Something You Don't Know

2: Home Sweet Not?

"Faster, Fidella!" Cassandra commanded as she held to Fidella's reigns. The horse letting her hoof run as fast as they can, sensing her master's distress.

The message that Rapunzel sent her have a hidden message on it.

At first, it seemed weird but on further examination you can find the pattern in the words.

The sentences' starting point. The capital letters.

Dear Cass,

Hey there! Enhancing day today, isn't it? Let me tell you how my day went. Precisely like you said. Mylene really had a problem. Except it was a different one.

Camille also told me about her problems. Oh no! Really shouldn't have wrote that. Omens with bad luck aren't real, right? Not a good advice for them. Anyway, it's alright.

Day by day, we seemed to take some advance measures. A lot of things had happened. No one knows what will occur in the future. Game on for all the challenges that might come. Energy to keep going on is what we have. Ready for a new adventure!

Love,
Rapunzel.

HELP ME

CORONA

DANGER

Corona needs her help.

Something really bad must've happened. Knowing Rapunzel, she's not the type of person who put encoded message if she needs help unless it's deemed necessary.

Her heart was still pounding fast but she didn't let the fear be visible in her face. She have to stay strong. Being a coward is not an option.

The wind swept her already above the waist long hair. A lot of things had changed.

A few hours later, they arrived. The place was still the same — other than the newly painted and newly built establishment — but something is definitely wrong.

Everything just seemed so quiet. Too quiet.

The usual light and happy aura that can be found on the kingdom was gone.

Her heart beats fast. She quickly ran towards the castle and signaled her animal friends to go and investigate the area, which they quickly do—running in the other sides of the town.  She let her feet do it's thing and take her fast on the castle.

She was near the entrance when a voice called out her name.

"Cassie?"

She frozed, her feet stuck on the ground as she heard that very familiar — and yet distant voice.

Only two people calls her Cassie and both of them have their own way and tone when they call her that.

Andrew and—

"Varian."

She turned her head and she was right. It is Varian.

He's atleast 5 inches taller than her — maybe more. His hair was still styled the same way but this time it was much more neater. He really did grow, not just his height but also his body. Woah, puberty hit him really hard. From a boy to a man.

But her mind wandered back to the last time she saw him. He was getting thrown in to the castle dungeon for committing treason and the fact that he almost killed her.

What is he doing in here?

"How did you know it was me?" He asked.

"Your tone," she answered, her hand ready to reach out for her sword just in case he do something reckless.

Does she trust him after what happened?

No.

"Excuse me?" His eyebrows furrowed.

"You're the only one who calls me 'Cassie' in a more softer tone," she explained.

"Oh." Was all he could say.

Her eyes narrowed at him. "What are you doing in here?"

His eyes widened in fear and bowed his head. "I'm hiding," he whispered.

"Hiding from what?" She asked suspiciously.

He raised his head and gave the castle a glance. "From them."

"Them? You mean the royal family? Well, I really thing you should since—"

"No! From Andrew!" He snapped at her, annoyed that she was quick to judge him.

"W-what? Why?" She asked, completely bewildered.

Varian narrowed his eyes at her. "Don't you get it? They've taken over the kingdom."

"It can't be. Andrew is locked—"

"Well he escaped!" He bellowed, his eyes squinting and clenched his fist.

Cassandra took a step back at his attitude. He really did changed.

But honestly, she couldn't blame him. After all that happened to her, she can understand how anger and betrayal could push a person to do a lot of unbelievable things

She stared at the huge castle doors with conviction. "I'm going to stop him."

"I'm going to help." She heard her companion said, making her turn to him with wide eyes.

"You will? Why?" She asked. She knew the kid's — man's hatred on the royal family.

"Because I don't want him to take over old Corona, too," he answered simply.

Cassandra didn't know if she should let him but then she remembered how Rapunzel gave her another chance.

She'll gave him one.

"Alright."

Once again, she dashed towards the castle, this time with Varian on her side.

The doors swung open and it revealed Andrew. She quickly took out her sword, ready for a fight.

"Stop this right now, Andrew," she barked.

Andrew acted like she didn't heard her. Something was off about this. His eyes were glowing violet. Is this related to another magical circumstances again?

Instead of acknowledging the woman in front of him, Andrew took a series of steps towards her companion.

"What would you like for dinner, your majesty?" He asked

Cassandra's eyes widened and she took a step back.

Realization dawned on her.

She had been foolish.

"It was you! You're the one who—" he cuts her off.

"Took over the kingdom? Yes. It's me." Gone was the light endeavor that he once possessed. His eyes stared at him as cold as his voice — sending a shiver down her spine.

This isn't Varian. This can't be him.

"How did you know thay I was going to arrive at Corona?"

She couldn't think of any answer to the questions unless...

"Easy. Because I was the one who sent the letter."

The door slammed shut behind her, completely trapping her inside the castle she once called home.

--

The worst thing about betrayal is that it didn't come from your enemies, but ti came from the people you trust.

Please bear with me, I'm not really used to making a darker themed story. I'm still adjusting and this story would be a good practice for me. 😵