
"Are you sure you want to go through with the tour?" a whisper, most likely from the queen, echoed through the door.
"I have to. It's a kingdom tradition," a more forlorn voice, Rapunzel's, was audible.
"Traditions can be broken. You don't need this tour to find the perfect man, you know."
"What kind of princess would I be if I let down the whole kingdom of Corona? I missed 18 years already and-"
"Is that what this is about?" The queen asked. "That wasn't your fault, dear. You were taken by force, not by your own will.
You are learning to be a great princess. You don't have to go if you wish to instead marry-" Their voices got even quieter,
and I was forced to lean farther in to the door to hear.
"No. I'm going. We already promised the first kingdom that I'll be there by tomorrow. I'm going."

Footsteps drew nearer and nearer to the door, and I had to quickly back away before Rapunzel opened the door. The last
thing I wanted to do was to be caught eavesdropping.
I lost balance right as she opened the door, though, and ended up flat on my back staring up at her.
Rapunzel laughed. "What are you doing, Eugene?"
"Getting a better view. You look good from this angle," I joked. She helped me up and I dusted off my pants and vest.
"Thanks," I said with a smile.
"No problem," she replied, returning my grin. We stood there, just staring at each other for a few seconds, the stupidest
grins on our faces, until Rapunzel blinked a few times and snapped out of her trance. She then took me by the arm.
"Come on, this way," she instructed me. "We've got to get to the harbor in time. They've already loaded our things into the
ship."
The next minutes were a blur. All I remember is boarding the ship from the harbor.
"Who're the guards they're sending?" I asked as we climbed the ramp onto the main deck. I was worried about sharing
close quarters with men who used to try to capture me, dead or alive
"I don't know, they just said they were-" Rapunzel stopped and screamed with delight as she reached the top. She ran as
fast as she could in that tight, uncomfortable dress and pounced on someone out of my sight. As I climbed onto the
deck, I noticed a proud, white stallion with a little, green lizard-thing on his back. Rapunzel was hugging them both.
"Hey, Max!" I greeted my old frienemy. "And, uh, miniature iguana?"
Rapunzel playfully punched my arm. "Pascal is a chameleon!" She picked him up in the palms of her hands and allowed
him to climb up to her shoulder where, now out of her sight, he stuck his tongue out at me. That lizard will never like me.
At that moment, the captain came out of his quarters to greet us. He told us all about how long each trip will take, what
we should expect while traveling, what to do or not do. You know, all the kinds of stuff I never listen to. I just smiled and
nodded.

By the time we set sail, it was nearly 10 PM, and Rapunzel was asleep in her quarters below deck. I stayed up with
Pascal (who was sitting on a crate next to me), watching for islands over the horizon.
After a few minutes of silence, Pascal nudged me on the arm with his head.
"What do you want, an apple? Petting? I'm not petting you," I muttered. My happy faade was fading now. I hated the idea
of this tour. I hated it with a passion.
Pascal shook his head. He pointed a leg, er, arm maybe hand... whatever chameleons have, at the door to Rapunzel's
room.
"Rapunzel? What about her?" I asked, actually interested in what he was trying to say now.
Pascal pointed at me, then back to the door, then raised an eyebrow as if to say, "You and her have a 'thing', right?"
I shook my head. "I thought so. Even her parents thought so. But she's so determined to do what the people of Corona
and the other kingdoms want her to do that she's actually going through with this." I leaned up against the rail of the
deck, crossing my arms, almost pouting.
Pascal grunted angrily then pointed at the map hanging on the wall adjacent to me.
"I can't tell her to stop the tour, boy. She would hate me."
He just grunted again, pointed at me and punched a hole in the map with his tongue right where the kingdom of
Arendelle used to be.
"We aren't going to Arendelle, smart one," I muttered sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
Without looking, he punched another hole in the Southern Isles.

"What am I gonna tell the captain about what happened to his map?" I asked, ignoring the message Pascal was
sending me.
He raised his eyebrows again and I understood what he was saying. "Are you really gonna let some random prince take
her away? Do something ab out it!"
"Pascal, she really wants to go through with this. We can't just sabotage it!" I argued, though I didn't even believe myself.
Pascal just stood in the same position, silently saying, "You're b lind if you think she wants this. I'm just watching out for
her."
As much as I felt it was wrong, I gave in. "Okay, you're right. Those princes will never be right for her. And I'm going to
make sure she knows that. One way or another."
Pascal smiled slyly, then crawled up onto my shoulder and stuck out his short, green hand for me to take, as if saying,
"Team?"
I shook it using my thumb and forefinger, but then realized something. "Max won't be happy about this."
Pascal shrugged trying to say, "Who cares? We have to help Rapunzel's first!"
"Right, right. So avoid the prissy horse. Sounds good to me." I yawned. "Let's get some shut-eye first. And in the morning,
we mess with some princes"

*Chapter 3*: The First Kingdom

AN: I'm baaaack! :3 My trip was fantastic, and gave me a heckuva lotta inspiration and such.
Did you miss me? I hope so! Thanks for all the support :3 I am officially off hiatus, so here is chapter 3!

I awoke the next morning with the oddest mixture of feelings. I had hope now, hope that I could win Rapunzel back. But I
also felt guilty about what I knew I had to do. I had to make everyone else look bad. Then again, the little chameleon was
right about one thing: no matter how much she protests, I know Rapunzel doesn't want this.
I stood from my stiff, swaying cot and stumbled as I started to walk. The lack of sleep I'd had recently, plus my anxiety,
and now the constant sway of the ship was enough to send me tripping all over myself.
I dressed myself as best I could in the dimly lit room. Not only was it hard to see with no lantern or window, but the fancy
clothes put into my trunk weren't what I was used to; they were all uncomfortable, hard to figure out, and forced me into
perfect posture. Might as well stick a board up my back.
The suit didn't look half-bad when I finally got it on. It fit nicely. It was a medium purple coat and white trousers, both with
gold trim and buttons, trademark colors of Corona. The kingdom's symbol, the sun, was embroidered in sparkly gold
thread on my left shoulder.
By the time I went up to the deck, dawn was breaking, and Rapunzel was already awake and leaning over the ship's rail
watching the sunrise over the horizon. Though I later denied it, I stood a ways away just marveling at how she looked.
She wore a long, fitted, lavender dress with lace lining the part below the waist, and her short, dark hair was slightly
curled, but looked natural and beautiful as always. The way the sunlight and ocean glare reflected off her was
breathtaking. I began to question if she were actually real or just an illusion."Hey, Princess," I finally greeted. She turned
around and seemed to notice me for the first time, and blushed realizing I had stood there for a while.
"Corona's symbol is the sun," she replied dreamily, "I see it everywhere I go. But I didn't think the sun could be this pretty."
I thought for a moment, wondering if I should really yeah, worth a shot. "You know what goes great with sunrises?
Breakfast made by yours truly," I commented.
Rapunzel raised her eyebrows, chuckling a bit. "You cook? Since when?"
I shrugged. "How hard can it be? Come on!" I grabbed her by the hand and led her down to the kitchen. The ship's cook
probably wouldn't be too happy with us if he found out we were messing with all of his things, but, hey, we were having a
heck of a good time.
"Okay, just crack the egg reeeal gentle" Rapunzel instructed me, guiding my hand and helping me smack an egg
against the edge of the counter. I hit it a little too hard, and chunks of yolk and egg-shell exploded in all directions.
Rapunzel stained the sleeve of her dress and I got a glop of yellow goo in my hair. Some even got on the wall and
splattered across the ceiling.
Rapunzel laughed at my attempts to get egg out of my dark locks. "Okay, forget the eggs. I'll do that. Just mix this gently."
She handed me a bowl of flour, water and milk.
I seemed to succeed in stirring the ingredients (or at least Rapunzel didn't need to correct me as much), and she soon
added freshly beaten, perfectly cracked eggs into the mix. "What did you call this again?" I asked as she poured the
batter into a pan over the fire.
"Pancakes. It's an English food. I read about it in a book. Back in the tower" her cheery expression faded for a moment,
and she seemed to distance herself from me, something I wish I could cure. But as fast as it had left, her smile
reappeared as the pancake started to harden on one side. She flipped it enthusiastically, letting it flip in the air once
before catching it with the spatula.
"We have things just like this in Corona, you know."
Rapunzel nodded, still not breaking her gaze from the pan. "Just without the fruit filling."
"What fun is that?"
She smiled slyly. "I put chocolate in it."

