♡︎♥︎ 𝗣𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 ♥︎♡︎ | 𝗩𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗫 𝗙𝗘𝗠!𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚗𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚕𝚢 𝙳𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 ✯★

The events that had happened had shaken you up. And you weren't doing an exceptional job hiding it. Everyone in the castle knew something was up.

They didn't approach you about it directly, but rumours were spreading like a wildfire. No one had confirmed them yet, but based on the way the younger princess had been cooped up in her room, shutting out anyone and everyone any chance she got, which was unusual to say the least, it seemed believable enough.

Her friends and family were worried, but anytime they approached her she seemed distant and preoccupied. She brushed them off and left the very first chance she got. So they waited. And waited. And waited. When everything seemed in vain, Eugene Fitzherbert, who had grown to regard (Y/N) as a sister, finally had enough.

He was going to do what he should've done days ago.

He was going to do the unfathomable.
.
.
.
Eugene had knocked on (Y/N)'s door. She didn't even have the chance to answer - not like she would have answered anyway - before he barged in. He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her outside. She had an obvious bed-head and wore long gloves that reached her elbows. She wore pants and a simple shirt, which she was rarely seen in outside of the comfort of her home.

They had reached the bridge, when (Y/N) started to struggle against his grip weakly.

"Eugene, what are you doing?"

He regarded her sternly.

"(Y/N), I am going to cheer you up!"

You laughed sarcastically.

"Right, and dragging me out of my room, while I'm still in my pajamas, to go somewhere is definitely the best way to do that."

"You'll see."

The Duo entered the forest, which meant that (Y/N) had to dodge trees and any branches that came her way. Finally, they reached a clearing.

"Ah, the memories."

Eugene muttered to himself, sighing. You, whose sight was blocked due to his taller frame, peaked out from behind him. You spotted a sign about two feet away from you.

"The Snuggly Duckling? Really? What, do you plan on getting me some rubber duckies?"

He didn't respond, only barking out a laugh. He wiped away an imaginary tear.

"Oh sweet little clueless (Y/N). You really have no idea."

He pushed you inside, following swiftly. Great, he had blocked off your escape route. Your eyes widened the slightest bit when a strong smell hit you. You were quite surprised when you entered.

Oh. So the Snuggly Duckling was a pub.

It reeked of alcohol. You scrunched up your nose and looked at Eugene.

"Eugene Fitzherbert. You do know I'm a minor, right?"

Mocking offense, he gasped loudly.

"Woah, woah, woah. Kid, I'm not buying you alcohol. What kind of future brother-in-law do you think I am?"

He paused.

"...unlesssss you want some? I am bribing you, by the way-"

"I don't want any alcohol."

"Oh, good, cause Blondie would've killed me."

You raised an eyebrow.

"And I was just joking! I was joking!"

He held up his hands in defense, chuckling. Finally taking in your surroundings, you noticed the ruffians and thieves who were gathered here.

Eh, could be worse.

Seeing there were no free tables left, you plopped down on the nearest barstool. Attila came to get your order. You were acquainted already, having had a few nice conversations in town. You had asked him for help once or twice when you wanted to bake some muffins. Raspberry muffins, to be specific. They were your mothers favourite after all.

"Hey (Y/N), long time no see!"

Chuckling dryly, you responded.

"I guess so."

"So what brings you here?"

"Eugene."

"Ah."

"Does that happen often?"

"Well... it's a long story. I'll save that for another time."

"Okay, sure."

It didn't take long until you two were immersed in your conversation. Attila told you about recent events that had taken place and pointed out people in the pub and explained their stories as you listened closely. It was nice talking to someone after all this time.

Why had you spent so much time in your room again? Oh, that's right.

You grimaced, glancing down at your gloved hands. You still hadn't quite figured out what you could do, but nothing had occurred in the castle. You stayed far away from any black rocks and that seemed to have solved the problem. Still, you felt wary and acted cautiously. Staying alert wouldn't hurt.

Maybe things could even return to normal. Maybe, just maybe that was it. Maybe nothing else would happen with your 'power'.

Hopeful, you turned back to your conversation with Attila, who had just finished telling you about a ghost that had haunted the very pub you were currently seated in. After that, you were introduced to Hook Foot, his older brother Hook Hand, Ulf the mime, Big Nose, Vladimir, and Shorty.

You had a great time, chatting and laughing way more than you had in the past few weeks. You honestly hadn't expected that Eugene's plan would work, at all, but you were glad it did. For the first time in a while, you felt like yourself again, talking to Big Nose about love and romance and the hardships that came with it. You had at least one thing in common with everyone here, even if that something minor like liking Rapunzel, cause come on, who in Corona doesn't? Other than Monty, who you needed to visit sometime soon. It felt like ages since your last visit.

Some normality had returned and with that did the spark in your eyes. You felt like doing something again. You felt like you cared again. You wanted to help others with their issues once again. You wanted to run through a meadow of flowers while screaming gleefully. You felt alive.

Eugene watched the scene, reminiscing of old times. Rapunzel had acted similar her first visit. You two definitely had your similarities. For example, you and your sister both had this magnetic aura that pulled people in.

Like a bit of light illuminating the darkness, you made people, whether they did so consciously or unconsciously, drift towards you. You both had this way with people, where you could get anyone to like you.

You two were warm and friendly like the sun. There was a fire within both of you, a certain potential. A glimpse of sunlight, shining in even the deepest, darkest corners. He admired that. It was one of the many reasons he loved Rapunzel.

This was also why he knew bringing you here would reignite that fire within you. And he was very glad it did. People had missed you, even if you wouldn't believe that.

He knew you had trouble believing that people truly took note of you, that they actually took a liking to you. You just couldn't quite grasp the concept of it. No one could or would replace you. You were you, and that made you special. That made you irreplaceable. And that was what made you important.

♡︎♥︎♡︎♥︎