Rose ran through the woods, glancing behind her every so often. She was breathing heavily as she tried her best to stay calm.

There was a whimpering and Rose stopped. She turned to follow the noise before seeing a wolf pup caught in a hunter's trap.

"Oh, you poor thing. Let me help you," Rose said softly as she slowly approached the pup.

There was a growl coming from her left and she looked to see the mama wolf.

"Easy. I only want to help," Rose said as she held out a hand before a boy ran between her and the wolf.

"Get back!" The boy ordered as he tried to protect her.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm just trying to get the pup out," Rosamund said as she looked at the boy.

"Oh. I thought you were in danger," the boy said as Rosie bent down and helped the pup out of the trap it was caught in.

The pup licked her happily before scampering over to its mother.

Rosamund stood as she smiled at the two wolves retreating into the woods.

"Who are you?" The boy asked curiously, thinking she was quite beautiful.

"I'm Nobody," Rose replied. "Just call me Nobody."

"No, no. You aren't Nobody. I'm gonna call you Artemis. You saved that pup so it's only fitting," he replied with a kind smile and she hummed.

"I'm not worthy of that title," Rosie said softly, seeing that he was kind and gentle. She felt like she could trust him, but just not with everything. "My name is Rosamund."

"Quirin," the boy introduced as he carefully grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles gently. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Rose blushed lightly as she smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Hey, um, would you mind if I come with you. I don't have a home so I'm really just scrounging at this point."

"Of course! Come on! I'll make you lunch. My parents would be more than happy to let you live with us until you can move out if that's what you want," Quirin offered with a bright smile.

"Thank you so much, Quirin. How can I ever repay you?" Rosie asked as she hugged him tight.

"You don't have to. We're friends now and it's just what friends do," Quirin replied as he hugged her back.

Friends.

🧪

"The Ever Realm?! But that place is just a children's tale!" Varian didn't believe his father.

"And yet your mother found proof that it was real," Quirin said as he stood up. "Your mother searched for the book for years and she found it. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wanted to know the truth..."

"The book the Maruvians brought to cross between realms," Aqua spoke, remembering the fairytale and Quirin nodded.

"Yes." Quirin closed his eyes as he thought about Rosamund. "She was always so curious about everything. She wanted to go to the Ever Realm to find a way to take back her kingdom."

"Aquaria..."

"How do you know that she is dead? Maybe she got through to the Ever Realm," Aqua said after she heard Rose's voice.

"I never thought about that..." Quirin said as he looked at the princess.

"So we have a chance to get mom back! If we get to the Ever Realm, we can get mom home!" Varian shot up and Quirin frowned.

"But what if she was killed and the same happens to you both or what if you get stuck too? I can't lose you too, Varian," Quirin said as he put his hands on Varian's shoulder.

"But we have to try," Varian pressed, wanting his mother back so badly.

"Varian, he's right though," Aqua agreed, not wanting to chance losing Varian. "We can search for a different way but the book is too dangerous."

"Plus, the book disappeared with your mother. There's no way to get to the Ever Realm without the book," Quirin said and Varian shook his head.

"No, no. There has to be a way to get mom back," Varian persisted desperately.

"We'll find a way Varian, I promise. I'll help you," Aqua said as she held his hand.

"Just promise me that you'll both be careful. I can't lose either of you," Quirin said as he hugged both of them. "You're my only child, Varian, and Aquaria, you're like the daughter I never got to have."

"Wait, was mom pregnant when she died o-or when she left?" Varian asked.

"No, or at least not that I know of. However, we were trying to give you a sibling, but... then I lost her. I promised her that I would tell you when you were older. I didn't want you to find out like this," Quirin admitted as he looked down.

"We'll find mom. I promise," Varian said with determination. "We'll start looking right away."

💧

Aquaria shot up straight in Varian's bed and she gasped as she heard a beautiful distant call in the night.

Varian groaned as he sat up, bleary eyed. He yawned and looked at Aqua whose gaze was out the window at the silvery moon.

"Nightmares?" He mumbled as he wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"No, it was just someone singing," Aqua figured as she leaned back against him with a soft sigh. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Don't worry. I haven't been sleeping well anyways," Varian mumbled.

"Because you stay up all night researching the Ever Realm and the kingdom of Eden," Aqua pointed out.

"I know, but I just... I have to find my mom," Varian said with pain in his voice.

"I know you want to find her, and so do I, but she wouldn't want you to risk your health for her," Aqua said as she turned to him and brushed his bangs back gently.

"I just... it's been months since we started looking and we've found virtually nothing. Even Xavier doesn't know much about the Ever Realm," Varian said as he looked into her eyes.

"We will find her, no matter how long it takes us. I promise that we will find her, Varian," Aquaria murmured as she gently held his cheeks in her hands.

Varian smiled a bit as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers gently. She melted into the kiss as she gently stroked Varian's cheek with her right thumb, both her hands still cupping his cheeks.

When Varian pulled away, Aqua smiled at him with pure love and adoration in her eyes.

