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Cassandra rapped the back edge of her sword against the doorframe, announcing her arrival before hobbling in and setting a plate of warm chocolate chip scones on Rapunzel’s vanity.
“Raps, where are you? You’re going to be late,” she called out, already digging through hairpins and jewelry options for the princess to choose from.
There was a small shriek and a clattering of falling objects from the washroom before Rapunzel rushed out in a flurry of color. “Ah, sorry! I thought I’d get a head start on my makeup,” she said throwing herself into her vanity chair. “But I think I just made it worse.”
Cassandra stared, shocked at her friend’s reflection, but as she took in the bright red circles of blush, the deeply pigmented blue eyeshadow, and the princess’ own desperate plea for help, she immediately burst out laughing, doubling over as she choked. “Raps! What did you do?”
“I know, I know, it’s horrible!” Rapunzel turned away from the mirror. “I thought makeup would be like painting, and you always make it look so easy, but then it just kept getting bigger and bigger, and ugh,” she stuffed a scone in her mouth, desperate to console herself. “Mmm, these are really good.”
Catching her breath, Cassandra placed a comforting hand on Rapunzel’s shoulder. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll just wipe it off.”
“Wipe it off?!” Rapunzel spit out scone crumbs in protest. “But I worked so hard, can’t we at least keep some of it?”
“Ew, stop.” Cassandra quickly brushed the crumbs off Rapunzel’s dress. “And no, it has to be done. I refuse to let you go out there looking like some sort of circus raccoon.” She barely held back another snort of laughter.
Rapunzel leaned toward the mirror, examining her ‘artwork’ once more before deflating with a whimper. “You’re right. It’s all bad.”
“Of course, I’m right.” Cassandra rolled her eyes teasingly, hopping on her good leg to the washroom to soak a cloth with clean water. “Here.” She tossed it at Rapunzel to wipe her face as she collected the scattered makeup.
Once her face was clean, Cassandra got to work dabbing her fingers in a pot of rouge and blending it gently onto Rapunzel’s cheeks. “You only need a little bit. Wait, go like this?” She puckered her face in demonstration and checked for symmetry once the princess complied. Nodding her approval, she moved onto a light dusting of eyeshadow and a smudge of lipstick before turning Rapunzel back to the mirror.
“It’s not fair,” Rapunzel whined. “You’re not even an artist, how did you get so good at this?”
Cassandra chuckled as she put away the makeup. “Trust me, Raps, I’m not even good. You’re just naturally beautiful.”
Rapunzel reached out to grasp her hand. “Aww, thank you, Cass. You know, you’re beautiful too.”
“Ha! Hardly. Now put up your hair the way you like it so I can decorate it.”
“You are!” Rapunzel’s fingers moved furiously through her hair, twisting and braiding until all 70 feet were contained. “You’re the most beautiful woman in all of Corona! Well, after my mom, of course, but still! Most beautiful.” She nodded definitively, as if that settled the matter.
Cassandra scoffed, playfully dismissing the compliment as she pinned a variety of crystal flowers into Rapunzel’s hair. “It means nothing to me. One day, I’ll be a guard and all that will matter then is the sharpness of my sword.” She glanced regrettably at her weapon’s blunted tip. “Which I should really hone soon…”
“Cass, I told you to get proper crutches! You’re only delaying your own healing time.”
“Nah,” Cassandra waved her off. “Swords are way cooler. Plus, doc says I’ll be out of this dumb cast next week anyway.” She presented a few jewelry options for Rapunzel to choose from, but the princess just looked up at her, eyes wide and imploring.
“I really am sorry about that trap.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Cassandra selected a necklace she believed was best and hung it around Rapunzel’s neck. “It really was a great trap. Not to mention, a good reminder not to get distracted by the obvious.”
Rapunzel hummed with contentment at her own reflection, sweet and delicate, before shifting her gaze back to her Lady in Waiting. “Well, you better not be injured the next time my parents throw a ball. It won’t be as much fun without you.”
“Oh, please! You’ll have Eugene.” Cassandra picked her way over to Rapunzel’s large bed and threw herself backwards to alleviate the pressure on her fractured leg. “Although, if he decides to propose again, I may have to skewer him with my walking stick.” She waved her sword overhead in a mock stabbing motion.
“Heh, yeah,” Rapunzel rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m sure he learned his lesson the first time.”
