Chapter Text
Summer belongs to Corona; the sun’s warmth is soaked by bright yellow sandstone while soothing sea breezes carry with them the smell of salt and spiced smoke. Sunlight frolics across the sapphire sea, and bells chime in a harmony known only to the Coronan port. The city is the crown jewel of the kingdom, and it basks in the radiance of its own prosperity. After having travelled the continent for the last two years, Cassandra can confirm that Corona Isle is one of the most breathtaking places in all the seven kingdoms. Breathtaking, heart-stopping, hair-raising— terrifying. It’s home.
Two years is an impressive length of time, and Cassandra knows very well how much can change across two years. But it’s also short, too short— too short to wipe memories clean or settle grudges. Yet as she stared out at the picturesque horizon from atop Fidella, it was as if she had never left. It could have just as easily been five years ago, coming home from a quick canter on the mainland outskirts to meet her father out on the training grounds. However, even from this distance she can see the scars obvious to anyone who knows where to look. New buildings had emerged where old ones had been claimed by black rock, and there’s a clear discoloration wherever weathered walls met freshly carved sandstone.
And yet it wasn’t the guilt that drove her away in the end, it was the bitterness of stagnancy. Broiling in the frustration of having no direction forward and no clear future within her grasp isn’t something that ever bodes well for her— so she left. She didn’t know what she’d do if she stayed.
“Cass? You alright?”
Cassandra startles in her saddle and turns to her companion, whose bay thoroughbred is already straying away from Fidella out of impatience.
“I’m okay, Lio. I’m just feeling a little nostalgic, is all- it’s like I never left, you know?”
Ilione shoots her an encouraging smile before gazing out towards the Isle.
“Sort of. I haven’t been to the city for a long time. It’ll be good to see it with fresh eyes, I think,” she says, and Cassandra hums in agreement. “You know, it’s okay if you’re not ready.”
“I am,” Cass says firmly. She knows Lio’s being honest, and that she’d be supportive if she wanted to turn around with her tail tucked between her legs to run halfway across the
continent again, but she has to do this. She’s ready.
“What about you? I won’t judge if you want to head back and spend some more time with your parents,” Cassandra says.
“No way. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, Cass,” she says with a smober shake of her head, and stares back out at the daunting horizon. “Hey, do you think the water’s warm?”
“No, but you’ll be glad for it if we get a heatwave,” Cassandra replies, then urges Fidella onwards with a slight squeeze of her heels. Ilione follows along on Precious, speeding up until the mares are trotting side by side. The gentle rocking as they follow the forest path towards the bridge is relaxing, and Cassandra wonders if Owl has reached the castle by now. She had sent him off with a brief letter earlier that morning, mostly as a precaution to stop herself from procrastinating her return. The thought of seeing Rapunzel again trips her heartbeat, and she worries the leather of the reins with her thumbs to ground herself.
They’d stayed in touch by exchanging letters back and forth over the past two years, but the growing distance between them and a constantly changing mailing address meant that their conversations were inconsistent at best. There’s so much that can’t be said in a letter, or that can even be put into words, and seeing Rapunzel again means finally, if unwillfully, sharing everything left unwritten. But despite her reservations, her excitement to see her best friend again is overpowering. The painted portraits she had received on her travels were a lovely substitute, but no picture nor letter could ever compare to the Princess herself.
“Excited to see the Princess again?”
“What?”
“You’ve got that dopey look on your face again,” Ilione smirks at her.
“I don’t look- you look dopey,” Cassandra blustered, encouraging Fidella to trot ahead.
“Ouch, that was scathing, Cass,” Lio teases, but her wide grin quickly settles into a more easy smile as she catches up. “I’m excited too, though. Not about Rapunzel, but about getting to stay in the palace. I expect five star service, you know.”
“I was actually thinking my Dad could put us up. I want this trip to be quiet, and the castle… isn’t,” Cass grimaces.
