Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

"𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙙, 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙙–𝙜𝙤𝙨𝙝 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚– 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨.. 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚!

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖! 𝙄𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖…

𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙨, 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧, 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙪𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙙. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙…"

"𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙕𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙞 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩. 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨, 𝙑𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮…

𝘼 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣! 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙨? 𝙔𝙪𝙥! 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖! 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨.

𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙞𝙡𝙡, 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙡𝙡. 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚- 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧."

"Doctor, What's happening?" He had asked anxiously.

The doctor gave no reply.

Rapunzel's labored breaths echoed through the palace. She screamed and groaned, gripping Eugene's hand firmly.

Sweat streamed down her face. She leaned back into the pillow while panting. Choking on her coughs as she gasped for air.

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙤…𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮.

Rapunzel screamed in agony as she stretched her neck up. Her wails became more apparent as she felt a pool of water under her lower body. She feels herself splitting open, and a burning sensation rang through her. The nurses quickly rushed to her aid.

Her eyes rolled into their eyelids as she gritted her teeth. Tears swelled in her eyes as she screamed to the heavens above.

Eugene stood there, defenseless, grasping onto his wife's hand, staring in fear of losing her and their child.

"𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡'𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚."

High-pitched wailing and chatter erupted as Rapunzel's exhausted body sank into the bed. Her eyes were droopy and her grip weakened around Eugene's hand.

The doctor laid the back of his hand on her forehead and his facial expression changed. He turned to Eugene with a sorrowful look.

That's when he knew.

Rapunzel wouldn't make it.

No words were needed. It didn't need to be said.

He'd have to live his life alone without his other half.

Before, life was just a few simple chords. Now it was a melody, a symphony and he was not ready for it to end.

He sadly turned away from the doctor to watch Rapunzel, she was weakly reaching out for the infant. A baby girl. She cradled her and weakly brushed its wet hair out of its face.

Rapunzel, gasping a laugh (or a cry?), looked over to Eugene as he shuffled onto the bed. He gently puts an arm around her and with the other hand uses the edge of the towel to wipe off the excess blood.

Rapunzel shuddered and shivers. Tears stream down her face as she looks at the infant. It shares her round face and spotted freckles, she would've spent days charting like a distant galaxy. Eugene's brown hair she would've weaved plaits and braids into. Fat little fingers would hold her if she got scared at night, and she would sing lullaby after lullaby till it was sound asleep.

But no.

She had to accept she would never watch her baby grow into a woman, or be there to raise her.

She tried to speak but her voice was hoarse, so instead, she turned her neck and planted an awkward kiss on Eugene's jaw.

Eugene moves closer and whispers in her ear, "She's okay, you'll be okay too, hear me sunshine?" His voice breaks as tears start to form, "You will tell her stories about our endeavors… and how you hit me with a frying pan," Eugene chokes out a laugh and so does Rapunzel but it ends with her having a harsh coughing fit.

"Sunshine!?" Eugene panics.

No reply.

Only gags and coughs.

She can't go. She just can't.

She has to go on. But she feels tired. Oh, so tired.

She can't.

She has to, she is forced to let go.

She looked over at Eugene. Her new dream. The dream she begs to meet in whatever afterlife.

She gives him a weak smile as Eugene bends to kiss her on the forehead. "Don't leave me, blondie." His voice trembles from the way his chin wobbles, "I can't live a moment without you..."

He leans his forehead on hers.

It's not fair. This isn't how the story is meant to go. She's only 26. The story is that Rapunzel makes her happily ever after, and she builds it with Eugene, to raise their children, and their children's children.

To grow old and gray. Not to die like this. Not to leave him like this. The world is dark, selfish, and cruel. Even when it finds the slightest ray of sunlight, It destroys it. As that's what's taking
place…

"You are my new dream.." his voice was barely a whisper from the whimpering, but Rapunzel heard it clearly.

She gave a soft smile as her eyes rolled back, her reflexes loosened and a gasp slipped out her mouth.

Her life was drained from her.

The symphony had finished.

His new dream, his only dream was over. And no matter how much he cried, nothing could bring back what was once his.

---------------

Even in death, she was gorgeous.

Her short brown hair haloed over her head, her mouth slightly open, her freckles scarred skin, dotted across her face and shoulders.

She looked at rest, like taking a peaceful nap.

One that would last for eternity.

Eugene felt a pit in his heart.

Or where his heart was.

He let out all the rage, all the woe, and cried a desolate weep.

Nigel, with a bung-like stick, hit something while chanting, "God save the queen!"

While the sobs from people in the room erupted, the infant screeched in the chaos.

The maid, Faith, tries to soothe and comfort the child, but with no prevail she looks to Eugene.

His eyes, his wide fearful eyes were locked with Rapunzel's shut ones, as he squeezed her hand.

The hands that would've held his back or cupped his face to comfort him. Her fingers were pale and cold. Holding on to her was like holding onto stone.

Faith kept a hold of the baby as Eugene admired and mourned for the late queen.

The infant cried and cried as the bung crashed and the people mourned.

Faith continued to try to hush her but to no avail. It was like she knew her mother wouldn't come back.

Tears tumbled from the princess's eyes onto Rapunzel's body. They poured like when Rapunzel held Eugene on a rainy day. She wailed a high-pitched cry in the anarchy.

