A few hours after the trial, Rapunzel is in her room painting the walls, while Cass and Eugene sit on the floor. According to Cass, they’re “teaching her about her citizens”. According to Eugene they’re “gossiping”. Rapunzel doesn’t really know what the difference is and also doesn’t have much to add, but Eugene’s story of having rocks thrown at him by old lady Crowley is interesting to listen to as she works.
The knock at the door confuses her for a moment, until she hears Arianna—no, her mother—call out and ask if she can come in.
”Of course!” Rapunzel says, unused to the idea of a parent who waits for permission to enter her room.
“Oh, that’s where you’ve both been,” Arianna says as she looks at her daughter and her companions. “Cassandra, dear, your father wanted to talk to you. Or at least, he’s been complaining about how busy you are, so I think you ought to go visit him.” Cass rolls her eyes, but she stands up, dragging her fingers through Eugene’s hair to mess it up as she does so. Eugene glares at her as she leaves. “And Eugene,“ Ariana continues.
Eugene flinches as the queen says his name, but manages a nervous smile. “Yes, your majesty?”
”Friedborg has your room all ready for you.”
”My room?” Eugene repeats.
”You and Rapunzel are unmarried. I know very little about this situation has followed the rules of propriety, but we have to abide by some rules.” But she winks at Eugene after she says this and her face is kind and Rapunzel can tell this is not like the rules she has often been subject to.
”It’s not that,” Eugene says quickly. “I mean, I’m honoured you’re letting me have my own room, after…”
”Frederick still owes you an apology, but I’ll give mine now. I’m sorry for how we welcomed you into our castle, and I hope things can be easier in the future.”
”Th-thank you, your majesty.”
Friedborg steps in, tilting her head at the queen. Rapunzel has seen her a few times now, but admittedly hasn’t spoken to her much. She only knows Friedborg is Arianna’s lady-in-waiting, and that she prefers to sign over speaking, and even then she doesn’t say much.
”Friedborg, will you show Eugene his room?”
Friedborg and Eugene both leave, and Rapunel is alone with her mother. Arianna takes a seat at the edge of the bed, patting the space next to her for Rapunzel to join. “I have a gift for you.” She holds out a small journal with a deep brown leather cover, undoing the ribbon that holds it shut. “I kept a journal when I was your age, where I wrote about all the things in my life. With how artistic you are, I thought you might like one as well.”
Opening the front shows words engraved into the leather in a language Rapunzel only vaguely recognizes. She runs her fingers over it, trying to sound it out.
”Dein Schiscal ist Freit?”
”Dein Schicksal ist Freiheit,” Arianna corrects her. “It means Your Destiny is Freedom.”
Rapunzel begins to flip through the blank pages, feeling the texture of the paper beneath her fingers. It’s thick enough to paint on without bleeding through.
“It’s beautiful,” she says, closing the cover. “Thank you.”
Arianna sweeps her daughter into a hug. “I know things must seem so strange to you right now, with all the responsibilities being placed on you and new rules to follow, but I want you to remember that you always have freedom. To do what you want, go where you want, be what you want.”
Her mother’s arms are warm and soft, not stiff and suffocating like Gothel’s hugs. Rapunzel nods against her shoulder, exhaling slowly, enjoying the moment before Arianna leans back.
”Now, all that said, you will be expected to attend your welcoming party next week.”
”My what?” Rapunzel squeaks.
Arianna’s smile turns bittersweet. She brushes a lock of hair away from Rapunel’s face. “You should have had so many celebrations, my dear. Official introduction to the kingdom as a baby, and your coming of age as a teen, and your coronation…So we’re combining a few of those in a Welcoming Ceremony for you, and your coronation will be in about six months or so. Don’t worry, you won’t need to do anything but show up. It’ll be a way for your citizens to get to know you.”
”I can help,” Rapunzel says quickly. “I can bake, and decorate, and—“
Somehow over the next ten minutes Rapunzel convinces Arianna that she be allowed to plan everything herself, from the decor to the food to the entertainment. Arianna seems uncertain, but Rapunzel is confident. She needs to prove herself, to her parents and her people, and how hard can it really be?
Episode One: A Reception to Remember
Rapunzel bites off more than she can chew when she offers to help plan her welcoming ceremony. Meanwhile, Eugene and Cass get caught up in their own attempts to help. Can they still create a reception worth remembering?