"I'm so lucky to still have you in my life," Varian murmured as he rested his forehead on hers.

"You're the love of my life, Varian. I couldn't imagine being without you," Aqua whispered back. "Now come on. Let's get back to sleep."

"Yeah." Varian nodded before he lied down with Aquaria in his arms.

Aqua smiled as she snuggled into his chest and closed her eyes again. She heard the singing again, but she ignored it, falling asleep in Varian's arms.

🧪

"I don't hear it, Aquaria. I'm telling you," Varian said as he looked up at her.

"I'm telling the truth. I-I keep hearing this singing, this-this call," Aqua tried to get him to understand.

"Hey, Blue, I believe you. Really, I do." Varian put his hands on her shoulders. "I know you're not crazy."

"Well, we both know that's not true. I fell in love with you," Aqua joked and Varian snorted.

"That is true. That was your crazy decision," Varian teased as he poked her side gently.

Aqua giggled and squirmed from the poke. "Don't do that!"

"You're so cute." Varian chuckled as he hugged her.

"I'm not cute. I'm adorable," Aqua said with sass and Varian barked a laugh.

"That you are, princess," Varian agreed before he kissed her forehead.

Aqua laughed lightly and rested her head on his chest happily. "Alright, now I have to go. I promised Rapunzel that I would help her make decorations for the wedding."

"But do you have to go?" Varian pouted as he looked at her.

"Yes. The queen needs my help. I'll see you later, okay?" Aquaria smiled as she rested her hands on his chest.

"Alright," Varian gave in with a sigh.

"I love you, freckles," Aqua said before she pecked his lips and then left the lab to go help Rapunzel with making decorations for the wedding in a week.

💧

Aquaria hummed softly to herself as she painted a sun on a little square banner.

"I can't believe that we're actually doing this! I'm getting married next week!" Rapunzel laughed gleefully as she painted with Aquaria.

"Honestly it's felt like time has flown since you came home," Aqua admitted and Rapunzel nodded.

"Yeah. It's been a fun ride. I still can't believe that I'm queen. It feels like just last week that Eugene helped me escape the tower and it feels like yesterday we fought Zhan Tiri," she said as she sat back and smiled at Aqua.

"I know what you mean. I honestly can't believe that our fight against Zhan Tiri was eight months ago," Aqua replied. "Although, Varian and I have been doing a lot of research on the Ever Realm."

"Speaking of which, have you guys gotten closer to figuring out a way to get there yet?" Rapunzel asked as she put down her paint brush.

"No, but Varian and I really want to go to Eden to see if there are any books maybe there from the Maruvians. I'm just not sure about how the king will react. He isn't known to be nice to guests, or anyone for that matter." Aquaria huffed as she looked at her hands.

"You guys are doing your best," Rapunzel said as she put a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"I just really want to do this. I-I feel like I'm making up for the fact that I didn't help Varian free Quirin from the amber. Plus, I really want to see Varian and Quirin happy," Aqua said, looking up at Rapunzel.

"Please don't tell me you are having those nightmares again." Rapunzel had a worried gaze in her eyes. She had heard that Aqua had been having nightmares after losing Varian and she didn't want her sister to be having those nightmares again.

"No, I haven't. Trust me. I want to do this regardless. Rosamund deserves to be able to come home," Aqua said as she gave a smile. "I also feel like, maybe I'll find my purpose."

"What do you mean?" Rapunzel raised an eyebrow.

"I don't really know what I'm meant to do..." Aqua admitted, looking at the painting in front of her. "When you came home, I lost my purpose."

"Oh..." Rapunzel frowned and Aqua quickly shook her head.

"Not that I blame you! I'm so glad that you're home! I wouldn't change what happened for anything!" Aqua said quickly. "It's just that I grew up preparing to be the queen, but then you came home and that role went to you. Yeah, I'm still a princess, but all I do is smile and wave. I help Varian and I'm really happy that I get to spend so much time with him but... I don't know..."

Rapunzel gave a small smile and hugged Aquaria. "You want to do more for everyone."

"Yeah. I've gotten used to being known as 'Rapunzel's little sister', but now I'm being called 'Varian's assistant' too, no matter how many times he makes sure to tell people we're partners. I want to be known as myself... I know it's selfish, but I hate being stuck in the shadow," Aqua said as she hugged Rapunzel back.

"It's not selfish, Aqua. Believe me," Rapunzel assured as she smiled bright.

"I just hate feeling like almost everything I learned growing up was for nothing. I know how to make royal guests feel welcome, but I don't know how clean my own clothes. I've learned how to rule a kingdom but I don't know how to bake a cake." Aqua gave a disheartened laugh.

"You're really good at science though," Rapunzel said.

"Yeah, but Varian is the Royal Engineer. That's his job. I'm his partner, but I'm the princess who smiles and waves. I know that there's something for me out there and I really hope that this Ever Realm stuff will help me," Aquaria said with hope in her eyes. "I really want to find what I'm meant to do that'll make a difference in the world."

"You'll find it. I know you will," Rapunzel encouraged before she let go of Aquaria.

