Chapter Text
Chapter Thirty
Edmund rose from the throne with a hearty sigh. He could only hope it would be one of the last times he got up from the chair. He watched his son talk to a group of delegates, charming them. Good thing he got that side of him from his mother. While Edmund was charming in his own way, he was nothing compared to his wife. With a little charming, a slight smile, and a truthful comment, she could get whatever she wanted. Alexys got him to propose to her that way.
“Son,” Edmund said, as he made his way over to the group. He put his hand on Eugene’s shoulder. “Can I . . . talk to you for a moment?”
“‘Course.” Eugene said his goodbyes to the others and turned to him. “Edmund?”
“I am”-Edmund sighed-“getting old, I’m afraid.”
“You’ve been getting old all your life,” Eugene said with a chuckle.
“My son thinks me a foo,” Edmund said aloud to himself. Eugene quirked an eyebrow and opened his mouth to defend himself. “I meant that I am getting older and . . .” he trailed off before speaking again to himself, saying, “I don’t know how to tell him this!”
His relationship with his father is tense, always has been. It was something that he never understood, yet it was a constant. If there wasn’t this imaginary feud going on between them in his head, what was there? What kind of relationship did they have? Eugene was used to Edmund speaking out loud to himself. The habit started after his mom died. And Eugene wondered if in Edmund’s mind, speaking his every thought was his way of talking to his mom again. Arms are crossed over his chest. The quirked eyebrow doesn’t move. Body language spells his relaxed, not - giving - one about it attitude, yet he knew his curiosity was beaming in his eyes.
“Tell me what?” Eugene asked.
Edmund cleared his throat, looking back at his son. Hands relax slightly from their fist. Eyes shift past Eugene. To the portrait of his wife on the other side of the room. “I want to retire.”
Eugene’s features lit up. Edmund’s chest deflated with relief. His son was excited, pleased even, to take the crown! He knew his son, after all. He would make a fine king. Kind, charismatic, daring, even. But Eugene crossed his arms, one finger pointed at himself.
“You mean you want me to be king?”
Edmund frowned slightly. “Did I not . . . tell you that?” Again, to himself, he said, “I thought he would’ve known that by now.”
“No! No. No.” Eugene sighed, pinching the edge of his nose. “You want me to be king ? I mean, so soon?” He chuckled. “You’re sure about that? Really? Really ? Because I thought I at least had a few more years. Maybe even a few more than that . . .” He looked back at Edmund. “I can’t. I can’t be king.”
“But, son-”
Hands flew to level with his eyes. “I’m too irresponsible! Besides with Rapunzel and the baby . . . I can’t handle something else - something like this ! It won’t work out. I’m sorry, Edmund. But I can’t be king.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll be a good king, Horace.”
Eugene flinched at that. “And what king is named Horace ? I can’t be a king with that kind of name!”
To himself, Edmund mumbled, “The great-grandfather he was named after was king, but I suppose that doesn’t count.”
“Look, Edmund, I’m thrilled-excited- amazed by your decision. But I can’t be king.”
Edmund watched as Eugene took off. Before he could say anything else.
“I think purple suits you very well, my dear.”
In her reflection, she watched her lips turn upwards into a wide grin. Who knew getting a new wardrobe like this would be so much fun ? Her ladies in waiting were playing around with matching different colors and telling jokes to each other. The seamstress her mother recommended was more than excited to play around with her clothing and fashion styles. Mrs. Storey was fun. One could tell that she adored her craft. Was there really anything more she could ask for? Especially when it came down to things such as ribbons and lace and gowns.
“I think if we took this shade”-Mrs. Storey gestured to a ballet-slipper - like fabric-“and this”-she held up a pile of lace-“we could make something really lovely for you. We don’t want our princess to be wearing the practical maternity wear every other woman does. No, we want her to shine . They - the people, I mean - want an icon they can look up to.”
“You’re so talented, Mrs. Storey!” Rapunzel exclaimed as she held up a cotton fabric to her face. “It’s incredible.”
Mrs. Storey was clearly pleased by this compliment. “I try my best, my dear.”
“I don’t think anything could be better than you’re best!”
“Oh, stop with me, Princess. You’re too kind.”
“ Never .”
There was a knock at the door and Eugene ducked his head inside. With half of herself still pointed at the mirror, from the corner of her eye, Rapunzel could see her face light up. A hand dropped to beckon him over. Eugene closed the door behind him before noticing Mrs. Storey. Eyebrows raise and drop within the same second, a hand started back to the handle.
“I’ll leave you to . . .” He gestured. “Whatever this is.”
“Wait, no, come back!” She gave a giggle before her face titled with pseudo seriousness. “Don’t make me use the puppy dog eyes on you.”
“Oh!” Eugene’s hand slapped his chest. “Not the puppy dog eyes.”
“I will do it. Don’t mess with me, young man.”
While Rapunzel was hardly convinced that threatening use of the puppy dog eyes encouraged him to stay, she liked to think it at least helped. Eugene offered a hand and helped her down from the stand she was out with a little twirl. A laugh flew from her lips, causing her eyes to close. She felt her hand rest on his chest. When Rapunzel opened her eyes again, she found herself closer to Eugene’s face than she thought she was. Did Eugene know he had gold flecks in his eyes? In their chocolatey swirls of his pupils, Rapunzel noticed them. She could imagine the color melting on a hot summer day, much like how she was feeling now.
