Today is going to be a beautiful day. I know it!

Sure, it’s not sunny and probably it’ll rain later, but that’s fine! Rain makes plants grow and the fields get filled with beautiful colors!

“Good morning, your Majesty.” Cassandra says with an angry tone while entering my room. “Are you ready for today?”

“Cassandra? What is it? Why are you so-?”

“I. Don’t. Want. To. Talk. About. It.” She warns me with a very mean look. “Are you ready or not, Rapunzel?”

“Uh… did the Red Baron visite-”

“I SAID I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!” she explodes, making me and Pascal flinch.

“I-I-Is just that M-Mother Gothel g-g-gave me this-”

“Oh, what remedy? Singing a song to you bleeding-!”

“It’s a flower, a tea from that flower can calm the Red Baron’s cramps.” I answer with a nervous smile. “I-I can go into town to look for it for-”

“Oh, so you think just because I’m on my period I am useless?” she asks defiantly, she then widens her eyes and sighs defeated. “I’m sorry, Rapunzel. This one’s way worse than the last ones.”

“No problem, us friends and girls have to help each other out, right?” I say with a warm smile and try to hug her, but she softly pushes me away.

“I’m… uncomfortable right now, Rapunzel, let’s leave the hugs after this has finished, alright?” I nod and write something down on a piece of parchment.

“Drink just one cup of this flower’s infusion today and it should be enough to numb the cramps.” I say while giving her the parchment. “Don’t drink more than one cup or you may become sterile.”

“Wait, really?” she asks surprised.

“I thought the same when Mother Gothel offered it to me on my first time with this, but trust me, they help a ton, use it for very bad-”

“Thanks, Rapunzel, but I’m not feeling like being sterile.” She snarks at me, but then takes a deep breath and sighs. “I better… stay inside my room these days, don’t want my head chopped for accidentally shouting at your father.”

I chuckle and almost hug her, but I refrain and give her some pats on the back.

“I like having friends with heads, now go.” She nods and smiles grateful before walking out.

Alright, maybe this day started weird but I’m still excited, Eugene and I are having a picnic in a very secret place he found two days ago, it will be beautiful!

I walk down the palace’s corridors while admiring the paintings when I hear father shouting my name at the end of the hall.

“Daughter! Thank goodness I found you.” He hugs me and takes me by the wrist, pulling me to the throne room.

“Dad?” I ask a bit concerned. “Breakfast?”

“I’m sorry, child.” He answers with a sad tone. “But Varian’s trial was moved because he tried to escape! We need to give a sentence now.”

“But Dad!” I say alarmed. “It’s my fault too! I-”

“You looked after your people, Rapunzel, that’s not wrong.” He says with a stern voice.

“But Varian is my people too! Old Corona is part of Corona! They answer to us too!”

“I know.” My Father says defeated. “But you had to ignore the pleading of one person to save hundreds, that’s the life of a Monarch.”

“But I have to help everyone, not just some!”

“You have to help the majority, Rapunzel.” He sighs before stopping in front of the trial room. “As a Queen, you can’t help everyone, that’s something you have to learn.” He caresses my cheek and sighs. “But we’re not making this trial just because you didn’t help him, we’re doing it because he tried to steal from the kingdom, he kidnapped your mother and attacked the palace, those are crimes that must be punished.”

With that, he opens the door, and everyone stands up. I see Varian, he’s in chains and the light I once saw in his eyes is now replaced with hatred and revenge. All against me.

“Let the trial begin.” My father says after we take our place on the seats and, like he ordered, we start.

All my morning is gone and I’m pretty sure this headache is because I haven’t eaten yet, but at least now I get to skip breakfast, which is bad, but I can eat lunch! And today’s Wednesday! Which means-

“Broccoli?” I ask trying to sound excited. “That’s a marvelous and healthy idea! But… uh… what about Meat Pie Wednesday?” I ask my mother who simply sighs and shrugs.

“You need more vegetables, honey, you look a bit pale.” My father answers with a nod. “Also, the cook got sick and had to leave early, so his helper is going to cook today.”

“Julian?” I ask surprised. “I thought he wasn’t allowed near the stoves?”

“He says he has learned.” My father answers and eyes at the kitchen entrance when the door opens, and the maidens and butlers start bringing the food. “And I guess we’ll see if what he said it’s true.”

They take the lids away and… well… at least there some food now.

“He has learned how not to burn the to ashes I see.” My father grunts and sighs. “Tell Millie to get us some good food, please?”

“I know a pastry stand and their salty fillings are so delicious that-”

“They closed a week ago, honey.” My mom sighs a bit sad. “The owner had to attend some business on Arendelle and he hasn’t come back, I heard it was-”

“Arianna, stop spreading fake rumors, you’re a Queen for crying out loud.” My father sighs a bit annoyed.

“I’m sorry,” mom says angrily. “I’m just trying to make this lunch a bit less tense since someone had to move that boy’s trial just before breakfast!”

“That boy could’ve escaped, and you know that!” my father replies defiantly.

“I told you to take away everything he had because it could’ve been used to escape, and oh surprise!-”

“Your majesties?” Millie, the most grown-up of the cooks interrupts with a silver tray filled with small sandwiches. “I knew that boy wasn’t ready for cooking, so while you wait, please feel free to enjoy these sandwiches.”