"I take that back," I quickly corrected myself as she loaded two, perfectly formed pancakes on two plates and handed one
to me.
"How is it?" Rapunzel questioned as we ate on the main deck. I couldn't answer right away. My face was too stuffed with
fluffy goodness to coherently reply.
"Gurhf." I swallowed hard, finishing my mouthful. "Good," I repeated, "Really good."
One of the guards, accompanied by Max, interrupted our picnic to inform us that we would be docking in Retana (the first
kingdom) an hour and a half. Max stole my apple.
"Thank you, Montier," Rapunzel responded, but only half-heartedly. She seemed a bit deflated (but who could blame
her?). The guard nodded and went on his way.
"Are you going to be alright?" I asked quietly once the guard was out of earshot.
Rapunzel nodded feebly. "O-of course, Eugene. How bad can this prince be, anyway?"
Rapunzel had no idea what was coming to her. To be fair, neither did I at the time. As soon as we stepped off the ship,
the princess and I were whisked away to the castle by royal escorts, chased by the screaming, star-struck citizens of
Retana. When we entered the palace, my breath caught in my throat. Everything was made of solid gold. Gold floors,
gold walls, gold statues, gold chandeliers, gold stairs. Everything! I knew nothing about the Retanian royalty, but I know
now they were filthy rich. I added it to a mental list of things I would complain about to Rapunzel rich are okay. It's the filthy
rich you gotta watch out for. About nine months prior, that place would have been my dream home. Now, I felt incredibly
suspicious of it.
A pudgy man in a glittery silk cape waddled down from the staircase to the left. "Welcome, Princess Rapunzel, welcome!
I, my dear, am the King of Retana!" The king shook her hand excitedly, paying no attention to me (her escort!) and getting
straight to business. "We are so pleased to have you as our guest, my sweet! May I present to you: my eldest son, Prince
Adrian of Retana!"
A muscular, tanned, handsome (albeit very short) boy came strutting into view from the same staircase his father had.
He looked barely Rapunzel's age, no older (and no taller either). Though he was quite vertically challenged, had perfect,
chiseled features (that looked nearly like a stone bust), the kind of long, dirty blonde hair that girls went gaga over, and
an arrogant expression that immediately made me want to punch him.
"Princess," he addressed her with a bow before taking her hand and softly pressing his lips to it. Now I really wanted to
punch him. What a creep. The kid even wore the same silvery, sparkly cloak as his dad.
Rapunzel smiled politely, but her brows were subtly furrowed in a sort of "Let-go-of-me-you're-weird" look.
Adrian then turned to me. "You are her royal escort, I assume?"
I wanted to make a sarcastic comment about the fancy way he talked, but I decided that would just make Rapunzel angry,
so instead just nodded curtly.
"You seem... young to be working in such a high position," he noted, eying me up and down. Nope. This kid crossed the
line; he fired first. It was my turn next.
"Says the kid no taller than five and a half feet," I retorted, sneering a bit into the sentence.
Adrian was physically taken aback by my insult. "I happen to be five feet and eleven inches," he informed me indignantly.
"Yeah, with those ten-inch heels on," I muttered, pointing at his fancy boots. Rapunzel pinched my arm discreetly to keep
me from saying more. Though she gave me a stern look, it was easy to tell that she was trying to conceal a giggle.
"Pardon my escort, Adrian. He's just a little protective," she enunciated each word slowly so I got the hint to shut up.
Pascal, on her shoulder, was nearly dying of laughter. I hoped the little guy wouldn't break a lung... Wait, can chameleons
even laugh?
"Might I know your name?" Adrian asked me in his annoying, high-pitched voice.
I felt like refusing, but Rapunzel introduced me before I had the chance. "This is Sir Eugene Flynnigan Fitzherbert-Rider.
He's my boy - er - best friend."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Rapunzel, whose cheeks were glowing a light shade of pink. What was she going to
say? Boyfriend? Really?
"Well, hello, then. I apologize for stealing your best friend away for the next two days," Adrian said in the most squeaky
tone possible for a man's voice to naturally be.
He turned back to Rapunzel. "Shall we set off?"
She smiled and nodded, taking his arm. He lead her out of the grand, golden palace doors and out into the courtyard. I
was about to follow them from a distance, but before I could, I saw Pascal salute and wave at me from Rapunzel's
shoulder. It was clear he was saying, "I've got it covered up close. Just make sure nob ody interferes from afar."
I scoffed silently. As if, I said in my head, I'm still keeping an eye on them. I began to move in their direction when the
king caught me by the shoulder and turned me around.
"Sir Eugene! You must accompany me on a tour of the palace! It is the least I can do for my guests!" The man was so
excited about everything. It irritated me. As much as I wanted to refuse, the guy had his arm hugged too tight around me
to move.
I chuckled in an obviously fake tone. "Yes, of course, Your Highness." Boy, was I gonna hightail it out of there as soon as
he turned his back...
"So you see," the king continued. The tour had gone on for 45 minutes. This palace was huge. And when I said earlier
that everything was made of the gold, I really meant everything. The freaking toilet seats shined! Who does that? "The
culture of our people is quite diverse and comprehensive..." Your accent is killing me. "Our entire population is relatively
wealthy. There is little poverty here..." What does this have to do with your gold-encrusted wardrob e? "Even the poorest of
peasants are able to afford basic necessities..." I don't have time for this!
"I apologize, Your Majesty, but I just realized that I left my pocket watch on the ship, if you don't mind me going to get it," I
requested, trying to sound as innocent as possible.
The king smiled at me. "Why, of course! Hurry along now! You still have to see the kitchen!" I sighed internally and
booked it out of the palace. As soon as I left the doors, I was knocked over by a tall, white, furry obstacle. Max hovered
over me with a stern expression.
"What? I'm not sneaking away!" I lied. "I just left something. My pocket watch." I pointed toward the harbor. "On the ship."
Max narrowed his eyes and looked me up and down, trying to catch my lie. When he couldn't find any proof, he simply
backed away slowly, still watching me. I knew I'd have to be careful around him. One false move, and he'd report it for
sure.
Great. I thought. Just another thing in my way. I'd just have to be extra cautious while sneaking around. I walked by
Maximus slowly and then - once I passed him - booked it in the direction of the harbor. As soon as I was out of Max's
sight, I turned and made my way back to the village square where I had seen Rapunzel and Adrian go to.
Soon, the square came into view. And I laid my eyes on the most horrible scene I had ever imagined...

AN: I know, not much of a cliffhanger, but I had to end it somewhere. I didn't want to bombard you with a massive
chapter right after I get back... or is that what you would have wanted? 0.o
Anyway, I'll be back next week with more. Please review with thoughts, suggestions, or ideas. I'm open to anything
you say.
See ya later!
~Gray!

*Chapter 4*: Adrian's Secret

A/N: Heyo! This is Gray back with my latest installment of this story. Sorry this is a short chapter because writers'
block sucks :(
Also, I apologize for not updating very often, but I've been working on other stories, namely Wolf Among Us stuff and
my own original sci-fi novel. I plan to start updating regularly now. Thanks for all your support and the helpful
critiques you're giving me. I love you guys. So without further ado, here is chapter 4:

...I then laid my eyes on the most horrible scene I could imagine:
Crowds. I hate crowds. Easy to slip around in, yes. I made my fair share of getaways while hiding in crowds, but it still
didn't make me much of a people person. There were thousands of people gathered in the town square, and it took a lot
of shoving and crawling to get through them. I saw what they were all so interested in.
In the middle of the town square, there was a patch of grass one might call a park. It was the lamest park I've ever seen,
though. The grassy area couldn't have been more than 10 feet by 10 feet, with a single tree in the corner and a bench in
the middle. Under the shade of the tree there was a long, golden picnic blanket, and on that blanket was piles upon piles
of food. Next to it was Prince Adrian and Rapunzel. I was close enough to see their distinct features and expressions, but
not enough to make out what they were saying.
Wait, where is Pascal? I thought. He wasn't anywhere near the couple. He wouldn't just abandon Rapunzel. No, he was
serious about his plan. So where was he?
It didn't take long to find him, really. I followed Rapunzel's distant, worried gaze to a cluster of little girls on the edge of the
crowd. They were all petting and dressing up a little pink lizard. Wait, pink lizard?
Then it turned red. Then blue. Then black. It was a chameleon, of course. Pascal, to be exact. He looked so agitated by
the children that he couldn't even control his color. Poor little guy.
I looked back to Rapunzel. She seemed to be trying to shrug off Pascal's situation and pay more attention to the prince,
but I could tell she wasn't interested. Adrian kept trying to feed her a bit of sandwich or chocolate or scone, but Rapunzel
would just take it from his hand and eat it herself. Fighting off flirtation? Good sign.
I skirted around the outside of the crowd to be closer to them. Over the chatter and starstruck whispers of the crowd, I
could just make out some of their words.
"And so I said... my exclusive boat... and he... Funny, right?" Adrian said, then started laughing like he had been told the
funniest joke in the world. From the forced smile on Rapunzel's face, I could tell the joke had fallen pretty flat. Adrian
didn't seem to notice, though.
I sneaked around the outskirts of the crowd until I ran into the group of girls playing with Pascal. I needed to get him free
somehow. I couldn't do anything to sabotage their date, not without Rapunzel noticing, but Pascal could do it easily.
"What a cute little gecko," I said in a nearly falsetto voice. Talking to kids wasn't exactly my specialty, alright? Pascal
scowled at me for calling him a gecko, but I was helping him out. He should be happy.
"He's a chameleon!" one of the kids replied indignantly.
"May I hold your chameleon?"
"He's the princess' chameleon, not ours," another one piped up.
"I'm very good friends with the princess," I told them. I tapped the golden sun symbol on my shoulder. The girls gasped,
realizing who I was.
"Ohmigosh! You're the guy who saved the princess, aren't you?" The girls giggled. They all immediately let go of Pascal
and handed him to me. The little reptile smiled gratefully at me, turned back to green, and hopped out of my hands and
back to Rapunzel. The girls didn't seem fazed that they had lost their multi-colored playmate, though. They were all too
interested in me now. What was my name? Was I a prince? How did I find Rapunzel? Did I love her?
"What do you mean?" I asked, a little confused by the question.
"Everyone knows when a knight saves a princess from danger, they fall in love happily ever after and get married!" They

explained. "You must loooooove her!"

I laughed, a little heartbroken at the irony. Even little girls could tell I had feelings for her. "No, that's what she's here for: to
see if she and Prince Adrian love each other."
"Prince Adrian? Why him? He's only 16," one of the girls said.
What? All of the princes in this tour have to be 18 or older. And this kid is 16? No wonder he seemed short. And had a
still high-pitched voice. The kid isn't even through puberty yet. I knew there was something off about this place. At first, I
thought the king was just being overly friendly when giving me that tour of the castle, but I think he was just trying to keep
me away from them, trying to stop me from finding out Adrian's age. I knew the filthy rich were always guilty of something.
I knew it. I don't even have to make him look bad this time, Adrian will be disqualified if I tell someone.
I excused myself from the group of children and made my way toward the patch of grass where the prince and my
princess sat.
Rapunzel had a squirming, whining Pascal trapped in her hands. Whatever prank he tried pull on Adrian had been
caught. It didn't matter anyway. I had to talk to her.
"Eugene!" Rapunzel's false smile evaporated into a real one as I strode up to them.
"Sorry I'm late, but your father was keeping me very busy," I apologized, eyeing Adrian carefully.
"Oh, yes, he is rather accommodating toward our guests, sir," Adrian mumbled nervously.
"Adrian was just telling me about all the different kinds of jewels on the king's royal scepter. It was... interesting." I know
Rapunzel was trying to be polite and all, but this was just pathetic. She was not interested in this guy already. All his
bragging and fancy words and golden belongings turned her off immediately.
"Would you mind if I stole the princess away for a quick while so we could have a small talk?" I asked, turning to Adrian.
"Not at all," Adrian said. He was smiling, but something in his eyes told me he was afraid of what I might tell her.
Rapunzel stood and linked her arm through mine as we walked to the middle of the grass, out of Adrian's earshot.
"What do you think of him?" I asked immediately.
"He's... nice. He's funny, too."
"You are a horrible liar," I told her. She gave me a small smile.
"I'm giving him a chance," she said.
"He's too young," I couldn't wait any longer to say it; I had to get it out.
Rapunzel raised her eyebrows. "Sorry, Eugene, I don't know what you-"
"He's only 16. The king kept me away from you and from everyone else in the kingdom so I wouldn't find out," I explained.
"Are you sure? How do you know? And why would they want to marry him off so early?" Rapunzel was still too trusting
and nave to believe it at first, I realized.
"First off, it won't be easy to marry him off without this tradition. Look at him: the kid is arrogant, isn't any taller than you,
and is flat-out annoying. The only thing he has going for him is his looks. Also, look around you. This kingdom already
spent all its money on its gold decor; they're broke. You come from a wealthy family and a wealthy kingdom. They need
your money. They're using you, Rapunzel." Pascal grinned devilishly from her shoulder.
Rapunzel furrowed her brows and cocked her head, processing what I told her. "You're right," she said, shaking her
head. She brushed the hair out of her eyes and hooked her arms around my waist. "Thanks for telling me. I'm glad you
came with me," she mumbled into my shoulder.
"No problem, blondie," I replied ironically, stroking her short, dark hair. I'm not really sure why I still call her that.
"What am I going to do? I'm in each kingdom for two days. It's only been a few hours!" Rapunzel said.
I shook my head. "I guess we just play along until tonight. Then we tell Montier and Max. They'll get us out of here

immediately... if Max doesn't blow a gasket first." Rapunzel laughed, playfully pushing me away.
"Alright. But stay close, will you?" She requested.
"Of course," I replied.
Rapunzel walked back over to Adrian and sat down next to him again. He began eagerly telling stories as soon as he
could.
I followed her over and leaned against the trunk of the tree, making sure Adrian knew I was there. Pascal - realizing he
didn't have to watch Adrian as closely anymore - crawled off Rapunzel's shoulder and almost literally dove into a cherry
pie.
I nearly fell asleep over the next half hour as more royal guards brought out more food and Adrian told more stories
about... well, about himself. And they weren't interesting in the slightest. Yay, boredom!
Suddenly, the crowd parted and a man on horseback passed through. A short, pudgy, golden-cape-wearing man on a
proud, white stallion.
"Crap," I muttered under my breath. Max and the king must have realized that I wasn't coming back. The king was there to
round me up and Max was there to keep me out of trouble. I didn't like any of it.
Max trotted up to me and glared at down at me, silently saying, "Did you lie to the King of Retana?! Did you lie to me?
What are you planning?"
The king slid off Max's back and stepped in front of me, chuckling lightly. "You gave me quite a scare, Sir Eugene. I feared
maybe you'd gotten lost."
This guy was lying through his teeth, and I didn't like it. It's not like I didn't just do the same to both him and Max, but it
was for a better reason. "Well, I happened to run into the princess and your son, and I realized that I'm her escort. And it's
my job to escort her around the kingdoms, you know." Max rolled his eyes at my response. He wasn't buying it.
"I really insist that isn't necessary," the king persisted nervously. I tried to catch Max's eye. If I could somehow tell him
about Adrian through my expression, he'd have us out of here in no time.
"It is what I'm here for, your majesty," I replied nonchalantly. It was probably dangerous to argue with a king, but I wasn't
always the most level-headed, you know.
The king glanced around anxiously at the silent crowd around us. "Did I mention it's lunchtime?" he offered weakly.
"Rapunzel and Adrian just ate," I protested, pointing toward the picnic blanket behind me which was still loaded with
food. Somehow my comment seemed to make Max finally realize that something was up with the king. He narrowed his
eyes and sniffed at the king's cloak as if checking it for bombs. Thank God he and I are on the same page for once.
Maybe he could be a new ally.
"That was just an appetizer, my boy, now let's go for the real treat! Anyone up for roast turkey? Or apple cobbler?" Max
visibly perked up at the words 'apple cobbler'. He shot me a glance like, "Eh, how b ad can he b e?" So much for a new
ally. Rapunzel sent me an uncomfortable look. I know she didn't want me to protest or argue any further. She didn't want
to make a scene in front of the crowd around us. We just had to play along for a little while longer. Even if it killed us.

