Twisted Destiny

Replacement

At Kline's request, he and Clementine had met with the royal family, Eugene, Varian, Andrew and Juniper in the throne room.

"So, we have good news and bad news." Clementine revealed.

King Frederic sighed and rubbed at his temple. "Let's...let's hear them."

"We know what's happened to him, why he won't wake up." Kline revealed. "Unfortunately, the bad news is that we have to either defeat the Disciple that put him in that state or convince him to let him go."

Rapunzel winced. "That's going to be tough..."

Varian pursed his lips. Defeating Lucas was going to be tough but convincing him might take something they weren't willing to do - Varian, in particular. He wasn't oblivious to Lucas'...intentions, but he'd also made a Deal or something with Andrew and, apparently, breaking that wasn't allowed?

But, figuring out how to get Lucas to free Nigel was going to have to wait. Right now, they were down a Royal Advisor, with war on the horizon. Well, sort of war. It was Corona against Cassandra and the Zhan Tiri group.

"It sounds like we're going to have to track this man down. In the meantime, though, we cannot go without a Royal Advisor..." King Frederic said, then looked thoughtful before looking at Varian. "Varian, do you think you would be willing to fill the role again?"

Varian blinked in surprise. "Are you sure? I mean, I know I took the job before, but that was..."

"Regardless of the circumstances, you did a good enough job at it that the Seven Kingdoms didn't suspect anything." King Frederic assured him. "Though, you might want to wear something less..." he paused, searching for a word, "diabolical."

Rapunzel giggled and Queen Arianna managed to resist doing the same while Eugene openly chuckled. Varian blushed and nodded, figuring he deserved the teasing.

"Well..." Varian shrugged. "I mean, if you trust me to not lead you astray. I will probably not pull any sorting pranks on you this time."

King Frederic chuckled. "Ah, what's a prank or two? I'll send notice to the tailor, he'll have an outfit made for you."

"Er, can I design it myself?" Varian asked awkwardly. "The last time the tailor tried to design something for me..." He glanced away awkwardly.

King Frederic nodded, and then they all looked over as the Captain came into the throne room with his men. "Captain." He greeted as the men bowed before him.

"Forgive my interruption, Your Majesty." He said with a haunted expression. "But...there is something I must tell you."

"Rise." King Frederic smiled.

He slowly stood up. "King Frederic, Queen Arianna. As the Captain of the Corona Royal Guard, I have sworn to defend this Kingdom against all who threaten it." He tensed, his shoulders slumping a bit, "But, as a father, I cannot face my daughter in battle. I had a nightmare this morning about fighting her...and I could not even raise my sword. I cannot bring myself to harm her."

He took off his helmet. "And so, it is with a heavy heart that I retire from my post."

Everyone let out confused and surprised reactions, Pete being overdramatic and fainting onto Stan.

"Captain, didn't you decide to bring her back?" Juniper asked with concern.

"If I cannot even dream about fighting her, I cannot even consider doing it in the real world." He said grimly. "The very thought makes me...ill. It would be like if you had to fight Prince Andrew, Princess."