Cover by Dreambelieverwriter

Rapunzel's POV

The Stabbington Brothers loaded onto the ship as slowly as possible, staring at Eugene and I with fierce anger. I inched closer to Eugene, just to feel safe.

Pascel was getting antsy just looking at them. He kept trying to burrow under my short hair to hide. And Max was being pulled into the underneath of the ship against his will. He jumped around the guard who had his reigns to throw him off, but it wasn't working out for him.

"Max! I'll give you this pail of delicious, red apples if you be a good boy," I taunted, holding up the pail that was in my hand to show him. Max snorted in annoyance, but the thought of the apples got the better of him. He sat obediently, begging for the pail. Eugene and I laughed at his silliness. "Here." I gave the guard the pail for him to give.

"Prince Eugene and Princess Rapunzel, your cabin awaits you," the captain said to us, holding his hat at his side.

"Thank you, Captain," Eugene said as he nodded his head at him. I looked back at Max and waved before we boarded the ship.

"You're in same hall as King Eric and Queen Ariel. Sir Grimsby here will take you to your cabin," the captain said, pointing to an older, skinny man who was well dressed. His hair was gray and tied in a bow, and had many wrinkles on his face.

"Come. Madame Carlotta has already taken your belonging to your cabin. The King and Queen are excited to meet you," he said in a proper tone as we followed him.

"How come they're on this cargo ship? Wouldn't they prefer a royal luxury ship instead?" I asked, noticing the goods being brought onto the ship.

"Their daughter, Princess Melody, chose this ship in particular for their voyage. She's always been a, strange child," he whispered cautiously.

"What do you mean?" Eugene asked, intrigued. What was Sir Grimsby hiding.

"I really can't say any more," Grimsby told us.

Eugene and I gave each other looks. Right now, the Stabbington Brothers weren't the people we had to worry about. It was the royal family.

The ship's crew members worked hard to lug all of the goods onto the ship. They carried crates on their back, pulled them, or had other members help.

"May I have a crate, please?" I asked a grouchy man kindly. He tossed one to me, then grabbed another for himself to carry.

"Rapunzel, you're gonna hurt yourself if you don't ask for help," Eugene nagged with his hands on his hips. I huffed and puffed as I walked to the west side of the ship. Sir Grimsby and Eugene looked at me like I was crazy. Eugene must have seen my legs wobbling, because he ran to me and grabbed the crate for himself.

"Hey, give it back! I can handle it!" I whined playfully even though I knew I couldn't.

"Yeah, and I'm a mermaid," Eugene replied sarcastically, making me smile. We stacked our crate through a trap door in the floor that had been open. Then Eugene took me by the arm and dragged me to Sir Grimsby, who was waiting patiently for us to finish our volenteering.

"Em, here is the cabin you'll be staying in, Your Majesties. You two can get settled, then at 6 o'clock, make sure you make your way down to the dining room," Sir Grimbsy explained. Eugene nodded at him, then opened the door to our room.

When we entered, we were greeted by a small living area with paintings on the wall and a love seat welcomed guests.

Once we entered the bedroom, we saw that our luggage was nearly placed on our bed. The room was rather small, but it would do.

The bedroom set was yellow, which included the dresser, vanity, bed frame, night stands, and lamps. The wallpaper was a warm orange color, and the carpet a rich burgundy. To the right, a door painted as a sunset led to the bathroom.

"This is amazing!" I squealed as I jumped on the bed.

"I just hope the Stabbington Brothers don't attempt to make an escape," Eugene said with his arms crossed. Pascal growled at his words, ready for a fight.

"Nonsense, Eugene! This is the most secure vessel in all the land!"

"I just don't understand how they can have two royal families and a pair of the roughest criminals in Germany on the same ship!"

"Don't worry! If they get out, they got the best person to get them back. You!"

I got down from the bed and kissed Eugene on the cheek to make him feel better. He gave me a weary smile, then grabbed Pascal and put him on my shoulder.

"5:55. Time to be heading to the dinning room."