*Chapter 5*: Revelations and Nightmares

Yo. You've made it this far! Impressive! I'm here to say thanks a ton for reading this, and thanks even more to all my
awesome followers, favoriters and reviewers! Your support and ideas has helped me continue this story and kept
my head in the game. This chapter has a little less to offer 'cause school is starting soon, I've been working, and my
family is going camping on Thursday so I won't be updating until Tuesday next week, but I'll still be writing. And, hey, I
made a whole chapter in a week! It's a new record! Once again, thanks for your support!
-Gray

The palace hall was just as grand as the rest of the castle. Once again, everything in the room was solid gold: the dining
table, the chairs, the walls, the floors, the silverware and plates. Everything. The king took a seat in the largest chair at
the end of the table. A beautiful woman who shared Adrian's features and hair color sat in the chair adjacent to him. I
figured she was the queen. She looked shy, and looked at the floor when she talked, if at all. She smiled genuinely at
Rapunzel and I, though. Maybe this country wasn't completely full of scumbags. Prince Adrian sat opposite her, and
Rapunzel sat next to him. I sat next to her.
A group of Coronian guards - led by the lead guardsman, Montier - tried to come in and stand next to Rapunzel and I, but
the king's Retanian servants shut the door on them before they could. I honestly don't trust this at all.
Servants brought out plates of roast turkey and cherry pies and beef stew. Rapunzel shared a plate with Pascal, but the
two combined still barely ate anything. I think she was still processing how she'd been tricked and used.
The king made small talk throughout the dinner. What was the weather like in Corona? How did we like it in Retana?
Were we enjoying ourselves? It took everything in me to stop myself from being rude or curt or sarcastic during the meal.
Rapunzel eyed me nervously every few moments as if she thought I would snap or tell him we know about Adrian's real
age. Honestly I might have just done that had I not had her there to motivate me along. But I also knew that accusing the
king of Retana of flat-out fraud wouldn't do anything but start a fight, and the last thing I needed was to be thrown into
some Retanian jail or taken away from the tour because of some "false accusations again Retanian royalty".
Adrian didn't speak throughout the entire meal. Maybe he knows we know his secret. Maybe he doesn't want to interrupt
his dad. Maybe he's less arrogant than I thought. I'm not really sure, but something was off the whole time, and I was
starting to become suspicious.
Eventually, the king grew bored with entertaining us, and left with the queen to their quarters. The servants followed
closely after them, still offering wine and dessert as they left the room.
"Wow," Rapunzel noted, turning to Adrian, "Your parents sure are something."
Adrian met her eyes with a forlorn expression. "Aren't they, though?" he replied in an incredibly deadpan tone. I was
puzzled. What was with this kid all of a sudden? It was like someone flipped a switch inside him, making him go from
arrogant jerk to miserable weirdo.
"What do you mean?" Rapunzel asked cautiously. She narrowed her eyes and cocked her head to the side a bit.
"It's nothing. My father can just be a bit... crazy..." he said quietly. I was about to mention that we already knew that
because of all the fricking gold in the room, but the sad look on Adrian's face stopped me.
"We all have crazy parents," Rapunzel cooed gently. "I was raised by a kidnapper in a tower in the middle of the woods."
"But at least she wasn't your real mother. And my dad is crazy crazy. He comes up with these stupid schemes and..."
Adrian sighed. "I can't get married! I don't want to! I'm still a boy and - no offense - but I don't even like you that much. Well,
not like you think I do. You're nice and all, but - ah, to heck with it, I'm 16, Rapunzel. My dad lied to your family. He's doing
it for the money" Adrian sobbed in a boyish tone and buried his face in his hands. Rapunzel, Pascal and I exchanged
glances, our eyes wide and jaws dropped. Did he just confess to us?
I couldn't believe this kid would just spill his guts to us like that. Not only that, but he actually seemed like a real wimp,
just breaking down and crying like that. Rapunzel leaned toward him and gently hugged him anyway, trying to soothe the
poor kid. I don't really want to admit that it made me jealous to see her hug him, but I knew I was anyway. At least he
could be officially out of the race with this confession. One prince down, two to go. Pascal sniffed at his hair as if unsure
whether to trust him or not.
"You have to do something. Tell someone, get me out of this contest, please!" Adrian pleaded. Rapunzel pulled away

from him and patted his shoulder.

"I'm still confused," I said, walking closer to where he sat. "Why did you act so... unlike yourself earlier?"
"I was trying to keep Rapunzel from liking me. If I was a self-centered, conceited jerk, then I knew she probably wouldn't
pick me," Adrian answered shyly, as if ashamed.
"Hey, it's alright," Rapunzel cut in, "You did the right thing by telling us. Someday - when you're of age - I bet you'll find a
wonderful girl to marry!"
Adrian smiled a little. "Thanks, princess," he said with his crooked grin growing. I tried not to get too angry, but I felt only I
could call her 'princess' in an adorably joking way. This kid was an even worse pain when he wasn't some arrogant
aristocrat! I mentally sighed. What was I doing? Getting all jealous over a kid who wasn't even old enough to get married
and who just said he didn't even like Rapunzel. How pathetic.
Rapunzel then turned to me. "Are you ready to go?"
I nodded, smiling. I couldn't wait to see Max's expression when he found out about the king's lies. He'd have a cow! Or er - a horse.
Rapunzel took my hand and we walked out of the castle side-by-side. Just before we reached the courtyard, a sheepish
voice called after us. "Hey! Hey, uh, Eugene - erm - Sir Eugene, I mean!"
We stopped and turned back to find Prince Adrian running after us. He looked so uncoordinated and dorky now. He kept
tripping over his own feet because of his way-too-tall boots, and his glittering cloak was fluttering wildly behind him.
"Well, I know you need to tell the guards about all this, and... Do you think I'll get in trouble?" Jesus Christ, what a coward.
"No," Rapunzel answered. "Of course not." Adrian exhaled deeply.
"Thanks," he said, "but... What about my father?"
"What about him?" I replied gruffly.
"Will he get in trouble?"
I rolled my eyes. "He's a king. How much trouble can he get in? Sure, you'll be disqualified from the tour and he might be
shamed amongst all the neighboring kingdoms forever-" Rapunzel elbowed my arm gently. "But it's not like he can get in
any trouble!" I added quickly, massaging the spot where she hit me.
Adrian nodded, then scurried back inside. Well, at least we won't have to deal with him anymore. We exited the palace
gates, greeted by thousands of screaming, adoring commoners. Rapunzel waved and smiled and shook their hands
while I led her through the crowd by her arm. The herd of people followed us back to the harbor, where we met up with
Montier and his group of guards, along with Max. Pascal scurried down Rapunzel's arm and up mine, stopping on my
shoulder. The little reptile was so giddy, it was most comical.
"Princess, Sir Eugene," Montier greeted us, "You're back early, aren't you?"
I shifted my gaze to the crowd still piling up around us. "We need to talk... privately."
The guards made a circle around us and escorted us onto our ship, the C.S. Sunrise.
Max had a cow. His jaw dropped at first, but then he started getting angry. His ears flattened against his head, his tail
stuck straight out behind him, and he started growling like an angry dog. He hadn't taken the news well. Montier was
more composed. Sure, he was shocked at first, but he straightened his posture and set off to his quarters to write a letter
to the king of Corona.
The captain of the ship informed us we'd be setting sail at sunset, which was in approximately four hours.
Rapunzel and I stayed above deck, not saying much to each other until dinner. The crew and guardsmen ate, but
Rapunzel, Pascal and I weren't hungry. The one thing that impressed me about Retana was their amazing cooking
abilities. Man, that roast turkey was good! Max stayed above deck, too (obviously! Did you seriously expect that a horse
could climb into the hull of a ship?) and watched over us. He sat next to me in his odd, canine-esque way and I
scratched behind his ears. I have to admit, as meddlesome as he could be, he was a good horse, even if he was nave
as all heck. I mean, how hard was it to see that Retana's king was hiding something?!

Soon enough, Max fell asleep. You know that thing about horses sleeping standing up? Yeah, Max doesn't do that. He's
practically a giant dog. He collapsed onto the deck (landing on my foot!) and was out cold.
Rapunzel shivered and stepped closer to me. I tentatively put my arm around her, and when she didn't pull away, I
squeezed her tighter. "Stop it, Eugene!" She laughed. "You're gonna suffocate me!"
I teased, "I can't help it. I don't wanna let you slip away again."
She looked up at me with those big, innocent, green eyes and said, "Then I won't."
Montier suddenly burst from below deck. A chorus of laughing drunken sailors and guardsmen could be heard coming
from the door. "I've sent a letter off to your father, Princess Rapunzel, and I've also sent a letter to the king of Retana
informing him of our early departure. We set sail in an hour." Rapunzel and I nodded. Montier grinned, a rare thing for
him to do, and stumbled back down the steps to the kitchen.
I yawned. "Gosh, I'm tired. It's only been a day, but I cannot wait to get out of this kingdom. Too much gold for my taste.
And talk about a dysfunctional family..."
"Yeah, we should get to bed," Rapunzel agreed. She wrapped her arms around my waist in a hug, and I returned the
embrace gladly, knowing it could be one of the last times I ever hug her like this. "You've been amazing," she whispered,
"What would I do without you?"
"Oh, you know, just be stuck in a tower with magic golden hair that's a mile long and a crazy, old kidnapper lady for a
mother." Rapunzel's expression was suddenly hard to read. "Too far?" I asked.
She shook her head, laughing. "No, just far enough. You're completely right. If I never met you, that's where I'd be... I kind
of miss my old hair though."
"Hey, but now it takes so much less time to brush!"
"But I liked that old nickname you gave me."
"Blondie?"
Rapunzel nodded.
"I can still call you that..."
"No, you can't!"
"...Blondie."
"Gosh darnit, you!" She playfully pushed me away, and then yawned. "I'm going to bed. See you in the morning?"
"Of course. Next stop: Sixella!"
I dreamt of a wedding. It wasn't mine. It was Rapunzel's. But not mine. My worst fear. A handsome man waited at the altar
next to her father, the king, and I stood in the place of the Best Man. Is that all I am to her? I wondered. Her Best Man?
Suddenly, the wedding scene melted, and we were at the reception. Rapunzel was speaking in front of the crowd. I sat
next to her new husband. My heart felt heavy and broken, but I faked a smile anyway.
"And I just want to thank my best friend, Sir Eugene Fitzherbert-Rider!" She turned to me, "Thank you for helping me
through the tour and not interfering in any way. You helped me find a wonderful husband outside of my own kingdom. We
will be happy together forever!" The crowd cheered. My smile faded. Together forever? This can't b e happening! Didn't I
try to stop this? Why didn't I?!
That scene melted just like the first. I was now in a luxurious bedroom. Rose petals were sprinkled over the floor and on
the bed. Rapunzel sat on the bed in a tattered wedding dress, her face buried in her hands, and her shoulders bouncing
erratically. She was crying. Bawling, really. Her sobs echoed through the room and wove into my very soul. I hated to see
her upset. I tried to reach out and touch her shoulder, but I couldn't move.
"Didn't you love me?" I heard her whisper. "Didn't you love me enough to stop this? I thought you loved me!" She looked
up, right at me, and into my eyes. Her eyes were puffy and red from her tears.
"I do love you!" I tried to say, but no words came out. I couldn't even move my mouth.

