Chapter Text
We open on a wide shot of Corona castle, Rapunzel’s voice fading in as we go to a closer shot into a window/hallway, and finally a closed door with guards in front of it, going into it.
Rapunzel, Eugene, Ariana, and Frederick are in the sitting room. Rapunzel is explaining the last day’s events.
RAPUNZEL: - and that was when Eugene cut my hair, but it’s okay because I was still able to heal him! And then Max took us back, and…well, you know the rest from there!
Ariana and Frederick exchange concerned looks. Rapunzel is completely oblivious. They look at her first with her hopeful expression, then at Eugene to her left who looks visibly uncomfortable, and lastly, Fred looks at Pascal on Rapunzel’s shoulder who first looks up at her with pride, then notices Frederick and nods at him. He awkwardly nods back.
ARIANA: [hesitant] What happened to Gothel? Do we need to start a search for her?
FREDERICK: That’s right, we should set out for this tower at once-
RAPUNZEL: [shaking her head] No, no! She’s…she’s gone. You don’t need to worry about her.
Ariana stands up and steps towards her daughter to give her a hug, which Rapunzel accepts gladly. Pascal, still on her shoulder, pats her.
Frederick reaches a hand towards Eugene. He straightens up and flinches.
FREDERICK: Thank you, for rescuing my daughter.
EUGENE: [squeaky] Uh, you’re welcome! Your Majesty. It’s - it’s honestly not that big of a deal -
Ariana releases Rapunzel, turning to Eugene.
ARIANA: Really, we can’t repay you enough.
FREDERICK: No need for false humility. This is a very big deal. I’m not sure if you’re from here, so I’d understand if you don’t fully grasp how-
EUGENE: Nonono I know - Ah! Sorry - my apologies, your m-majesty, I didn’t mean to interrupt-
Ariana and Rapunzel smile at the reaction, Frederick breaks his very upright posture to lean towards Eugene a bit.
FREDERICK: Calm down young man, there’s no harm done. [offers his hand yet again] Here, all I will ask of you at this moment is to accept my gratitude with this handshake. I can see that this is a lot for both you and Rapunzel [glances to her], and you need time. So?
EUGENE: [short and sharp exhale, strained voice] Sure. [under his breath] Shake hands with the king, sure.
They have a firm handshake, and Ariana lets go of Rapunzel fully again to sit back at Frederick’s side. Eugene is looking around nervously, avoiding Frederick and Ariana’s gazes, which Rapunzel does notice. She places a hand on his shoulder and leans towards him. Pascal jumps off her shoulder, skittering around on a side table.
RAPUNZEL: Eugene? You okay?
ARIANA: You seem pale, is there something we can do?
EUGENE: [dismissive gesture] All good, I just, uh, need some air. You guys could use some alone time, yeah? I’ll be- I’m right outside. [formal] Your majesties.
He stands up quickly, shooting a desperate glance at Rapunzel before exiting into the hallway, only to swiftly return upon noticing the two guards standing at the threshold, and make his way back onto the balcony, where no guards reside. Rapunzel hesitates just a moment before following him outside.
RAPUNZEL: Eugene?
EUGENE: I’m fine! I’m fine. Just, uh, Rapunzel, there are still posters with my face on them all around the kingdom, you know? I never thought I’d actually meet the King and Queen and have them be…welcoming.
RAPUNZEL: Well of course they are! I mean -
Rapunzel places a hand on his cheek, smiling lovingly at him.
RAPUNZEL: How could they not be?
Eugene chuckles.
EUGENE: I mean, I can think of a few reasons…
RAPUNZEL: You heard what m…what the Queen said, didn’t you? And the King? I think they like you.
EUGENE: I don’t think they realize who I am.
RAPUNZEL: But…you’re not a thief anymore, right?
EUGENE: Well, no [lying], but that doesn’t change what I did. I - I don’t think I should be here, Rapunzel.
RAPUNZEL: Of course you should be! I want you here, doesn’t that count for something?
She reaches out and takes his hands in hers. Eugene sighs dejectedly.
EUGENE: It does, sunshine, believe me. It means more than you can even imagine, but it doesn’t change reality. [awkward chuckle] I really don’t wanna get arrested, for one.
Rapunzel’s shoulders slump. She sighs.
EUGENE: I just need to get out of the castle for now so I can figure out the best way to handle this without both of us getting in trouble.
Eugene squeezes her hands.
EUGENE: It’s gonna be okay. I’ll be back, I promise.
She pulls him into a hug before they return to the sitting room. Frederick is standing with a strained smile.
FREDERICK: Are you both alright?
RAPUNZEL: Yes! Yes, everything’s fine.
FREDERICK: Your mother and I were thinking we could show you around your new home, does that sound alright?
