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Chapter 24 -
Possibly A Breakthrough?
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“I'll be alright walking by myself, if not I'll stop by the Snuggly Duckling.” You say, smiling and slip on a satchel Quirin let you have.  

The metal emblem on the bag is what you liked about it. You trace the owl's face and wonder why its eyes are holes, so you tap it to hear that it's slightly hollow.

“This is the last week they will be celebrating the Princess’s return and King Frederick will be expecting you.” Quirin says.

You nod and smile, “I'll be leaving now, then.”

Varian pulls you into a tight hug, “Be careful. Try to anyway.”

You laugh slightly, “I'll try.” You hug him then go to pull away, but you can’t. “Varian.” He hums and you chuckle sheepishly, “Varian, you can let go now.”

He jumps back, smiling shyly and laughs, “I knew that.”

You shake your head and wave, “Of course you did.” He waves back as you walk toward the village. Some of them wave to you as you pass and you start your way down the road.

“(____).....”

Immediately you stop, then gulp, “Keep walking.” You tell yourself and do so. Not a couple a steps, you hear soft voices calling your name, but you didn't know where.

Suddenly you hear Varian call for you and that made you sigh in relief, but also slightly mad, “Varian, don't scare me like that!”

“You really got to see this, come on!”

Well he sounds really excited about something and you follow where he's yelling. “Varian, this better be quick.” You call back and push past some bushes.

“(____), hurry!”

You groan and run, trying to catch up, “Well wait for me!”

After awhile of running, you pant and look around to see you stumbled to a clearing with a bridge. You didn't know how long you followed Varian.

“(____)! Over here!” Varian called from somewhere on the other side of the long narrow bridge.

You walk up and examine the slightly ruined bridge. “Are you sure this is safe?”

“Come on!”

Slowly, you make your way across and stop once in awhile in caution when small rubbles fall. On the other side, you finally walk straight to a hill. “Varian!”

“Closer!” Varian’s voice echoed around a trail of the hill.

You felt a bit scared, but also felt safe. The sound of waves against a rocky wall made you more curious especially with the smell of crisp salt air.

A cliff. You were on a cliff and you see an edge with a stone pedestal. “Varian?” There was no answer, so you make your way down to the ledge. “Varian, seriously, you're not being funny.”

There was nothing around for Varian to hide behind and besides, he's not one to pull pranks on you…. Much.

When you get closer, the ground beneath you shook slightly. “I should probably go back.” You whisper and turn, only to hear something burst out of the ground behind you.

Your eyes widen at the familiar thing in front of you. A single sharp black rock. Glancing around you, you see small black stubs trying to grow but it's like they can't grow in sunlight. Though how did this one in front of you grow so fast?

The slick and shiny surface was beckoning you to run your hand over it. You could feel your arm move and your hand get close.

Your palms had a tingling sensation almost like your hands were being rubbed in soothing way and it calmed you. It was different than what you felt when Rapunzel healed your hands. This felt cool, one that seemed you stepped out into a cool night.

Suddenly, you're yanked away and you panic when you're thrown over someone's shoulders. The rocks all sprouted with a blue glow, seeming angered and try to follow, only not to get far from the pedestal. They seemed to be waiting.

You struggle and recognize the person running away with you. “Quirin! Put me down!”

He doesn't say anything and continues, going over the bridge with ease or not caring about the few falling rubble.

You watch the area get further and get blocked by the forest you two head in. For some reason, you wanted to go back. You needed to go back because you finally found something that wanted to tell you something.

“Quirin, just let me go back.”

He finally walks down the trail and still held you without a problem, “No.”

“Let me walk.”

“No.”

“Please, I have to go back. You don't understa-”

“NO.” Quirin said dangerously. “(____), you don't understand that those rocks are dangerous.”

“No, they aren't.” You protest and struggle, having no idea what you're saying. “Take me back!”

“(____), you are never going there again. Stay away from it.”

You keep struggling, but soon you get tired after passing the Snuggly Duckling. It was almost Twilight by the time you two are at the entrance to Corona.

There were still some people walking around and going about their business. You began to wonder how Rapunzel is holding up after four weeks. You hope Eugene was okay too.

“Will you put me down any time soon?” You ask tiredly.

“Not until we get inside the castle.” Quirin responded.

He still hasn't put you down once you go in the castle, but when you notice you're in the room with the model of the whole kingdom, he puts you down.

“Quirin.” King Frederick greeted from the map display stand.

“Your Majesty.”

You stretch and sigh, wondering over to the model. You try to act like you're not listening as Quirin and Frederick talk. Why were you brought in her anyway?

“How are things so far in Old Corona?” Frederick says casually.

Quirin smiles lightly, “It's doing quite fine and new harvest is starting quite early and maybe in the near future, if I may ask, to request more land if all grows well.”

Frederick hums in thought and you glance over to him with a greatly concerned expression, then smiles slightly, “If the harvest grows bountifully in passing time, then I will see to it to grant you more land. Though where would you want the land to be?”

“Possibly a place where the SUN shines best.”

You were confused and notice the King scan the map, stopping at a certain spot near Old Corona and very close to the ocean line. “We shall see, Quirin.”

“Another thing, Your Majesty. I don't think (____) can help in harvesting at the moment, so she'll be staying here once again.”

“I'll see to her after you leave. Take care, my old friend.”

Quirin bows and nods to you in a silent goodbye. You hug him and smile slightly in response as he closes the door.

“I see you've healed well, (____).” Frederick says with a warm smile.

You nod, “I have. Thanks to Quirin and his son. They are both very caring and amazing people.”

The King agrees and nods for you to follow him, “My Queen has been very worried about you and I'm sorry if it's absurd to say, but I think she cares for you just as much as our daughter.”

He seemed more happy, now that you realized it and it was mostly because of Rapunzel. “It doesn't sound absurd, Your Majesty. I do look up to the Queen as someone I do care about.”

“That's good. Now, you should get some rest because I have a feeling the ones you care about will be piling onto you tomorrow.” He chuckles, leading you to your previous room.

You were surprised he let out a carefree chuckle and smile, “More like bone crushing hugs.”

Frederick opens your door, laughing lightly, “Stay strong, Lady (____) and sleep well.”

You giggle and walk into your room, “Thank you and you have a good night as well, King Frederick.”

He closed your door and you frown, looking at your balcony doors which showed an early night sky. You knew the King and Quirin were speaking of the black rocks, it wasn't that hard to decipher when you knew what happened today.

You hold out your hands and just wonder as the moonlight shines on your hands.