Cassandra winced as Rapunzel fell onto the bed beside her, jostling her leg. “I don’t know, he seems pretty slow to me.”
“Cass!” Rapunzel whacked her in the face with a pillow, sending them both into a fit of giggles. “You know what? Fine! Let him propose again.”
Cassandra rolled over on her side. “You really think you’d say yes this time?”
Rapunzel’s smile faded as she examined her empty left hand. “I don’t know. I want to, and I know it would make him happy, but-” She turned to face her friend. “How do you know when you’re ready?”
Despite the seriousness of Rapunzel’s countenance, Cassandra let out a hopeless laugh. “How am I supposed to know? I’ll run before I’m forced to marry, broken leg and all.”
“Ugh, Cass! How can you say that?” Rapunzel groaned, throwing up her arms before letting them fall heavy on the mattress. “Being in love is so wonderful! Everyone should have a chance to feel it.”
“It’s not that I don’t have a chance, I just don’t really care.”
Rapunzel rushed to sit up, jostling the bed once again. “Stop it, Cass. You cannot seriously tell me you didn’t like going out with Andrew. I saw it on your face!”
“That was different!” Cassandra propped herself up on her elbows, rolling her eyes dramatically as she laughed. “I had to get him to trust me, you know that.”
“Nuh uh, you were giddy! And you’re never giddy.” Rapunzel said, excitement shining brightly on her face. “I know he was a sleazy, scheming nincompoop,”
“Insipid, pathetic asshole?”
“But, but! A part of you must have wanted it to be real.” Rapunzel stared at Cassandra accusingly, her hands on her hips. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re wrong.”
Rapunzel shook her head stubbornly. “Nope. No one is immune to the look. And I saw him give you the look.”
Cassandra snorted. “The look? And what exactly is the look?”
“I’ll show you.” Rapunzel adjusted her position on the bed, closing her eyes as she cleared her throat and centered herself.
When she opened her eyes, Cassandra suddenly felt the air shift between them. Rapunzel’s gaze had become lidded and seriously focused on her mouth, sending Cassandra’s heart into an alarming fit of nervous fluttering. What was she doing? And as Rapunzel leaned forward, her fingers barely brushing against her cheek, Cassandra’s lips inexplicably felt too dry and her breath hitched. Blessedly, before Cassandra could react in any other regrettable way, Rapunzel pulled back with a wide, satisfied smile.
“See?! That’s the look.”
Cassandra let herself fall back onto the bed, her cheeks embarrassingly hot as she avoided eye contact with her best friend. “Yeah, no, I don’t want that ever again.” Shit, did her voice sound weird?
“Liar!” Rapunzel jumped to her feet, standing over her with an exasperated look before hopping to the floor. “Although, maybe it only works when a man does it.” She mused as she inspected her hair in the mirror, making sure everything was properly in place.
Cassandra swallowed thickly, not daring to comment as she willed her face to return to it’s normal pallor. “You’re going to be late, Raps.”
Rapunzel glanced at the clock over her mantle. “Ugh, are you going to be okay on your own?”
“Mhm.” Cassandra finally sat up. “You know me. Parties aren’t exactly my thing.”
“Well,” Rapunzel turned to face her, eyes sharp with determination. “If I meet anyone handsome, I’ll make sure to mention my super amazing, beautiful best friend.”
Cassandra laughed dryly. “Don’t let my dad hear about these potential suitors or he’ll never let it go.”
“Aww, Cass,” Rapunzel rushed over to give her a quick hug. “He just wants you to be happy.”
“A permanent spot on the guard would make me happy.” Cassandra pulled away from Rapunzel’s embrace and leaned heavily on her sword as she stood. “I thought for sure he would after the Expo, but well-” She shrugged her shoulders.
Together, they walked out of Rapunzel’s room pausing in the hall as they heard the band kick up from the ballroom.
“When I’m queen, I’ll make you Captain. I promise.” Rapunzel smiled as she held Cassandra’s hands in her own.
“Thanks, Raps.” She met the princess’ eyes briefly. “Now go, I’m sure Eugene is waiting for you.”
Rapunzel placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before skipping off in the direction of the music. “I’ll see you later, Cass!”
Cassandra waved her off, watching until the moment Rapunzel disappeared around the corner and the soft pattering of her bare feet faded away. With a sigh, she turned and made her way back to her own room, feeling hollow.