ARIANA: To help you settle in? You both, I assume?
Eugene and Rapunzel exchange a nervous look, then turn back to Frederick and nod awkwardly. He smiles at them. Ariana stands.
FREDERICK: Perfect! Follow us, then.
He leads them out of the room, Eugene and Rapunzel trailing behind a bit after Rapunzel picks up Pascal again. We see some of the castle, hallways and doors, places that will eventually become familiar. Include a shot where they walk past the royal portraits.
FREDERICK: Down this way is more bedrooms for staff -
Eugene’s eyes go wide, recognizing the area. He nudges Rapunzel and cranes his neck into the direction of one of the rooms slightly behind them, to which Rapunzel responds with a quiet “aha!” and nods. She walks ahead to Frederick and gets his attention.
RAPUNZEL: Um, d - dad? Your majesty?
Frederick is shocked by the way Rapunzel addresses him, frozen for a moment before he melts into a smile.
FREDERICK: Yes, my dear?
RAPUNZEL: Well, um…
Rapunzel steps towards the window and points down into the courtyard.
RAPUNZEL: What’s that down there?
Frederick and Ariana join her at the window, turning away from Eugene. As soon as they are distracted, Eugene takes off, sneaking down the hallway and ducking into a bedroom. Rapunzel is still distracting her parents, an eye on Eugene until he vanishes from sight. Ariana notices him, but does nothing.
ARIANA: Oh, the gazebo? It’s where we like to have meals sometimes when it’s nice and warm outside! Right honey?
FREDERICK: Yes, I’m sure you’ll love it.
RAPUNZEL: Oh, that sounds so nice! I can’t wait to be able to do that!
FREDERICK: All in good time.
Frederick leans forward a bit and points up to the balcony of Rapunzel’s room.
FREDERICK: First things first, you should know where your room is. See the balcony up there?
Rapunzel squints a bit before nodding. Pascal squeaks excitedly.
RAPUNZEL: It’s so big…
FREDERICK: [A little overexcited] And the room itself is even bigger. [collected again] Oh, that reminds me…We’ll need to find somewhere for your friend to stay.
Frederick pauses, looking around for Eugene but coming up empty.
FREDERICK: Where did he go?
RAPUNZEL: Oh, Eugene? He just went outside to get some air, I’m sure. Could we go see the room?
Frederick gives Ariana a suspicious look, but she just shakes her head in reply. He gives up and guides Rapunzel down the hall.
FREDERICK: Let’s hope he doesn’t get lost.
-
Cut to: Eugene in the bedroom. He darts towards the window, looking frantic, turning the handle of the window. The curtains blow inside. Outside is a beautiful, picturesque view of the back of the castle, the water visible and the sun shining bright. Eugene sighs.
EUGENE: I’ll be back. I’m not leaving her. You got this Fitzherbert.
OFFSCREEN VOICE: Leaving who?
The perspective spins to show a maid, holding a broom.
EUGENE: Oh shit. Uh. Hi! Hi there, I wasn’t - I mean - I’m juuust doing some repairs over here -
MAID: [slowly and kind of surprised, leaning the mop against the wall] You’re Flynn Rider.
EUGENE: Uhhhh no I’m not! A-actually I get confused with that handsome fella quite a lot, but-
MAID: Save it for someone dumber. I’ve seen the wanted posters, and a badly drawn nose isn’t enough to disguise you.
EUGENE: I knew I wasn’t the only one who -
The maid reaches under her skirt and pulls out a dagger. She moves closer to Eugene. He lets out a squeak.
EUGENE: Alright alright you got me! How about we talk this out while I help ya clean or something -
Eugene starts climbing out of the window, only for the maid to lunge forward, grab his shirt and pull him back into the room and onto the ground, where she attempts to pin him down. Eugene yelps and rolls away just in time, springing to his feet in the process and shaking himself out of confusion. He goes for the window again, but the maid blocks his way with her knife pointed at him, circling around him until she’s completely between him and the window.
EUGENE: What kind of maid are you?!
Eugene looks to his side noticing the broom she’s been using, and grabs it, swinging it at her. She perfectly dodges it, briefly disappearing from his vision, making him think he’s succeeded and makes a run for it, only to be stopped by his arm being twisted, feeling himself be lifted up and sent spinning to the ground. Before he can compose himself, the knife sits at his throat with the maid over him, pushing him down by the shoulder with her other hand. She manages to turn him around and twist his arm behind him properly, pressing the knife into his back and pushing him forward to the door.
MAID: Flynn Rider, you’re under arrest for treason, not to mention the many other crimes you’ve committed -
Eugene struggles in her grasp, twisting away from the knife. The maid growls at him.
MAID: Stop moving. I don’t want to hurt you.
EUGENE: [grunting] Could’ve fooled me!
MAID: Shut up, Rider. [yelling] Guards!
EUGENE: No need to get all snappy.
The captain steps around a corner.
CAPTAIN: Cassandra? What are you -
The captain sees Cassandra and Eugene and puts two and two together.
CAPTAIN: You’ve apprehended Flynn Rider?
MAID: [smug] Surprisingly easy.
EUGENE: Now that’s just insulting.
CAPTAIN: [genuinely impressed] Good job, Cassandra.
Cassandra smiles, genuinely happy about the praise. The Captain pulls a pair of handcuffs out of his belt and slips them onto a panicked Eugene.
CAPTAIN: I’ll take it from here. You’re dismissed.
Cassandra nods and salutes the captain. Just as she turns around, he speaks again.
CAPTAIN: Oh, but the Queen asked me to let you know she wanted to speak to you. They’re in the princesses’ room, above the -
CASSANDRA: I know the one. [a pause.] Thanks, Dad.
EUGENE: [quietly, to himself] Dad???
Cassandra turns and hurries down the hall, slipping her knife back into its hiding place. The captain grabs the chain of Eugene’s cuffs and pulls him.
CAPTAIN: You’re not escaping this time, Rider.
Eugene, visibly terrified, follows after the captain as he’s pulled down the hall.
-
Cut to: Rapunzel and Ariana in the sitting room. Rapunzel is sitting on the same couch as before, looking lost. Pascal is sitting on the table next to her. The door opens, revealing Cassandra.
CASSANDRA: Your majesty, you wanted to see me?
ARIANA: Yes! Just the person I wanted to see. Cassandra, I wanted to introduce you to someone.
Ariana leads Cassandra over to Rapunzel, still sitting with a wide-eyed look. Cassandra curtsies.
ARIANA: Rapunzel, this is Cassandra, one of our maids.
RAPUNZEL: Oh! Uh…
ARIANA: Cassandra, this is…my daughter. Rapunzel.
Cassandra turns to face her, shock clear.
CASSANDRA: You mean - the Rapunzel - the one who -
Ariana, looking near tears, nods.
ARIANA: Let’s get right to the point, Rapunzel’s going to need a lady in waiting. [Turns to Rapunzel] And not only that; since you have so much awaiting you, having someone to guide and support you right now is vital.
RAPUNZEL: [awkward laugh] I’m gonna need a lot of that.
Ariana places a hand on Cassandra’s shoulder.
ARIANA: Inside this castle, there’s no one I can think of who’d be better for the job. I talked it over with Rapunzel already. It’s all up to you.
Cassandra looks between the two women frantically, processing. Rapunzel smiles at her.
ARIANA: You don’t have to accept it right now. I know it’s a big request.
CASSANDRA: I uh…I’m flattered, your highness…
Rapunzel stands up from her couch, holding out a hand.
RAPUNZEL: Why don’t we get to know each other first? My name’s Rapunzel.
CASSANDRA: I know. Your highness.
Rapunzel laughs.
RAPUNZEL: You don’t have to call me that! I’m barely even a real princess, I’ve only known I was one for two days! Even if you don’t become my lady in waiting, I hope we can become friends, Cass.
CASSANDRA: Oh- um… [hesitant] Well…Alright. I think I can handle princess duty. [more confident] You can count on me.
Cassandra reaches out to shake Rapunzel’s hand, and Rapunzel impulsively pulls her into a hug.
CASSANDRA: What are you - your highness!
In this short flurry of panic, Cassandra pulls herself away from the hug, looking a bit distraught.
RAPUNZEL: Oh! Oh, sorry - I got a little too excited there, I’ve never really…
Cassandra flattens her dress and looks up, realizing the harshness of her action and raising her arms.
CASS: [hesitant, flustered] It’s…it’s fine. We’ll work on that.
Ariana chuckles lightly and shakes Cassandra’s hand as well, smiling at her.
ARIANA: Thank you, dear, I’m sure you’ll be able to help greatly! I’d like to spend a bit more time alone with Rapunzel, but before dinner, it would be nice for you to help her prepare. [At both] Does that sound good?
RAPUNZEL: [nods]
CASSANDRA: Of course. Until later then, y- uh, Rapunzel.
RAPUNZEL: Until later, Cass!
Cassandra exits the room, shutting the door behind her with a sort of dazed, wide expression.
CASSANDRA: [very quiet, almost mouthed] Cass.
-
Cut to: We are leading the camera down to the dungeon, where we see Eugene being locked up. He plops down on the bench, and runs both hands through his hair. He exhales audibly before standing up again and pacing, getting closer to the guard in front of the cell, leaning against the bars.
EUGENE: So, how’s your weekend been?