As Faith tried to comfort her, tears fell on Rapunzel's dead body, Her cold, deceased body. But one tear, in particular, did something magical. The unimaginable.

The tear from the princess fell on her bare shoulder. It sunk into her skin and from under the skin, flushed a golden familiar glow.

The light captivated everyone's eyes, it was bright enough to enlighten their souls!

It filled the room and emerged into an enchanting melody. The song rose as a gleaming silhouette of a blossom blooming lit up, beams and rays illuminated as the song enhanced.

Up until a glowing golden aura, slowly, swiftly, drifted across the room. Eugene, eyes swollen from tears, lifted his head and tilted it in confusion.

A spherical body, a small globe one could say, it looked like it could be the sun itself! If it wasn't so small… Could it be from angels? Or– some sort of blessing was made and found upon them?

The little illuminating substance was gold, a very gold hue. The intensity of it could battle Rapunzel's glowing hair from when she wielded the sundrop. Its round-out form, bounded by a spheroid surface, moved around its orbit. It was only what seemed, a foot away, but still very blinding.

Everyone quickly shut their eyes.

As the orb grew closer, the more forceful, the melody chimed.

No one presumed to move as the low, blinding made its way past everyone. The blazing intensity drifted and soared, discovering confused, dazzled faces along the way.

When it got near the infant, faith clutched onto her. The orb hovered near the child's form, the glowing couldn't have been brighter, she briefly thrashed and kicked out, her body wiggling in Faith's arms. Faith's head shot up and turned to Eugene, who was watching with confused fondness.

The orb seemed to like her…

The harmony, private and peaceful, emitted, hushed the little one back to sleep. Faith softly gasped at the display, her squinted eyes watched the lovely child find a quiet rest.

It then moved towards Rapunzel, everyone took a breath as it lingered in the middle of the blossom. Eugene watched intensely, to the best of his ability, as the undiminished glory sang out one last time and lowered down into her sternum.

Rapunzel's chest rose as she let out a sudden gasp.

-------------

By now the melody died down and the glow had disappeared.

The whole room was quiet.

The whimpering nurses, the screaming infant, Nigel's bung, and the strange orb's presence were no more.

The silence was loud and rang through each of their ears.

They all gazed at the Queen, all staring in anticipation and hope. Eugene gently lifted a forearm and held a wrist.

A pulse.

Her chest lifted ever so slightly and small breaths left her mouth. Her eyelashes fluttered while there was scrunching of her freckled nose.

She's alive.

The infant snuggled against Faith's shoulder. Her bewildered look watched Rapunzel.

How?!

Her eyes fluttered in the dim lighting, and half-lidded eyes slowly opened a bit to reveal the beautiful bright emerald eyes she shares with her new daughter.

The sundrop went back to the heavens, did it not? Or was it given to-

She briefly looked around the room, seeing the eyes of astonished, stunned, and mortified expressions. When her eyes landed on her sleeping infant, she gave a warm smile, eyes filled with adoration. She briefly glanced up at Faith and offered a small grateful smile.

Faith smiled back at her, then grinned as she pointed her chin to the left of Rapunzel.

Rapunzel immediately looks over to her left and–

There he was.

Eugene pounces on her with an affectionate embrace, no words were said, as she greets him full-heartedly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

She slowly moved an arm down, placing her hand on his chest. Eugene sunk his arms around her waist as their lips parted, those baffled eyes watched the other, full of love, till those lips collided.

Rapunzel tangled her fingers in his hair as their bodies squeezed together. Eugene presses himself against Rapunzel, holding her like a lifeline, too afraid to let her go again.

After running out of breath, Rapunzel lightly pushes him back, both panting, and her tears flowing. She gives a wet laugh when Eugene leans his forehead on hers.

He bites his lips, holding back tears as he deeply watches the forest in her eyes. The eyes that shine again. He gently wiped her tears, smiling ecstatically.

Life is coming back to them.

Her warm clasp, her messy brown hair. The dotted freckles.

She was here.

His dream returned like it never really left, with the harmony that she always brought along.

The breathing and beating of their hearts, combined into a chorus of pure love and happiness.

And Eugene wouldn't have it any other way.

--------------------

"𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮, 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠."

"𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙡𝙮– 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙬 𝙕𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙞 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤– 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙."

"𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠."

"𝙒𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩."

The throne room was dark, saved for small lighted candles that Rapunzel, Eugene, and Faith held as they entered the room.

Rapunzel strode forward, her expression resolute, and her gaze fixed ahead. She led with purpose as if she hadn't been on her literal deathbed hours ago.

"𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢–"

Faith and Eugene trailed behind her as the doors swung wider to reveal the witnesses present in the infirmary, walking in with hushed whispers.

"- 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣'𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧."

Eugene and Faith held their candles steadily while Rapunzel made her way to the very center. Once there, she placed her candle on a stand before standing tall and firm between the two thrones.

The room fell silent as everyone sensed that she was about to speak, waiting with rapt attention.

The Queen took a deep breath and then stated, "Today has been… a rough day for all of us."

Her words were met with solemn nods from those below.

"And I am not here to give a speech on it since it was– self-explanatory of what happened."

"Alora has the ability of what I once had… she's obtained the sun's power," she said, taking a shaky breath and placing a hand over her heart as she looked downward.

