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Rapunzel is sitting in her room, looking out the window, thinking about Cassandra. Lost in thought when Eugene suddenly appears behind her.
“Hey, Blondie” he says, causing Rapunzel to jump. “You look like you're spacing out again.” Rapunzel blushes a little. “Oh, hi Eugene. I was just... thinking.” Eugene grins. “Yeah, I can see that.” He says as he sits down next to the blonde girl.
Eugene notices the direction of their gaze and raises an eyebrow.
“Oh really? What kind of things?” He follows their gaze and sees Cassandra walking in the courtyard below.
"I was just admiring the scenery" Rapunzel says with a hint if defensiveness. Still her eyes couldn't help but linger on Cassandra, who was practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard below
She quickly turns away, hoping that Eugene hasn't noticed her staring at the other girl. But Eugene has always been more perceptive than people give him credit for. "Just the scenery huh? Is there a certain scenery you're particularly interested in?" he said with a hint of playful mockery in his voice as he teases the princess.
Rapunzel blushes slightly, caught off guard by Eugene. "Don't be silly I was just looking out the window. Nothing specific." Rapunzel tries to cover up, but the blush on her cheeks betrays her true feelings
Eugene can't help but chuckle at the princess poor attempt to hide the truth. He leans in and lowers his voice "Hey, you can't fool me, Blondie. I know you too well. You were totally checking out Cassandra down there." Rapunzel blushes even harder at Eugene's accusation. She tries to deny it but her voice is filled with embarrassment. "What? No! I was not!" But the way her eyes keep flicking back to the courtyard belies her words. She then realizes her attempts to deny her feelings aren't working. She looks at Eugene sheepishly feeling exposed. "Am I really that obvious?"
Eugene nods "Blondie, it's written all over your face. You were practically drooling over Cassandra out there" Eugene shakes his head feigning disappointment as he continued on "I mean, she doesn't have my charming good looks, my winning personality, or my undeniable charisma so i don't get it at all" Rapunzel can't help but snort with laughter at Eugene's antics. But her smile quickly fades as she glances out the window again, her eyes lingering on the other girl's figure in the courtyard. Eugene notices her expression and softens his tone "Hey, don't worry about it, Blondie. It's not a crime to admire someone. Even if that someone is Cassandra."
Rapunzel sighs, feeling conflicted. "I guess. But... it's not just admiration, Eugene. I... I think i have feelings for her." she then turns to Eugene, suddenly serious. "I mean, really strong feelings that make my heart race and my palms sweat. I...I don't know what to do."
Eugene's expression softens, sensing her turmoil. He puts a reassuring arm around her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to figure it all out right now. Feelings can be complicated especially when it comes to the ice queen herself, Cassandra." Eugene says with a hint of humor in his voice, trying to lighten the mood.
Rapunzel ignored the last of what Eugene said and nods along. "I know. but what if... what if she doesn't feel the same way about me? what if she only sees me as a friend?... what if i say all my feelings towards her and things change like in a bad way and she hates me and she'll never talk to me again or even want to see me again?" the princess says continuing to ramble on the what if's in her head
Eugene gently squeezes her shoulder, reassuring her "woah, slow down there, you're getting way ahead of yourself. You don't know for sure how Cassandra feels. Maybe she does have feelings for you. You won't know until you talk to her."
Rapunzel takes a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts "i know you're right. I just... I'm scared of ruining the relationship we already have." Eugene smiles at her, understanding her fear. "I get it, it's scary putting yourself oyt there like that. But isn't it better to tell your truth than always wondering the "what ifs"?""
Rapunzel nods, feeling a newfound sense of determination. "yeah you're right. But...how do i even start?"
[Meanwhile with Cassandra]
Cassandra is practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard honing her skills with each swing of her sword. Her focus is intense, her face set in a determined expression. As she trains, her thoughts wander to the Blonde girl, the princess who has been plaguing her mind more and more lately. Cassandra shakes her head, trying to push away these thoughts and concentrate on her training. But her mind keeps wondering to the beautiful blonde haired girl. Cassandra scowls, frustrated with herself ''Get a grip, Cassandra. You're here to train, not to think about her." she swings her sword with renewed vigor, as if trying to physically dispel her thoughts of Rapunzel. But despite her efforts, she can't help but sneak occasional glances in the direction of the castle.
Suddenly, as Cassandra is in the middle of particularly difficult training maneuver, she feels a pair of eyes on ger. she looks up, and sure enough, Rapunzel is in her window Eugene by her side, watching her intently. Their gazes lock for a moment and Cassandra feels a sudden tightness in her chest. She quickly looks away, pretending to focus on her training, but secretly her heart is racing.
[Back in Rapunzel Window]
Rapunzel's heart also skips a beat as their gazes meet. Eugene notices this his eyes soften as she looks at Cassandra, and he can't help but roll his eyes in amusement, he gives Rapunzel a nudge and says "Come on Blondie, you really gonna just stay here staring at her all day? go down there and talk to her"
Rapunzel bites her lip, feeling both nervous and excited at the thought. She looks down at the girl, still training intently. her heart feels like it's about to burst out of her chest. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "You don't think it would be weird if I just went down there, do you? what if she's not in the mood to talk?"
