Hello! So here is the next chapter, hinting towards the elephant in the room that the show has neglected so far (I don't ship Apple with anyone) and just a little sibling interaction between them.


"So, sis, I heard from dad that Cerise will stay with us next week" Dexter said during their lunch together. Darling enjoyed sharing a meal with her twin and occasionally with Daring as well.

"Oh yes, it's for the family tree project"

"Good luck with that, it was a lot of work when Daring and I did it. You can use some of our research if you like"

"Thanks, brother, I appreciate it" she smiled eating another bite of her sushi.

And just when things were quiet, their older brother walked to the table flashing that dashing smile to all the girls that were nearby and winking an eye now and then making the damsels faint.

Darling resist the urge of rolling her eyes, but even more so, she avoided his gaze.

"Hey there, little siblings, what's the word of the day?"

"Oh, Darling was just telling me that Cerise is staying with us next week"

"Whatever after for?" he asked

"A project" she answered with little voice.

"Isn't it the Flower Ball next week?" Daring asked.

"Yes it is" Darling answered.

"Dad asked me to invite a girl to the dance" Dexter chuckled nervously.

"And who is it going to be?" Darling questioned hexcitedly

"Well...I don't know, I thought of someone..." he gazed through the cafeteria looking at Raven Queen "but mom probably won't approve"

"Don't mind her, invite whomever you want"

"Easy for you to say, is Chase coming?" Dexter countered

Darling felt the hot red embarrassment on her cheeks, but she brushed it off "Nothing of the sort, I made an agreement with mother, I will have to dance with all the suitors she sees fit"

"How did you ever agreed to that?" he chuckled but Darling dismissed the question with a wave of her hand.

"Seems like you two are ready for it then" Daring said "It just appears a little strange to me that father didn't asked me to invite anyone" he mustered out loud.

Dexter fixed his glasses with his matter of factly tone "Well, he probably thought you would bring App-" he felt an elbow on his side and realized his slip of tongue.

And the light mood they build up crumbled at the almost mention of the name. It was still a delicate topic among them. Dexter realized his mistake a moment too late, so he had nothing else to do but to avoid gazes and eat.

They stood in silence for eternal seconds. Darling wanted to say something, but just when she split her lips open gazing at her brother's eyes, he looked away.

"Yeah, no you are probably right, bro. After all, our parent don't know all the details of the Evil Queen episode" Daring said trying to keep his voice cool "Destiny or not, it would be the polite thing to do, Apple loves the Flower Ball and she has never missed one" Daring cleared his throat standing up "if you excuse me, I better find my sword, I don't want to be late for Hero class, I can't afford to loose any other tittle" he said over his shoulder and left.

Once the twins were alone again, Darling covered her face with her hands "He really must hate me"

"Come on Darling, you didn't steal his destiny, we all know it"

"All but him"

"Maybe, but you can't stop living your life just to make him feel better. I know you haven't been attending the dragon course since then. You had the record, aren't you going to fight for it?"

"Some fights aren't worth it"

"Wow, you saying that? You really are troubled"

"Can we...not talk about it, please?" she asked in soft voice "specially not next week when Cerise is around, our family matters shouldn't be of her concern"

"Ok, sis, but I am not fully convinced you are ok with it" he stood up "I will keep an eye on you"

Darling smiled "Love you too, brother"


"To the Charming's house?" Ramona repeated "I don't know lil' sis, that sound too Royal to handle" she said slowing the pace of their jog "I mean, are you really safe in that castle?, you know ears and all" she pulled her hood down exposing the family secret in the depths of the woods.

"Come on, it's Darling I am staying with, she knows our family"

"Yeah, I trust lil' princess, is the rest of her family the ones that worry me"

"Can you trust I will be fine? Trust me?"

Ramona made a full stop panting a little, her hands on her hips, while looking down thoughtfully. Cerise tried to meet her gaze, her eyes showing a little preoccupation "Of course I trust you, Cerise. I'm just concerned, that's my job as the older sister" she messed her hair "I wish I could be there watching out for you"

"Don't sweat it, Darling has my back, remember?"

"I know that" she wrapped an arm around her shoulder "alright do that project of yours with the Charmings" she looked at her little sister's smile "Just promise you will take care, and if anything happens you will call me" she hugged her "see you in a week, lil' sis, and try not to chew on any shoes" she teased.

Cerise chuckle "I will miss you too" she answered the hug resting on her shoulder for a moment.


Hope you liked it! Thanks for the support for this fic! And now I might want to hint towads Darling and Chase, I read Alice through the Looking Glass the other dary and I did loved the quarrel and how well represented it was when these two knights fought, so, yeah for now I do slightly ship them!