Tangled in a Knot

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Rapunzel ran around the castle, free as free could be. But she was missing one thing --- her lady-in-waiting. Where was she and why was she so late? Could something be going on?

Rapunzel put on her best serious face. She was the Princess of Corona and she better start acting like it, even if she was new to this royal life after being trapped in a tower for eighteen years. Thanks to Eugene Fitzherbert she was back home. She had to thank him, and she did every day, but was that really enough? Rapunzel did not think so, so she painted paintings on her canvas for him every day.

  Every day, she'd confront her chameleon friend, Pascal, before sharing it with the love of her life. "Pascal, do you think I'm overdoing all of this?" Rapunzel asked Pascal. Pascal just listened and did not respond. "Do you think he'll like this painting? I'm not sure if it fits him." Pascal nodded his little green head. Rapunzel was relieved, but when Eugene showed up, she accidentally threw her brush into the air and splashed paint all over her work. 

She was blushing. Eugene smiled, using his hand to gently brush her hair out of her face. "It's beautiful, Blondie. But you really don't have to do all this to thank me. Just one thank you is enough." 

"Really? I-I just thought...," Rapunzel began to say. "Actually, let's just forget about your paintings. How are you? Is that a bad question? Uh, did by any chance catch the lady who's supposed to be my lady-in-waiting?" 

"Depends. Is this woman a woman who does not conform to the word 'lady' much? I mean, she's pretty much of a tomboy. Annoying and makes snarky comments. She has short black hair, I think," Eugene said. "Last time I saw her, she was practicing sword fighting in the castle halls."

"Sword... fighting?" Rapunzel asked. 

"It's basically swinging a sword around with the intention of striking down an opponent," Eugene said. 

"Oh dear! I wouldn't wanna strike down anybody!" Rapunzel said. "Unless it was a bitch like my... the woman who abused me." 

Eugene put his hands on Rapunzel's shoulders. "Listen, Blondie. I understand how hard it may be for you to get over the abuse you experienced over these eighteen years of your life. It must've been torture to finally figure out that you were the lost princess and watching everything unfold... I'm so sorry that had to happen to you," he said. "But that's all in the past. We're living in the present now."

Rapunzel smiled, hugging Eugene. "You're right, Eugene. Thank you." 

He smiled, hugging her back. "You're welcome, Rapunzel. I love you." 

Rapunzel smiled. "I love you too." 

At that moment, Rapunzel's lady-in-waiting appeared. Rapunzel, now seeing the woman right in front of her, broke free from Eugene's embrace and ran towards the  young woman.  Eugene stood by smiling. 

"You're a lady-in-waiting who fights with a sword!?" Rapunzel said. She blushed as she said this. "That's awesome!" 

The young woman blushed. "I wouldn't say that. But yes," she said. She tugged at her dress. "Damn this dress. I can't move at all in this thing. But your parents insisted I wear it... until I get better clothes, I guess. But you wanna know something else your parents insisted? As your lady-in-waiting, I am here to protect you no matter what. If you're in trouble or despair, I'll protect you. I'll fight for you."