“Thanks, Millie.” My mother says with a smile.

“And I know Trevor had some business to attend in Arendelle, he told me himself.” She says with a smile and bows before leaving.

Well… I didn’t have my meat pie but Millie’s food is always delicious so… maybe I’ll ask the cook for my meat pie later, I hope he’s alright, maybe I’ll visit him?

“Your Majesty!” one of the guards comes running at me, he looks worried. “Have you seen Maximus? He was supposed to be in the training today but hasn’t arrived yet!”

“Maybe he’s with Eugene.” I answer with a shrug. “They must be prancing around town or something-”

“We actually saw Mr. Fitzherbert with another lady.” The guard says rapidly. “But I’m pretty sure they’re just friends.” I look puzzled at him. “Oh, I uh… I’ll go and look for Maximus.”

“Wait, wasn’t the apple collection yesterday?” I ask worried.

We stare in horror at each other before running as fast as we can to the Royal Food Vaults, but it’s too late. Maximus is laying around thousands of apples, but he seems to be sick.

“Maximus!” I shout worried and run at him. “Oh no, how many fingers am I holding up?” I ask while holding three fingers in front of him.

He simply collapses and starts snoring.

“He’ll feel that in the morning.” The guard whispers worriedly. “I’ll bring the royal veterinary, he’s going to have a hungover.”

Alright! My morning is gone, Maximus is on an apple-induced coma, my parents are grumpy, my headache is becoming worse but… just an hour more and I’ll be spending time with Eugene, so that’s something good.

I just wonder why the guard seemed so worried about me finding out Eugene was with another woman? I mean, he wouldn’t cheat on me.

Right?

RIGHT?

I mean, sure I declined his wedding proposal, but I am not ready to get trapped inside another tower! I mean, sure this one is bigger than Mother Gothel’s but still! After all we went through together and after all this time…

Would he really?

No, impossible, he’s a good man and a good boyfriend. Supportive, loving, caring, open about his feelings, there’s no reason he would cheat on me.

“Right?” I ask Pascal while lying down in bed. He simply nods, and I sigh relieved. “Well, just some hours and then we’ll go-”

Suddenly, a lightning flashes somewhere near the castle and a thunder is heard, it’s so loud it makes my windows shake, and almost immediately, the rain starts falling like crazy.

“Blondie?” Eugene asks while entering my room. “Blondie! Here you are, I was-”

“Who is she?” I shout throwing a pillow at him.

“Who’s who?” he asks surprised.

“The woman the guards saw you with!”

“Woman? Oh, you mean Sister Amelia?” he asks surprised, sending chills down my spine.

“You’re cheating on me with a nun!” I ask while running at him with the biggest pillow I can carry.

“Cheating?” he asks offended. “Alright, in the first place I was asking her if she- Woah!” he evades by an inch my hit and jumps away. “I was asking her if I could borrow one of their candelabra! I didn’t find one that wasn’t in use in the castle, so I asked around town.” He sighs and looks through the window. “I know I promised you a picnic but since you already ate something an hour or so go and the day’s ruined, why don’t we stay here, drink some tea and I can tell you some stories?”

I look into his eyes, felling mine stinging softly and I start to cry.

“I’m so, so sorry.” I whisper while hugging him. “I don’t know what got into me!”

“I have a theory.” He whispers while hugging me tight. “I didn’t know Cassandra was on that time of the month, so it got me by surprise that I found her crying and she told me she was very mean with you, then I was about to have breakfast with you and your parents, but I heard you had a trial?”

“Varian’s actually.” I say while crying more. “He hates me Eugene, he really does! He swore vengeance against me even if that’s the last thing he does!”

“Oh, Blondie, I-”

“Then the cook is sick, and I missed Meat Pie Wednesday and I almost had to eat charred broccoli with charred chicken! And my parents had an argument and-!”

“Woah! Slow down, blondie.” Eugene says worried. “Alright, let’s take a really deep breath, alright?” I nod and he chuckles. “Alright, breathe in. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.” I obey. “Hold it. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.” I nod. “Exhale. 1.2.3.4.5”

“Thanks.” I whisper with a sigh.

“Now, with that out of the way. Why did you think I was cheating on you?” he asks confused.

“I just… I’ve had this terrible day and… I don’t know… I…” I take another deep breath and look at Eugene. “I think I feel guilty for declining your marriage proposal?”

He snorts and chuckles a bit.

“Blondie, I’d never cheat on you! Let alone because of that lame excuse! I love you, that… alright, that may change for good in the future but-”

“You’ll stop loving me?” I ask worried.

“No! No, but things change, Rapunzel, people do too.” He smiles and wipes my tears away with a soft caress. “Like you and me, like your parents, like Varian, we all change and become a different version of ourselves and with that, feelings! But I will always love you, in a way or another.”

I smile and hug him again.

“I’m still hungry…” I whisper playfully.

“Well, I can cook us some snacks.” He whispers with a mischievous smile. “I may not be the royal cook but my meat pies are really good.”

“And the filled pastries you learned to cook?”

“The ones with cheese, tomato and ham?”

We chuckle and make our way to the kitchens.

Sure, my day wasn’t the best, but at least I know Eugene will be there for me, to be the small drop of sunshine my life needs to shine once more.