"Honey? Are you in here?" a voice called into the room. Rapunzel quickly dried her eyes and sobered up.
"Yes, love!" she called back cheerfully as if nothing happened. Her eyes still looked sad and puffy, though.
The handsome man she had married walked into the bedroom. Rapunzel stood to greet him. They met in the middle
and kissed. My trance broke, and I could move again. Anger and jealousy blinded me as I stormed forward, grabbed her
husband by the shirt collar and pushed up against the wall. Suddenly, our surroundings shifted one final time, and we
were back at the wedding. I still had her prince by the throat. The crowd was silent, and Rapunzel's expression was
mixed between horrified and humiliated.
I dropped the man slowly, and Rapunzel pointed a finger at me. "You... you ruined everything!"
"I thought you wanted me to!" I defended myself. "You said you didn't love him! You said you loved me!"
"How could I ever love someone like you?!" She spat.
The horrid dream melted into darkness, and I awoke to the smell of sea salt and fish.
I only had one thought left in my mind after that nightmare: Am I really doing the right thing?

*Chapter 6*: Eugene Has a Brilliant Idea!

Hey, sorry this took so long. I had this done for a LONG while now, b ut I just have so much on my plate now with school
and whatnot. So here's to you guys! Thanks a million for b eing so supportive! :3

I woke up that morning feeling like crap. I had the same nightmare on repeat the whole night. I still didn't get what it
meant. In one reality, Rapunzel was married to someone else and absolutely miserable.
In the other reality, I interrupt her wedding and she flips out, asking how she could ever love someone like me.
I know it's just a dream, alright? I do. But I'm just worried that it might happen if I go through with my plan.
But if I don't go through with my plan, Rapunzel could be left with a husband she doesn't love. I can't let her do that. She
isn't enjoying this tour, I know, and no matter how good a guy is, nobody can fall in love in two days or less...
Okay, maybe I did, but that was different. That was Rapunzel. I helped save her from a freaking tower and an evil mother,
give me a break here.
But how do I know that she loves me? I'd sure like her to (okay, I'd really like her to), and she kissed me in the tower all
those months ago, and her parents hinted at it incessantly, but if she really loved me, she'd have taken the Queen's
advice and stopped the tour, wouldn't she? Or does she just really feel that responsible for her kingdom? God, what do I
do?!
If I sabotage her tour, she'll hate me, but if I let her go through with it, she'll hate her life.
And I don't get her either way.
I sat up in bed, stretched my arms over my head, and ran my hands down my face. Even if I don't try to sabotage the next
two princes, Pascal will keep going with it (even if his attempts at Adrian's picnic were smothered... literally). Wasn't there
a princess from a few years ago that stopped her own contest for a husband and married nobody? Yeah, that girl from
Scotland. If only she were here to talk some sense into Rapunzel. Rapunzel is nothing if not determined.
I got off my bed, still not quite used to the sway of the ship, and dressed myself in a casual outfit, a white undershirt and
blue vest, We wouldn't be in another kingdom yet, just floating around on the waters until tomorrow morning.
The sun was already fairly high in the sky and the crew was bustling about, doing the various chores of a sailorman. The
guardsmen were all still asleep, save for Montier and Max, both pacing back and forth on the length of the deck. They
must both be mulling over the idea that Adrian's family so easily tricked them. Rapunzel was nowhere to be found.
I walked up to him, and it wasn't until I caught him by the shoulder to stop him did he notice I was there.
"Sir Eugene, good morning," Montier greeted me politely. Ironic. We used to be such bitter enemies, and now he
addresses me as 'sir'.
"Hey, uh, have you seen Rapunzel?" I inquired. Montier shook his head.
"No. Now that you mention it, it's very odd that the princess is asleep this late. Perhaps you should...?" he tried to
suggest I check on her, but he felt awkward doing it. I don't blame him. It's not like I was completely comfortable just
walking into her room.
I climbed below deck to the hallway with private rooms. All the guardsmen slept with the crew on little, stiff rope
hammocks somewhere else, but Rapunzel, Montier, the captain and I got our own rooms. I knocked on her door quietly,
but earned no response. Maybe she was just asleep. I knocked again, louder this time. Slowly, I heard footsteps pad
closer to the door.
The door creaked open, and a groggy Rapunzel peeked out. She yawned theatrically before asking, "Eugene? What are
you doing here?"
"It's morning, kid," I told her, "at least 10 o'clock."
That woke her up. "Morning? I overslept?!" She ran back into her room, keeping the door open. I followed her in and
watched as she hurriedly made up the sheets on the cot and gathered up her clothes.
"Ah, let's see," she mumbled to herself impatiently, "Dress, petticoat, corset, braziere..." I blushed a little.

She was about ready to throw off her nightgown to dress when she remembered I was still in the room. "Do you mind...?"
she didn't finish.
"Oh, yeah. I'll just..." I backed out of the room and shut the door behind me. Well, thank god I'm not in that situation
anymore.
I waited outside until Rapunzel was dressed, and she poked her head outside the door when she finished.
"All done!" she announced, taking my hand. I looked away in a futile attempt to hide the reddish glow lighting my cheeks.
"Are you excited for the next kingdom?" I asked as we made our way to the kitchen.
"Yeah... Of course!" It was obvious she wasn't telling the truth.
"You're horrible at lying. I thought I would have rubbed off on you more," I joked. She laughed nervously.
"Was it really that obvious?"
"Plain as day. But that's alright, I think it's probably better that I'm around a terrible liar than a criminal mastermind,
anyway."
"Like yourself?" Rapunzel shot back at me.
I laughed. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
By the time we reached the kitchen, the whole group of guards were eating. I crinkled my nose at the food served to
them: one bruised apple, a slice of stale bread and a mushy lump of cheese for each one of them. Yum, boat food. I tried
to politely decline, but the cook handed a plate of the same to me anyway. After (barely) getting the food down, I waited
above deck for Rapunzel. Pascal stuck his head above the hatch, so he was just barely visible.
"Is it just you, boy?" I asked. He nodded and scampered toward me. "I have to talk to you."
Pascal cocked his head to the side. He crawled up onto the railing.
"Okay, look, have you thought about what will happen if we, you know, keep Rapunzel from getting married?" I inquired.
Dear god, I'm talking to a lizard again.
Pascal rolled his eyes. "What's the b ig deal?"
"It's a very big deal!" I snapped. I darted my eyes from side to side, scanning the deck and checking to see if anyone was
watching before I continued. "It is a big deal," I hissed, lowering my voice. "We could-" I faltered. He's a chameleon. Right.
"Alright, I could get in very big trouble for interfering with royal affairs!"
Pascal stomped his foot down, glaring angrily at me. "So your reputation is suddenly more important than Rapunzel?!"
"Yes! I mean, no! Not my reputation! She... What if she hates me for stopping her marriage? What if she never talks to me
again?"
He crawled up onto my shoulder and bit my ear. "Ow!" I exclaimed, "What the heck?"
"Get your priorities straight!" His expression practically screamed it. He jumped off my shoulder and back onto the railing,
still looking up at me expectantly, triumphantly almost.
I sighed, letting my shoulders sag forward and my back slouch down. If I don't sabotage the tour, I'll lose Rapunzel, the
love of my life. If I do sabotage the tour, I'll lose Rapunzel, who will always be the love of my life... but she'll be happier.
And wounds heal. Anger can stop, but marriage can't, right? Who saved her from her evil mother? Me! Not some foreign
prince. Who did she kiss when she found out he was revived! Me, of course! Who did she sing an entire romantic
musical number with, orchestra and all? Me! You saw the movie; it was me, right?!
Did I believe my own little pep talk? Yeah, a little. But I still had doubts. Hey, don't judge! If you were in my shoes, you'd
think it would be hard too! Wait... That's it!
Over 2,000 of you are watching me from out there, reading my thoughts and memoirs. I can't hear you from in here, in
this little space called the internet. But the author can! Why didn't I think of this sooner?!
Here's how it will go down: from now on, every one or two chapters there will be a choice I have to make. I'll give you my

options here at the end, and you get to help me decide! Vote between the three choices in the reviews, and the author
will count them up after a week or two. Then, she'll find the most popular one and tell me to choose that! Gosh, it's nearly
genius!

So here's a practice one for right now:

How do I handle my problem?
A) Keep trying to sabotage the tour, attempting to convince Rapunzel not to marry a prince
B) Give up on sabotaging the tour, letting Rapunzel marry whomever she likes, and continue as her escort
C) Tell Rapunzel I can't be her escort anymore and go home to Corona
See how this goes? Vote for one of these options in the reviews please!

Not only do you get a say in this story now, b ut you can also help with my writers' b lock. Along with getting b ack into a
school routine, I've realized that I'm having some growing anxiety issues and I'm sorry that it has gotten in the way of this
story. I still want to tell you that I love you all and I'm really thankful for how inspiring and complimentary you've all b een.
So please go ahead and vote for what you want Eugene to do: A, B, or C!
Goodnight fanfictioneers!
-Alex, also known as BookishGray

*Chapter 7*: Eugene Takes Your Advice

Heyo! I'm glad you all responded so well to my idea Eugene's idea! The vote was overwhelmingly for A (thank goodness,
it was the only one I actually like anyway). But anyway, thanks for reading, here's chapter 7:

Rapunzel suddenly popped up above deck.