Eugene rolls his eyes again. "Blondie, I can practically see the hearts floating above your head when you look at her, just go talk to her." Rapunzel finally nods, her mind made up "Okay, Okay, I'm going wish me luck." Eugene gives her an encouraging smile "You got this blondie. Go get her." Eugene says as Rapunzel speeds walks out of her room.
Rapunzel takes one last deep breath, steeling herself for what's to come. She quickly makes her way down the winding stairs, through the castle halls, and out into the courtyard. As she approaches Cassandra, her heart racing a mile a minute.
As Cassandra continues her training she suddenly senses someone approaching her. Looking up, she's surprised to see Rapunzel walking towards her, she looks up at the room where she was in a few minutes ago, there left only Eugene who was waving at her and giving thumbs-ups.
Rapunzel stops a few feet away from Cassandra, trying to hide her nerves behind a weak smile. Cassandra lowers her sword, studying the princess with a mixture of confusion and guardedness. Cassandra's voice is cool and detached, masking her own inner turmoil. "Princess. Can i help you with something?"
Rapunzel swallows hard, feeling a little intimidated by Cassandra's cold demeanor. But she pushes forward anyway. "I..um, wanted to talk to you. About something important. Can we sit?" Cassandra's expression softens slightly, surprised by the princess's directness. She nods, gesturing to a patch of grass. They both sit down on the grass, Rapunzel feeling the soft grass with her bare feet, a tense silence hanging between them. Now that they're sitting face to face, Rapunzel can feel the intensity of Cassandra's gaze on her. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. Finally, she speaks, her voice shaking slightly. Meanwhile, Cassandra studies the princess with a guarded expression, trying to hide her own feelings. Inside Cassandra is in a mix of emotions. Confused, intrigued, and a little bit scared. She doesn't know why the blonde-haired girl has approached her so directly, and she can't help but feel a flutter of anticipation in her stomach. At the same time, she tries to maintain her usual aloofness, not wanting to give her inner thoughts.
Cassandra's heart begins to beat faster as she senses that the princess is about to admit something big. Inside she feels a mixture of excitement and fear. Suddenly she feels overwhelmed with the desire to say something of her own. The words are on the tip of her tongue, itching to be heard.
Rapunzel can see the tension in Cassandra's expression and realizes that maybe the other girl has something to say as well. For a moment, they just sit there in expectant silence, each waiting for the other to speak first. They both start speaking at the same time, only to stop short with a surprised chuckle. They look at each other, and for a moment the tension is broken by the absurdity of the situation they both let out a chuckle. With a sheepish grin, Rapunzel motions for Cassandra to speak first. "Sorry you go first." Cassandra takes a moment to collect herself, the corner of her mouth twitching into a small smile. "No, it's okay. You go ahead"
Rapunzel hesitates, feeling even more nervous now that she's about to pour out her feelings. "Okay. Here goes nothing." the dark haired girl watches the princess intently, her heart beating loudly in her chest as she waits for the other girl to continue. "Cass...I like you, like, really like you. More than a friend" Rapunzel feels a weight lifted off her chest, the confession finally out in the open.
Cassandra freezes, her heart skipping a beat at the princess's words. She had suspected that this was where the conversation was headed, but hearing it said out loud is still a shock. For a moment, Cassandra's mind is a jumble of emotions "You...You like me?" The words feel foreign on Cassandra's tongue, almost unreal
Rapunzel nods, her cheeks flushing. "Yes, I do, For a while now, actually."
Cassandra can't believe what she's hearing. The princess, liking her? It seems impossible, yet here she is, confessing it with a sincerity that Cassandra can't help but believe. Cassandra takes a deep breath, her hands clenching, she speaks, her voice barely a whisper. " Rapunzel... I like you too. More than a friend." Rapunzel's eyes widen in shock, her heart skipping a beat at the confession.
She can't believe what she's hearing her mind struggling to process the words. She stares at Cassandra, looking for any hint of doubt or deception. But there was nothing but honesty in the other girl's eyes. They sit in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. But then a smile slowly curls at the corners of Rapunzel's mouth, getting brighter and brighter until it turns into a full-out grin. She feels like her heart might burst with happiness. Neve did she think that the girl she had secretly admired for so long felt the same way. She scootches closer to Cassandra, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Cassandra, still reeling from the confession, can't help but smile back at the princess. She feels a sense of relief, and a warm sensation spreading through her chest. As Rapunzel gets closer, she reaches out to take her hand, their fingers intertwining.
As they sit there, hand in hand, a comfortable silence descends. The weight of their shared feelings has lifted, leaving space for something new to grow. They still have a lot to talk through and figure out. But at this moment, they're simply enjoying the feeling of being on the same page. For a moment they just sit there holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes. It's like nothing else in the world matters in that moment. And then Rapunzel speaks " Does this mean... we're girlfriends now?" She said while squeezing Cassandra's hand gently, a smile on her face.
Cassandra blushes, the word "girlfriend" both thrilling and surreal as it leaves her lips. "I suppose we are"
Rapunzel snuggles up closer to the black haired girl, her arm wrapping around her shoulders they sit together in the grass, enjoying each other's company, oblivious to the outside world. Eugene who has been watching from the window grins and shakes his head, a mix of amusement and relief on his face. As the sun sets behind them, the girls bask in the afterglow of their confession eager to start this new chapter in their lives as girlfriends.