"I don't know how or why, but what I do know is that this knowledge will not go beyond this room," she finished sternly, looking back up at her little audience.

"There are many reasons why we must keep my child's power hidden, but above all is safety," she declared, her voice strong as she began to pace back and forth.

"I will make sure that she's happy," she preached, "and she gets to live out the childhood that I was robbed of," she belted.

Rapunzel took a moment to gather herself before, scanning the faces before her. Nigel, standing to her right, was accompanied by the three nurses, while Stan and Pete stood watch by the massive doors. Faith wore a modest but encouraging smile and Eugene.

He gave a small, comforting smile when her eyes met his. Her eyes softened as she smiled back. Rapunzel took a faint breath and then spoke again.

"I'd need no word of this to be said from now on. Nobody in the kingdom must know of this."

Nigel silently put up a hand.

"Yes, Nigel?"

"Pardons your majesty, but if word were to get out, then what–"

"This person would be exiled. Simple as that," Rapunzel retorted matter-of-factly. "Does anyone have any more questions or anything that'd like to be said?"

Eugene pursed his lips and looked toward Faith for a moment. Faith sensed this and turned silently to him. Seeing the questioning look on his face, she shrugged, I don't know.

Rapunzel seemingly did not notice as she looked deep in thought. She glanced back up and let out a breath, "...okay! You all may return to what you've been doing. I trust that you'll all do your very best to protect Alora from harm."

She walked down the tiny steps to where Eugene met her and lifted her hands to lay kisses on them. Everyone silently turned and walked out of the room.

"You seem tired, blondie," he murmured.

"I am tired," she whispered as she slowly took her hands back and wrapped her arms around his waist. Eugene quickly reciprocated and laid a kiss on her head.

"I'm scared, Eugene," her voice was as quiet as the room. "I'm scared. I don't want anything to happen to her."

"Nothing will happen to her," Eugene stated. "She has us, the best parents in the world, that would do anything and everything in their power for her. She has you, Sunshine."

Rapunzel leaned back to glance at him, revealing tear marks on her cheeks.

Eugene's heart sank a little as he wiped those tears and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You're going to be an amazing mother, the very best there is, and I'll be right here with you, till the very end," he quietly whispered to her and laid another kiss.

Rapunzel beamed up at him, her beautiful eyes shone brightly as the moon's radiance fell upon her, and Eugene couldn't help but fall for her once more. "I love you so much," he mumbled as he cupped her face and met her adoring gaze.

"I love you too," their lips locked, the feeling familiar and so new at the same time.

"𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩."

Rapunzel and Eugene calmly walked hand in hand down the hallway. They spoke in hushed tones, stopping intermittently to steal a kiss from one another.

Rapunzel paused at a door she recognized, which simultaneously made Eugene stop as well.

Varian's door.

She glanced at the floor as she pondered. "I should probably tell them as well."

Eugene then looked towards the door she was speaking of and nodded. "Oh definitely," he agreed.

Rapunzel rubbed his hand and gazed at it as she let her head fall on his shoulder. The matching rings never fail to make her smile.

"They might be able to help with that insane library they got going on, seriously what geniuses!" Eugene stated almost fondly as Rapunzel's eyes lit up at, library. She then detached herself from him slowly and walked towards the door.

"I meant goggles, by the way, definitely not the other one," he continued.

"Eugene, come on!" She whispered-shouted.

As she was about to knock, she paused. "You think they're up?" She turned her head back in question.

"Blondie, it's Varian. The kid never sleeps," Eugene assured.

She chuckled, then turned and knocked 3 times on the door.

They waited a moment before the door unlocked, revealing familiar sky-blue eyes. They lit up at the sight of them, and the room to the door completely opened.

"Hey! Rapunzel, Eugene, how are you guys?" Varian exclaimed with a broad smile as he welcomed them inside.

"Hey, Varian!" Rapunzel greeted him warmly as they entered the room together.

"I'm great, tired but great," she admitted with a small yawn. Eugene quietly closed the door before returning to her side, wrapping his arm around her waist, where she made her head comfy on his shoulder again.

Varian fiddled with his gloves and fixed his gaze on them, "And you're alright… how's– how did everything go with the baby and… I'm really sorry I couldn't be there I–"

Rapunzel noticed his distress and rested a hand on his shoulder, "It's okay, Varian, really, it's okay."

He must have looked unsure, so Eugene added, "Yeah, don't worry about it, kiddo." The couple smiled kindly at him. "We're here to catch you up, anyway."

His face lit up in relief. "Oh! Yeah definitely– it's just everything with the library–"

"Ooh!" Rapunzel's eyes sparkled. "We were just here to talk about that!" She paused, then her tone slightly shifted, "But… let's get you updated first." She offered a grim smile.

~

"Okay… let me get this straight," Varian stated, now sitting down in a chair next to his lab set up, staring wide-eyed at Rapunzel and Eugene just across from him, also in their seats.

"You… died? And– and then you came back to life… by the baby, Alora's…" he trailed off for a second, "tears, which healed you? You?" He emphasized.

"Yup, that's pretty much what happened," Eugene responded as he took a sip of a drink, crisscrossing his legs, looking unbelievably calm in Varian's eyes. Varian looked to Rapunzel, who only half smiled in reply.

