Hopper's room soon turned into a total Royal makeover extravaganza. Ashlynn was busy sewing new pants for him with the help of her forest friends. Briar was clipping his fingernails, while Cupid applied lotion to his dry skin. You would think that because he was also a frog, his skin would be well moisturized.
Apple was working with Maddie, who had dropped in—literally—on Hopper's head, trying to tame his unruly hair. Raven, who had come in after Maddie, was helping Blondie figure out what bowtie/waistcoat/jacket combo would be just right.
Meanwhile, Hopper was lying down, grimacing the whole time as his hair was pulled, his skin rubbed raw, and his eyebrows plucked. The door opened and in walked his roommate, Daring Charming.
"Woah!" exclaimed the prince. "What in ever after is going on here?"
"Leave!" Everyone shouted simultaneously. If he wasn't going to help, he shouldn't be in the room—he would just get in the way.
Daring scoffed. "Rude!" He turned around and the slammed the door behind him. He stomped through the hallway to his brother's & Hunter's room. Without knocking, Daring swung the door open to be greeted with the sight of a completely naked Hunter.
"D-Daring!" Hunter quickly covered himself, as Daring shut the door in disgust. He gagged and made very loud, unpleasant sounds to make sure Hunter knew of his disgust. After a while, Hunter's voice came through the door. "Uh, you can come in now."
"Are you decent?" Daring asked.
"Yes." Daring opened the door cautiously, and sighed in relief when he saw Hunter had at least put on a robe. "So, Daring, what brings you here?" Hunter sat down, gesturing for Daring to do the same.
Daring sat down on his brother's bed. "Well, my room is overrun with girls giving my roommate a makeover for reasons I do not know." He sighed and put his chin in his palm.
"Oh, you room with Hopper right? He has a date with Dex tonight." Hunter replied, unknowingly spreading his legs. Daring cleared his throat loudly. Blushing, Hunter quickly closed his legs.
"My brother is going out tonight with Hopper?" Daring asked sitting upright. "Why didn't he tell me?" The door opened and in walked Dexter, wearing a towel. He had just come from showering for his date.
"Hey, Daring," Dexter picked up his glasses from his bed stand and put them on. "Why are you here?" He walked behind his changing screen and dropped his towel.
"Just paying my friend and the person I used to call brother a visit," Daring huffed.
"Used to?" Dexter asked, popping his head around the screen.
"Yes, used to," Daring replied, crossing his arms. "We're brothers. We tell each other everything! So why did I not know you were going on a date with my roommate tonight?"
"I didn't think I needed to tell you when I had a date," Dexter said. He stepped out from behind the screen fully dressed. On his head was his usual crown over his messy-yet-still-styled hair. He wore a light grey prince jacket a navy blue shirt and dark grey windowpane pants. Instead of his usual high tops, he wore black dress shoes. The last thing Dexter put on was a black scarf.
"I tell you whenever I have dates," Daring replied poutily. Dexter laughed.
"That's because you want to brag, Daring."
"I mean, yes, but… That's not the point!" Daring shouted, standing up. Hunter stood up too, rushing to calm the prince down. Daring sighed. "I'm cool, I'm cool."
"Ok, Daring. I'll tell you next time I have a date, ok?" Dexter smiled as he gave his older brother a noogie. Daring couldn't help but smile.
"Very well, brother." Daring clamped his hand down on Dexter's shoulder and squeezed. "Oh, uh Hunter…" Daring smirked at Hunter, whose robe had come undone in the commotion. Hunter blushed again and tied the robe closed.
"Hey, Daring," Hunter said after he had closed his robe. "You have something sticking up in your collar." He reached over and picked it up. "It's… a playing card?"
Daring's eyes widened. "Oh, that? That's nothing. I have to go!" Daring rushed out the door. "Have fun on your respective dates!" Daring's voice died down as he ran further away from the room. Hunter and Dexter looked at each other, and shrugged.
Daring ran outside of Ever After High. He made his way past the invisible grove, through the Enchanted Forest, and down into the Wonderland Grove. Standing amidst the chaos was Lizzie Hearts. She was looking around nervously.
"Daring!" When she saw the prince she ran into his arms. He picked her up and twirled her in a typical princely fashion. Lizzie's laugh echoed throughout the grove, before she caught herself. "Off with your head," she said in a serious tone.
After secretly dating Lizzie for a couple of weeks now, Daring got used to hearing that phrase and that it meant anything. In this case, it meant "put me down." Daring let down the princess gently. "What's the matter, Lizzie?"
"Kitty found out about your brother's date with Hopper," she started. "And she sent me this." Lizzie pulled out her MirrorPhone and showed Daring the message.
Magic makes good style. A fly and bunny down makes me smile. Meow. (^. 3 . ^)
Daring stared at the phone, and then at Lizzie. "I'm sorry, what?" Lizzie exhaled loudly and rolled her eyes.
"You must really learn Riddlish," Lizzie replied. "Anyways, Kitty was saying she plans on pranking them. And when Kitty pranks, it does not end well." Lizzie looked around worriedly as if the entire grove might be spying on them.
"I've seen a couple of Kitty's pranks," Daring stated. "They seem harmless enough. Maybe slightly embarrassing, but nothing major." He chuckled and patted Lizzie's shoulder. "Your concern is cute."
Lizzie stomped angrily on the ground. "No! You don't understand. Yes, most of her pranks are harmless. But when she actually bothers to tell someone about it, that means she is planning for something big."
Daring looked into Lizzie's eyes. Her eyes were wide and serious. "Very well. I shall protect my brother and Hopper from her vicious pranks." He posed heroically, making Lizzie giggle. "After all, saving people from distress is what a Charming does!" He embraced Lizzie and twirled her in the air once more. "But you are helping me."
"What?" Lizzie gasped. "I-I… off with your head!" Daring looked up at her, his eyebrows scrunched together. He couldn't decipher the meaning of it this time and looked to Lizzie for help. She rolled her eyes and smiled. "Yes, I'll help."
Daring smiled and set her down. He offered Lizzie his hand. She hesitated, but grasped it. Hand in hand the pair ran out from the grove, through the Enchanted Forest, over the troll bridge and back to Ever After High.
As they approached the outskirts of the Village of Book End, they slowed down. Lizzie removed her hand from Daring's, who looked dispirited. She patted his cheek gently, and walked towards the school first. Daring waited a couple of minutes, before following Lizzie's path.
Swimming in the moat of Ever After High sat a black swan, watching the two Royals. In a puff of white, Duchess Swan appeared and began to dance on top of the water. "Daring Charming and Lizzie Hearts?" She said to herself. "My my, what has this world gone to?" Duchess chuckled, and leapt into the air, turning back into a swan. The black bird soared across the starlit sky, up into the heights of the school.