I have just been invited to have dinner with the other Royals! I can't quite believe it but I am proud of myself for getting the invitation to dine with the likes of Apple White, Briar Beauty and Ashlynn Ella. This day couldn't get any better. We leave the Princessology classroom and make our way down the glittering halls of Ever After High to the castleteria.

"It's turning into a beautiful evening," Ashlynn says, as she twirls elegantly and dramatically through the last of the golden light of the afternoon pouring through the windows. She looks like she could be a ballet dancer.

"Do you like nature too?" Ashlynn asks me enthusiastically. "Your dress has beautiful floral embroidery," She says, observing the intricate details on my garments.

"I do," I reply, "my home is filled with forests and lakes flowing with magic. The embroidery on my dress is of the types of flowers found in my kingdom. It's very beautiful there. I would spend hours outside in the sunshine. I even keep a nature journal where I draw and press flora and fauna that I find."

"That's so spelltacular, you'll have to show me sometime. I love all magical animals and creatures" Ashlynn gushed, "I go for nature walks all the time, they are so refreshing, don't you think?"

"They are," I agree.

"Sooo," Apple asks me expectantly, "You and Hopper looked good together earlier, do you think you'll become Ever After Highs' next couple?" Her face is full of eagerness. "It would be so fabulous, you too make such a cute couple"

Although it was it wasn't farfetched to assume me and Hopper would be a couple, we were each other's destiny, after all, I felt a bit uncomfortable answering the question. I didn't want to let Apple down and say we weren't together but being with Hopper still seemed in the distant future to me. I don't feel ready to be with him just now, although I don't want to admit it to the girls. And to add to the matter, Hopper seemed aloof towards me when we were alone together earlier. This thought upset me. We used to be such close friends. Was it my fault we grew apart? I would have to work harder to get more of his attentions if my story is going to take place.

"I'm sure we're bound to get together someday," I answer vaguely, "since we are going to spend forever after together when my destiny comes" I pause for a moment and think of the recent events that occurred on legacy day, "If my destiny comes" I clarify. This changes the mood on Apple's face to a darker expression.

"Us royals need to stick together now that our happily ever afters' are uncertain." Apple let out a stressed sigh. "I wish I could convince Raven to sign the Story Book of Legends"

"Don't worry Apple, she'll come around," Briar comforts as we enter the castleteria. I thought it was big of Apple to still want to be friends with Raven, an evil queen who refused to sign the storybook of legends. Maybe this was part of Raven's evil plan, to stop us all from achieving our happily ever after's and steal our stories perhaps? Well, for Apple's and for my sake, I hope Briar was right and Raven would indeed come around to see our side, the royal, of the story. I'm glad to see Apple fighting for the royals.

The castleteria is a large and bright room filled with the delicious smell of food. Today's menu was pea soup and a slice of strawberry cake for dessert served with camomile and tea. We each took a tray with a meal and headed for the tables.

"Here's a free table, let's sit here, it's perfect" We pull up a seat on a table next to the large windows, supposedly on the royal side of the castleteria as I can see other royals like Blondie, Duchess swan and Holly O'Hair on tables near us. This side of the room also appears grander and more suited for royalty. The chairs are cushioned with red velvet and the tables are decorated with white table cloth and flowers unlike the side of the room where the rebels sat where the seating was plainly furnished. I didn't see why the rebels would chose to sit away over there, here seemed a lot more comfortable.

I look around and spot Myrtle, she's easy to find with her long green hair and bright yellow flowers. Her signature colours are a welcome sight to my eyes. I wave her over, enthusiastically with a big smile, happy, and a bit relieved to see a friendly face. I'm looking forward to introducing her to my new friends. She doesn't see me and I slowly lower my hand embarrassed.

"Who are you waving at?" Briar asks.

"My friend, Myrtle, I don't think she sees me, maybe I should- "

"HEY, MYRTLE!" Briar yells across the room. I am shocked that a princess and a royal would raise their voice as such. I've never seen any other princesses in the frog realm be so assertive. My mother would not approve, but I am happy she did shout out as Myrtle looks around and sees me. She runs over to us with a smile.

"This is my best friend and roommate, Bogmyrtle," I introduce, "She's a water Nymph from The Frog Kingdom and my lady's maid"

"You can just call me Myrtle for short" she grins flipping her green hair over her shoulder and taking a seat next to me.

"Hey, Myrtle nice to meet you, we were just about to discuss our class assignment for princessology" Apple says as Myrtle takes a seat next to me.