Varian forced out a chuckle, then coughed. "Uh, so…how? I thought only you could do that… from when you wielded the sundr–" he cut himself off as his eyes widened in complete horror, "Oh my god. She has your pow-"

Eugene quickly interrupted him. "Shhh!! Yes, we know, we figured this out it's just… the problem is we don't know how," he explained. His hands subconsciously rubbed Rapunzel's, to which she tiredly smiled at.

Varian eyes switched back and forth between theirs, then found his table where he was still working on projects if the loose papers and blueprints were anything to go by.

"We've also decided it'd be best to keep this a secret," Rapunzel spoke softly. Varian's eyes turned to hers again, "I need to keep her safe and loved. I just want to make sure she'll be okay, Var…"

"She'll be okay, Rapunzel," Varian spoke collectively. "I mean, she has you two as parents. She'll be more than okay," he said sincerely.

Eugene smiled smugly and squeezed Rapunzel's shoulders, "See blondie, nothing to be afraid of, even the kid knows."

"I like how you still call me kid despite me being 23," Varian teased playfully with his arms folded.

Eugene grinned, "Psh, you'll always be a kid to me, kid."

Rapunzel smiled silently as her eyes started to droop.

"𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩.""𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙠𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖.."

Eugene spoke again, "Speaking of kids, where's that chaotic rat of yours?"

Varian rolled his eyes lightheartedly and pointed towards the bed behind them. There were multiple sheets and pillows every which way, soft snores could be heard as blond strands stood from underneath the covers.

"The idiot knocked himself out while working," Varian chuckled fondly as he rose from his seat to turn and face his table, "took up the entire bed too," he added, briefly glancing over at the bed with an affectionate smile before refocusing on his set-up, lost in thought.

Eugene made his way over with Rapunzel, arm around her middle section while her head continued to rest on his shoulder with closed eyes. "Tsk, typical," Eugene joked.

After taking a quick glance at Varian's layout, he directed his attention to his wife, who was lolling onto his side. He gently lifted and readjusted her so she was more comfortable and kissed the top of her head. His tone turned earnest as he looked back at Varian, "So, Varian, about the library? Do you think you got anything that could help or possibly solve this?"

"Oh, absolutely," Varian answered a little too quickly, then backtracked. "That's when we get the library fixed, though. It's currently not up and running," he frowned.

"Oh no, what happened?" Eugene mumbled.

Varian bit the inside of his cheek, "There's been a mechanical and power source failure which caused it to malfunction a few days ago." Eugene's frown deepened.

Seeing this, Varian quickly responded, "But don't worry! It could be a quick fix." He toothy smiled.

"We were supposed to have it up by now, but he suggested that it'd be better if we waited because we "needed" a break," he continued, gesturing with air quotes.

"According to him, the privileged are always too… and I quote, "greedy" and have "excessive demands" to which I honestly don't a hundred percent disagree with," he babbled on, muttering the last bit to himself.

Eugene was about to pipe in, but Varian swiftly summarized, "No worries, once we have it up and running again, I'll start searching for answers immediately." He moved around the table to a separate space, where he had more blueprints. He retrieved a specific one, the sketch of the portal.

Eugene breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thanks, V. You're the best," stifling a yawn as he turned around with Rapunzel to exit the room quietly.

"Make sure to catch some Z's!" Eugene whispered empathetically as they made their way out.

"Sure thing," Varian muttered absentmindedly as he shooed towards the door while keeping his gaze fixed on his plan.

With a final smile, Eugene quietly closed the door. The cool air of the hallway hit both of them as Rapunzel slightly shivered in her sleep. Eugene held her more tightly, carrying her gently toward her room. "Everything will be alright, sunshine," he whispered tenderly.

𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖, 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚."

---------------------------

"...okay! You all may return to what you've been doing. I trust that you'll all do your very best to protect Alora from harm."

Rapunzel walked down the tiny steps to where Eugene met her and lifted her hands to lay kisses on them. Everyone silently turned and walked out of the room.

The halls were chilly as Faith wordlessly stepped out of the throne room. She rubbed her arms as she continued to walk in thought, watching as the three nurses chatter amongst themselves and turned down another hallway.

'Why didn't Eugene mention the strange orb that we've encountered?'

A glowing golden aura, slowly, swiftly, drifted across the room. Eugene, eyes swollen from tears, lifted his head and tilted it in confusion.

A spherical body, a small globe one could say, it looked like it could be the sun itself!

Eugene pursed his lips and looked toward Faith for a moment. Faith sensed this and turned silently to him. Seeing the questioning look on his face, she shrugged, I don't know.

I don't know…

The harmony, private, and peaceful the orb, emitted, hushed the little one back to sleep. Faith softly gasped at the display, her squinted eyes watched the lovely child find a quiet rest.

She stopped and thought back to the memory, a fixated expression on her face.

It The orb then moved towards Rapunzel, everyone took a breath as it the orb lingered in the middle of the blossom. Eugene watched intensely, to the best of his ability, as the undiminished glory the orb sang out one last time and lowered down into her sternum.

'Maybe it wasn't anything to worry about,' Faith thought as she continued to stroll. 'It did save Rapunzel, did it not?'

Rapunzel's chest rose as she let out a sudden gasp.

…

Faith decided it was not worth the stress, although many things happen in Corona, the most unexpected. Sue her for being paranoid.

