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Cassandra slowly steps into one of the many empty tents left at the fairgrounds for the Challenge of the Brave. Even though the light of the sun is dimming over the horizon, Rapunzel still somehow manages to be the brightest thing around. Cassandra can’t tell fully if it is because of her colorful attire or if her smile is magical as well.
“That was so much fun!” Rapunzel states with a giddy laugh just as Cass closes the tent from the outside world. Cass gets down on her knees to put away some of her scattered weapons, lightly nodding to Rapunzel’s words. For something like the Challenge of the Brave, many people would not describe it as ‘fun’, but it somehow fits coming from the princess. “Did you have fun, Cass?”
“Spending time with you in general is fun, Raps,” Cass says with her back turned to her. Even though she tries to act casual about it, a small smile forms on her lips. Even though today had not gone as she expected, it is impossible for her to say she is disappointed. “You fought well. Maybe you were the head of the guard in another life,” Cass says in a half-teasing tone.
“Oh, please. We both know you’re a better fighter than I am. You’ve trained your whole life for that. I just played with a frying pan in a tower during that time.” Rapunzel walks over towards Cassandra, leaning down to look at the tools she is putting away. “Besides… You deserved the win far more than I did.” Cassandra’s eyes widen slightly at the touch of Rapunzel’s hand on her shoulder. She doesn’t stop her task to organize her equipment, but her mind also refuses to focus on anything else other than that simple touch. A few moments of peaceful silence pass by, only interrupted by their breaths. Even if it only lasts a couple of seconds, Cass can almost swear it is an eternity of wishing. Longing. “The people already look up to me because I’m the princess. I didn’t exactly earn that. But every ounce of skill you have was earned through hard work. That should be recognized.”
“You’re far too kind, Princess,” Cass says in her professional and laid back tone. As hard as she tries, she can’t seem to brush off those words. Deep down, Cass has always wanted to be seen and heard for her talents, but those attempts were always ignored. As soon as she became Rapunzel’s lady-in-waiting, people began to see her efforts, but always saw her as the princess’s bodyguard or assistant. It means a lot to hear that Rapunzel doesn’t see her in that way. After all, not everyone can say they have the respect of a princess…
“In my eyes, you’re the real champion today…” Rapunzel’s chin rests on Cassandra’s shoulder, her lips a mere inch away from the knight’s ear. At this point, Cass has stopped moving her hands, hopelessly pretending she is still occupied even though every part of her wants to turn towards the princess leaning on her. Rapunzel’s hands wrap around Cass, holding her in a hug.
“Champion of the battlefield maybe,” Cass responds in a slightly dejected tone. Her hand finds its way to Rapunzel’s, letting another silent moment pass them by.
“What is that supposed to mean? Did you want to win at something else? Get another prize?” Rapunzel asks in her usual upbeat tone, completely oblivious to the desire in Cass’s voice.
“You could say that I wanted to win y…” Cass’s resolve immediately diminishes, remembering what kind of consequences come with intimate words crafted from love. Rapunzel is a princess. She is THE princess of Corona. What kind of heresy is it to say something like that to her? “Eh, nevermind. I’m just glad we got to make some memories together.” Cass’s hand lingers on Rapunzel’s before finally letting go. Picking up her bag, Cass walks towards the entrance of the tent. That is until a hand grabs her shoulder, forcing her to finally look towards the princess.
“What was it? You can tell me anything, Cass,” Rapunzel desperately asks, a look of curiosity pleading for the thoughts in her head. “Was it all the ale you can drink? A new sword? Or maybe a new saddle? I could make one!”
“Raps,” Cass tries to deter Rapunzel from this train of thought. Rapunzel starts to pace back and forth with a thoughtful look on her face.
“No, I wanna help you get what you want. Did you want a painting? I could make one of you standing tall at the challenge grounds today!” Rapunzel initially looks excited at the idea, but upon gazing towards Cass’s cautious expression, her smile turns to a frown. “That’s not it? Hmm… What could you want more than all that? Maybe a day off? No, you would just be more stressed being forced to take a break.”
“Raps, stop,” Cass says in vain. The princess’s brainstorming seemingly muted her words as Rapunzel becomes more desperate to figure out what Cassandra’s desire is.
“Really, Cass. I promise you deserve whatever it is that you want. You’re my best friend. After all you’ve done for me, you deserve everything I can give.” Her pacing doesn’t stop for a second, but those few words cause Cassandra’s heart to skip a beat. Deep down, she knows the one thing she wants more than everything else that she suggested is something the princess can’t give. “I’m sure I could get my father to help-”
“Raps,” Cassandra raises her voice, grabbing Rapunzel’s wrist to stop her pacing. Rapunzel looks towards her carefully. A kind but concerned smile tells Cass she is listening. “I… I would be lying if I said there wasn’t something else I wanted. But it’s something you can’t just give me like a birthday present.” Cassandra finds it harder by the second to keep her eye contact with Rapunzel, but a strange sense of bravery fills her heart. Even if it is wrong for her to say it, she knows that Rapunzel deserves to know. “I want to win your heart, Raps. To earn your love and admiration. Be a champion of something more than… a contest.”
Cassandra immediately lets go of Rapunzel’s wrist, her eyes falling to the floor at the same time. Everything in the warrior’s heart turns to despair. How damning is it to wish for the impossible? If the king or her father heard her say those words, she is sure nothing short of being sent to a convent would be a suitable punishment. At the same time, it almost feels nice to say those words. To admit Rapunzel means more to her than a simple friend.
“Cass,” Rapunzel slowly says her name. After a moment, Cass sees Rapunzel’s legs move closer, making her look up at the princess. “You already have it~ I love you more than I can even describe. And I used to read the dictionary to avoid boredom.” A small giggle leaves her lips, but her hand moves to Cassandra’s cheek.
Slowly but surely, Cass’s hand meets hers. Even though her body is protected by armor, she can’t help but feel more vulnerable than ever before. Not a single word can be uttered before Rapunzel closes the gap between their lips. The passionate kiss sends shivers down Cassandra’s spine. The outside world ceases to exist to her senses, leaving only the flowery scent of Rapunzel’s hair and the taste of her lips. The eternity of love and racing heart beats ends entirely too soon as Rapunzel pulls away, leaving an empty feeling on Cassandra’s lips.
“I love you so much, Cass,” Rapunzel says with a lovestruck smile, seemingly overjoyed at Cassandra’s forbidden words.
“Raps, I… I love you too, but your father would have my head if he found out about this.” Cassandra’s tone is exaggerated, but she isn’t sure how far the king would go to protect Rapunzel.
“Maybe, but he would have to get through me first,” Rapunzel giggles, kissing Cassandra once more. Their arms wrap around each other to pull their bodies as close as possible. Cassandra’s mind races with the thought of how long this will last. However, something about Rapunzel’s body language tells her everything will be okay. At least for now. “How about we spend the rest of the night doing whatever you want? As your prize for being the real winner of today’s little contest, you have me all to yourself tonight~” Cassandra raises her eyebrow at the princess’s request. Even though a small part of her keeps telling her to think of the consequences, she can’t help but crack a smile.
“What I want is for you to decide, Princess~” Finally mustering enough courage, Cassandra presses her lips to Rapunzel’s. As their bodies rock back and forth, their hands hold onto each other tightly. Cassandra may not know what the rest of the night holds, but she can’t wait to see what’s next.