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Chapter 29 -
Not So Perfect Coronation
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Unfortunately, you guys had to run on the horses all the way back and the sun began to rise when you seen the castle in view.

“We've got a problem? Because of the Coronation, they've doubled security at the gates today.” Cass says after looking around at the castle gates.

You scan around then look up to the tower where Rapunzel's room is.

“There's no other way in?” Rapunzel asks worried.

“If you want to walk in through the front door in broad daylight, unless….” You say and grin, pointing up, “....maybe we don't need the front door.”

Rapunzel smiles and nudges you gently, “Good idea.”

You turn to Max, “Max, I need you to go inside tell Pete and Stan they are relieved of their duties and open the balcony doors to Rapunzel's room.”

Max saults and heads off to do what you said. The three of you hide behind Fidella until you're near Rapunzel's room after you go over the castle walls.

Rapunzel throws her hair up once the balcony window opens. Cass goes first, leaving you and Rapunzel to be pulled up.

“Okay, quick! Hand me the scissors!” Rapunzel says disparately.

You shakes your head when Cass gets the scissors, “No, that's not going to work.”

“Why? I mean now Rapunzel can go for a bob or layers- (____)! What are you doing!?” Cass panics.

You had took out a small axe from the weapon bag hooked on Max, “Proving to you that there might be a slight difference in her hair!” You slam it on part of Rapunzel's hair and the weapon broke.

“Uh oh.” Cass says and Rapunzel stares in panic, “THAT shouldn't be an UH OH.”

“Exactly, it is an uh oh and Rapunzel's hair was never this strong.” You say and blink in confusion. How did you know her hair would be like this?

“No! I- ugh- Just try again!” Rapunzel says stressfully.

You sit on her couch and groan since they wouldn't listen, watching every attempt Cass made to cut her hair.

Battle Axe. Cass grunts as it breaks off the handle. A Mace. Cass yells, “Hiya!” That breaks of it's handle. Small Curved Dagger. Cass growls and rapidly hits it down on the hair.

You raise a brow when Cass drags in a giant battle axe and drops it. It falls, breaking the table Rapunzel's hair is on and not cutting the hair. “Ugh! Forget it! It's just like those stupid rock! Unbreakable!”

“No! We can't forget it! Today is my coronation!”

There's a knock on the door, “Hey Sunshine. Are you in there?” It was Eugene. You didn't really bother what they were saying because your head hurt. You start rubbing your temples and glance up to watch the two trying to hide Rapunzel's hair.

The door is kicked open and Eugene runs in, stopping to stare at the hairy mess. “Holy Hair!”

Rapunzel chuckles nervously, “Surprise.” She walks over to sit Eugene on a chair and he starts rambling.

You help Cass pick up Rapunzel's hair while Eugene is sounding panicked, freaked out, and worried. It started to annoy you a little, “Eugene! Stop freaking out. You sound like you never seen magic hair before.”

He glares at you then smiles sheepishly at Rapunzel, “Where is the war that you'll share when you're ready?”

You shake your head and untangle hair from a hanging plant. “Thanks for understanding.” Rapunzel says softly, only for Eugene to burst.

“Oh come on! Really? I thought we trusted each other, Rapunzel.”

“We do! I do, it's just-”

“Fine, fine, you know what? I can't let you tell me what happened. But obviously you're keeping something from me, but whatever it is.” He places his hands on her shoulders and speaks with his heart, “I- I just want you to know, you should never hide anything from me.”

Cass rolls her eyes and you smile softly. Rapunzel was lucky to have him, even though he's weird at times. “You don't hide things from the people you love, ever.” Rapunzel smiles warmly at him.

“Rapunzel!”

You all freeze when you hear Queen Arinna call for Rapunzel. “Hide your hair, Woman. You gotta hide your hair.” Eugene says after that whole speech.

“Cass, try a wig. Preferably a baroque wig, its big enough to hide her hair.” You say and go over to the door, “I'll handle the Queen.” You slip out, closing the door behind you and smile sheepishly.

“Good Morning, your Highness!”

Arinna smiles, “Good morning, (____)! I just have to see my daughter for a moment.”

“You can’t! I mean, you can it's just she's...a… Brushing her teeth!” You say loudly so Rapunzel could hear you on the other side.

“Oh, well I can still go in, can't I?” Arianna says, confused.

“Believe me, mom! You do NOT want to. Morning breath and I wouldn't want to expose you to that!” You smile sheepishly at Rapunzel's reply and Arianna sighs.

“Um, that's very thoughtful of you. Dad and I want you to join us on the terrace for breakfast.”

“Uh, I don't know, there's a lot of stuff I have to do to get ready.”