Goodness, they were close.
Digging the hand once at his chest into her pocket, she stepped back.
Eugene stretched out his hands, shaking his arms out. “So, you’re going shopping?”
“Unfortunately.” Cassandra entered with a tray, filled with beads and fabric flowers, “We’ve been going about this for a little too long in my most humble opinion.”
“Oh, c’mon, Cass. It’s fun!”
Cass rolled her eyes. “It’s almost time for lunch. I should get down there.”
“Are you sure?” Eyes twinkle along with her mischievousness. “You could also help me pick out a new hat.”
She looked between Rapunzel and the tailor and lastly Eugene. She scowled slightly and shook her head. “I’m alright. But, uh, thanks.”
Rapunzel shrugged. “Your loss.”
Cass placed the tray on the table closest to Mrs. Storey before making her exit. Rapunzel turned back to Eugene, offering a smile. Her head tilted, like a little puppy (she wasn’t busting out the puppy eyes , the gesture just happened to be oddly puppy - like). The smile vanished, but didn’t leave her eyes.
“I could really use an expert in fashion to help me out.”
A hand came to his chest. “Me? A fashion expert?”
Playfully, she ran a finger along his shoulder. “Someone who’s very attractive .” She had to bite back a smile to control herself. “Someone who knows how make oneself very handsome .”
“Blondie, there is only one conclusion. You are in desperate need of my help.”
Her smile broke loose. “It appears that is the only thing that can save me.”
Eugene cracked his knuckles, surveying the contents of the room. He gave a nod to Mrs. Storey, who was bent over the new samples that Cass brought in. She flicked her hand, allowing the two to do whatever they wanted. Well, when it came to Eugene, she might regret that. Upon glancing back at Rapunzel, he noticed the violet dress she was already wearing. The sleeves were held in place with pins and stray ribbons followed her. But that color, purple - it was perfect for her. Eyes narrowed as he looked back at the stash.
“Goldie, the theme is now purple. Purple everything. Purple corsets, purple hair decorations, purple dresses, purple crowns”- Crowns. No, it was best he didn’t think about that-“You are going to look absolutely beautiful.”
“All purple?”
He nodded. “All purple.”
“Well, if I’m going to be wearing all purple, then I think you should, too.”
And with that, a mauve ribbon came flying at his head. Eugene had no time to duck before noticing it and the ribbon landed right on his head with a smack .
“Oh, my gosh! Eugene! I didn’t mean to-”
She didn’t have any time to explain herself because a sheet of fabric was tossed back at her. As the cotton swept to the floor, Eugene watched her expression go from surprise to a smirk. A wonderful, little smirk with all the complexity of a small child thinking about what naughty thing they would do next.
A fistful of lace daisies to the chest was what came next. Sticking to Eugene’s shirt like velcro. Giggling, Rapunzel ran to the other side of the room as he searched for his next weapon. But she couldn’t avoid the magenta half-sewn sleeve coming her way. Pinks were charged towards him. Eugene apologized, trying to get around poor Mrs. Storey, as he attempted to avoid Rapunzel’s yawn trap.
Laughter and various fabric floated the room. Soon, it was too much, and Rapunzel darted out of the room. Not to be bested by Eugene, who snuck out another door. Rapunzel walked backward, eyes scanning the area around her, but not behind her. Allowing Eugene to cover her eyes in a red satin blindfold.
She shrieked and chuckled some more as she turned to face him. His arms wrapped around her as she moved. One hand on her upper back, the other around her waist. They were even closer now. The blindfold was draped around Rapunzel’s hand. Her fingers took the other end, trapping them in the embrace as they gazed at each other.
Her chest heaved with every breath. Eugene’s eyebrows narrowed as she became more and more winded instead of calming down. His lips parted.
And she fell.
Eugene caught her, leaning her against his frame. “Hey, hey. What’s that all about?”
Her hands clung to his shirt. “Sorry.” Rapunzel grimaced, shrugging one shoulder. “The baby is just making me get tired more easily.”
It made sense. Eugene could imagine pregnant women got tired more easily. He’d seen plenty around the court, holding their bellies, leaning on tables and walls to catch their balance. Winded, like how Rapunzel was.
“Well, let’s get you to bed, then.”
He could still easily scoop her body into a bridal carry, leaning her head against his chest. Rapunzel smiled as she gazed up at him.
“If that’s what Doctor Eugene says, then I suppose I should follow his orders.”
Eugene gave a chuckle at that. Her room was close by, fortunately, not the one they were using to throw various dress materials at each other. He laid her down and Rapunzel immediately curled up once her head hit the pillow.
“Anything you need? Should I get the midwife? Or someone else? Or-”
“Could you stay?”
“Stay?”
Such a simple request. He could pull up that chair in the corner, hold his hand, and stay . Like she said. Like she wanted. But when Rapunzel asked him to, Eugene realized the thought of leaving her hadn’t even occurred to him.
He pulled up the chair like he went over in his head. Lacing his fingers with Rapunzel’s, she smiled. Laughed a little.
And he melted.
“I like this,” Rapunzel said.
“Me too.”
And Eugene stayed.