I'm Done Holding Back

Chapter Thirteen: What Happened In Corona

"Yay, Daddy finally told Mommy he loves her!" Opal shouts happily, startling a snoozing Luna awake. "So then you told him you loved him too, right Mommy?"

     Cassandra purses her lips. "Well, not exactly kiddo."

     "Your mother doesn't like to talk about her feelings," Varian says with a teasing smirk, invoking a playful punch on the shoulder from his wife.

     "I admit, at the time, the thought of actually being in a relationship with your father had never even crossed my mind," Cassandra tells Opal. "Not until that moment, when he confessed his love for me."

     "Knock-knock!" An enthusiastic voice says, surprising all of them.

     "Aunt Raps!" Opal says with a wide smile as the queen enters the room.

     "Hey Rapunzel," Varian says, he and Cass still sitting at the bottom of Opal's bed. "What're you doing here?"

     "Cass said she wanted to discuss something with me," Rapunzel explains. "I was on my way to meet her, when I noticed this little one's bedroom door was still open." She steps forward and taps the tip of Opal's nose.

     "Oh, right!" Cassandra says, facepalming. "Sorry about that, Raps. I got a little distracted."

     "So what's going on here?" Rapunzel asks. "I figured Opal would be asleep by now."

     "Mommy and Daddy are telling me a story!" Opal replies.

     "Oooh, story time? I love stories," Rapunzel says with a grin. "What kind of story are we telling?"

     "Our Little Gem, here, asked to hear the story of how Cass and I fell in love," Varian tells her, gazing adoringly at Cassandra.

     "Oh come on, you were in love with her from the day you met her!" Rapunzel chuckles. The slightly uncomfortable expressions on both of her parents' faces cause Opal to giggle.

     "Okay, so it's more the story of how we got together," Cassandra says.

     "You mean, the story of how long it took you to finally admit your feelings for Varian?" Rapunzel adds teasingly, receiving a glare from Cass.

     "Actually, you might be able to help us with this next part of the story," Varian says to Rapunzel, his expression turning solemn. "Opal said she's ready to hear everything about what happened, including the not-so-great parts..."

     Rapunzel's expression falters. "What are you saying?"

     Varian hesitates a moment before adding, "I think it's time you explain to Opal exactly why she is the chosen heir."

     "But only if you're ready," Cassandra adds, taking Rapunzel's hand in hers.

     "Ooh boy," Rapunzel says with a shaky breath. "I figured this time would come soon..." She kneels down next to Opal's bed and looks directly into the young girl's concerned eyes. "While your parents and Uncle Eugene were out on their adventure, something very upsetting and scary happened to me..."

As a red and black shadow rises from the remains of the Dark Kingdom and tears through the sky, the citizens of Corona wind down from the busy events of their day and prepare for what they hope is a good night's rest. They shut their doors and windows, reverse their shop signs to 'Closed', and blow out their lanterns. Today has been one of many peaceful and joyous days in their kingdom, the type of day that has been occurring more often. Corona hasn't had the best past; numerous terrible and horrific events have come about, and there was a time where something awful was happening nearly every week! But now, under the rule of Queen Rapunzel, things seem to have changed.