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Cassandra’s fingers gently run through Rapunzel’s golden hair. The Princess sketches down an image of Eugene and Lance running from a beast twice the size of a bear with the visual similarity of a rabbit. Cassandra can’t help but smile at the drawing of the day’s events. Not because she finds the idea hilarious, but because it means that Raps is comfortable enough in her arms to absentmindedly draw without a care in the world. While it is dark outside the caravan, the two of them keep each other company in Rapunzel’s bunk. The only thing covering their bare bodies from the cooler air of the caravan is a single brown blanket. The yellow light of a candle illuminates the two of them, reflecting off of Cassandra’s milk white skin.
“Hmm… What do you think?” Rapunzel asks her with an inquisitive tone, holding the book closer to the handmaiden’s face. “Maybe it could use a bit more yellow.”
“Do what you think is best, Raps. You’re the one that has an eye for color. Not me.” Cassandra waves her hand slightly, reminding the Princess that her specialty lies with weapons and fighting. Slightly dejected, Rapunzel pulls the book back, thoughtfully looking at the page. Her fingers start to flip through the pages. Cassandra instantly knows what she is doing from all the times she has watched the Princess create these masterpieces. She is trying to find inspiration in her previous works for the right color. However, Cassandra can’t help but feel caught off guard by a drawing that flashes by for less than a second. “Hold on,” Cass states while gently grabbing Rapunzel’s hand. The pages stop in place on a sketch of Pascal, but that is not the one etched in her mind.
“What is it?” Raps quietly asks, slowly turning the pages back. One after another, pictures of their adventures flip by, but none of them are the one she finds her thoughts centered on. Eventually, Cass stops Rapunzel at a singular page. A sea of auburn and gold covers the page, depicting a lovely sunrise outside the window of the Princess’s bedroom back in Corona. Standing in front of the sun, a woman with black curly hair gently holds onto the wall. Her dress is remarkably light, her skin bare of any garments aside from the beams of sunlight illuminating her figure. Though she can only see half of the woman’s face, Cass looks at her own reflection. A somber yet stoic expression lies on her features. In a way, this drawing makes her look like a hero waiting for their eventual trials.
“I didn’t know you drew this,” Cass whispers, remembering the scene she had brought to life as if it was yesterday. This had happened the day before they left Corona after a particularly long night of restless thoughts of the future. Raps had barely slept from all of her worries. It was only her embrace that let the Princess catch a couple hours of rest. Still. Cass can’t help but feel slightly embarrassed by the drawing, wondering if anyone else had seen it knowing Rapunzel’s penchant for sharing her artistic measures. “You couldn’t have added my usual apparel to this?”
“Well, that would be dishonest. Besides, I think you are really beautiful…” Rapunzel’s hand reaches up and caresses her handmaiden’s cheek. “Don’t worry. No one else has seen these pages.” These? That word instantly circles Cassandra’s mind, making her wonder just how many interpretations of her form have been designed by Rapunzel’s hands. “It’s kind of a shame though. I put the most work on some of these pieces, so It would be kind of nice to put a masterpiece like this up on a wall.” As Rapunzel’s eyes return to the page, Cassandra’s thoughts focus on one word. Masterpiece. Is that how the Princess sees her? Despite the scars and blemishes along her body and her often unruly hair, is that what she sees? Perfection? It’s hard to believe since her own mind often paints a much more pessimistic picture.
“Why do you put so much effort into something depicting me?” Cass whispers, almost admiring how detailed the lines on this drawing are compared to the often silly and quick sketches of the boys. The last thing she would want is for her to be drawn with those same harsh chicken scratches that reveal the Princess’s lack of care. Her effort is worth a thousand compliments. Rapunzel looks towards me again, a hint of curiosity lingering in those eyes even though her expression says the mere question is offensive.
“Because I love you, Cass,” she answers simply. Before I can say anything, Raps pushes herself up to her knees, facing me. The blanket slowly falls off of her, letting the light of the candle grace her skin. Her hand gently reaches towards Cass’s face, caressing my cheek with a shake of her head. “Cassandra, you mean the world to me. I like to think that I see the real you. Your real colors. I’d give anything to communicate what I see to the world. Even if it means putting a few more hours into the drawings of you rather than the others.” Cassandra’s heart feels lighter from Rapunzel’s words. Even though she is simply the lady-in-waiting, Raps cares for her more than anyone else has. This should be obvious from their bare states, but just hearing it almost makes it unbelievable once more.
“I love you too, Raps,” Cass states in response, finding it hard to speak in any tone louder than a whisper. The knight gently presses her face against the palm of the Princess. Even when their journey seems impossible, Rapunzel has a way of making Cassandra feel like they can beat anything life throws at them. Slowly, the Princess leans down, locking their lips passionately. The kiss shocks Cassandra’s spine, sending a wave of electricity in the guise of love through her body. Nothing else in the world matters at this moment. Not the black rocks nor their companions in the other half of the caravan. Right now, the only thing that matters to Cass is the soft embrace of Rapunzel’s lips. Unfortunately, the moment ends just as soon as it begins. After breaking the kiss, Rapunzel lets out a thoughtful giggle. The same kind that tells Cass she is planning something…
“Hey… What if we go do something?” Raps suggests with a mischievous look on her face. She quietly nods her head towards the door, making Cass raise her eyebrow.
