(Warning: Singing Ahead)

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Chapter 63 -
Queen For A Day
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Tomorrow had finally came and you were again standing by the Queen, yawning tiredly. Nigel glance at you and silently bosses you to wake up.

You glare and stick your tongue out at him. He shakes his head irritated and now ignores you. You grin and mentally laugh.

“Your majesty.” The Cobbler, Feldspar, bowed and looks a bit worried, “Ever since you repaved the road. Wear and tear on people's shoes are at an all time low! Not one person has come into the Cobbler Shop all week!”

The King hums, “I see.” He leans toward Queen Arianna and smiles, “Where we can't very well and un-pave the roads now can we, Feldspar?”

Arianna chuckles softly and Frederic speaks again after Feldspar looks down sadly. “However, it occurs to me that the Royal Guard is in need of new boots. Do you think you might be of service, Sir?”

You smile once Feldspar’s face lights up, “M-my my, why of course your majesty.” He happily walks out.

“Do the guards really need new boots?” Rapunzel whispers to her dad and you chuckle.

“No, but the livelihood of our local businesses is worth the extra cost.”

You hum, a little impressed with the King and Rapunzel smiles, “Wow. I have learned so much from shadowing you these last few days.”

“Good.” Frederic is now serious, “Because you must be prepared for any contingency while we're gone.”

Arianna frowns a little and sighs, “Frederic, we're going to be away for two days. We deserve a little break. I think she can manage.” She smiles.

“Oh I know she can. After witnessing the supreme judgment she exercised while defending Attila. There's not a doubt in my mind, but that doesn't mean a father can't worry.”

“Wait, what do you mean by defending Attila?” You questioned.

They glance between each other and Frederic chuckles a bit, “It's best that you don't know.”

Rapunzel smiles, “It's all over and besides, Attila now has his shop up next to Uncle Monty.”

You blink then shake your head, narrowing your eyes, “Attila has a shop? How did I- When did this happen? Actually how did I not notice Attila has a shop?” You dramatically throw out your arms.

“To be honest, (____). You seem to be quite busy all the time, like you're not all here.” Rapunzel says.

You clear your throat and chuckle sheepishly, “Busy? With what?” You now trail off and luckily they don't question you.

After many more royal subjects leave, Arianna went to go get ready for their trip and leaves Rapunzel and Frederic with the last of the people.

You stretch and rub your eyes under your glasses.

“Quirin, my old friend! What brings you from Old Corona Village?” Frederic says happily.

You look up and Quirin glances at you before looking back at the King and bows.

“Your Majesty, Old Corona is facing quite the dilemma.”

“Oh?”

Quirin smiles, “Yes, it would appear that this year's harvest is proven quite bountiful. So much so that I humbly request more land to accommodate such bounty.” He bows again.

Nigel begins to whisper and you glare at him. “Your majesty we've received no such crop reports from Old Corona.”

King Frederic hums again in thought then glances at you before looking to Quirin, “Quirin. I am pleased to hear how well Old Corona is faring and even more pleased to grant your request.” He stands up.

Quirin stares seriously and nods, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” You watch him go out and the King waves for you to follow.

Both of you head out the door and make sure no one is around. Frederic turns to you, “(____). I need you to go with Quirin and see how bad it has gotten.”

You nod, “Okay, but do you two have to go?”

“We'll be fine, (____).”

“I know you two will be fine, but…..just bring in extra blanket.” You walk past him and go through some doors that lead out into the halls.

“(____).”

You're pulled into a hug and you realize it's Varian. You smile and hug him tightly, “Varian.” When you pull away, you notice his stressed expression and gently hold his face, “Hey. What's wrong?”

He sighs deeply and leans into your touch, “My dad. He LIED to the King. I-I mean how could he when he knows how bad our village has gotten?”

A tear falls from his face and you wipe it away, “Did he say something to you again?”

“Yeah, but don't worry.” Varian smiles, “The Princess promised me she would help figure out the mystery behind the rocks and it'll be okay until her parents come back.”

You stare at him then force a smile, “I hope she knows what she's doing then.” You take his hand and you glance around, “Varian.”

He tilts his head, “Yeah?”

“Your dad didn't lie to the King.” You say.

“What do you mean?”

You get a little anxious, wondering if you should tell him, but if you didn't, then it wouldn’t put Varian’s mind at ease.

