that their parent's doings had nothing to do with their kids and that blaming their kids for their parents was wrong, but she couldn't finish. Chad was already interrupting Rilynn before she could respond to their defense. She understands their parents are evil, but it has nothing to do with their kids.

"Don't forget what Mother Gothel did to your mom, Rilynn," gritted Chad. "That woman kidnapped your mom and trapped her in a castle for most of her life. If it weren't for your dad--"

"Of course, I know what that vile woman did to my mom, but I'm not trying to defend the adults," cried Rilynn, offended that Chad would speak about her mother as if she hadn't a clue. "And my dad was a villain, too, you know. He was a thief long before he became King. People can change, Chad."

"Your dad isn't the greatest, I'm not gonna lie--" Rilynn blinked at him, stunned by his horrible honesty. "--but he didn't try to ruin the world like Jafar or Maleficent. He didn't try killing your mom because of her beauty or take her hair for his own purpose." Chad was fighting for a reason. "Their parents tried to kill our parents."

"Chad--"

"Your dad was stabbed, Rilynn--by a villain! Your hair can heal," exclaimed Chad, brushing his fingers against the princess's golden hair's soft waves. "What do you think those kids would do with that? They could easily sell you off to Mother Gothel or anyone on the Isle. You'd be living the life your mom was protecting you from."

Rilynn never really thought about that. She didn't consider the villain kids using her magical hair to their advantage and possibly gaining leverage with the power she possesses. Rilynn didn't like thinking about her dad on the verge of death because someone like Mother Gothel, who was too self-absorbed and mentally abusive, had stabbed him. It's scary to think her dad would've never married their mom, and neither she nor her sisters would've been born.

However, the new generation of villains couldn't possibly be anything like their parents; there was no way they could be born evil. Rilynn didn't believe it. Though the princess had heard the story of her mother's captor countless times--of a woman who kidnapped Rapunzel and acted as if she loved her as if she were her own; Mother Gothel was a cunning woman and only thought about being young forever, never bothering to care for the child she raised isolated and trapped.

"You're right, but--"

"I'm glad you finally came to your senses," grinned Chad happily. He acted as if he wasn't angry a few seconds ago or that they were arguing; Chad plastered a fake smile and gave Rilynn the familiar, charming smile. His pearly white teeth practically sparkle like a fairytale of a beautiful prince. "I don't think you should be around them, and as your boyfriend, I'm saying this because I care about you."

Mustering a pained smile, Rilynn raises her brows when she speaks. "What about as my friend?"

"You already know my answer."

"But I already told them they can come to me if they ever need help," a guilty Rilynn responded, frowning dejectedly. "I can't just ignore them, Chad."

Chad's phone pings from his pocket, so he fishes it out. "They have Ben. He invited them, so it's his job to babysit them," he misses the guilty pout on Rilynn's face as she stares at him, a little disappointed. Chad was already unlocking his phone and peering down, reading something.

Rilynn took a step away from Chad as she sighed, trying to ignore the hurt feeling stabbing her in the chest. A soft chuckle caused her to look up and stare at Chad, wondering what could be so funny.

"What is it?" She asked, looking between him and his phone.

Chad peeked up from his phone at the sound of Rilynn's voice, and his grin evaporated from his face the second he made eye contact with the princess. He clicked the side of the phone and locked it. He laughs it off with a wave of his hand.

"Nothing, just Floella," informed Chad. Rilynn chirped politely at the name, knowing well of the daughter of the fairy, Flora.

"Oh, how is she? I haven't seen her for a while."

"Good, I guess. She and I signed up in Belle's Book Club, and we wanted to compare notes on the recent book we had to read," he nods, tapping the back of his phone. "I'll see you later, okay?"

She didn't have the energy to discuss the situation with the villain's kids anymore but was happy to let him leave without her. Rilynn would love her time alone without Chad constantly nagging her about hanging out with the villain kids, finding it irritating that he was trying to tell her what she could and couldn't do.

Before the princess could respond with a cheerful farewell, Chad was already leaning forward and kissing her cheek. Rilynn nearly jerked back but kept her place as she accepted Chad's kiss; the couple had yet to share their first real kiss, mainly because Rilynn claimed not to be ready for that stage. Chad was her first boyfriend, and Rilynn was still trying to learn about herself and who she was; the princess didn't know if she wanted to take their relationship to the kissing stage when she had mixed feelings with Chad.

With that, Chad offered her one last smile before the prince pranced away with a new attitude. Rilynn merely watched from the picnic table, unsure what to do anymore.