(I was entirely determined to have this done by Valentine's Day. Be looking forward to reading more! )

Raven

"You're far worse than your Mother ever was…."

Her words echoed in volumes I couldn't register.

They soared over the royals murmurings and cheers of misfits alike.

I didn't mean to make my whole graduating chapter hate me in this one singular moment.

I didn't mean to be the face of a rebel revolution. One that had grown through chapters and index's spiraling out of my true reign of acknowledgment. I just knew everyone was counting on me to represent us.

I, above all, didn't mean to make her cry. Apple didn't deserve this from me or anyone. She had done her role graciously, without fail all this time. Here I was to destroy the singular moment I knew meant so much to her.

As the podium of glistening white toppled, so did the established balance of everything that was before us.

My tongue hinged back by frightened breaths as chaos reigned and the order of the narrators was challenged.

If we were all really going to be erased from the world's narrative for wanting better, many of us were ready!

"We're not on strike! We want a rewrite!' the rebels chanted with such power that even Headmaster Grimm's brows whirled in uncertainty.

That was not a chant created by me nor do I know when or where they all decided to make it our message, but I stood with them.

Even golden-crowned Princesses like Briar Rose and Ashlynnella were even in the midst of the rebels. Obviously aspiring for much more than their predestined chapters. Leaving me to believe perhaps this was all worth it.

The new preface of chapters yet untold was being outlined right before Grimm's very eyes and I yet again found myself in doubt of what I had done here as I looked out to the faces of those that wanted their Legacy Day to happen.

Girls like Bella Beauty, Maddie Hatter, and Holly O'Hair. Boys like Sparrow Hood, Dexter Charming, and Tiny.

The golden dusting of Apple's makeup slowly became an inky black storm before me. Her hands riding an imaginary elevator stuck trembling between floors as they wavered about. No doubt caught in the storm of her feelings and the grace she was expected to carry as the poster child of the realms.

The tension of her glare being fierce enough to cut my head clean from my towering shoulders if I dared inched closer.

The shards of the tri mirrors behind us remained scattered from my choice to say "No!"

How was I supposed to feel proud of any of this? When my own heart was breaking for the girl before me?

"Wait!" My hands immediately tried to snag for her gloves wrist that thrashes up to shield her tears. The golden princess of the realms couldn't be seen crying after all. Especially after all her boasting about Legacy Day.

"Apple, please!" Again, I called out to her. The clacking of her diamond and ruby-encrusted heels fading across our platform of alabaster.

Soon her form faded past all of those that had come to see if Legacy Day would mean if I would take after my mother and presume the course of destruction or if I would take after my father and sign the book.

I didn't really know what lion I was trying to feed here but I Raven Queen know I never meant to do anything to hurt Apple White

Then again…Maybe I truly was wicked!

Despite all of my earnest hopes and attempts to be anything else. I was still as wicked as Legacy wanted me to be.

Maybe, our story always contained a tainted beginning. The great authors, after all, did make me a male. When everyone knows that the old hag etched in Snow White's tale was a jealous middle-aged woman! Not a man, unimpressed with his own vanity.

I mean there had to be some logical reason why I still wasn't feeling guilty about what I had done at "Legacy Day" or why I was feeling empowered in that moment of pure rebellion.

I should be worried about all those I was throwing into lethal danger. Non-wonderlandish people don't do topsy turvy things without reasoning, right? What in the great table of contents was I thinking?

With our dormitory door fading behind me, I shyly approached the heavenly gold and ruby stained glass, apple framed doors. My mouth hesitated to even open my mouth again as her sobs continued to rumble through.

What could I say to mend the great divide? What words could soothe the way her heart was breaking?

What choice did I really have here? I knew that I couldn't leave things broken like this between us.

I may not be sorry for my actions, but I was sorry my choices broke her heart so.

Our fellowship once rooted in destiny was now crumbling like a forgotten enchanted berry cobbler.

Soon to be villain-or not! I was determined to try to fix it.

I just couldn't fix it the way she would want me to! I will not pledge to be the next Evil King!

I can't!

Not that I'm filled with sunshine, not that I'm a coward, not that I don't get angry, but I just can't do it!

I wanted to side and sup with those I was expected to torture. I wanted to thrive in sunrises rather than darkness. I wanted to protect and not poison the only spark of light the realms had.

To avoid mirror prison, to avoid sadness and discontent, to avoid all that my mother had endured.

Sweet narrators, it didn't make a single verse of sense that Apple wanted this to happen.

That she was willing to give her life for a maybe shot at Happily Ever After.

Often I've been convinced that Apple was either very pleased with the haikus we as children of the greatest chapters fillers had been given or someone forgot to send me the stone required to read between the lines of all this.

