A Cassarian Story
Varian always knew that he cared for Cassandra. But he didn't realize how much until she was gone.
Six long years after Cassandra leaves Corona, she finally returns. Varian is overjoyed, but she comes bearing terrible news. A stran...
A single tear trickles down Rapunzel's face, and Cass places a comforting hand on her arm. "You see, if Uncle Eugene and I had a kid then they would be the rightful heir to Corona. But because the Angst made it where I can't have kids, then we had to choose someone to rule when I no longer can. And, well, we chose you." She offers a sad half-smile.
"Oh..." Opal considers this. "I've always been excited to be queen someday, but I never realized the reason was so sad." She jumps out of the covers and wraps her arms around Rapunzel's neck.
"It's okay sweetie," Rapunzel tells her, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "You are an amazing gift to all of us. I love you as if you were my own."
Opal smiles softly, then climbs back under her blanket. Varian tucks her in, and strokes her hair lovingly. "Maybe it's time to put a pause on story time, Little Gem."
"No!" Opal protests. "If we end it there I won't be able to sleep! I need to know what happened next!"
"If that's the case, I may stick around a bit longer," Rapunzel says, pulling the chair from Opal's vanity closer to her bed. "I could use a good distraction right about now."
"Alright, alright," Cassandra says as she gently pulls Opal's blanket up farther until it covers to the little girl's neck. "So where were we...?"
"I just took the journal," Varian reminds her.
"Oh, right! And you stayed up all night studying it."
"Typical Varian," Rapunzel chimes in.
"Hey, it yielded results, didn't it?" Varian says defensively.
"It did," Cassandra agrees. "I was just surprised how quick you decoded it..."
"I'm in love with you, Cass."
Varian's words echo within Cassandra's mind. Him? In love? With her? It couldn't be true. How would he know what love is? He must be confused, or insane. The thought of it makes her furious! How could he say something like that?
But why? Why does it make her so angry? Lying alone in her tent, she ponders this question. Is she really angry with Varian for having feelings for her? Why should he have feelings for her? She's been nothing but a disappointment to everyone she's ever known her entire life. She has done a host of terrible things, and a few of them she did to Varian, himself. He should be infuriated with her, not confessing his love for her!
Now she realizes: She isn't angry with Varian. Shocked, yes, but not angry. She is angry with herself, for not being the type of person who deserves for someone like him to have feelings for her.
'Someone like him'? Okay, what does that even mean? Her own thoughts are confusing her.
"I've got it!" Varian's unmistakable voice announces to the entire camp just outside her tent.
You've got to be kidding me... already? She thinks, exiting her tent as the sun begins to rise. A scowling Abhu and an intrigued Adira emerge from their tents as well, as Eugene hobbles out of his.
"You're joking," Eugene says in disbelief, leaning against Cassandra for support. "You figured out the entire journal?"
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