“The King requested I go with you and your dad to see how bad it's gotten.” You don't look at him, “A while back, I overheard their conversation and what your dad just said in the throne room…. It was a secret talk to let the King know that the rocks have spread.”

Varian stares at you and hums, “I'll admit that is clever, but why don't they just say it instead of keeping it a secret?”

You sigh, “I don't know, maybe not to cause too much panic?” You look at him with a bit of sorrow, “Don't be mad, okay? I told you this so you wouldn't be upset at your dad or feel like no one is helping or doing anything.”

Varian smiles softly and hugs you close, “Why would I be mad? I'm just glad you let me know.”

You bury your face onto his shoulder. You two stood there for awhile and soon you're catching up with Varian's dad.

Varian keeps hold on your hand and you can tell he's deep in thought, though it must be something that's stressing him again. Especially the way Varian is squeezing your hand a bit tightly.

A wind blows by and you shiver. Why was the wind so cold?

Varian snaps out of it and wraps an arm around you. You lean onto him and smile shyly.

While heading into the village, you see the villagers waiting in a group and smile one they see Quirin.

Quirin goes up and smiles, “I have made the good King aware of our problem and we have his blessings.”

Everyone cheers while Varian pulls you along. Your eyes widen when you see the damage.

Old Corona was basically being destroyed. There were black rocks everywhere and some had penetrated through home, you even saw a teddy bear on one of it's spikes.

Varian pulls you closer when one of the rocks in the road grows slightly, nearly touching you. “My Dad said to stay away from them, but as you can see, it's getting harder to do by the minute.”

You don't answer but keep glancing around until Varian takes you inside.

He goes over to the window to look out and hits his fists on the sill.

You sit on the table and Varian goes over by the rocks that sprouted in his lab. He sighs and looks down at Rudiger who purred while rubbing on his legs. Varian picks him up, “Running away isn't goings to fix the problem.”

Rudiger tilts his head. “These rocks must be stopped.” Varian puts Rudiger on one of the big rocks as the raccoon slides down until he hangs on. “Okay, so what do we know about them so far?”

Varian paces in front of you. “They're unbreakable.” You say.

“Yes and they have a connection to the Princess.” He leans over the table to dig around in some rolled up papers. “Agh! Oh!”

You lean over in worry after he flips onto the floor. “Varian?”

He pop ups and unrolls a paper on the table, “I'm okay.” He chuckles a bit and examines the paper, which you now see is a map. “They are also growing at an exponential rate. Within a matter of months they would have reached the castle.”

Rudiger chitters and Varian looks at him before sighing. “Now, physical force has no effect on these rocks.”

You go up to the rocks and gently run your gloves fingers over the slick surface. Varian picks up Rudiger and puts him on his shoulder, going over to his Alchemy table.

“Though they have yet to reckon with the awesome power of awesome.” He starts to make a chemical substance and comes over by you with a dropper. “(____), might want to step back.” He slips on his goggles.

You step back behind him, “Careful, Varian.”

He smiles back in reassurance and lets one drop fall onto the black surface.

Suddenly, a purple flame bursts and you two scream in surprise and causing Rudiger to run.

“Ah! Whoa! Uh…” He glances around in panic.

“VARIAN!” Quirin’s voice calls in worry from downstairs.

You grab a tarp and give it Varian who pats down the flame then covers the evidence.

“Son! Are you okay in there!?”

You glance at Varian and chuckle nervously, “Yes, he's fine! He….uh….just dropped one of his books!”

An explosion come from under the tarp and blows in Varian's face, causing his goggles to fly off and his hair to stand up.

“It's one of my- one of my ba-b-BIG books!” Varian says.

You look at him then bite your lip, but you couldn't keep in a laugh. Your sudden laugh made Varian pout at you, “What?”

You still laugh uncontrollably, not taking Varian seriously especially with his hair blown back and stuck in place.

He glances up and pats his hair down, then rolls his eyes before lunging at you.

You dodge him and laugh, running around the rocks. Varian chases after you and laughs too. He grabs your hand and with his other he grabs a part of the rock which pulled you backwards into his arms.

You look up at him and give him a close eyed smile. Varian blushes and glances away shyly, “Are you going to tell Rapunzel about the rocks, since the King is gone?”

“I should, so I'll be leaving again, but I'll be back.” You turn around and hug him tightly, “Varian, please don't do anything else until I get back.”

Varian sighs then smiles, “Don't worry. I'll just patiently wait until you get back.” He gives you a kiss on the cheek.

