Once Upon A Switch

7

Cassandra nodded. "Alright. Just give me minute," she said, slamming the door shut again. She turned her head to Rapunzel.

"Who's is it?" asked the brunette who is currently putting tea on a tea cup.

"It's the prince. He said he wanted to talk."

"Oohh," Rapunzel said, giving her a look, a smile on her lips.

"What's with that look?" Cassandra asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Nothing," Rapunzel quickly said. "Go ahead. I'll wait for you here," she added, sipping tea.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Fine."

She opened the door and saw him once again. His arms crossed, his body leaning against the wall, his lips in a thin line and his head turned to the side. Cassandra can't help but stare at him — he's handsome.

"Cassie?" She snapped back to reality when she heard his voice. "Are you okay?"

"H-huh? Y-yes. I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Oh no. She's blabbering too much.

He took a step towards her and leaned down to her height. Her eyes widened when his face grew nearer and their foreheads connected.

Her cheeks turned a shade of scarlet. "W-what are you doing?" She breathed out.

"Checking your temperature," he whispered back. "It doesn't seemed that you have a fever," he concluded. Still not pulling away, their eyes met and just then, Varian realized what he did and jumped backwards, his cheeks turning red.

"I-I am so sorry, Princess. I only checked your temperature. That was very ungentlemanly of me," he bowed his head.

"I-it's fine," said Cassandra and stood up straight, clearing her throat — she tried to act like nothing happened. "Just don't do it again."

Varian nodded. "I won't."

"Good," said Cassandra. "Anyway, what do you want to talk about?"

Varian scratched the back of his neck and let out a nervous chuckle. "I wanted to say sorry about earlier this morning."

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "This morning? Why?"

He sighed. "You saved me from my father and yet all I did was excuse you away just to talk to Jamie."

Cassandra shook her head. "It's fine." Although she was irritated about what happened, she won't act like a child and whine about it — she's better than that.

His face brightened. "Really?"

She nodded. "I get it. The both of you need time to reminisce your childhood."

He smiled. "Thank you, Cassie. Would you like to go back to the stable with me?"

She chuckled. "What? You wanna race?"

"I was hoping I could teach you how to ride a hor—" he stopped when he realized what she said. "You know how to ride a horse?"

Cassandra nodded. "Ever since I was fourteen."

"But I thought they don't let princesses ride a horse?" He asked with a confused look.

Cassandra gulped, trying to think of a excuse. "Y-yes! They do not. But I really wanted to know how to ride one so I trained myself."

"Trained yourself? Are you too small to rode a fully grown horse at the age of fourteen?" He asked.

"I-uh," she sighed. "Fine. My da— the captain of the guards taught me how."

Varian nodded, all suspicion vanishing. "That explains it."

That was close. She nearly blew her cover. "Anyway, let's go?"

"Where?" He asked.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "To the stable, dummy. Let's race."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

She nodded, a smirk plastered on her face. "Very sure."

They arrived in the stable after a few minutes. Varian took a horse with a black mane while Cassandra chose the one with a brown one. She misses her horse, Fidella. If only her trusted friend is here. She was about to hop on her chosen horse when a familiar voice and a familiar face entered the stable.

"CassANDra?!"

Her eyes widened as she saw Fitzherbert holding a bucket. Eugene stared at Cassandra like he saw a ghost. He then turned to the prince with wide eyes then back at Cassandra.

"W-what are you doing in here? With the prince! Are the both of you-" without a second thought, Cassandra quickly ran towards Eugene and covered his mouth.

"Cassandra, what's happening?" Varian asked. Him not calling her Cassie means his serious.

"N-nothing. If you'll excuse me, Varian. I just need to talk to a friend of mine," said Cassandra and grabbed Eugene's shoulder, dragging him out of the stable.

"What was that?!" Cassandra snapped.

"Don't talk to me like that! I should be the one asking you that!" He asked. "Why are you with the prince?"

"I-" Cassandra groaned. "Rapunzel didn't tell you, did she?"

Eugene furrowed his eyebrows. "Tell me what?"

Cassandra frustratedly ran a hand on her hair. "Just go talk to her."

"I will. But why are you with the prince? Do you like him?" He asked with a teasing grin.

"No!" She blushed. "H-he's just my friend." She pushed her. "Now, go!"

"Fine. Fine," he said and walked away.

Cassandra returned to the stable, cold sweat running down her forehead, her heart beating fast. What if he became suspicious? Will he be angry? Of course he will be! What kind of question is that, Cassandra? She didn't know why but the thought of him hating her brought a grieving feeling in her chest.

"What was that?" Varian asked, already riding his horse.

"It was nothing. He was going to spill something embarrassing about me and I just stopped him," she said. It wasn't exactly a full lie. Eugene was definitely going to spill something embarrassing about her but not in a way he expected it to be.

"What? Are the both of you childhood friends?" He asked.

"You could say that," said Cassandra.

Varian nodded but it seemed like he isn't convinced by her answer.

"Now, race you to the top of the hill located at the back of the castle," she added, gripping the horse's reigns tightly.

"Your on," said the Prince.

They raised to the hill, the wind swept Cassandra's hair and she smiled as the breeze hits her face. This is one of the best thing that she loves. At the end, she won and she greeted Varian with a smirk.

"I won," she winked at him.

Varian sighed. "Cassie?"

"Yes?"

"What did you and Eugene really talked about? Don't lie please."