For she always grinned and pressed the destiny that no one seemed otherwise so certain about. Always she declared this was the beginning of our happily ever after.

For generations, these same chapters were repeated and closed, something along the lines that other world's needed our stories magic to exist, but I just couldn't get on the wagon of repetition.

Beyond that, in another couple of rewrites, no one would remember what we did anyways so why follow the breadcrumbs?

Briar wanted to travel and party, Ashlynn Ella wanted a huntsman, Duchess wanted a prince, Blondie wanted to be a reporter, Cerise wanted Daring… which is a mystery of its own and just so many more wishes wavered over our whole graduating chapter.

I couldn't phantom why Apple didn't aspire more for herself!

Daring obviously didn't love her, being poisoned or enchanted to sleep sounded terrifying to live through if she did? and the aftermath had to leave her doubting just a little bit, right?

Who was winning the happily ever after out of that mess if she didn't wake up?

This whole idea made as little sense to me as the concept of the mouse running up the clock just for him to run down? I just could not understand what Apple envisioned or how she drew such trust in the narrative council.

We were friends if that's what we wanted to call it for more than the narrator's sake! Why would she really want to trap me in a mirror prison? Perhaps even behead me despite my actions being nothing more than something I pledge to do on her behalf?

Where was the fairness? It just didn't make any sense!

My words clenched the longer I stood at her doors. What could I say? How could I even begin to reach over the walls of her guarded mind?

Beyond rebellion, I had my reasons for my actions, but uttering them aloud was more fearsome than what Headmaster Grimm was going to do with me after this evening.

Pacing in front of her door, I tried to convince myself to just man up. I could do this! I could explain myself.

Of how I did this for her! I mean I told her how much she annoyed me, I yelled at her when she moved my books, I cried when I had chickenpox in front of her, so I could do this!

I, Raven Queen could admit I wanted a happily ever after with her hand in marriage.

She believed in such endings so it wouldn't be such a stretch for her to accept mine! Would it?

Realistically I had an answer and it made my heart sink.

"I should just start packing…." I muttered. Defensively trying to persuade my thoughts to just leave things as they were. It would be better this way!

To not utter any cursed thoughts. To not endanger her as well. Her father, if he found out, would banish us both to the bogs. If not worse.

Apple deserved to live the picture-perfect life she dreamt of.

I mean I'm not the first rebellious soul. From what I understood if for some reason a counterpart was not born or refused then a changeling would be drafted to fulfill the spot lagging.

It just was a process that no one liked to speak about as it was complicated. No one liked to go through the sacrifice of making that a possibility. I often heard that not always the stories happened correctly. Leaving them to be drafted away equally.

Lowering my hand yet again, I sighed. Daring no doubt would be here shortly. I didn't have much time. Daring was coming to either to make me eat dirt or to try to make Apple feel better about everything. Sure, he didn't love her, but Daring knew his role and that meant making sure he seemed like the charming prince he was.

I just couldn't get myself to accept this was how things were supposed to be. My feet were even hexed by my own thoughts. By secrets that shouldn't even be in my memories of a princess, I wasn't supposed to know so intimately.

It really was either I spoke to her about my heart's desire or forever hold my peace as I hid my face for the next century. The thought of pretending that I didn't know the most stunning woman of my graduating chapter seemed like the worst curse I could cast upon myself.

Rasping the claw of amethyst stone ring, I waited for a small eternity for anything to happen.

More or less expecting one of her heels to come colliding at my head. A more nervous portion of me just praying that she would answer. That the tears would halt and at worst she'd just yell at me to go far, far away. Making it easier on us all.

Anything to reassure me that I hadn't crushed her after this elaborate production of what our end Oncing Day ceremony would be like let alone our Legacy Day!

Legacy Day you pledge basically to physically report to Oncing Day. It was the day where you stood before the realms on platforms of white to be transported to your stories. A place where they would safely occur without intervening of perhaps those who didn't see eye to eye with your role.A place where your story kept going until the narrator was pleased with your ending. Afterward if fulfilled you're free to do whatever your heart desires.

"Apple...Please! I know you're in there! You have to understand that I had to do it! I'm not that wicked person that destiny wants me to be. I am who I-"

"BUT WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DO WHAT YOUR SUPPOSE TO DO? I HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE YOU TO NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF MY STORY! HOW COULD YOU OF DONE THIS TO ME? AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE DONE FOR YOU!"

I'm uncertain if it was her loud tone or the way her door flew open that caught me off guard. All the same, I coward before that delicate 5'1 frame, swallowed in only a baby pink silk robe as her sapphires burned.

She was right she had done nothing to make me not want to be a part of her story. If anything she had made the opposite impact on me.