"We are to perform a princess song for the class" I explain.

"I hear you take muse-ic class, Queen," Ashlynn says.

"Oh yeh, she's wicked good at the harpsichord and does a mean piano forte too, Lily is really musical" Myrtle bragged. I blushed and gave myrtle a look asking her to stop embarrassing me. Myrtle winked back playfully at me. She wasn't wrong though. I had practised diligently since I was young, my hands barely big enough to reach the keys. All that practised paid off and I was very accomplished now and enjoyed playing classical melodies. I had even started to learn how to play the lute to add to my instrumental knowledge.

"Hey, is that Cedar Wood?" Myrtle says spotting a girl with a purple dress and wooden arms from across the castleteria. "I just had geografairy class with her and she seems awesome, I heard she posts the funniest memes. I'm going to ask her for her mychapter page handle. Brb!" Myrtle stands up

"Wait-" Wait I say nervously at the thought of being alone to make new friends with Myrtle helps. Myrtle gives me an encouraging nod trying to tell me I'll be fine as she heads across the room waving at Cedar.

"Hey, I remember attending one of your mother's garden parties a few years ago with my mom and you played that song from A Midsummer's Nights Dream on piano. You are really talented. Your mom throws the best balls by the way." Briar chimes in.

"Oh really? That's hexcellent! You'll be a great addition to our group for the class assignment" Apple says excitedly clapping her hands. I feel happy at her approval.

"Thank you, you're too kind," I say bashfully.

Briars' mirror phone buzzes on the table and she picks it up to check.

"Ugh," she says with disgust looking at her screen, "Hopper keeps commenting hearts on all my selfies on mirrorgram again, I wish he would get the message that I don't like him back that way. It's so embarrassing. He's been pining after me since our first year."

The world stops for a minute as I take in what Briar just said. I didn't expect to find out anything like this. I'm so confused. I feel my chest tighten and a lump in my throat. Hopper is promised to be my destined prince. We've been friends since we were barely out of diapers. He would have told me something like this surely. Or so openly display affections for another princess. I thought we respected each other and our fairy tale too much to do something like this. Apple sees the surprise on my face at this news

"I wouldn't worry about it, Queen," She says trying to comfort me, "You know how fairytale princes are. I mean look at me and Daring."

I look across the rooms to see daring flash his smile at a group of girls dazzling them and making them swoon, "It's in his story to be charming but we are still meant to be together forever after. Princes always mess around at our age. As long we princesses stay faithful to our stories it's fine" Apple reassured me. The other princesses around the table nodded in agreement to Apple, although Ashlynn did look a bit unsure as she did.

But to be honest it didn't help me. I could feel my stomach swimming with panic. Why hadn't hopper told me about this? He had made it seem like he was dedicated to being a perfect fairytale prince when he had asked to escort me to class earlier this morning. He would never have kept secrets like this before he came to ever after high and the fact that he failed to mention to me he had a crush on Briar was making me worry more. Was I not pretty enough or like princess-like enough for him? I had tried to do everything my mother had told me to attract my fairytale prince. Act demurely, dress royally, smile sweetly etc. Am I already failing my destiny and letting the Frog Kingdom down? And the fact is I don't know how fairy tale princes were. I don't have as much or any experience with teenage boys as the other royals appeared to have. Although I was internally freaking out I didn't want to let the other princesses see how I was feeling.

"Of course, I'm sure it's nothing" I agree.

"It sure is nothing" Briar says, "I don't think I could ever go out with a frog, too slimy, not to mention they eat flies, ew. No offence Queen"

"None taken," I say putting on a smile. But offence was taken. I felt a bit hurt. Frogs were an important symbol of the Frog Kingdom and our heritage, it was in the name, and not to mention a big part of my destiny. I didn't appreciate them being described as repulsive. Hopper was my childhood friend and very dear to me. I didn't like him being described like that. I would have thought everyone would have seen him as a debonaire prince, as I did, but it's turning out they think of him as a fool. What does that say about me as his destined princess and supposed love interest? Do the other royals think of me as a joke as well? I start to worry that they won't take me seriously as one of them. I don't want to fall out of favour with the other royalty at ever after high, or be made fun of. That was becoming one of my worst fears.

"Anyway, back to our class assignment," Ashlynn says, sensing the tension changing the subject. "We need to think of a performance that will charm the socks off the other students, any thoughts?"

