??? ???????? ??? ??? ?????????: Varian (Tangled

I felt a little squeamish riding through town after the carriage ride earlier that day, but I kept my hood up and rode fast, trying to outrun my thoughts.

What if he already knows? What if he hates me for keeping this from him? What if we never speak again after tonight? Each question threatened to spiral into irrational worry, but just as my thoughts grew too heavy, I entered Old Corona.

The sound of Calypso's hooves on the cobblestone was about all you could hear, other than cicadas in the trees, the river flowing, and the occasional hoot of an owl.

And because I had come so late the town was alarmingly barren; most people would be in for dinner now. But the light of candles in the houses, and the haze of fireflies over the grass and crops comforted me slightly.

I dismounted a short distance from Varian's house, my heart racing as I approached. I hesitated at the bottom of the steps, my breath hitching slightly as the door creaked open. Varian stood at the top, silhouetted against the warm light spilling from inside.

I bit my lip, searching for the right words. His expression was unreadable as he studied my face, and I felt a swell of uncertainty.

"Hi," was all I could muster, my foot poised on the first step, hesitant to go further.

Varian finally broke the silence, his voice steady but cool. "Let's go to the pond." He brushed past me, heading down the path toward the cornfield we had raced through so many times before.

As we walked I stayed a few paces behind Varian, going over my explanation in my head, while trying to predict what he might say.

Once we got to the cornfield Varian glanced back at me before we began pushing our way through the corn, our footsteps were soft on the soil, and the plants seemed to breathe as they brushed against each other.

When we came to the clearing where our pond was, Varian stepped through first, then turned around to me.

I considered where to begin, but Varian spoke first, "So you're the second princess."

My words caught in my throat, "I- yes. I am... Varian, I am so sorry-" I stuttered slightly.

"Sabrine, how could you hide this from me?" Varian interrupted, his eyebrows furrowing in frustration.

"I didn't want to! I've longed to tell you but I couldn't then. The first night you brought me here I told you I'd been coming here in secret, and you knew my parents were at least nobility!" I replied, walking towards him.

"Yeah- but I meant higher class! Not the literal King and Queen!" Varian argued, throwing his hands out in front of him.

"I told you all I could!" I disputed, turning away.

"You didn't care to mention you were the princess of the entire kingdom?!" Varian exclaimed, stepping in front of me.

"I feel like I don't even know you." Varian sighed, his shoulders dropping.

I felt a pang in my chest, "Of course you know me! The only way I found myself was through sneaking out that first day, exploring town, working at the medics... meeting you."

Varian's eyes remained resolute, "But even when you still wouldn't tell me, the night I asked about your parents again, I said we'd get through whatever happens together! Sabrine, you told me once it got easier, I'd be the first one you came to."

"I know!" I exclaimed, tears brimming my eyes, "It happened too quickly, one night we were celebrating Rapunzel's birthday in the city, then the next she's back and I'm on a carriage ride through town." I explained exasperatedly.