"Hey, princess," I greeted her. I wore my usual playboy-like smolder, but inside I was trying to sort out my inner turmoil.
"There you two are!" she stroked Pascal's back and played with my hair. "I was worried you fell overboard!"
I laughed. "We all know if anyone is going overboard, it's the horse," I remarked. Max, who had just been chased out from
the kitchen and back above deck, snuffed at me indignantly.
Rapunzel giggled as she stroked his mane. "Isn't Eugene just so mean?" she spoke in a babyish voice. "I would never
let him do that! Good boy! Good boy!" Maximus gave her a puppy-eyed look in return. The kind, enabling princess she
was, Rapunzel just ate it up. She 'aww'ed and hugged him.
I scoffed. "Cry-baby," I muttered. Rapunzel gave me a stern, but loving look.
"Don't be rude! He's just a poor little horse!"
I scoffed, "He nearly killed me!"
"Sure." Rapunzel rolled her eyes.
"Maybe you didn't know, but before finding you, I fell down a cliff all because he didn't realize that horses don't climb
trees!" I hissed. My emotions were running too high. I couldn't control what I was saying with so much frustration and
indecisiveness bottled up inside.
"He was only trying to arrest you for stealing priceless crown jewels!" Rapunzel pointed to the tiara neatly fashioned atop
her wave of brunette locks. I wondered why she was wearing that. She hated wearing her crown around the kingdom.
"Well, if I never stole that crown, I never would have met you, and that turned out pretty well, I think!" I yelled back at her. As
soon as I said it, I immediately stuck my foot in my mouth.
"You are being so immature all of a sudden," She accused. Some of the sailors stopped what they were doing and
stared at us.
"I'm immature?" I asked coldly. "Last time I checked, about a year ago, your only goal in life was to go see some
unidentified floating lights in the sky. Yeah, you were so wise." Of course, I didn't actually mean it, I just... Ugh, what was I
doing? I instinctively stepped over her, my height towering above hers.
"Eugene, why are you being like this?" She demanded.
"I can't stand this tour!" I admitted. I stared down at the ocean waves, rolling lazily around the ship.
"You're not the only one," Rapunzel whispered breathlessly, tears threatening to show. She swooped downstairs, the tail
of her dress flailing behind her in the wind, and I could hear the door to her room slam shut. Pascal and Max eyed me
warily. Everything was silent.
"What do you two want?" I growled, shattering the stillness around me. They both just continued to glare at me. "Gah,
whatever," I muttered, storming back downstairs, feeling even worse than I did that morning.

As I passed Rapunzel's cabin door, I heard a soft sobbing inside. I didn't... make her cry, did I?
I knocked on the door softly. "Hey, blondie?" I whispered as tenderly as possible. "You okay?" The sobbing ceased for a
moment, then the sound of quiet footsteps approached the door.
"I'm fine," her muffled voice replied with an obvious lie. She sniffled. "I need time alone."
"And I need to talk to you. I need to - need to apologize," I admitted. The door opened a crack, and through it I could only
see one of her green eyes, now bagged and ringed with red.

"I'm sorry," I offered, "I know this is hard for you, and letting my emotions get in the way hasn't helped either of us."
Rapunzel opens the door wider so I can see her whole face.
"Emotions?" she inquired. Oh boy. I clear my throat.
"Yeah, uh, like letting my thoughts cloud my vision."
"What kind of thoughts?"
"Just, you know, normal thoughts."
"You've been having second thoughts, too?" She whispered. Wide-eyed that she'd admit to me that she was uncertain, I
nodded. She wiped her eyes on her dress sleeve, smiling.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
"No, I should be sorry. The fact that I was even thinking about leaving was wrong," I said. Thought I have to admit, it was
really all you guys that helped me realize that.
"I know. Me too." Wait, what?
"What do you mean?"
"It was wrong of me to want to leave, too," she admitted. I shook my head quickly. I jumped on my chance to er,
convince her about that topic.
"No, no, no, it's perfectly normal for someone to want to leave a tour like this," I assured her anxiously... and albeit
manipulatively. "I mean, going across the world to marry someone you've barely spent two days with? That must be
horrible."
Rapunzel nodded, her face contorted into an expression of thoughtfulness. "It is," she agreed absently.
"And being forced to choose between the three? When you might not even love any of them at all?" I added. Okay, so
maybe it's wrong to manipulate her like this, but planting little seeds of doubt never hurt anybody, right?
"I don't know how I'll do this."
I shrugged, shaking my head in mock-resignation. "Me neither, princess."
Rapunzel lifted an eyebrow, and I flinched, knowing she started to catch on. "But that's why you're here, right Eugene?"
she asked, purposely trapping me in my own web of tricks. "You can help me decide. 'Cause after all, I can't just leave,
can I? That would be wrong." She gave me a teasing smile. She's gotten better at figuring me out like this. I don't know
whether to be frustrated or proud.
"Real funny, blondie," I mumbled. Rapunzel giggled.
Just then, the navigator stuck his head below the hatch. "We'll be in Sixella within the hour!" He announced.
"I should go get ready," Rapunzel excused herself, gesturing to her face. "And get rid of the red-and-puffiness."
"Yeah," I mumbled awkwardly as she shut the door behind her. Pascal hopped down the ladder to our area, and gave
me a knowing look. "So you sorted out your prob lems, I see."
"I had some help," I thought, thinking of the readers who were so kind to me and my author. "But, yes. We sorted it out."
The chameleon drew up his cheeks in what I guess was supposed to be some kind of reptilian smile, then squeezed
himself underneath the gap between the door and the floorboards. From inside the room, I could hear Rapunzel coo,
"Oh, there you are!"
I set off to my own quarters to plan my next acts of sabotage for the unlucky prince I'll meet.

What's up? Just a quick, slightly angsty chapter in prep for the next kingdom. I'm sorry if this seemed rushed or awkward,
b ut I'm really crunched for time and may not b e ab le to write for some time after this. So here. And b tw, the next chapter
will have another choice to vote for (thanks for voting so eagerly for the first one, too). I've decided to keep the following
votes open for one week each instead of just five days, b ut I was eager to hurry this one along. Ciao!

-Gray

*Chapter 8*: The Second Kingdom

I'm back, fanfictioneers! I hope you're ready for another vote...
To my lovely reviewers: thanks a million for your support. If I had the time, I would write out a response to each and
every one of you.

Whoever this prince is, he's gonna wish he never signed up for this tour.
Adrian was easy to take care of. All I had to do was expose his secret and we were out of there in a flash. We got a letter
back from Rapunzel's father, which said they were very disappointed that Retana - a close ally - would so blatantly lie to
everyone. Although, something about the wording in the letter seemed oddly... relieved in a way. Proud his daughter
didn't choose the Retanian prince:

My dearest Rapunzel, and the rest of the crew,

I am shocked to hear of Retana's deceitfulness. These deeds shall not go unnoticed by the kingdom of Corona or
any others for a long time to come. But for now, we must focus on the task at hand. Sixella, a very proud nation, is
your next destination. I trust my daughter and her accompaniment to make the wisest of decisions.
I hope to see you soon,
The King.

Rapunzel's eyes shone with pride as she read her father's words. "He understands?" she whispered, and I think she
really didn't mean for anyone else to hear. I put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. I can't believe she was worried
her father would be angry with her for dumping a prince so fast.
The king's last line is what bothered me. "I trust my daughter and her accompaniment to make the wisest of decisions."
He said something similar to me once, before we left: The right decision isn't always the one everyone else wants you to
make... Or something like that. I'm not really sure, I was kind of in a daze. Whatever, I got the point. I can't let others
influence Rapunzel's choice. I have to trust that she will do what's right... Wait... Isn't that kind of going against everything I
just planned? All the elaborate pranks and mishaps and all? Oh, well. I'm making the right decision anyway.
"Land, ho!" a lookout shouted cheerfully from the Crow's Nest up on the mast. Rapunzel and I rushed to the top deck,
Pascal on her shoulder giving me a mischievously eager grin. The princess clambered to the rail to get a better look at
the kingdom we were entering. From here, we could only see lush, green evergreen forests and blueish-purple
snowcapped mountains fading in and out of the backdrop. It was beautiful to say the least. We dropped anchor in the
harbor. Rapunzel gripped my palm tightly, lacing her slender, delicate fingers through mine and held my upper arm
gently with her other hand. She strayed slightly behind as we stepped off the ship, letting me lead the way.
The village of Sixella was small, and the commoners passing around us treated us much differently than in Retana.
These people passed by, stared for a while, smiled and bowed, then went on their way. I was actually pleased by this.
No more crowds.
When I say the kingdom of Sixella is a village, I mean it really is just a village. From the harbor, I could almost see the
whole town. The main points of interest were the library, a little outdoor marketplace, an old church, and the harbor. In the
center, there was a lush, green park with several children sitting under the shade of trees, all reading. Reading.
Children. What the heck? Where's the sports, the games of tug-of-war and tag? Why are they all reading?
"Where's the palace?" Rapunzel whispered in my ear, "and where do all the people live? I don't see any houses here.
Just little shops."
I looked at the people passing us by. Most men wore dusty jackets and trousers or denim overalls. The women dressed
conservatively, in plain-patterned dresses and aprons. "I'd say this is a farming kingdom," I whispered back, "All of them
live outside city lines."
"And the palace?"
I pointed to a nicely-kept, fenced-in house on top of a nearby hill. "I'd say that's it."

I walked next to Rapunzel as she rode on Max's back to the royal house. Pascal rested on the saddle horn, looking
around the village eagerly. The whole village smelled of cinnamon, books, and powdered sugar. Based on the people
and the cutesy architecture, I wondered if this was some sort of Dutch colony, or maybe Scandinavian. Many of the
people were tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes. I felt a little out of place with my average height, dark hair and dark eyes.
I hated feeling so different. As we walked, I kept my eyes fixed forward, and tried to imagine that the people weren't
watching as we went by.
Sixellan guards opened the gates as we approached, and I discreetly straightened my stiff, purple and white suit as we
walked into the courtyard. Or front yard, I should say. It was just a large plot of grass with a few trees and flowering
bushes. Rapunzel dismounted Maximus's back, and Pascal leaped down onto her shoulder.
The "palace" was more of a three-story farmhouse with servants and gardeners mulling around it. Barn cats and herding
dogs played near the fence, catching mice and chasing tails. A long, cobblestone path led to the front doors of the
house. Just as we started walking closer,a tall man with a muscular build and proud shoulders walked outside. He, like
many of the other village people, had short, golden hair and striking blue eyes. He carried with him a scepter of silver
and around his neck hung a pendant with an old-style Christian cross etched onto it. I assumed he was the king, but he
seemed more like a chief or a mayor than anything.
As he approached, the man bowed. I followed suit, and Rapunzel curtsied politely. "I am Joseph Ladenson, leader of our
kingdom," he boomed, his voice an intimidating rumble. "I welcome you, princess, to our humble home."
Rapunzel smiled sweetly. Taking this as a good sign, King Joseph continued, "I introduce to you my only son, Prince
Simon of Sixella." The princess and I turned to the doors again. They didn't open. King Joseph seemed concerned.
"Where has that dawdling boy gone?" he muttered, checking his silver pocket watch. Just then, a young man came
running in from outside the gates, his blonde hair a mess and his arms filled with novels as thick as you've ever seen.
"Sorry, I'm late, Father," the boy mumbled quietly. "I was tutoring Mrs. Van Dalen's son at the library." He looked up at us,
and I could see the resemblance between the king and his son. They looked almost exactly alike, except the boy looked
much younger.
The king cleared his throat. "This is my only son, Simon." Simon smiled and bowed politely. He walked forward and took
Rapunzel's hand, kissing the top of it gently. I stiffened, my back and shoulders straightening instinctively. Even standing
as tall as I could, Simon still had a good three or four inches above me.
"Would you both like a tour of our city?" Simon asked. His voice wasn't quite as deep as his father's, but it was getting
there. He also spoke considerably softer, gentler. And I worried that the look in Rapunzel's eyes was turning from
friendliness to captivation. I have to admit, he was fairly handsome, I guess.
"That would be nice," Rapunzel replied, nodding.
"I will fetch the girl straight away, then," said King Joseph, scowling. Girl? What girl? He spoke quickly and quietly to a
servant, who then hurried away. Seconds later, the servant returned with a young woman in a green dress in tow.
Simon gestured toward the girl walking toward us, "This is my sister, Rose." The girl smiled. I was dumbfounded. King
Joseph only referred to her as 'the girl', but Simon said she's his sister. Something is wrong with this family, alright.
Not only that, but in a town full of people who all looked the same, there was a girl like Rose living among them. Living
among them as their princess. Rose looked nothing like anyone else I've seen here. She had skin so pale, I wondered if
she ever spent any time in the sun. Though judging on the looming gray clouds rolling in overhead, I determined the
people mustn't do much sunbathing here. Her hair was very dark, but not quite black. You could probably consider it
raven-colored, or maybe chocolate. And her eyes weren't blue, but more of a kaleidoscope color. It shifted as the light
changed. Sometimes they were green, then she moved a little, and they would fade to amber, then hazel. Around her
neck was a pendant similar to her father's, but instead of a cross, there was a different symbol engraved on it. It looked
like three ocean waves interlocked into a circle. I've never seen it before. The poor girl must feel so excluded, alone here.
She smiled vibrantly. "I hear you want a tour?" she asked. Rapunzel confirmed, and Rose nodded. She took the books
from Simon's hands, then handed them to the servant next to her. "Put these in his room?" she requested.
"Right away, miss," the servant agreed, rushing away to do her task.
"Well, then," Rose turned to us, sizing up both Rapunzel and I. "What are we waiting for?"