"WELL? WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?"

Oh boy! To say that was a loaded question at this point would be an understatement. I, in fact, had much to say to her but had no clue where to begin.

My pale lips tweaked a faint smile. I didn't find her predicament humorous but it was beyond terrifying rather amusing to see her so angry.

When nothing profound came to mind. I brushed my neck. Cursing the stupid ruffled feathers of my collar."...You've don't understand! Really! Apple you've done a wonderful job welcoming me! Practically, ever since we met in Nursery Rhyme School..."

Over the table of contents that laid out our lives Apple really had done nothing, but build a golden bridge between us. I wasn't here to argue that.

Her golden arches knitted as the storm of her glare subdued.

"You didn't even answer my question, Raven! Did your brain like have its preface ripped out? Do you not understand that if you don't go to Headmaster Grim and accept your legacy that Daring and I may never get MARRIED? THAT I MAY NEVER BE QUEEN? AND THAT WE COULD DISAPPEAR JUST ALL BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE EVIL? -WELL-I got news for you! Your life isn't being lived for just YOU! and I can't believe that even after this you're just going to go back to your desk and pretend as if I never uttered one problem with your selfish logic."

Her eyes slanted down as her arms stubbornly crossed. Likely to spare me from catching one of them to the face as I could tell she was still very upset.

I wanted to sarcastically go "Oh no!' Towards her concerns about not marrying Daring, but I knew how to avoid death and wasn't looking to upset her any more than I had.

Besides, I really understood her worries, as they were the same for the rest of us. Beyond the whole marriage to Daring thing that is.

If we didn't sign what would really happen? Would we disappear to mirror prisons far away? Would we really not live to be happily ever after if we managed to escape? The questions raced but I was determined to outrun them all. Just for another few moments of being by her.

Trying to not fear that this would be the last time the overwhelming scent of cinnamon would greet me. That this would be the last time I would see her crimson lips. That this would be the last time even in anger id see those stormy ocean blues.

I took a breath. It really wasn't fair that I was destined to be a villain rather than a smoldering idiot-I mean prince.

Kneeling until her eyes melted into mine again, I tried to prompt her to smile by smiling myself. I had shared a living space with her long enough to know how to get the venom in her scowl to soften. Even if just for a few seconds.

Caressing my hand against her pale jawline, I allowed myself to act however I wanted. What were they going to do? I had already broken so many guidelines. What was a few more?

"How do you know that's what I'm going to do?" I mused as her eyes slanted to nervously assure no one would catch her so close to my presence.

Apple, despite knowing the reality of her future with Daring was committed to the image of it. She was careful to keep the concept bookmarked and preserved in the eyes of all that looked to her. At even the smallest squeak of a mouse, shed scurry away from me. For now, however, she was mine.

"Because I know you." Her words were soft as she lowered her defenses. Even allowing her feet to mend the space between us.

Lowering towards her ear, I smiled. "What a shame you're not as versed in Ravenish as you used to be… So no! you do not know me! I was not going to go hide at my desk. Not when I could be slowly draining the venom from your lips."

To which the lightning struck behind her stare. I knew I was pushing it. I was also shameless to admit I enjoyed finding what sparked certain emotions. It was always evident that her love and kindness never faltered.

Her hands in response yanking on the iron Raven pendant of my collar. As she strained to keep eye level with me causing her bare toes to creep upon my boots.

"You wouldn't dare dream of thinking You could just kiss it better!" She scolded gently, her forehead then tenderly nested against my own.

My lids fluttered shut. As I exhaled. Trying to not worry about what the morrow brought or what would even take place only moments for now.

Opening my eyes once more, my thumbs absentmindedly brushed away at the dried streaks of the liner. "You're right I'd have to do much better than that…"

Whatever irritation or faded roar in defense was muffled by the crashing of our lips as she pushed me against the door frame.

Apple was right. She had done nothing but make me want to be a part of her life! Our chemistry was unbalanced and not known by the generations before us. A forbidden tension that always hinged on both our forward and hidden interactions.

I knew my place though. It was not to be by her side before dwarfs and nobles alike, but it did not mean I accepted the role.

Desperately I wish I could have proved her wrong. To tell her that I saw things her way, but she was right my stubbornness after even this would likely bring me back to my desk.

The same desk where I was drafting legal documents for land I had not claimed yet. The desk where I daydreamed often of Apple's lips against mine. The desk where I finally gained everything I ever dreamt of.

Briefly, her eyes drifted from me as she let go. I could see the true worry in her eyes. Apple was not Queen yet but her love for her people, her duties and their future was beyond throne possession.

Turning she stepped away from me, fading across the tile to drag herself across the crushed felt folds of white and gold trim that made up her fainting chase.