You still stood in front of the door, making sure the Queen doesn't go in and she sighs, “Rapunzel, well, your father has something to share with you and he's been waiting all night.”

“Yeah, um….sure, I'll meet you there in a minute?”

You smile softly, “Arianna, she's okay. It's just there so MANY things going on and Rapunzel is trying to adjust to them.” You walk with her and she sighs.

“I know. I do want her to be free too before she becomes Queen. I use to be like her and I've done many things before I figured out who I want to be, then became Queen.”

You gently touch her arm, “She'll be fine. You just gotta have faith in what she does for herself.”

Arianna smiles warmly and hugs you, “Thank you, (____). By the way, try to wear a dress today. At least for today, alright?”

You groan and nod, “Aright.”

She laughs softly, giving you one last hug before walking off. You head to your room to freshen up, especially after what happened last night.

After getting out from the bathtub, you wrapped a towel around you and sat on a stool. Your bathroom was slightly big, almost like another room.

You sigh and hold up your left forearm. You turn to the new mark under that's now painted on your skin. It was the color of pale turquoise, actually the lines glazed when light hit it.

“Why does this look familiar?”

You traced the circle and the three lines that are half way in the circle. Suddenly, you felt a headache and you closed your eyes. An image of the same mark was on someone's hand.

“Quirin.” You say and shake your head.

Soon you're done getting ready and slipped on a dress. You had found some gloves and slipped them on so no one could see the mark.

Down in the throne room, you shift nervously because one; this room is full of people and two; you're standing next to the Duchess. Luckily Eugene was here and he brought a little comfort. “Wow.” Eugene says softly.

You try to look and can't see Rapunzel yet, but you can tell she's having a hard time coming down the aisle.

“How embarrassing for her. This is going to take forever.” The Duchess says and walks out. You glare as she does and growl a little. A thought pops in your mind.

“Lady Cane.” You whisper and feel worried.

Finally Rapunzel make it to the front, “The wearer of this crown is shining promise that is Corona. Ambassador to goodwill to those visiting from afar and an inspiration to those fortunate enough to live within her borders.”

You tap Eugene as he glances at you, “What?” He whispers.

“Lady Cane is here.”

“Lady Cane?” He glances around and you two spot someone in a royal guard wear.

Suddenly Lady Cane comes in and everyone starts trying to get out. “Stay close.” Eugene says and you follow him, but your grabbed and pulled away. You kick around, but a fairly big guy is holding you tightly. You tried kicking him, but it didn't seem to affect him.

“What's the matter, Fred? Am I ruining your little girl's perfect day?” She steps up, taking a glance at you before going up to the king.

“The Duchess? I don't understand.” Rapunzel says.

“Oh honey, I am no Duchess and of course you wouldn't, Rapunzel, but try to follow along. This is all your fault!”

Rapunzel steps back back a bit as Lady Cane continues, “You see, after your untimely disappearance. Your father locked up every criminal in the kingdom, including a simple petite thief.” She walks pass Rapunzel, “My father. I saw him thrown into a cage and hauled off like some animal. Never to be seen again.”

Lady Cane walks over toward you again, smirking, “So….I thought I'd come back and return the favor AND luckily-”

You groan in pain when she grabs your hair, holding her weapon to your neck, “-someone made a good bargain with me. I take your simple little lady here in exchange for my dad.” She frowns, “LOAD ‘EM UP, BOYS!”

“And you, Little Missy. You're going to be the first one out.” Lady Cane throws you to the big guy again and motions him to go.

“Let GO!” You yell and you hit at his head, but he just yells in annoyance.

The bad guy continues to run and there are no guards around since they are all by the throne room. People in town are getting knocked over and you yell again, spotting Shorty. “SHORTY!!”

Shorty’s eyes widen as he sits up and yells, “PLUCKED FLOWER!”

The bad guy turns into an alleyway to avoid a crowd. He suddenly stops when the other end is blocked off by a few thugs. He goes to turn around, only to see more are blocking the exit. “Out of my riffraffs!”

Attila speaks up as the all close in, “Oooh no way. You've got our Little Lady and no one should dare handle her like that.”

Vlad walks up, frowning very dangerously and loomed over the big guy who had you. Ulf seems to be cleaning off an invisible sword.

You feel yourself gently being taken by Vlad. He takes you pass the group and sets you down and has Shorty go with you to the castle gates.

“Hey! This is none of your business!” The big guy yells.

Attila punches his hand, “Oh it is our business if you're messing with, Lady (____).”

Now you wished you would have time to clear out all this from your head without anything bad happening everytime you went anywhere. All this confusion.

You need Varian with you.