"It's a small town, really. We're hardly a kingdom," Rose explained as we walked down the main road of the city. "We
were first established a hundred and twenty years ago by a colony of immigrants from Arendelle. We don't get a lot of
newcomers and we don't get a lot of visitors. Never have, never will. We almost always marry within the community. After
all, we pride ourselves a little too much on our heritage." Her face fell as she added the last phrase.
"So you're all basically Arendellans pretending to be Dutch?" I offered. Rose laughed.
"That's exactly what we are."
"That's nice," Rapunzel gripped my hand tighter with every word. "I have cousins in Arendelle."
Out of the blue, Simon suggested, "Maybe we could stop by the bakery. I promised Ms. Werdinaar I would introduce the
princess." I stayed silent, but glared daggers at Simon. He just changed the subject completely, but nobody seemed to
care. I thought it was a bit rude, but I didn't say anything. Maybe his likeability had something to do with his apparent
intellect, or his calmness. Maybe it was his timid nature or polite manners, I don't know! He was also a total geek of a
prince, and loved to read and study. That's why all the kids here love to read, I think. They're all trying to be like the prince.
Rose nodded. "Sure. As long as you don't talk her daughter into giving us too many 'free samples'," she teased. I liked
Rose well enough, she seemed alright.
Simon laughed, "It isn't my fault she fancies me, is it?"
"Well, no, but isn't it a little odd, seeing that she's 28?" Rose continued, a mocking smirk drawing her cheeks up.
"That's only two years older!" Simon defended jokingly. I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Let me get this straight: you're 26?" I asked. Simon nodded innocently. He was a whole eight years older than Rapunzel,
and he was up for marrying her?! I mean, I know royalty does some weird stuff to marry other royalty, but eight whole
years? "Just, uh, just surprised. You seem younger," I covered. Rapunzel shot me a look like, "Give him a chance,
okay?"
Pascal's eyes narrowed, and the chameleon on Rapunzel's shoulder ran his eyes up and down over Simon, as if
somehow scanning him. He hopped from Rapunzel up to Simon's shoulder and sniffed him.
"Pascal!" Rapunzel scolded, trying to grab him off Simon, who seemed frightened by the little, green reptile on his
shoulder. "I am so sorry about that," she apologized, holding her squirming chameleon in her hands tightly. "He's
been difficult lately." She looked down at him with a stern glare, and he shrunk down in shame.
"It's no problem. He just startled me, that's all," Simon replied nonchalantly. Rose laughed.
"So, you seem to know a lot about Sixella's history," Rapunzel commented.
Rose shrugged. "I'm a history buff. It's a small city and I've got nothing else to do. My father's been trying to marry me off
for years, but no takers. I'm a little too weird, I guess."
Rapunzel pursed her lips, but said nothing more. I stood to her right awkwardly, and Simon cleared his throat to get her
attention.
"So... the bakery."

"Poffertjes, yum!" Rapunzel squeed as we walked into the bakery. The air smelled of chocolate and cream pie. I saw the
pancake puffs (Rapunzel's favorite, known as poffertjes to the Dutch) in a little display case in the corner. As soon as we
came in, a portly woman with greying hair waddled over to us and gave Simon a hug.
"Oh, you've brought a girl!" the woman cooed, "I'll fetch Diana."
"If it's no trouble, Mrs. W., could we take some of your poffertjes off your hands?" Simon requested politely.
"Got money?" The woman put her hands on her hips.
"Of course." Simon began digging around in his pocket.
"Well, leave it be. This one's on me, dear." The lady walked away before Simon could protest anymore, leaving him
deflated and guilty.

Rapunzel laughed. "Is everyone in this kingdom so generous?"

"Pretty much," Simon agreed, "and they'll do anything for a pretty girl like you." Rapunzel blushed and I made a nearly
silent barfing noise. Rapunzel heard it, though, and discreetly elbowed me in the stomach.
"You're impossible," she murmured to me while Simon and Rose immersed themselves in conversation with another
local.
"Oh, come on. That was the cheesiest pickup line ever!" I defended myself. Rapunzel shook her head, but laughed
knowingly despite herself.
Simon pointed to a table in the corner to sit at, and we all took a seat. The baker woman brought us a tray of fresh
poffertjes covered in powdered sugar. If you've never tried poffertjes, you've never tried heaven. It's a little ball of sweet
dough, kind of like a donut hole, but without any frosting or glaze. Instead, the top is sprinkled with a little powdered
sugar. Sometimes, people fill the centers with cream and the result is absolutely brilliant.
Rapunzel, who had finished her plate in fifty seconds flat, had powdered sugar covering her nose and mouth. I chuckled
to myself, picking up a napkin to wipe it off for her. Before I could, though, Simon got her attention and did it himself. If
only looks could kill... I glared at the prince, silently pretending I had laser vision.
Rose looked at me funny, and I realized I was making my anger too obvious. I straightened my back and settled my
nerves. The last thing I needed was the prince's sister catching on to my jealousy.
"Maybe it's time you and Rapunzel go spend some time together," Rose suggested to her brother. I didn't protest, but
Rapunzel did.
"What about Eugene?" she asked, her eyebrows pulled together worriedly.
Rose smiled. "I'll take care of him for you."
Before I knew it, Rose and I were alone in the bakery. "Okay, spill," she commanded once Simon and Rapunzel were
outside. "I know something's going on here."
"What? N-nothing's going on," I lied. Man, I was losing my charm. Rose rolled her eyes.
"Okay, let me rephrase that: tell me what's going on. Now."
I sighed. "It's a long story."
"Let me guess: you've known her a lot longer than any of these princes will, you're very close, you love her, you thought
she loved you, but now you're stuck giving her advice to marry another man." She guessed my story spot-on.
"Was I that easy to read?" I mumbled sadly.
She comfirmed, "As a book. Look, I know it's not any of my business, but I know a lot about this tour thing. And I know
what it looks like when a girl doesn't like it. I see that exact look on Rapunzel's face every moment of the day." My eyes
widened. "And I also know that this tour is a big load of crap."
"What do you mean exactly?"
"This tour doesn't help princesses find love, it helps the royal men find trophy wives, and that's not what I wanna be, nor
is it what you want Rapunzel to be, am I right?" she explained. I nodded.
"How do you-?"
"Because I was in this tour once." Rose stood from the table. "I said no to all three princes, and I've been stuck in Sixella
ever since, considered a disgrace to my country. It may seem like a bad decision to you, but I ended up a lot happier than
I would have been with one of the princes from the Southern Isles or something. You have to stop Rapunzel from
choosing any of the princes."
"You're saying you want me to keep Rapunzel from marrying your brother?" I asked, astonished. I didn't expect the
princess of this country to want to sabotage her own family.
"Of course I am. In fact, I want to help," Rose offered, sticking out her hand for me to shake. If I take it, if I trust her, she
could be the key to finding out what makes Simon tick. But she could also be testing me, trying to get me caught. From
my years of crime, I've learned never to trust anyone so easily willing to be your partner in it. Whatever motive is driving

her, it might not be quite what she's telling me. So, I guess I have another choice to make.

Do I let Rose help me sabotage Simon?

A) Yes, partner up with Rose. She seems reliable.
or
B) No, don't trust her yet. She's too eager.
The results will be tallied October 18, 7PM, Pacific-Standard Time.

A/N: Now, this prob ab ly wasn't ob vious to anyone, b ut Sixella actually represents my home town. Yes, here, we're all a
b unch of Swedes and Englishmen pretending to b e Dutch. And yes, everyone here is tall. I feel so short sometimes. But
anyway, I'm leaving it up to you guys to choose how to deal with Rose b ecause I'm good with either one. So rememb er:
vote A or B in the reviews, please! Thanks for reading!

*Chapter 9*: The Results Are In!

Hello, friends! I counted up your votes and am here to announce the results!

A - Eugene and Rose work together: 4 votes

B - Eugene and Rose don't work together: 5 votes

B is the winner! I'll have the next chapter up ASAP. See you soon and thanks for reading!
-Gray

*Chapter 10*: Eugene Ticks Off Two Girls in One Day

Boo! Happy Halloween! It's Gray here, as you could obviously tell. How was your Halloween? I went trick-or-treating
with friends as Castiel from Supernatural (NoI'mNotTooOldHowDareYou) so I'm hyped up on sugar and very excited
to give you my next chapter. Just to warn you, I haven't had much time to work on it, so sorry if its a little all over the
place this week. Another vote will transpire in the next chapter.
To my lovely reviewers: You wanted a minor villain, so here you go: one vengeful princess coming up!
Ready to mess with a prince, win back a girl, and make a new enemy? No? Well, here you go anyway...

Previously on Betrothed...
"Of course I am. In fact, I want to help," Rose offered, sticking out her hand for me to shake. If I take it, if I trust her, she
could b e the key to finding out what makes Simon tick. But she could also b e testing me, trying to get me caught. From
my years of crime, I've learned never to trust anyone so easily willing to b e your partner in it. Whatever motive is driving
her, it might not b e quite what she's telling me

And I don't like that You guys are right, I shouldn't be so quick to trust her. "Sorry," I said, backing away. "I like my 'lone
wolf' thing I have here."
Rose looked confused, and lowered her hand. "Lone wolf? You don't trust me." She didn't even say it as a question,
more as a firm statement, a fact of the matter.
"It's not that-" I attempted to cover myself, but Rose interrupted me.
"Yes, it is. You think I'm trying to rat you out, don't you? I'm trying to help here!" She hissed, trying not to gain unwanted
attention from the people around us. She grabbed my hand and dragged me outside so we could speak more privately.
"I already have help. In fact, he's working hard at the job right now," I snuffed, crossing my arms.
"Who? You only came with guards, didn't you?" Rose raised her eyebrows.
"And an irritating horse, and the color-changing lizard," I added.
"The chameleon? That's adorable!" Rose laughed.
"Until he sticks his tongue in your ear." I shuddered. "The little guy's tiny, but deadly."
"If that's your only help, then I think I could be of assistance."
I sighed. "Look, you're real nice and all, but I think I've got it covered, okay?" Rose sneered and rolled her eyes. As I
turned and walked away, I swore I could barely hear her say, "You'll regret rejecting me. I promise you will."