As she walked, the moonlight filtered in through the large glass windows, casting the walls in shades of deep blue and rich purple, a stark contrast to the light pink and golden hues that adorned the walls during the day. Faith couldn't help but smile at the beauty.

As Rapunzel's room came into view, she saw one guard standing in front of it, Conli, if she remembered correctly.

When she approached and made eye contact, she briefly nodded to which she knew he returned, if the slight movement of his helmet, or whatever it's called, was anything to go by.

She continued on till she abruptly stopped at the sound of crying. She quickly turned around to face the gold doors and quickened her pace towards them, a look of worry etched her face. She glanced over at Conli, who didn't seem bothered at all.

When they made eye contact again, Faith arched an eyebrow and placed a hand on her hip, silently questioning him. Conli remained blank, said nothing, and simply stepped aside to let her in.

She watched this with a displeased expression and let out an exasperated sigh before proceeding into the room, mentally thinking, 'guards'.

The moment she set foot into the room, the doors closed, and the crying was louder. Faith's eyes immediately found Alora's decorated crib, and she quickly walked towards it.

Alora was twitching and wriggling around in the crib, emitting loud wails. She was dressed in a pastel pink onesie, perfectly matching the color of the balloons in the room. Beside her lay two plush toys of a smiling sun and planet. The moon's light shone upon her tear-streaked cheeks.

"Uh-oh, looks like someone's hungry," Faith murmured with a concerned frown. She quickly scanned the room for any sign of formula milk.

Her face brightened with relief upon finding a partially used bottle of milk with a pink cover. She rushed to grab it and returned to the side of the crib. "Okay, dear, let's get you fed," she muttered as she gently lifted a squirming Alora out and cradled her with one arm, offering the bottle in the other.

She softly cooed to her, "Shh, it's okay, baby, just drink, shhh…" As the bottle got inches to her mouth, Alora's arm thrashed out and smacked the bottle away, causing it to drop on the ground and the milk to spill.

Faith sighed at this and pulled Alora closer to her. The crying never stopped, Faith pouted out a lip and started to rock her. "Shh, it's okay, Alora, sweetie, you're all okay. You're mommy, and daddy will soon be back, okay? Shhh."

Alora's movements became more frantic, causing Faith to hold her more tightly. A flash of concern crossed her face as she held Alora as close as possible. Alora's cries only grew louder, and her tears drenched the front of Faith's robe.

Alora suddenly went quiet as if someone had flipped a switch.

Faith's concern turned to confusion as she gazed down at the now peacefully slumbering infant, her chest rising and falling in tiny snores.

A small, bewildered laugh escaped Faith's lips at how rapid the sudden shift of chaos to calm was.

She gently laid a sleeping Alora back into her crib, her mind still trying to make sense of the sudden whiplash.

After a beat, she chuckled softly and cast a glance down at her now-soaked robe. She frowned slightly.

Faith sighed and leaned over the crib, softly whispering to the sleeping baby, "Have a goodnight, little one. Everything will be okay." With that, she straightened up and slowly walked out of the room.

"𝙒𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧."

Once the room doors fell closed again, Alora twitched but remained quiet. The moon's gaze never left the baby as a soft golden aura shone around her, then disappeared, like it wasn't there.

~

５ ｙｅａｒｓ ｌａｔｅr

"𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙝, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨."

The castle was decorated with colorful balloons, streamers, and banners with the young princess's name.

This was Rapunzel's kid, after all. Going all out would've been an understatement. She went to the extreme.

The banquet room was transformed into a magical wonderland, complete with castle-themed cake, cupcakes, and snacks for the children of Corona.

Alora was dressed in a beautiful gown. The dress was a vivid shade of green, soft flowing material that gently seated as she moved around, creating a whimsical vibration around her. The gown was adorned with delicate details. A small bow at the waistline and shimmering jewels that sparkle in the light. It's finished off with a dainty hemline that adds a touch of elegance to the overall look. A silver tiara was placed on her head.

Rapunzel and Faith fawned over her. Everyone had.

A mix of children, royal advisors, important members of the court, and family friends were all around.

There was a dance floor, disco lights, and bubble machines (thanks to Varian) that created a fun and playful atmosphere for young guests.

"𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣, 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨.

As the children danced, they were entertained by magicians (which Varian took playful offense to, Eugene amused), clowns, and jugglers, who performed various tricks and games to keep them all engaged and delighted. Face painting and balloon animals were all available. Games and activities are on full display for all to play.

The highlight of this party was the cutting of the cake, where Alora had blown out the candles, surrounded by her family and friends. Joyous and loving looks were all she saw and took in, at this very moment. The best moment in the entire evening, in Eugene's rightful opinion.

"𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙, 𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙜, 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨! 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚'𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙖𝙡𝙡, 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧."

Alora received many gifts from her guests, including toys, books, and other presents. Rapunzel thanked them all graciously, giving hugs and kisses. The royalty expressed their gratitude for their presence and contributions to making the day so special.

"𝙁𝙤𝙧 5 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩."

"𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙."

A five-year-old Alora was frowning as she sullenly walked towards her room, one hand in Rapunzel's, the other holding a teddy bear.

"Now, I know you still want to play with your friends, Alor, but it's getting late and you need your rest," Rapunzel calmly stated as they walked to the doors of the room with Faith trailing behind. Alora sighed.

