Varian was elated.
Finally.
He was going to free his dad, get the girl of his dreams, and show the monarchy's spoiled little brats what it felt to lose at last.
In hopes of protecting you, though, the boy knew that Rapunzel would make an effort to hide you from him.
He planned out a response for just about any outcome, and based on the army of villagers marching toward his house, she probably would have hidden you in plain sight among them. That, or the trap door Rapunzel and the King were about to ascend would release you, as well.
His plans for after the wreckage?
Inform his father of the monarchy's betrayal, find a force to counteract Rapunzel's oddly protective hair, and start a happy relationship with you.
Sometimes the memories he had of you were all that convinced him he had a happy future with someone else.
He found it hard to imagine that without you.
Even with the comfort of his father again, Varian knew there was a place in his heart made only for you.
But he was very aware, even as you climbed the ladder to enter his lab, that you wouldn't join him in his rouse against the royals.
So, as always, he prepared.
--
Yelling until his voice cracked, Varian slammed his fists down on the control board.
How could this happen?
Bitter and non-resistant, he shuffled his feet as some dumb palace guards dragged him to the holding carriage.
As Ruddiger scampered up his shoulder, the teen looked among the people there to witness his crushing defeat. He could scowl and curse and mock any number of them for at least being completely incompetent against both his automatons and himself except for Rapunzel's miracle of a last-minute save, but all he could manage was staring at you as he walked by.
He saw that horrible pitying look in your beautiful eyes.
He knew it all too well.
You didn't love him.
You didn't like him.
You didn't even want to look at him for what could be the last time in years as he was taken to court.
But Varian understood.
The science prodigy saw it as less of an obstacle and as more of an opportunity.
He wouldn't give up on you. Not when you were meant to be, of course.
Even if you would never choose him willingly.
After all, you did rather enjoy cookies.
