An Awful Tangled Mess 7

Scene Seven: Apology Not Accepted

Rapunzel had stayed hidden in the library.  Three times, she saw Eugene come in and she had a hard time keeping away from him, dodging behind the bookcases.  She even had to resort to climbing atop the shelves to hide.  She almost got caught that time.  However, she eventually decided she couldn't avoid him forever.  They were married after all and she thought she needed to have an actual discussion with him.
It must have been a misunderstanding, what she'd seen that afternoon.  She knew Eugene; he would never, ever do anything to hurt her, or jeopardize the life they'd made together.  Eugene was just a people person.  He could be friendly with anyone and all the women in the palace had a little crush on him (afternoon tea had proven that).  Rapunzel was willing to except any answer Eugene gave her because she knew it would be the truth and she loved him and knew him.  He would never lie to her.
When Rapunzel came to the doors of their bedroom, she almost turned around.  All her bravery was gone and was replaced with the fear of her suspicions.  She didn't want them to be true and a little voice built a fire of doubt in her heart.
She had to face the situation, no matter the outcome.  She and Eugene were a loving couple and they could get past anything.  They just needed to discuss what had happened that afternoon.  Rapunzel took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Eugene?  I think we need to talk about…" Rapunzel did not see Eugene.  In the sitting room, a fire was roaring.  Their two plush arm chairs were empty in the flicking flame light.  She looked around; Eugene was nowhere to be seen.  Rapunzel checked their private dining room, the bedroom, the bathroom, even both the closets.  Eugene wasn't anywhere.
"Is he looking for me?"  Rapunzel went back to the fire and the arm chairs.  She trailed her hand along the round table that sat between the two pieces of furniture.  On it sat a book and a bouquet of flowers.
Rapunzel's cheeks suddenly flared crimson.  Her eyes glazed over with rage.  She grabbed the flowers off the table and threw them into the fire.  As she watched them burn, Rapunzel's heart washed over with grief.  She collapsed in a chair and began to cry.  She covered her face, hiccupping with confusion.
Rapunzel did not notice the envelope with her name on it that had fallen on the floor.