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Chapter 25 -
Hugs To Relevant Inquiry
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The next day was full of hugs and you never thought so many cared for you. You had given hugs to everyone at the castle, you know, Pete, Stan, Cassandra, Queen Arianna.

Though the one who really picked you up and basically spun you around, was Eugene. He ran to you before Rapunzel could and she smile happily at you two.

“Kid! Do you realize how much you worried the both of us!? Rapunzel and I didn't know where you went, we thought you just up and left!”

Eugene sounded like Varian when he's worried about you. You felt a bit awkward and pat Eugene's back. Cassandra pulls him off, “Okay, enough. She still has other friends to see.” She smiles at you.

Rapunzel now pulls you into a bone crushing hug and you could hardly breath. She smiles, laughing sheepishly while pulling, “Sorry. I really like hugs.”

You laugh, catching your breath, “I can tell.” You notice her hair is short and brunette. How did you not see that right off? Rapunzel actually looked really great as a brunette. “What happened while I was…..away?”

She grin happily and starts talking about what happened after she healed Eugene. Her parents were beyond happy their daughter was back and that's why the whole kingdom celebrated for maybe three weeks now?

“Oh and Cassandra is my Lady-In-Waiting!” Rapunzel says excitedly.

Cassandra nods and speaks to you “So that means you will be following us because I still have to watch over you.”

“Okay. Do I have to follow all the time?”

Cassandra chuckles, “Not all the time, just sometimes.”

Soon you leave and head outside in the courtyard. There were lots of people just having fun. Once you take the last step, you hear your name being yelled.

“(____)!”

Your eyes widen when a group of familiar thugs go to dog pile on you. You immediately step to the side as everyone crashes into each other and you laugh. “Hello, my fellow ruffians.”

Vlad picks you up into a tight but comforting hug before Attila plucks you from Vlad and cradles you. “We all thought something bad happened to you!”

You chuckle, “Not really. I'm still here so that's good.” You glance around, spotting Hook-Hand playing the piano and Big Nose is talking with a lady.

“Awww! Did Big Nose find a love interest?” You say happily and wave as Big Nose waves back in surprise, then points to the lady who seemed to giggle.

“He sure did and it happened by accident.” Attila says.

Hook-Hand finishes his piano solo and takes a drink he had sitting under his seat. “Hook-Hand!” You call out and run to give him a hug.

“Little Lady!” He hugs you tightly, “You're okay! Hey, I'm going on tour!”

You blink then grin, “That's amazing! You get to show everyone your music!”

“Yep and heads up, my brother will be coming here once I leave.” He cleans his hook hand and you tilt your head, “Brother?”

“Twin brother. His name is Hook-Foot.”

“Hook-Foot…….okay, well I know he'll fit right in.” You give Hook-Hand a good luck before heading toward town, avoiding people.

The town was an ordinary day since the main celebration was going on at the castle. Your eyes wander in the direction of the bridge and glance around. Before you could even take a step, someone calls you over and you groan silently.

The call came from Xavier and he's motioning you over to his blacksmith shop. You plop down on a stool that he placed for you.

“Tell me and be honest, Little One.” Xavier sits in front of you, smiling warmly. “What do you remember that day Quirin found you.”

Inwardly, you groan and knew Quirin had told him something about you, but…..you didn't know what happened yourself. Just only what Varian told you.

“Varian said Quirin found me in the field and that I was really injured…..from a stab wound.”

Xavier hums, “Before that.”

You think and subconsciously rubs your arms, “I remember helping to save the princess, then the one who took the princess tried to kill me.” You shake your head, “She managed to get my side before turning…..old?” You sigh, “After that it was kind of vague. I fell and I last saw the painting of the sky on the ceiling.”

Xavier examines you intently then hums again, “I see.” He smiles, “Thank you. You had many of us worried about you.” He stands and takes out something from behind a shelf. It sounded like he was flipping through a book.

You tilt your head, then narrow your eyes slightly, “Did Quirin see something when he found me? Because he's being secretive about me.”

Xavier sighs and puts the book away, “I will be honest as I can, but truthfully….” He turns to you, “...If you can not remember what has happened to you before you came here, then you are not ready to know what goes on until you do remember. At least a little.”

“Do you or Quirin know what goes on?”

Xavier sighs, “We know things, but sometimes there is more than meets the eye for all of us.”

That's all Xavier said to you and you really wanted to know everything, yet you didn't. You had to wait and see.

“Are you ready for more studies?”

You blink then whine a bit, “More books?”

Xavier laughs, “More books, but this time, it's more into astronomy type things.”

You grin, “Well that's not as boring as history!”

Xavier gets back to work and makes small talk while doing so, “How is Quirin’s Boy? I know you have a different perspective of the boy than Quirin.” He hammers down a piece of metal.

You pull out your journal from your satchel, looking through it. “Varian's alright. Still being the most clumsy genius and his work is still amazing.” You smile softly while flipping to a page where you drew Varian concentrating on writing in his journal. “Such a determined klutz.”

Xavier glances over and chuckles, “That's good. It seems the strings of fate has woven you two together very well.”

Your face feel warm and you laugh lightly, “I guess you can everything and I'll be honest…. I do care for him. Almost like a secret promise.” You blush in embarrassment, “That's sounds crazy, does it sound crazy?”

Xavier let's out a deep and humble chuckle, “Not at all, (____). Not at all.”