"Yeah, but right now we have to finish these decorations so you can get married," Aqua said and she smiled.

"You're right!" Rapunzel laughed and they both got back to work.

🧪

Varian stuck his tongue out slightly as he worked and Ruddiger clambered up onto his shoulders.

"Hey, buddy. What's up?" Varian sat back and smiled as he reached up to his shoulder to scratch the raccoon's head gently.

Ruddiger chattered and nuzzled against Varian's cheek happily.

"I'm almost done, bud. Then we can play," Varian promised before he looked at the drawing that was framed on his desk. He smiled as he looked at Aquaria's face in the drawing.

He loved the drawing so much. The detail was incredible, even if Aqua had gotten better at drawing. Every time he looked at the photo, it made him smile.

"You know, Ruddiger. I can't wait for the day that I get to marry Aquaria. I know that I'm only seventeen and she's sixteen but I really want to marry her when we're older. I want to spend the rest of my life by her side," Varian said as he gently touched the photo.

He loved her more than words could ever describe. Every smile made his heart skip multiple beats, each touch gave him goosebumps, each kiss had him floating. He did feel a bit guilty though that he hadn't been doing much for her lately. Sure they were together nearly every day but they were working on projects or researching the Ever Realm.

"I'm gonna make us a picnic like I used to do. Think she'll like it, bud?" Varian scratched behind Ruddiger's ears.

The raccoon squeaked happily as he nodded.

"Come on. Hopefully I'll be done before she gets back," Varian said as he stood up and left his lab to go to his house.

💧

Aqua sighed softly with a smile as she walked up to the lab and hummed softly. She opened the door and a sweet smell flooded her senses.

"Varian? Ruddiger?" The princess looked around the lab before she found a plate of cookies.

She walked over and breathed deeply, smiling at the delicious looking treats which had a note on top.

I'll be waiting for you at our special spot. I hope you like the cookies! See you soon! I love you! ♡

~Varian

Aqua couldn't stop smiling as she quickly picked up the plate of cookies and then left the lab.

She was too busy thinking about what Varian had planned to see the boy in front of her until she ran into him.

"Oh! I am so sorry!" Aquaria quickly apologized, clutching the plate of cookies close to her, having lost a few cookies to the ground.

"No, no, don't- Princess Aquaria," the boy realized and quickly bowed. He had dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes that leaned closer to brown. He was taller than Aqua by about five or six inches and his skin was slightly tanned.

"Please, you don't have to bow. Really. I'm awfully sorry but I have to be going," Aqua said but the boy stopped her. He grabbed her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

"My name is Laszlo. Maybe you could come over and you could relax from your princess duties for a bit," the boy offered as he tried to give her a charming smile.

"Sorry but I'm going to see my boyfriend so if you could please excuse me," Aqua said, not interested in what this guy was selling.

"Right, the Royal Nerd. I thought that would be over as quick as it started," Laszlo grumbled. "You could do so much better with someone like me, doll."

"Well the Royal Nerd happens to be an amazing guy who actually respects when someone has somewhere to be. Now I'm sorry but I have to go." Aquaria was getting annoyed so she just kept walking and rolled her eyes.

She left Old Corona and formed a horse out of water before riding it through the woods.

She smiled as the wind rushed past her and through her hair. She loved the free feeling. She got to the spot and the horse fell away after Aqua dismounted.

Varian jumped up as soon as he saw her. "You're here!"

"Yep! I would've made it here quicker but I accidentally ran into this guy named Laszlo and he really was starting to get on my nerves," Aquaria said, a slight scowl pulling at her lips.

"What did he do?" Varian asked quickly as he hugged her.

"He offered to hang out, but I told him I was trying to come see you. He got annoyed with that answer and called you the Royal Nerd which made me mad. Only Eugene and I can call you that!" Aqua huffed but Varian laughed.

"It doesn't bother me, bluebell. I've been called names my whole life. They can call me the Royal Nerd because at least I have a royal position that I'm proud of," Varian said as he ran a hand through her hair.

"But then he told me that I could do better with someone like him. Like, absolutely not. I really wanted to punch him," Aqua admitted as she rested her head on his chest.

"He can think whatever he wants. I would never give you up without a fight," Varian murmured as he kissed her head. "I love you."

"I love you too, Var. I always have and I always will." Aqua smiled and she leaned up, pressing a kiss to his lips.

Varian smiled as he kissed her back gently, holding her close. He pulled back and buried his face in her neck.

"Now what did you bring me here for?" Aqua asked as she melted in his arms happily.

"I made a picnic for us. I feel like we haven't done anything special like this in a while so I planned this today," Varian said as he picked his head up to look at her. "I packed ham sandwiches."

"Varian, you are the best." Aqua laughed lightly and they went over to the picnic blanket.

"I know how to make you smile," Varian said with a shrug as he sat down and Aqua sat beside him.

"You know it," she said as she grabbed a ham sandwich and took a bite.

Varian smiled as he relaxed and took a sandwich for himself. He loved spending time like this with Aquaria.

He hoped that nothing ever changed.