"But, Mum, I'm not tired," Alora whined. "Please, can I go back?"

"You can go back tomorrow, sweets," Rapunzel softly replied as she opened the doors. Alora inaudibly groaned and walked inside. She sat on her pink and white heart-shaped carpet. Faith went to the left of the room and smiled kindly when Alora's pouted expression looked her way.

Rapunzel brightened. "I mean, hey! Come on, look at all your amazing gifts," she said excitedly as she skipped over to the left of the room, filled with gifts. She took one up and gently shook it with a proud expression. "Ooo, this one will be nice."

She went and did the same thing to another until she heard what sounded like glass breaking. Her eyes went wide as she quickly set it back. "Oops." She smiled.

Alora looked towards her, a troubled conflicted look on her face. Rapunzel sighed, calmly walked, and kneeled in front of her. "Is something wrong, dear?" She asked gently.

Alora's eyes found her carpet as she picked at it. "I don't know," she mumbled.

Rapunzel's eyes saddened, and she gently brushed some of the brown hair out of Alora's face.

"Did something happen? You know you can always tell me anything," she whispered. "Did you not like your cake?"

"No, it's fine, love chocolate." Her voice was shaking. Rapunzel frowned.

"Alora, dear, I'll make sure your friends come back. You'll play again, okay?" Rapunzel kept her voice gentle.

"I don't–", she choked up a sob.

Rapunzel acted fastly, cradling her in a hug. "Alora sweetie, I'm so sorry." She whispered as she rubbed her back.

Alora's hands found her eyes as she rubbed them harshly. "I'm okay, Mum," she said quickly. "I'm not crying," she whispered as she hugged Rapunzel tighter.

"You know it's okay to feel upset," Rapunzel whispered back, looking down at her.

Alora bit her lip and nodded. "I know."

"Always remember that, okay?" Rapunzel said as gently as she could.

"Okay."

Rapunzel kissed the top of her head as Alora pulled back from her. "Here, check this out."

Rapunzel smiled as she walked over to one of the gift bags.

She picked up a green bag with a floral design silhouetted in white. She reached her hands into the contents, a soft teddy in her grip. 

It was in the shape of a squirrel. 

Its fluff was a bronze color and the tail had a bunch of fuzz tangled and fluffed up.

"Want it! I want it!" Alora jumped in place, bouncing up and down as she demands, while Faith laughed in the background.

"Alora. Where are your manners?" Rapunzel gave her a stern look while putting her hands on her hips. 

"Please!!!" Alora clasped her hands together, sticking her bottom lip out. Her rich eyes, almost identical to her mother's, shun in the bleak room. 

"Alright, alright," Rapunzel handed her the stuffed animal. 

Alora let out a giggle as she tugged it and held it close to her chest. She ran off to a pile of other dolls, stuffed animals, and toys while imitating voices for them.

Rapunzel chuckled as she watched her do so. Watching her daughter have a childhood she never had. 

Hearing the door open, she turns to find Eugene opening it for Faith. He then walks over and takes Rapunzel by the arm, twirling the queen around, Rapunzel bursts into a fit of laughter, putting up a token of resistance. 

As Eugene gently pulled her close, he began to speak, but he paused as he couldn't help but admire his wife. 

His wife.

His mind went blank as he fixated on Rapunzel's scattered freckles and the allure of her wide green eyes, he can get lost in the forests. His gaze shifted to her dimpled flushed cheeks and her rosy lips. 

"Gosh, you're so beautiful," Eugene said in a soft voice of adoration, his eyebrows softening at Rapunzel's smile.

"You tell me that every day."

Her face inched closer, their noses rubbing together. 

"I left behind the whole Flynn Rider persona so why not tell the truth?" 

Rapunzel rolled her eyes as she steps back, only to have Eugene playfully pull her back.

She places her hands on his chest, while he rests his hand on her back using the other to cup her face. He traces Rapunzel's lips with his thumb as he leans in close to her. 

"I love you..," she breathes out slightly, her head tilting to the side. Their eyes locked together as they inched closer. 

Rapunzel's eyes start to shut as she-

"Yuck Yuck Yuck Ew Ew No! Bleh," Alora bellows in disgust. 

The two, flustered, split apart as they chuckle at Alora's melodramatic reaction.

"That's Ew Blehh!" Alora gags.

"Well, young lady.." Eugene runs towards her and grabs Alora by the waist as she tries to scramble away, he lifts her above the ground and swings her around as she screams and laughs.

"Put me down! Put me down!" Alora screams while squirming and trying to get free.

Rapunzel gazes from the distance, chuckling and taking in the moment.

This, was her new dream.

It was real.

She takes a second to thank whatever God brought her back and healed her as she takes in the moment, loving every second of her child's laughter.

L𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠, 𝙬𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝, 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙.

𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙜𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣.

𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨, 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜?

𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮.

-------------------------------------------

The night was dark.

It was silent.

The wind howelled a somber tune throughout Corona, everyone hid and shun out the cold, dim sky leaving behind the moon, all old and grey.

A gust of wind filled with the grey autumn drift through the kingdom's streets swirling, dancing to the night's song circling in the rain, around the palace, sneaking into the slightly open window.

Alora shivered as a gust of cold wind hit her, shaking in her sleep.

Faith pulled up her covers while continuing to clear the toy wrappers and organize her gifts, Humming to a familiar melody.