“But Cass , the- the goosefeather mattresses! The Kotoan silk sheets! The gold plated toilets!”
“There’s no gold plated toilets.”
Ilione purses her lips and sends Cassandra a glare.
“Maybe so, but still- you can stay with your Dad, but I can’t have him accommodating me too. Not when there’s plenty of guest rooms in the castle down the road with staff who are paid for hospitality work anyway. Don’t make me impose on him,” she says. Cassandra raises an eyebrow at her.
“You don’t think it’ll be weird for you to stay at the castle without me?”
“Of course it’ll be weird! But it’s a castle , Cass! You think I’m going to pass up a chance to stay in the palace because it’d be weird? ”
“Point taken,” Cassandra concedes. The castle is a novelty to anyone who didn’t grow up inside its walls, and it’d be unfair of her to deny Lio the experience. Her habit of stealing attention wherever she went would probably be helpful in this case anyhow.
“But,” Lio continues, “it’ll be less weird if you’re staying at the castle too.”
Cassandra offers her a noncommittal grunt, dropping the conversation there. It would be nice to get to stay at the castle again- no inn could ever compare in luxury- but staying with her father would be nice in a sentimental way. She expects it’ll be a decision that ultimately comes down to Rapunzel, whose powers of needling combined with Lio’s wheedling will likely be unstoppable. Before she can dwell any longer on that, they arrive at the bridge.
The guards don’t even spare them a second glance as they pass; traffic through the city is always heavy during the day, and their job is to keep it flowing rather than forcing it to a standstill. Cassandra feels her hands prickle beneath her gloves, and tries to relax her tight grip on Fidella’s reins to restore their circulation. The glare of the midday sun burns the skin of her scalp, and rivulets of sweat begin to slide uneasily down her spine.
“Which way to the stables? Precious’ll buck me off soon if I don’t give her a rest,” Ilione asks, and Precious snorts in agreement. Inhaling, Cassandra grips her saddle and throws her leg across Fidella’s side, and once steady she drops to the ground. Lio arches an eyebrow and follows suit, dismounting just as fluidly. On the ground they get lost in the bustle of the streets, no longer drawing the unavoidable sort of attention that arriving on a pair of large horses tends to bring.
“This way,” Cassandra says, grabbing Fidella’s reins and starting on the path she knew by heart. She stayed focused on the road ahead, though Ilione’s eyes dart from stall to stall, glancing to the bright garlands and colourful shopfronts— but to her credit she manages to contain her excitement, following dutifully. As they walk the crowds part to make room for the horse’s strides, but they pay little attention beyond that. At this time of day the stables are usually empty for the most part, with all the horses in the guard out on exercises, and Cassandra is thankful for the quiet.
“Max is probably out on patrols, but I’ll leave you in the stall next to his,” Cass tells Fidella as she removes her tack, receiving a jubilant nicker in reply, even as Precious snorts next to her.
“That’s enough out of you,” Lio scolded her, then brushed herself off after closing her into the adjacent stall. “So. Your Dad’s place first?”
Vermillion paint drips to the floor as Rapunzel swirls her paintbrush in her hand. A mess of colours coat her fingertips and the corner of her mouth stains with blue as she takes a bite of blueberry tart. The midday sun shines through her window, another bright Coronan day begging her attention, but today she had scheduled some time for herself and her paints. Still, she can’t help but frown at the blank canvas staring back at her.
By now she usually has some spark of inspiration, or at the very least motivation to start something, but today it seems the muses had turned their backs on her. Should she break in the new oil crayons Willow had gifted her, or stick to her trusted paints? Or ought she abandon her canvas entirely in favour of splashing watercolours across paper?
“What do you think, Pascal? Oils or watercolours?”
Pascal chirps atop her shoulder, providing little input. A quiet tapping sound pulls her from her dilemma, and she catches a flutter of motion in the corner of her eye.