I soon found my way back to the palace, where Rapunzel and Simon were playing with the animals and deep in
conversation, sitting under the shade of an apple tree. Simon's deep voice and towering height made him intimidating to
approach, but I kept my head high and strutted onto the scene anyway.
"Eugene, hey!" Maybe it was just me, but Rapunzel's eyes seemed to light up at my approach. I smiled and nodded in
their direction. I leaned up against the trunk of the tree as Rapunzel recounted her time since we split up. "So what did
you and Rose talk about?"
I shifted from foot to foot. "Just, you know..." Think of something quick, Fitzherb ert! "What it's like in Corona."
Rapunzel nodded, apparently buying my answer, and resumed conversation with the prince, including me in a question
or anecdote from time to time. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked to my left, to find Pascal, now a brownishred color, scaling the side of the tree trunk. He blended in perfectly with the color of the bark.
He pointed to a branch with his stubby little foot, then scurried up to the said limb. He motioned to an apple above
Rapunzel and Simon's heads, then shimmied over to stand above it. I smirked, understanding his plot.
"Say, Simon," I said, looking up as if admiring the tree. "Are these apples any good?"

"Well, yeah," he replied, somewhat quietly, "Rose and I grew up eating them. We used to climb this tree. Here: let me get
one for you." He jumped up and caught hold of the branch Pascal perched on, and shook it, trying to free the apple. The
apple didn't let go before Pascal, who faded back to green as he purposely fell off. Rapunzel gasped and caught her pet
in her palms. The reptilian genius moaned and winced when she tried to prod him with her fingers.
"Simon!" she hissed. "You almost hurt him!" Success!
Simon's jaw hung open. "I-I'm so sorry. I s-swear, I d-didn't see him b-before shaking the branch!" he stammered
uselessly. I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to keep myself from laughing.
Pascal discreetly popped his eyes open to wink at me, then shut them immediately. Thankfully, neither Simon nor
Rapunzel saw him. Rapunzel propped him back up and let him on her shoulder. He false-limped to her shoulder,
flinching at every step. For a lizard, he's a brilliant actor.
"You rest now," she purred, stroking Pascal with her index finger. "We'll get you back to the ship."
"Do you want to me to, uh, accompany you?" Simon mumbled hopefully.
Rapunzel flashed a small (fake) grin and replied, "I'll be right back. Don't worry, I'll be fine." She made eye contact with
me as she walked nearer to the gates, and I followed, giving Simon a mischievous smirk. Score one for the boys back
home!
Rapunzel and I were halfway to the harbor before she spoke again. "Do... do you think I was too hard on him? He didn't
mean to hurt Pascal..."
I linked my arm through hers. "Hey, he needs to have respect for both you and your friends. You were right to put him in
his place."
Rapunzel sighed. "Okay. I just feel... wrong about scolding him like that. Do you think he'll understand?"
"Sure he will." Rapunzel only nodded solemnly. Pascal let out a perfectly timed whine in our silence. Rapunzel stroked
him again with her finger. Soon, the two of us (well, three, including the lizard) boarded the ship, met by a group of
guards - and Maximus - who were awkwardly milling about.
Rapunzel handed her pet to Montier, giving him instructions on taking care of him, and turned back to me. "What do I do
now?"
"I suppose we're legally obligated to go back," I replied nonchalantly, shrugging. Rapunzel gave me the most forlorn look
I've ever seen come from her. She took my hand in hers and led me off the ship and back to the village.
"What if I don't find love here? Then what do I do? What would I tell my parents? My people? I'd be a disappointment, a
disgrace! They'd never look at me the same way again! But how do I even marry a guy I don't like? I mean, Adrian was a
fraud, Simon hurt Pascal... Are all guys such big jerks?" She rambled on. I cleared my throat.
"Um... Hello! A guy is standing right here!" I replied, slightly hurt, but I hid it deep down.
"You know I can't choose you," she whispered, shyly avoiding the gazes of random passers-by.
"You mean... you would if you could?" I asked before my reason could stop my tongue. Rapunzel stayed silent, and her
cheeks flooded with a pink tint. I stopped dead in my tracks and grabbed her by the shoulders so she was facing me.
"Rapunzel, answer my question."
The princess shot a glance directly at me, her green eyes fiercely connecting with mine. "You're making this impossible,
you know that, right?" With that, she pulled out of my grip and ran back down the road toward Simon's house. I was left
standing in the cobblestone street with nothing but my bewildered thoughts. What the heck just happened?
"What'd you say this time, idiot?" an irritating and very familiar voice asked from behind me. I turned and glared at the girl
behind me.
"Nothing, Rose. Emotions are just... running high."
"Running high?" Rose laughed. "You do realize that you can't just bombshell her with hints of: 'Oh, I still love you. Choose
me instead!' She's so loyal to her kingdom that she won't do anything else, you know, no matter what she really feels.
She won't choose you if you try to force her hand." I realized she must have eavesdropped on us the whole time.

I sneered at her, though I knew I couldn't argue. "I hate it when you're right," I grumbled. Rose ran a hand down my cheek.
"Oh, honey... I'm always right." She patted my cheek twice before turning away.
"What even is this?" I asked as she left. "I don't get your motive here."
"You're not supposed to," she called over her shoulder as she turned the corner. "See you soon, Flynn Rider."
"It's Eugene," I muttered when she was out of earshot.

I ambled my way back to the so-called 'palace', where all I found were a few dogs playing in the yard, and a gardener
pruning azalea bushes. No Rapunzel, no Simon. Hmm...
"Hey," I addressed the gardener, who looked up at me pleasantly. "Have you seen a couple, you know, the girl having
short, dark hair, the guy about yeh high." I motioned way above my head.
The gardener turned his head to the side to address me, but didn't bother stop working. "You mean, the prince and the
princess, lad?"
I said, "Uh, yeah. Escort here." I tapped the Coronian crest on my shoulder.
"Right, well, she came back a little timidly, and I believe Prince Simon suggested they see his library," the servant
informed me. I blinked. The library, really? I really need to give this guy some dating advice.
"Alright. Thanks." I nodded politely and left as fast as I could, bee-lining it to the library. As I entered the building, I spotted
my princess near the back with Simon, surrounded by eager children. They were all pushing books at them, asking for
autographs, and questioning her on what Corona was like. Rapunzel answered them all kindly, and I watched how well
she handled the little rugrats. I mean, wow, she was good with kids. It brought me back to a time almost a year ago, back
when Rapunzel was just a girl in a tower and I was just a thief trying to get a tiara back. Back then, we were just goofing
around in the village square with the little girls that braided her mile-long hair and people dancing in the street. I'm not
really the nostalgic type, but I actually kinda miss that day.
Eventually, the children around them grew bored and moved on, going to check out new books, and Rapunzel and
Simon engrossed themselves in more conversation though Rapunzel now seemed more than a little hesitant in her
speech. I couldn't hear well from my post from afar, but her expression told me all I needed to know: Simon wasn't much
on her list anymore. She really must blame him for Pascal getting "hurt", huh?
I was just about to make my presence known when another figure stepped in front of me. Rose, again. She put a hand
on Simon's shoulder, and spoke to the two of them. They both nodded, and Rose smiled, taking Rapunzel's hand. I
ducked behind a bookshelf as Rapunzel and my rival left the building. What is Rose doing?
In fear of my plans being exposed by the manipulative girl, I followed them out at a distance. Rose is definitely up to
something, and it's up to me to figure out what.

*Chapter 11*: Playing By Rose's Rules

A/N: Hey guys, Gray here! I'm sorry, I kinda lied; the vote isn't until next chapter. I had to cut this one short 'cause of
time issues and this was just a good place to stop for the time being. The next chapter will be like super short
though, so it'll be out quick. I just had to get something out before I get super booked up.
Hey, at least this chapter is pretty eventful...

It wasn't hard to follow Rose and Rapunzel - they were basically the only two people on the roads. This only issue was
staying enough out of sight. Every few seconds, Rose would look over her shoulder as if she were worried about
someone overhearing their conversation. And Rapunzel was completely oblivious.
They finally stopped on the edge of town, near a grove of trees. They sat on the grass, laughing and talking in a carefree
tone. I still couldn't make out anything specific, though.
I crept down an alleyway and hid behind a clothing rack until I knew they weren't looking my way. I then crouched behind
a small, dilapidated shed, and peeked around the corner to watch them. I finally dove behind a tree in the grove and
could hear them from my hiding spot:
"Have you thought about, I dunno, just saying 'no' to all of them?" Rose asked.
Rapunzel rubbed the back of her neck. "Honestly? Yeah."
"That's what I did, you know," Rose told her, laying a hand on her shoulder, "and I'm fine. I have a good brother to watch
out for and a kind people to lead. Beats being some trophy princess, huh?"
"I guess it might."
"And just between you and me, my brother isn't right for you; Simon is too... boring. He's a bookworm, he's smart, he's
tall, blah blah blah, but we both know you don't feel anything for him." As I watched Rose work her magic on Rapunzel, I
started to wonder why I rejected her so quickly; she was pretty good at talking.
Rapunzel looked at Rose curiously, but nodded anyway. Rose continued, "Just take my word for it, Rapunzel. It isn't worth
it, marrying one of these boys. They're all jerks, trust me. And that escort of yours..." She then continued in a very hushed
voice, and I couldn't make out what she was saying. I tried to lean forward to hear better, but I stumbled and stepped on a
twig. The crack! that followed as a result was like a firecracker in the silence. I leaned back and pressed my back against
the tree, hoping and praying that they didn't see me.
"Did you hear that?" Rose asked.
"Probably only a rabbit or something. Simon was telling me about all the rabbits around here..." I let go of a breath I didn't
know I was holding. They hadn't seen me.
"Hold on, what time is it?" Rapunzel asked.
"About 4 o'clock," Rose replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, shoot! I promised Simon I'd be back in a half hour." I heard her stand and run off, and I looked to the other side of
the tree to see her scampering to get back to her prince. When I turned back, I had to bite back a squeal. Rose was
standing right there, her arms crossed, her glare like daggers.
"Heeeeey, Rose," I greeted her awkwardly, trying to slip away. She caught me by the shirt sleeve.
"What the heck was that?" She demanded, tugging me back so I faced her.
"I was only watching over Rapunzel," I answered innocently. "Believe it or not, that happens to be my job."
"I mean, what are you doing spying on us like that? I'm on your side here!"
"No, you're not."
"Of course I am!"
"No, if you were, you would tell me exactly - no dancing around the subject - exactly why you're so eager to stop Rapunzel