“Until I get back. No, alchemy.” You hug him and smile, walking out.

Varian watches you leave then his eyes innocently moves to his alchemy table, “Just one test wouldn't hurt.”

Quirin was in his room as you pass by and stop. Turning around, you see him with his head in his hands. “Quirin.”

He looks up, “Yes, (____).”

“If there's anything you need to tell Varian….you should.” You don't look at him and head out.

You walk into town and as you get closer to the castle, your eyes widen.

A very long line of people waited to see Rapunzel and you take a deep breath, walking past them all.

"Royal decision making. She was born to do it. Sure she might be slightly faking, but there's not that much to it." You make it to the throne room doors just as Rapunzel pushes them open.

"Bring it on, I'm ready 'cause I've got this. I've got this." She sits down in the throne chair and you stand next to you, giving her a gentle smile.

She smiles back and take a deep breath, "Just watch."

"Princess Rapunzel, may I present-" Nigel starts.

"Get ready." You whisper.

"-your royal subjects."

Her eyes widen when a lot of unhappy people come flooding in.

Two farmers walk up with two sheep, one sheep had a scarf on. "He won't let my sheep graze next to his without a fight."

A barber comes up, "How can I cut hair
with this guy fiddling day and night?" He takes the guys fiddle and is warning he'll cut the strings with scissors.

Now a guy comes up, "Lately half the city's
overrun by cats and kitties."

A woman is next to him and holds up a crate full of kittens and cats, "Eating everything in sight!"

One kitten runs in through the doors and chases a familiar big eared mouse. You panic and have her run onto your shoulder while you place the kitten in the crate.

Rapunzel stands and smiles, "Right!"

"Pass your land as public, I decree you'll have to share." Rapunzel gently pushes the farmers apart.

You take the fiddle from the barber and give the instrument to the player. Rapunzel smiles and is handed earmuffs that lay on a pillow, "Earplugs will do you wonders. You'll receive a royal pair."

The barber grins, "Thanks."

"Henceforth it is written, we'll feed every cat and kitten, here within the palace square!" Rapunzel takes the crate of kittens and gives them to Cassandra.

"Fare?" Rapunzel grins with her hands on her hips while everyone cheers. She points to a spot, "Folks the line starts there!"

A two kittens run out of the crate so you go after them and hold them while walking with Cass. The doe mouse stays on top of your head.

Cassandra smiles warmly, "She's got a knack for reigning. So far she's holding steady."

You two go pass some folks that still looked upset, "But folks are still complaining. So let's not throw confetti." You sing.

Cass shrugs, smiling, "Nonetheless, I guess our girl has got this."

You two sing, "She's got this! No prob!"

Once you help Cass place the kittens in a good place in the castle, you go back to the throne room and sigh as everyone complained more.

The two farmers hold up a big wool ball that had a few sheep together. "Since we shared the pasture, we can't tell whose sheep are whose!"

"Oops." Rapunzel gulps.

The Barber comes up with one of his customers that had his hair cut bad, "I can't hear my customers and ruin all their dos!"

Rapunzel and you grimace. "Sorry." She apologizes.

Your eyes widen again when a lot of rats run by with the kittens still in the crate. The mouse squeaks and hides in your hair.

The woman and guy from before come up, "Now the cats are quiet, but the rats are running riot up and down the avenues!"

The complaints got louder and Rapunzel starts sinking into her seat. You glare and push everyone out with Nigel as your shield. He glares at you and you yell out the door, "No more interviews!"

You slightly pant after closing the doors and glance back at Rapunzel. You go up to her and she leans on her hand sadly, "Gosh what a huge disaster and everybody knew it."

You smile softly and help her up as she continues, "I had one job to master and I completely blew it."

You two walk out and Rapunzel looks at the portrait of her and her parents with crowns. She places a hand on it, "I was so darn certain that I got this, but I'm not this....Not yet."

You sigh and gently lead her to her room, "Who would have thought how far from getting this, you could get."

You have to discuss this with her later after she calms down. “Go upstairs and I'll have Eugene come up, okay?”

Rapunzel nods sadly and heads upstairs.

Your eyes shift to the window and you spot dark clouds rolling in. You gulp and let out shaky breath.

The doe mouse crawls back onto your shoulder and she looks up at you in curiosity.

Your eyes follow a single snowflake before more began to fall.

“I don't know what I'm going to do, but I will make sure Varian won't lose himself.”