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"Excuse me, I am looking for Eugene Fitzherbert." I said to a man, but he just continued past me like all the others.

Let me introduce myself. I'm (Y/n). I was sent to Corona by my uncle, since he had to fight in a war between our kingdom and another, and there is no other family there to take care of me. So here I am, looking for Eugene Fitzherbert, my cousin five times- no, seven times removed? It's complicated, but either way, he's my cousin somehow.

I huffed in frustration. Why were people just ignoring me? Sure, I spoke very softly, and I was timid, and I was afraid to tap people on the shoulder to get their attention... Okay, so maybe I had an idea of why.

"Um... Excuse me, but you said you were looking for Eugene Fitzherbert?"

I turned around and saw a boy, around my age, with blue eyes, freckles black hair with a blue streak, and wearing goggles.

"Y-yes." I nodded.

"He's in the castle," the boy pointed to the large, beautiful castle just beyond the village, "I can take you there, if you want me to," he offered. I obliged, grateful for the kindness he was showing, and we started towards the castle.

"I'm Varian, by the way," he said after a moment of awkward silence.

"(Y/n)." I responded.

As we walked, we slowly began to talk about a lot of different things, and we each learned things about the other.

"Wait. You practice alchemy?!" I asked after Varian mentioned the subject.

"Y-yeah..." he answered, suddenly looking apprehensive

"I really want to learn it, but the Apprentice Guild said that I was too young, and even if I was old enough, females aren't allowed." I grumbled.

"Wait. Alchemy is practiced freely, with no shame or judgement, in your kingdom?!"

"Yeah. We've had issues over the years with all sorts of magical beasts." I began, "Trolls, dragons, evil fairies, and such. So the king declared for the Apprentice Guild, which had been known by very few outsiders, including the king, at the time, to come up with a solution."

"Wow."

"And the guild was able to come out of hiding, since everyone appreciated what they did."

"I wish I could do something like that," Varian said, "Then everyone would appreciate me and realize that I'm just trying to help others with my alchemy."

"State your reason for going into the castle." a voice interrupted our conversation. We looked up and saw two guards. We had finally made it to the castle.

"We're here to see Eugene." Varian replied, and they let us through. Once we were in, it took us several minutes to find my cousin, but we found him out in the gardens with a girl who had super long, bright golden hair, pulled into a large braid.

"Eugene, Rapunzel," Varian said, walking over to them, with me tagging behind, "This is (Y/n)."

"Hi! It's so nice to meet you! I'm Rapunzel, as you probably know." the blonde smiled.

"She's the princess." Varian added.

"Oh, hi!" I smiled, giving a small curtsy.

"Hey, kid." the brown-haired man beside the princess spoke, "I'm-,"

"Eugene Fitzherbert," I cut him off, "I'm your cousin."

"Awe! Eugene, you didn't tell him you had a cousin!" Rapunzel grinned even more, "You should've told me she was coming! We could've planned a welcome party!"

"I- I don't have a cousin, Blondie..." Eugene said, looking to the princess.

"I'm actually not your direct cousin..." I spoke up, "Here," I said, pulling a piece of parchment out of my bag, and handing it to him, "I have a note from my uncle."

He read over the note and nodded.

"I guess I have a cousin now..."

We talked for a bit more, and then Rapunzel decided that we should continue our discussion over dinner.

"I've never eaten dinner in a castle!" I whispered excitedly to Varian, as we walked.

"Me neither," he replied, "I mean, I've been in the castle several times, but never for a meal."

Soon enough, we were all seated at the long dining table, with the king and queen. I repeat, the king and queen! Technically, they're not my king and queen, but still, I've never been this close to royalty! Well, besides when I went to the castle with my uncle, but I didn't get close to the king. I just stayed outside the throne room, while he went in. And I guess Rapunzel is a princess, but she just seems so different than the "normal" for royalty.

"So, Miss (L/n)," the king said, looking towards me, "You're Mr. Fitzherbert's cousin?"

"Yes, your highness."

He nodded.

"I take it you don't have a place to stay, yes?"

I nodded.

"Yes, your highness."

"Well, you are welcome to stay here. We'll prepare a room near Eugene's, but for tonight, you may stay with Rapunzel, in her room, if that's alright with her." he then looked to the aforementioned princess, who nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, your highness!" I smiled.

"You don't have to be so formal, (Y/n)," the queen smiled at me, "Eugene is practically family, so that means that you are the same."

"And if all goes well, I will be a part of this family, some day." my cousin smiled at the princess. Wait. Were Rapunzel and him in love?

"Well, it's getting late. I must go get some rest." the king said, as he stood up, "I suggest you kids do the same." he then left with Queen Arianna. The king had talked with Varian's father, and Varian had been given permission to stay the night.

"This is going to be so fun! Rapunzel squealed, grabbing my wrist, and tugging me in the direction of, presumably, her room. I waved to Varian and Eugene as we walked out the door, into the long hallway. Rapunzel then latched onto the wrist of a young lady, and dragged her along with us. She appeared to be several years older than Rapunzel and I. (But not saying that she's super old. Just older than us.)

Once we had been pulled into, presumably, Rapunzel's room, the princess turned around, grinning.

"Girls' Night!" she squealed, throwing her hands into the air.

"Raps, may I please get some sleep tonight?" the lady said.

"Cass, this is (Y/n), Eugene's cousin! (Y/n), this is Cassandra, one of my bestest friends!" the princess introduced us, ignoring Cassandra's plea for sleep. I waved at Cassandra, who didn't take notice of the motion. Rapunzel then ran and sat down on the floor in the middle of the room, urging us to do so. Once we had, the festivities began.

Soon enough, it was almost morning, and we had done all sorts of activities and games. We were currently playing a game where one person asks another person a question, and that person has to answer truthfully, then they get to ask someone a question.

"So, Raps," Cass began, "Have you ever not been good at something?"

Rapunzel hummed in thought for a second.

"Well, I'm not so good at writing a lot." she said, "Like, I can write a few sentences and draw a picture or something, but I don't think I could write a novel."

Cassandra and I nodded.

"My turn!" the princess squealed, "(Y/n)," she said, seemingly suppressing giggles, "Do you like Varian?"

"Well, um, yeah," I said, "He's a nice friend. Or at least I assume we're friends..."

"No," Rapunzel laughed, "Do you like, like him?"

I was confused, and my face showed it. I heard a quiet laugh from Cassandra's direction.

"I mean, do you have a crush on him?" Rapunzel clarified.

"I, uh..." was all that came out of my mouth for the moment. I hadn't really thought about it. My cheeks grew red as I answered, "Y-yeah. I guess..."

Some weird, inhuman noise then came from Raps.

Soon after, we decided to go to sleep.

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A/n: Hello people of the fandom! I bring to you a story! 

I feel like I need to say something, but idk.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!

Bye, I guess...

~TesserPhantom