"Which one looks better?"

Varian looked at the two ribbons that Rapunzel held out. His brow furrowed in concentration and then he stepped forward and took the faded red ribbon from her hands.

"This one, it'll go good again the white table clothes and the dark red banners."

Rapunzel smiled wide, tossing the other ribbon of to who knows where, and clapped her hands in exclamation.

"OH!! YES, I didn't even think to put ribbons on the tables!! That's a great idea Varian."

Varian smiled, blushing at her enthusiastic response.
Putting a hand behind his neck he gave a soft laugh.
"Thanks Rapunzel."

Rapunzel picked up a basket filled with ribbons and smiled at Varian.
The spent who knows how long hanging up the ribbons and discussing a new idea they had both come up with months ago.

"I want it to be magical!" Rapunzel said, waving one hand out before her.
"Like- sparkling chandeliers and dim lights against the shining tile floor of the ballroom. "

Varian stood up from where he was putting a ribbon.
" I might be able to help you with that. " he said, giving a playful smile. " just- as magical as it is- just remember-"

He walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulder, waving a hand out at his next words.
"Its not magic but Alchemy!"

Rapunzel laughed and smiled at her best friend, getting a laugh in response.
He grabbed her hand and spun her around laughing, and Rapunzel gave a joyful shout.

She pulled them off towards the garden, the two of them laughing, practically out of breath.

They stopped as the reached the pavilion, where hundreds of roses where in vases.

"Now-" Rapunzel said, laughing softly as she tried to recompose herself.
"These roses are getting put all over the place. Put a vase on a table, or stick some of the flowers in the ribbons or lay them along the railing"

"So just - put them everywhere?"

"Yes everywhere " She said smiling.

Varian picked up a pale pink rose and bowed dramatically, holding it out to Rapunzel.
"For you your Majesty."

Rapunzel smiled and took it, "why thank you young man."
Grabbing a blue rose from among the many in the vases, she put it behind his ear.

Varian smiled.
"Thank you "

"There" she said," now your ready for tonight. "

~♡~

Hugo straightened the collar of his white dress shirt.

He slipped the small wooden box into a pocket in his dress pants.

Turning around and put a hand to his chin.
"Sooo~" he looked at Ruddiger." How do I look?"

Ruddiger chittered and held up his paws in a thumbs up.
Hugo grinned.
Pushing up his glasses and fixing his hair, he breathed in deeply before walking outside.

Before he knew it he was weaving through the loud bustling crowd that filled Corona's streets and squares.

Everywhere he looked he saw people who seemed madly in love.
The bright colors of ribbons and flowers decorated everything.

The sounds of laughter and people talking.
The smell of baked sweets and candies.

And the flickering of the now lit heart lanters and candles that lined the archways and overpasses.

With the sky growing steadily darker he made his was to the castle.

~♡~

"Varian!!!"

He whinced at the sound of Rapunzel's unpleasant shriek.

He groand as he turned to face her.
"Really Rapunzel- I told you I look perfectly fine."

"Not for the biggest dance that we've been planning for months on end!!"

He tried to walk away, but sooner then he realized he was being dragged down the hallway.

"How are you so abnormally strong!?"
Varian yelped, as his futile escape attempts from the princess's grip faild.

Rapunzel threw open the door to her room, startling Eugene, who was in the middle of fixing his dress shirt and tie.

Eugene burst into fits of laughter when he sew the expressions on both of their faces.

Rapunzel looked upset and determined, and Varian looked horrified.

"Sunshine, do I want to know what's going on?" He said looking at them smiling.

Rapunzel pulled Varian over towards Eugene, and sat him in a chair.
She gave him big begging eyes as she spoke.

"Eugene~" she motioned towards Varian. " He needs something suitable to wear to the ball."

"I already told you I'm fine-"

"Hush "

Varian crossed his arms and sighed.

"Sweetheart, if Varitas doesn't want to change for the ball he doesn't have to. He's-"
His words died down then he saw the look on his wife's face.

Varian looked back and for between them, eyes turning to Eugene, begging him to let him leave, in his own clothes.

Eugene looked at Varian, then back and Rapunzel.
Sighing he looked at the young man once again.
"OK- Fine " he said throwing up his hands," I'll find him something to wear."

Rapunzel jumped up clapping her ands pleased that she had won.
"I'll help!"

"NO!" Eugene and Varian yelled in sink.

"I mean- I've got it covered Sunshine." Eugene smiled.

Rapunzel smiled," are you sure, I have some ribbons that would go great with Varians eyes."

Varian scrunched up his nose in displeasure at her words and Eugene laughed.

"I'm sure, I've got it all under control."

~♡~

"Are you sure about this one?"
Varian looked himself over on thr mirror.

He stood in a full black dress suit, the fabric seeming to be dusted over with pale silver specks, sparkling evertime the light hit them just right.

Eugene brushed back Varians hair and put the rose back where Rapunzel had put it before.

"Positive "

Varian smiled nervously and Eugene smiled back.
Nodded his head towards the door, Eugene walked towards it.
Varian followed, and the both returned to where Rapunzel had been waiting.

She had changed into a long flowing dress. Its fabric delicately covered in shimmering designs and sparkles.

"You look amazing Varian " she said, her face decorated in a beautiful smile.

"Thank you. "

He followed them down the hallways towards the ballroom.

Passing by a window he noticed the night sky.
Hugo...
He felt his heart sink as he realized that he hadn't got done early as he planned.
He had left Hugo waiting.
He had ruined their day.

Just us...

Varians face fell and he attempted a half hearted smile when Rapunzel looked back at him.

She smiled" ready for tonight?"
She asked, her hands on the door handles to the ballroom.

Varian nodded solemnly, his heart heavy.
"Ready as ill ever be."

And with that Rapunzel threw open the doors.