Taking the silent cue of her hand beckoning me I did my best to avoid stepping on the loose pearls, the oceans of fabric from her gown, or upon the majestic crown she had worn only hours ago with pride as they laid carelessly scattered on the floor.

"Legacy Day" I could tell was no longer something that Apple wanted to think any more about or pretend she had even cared about. It was easier than expressing to everyone again that she had failed to make me see the light of it all.

That there was a small chance she too was slowly unable to see the light as she welcomed me to come into her bedchambers.

I had truly soiled the day that she had spent four years preparing for. Today was supposed to be the day she gave her hexcellent Legacy Day Speech. The day she and Daring and their pals would dance to Tailor Quick songs while the rest of us sulked about at the after spellabration. Today was not to be like this with me shutting her door behind me.

I could see a part of her was still uncertain as she frumped. I couldn't give her this day back.

An apology wouldn't do, but just maybe an explanation at this point would?

Kneeling down by the arm of the fainting couch, I admired the warm yellow glow entangled in her curls, the way when not angered, her blues were endless like the tides of Mirror Beach. How though even so fair-skinned, little speckles of sun found roots in the freckles across her nose.

It was now or never! "Never" was not a possibility but "now" seemed too soon.

"Do you remember what I said about everyone getting to choose their own destiny now?"

A reluctant nod came prior to the gentle eye roll I received before she lowered her gaze back to her glasses. Clearly annoyed that I was bringing this up again.

Extending my hand out I gently tilted her chin so her gaze would have no choice but to meet mine.

"I know you're upset! I mean you've worked so hard on all of this. You've done nothing but try! And all I've done is made a mess of your perfectly sorted chapters but I'm not here to reject my role to hurt you Apple…" it was then that my words grew stiff and my courage began to falter. I could do this! " I'm… I'm doing this for you!"

Not a single verse of poetry or ways of how I envision me doing this occurred as I had hoped but it was a place to begin what I like to think as our story.

Her face twisted in confusion as her eyes looked to read me.

My tongue felt as tied as Hopper's when Briar came about. How could I saw how I really felt? She likely wouldn't believe me anyhow. It didn't matter how much we had kissed, how many cups of tea we had shared, how she taught me to waltz, how much of anything we had between us.

"What do you mean you're doing this for me? If you were you would have made your pledge and put your key into the book!"

"I….I...I…"

"I what? " She snapped obviously still sensitive that I had ruined this day. The welcome obviously forfeited. "See? You don't even know why...Don't act like you had an answer, I know you're just trying to distract me and quite frankly I don't I just don't!-So why don't you just leave me alone so I can do my best to forget this night and so I can finish my "Kingdom Management" project." She suggested forcefully.

I had blown my chance to say or admit anything before I could even start to say anything. I simply had to nod as her room then faded behind me.

Strolling across the parlor, that served as the main entryway between our dorms I scowled colliding into what had felt like a brick wall.

"Ewwww yuck! The chapter's bog vile!" Daring's voice grumbled before he began to whine over his tux. Ever After High's most anticipated future King I often personally thought and found to be a jerk.

In a weird way, I found it hard to frown at him. For he and Apple shared quite a bit of physical traits. They both contained locks of gold, gray-blue eyes, and fair skin. Which often had my parents joking that most perfect couple there ever was, only cared for one another because they were sheer reflections of each other.

I gave my eyes a gentle toss."EW yuck! The chapter's least showered!"

Raising my boots I tried quickly to get away from Daring, I would catch the blinding beans of his perfectly glued smile, as he roughly yanked me to his gaze.

"Oh birdman, you're quite the pathetic site. First, you choked on your legacy day speech, then ruined it for the rest of us, and now you're trying to ruin my happily ever after."

As usual I played dumb why waste my perfectly good breath or brain cells on him.

Sarcasm however was something I had plenty to spare.

"Me? Ruin your happy ending? Why Daring I thought we were pals?"

Daring was not amused. Without warning my face crunched with the wall. My arm mangled like a snake slithering up and over my spine. "I'll just make this easier on the both of us. I'd rather not decorate my silk coat with your blood or waste my time! So listen up worm brain, Apple isn't interested in freak shows like you, and nor am I. So go to the shadows where you belong before I have you put in the ground." Daring growled, re-ramming me back against the wall, before he carelessly dropped me to the ground.

I tried to not flinch but the agony of my jaw and nose made it hard as I scrambled to move. Only feeling the weight of his boots knock the wind from me.

"And a word of Kingly advice from one royal son to remember your place! Villains don't live happily ever! Heroes like me instead get to have the pleasure of whipping them from everyone's memories. You'll do best to remember that before I catch you kissing my girl."