“We are in the middle of the woods, Raps. And it will be dawn in a few hours. What could possibly-” Before Cass can finish her surely rude remark, she stops herself at the sight of Rapunzel’s begging gaze. Her eyes tell Cass that she understands, but there is still something she would love to do out there. What it could be is anyone’s guess at this point… Taking a deep breath, Cass sighs to herself. Rapunzel immediately hugs her with a smile, taking the reluctant breath as a yes. “Alright. If you insist. Just let me get dressed fir-” Rapunzel stops Cass from grabbing her tunic, making the knight look at her skeptically. Of course, Rapunzel still has that mischievous smirk painted across her lips. A thousand questions run through her mind, but the most prominent is her wonder about what is going on inside the Princess’s head.
“You won’t be needing that~”
A loud splash accompanies the Princess jumping into the pond, making a small wave rise against Cassandra’s stomach. Despite the fact Rapunzel is under the water, a lot of her hair still floats at the surface of the water. After a moment, Rapunzel breaks through the surface in front of Cass. In a way, Cassandra can’t help but find her cute. In a drenched-but-excited puppy sort of way… Cass brings her fingers to Rapunzel’s face to help push some of the wet strands out of her face.
“Raps, as much as I love your free-spirit attitude, it is a little risky to come out here like this. Even without clothes, it would have been a good idea to bring a weapon of some kind.”
“Relax, Cass. I’m sure we will be fine. Besides,” Rapunzel winks at Cassandra, “I’ve seen you in action without a weapon before. You can more than hold your own. So, just try to enjoy the moment~” Rapunzel hits her hand against the water, splashing Cass playfully. Before her lady-in-waiting can retaliate, Rapunzel quickly runs further into the pond. The light of the moon rests along the waves, illuminating the Princess’s figure. Despite her best attempts to hide it, Cass can’t help but smile at the scene before her. Regardless of their adventure and the adversity they have faced so far, she still finds a way to be happy. Even if it is just a simple moon lit swim with her girlfriend. “Cass? Are you okay?” Raps asks her, seeming confused that she wouldn’t chase after her.
A small chuckle escapes her lips. Cass doesn’t waste a moment to start swimming toward the only person she has ever loved. The princess lets out a small shriek of excitement and fear, trying to avoid her. However, her long golden strands makes it hard for her to move very fast. In mere moments, Cass launches herself out of the water, grabbing Raps in a gentle, but tight hug. Rapunzel playfully screams with laughter following soon after. Rapunzel tries to resist for a moment, splashing the knight even more to get her to let go. But Cass’s embrace remains firm and all of the Princess’s attempt to flee disappear as soon as Cassandra presses her lips against Rapunzel’s. She can’t quite speak for the princess, but Cassandra’s heart beats faster now than it ever has in a fight with a monster. These fun moments with this extraordinary woman that she is lucky to know are worth the whole world. Every second is worth a thousand battles and more. All it takes is for a simple touch from Rapunzel’s fingers on the back of her head to reassure her that she feels the same way. For some reason, she feels like she can let go of her reservations around the Princess. Every fear and worry feels… irrational. Perhaps everything will be okay.
“I love you so much, Raps,” Cass whispers as soon as the kiss breaks. The cool water gently careens against their skin. Despite how cold the water around them feels, Cass can only feel the warmth in her chest. Holding the Princess in her arms, she knows one thing for certain. She will do anything to keep her safe. “And I promise I will never stop loving you. Even in the darkest odds.”
“And I will always love you more, Cass,” Rapunzel responds in a hum of admiration. Cass knows it is a joke, but one that Raps will never give up. Looking into her emerald gaze, Cass notices Rapunzel’s features turn serious. “Thank you. For coming with me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be able to protect you if I let you go swimming in the nude alone. Especially at this hour,” Cass replies with a chuckle. However, her tease doesn’t seem to lighten Rapunzel’s expression.
“I meant for coming with me on this journey in general. I may have Eugene and the others, but I can’t imagine doing any of this without you.” Rapunzel holds Cassandra’s hand tightly, asserting her claim further. Usually, Rapunzel is able to look on the positive side of things and remind everyone that nothing is impossible. But right now, her eyes truly look like she believes this journey would be impossible without Cassandra’s support.
“Of course. Even if we weren’t…” Cassandra’s words falter, but her hand raises to touch Rapunzel’s chest above her heart. “It would still be my job as your lady-in-waiting.”
“You know you could have refused if you didn’t want to,” Rapunzel quietly calls her bluff, shaking her head slowly. Deep down, Cassandra knows she is right. There is nothing the King could have done to her that Rapunzel wouldn’t be able to prevent. If she had truly wanted to stay in Corona, Raps would have made it possible.
But there was no way that she would have let her Princess do this alone…
“There’s no one I’d rather stand beside than you, Raps.” Gently, she kisses Rapunzel’s hand to remind her of her loyalty. However, her eyes widen when Raps simply places her hands on Cassandra’s neck, pulling her in for a true kiss. Her heart is full of love and she knows that moments like these are worth everything to her.
“And there is no one I’d have by my side in your place, Cass~”