“Owl!” Rapunzel cheers as the familiar bird hoots at her. She darts across the room to fling the windows open, and he swoops inside to settle on the nearest desk and greets her with another jovial hoot. It’s been a long time since she had last seen him; Cassandra had still been near enough to send letters alongside him for the first stretch of her journey, but as she ventured further away they’d had to rely on more elaborate methods of correspondence. She’s glad to see him healthy and well, and gives him his due headscratch which he accepts eagerly.
Pascal scurries down her arm to greet his friend while Rapunzel takes the letter attached to Owl’s leg and unravels it in a frenzy.
Hey Raps.
As you’ve probably guessed, I’m going to be in town soon. Travelling has been exciting, but I think it’s finally time for a breather. Lio’s also keen to visit Corona, and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen my Dad, and you. I could give or take Eugene.
Hope to see you soon,
Cass.
Ah. Always so short, but so sweet. Rapunzel’s eyes dance over the lines of ink again and again, letting the words sink into her mind. The thought of seeing Cassandra again feels unreal, and her heart doesn’t know which emotion it’s supposed to settle on. Instead of elation at seeing her best friend again after so long, it settles on unease as her eyes flicker over the name Lio . She folds the letter shut.
She doesn’t distrust Cassandra’s judge of character, but she’s sure she’ll feel a lot better once she meets Cass’ new companion in person. She had taken to a friendship with the stranger almost alarmingly fast, so she just wants to be certain there’s nothing untowards going on. With that in mind, Rapunzel pushes all thoughts of Lio to the side and lets out a whisper of a shriek— Cass is coming home!
Rapunzel clutches the letter to her chest and dances on the spot— then halts. She hastily opens the letter and scans through it again, but finds that Cassandra hadn’t indicated exactly when she’d be arriving. The paper strains under her tightened grip as her heart skips a beat. Cass could be here in a few days, or even tomorrow!
“Ohmygosh, I need to prepare! Owl, do you think you could find Cass? Wait- no! I need to write something for you to give her first-” she scrambles around the room, searching for some fresh paper and a pen. Wait. What would she write? Maybe it doesn’t matter too much; Cassandra is likely already well on her way, and anything written down could just as easily be said to her face when they finally see each other again.
She settles on something short, vowing to clear her schedule so that they’ll have all the time they want to spend together and catch up properly, in person.
Cassandra, I’m so excited to see you again! When do you think you’ll be arriving? And just tell me if there’s anything you want, and I’ll have it ready for you by the time you get here. I’m going to make sure I’ve got all the time in the world to spend with you, and I really can’t wait to get to hug you again! I know Pascal- and even Eugene- have been missing you a whole lot, but not as much as I have. Please get here soon!
Love, Rapunzel.
Rapunzel quickly scans her letter, and gives it a satisfied nod. Owl fluffs up his feathers and extends his leg in anticipation, and Rapunzel squeals when he takes off with the note. Spinning on the spot, she lets Pascal climb back up her arm and rushes out of the room to find Eugene, her blank canvas and utensils all abandoned in favour of her new endeavour. She strides towards the Captain’s office in search of him, but luck is on her side today and she finds him passing through the castle halls, looking smart as usual in his uniform. It must be a slow day because his shoulders are relaxed and he isn’t in any hurry, and hopefully he’ll have time to talk.
Eugene’s face lights up with an easy smile as Rapunzel rushes over.
“Hey Sunshine. What’s got you in such a good mood?” He asks, straightening up.
“Eugene! Owl just came with a letter- Cass is coming back!” Rapunzel blurts, bouncing on the spot.
“Really? When?” He asks, his grin widening despite himself. Rapunzel’s own smile drops.
“Uh. I don’t know, she didn’t exactly say. But soon!” she recovers. “Owl can’t have travelled that far, after all.”
“Ah, of course. Leave it to Cassandra to forget the importance of punctuality. But I’m sure she missed me so much it just slipped her mind,” he sighs.
“I’m sure that’s what it was,” Rapunzel agrees, and hands him the letter.