Rapunzel creaked the door open and tiptoed inside the nursery.

"Faith? What are you doing up?" Rapunzel questions as she sits down, she wears a blue nightgown under get a royal purple robe.

"I was um clearing up."

"Faith, I told everyone to take the night off then we can continue cleaning the grande hall," Rapunzel said firmly, as she held Faith's hand. After a moment, her expression softened, and she asked, "Hey... are you okay?"

"Yeah, just tired" she replied, rubbing under her eyes whilst placing the broom down.

"Get some sleep, and after preparations are clear I'll give you the day off" Rapunzel states as she gets up and walk towards Alora, stroking her cheek. Alora's face twitches as she lets out soft snores, her short bobbed hair spread across the pillow. The moon's shine illuminates her freckles.

"She looks just like you, your majesty." Faith smiles at Rapunzel, also admiring the princess.

"Please, It's just Rapunzel, and yeah" she lets out a breath "I want to give her the childhood I never had" She pulled the covers up, over the stuffed squirrel and pressed a kiss onto her forehead. She looks and adores her daughter's facial features knowing that time would enhance her already beauty. She was as peaceful as an angel.

"You never got to have a childhood didn't you?" Faith walks a little closer, gazing down at the sleeping princess.

Rapunzel looked toward her and sighed, "Some things aren't meant to be. But I swear that I will protect her from danger. The world is beautiful with wonders just like a rose, but deadly and harmful like the thorns. I can't let anything bad happen to such a pure child." She declares, her fingers lightly brushing against her bobbed hair.

"𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩, 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩."

"Pardon me, Faith. I'll be right back; I need to use the restroom. When I return, please get some rest," Rapunzel said with a gentle smile before heading out.

"Of course, Rapunzel," Faith stammered in response. As Rapunzel walked away, a smile graced her face. 

"O𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜."

Rapunzel walks toward the bathroom as Faith faced the sleeping child with a contented smile. 

"N𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚."

A distant flush can be heard as Rapunzel rinses her hands.

"𝙄𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙-"

A thud can be heard from the nursery, followed by a shriek.

"F𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡."

Rapunzel hastily gathers her robe and dashes towards the room, stumbling over her own feet and stubbing her toes along the way.

With heavy breaths, she reaches the door where the piercing screams echo through the palace. Leaning on the doorframe, she's soon joined by Eugene, Varian, Nigel, and another person.

In a state of panic, Rapunzel flings the door open and dashes toward Alora, her cries and screams filling the air.

"I didn't mean to! I-It was an accident!!"

Tears streamed down her face as she desperately begged, "Mum, please!" Her hands clasped her face, and her disheveled hair hid her features, making it hard for Rapunzel to hear her over the frantic screams and hyperventilation. Rapunzel's gaze darted toward the right and-

Faith.

"Oh no no no no no!" Rapunzel mutters as a blonde man kneels next to her, placing two fingers on Faith's neck. He glanced up at Rapunzel, giving a somber look.

No words needed to be said.

Faith was gone.

It was as if the life was drained from her.

She was stone cold.

She was dead.

"Ally?" The blonde questioned as he adjusted his glasses, "What happened?"

Alora's cries become more frantic as she gasps for breath, "I don't know!"

He carefully brushed Faith's loose hair aside, exposing her ashen skin and veins that resembled a delicate shade of blue, as if she had been petrified like a statue.

Eugene rushed to get more guards while Rapunzel and Varian rushed to Alora.

Varian places his hand on Alora's arm and feels a burning sensation.

A familiar burning sensation.

He quickly pulls back, staring in shock at his bare hands as his gloves dissolved before his eyes. He locked gazes with Rapunzel, both in a state of absolute fear. 

"No," Rapunzel's voice choked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "It can't be! She can't-"

"We'll figure this out Raps, I promise" Varian snaps, hugging her tightly.

"I know someone!" The blonde interrupts, "I know someone, a lady who lives far beyond Coronas walls, in a forest." Eugene walks in then, eyeing him skeptically. 

"Myths say she was a witch, others say a student of Demanitus. But whatever anyone says it's always told she studies the unknown, she studies magic. I am sure she can help."

"Myths say"!? They can't be real, rat!" Eugene chimes in, "And how can we actually trust him of all people?"

"Eugene he's proven time after time to be worthy of change!" Rapunzel retorts, her voice trembling with emotion. "This is no time to argue!"

"Okay, he has proven some trust but blondie- it's a myth. Myths aren't true."

"Myths don't come out of nowhere. Xavier told me that all myths and legends come from the truth that has been toyed with for generations, maybe if what he's saying is true we could find someone who can help us" Varian exclaims, his eyes locked on the blonde, whose grin leaves him blushing. 

"What if it doesn't work?" Eugene asks sincerely as he fiddles with his ring.

"We can at least try." Rapunzel states as she picks up a sobbing Alora. She turns to face the blonde with a determined look. "Show us the way."

------------------------------

The night roars. As the moon stalks the group.

Rapunzel, Eugene, and Alora are on Maximus as Varian and the blonde share a horse.

The wind howls as a breeze full of autumn leaves drifts between the group. the rain pouring, pounding drums on the earth, a ballet of raindrops swirling around the atmosphere.

The chaotic distant thuds and flashes fill the sky. The smell of petrichor filled the air.

