Once a Thief, Always a Thief ch3

Chapter Three

Rapunzel did not like how late it had gotten.  It was many hours past sundown and the castle corridors were lit by torch and candle light. She hurried down the halls to her and Eugene’s rooms.  She hoped he was still awake.  He’d been so disappointed when they couldn’t spend the rest of the day together.  She reached their rooms and opened the door.
“Eugene, I’m back.”  She scanned the room for him and saw his form sitting in a chair in front of a smoldering fire.  She walked over to him.  “Eugene?”  She looked at him.  He was fast asleep, his head cocked to the side with his mouth open slightly.  His arms were crossed, like he had been brooding about something before he drifted off.  
Rapunzel had to smile.  He looked so perfect sleeping, even with the bit of drool that was building in his mouth.  His face was relaxed and innocent to the happenings of the world.
Rapunzel felt so bad about abandoning him, not once, but twice in the same day.  She wanted to make it up to him, but she didn’t really want to wake him up; she liked the way he looked when he slept.  However, sleeping in a chair probably wasn’t the best position to be in for the night.  She should wake him up.  She put her hand out to touch his face, but there was a knock on the door.  Rapunzel looked from it, back to Eugene.  He grunted and settled deeper into the chair.  Rapunzel hurried to the door before the person on the other side could knock again.  She opened it quietly.
It was Gerald.
“Good night, Princess.  So sorry to disturb you this late, but,” Gerald held up an envelope, “another letter was received for Eugene.”  Rapunzel looked down at it.  It said “Flynn Rider.”
“Thank you.”  Rapunzel smiled as she took the letter, hoping that would distract Gerald from how uneasy the note made her.  “I’ll make sure that Eugene gets it.  Good night.”
“Good night, Princess.”  Rapunzel closed the door and stared down at the envelope.  She looked across the room at Eugene.  He was still asleep.  Rapunzel sighed.  She wanted to ask Eugene about the letter from earlier that day.  She glanced back down at the letter.  She bit her lip.  She knew Eugene wasn’t going to tell her about the letter.  She ripped the envelope open and pulled out the piece of paper inside.  She read the one line.
She’s a pretty little princess.
Rapunzel stared quizzically at the sentence, wondering exactly what it meant.  Why would someone write it?  And why would they send it to Eugene addressed as “Flynn Rider?”  Was someone watching them?  Her?  Rapunzel glanced at the windows and crossed the room to close the curtains.  She then went back over to the fireplace and stoked the fire.  She looked at the letter one last time and threw it into the flames.  She watched it burn, a pit settling in her stomach.  She shivered.
Rapunzel turned around and looked at Eugene.  He hadn’t moved from earlier.  Even though his face was innocent in sleep, she knew he was hiding something from her.  The letter from that morning for instance.  It had been addressed to “Flynn Rider” as well.  There was something going on that he didn’t want her to know about.  Rapunzel sighed and shook her head.  She knew Eugene wasn’t going to tell her.  It was one of the only things about him she found irritating.  She plopped down on the floor and stared into the fire.  The letter was now just a little smoldering ember, but it certainly wasn’t going to be forgotten soon.
Rapunzel leaned back and accidentally hit Eugene’s legs.  He startled and woke up.  He looked groggily around and saw Rapunzel looking up at him on the floor.
“Rapunzel?”
“I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“No, no, it’s fine.”  He stretched.  “Come here.”  Eugene put his hand out to Rapunzel.  She stood up and he pulled her down into his lap.  He kissed her sweetly.  “How was the second meeting?”
“Just like the first one; boring.”
“Mm.  It would have been more exciting with me there.”
“I’m sure.”  Rapunzel’s hand toyed with Eugene’s hair.  She snuggled into his lap.  She suddenly realized how tired she was.  She had had such a long day.  “Hey, Eugene?”
“Hm?”
“Pleasant dreams.”
Eugene looked down at her, but her eyes were already closed.  Within seconds, Rapunzel was fast asleep.  It was almost bittersweet to look at her sleeping face.  After having so little time to themselves that day, Eugene had been hoping to have Rapunzel all to himself in the evening. Yet, watching her sleep, Eugene decided that was a good way to spend time together as well.  He hugged Rapunzel closer, knowing that nothing and no one could ever take her away from him.