“I could give or take Eugene- what? Does she know I read these too? Of course she does, that’s why she wrote that,” he scowls. “You know, writing has never been her forté. She’s coming home after two years and she barely writes a paragraph.”
“She’s measured,” Rapunzel defends, and takes the letter back to carefully smooth it out again.
“I guess we’ll finally get to meet the infamous Lio now. I do have to wonder about the mental veracity of anyone who’s immediately willing to go on a long and very emotional personal journey with only our dear Cassandra as company. I figured that maybe Cass made her up to make you jealous and- oh. Oh that’s a jealous face.”
“I’m not jealous!” Rapunzel says, pulling a very defiant and unconvincing frown. “I just want to know she’s good for Cass.”
“Of course, of course you’re not. Anyway, do you have any plans for when she gets here?”
Rapunzel’s frown slips away and she runs her hands through her hair. After all this time it still feels foreign to suddenly slide her fingers through her ends; it’s a grounding sensation.
“If Cass is coming back I need to have something ready for her! She could be in Corona by tomorrow and I haven’t planned a party or got a gift for her or-”
“Whoa, slow down there,” Eugene steps forward and rests his hands on her shoulders. “You’ve got pages upon pages of paintings you’ve made for her while she’s gone, I’m sure she’ll love any one of them. In the meantime I’ll go visit Old Cap and see if he’s gotten any word from her as well.”
“Right. Thanks, Eugene,” Rapunzel says, and leans up to kiss him on the check. He gives her shoulders a final squeeze before letting go, and the moment he does she flies back down the hallway towards her bedroom. All her finished paintings were stored on racks in one of her ensuite closets to keep them safe until they could find a wall to be hung upon, and she drags them out into the open with a heavy huff.
She had painted so many portraits of Cassandra in the first months of her departure, largely as a way to process all the everything. They’re transformative and experimental— emotional. Knowing she and Cass were friends again meant that she could safely look back at everything that had gone down between them, from even before setting off on their journey to follow the black rocks. As a result her artwork flaunted dramatic lighting and contrasts, balancing soft figures with heavy shadows and stark silhouettes. Her mother calls it an artistic apotheosis, but she isn’t sure what Cassandra would make of it.
She needs something to give to Cassandra, but it needs to be just right.
The hidden backstreets of Corona may as well be a maze, with each cobbled corner replicating each other in a series of narrow twists and turns behind buildings that tower above them and block out any distinguishing landmarks. Ilione hastens her pace to keep up with Cassandra, who strides towards their destination as if pulled by some magnetic force. The streets are far quieter than the main road, with strangers only passing to slip away again through back doors— though the brilliant sun provides too much light for uncouth types to hide in the shadows, so there’s little need for the guards to patrol through at this hour. It ensures their trip is uneventful.
Uneventful isn’t usually what Ilione expects whenever they travel somewhere new, but she’s thankful for it now. It’s not her first time on the Isle; she had accompanied her parents a handful of times over her childhood whenever they deigned to attend a festival or visit distant relatives, but it’s the first time she hasn’t been stuck to their side. It’s all just as… yellow as she remembers, but she’s glad to be with Cassandra because the city’s size is overwhelming even as an adult. She imagines it must be overwhelming for Cassandra too, if in a different way— but she trudges ahead with no sign of discomfort.
Cass eventually leads them closer to the waterfront, and Lio can finally see the glittering blue waters over the rooftops as they descend downhill. Her calves ache as they continue right down to the last street at the water’s edge, where the houses trade back doors for timber piers that jut out into the high tide. They pass by worn terrace houses all squeezed together to make space for the biggest house on the street; it’s the one Cassandra approaches, giving the doorbell a swift tug.
There’s no response for a minute, and just as Cassandra rings the bell a second time they finally hear heavy footfalls from behind the thick wooden door until it swings open before them, creaking on its hinges. The Captain- well, ex Captain- of the Coronan Guard is large enough to take up almost all the space in the doorframe, his sturdy shape undisturbed by age. Lio’s own father is hardly short, but he’d never made her feel so small as she did next to the Captain. However, he wasn’t paying much attention to her.
“Cassandra!” he cries, and when his eyes fall upon his daughter it’s as though a caravan of weight is lifted off his shoulders. The wide grin splitting his face is almost enough to undermine his imposing figure, and he immediately grapples Cassandra into a hug that lifts her feet off the ground.
“Hi Dad,” she wheezes, grunting as he drags his knuckles up her spine, cracking each vertebrae one by one. She wobbles on her feet when he lets her down, free of two years worth of tension.
“I had a feeling you might need that.”
“It has been a while,” Cassandra agrees. “Dad, this is Lio,” she says, and steps aside. Ilione straightens out as they turn towards her and she offers her best polite smile and an awkward wave. Good first impressions have always come naturally to her, but this isn’t just some ordinary stranger— this is Cassandra’s Dad.
“It’s an honour to meet you, Sir Chevalier,” she says, bowing lightly.
“Just Elliot is fine,” he says. extending a palm forwards.
“Yes, sir,” Ilione shakes his hand steadily, and flushes with relief at his approving smile.
“It’s good to finally meet you in person, Ilione.”
“Actually it’s pronounced- ah, just call me Lio.”
“Sorry, Lio, I’ve only ever seen it written. Come inside, girls,” he says, and steps back through the entryway to allow them in.
Despite being the largest house on the street it’s still deceptively narrow, squashed between all the other houses beside it, but the inside reveals a hidden depth and a staircase leading up to a second floor. The interior is lined with panels of warm timber and haphazardly decorated with rustic clocks, hunting trophies and old portraits, as well as shelves and cabinets adorned with fishing equipment, medallions and some more humble keepsakes, like a clumsily carved wooden man wearing a guard’s uniform. Elliot leads them through each room until they reach the sitting area, a peaceful space painted in the standard Coronan yellow to balance the overbearing blue of the sea and sky pouring in through the windows.
“I like the new place,” Cassandra comments, running a hand along the linen upholstery. The furnishings are very coastal, and it doesn’t strike Ilione as the Captain’s style; she wonders how much of a hand Elliot actually had in furnishing his new home, and how much of it was coordinated by others as a gift for him.
“It’s not quite castle living, but it’s nice. Couldn’t ask for a better home to retire to- I’ve been throwing fishing lines straight out the back door, you know,” he says, basking in satisfaction.
“That’s great, Dad. I’m glad you’re happy here,” Cass says, wearing a rare warm smile. Despite all the baggage she carries with her about events from the past in Corona, it’s this that led her back— the tenderness she feels for her loved ones that’s reserved for only them. Ilione occasionally notices it directed at her, but it’s consistent whenever Cass speaks of Rapunzel or her father, or even Eugene, Varian or Lance. Coming home has already brought glimpses into Cassandra’s relationship with Corona, and she hopes it’s this affection that outweighs everything else.
“You girls sit down, I’ll grab some drinks,” Elliot says, leaving them to settle. Ilione slumps into the couch and only barely restrains herself from kicking her feet up on the oak coffee table, practically melting her aching shoulders into the cushions. Cassandra isn’t so melodramatic, but the strain of the long ride across the countryside has evidently taken its toll and she falls down beside her. Lio debates throwing her legs across Cass’ lap instead, but decides against it when Elliot returns. He places three steins of golden ale and a board of cheese and crackers on the table, then takes a seat opposite them.
Cassandra and her father spend a bit of time catching up as they relax, and Ilione only occasionally joins in to add details to an anecdote. It’s a casual kind of awkward, but Lio contents herself with drinking, snacking and relaxing as Cassandra describes their attempt at sailing across the Blavenian Sea (which had been a tremendously terrible experience that Cassandra is shamefully sugarcoating).
“So, Lio, have you been enjoying your travels with Cassandra?” Elliot asks, and Ilione blinks as she tries to tune back in again.
“Oh! Yeah, it’s been really fun. We had a good time in Neserdnia- I’d love to go back there one day. And all the different food we’ve tried was amazing, I don’t know how I’m going to live without regular access to Kotoan curries- but it’s good to finally take a break,” Lio chatters.
“Of course. Have you been keeping in touch with your family?”
“I think your interrogation skills are a little rusty, Dad,” Cassandra objects, and Elliot acts affronted.
“It’s an honest question Cass, can’t I ask your niece about her family?”
Cassandra scrunches up her nose in a tart grimace.
“Dad, I told you in my letters, it’s weird calling Lio my niece. We’re nearly the same age, just tell people we’re cousins,” she says.
“It’s fine,” Ilione laughs. “And my parents have been doing alright, we came back through Eltaire-Sère about a month ago so I got to see them again then, and I try to send regular letters. The business keeps them busy but I don’t think they’re fans of the whole empty nest thing,” she explains.
“I can only imagine,” Elliot agrees, and Cassandra groans.
“Dad.”
“I’m just saying I can relate!”
“Yeah, yeah. Where’s your bathroom by the way?”
“Up the stairs, first door on the right,” he says, and Cassandra ambles up from her seat on the couch to follow his directions, leaving him and Ilione on their own. Lio hides an awkward pause behind a well timed sip of ale, and Elliot behind a brief cough.
“You have a nice kitchen. My mom would kill for an island bench like that,” she says, nodding her head towards it. Silence is always better filled with more shallow small talk than talking, and she can talk enough for two people if need be.
“It came with the house. I don’t really do a lot of cooking- not a lot of time for that when you get meals from the castle kitchens anyhow.”
“You taught Cass how to make that beef stew, right? I hope that’s not all you’re eating, or Cass would have a conniption,” she grins. From what Cass has told her about her Dad, he’s not exactly the homely type— and isn’t the best chef.
“Hey, I think I’m the one supposed to be doing the interrogating here,” Elliot replies gruffly, though his edgy shuffling betrays him. She fails to stifle a laugh.
“On a more serious note though, I want to thank you for being there for Cassandra while she’s been gone. I don’t know much of the details about what she gets up to- she’s always very to the point in her letters-” Lio does fight to stifle a laugh at that; it’s an understatement to be sure, “-but it’s always a constant that you’re by her side. I can’t thank you enough, Ilione. She shouldn’t be alone.”
“Of course. I’ve got her back,” Lio says, and makes a point not to tease him for butchering her name again to prove how serious she is.
“I’m glad. I know it must be difficult for her to be back here, and I’m- well, I just want her to know we’re all happy to have her home.”
“I know how Cass can be- and I think she’ll be okay. She has good friends,” Ilione attempts to reassure him. She has no way of knowing for sure, but she’s also seen the slight shift in Cassandra’s demeanour over the past two years for herself; everything involving Alphecca had been a lot , but since dealing with her Cassandra definitely comes across more… settled, in herself.
“She does. And I’m glad she has family like you, too,” Elliot says, and she glows in the praise.
“What are you guys talking about?” Cassandra asks, rejoining them with a curious grin.
“We’re talking about all the lost time your Dad has to make up for when it comes to doting on his favourite niece, Lio replies, raising a hand to her chest with dramatic flair.
“Hah. Don’t count on it, kid.”
Before Ilione can object the sound of knuckles rapping against wood echoes down the hallway and Cassandra groans, pushing herself back up.
“I can get it Cassandra,” Elliot says, but Cass waves him off.
“I only just sat down, it’s fine,” she replies, and wanders off again. Ilione curses inwardly at being left alone with Cass’ father again, but before they could make another stilted attempt at conversation a very masculine cry from the front door shatters the silence. The two of them stand up from their seats in unified alarm, but Cassandra seems unruffled because they hear her amused voice waft down the hallway.
“Hey Eugene.”