from getting married. And you would tell me now." Rose rolled her eyes and gave me an exasperated sigh, as if I were
some sort of child she was growing tired of babysitting.
"You're pathetic, Rider."
"That's not my name anymore," I corrected her.
"Oh right. You're going with the even more pathetic moniker since you 'gave up your life of crime'. Tell me again why
you're doing that?" I didn't respond, but the stony look on my face must have given the answer away. "Rapunzel, right. You
really changed everything for her, didn't you? Too bad she doesn't even care anymore" I turned on my heel and began
to walk away, but Rose called out for me a little too quickly, "Where are you? Wait! Fl- I mean, Eugene!" She ran after
me, through the clearing and toward the town. The dew still on the grass penetrated my shoes and dampened the
bottom of my pants, but I kept going despite it. Why Rose was so determined to get on my nerves, I don't know, but I was
tired of it. I could definitely do this without her.
She ran around in front of me and blocked my path. "Hold on, okay? Just listen?" she pleaded, her eyes screaming her
desperation. I crossed my arms over my chest and blinked at her.
"I don't have all day," I muttered.
She took a deep breath. "I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything. Nothing abridged, nothing left out. Just my story. Tomorrow
night, at the docks, and alone."
"Everything?"
"Everything as long as you let me work with you." I rolled my eyes. Of course there was a catch. She must have sensed
my disapproval because she quickly recovered with, "You won't even have to talk to me. Just stand there and look pretty
as I talk to her sometimes, okay? And look as oblivious as possible. Just one day. I'll help as much as I can."
I narrowed my eyes and tried to decipher why she had suddenly become so desperate. Although, if I take her deal, I
could easily find out.
"Fine," I told her, agreeing. "You've got a deal." Rose's face lit up in a smile. I outstretched my hand for her to take.
"You won't regret this, Ri- Fitzherbert." Instead of shaking my hand, she leapt forward and threw her arms around my
neck, squeezing me until I felt my face turn red. I pushed her back.
"Okay, okay, good. Are we done here?" Rose nodded and scurried off to do whatever girls do when planning to stop a
possible engagement.
I tracked Rapunzel and Simon back to the library (yes, they were still there), and Simon proposed we make our way to a
local restaurant for dinner. Of course, the tension between Rapunzel and I was tangible throughout the night, but luckily,
she wasn't interested in Simon either. The king and the queen joined us for dinner.
They made pleasant, cordial conversation and weren't too mindful of the Coronian guards standing around us, watching
the scene like featherless hawks: awkward and trying way too hard to be perfect.
"Where's Rose?" Rapunzel asked as we were eating. Silence fell over the three Sixellans. Rapunzel and I exchanged a
concerned glance.
"The princess is eating at the palace tonight," the king said. His voice was so monotonous it was as if he had practiced
the sentence, or at least said it before.
"How come? I mean, we were talking earlier and-"
"The girl does not often share meals with us," the queen interrupted her. The queen sounded equally robotic, but her
expression seemed somewhat pained. That was all they said on the matter before Simon started another conversation
with, "So I spoke with Mr. Zylstra this morning"

As I lay in bed that night, I couldn't help but think of why Rose is left out of family dinners. Maybe it was because she was
different. Maybe it was because she refused to marry a prince on her tour. Maybe her family considered that disgraceful
and never treated her the same way again. And if that's true, then why would she want to push Rapunzel to do the same
thing? Ugh, girls are complicated.

I awoke that morning, and was glad to have it not be to the smell of seawater, as it had been for the last three days. The
royal family had granted us quarters within the palace, on cushy mattresses that smelled of dog hair and apples. Ah, to
not sway in my sleep was a wonderful thing.
I went through the motions that day. Rapunzel didn't talk much to me, but she didn't seem to resent me, either. It was a
step forward. Simon was trying hard to gain her affection, but I could tell even he knew she wasn't that into him. Rose
came in whenever she could, stealing Rapunzel away, talking to her about random things, planting little seeds of
rebellion in her head, subtly and brilliantly.
I stood there and, well, looked pretty. I didn't say much, but responded to questions when spoken to, exactly what Rose
asked of me. I was eager to find out what was up with her. It seemed she had a harder life than I thought.
By the time the sun was setting, I could barely hold still. I was fidgeting throughout the whole of dinner, and I think
Rapunzel caught on a bit. I couldn't stop tapping my foot in rapid-mode under the table - and I didn't even realize I was
doing it until I felt Rapunzel's cool hand on my knee, and I immediately relaxed.
"Are you okay?" she mouthed at me while Simon was telling a story.
"Of course," I assured her silently, sending her a fake smile. "I'm fine." Rapunzel didn't seem convinced, but she let it
drop.
"Wow," she murmured as we walked back to the palace, surrounded by guards. The royal family strode proudly a ways in
front of us, conveniently out of earshot. "Second day in the second kingdom already. It's been a long day."
I said, "Yeah, tell me about it." We walked into the house and navigated through the halls to our rooms, which were sideby-side in the same hallway. Rapunzel stopped outside her door and turned to face me.
"Listen Eugene" she began, her voice soft.
"Hmm?" I hummed in response, fumbling with the key to my room.
"I'm I'm sorry I freaked out at you yesterday. I shouldn't have acted like that, but I just feel so conflicted right now. I'm
trying not to get distracted, you know?" I know she meant well, but her words still stung. I'm just a distraction to her.
"I understand," I lied, barely finding the right words in my jumbled brain. I forced the phrase to leave my throat and forced
my lips to form the right shape. "I'm fine, really. You're right."
"I'm right?"
"...Yes?" She gulped down a sigh, and smiled bravely.
"Good. I'll, uh, see you in the morning, then?" I nodded and she turned her back and entered her room, softly shutting the
door behind her. Once I was safely inside my own room, I quickly changed into my usual green vest and brown, worn-in
pants, along my more comfortable boots. Time to meet Rose at the harbor.
I miraculously ended up outside the palace without being spotted by a single person. Sometimes being an ex-con has
advantages. Breathing a small sigh of relief, I made my way to the docks in the darkness and the fog. I didn't know if
Rose was already there or not - seeing how we both originated from the same place - but I didn't want to keep her
waiting if she was. I learned not to have her on my bad side.
I crept silently through the darkness to the other side of town. If only I had realized I was being followed...

A/N: Okay, okay, in lieu of the vote, tell me a couple things in the reviews - It would be fun to see what you want:
Who do you think is following Eugene?
What you think of Rose? I'd love to know what you guys think of her so far.
So I'm signing off again. See ya later, fanfictioneers! Love y'all! :3

*Chapter 12*: Fatal Mistakes

I promised a short, dramatic chapter. So here it is. And, as promised, there's a vote at the end for you guys. Also, no
matter what decision is made for next chapter, I will include some Eugene/Rapunzel fluff in the next one because its
long overdue and you guys seem to want it. Plus, I just need to write some cutesy stuff every once in a while. Enjoy!

The cold, nighttime wind blew through my clothes with ease, leaving me chilled inside them as I waited at the docks.
Every once in a while, a cheer or a whoop would go out, and it signalled the drunken sailors from our ship were still
awake and having fun.
I was waiting for at least ten minutes - if not longer - before Rose actually showed up.
"Worried I wouldn't show, I see," Rose drawled as she walked up to me, our only light being a torch mounted onto a post
next to me. My range of sight was only about five feet out in all directions. The fog and the darkness occluded the rest.
"Are you gonna stall some more or are you gonna do as you promised?" I answered gruffly, not wanting to hear any more
of her snarky crap.
"Of course. I keep my promises, Eugene," she assured me in a fiery voice. It reminded me of the time Rapunzel and I
met. She had said almost the same thing to me.
"How do I know if you're telling the truth?"
Rose laughed. "You don't. But I'm serious. I'll tell you everything..."
When Rose was 18, and young and nave, she was shipped off to three different countries to find a husband. She was
proud and eager and willing to give herself off to someone she didn't even know, the poor girl. Her whole life, she knew
she was different from everyone else, and she was determined to finally make her kingdom proud.
"I didn't like the first guy. At all," she said, scrunching up her nose. "All he wanted as a pretty lady to show around. And the
second guy? As dumb and as useless as a bird without wings. But the third prince? He was perfect. He was handsome
and kind and had the mind of a philosopher. I think I may have loved him. And I thought he would love me. I chose him.
The only problem? He refused me. He said he didn't find me attractive in any way. My parents then tried to get me to
choose one of the other guys, but their kingdoms were too insulted about being 'last resorts', so they refused too."
"So you didn't give up on your tour..."
"The tour gave up on me, yeah. So I'm determined to make this tour will be no more, and precious little Rapunzel will go
home disgraced and empty-handed," she spat. "That's what the tour did to me."
"Whoa, hold up. I thought you were in this solely 'cause you hate the tour," I pointed out, taking a step back.
Rose freaking laughed at me. "I am. I'm in this because if anyone deserved something good in their life for once, it was
me! And I didn't get that, so why should Ms. Perfect over there?" Her voice dropped to a volume barely above a whisper.
"I get it, Rose. Your family was harsh to you because you're different and the prince rejected you, but"
"You don't get it, Fitzherbert. They treat me different because I'm not fully royal," Rose snarled, then took a deep breath to
calm down. "The king is my father, and Simon is my brother, but the queen is not my mother, though she acts more like
my family than the boys do. I was born out of wedlock, from a peasant from a neighboring country. When I was born, my
mother couldn't take care of me, so she sent me to my father, the king of Sixella, who was appalled that he had created
something so 'impure'." She looked down at her feet, clenching her fists.
"I was only trying to be a good princess. And - what's that phrase again? - If I can't have it, Rapunzel can't either!" She
hissed in a sudden whisper. Why be suddenly quiet? She glanced at something out of the corner of her eye.
"Look, I'm sorry, I am, but you're motive is, well, kind of scaring me. Thanks for the help with Simon and all - and pushing
Rapunzel more towards me - but"
"Pushing her towards you?" Rose smirked. "You really don't get it yet, do you?"
"What are you talking abo"
Rose grabbed my shirt collar and brought my face down to inches above hers. "What part of 'Rapunzel gets nothing' don't

you understand?" She whispered, eying something off to the side again.
A question began forming on my lips, but it was cut off by Rose throwing her arms around me in a deathly tight embrace.
I choked for air, but she only giggled and tightened her grip. She kissed me on the cheek "sweetly" as I tried to push her
away. She finally loosened her reign on me, but kept close enough to whisper in my ear, "You should've checked if you
were followed."
My eyes grew wider and I snapped my head to the left, noticing a silhouette about twenty feet away. The figure was of a
woman, thin and not too tall with short hair. She seemed close enough to see us, but probably couldn't hear us. The
figure looked startled and ran off.
"Rapunzel," my voice came out breathy, barely above a whisper. I looked down at Rose, her expression triumphant and
cocky.
"You set this up," I accused, "You knew she would follow me and you knew she would watch us without hearing a word."
Rose shrugged. "Guilty." I knew I shouldn't have trusted her! I took off running back to the palace, hoping to catch
Rapunzel on the way.
God, what do I do now? I have three choices, I think. I really need your help, guys. I'm in it deep. To Rapunzel, it looks like
I just snuck out to go on a date with Rose. Gross. Any chance of her feelings for me might be gone now. What do I do?

A) Run after Rapunzel, and tell her Rose was trying to sabotage her to convince her it wasn't my fault.
B) Run after Rapunzel and tell her the whole truth about Pascal, Rose and I and the sabotage plan to finally come
clean to her about it.
C) Run after Rapunzel and tell her Rose was trying to sabotage her, and that I love Rapunzel, not Rose in order to
clear things up.

If I go with A and tell her it was just Rose (which it technically was), she might ask some questions, but probably won't be
angry at me. Things will keep going the way they were and I'll move on to the next prince. I could pull it off, probably, and
things would turn out well.
If I go with B and tell her all about our plans to stop the tour, I'll finally get it off my chest, but I have no freaking idea how
she would respond. She could either think it's sweet and romantic or be incredibly angry with me for almost ruining her
chances at honoring her country.
If I go with C and tell her I love her, she'll for sure know that I have nothing with Rose, but I still don't know what she'll do.
She could freak out and not talk to me for the rest of the tour. She might even reciprocate to some extent, but she still
might go through with the tour to please the people of Corona. But she would know how I feel, at least.
What do you think, readers? As much as I hate to admit it, Gray and I need some help yet again.

So which is it? A, B, or C? Remember to review, follow or favorite. Thanks!

Results will be tallied November 23, 7 PM, Pacific-Standard Time.
-Gray