"T𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨."

The group reaches a cottage. The garden was overgrown with statues of mystical beings, vines wrapped tightly around the cottage with thorns protecting the inhabitants, and the windows dull with a single candlelight being barely visible.

They tied their horses and walked across the cracked cobble slabs, moss growing between the crooks.

The blonde straightens his posture and clears his throat before he goes to knock on the door. The door opens and no one's to see until he looks down and sees someone.

A little girl, no older than 5, creaks the door open. She has short green curly hair tied in double buns.

He looked surprised as he kneeled down. "Hey, I'm looking for someone. Can you help me?" He questions in a soft tone.

The girl slowly nods her head as she runs back into the cottage.

"Didn't think you had a soft side for kids, crook," Eugene remarked, rolling his eyes and smirking.

"Oh please..let's not forget your terrible past." The blonde quipped back with a chuckle. 

Eugene looked flustered as Rapunzel giggled.

"Street rat."

"Thief."

"Traitor."

"Goon."

"Delinquent."

"Hooligan."

"Ahem," a voice can be heard, as their heads snapped forward.

A woman stood there.

She had tanned skin and long silver braided hair, embedded with charms of all sorts.

She had a white robe and a candle in her frail hand.

"Can I help you?"

------------------------

The Goodwife hummed a familiar melody while putting her fingers through the sleeping princess's hair.

"What's going on?!" Eugene bellows in frustration pulling at his hair as he sweats.

"The prophecy. The prophecy stated that the sundrop would reunite with the moonstone to create the ultimate power, this would send them back to the heavens," The Goodwife states as she skims through a scroll.

"That's what happened, Zhan Tiri reunited the two." Rapunzel chimed in.

"Exactly." She replied "The prophecy stated the sundrop would reunite with the moonstone. Not Zhan Tiri."

"And?" Eugene snapped.

"And, Mr quip," she rolled her eyes before returning to Rapunzel. "The Heavens sent them back. They needed the sundrop to do it,' she says calmly, taking Rapunzel's hands.

"Your majesty you were the incarnation of the sun. Helios has the gift to you to return to him." 

"I am the sundrop?" Rapunzel questions, looking around the room, a bit puzzled.

"Not anymore." The Goodwife replied while looking down at Alora, sleeping and curled up by Rapunzel's lap. "You've passed it on.."

"How? And why?" Rapunzel whispered, holding back tears. "Why can't she just be normal?"

"Heavens has plans for her." The Goodwife replied, "The reasons are quite simple."

The Goodwife picked up a scroll and started reading it and analyzing the contents. Everything was a blur for the blonde as he adjusted his glasses, eyeing the scroll.

He then looked towards Varian who was fiddling frantically with his hands.

He steps over and takes a hand, whispering to him "Hey, hey look. I know magic Is not your thing but she can- will help. I promise."

Varian gazes back and nods "Thank you."

"Anytime," he continues "I mean what could you do without me and my gorgeous looks." He flips his hair while Varian laughs.

"You're the worst.." He chuckled playfully, crossing his arms after giving the blonde a small push.

"I heard otherwise last night." the blonde returned with a wink. Varian rolled his eyes pointedly before taking a seat next to Rapunzel. 

From the corner of his eye, he spots the same little girl from before standing in the doorway.

Taking a moment to observe her, He notices her amber eyes with long lashes, her dark skin, and she wore a baggy white shirt tucked into black trousers.

He waved at her and smiled as she scurried off at the sight.

"-that's the only explanation I have for you, I am sorry." The Goodwife said as she puts a scroll down.

"No-no thank you for your information!" Rapunzel reassured her as she shook her hand. "I was going to ask if there's a way so that Alora, she doesn't remember what happened tonight."

"Blondie?" Eugene called out.

"Eugene it's the only way she'll forget what happened."

"What about the side effects?"

"It's worth it if she can grow up to be normal."

"You've heard the old lady! She can't be normal!'

"We can try."

"Rapunzel you are being absurd."

"Eugene I can't make her feel like a monster!"

The room went silent and everyone was stiff.

The atmosphere of the room shocks everyone as the silence rang.

"Fine." Eugene chokes out as he breaks the silence, turning to the Goodwife. "Don't you dare do anything to hurt her."

"Rest assured she'll be fine." The Goodwife takes a look at the book and chants something.

Latin?. It's all mumbles to everyone else.

"Alora will not remember anything when she awakes. She will not remember the incident, faith, or anyone involved. Her sleep will last 2 days for the enchantment to clear her memories." The Goodwife states as a golden aura silhouettes the child, turning blue before vanishing.

"She won't remember a thing." The Goodwife echos, gazing down at the child.

"But sooner or later the enchantment will break causing her to remember everything. Are you sure you want to deal with that?" The Goodwife then asks, looking back up at the two.

"Yes," Rapunzel stated as Eugene sighed.

"Very well."

----------------------

"T𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧."

"𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙗𝙮𝙚𝙨. 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣. 𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙯𝙚𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨, 𝙘𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖."

"𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖." 

"𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣, 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙?"

Rapunzel gazed outside her balcony, the wind in her bobbed hair as she stares plainly, beyond the walls.

The night caved in on Corona with the only source of light from the moon gleaming down.

A sky full of stars and they all were staring at her.

Y𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧? 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙪𝙥 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙣. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣.