The Alchemy of the Hearts P.10
Note: 10/13 part of the translation of the French fanfic L’Alchimie des Coeurs.
Parts of the story : 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13
This is a very long fanfic (36 pages) so it might take some time to translate. Don’t be afraid to let me know if I can improve it in any way to make it feel like an english story as it’s not my mother tongue.
Summary : Cassandra found out she has a huge alchemy rate with Rapunzel and tried to avoid having to confess her feelings…
... and Eugene is getting worried. Time for a new proposal and some truth to be revealed.
I’ve decided to merge 3 parts in one, so it’s a long part. The fic will be 13 parts long now. I hope you’ll all like it!
A really big thank you to @red-yellow-blue-crayon that I love so much ♥ for proof-reading everything! And thank you all for reading it!
Today, the day was particularly busy. There were only two days left before the awaited celebration and the arrangements were numerous. Cassandra had to verify the kitchen, taste the dishes, make sure only the best would be served and that everything corresponded to the high expectations of the royal family. She also checked the work of the costume designers, the dancers and the waiters, being in charge of organizing the cohesion of all those people. The day went by particularly quickly for her and she didn’t have leisure time to think about anything else than organizing that celebration she hated so much.
Rapunzel, on her side, was just as busy. She had to accompany her parents in their meeting session with the people and assist the royal decisions – each citizen was taken in charge one by one so that each problem might be solved with wisdom and careful consideration. She didn’t yet master all the King’s strategy – some financial sacrifices were made whereas they weren’t necessarily needed, but it was a way to anticipate what might be a problem later on without those choices. Some expenses were finally minor on the long-term. She realized the wisdom of the King with his decisions, even though she rightfully acknowledged that he wasn’t infallible neither, he was at least as righteous as he could be.
The afternoon went by quickly. For his part, Eugene had decided to propose to Rapunzel once more. It was probably a bit early, but he hadn’t stop thinking about it since Varian’s machine, and the dance training session had seriously made him think. He had to talk with Rapunzel. While the moon was highly enthroned in the sky, adorning the sky with a long coat of stars, Eugene found the princess in her bedroom, bending over her journal. A big bright smile illuminated her face when she saw him. She left her artwork on hold on the bed to reach him to hold him in her arms after that long exhausting day. He suggested her a walk in the gardens to breathe a little fresh air a little, which she was happy to accept.
After finishing her chores for her part, Cassandra retreated in her bedroom. Finally able to rest, she dived into her thoughts, trying to figure out her feelings towards Rapunzel. She couldn’t deny having feelings for her, that damn machine just opened up her eyes. She would have preferred keeping them closed though. She couldn’t risk her friendship with Rapunzel nor to hurt that damn Eugene. She might not carry him in her heart, but she would have never wished to hurt him neither. He made the princess happy and she didn’t want to mess that up. She didn’t want to sow confusion in Rapunzel’s heart neither. However, she knew the latter had made the test and Varian had seemed to talk for them both when he answered to the King that the persons who had a higher alchemy rate than him wanted to keep it a secret. Cassandra was only wondering now which results Rapunzel might have received. She didn’t think for a second that she might have received, just like her, 95% of alchemy with her. And if it was the case, what was she supposed to do ? No one in the kingdom would endorse that. Breaking Eugene to access the throne with another woman… Not in a society where she couldn’t even enter the royal guard ! And she didn’t see herself hurting anyone while she has never given much thought about being in a relationship at all.
Sighing, Cassandra got out of her stormy thoughts and decided to go talk to Rapunzel…
Eugene and Rapunzel were now walking hand-in-hand in the middle of the fruit trees in an aisle situated in the West wing of the gardens. While they were approaching a waterfountain, Eugene helped her sit on the corner and sat beside her. The water runoff was soothing. The silence of the garden was complete. One could barely hear some frogs waking up from time to time. Eugene took a deep breath and decided to get started :
-Rapunzel, I wanted you to know how much you have changed my life. Before you, I was a simple thief… Well, a legendary thief ! But I lived with an assumed name, I wasn’t the person I am today. You have that gift to bring out the best in each being you meet. You’re a woman full of bravery, creativity, kindness… And I think that more than one person has fallen under your spell. I realize the chance I have to be able to hold your hand, to squeeze you against my heart and tell you how much I love you.
Rapunzel wasn’t expecting such a love declaration and couldn’t help a beaming smile, touched by his words. However, she felt where Eugene was trying to get at. She couldn’t let him renew his proposal so early.
-Every day is a new adventure by your side and I wish they’ll never stop.
-Eugene… I’m not ready for…
She started before stopping, not finding the exact words, not even sure she would backslide. He had a comprehensive smile and simply answered, slowly taking her hands in his :
-I’ll be by your side in every adventures until you’re ready to start this one.
There was a little silence during which they stared at the stars, holding hands. Then Eugene sighed and resumed :
-However I realize that your tremendous heart has a lot of love to give. I’d have a question to ask you, Rapunzel. The day we went to test Varian’s machine, I found a test analyzing 95% of alchemy with you. I asked myself a lot of questions since then. Especially since the ball training session. I think that if a lot of people have put the event into perspective, I’ve personally well seen the way Cassandra was looking at you and the joy which animated you when you were dancing with her. I wanted to talk with Cassandra after that but she cut the conversation short… And all of that made me realize that I never had the answers to your own test.
The princess was taken aback and didn’t know how to answer regarding his suspicions towards Cassandra. Did Eugene realize that she loved both of them ? That she didn’t want to hurt him but couldn’t restrain her feelings for her lady-in-waiting ?
-I had 87% of alchemy with you, it’s almost as much as what my parents had.
She answered with a little smile, trying to be reassuring. She wasn’t lying, she was just revealing only what couldn’t hurt him. Eugene wasn’t fooled.
-It’s a beautiful score, indeed. What about Cassandra ? Did you have her in your results ?
Rapunzel eyes saddened. She didn’t want to lie to Eugene. She answered in a whisper, feeling guilty despite herself :
He had a little smile and kept going on, perfectly feeling that Rapunzel wouldn’t detailed by herself the results she had :
She nodded in silence, that same sad look on her face. Eugene looked away. He was expecting it, it wasn’t simple to deal with, but he wanted Rapunzel’s happiness above all. He softly took her in his arms, thinking about what he could say next, letting the silence of the night answer for him for the moment…
Cassandra knocked at the door but was welcomed by the silence. She doubted Rapunzel was asleep so early so she took the risk to half opened the door. She was welcomed by the brightness of the lanterns in the bedroom left empty. Slowly entering, she smiled softly in front of that dim light, remembering the night where Rapunzel had found her after a nightmare and finally fell asleep on her. She should have understood the feelings she had for her that night.
Getting closer to the perch Pascal was sleeping in, Cassandra caught sight of Rapunzel’s journal which was open on the bed. She clearly didn’t want to read what wasn’t her business, but she glimpsed a drawing of her on the page left exposed and she looked into it with curiosity. Rapunzel often showed her her drawings, she didn’t have the feeling she was crossing a line. And yet… She quickly realized that drawing was representing her leaning above Rapunzel, during the dance, about to kiss her. Cassandra felt the blood of her whole body rushing to her cheeks. Despite her, she took a look at the previous pages, realizing Rapunzel had drawn them a lot lately. There wasn’t anything to be surprised here as they had spent the last days with each other. As Cassandra was going back on the previous pages, a paper which had been slipped inside a little bit earlier suddenly fell out of the journal : Varian’s test to the machine. Catching it in the air, she hesitated for a moment, perceived her name… And discovered the result. 95%. She froze. Rapunzel had, her too, that same result. She tried to tell her. She tried to get closer to her, to fully live their relationship. She also seemed to have desired that the dance didn’t end that way.
As she was discovering the pages, Cassandra felt her breath becoming short, as if she had run a marathon. She never would have thought causing so much trouble to Rapunzel. She had never wanted that.
-You know, resumed Eugene, breaking the silence around them. No matter what’s your decision, we’ll both stay by your side. I think that neither Cassandra nor I want to see you suffering from the choice you have to make.
Rapunzel sighed. Her heart was heavy, she couldn’t lie to Eugene. Nor Cassandra. She had to clear the air, to stop beating around the bush.
-And I don’t want to hurt any of you… It’s just that… I didn’t know a woman could love another woman. I never asked myself that question. Things were much easier before I realized that. Since then… I don’t know… I…
-The dance, explained Eugene. That’s when you really realized it, at that moment where Cass stopped playing the iceberg and let herself expressed what she really feels. None of us never had suspected anything before, but it’s clear she really loves you.
Saying that out loud made her realize the truth of it all the more. Cassandra really loved her.
Rapunzel really loved her. She concretely had written that down. But she also loved Eugene and having to chose was tearing her apart. Cassandra couldn’t bring herself to harm them. Playing that role clearly wasn’t the role she was hoping to play. She never had hope anything from the day of hearts, never waited after any kind of romance. She would make Rapunzel’s choice easier. Tomorrow evening, once the preparations done, she would disappear until the celebration would be over. The spirits would probably calm down then. Rapunzel would probably have a new proposal from Eugene to put her back on the right path. She would learn to bury her feelings. Nothing had happened.
Closing the journal, Cassandra stood up and rushed to her own bedroom, with an heavy heart. Knowing Rapunzel shared her feelings made things even harder… But she’d be strong for them both. She would help her friend overcome her doubts. To stay with Eugene.
-Thank you, Eugene… I… I find it hard to realize.
-Take the time you need to think about it, Blondie. No matter your choice, you won’t lose any of us. We both love you and we’ll stay by your side, no matter who you chose. You have the right to be happy, Rapunzel. You’ve done so much for us already …
That being said, he leaned over the princess and kissed her forehead before standing up, letting go of the princess’ hand to go back to the gardens and return to his room. Rapunzel remained sitting on the corner of the water fountain for a moment, lost in her thoughts…