"Oh please, I already sing the most charming songs about woodland creatures, this assignment is going to be easy, people love me!" Apple says. "You said you love nature Queen, do you sing about animals too? I find it the most enjoyable pastime." Apple says dreamily. Although I love music, I sadly can not sing a single note on pitch. I have tried to sing songs and rhymes like Apple does. My mum tried to tutor me, she would teach me all the fairytale songs from our kingdom, and much to her disappointment I couldn't sing a single note on key, that was wing I focused on playing instruments more, I could express my love of the art of music without a single sound leaving my lips. However, I really want to have something in common with Apple and I was desperate for her to like me.

"Yes, I love to sing, I'm actually a natural" I lie. Apple's eyes light up and, for a brief moment, I think I have succeeded in my lie.

"I know, since we now have Queen in our group who is talented at music, why don't we get her to sing the solo part? Since she is the new girl everyone will be interested in hearing her sing, and Queen gets to show off her musical talents!" Briars says.

"What a faybulous idea Briar! I'll sing the intro, then we can all join in on the chorus, and then afterwards Queen can sing the part about the princess being saved by her prince from drowning and surprise everyone with her beautiful voice!" Ashlynn plans

"That's a wonderful idea, but I really couldn't take attention away from Apple's talented singing," I say trying to get out of having to sing.

"Don't be silly," Apple deflects my attempt to opt out of the solo, "Everyone has already heard me sing and I would love to share the spotlight with my friends. This will be a great way to introduce yourself to the school," She insists, " Ooh I know, instead of performing for the princessology class, why don't we do our performance in front of the whole school? We can sing our song in the castleteria tomorrow and get Mrs White Queen to watch. We are sure to get an A by dazzling the whole student body with our singing" Apple suggests her face lit up with excitement.

Now I really start to get scared. I was dreading having to sing in front of my class let alone hundreds of students. How was I supposed to sing a solo when I sounded terrible? But I can't admit I lied. They wouldn't want to be friends with a princess who tells lies about herself. I would need to think of another way to get out of this.

"I don't think-" I start with my excuse only to be drowned out by Briar and Ashlynn.

"What a great idea Apple!" "Yeh sounds spelltacular!" They exclaim.

"So it's decided!" Apple declares, "I'll send you the sheet music tonight and backing track tonight Queen. I don't think we will have enough time to practise together but I know with your talents it will go great anyway, I can't wait" I smile sheepishly in reluctant agreement regretting having said I could sing in the first place.

"Hey, we need to get going to our after-school club, me and Apple have joined the royal debate team it was nice meeting you Queen," Briar says as the other girls start to gather their things to leave.

"And I have to go and wait on my stepsisters. I have like a million chores I haven't done for them yet," Ashlynn says sadly.

"I know we are all going to get along, talk to you later," Apple says and they leave before I can think of another excuse to not do the solo. I wait until they are gone before giving a pained groan and putting my head in my hands. I curse myself wishing I could be someone else. Someone like Apple who doesn't have to lie about her talents because she already is the perfect Princess. Or like Briar who has the affections of my destined prince. And Ashlynn is so sweet and pure, she was like a breath of fresh air. But I felt like I frog breath like what Briar said Hopper had.

"What's the matter?" I turn and look up to see Myrtle has returned after talking to Cedar, "Where have the others gone?" She asks.

"They had things to do" I sigh I try to keep it together but when I see my best friend I can't help but when I see the face of my best friend I can't help but let my emotions out and I feel tears coming to my eyes. Mytle sits down beside me and puts her arm around me, bringing my head to her shoulder.

"Hey, whats going on?" Myrtle says concerned I've only been away for a minute and I come back to you all upset. Did you miss me that much?" She teases trying to cheer me up by lightening the mood.

"I don't think Hopper likes me anymore" I sniffle sadly.

"Don't be silly, you're always going on about how he's your childhood friend, and he's your destined prince. He wouldn't have walked you to class if he didn't like you" she tries to assure me.

"He has a crush on Briar, I just found out he's been commenting hearts all over Briar's pictures"

"I'm sure a couple of hearts aren't that serious, and he'll forgte all about the other girls now that you are here. How could anyone not fall in love with you? You're too gorgeous"

"I don't know about that Myrtle. And it all makes sense now. Is that why he's hardly been texting me since when he left the frog Kingdom and has hardly said a word to me since I arrived? I thought he was just busy with studies and book ball or being a popular prince or whatever, but it seems he's been too busy chasing after Briar to tell me anything about that. And it turns out he's not been quiet about his affections aswell. What if I just seem like a joke to everyone? I'm a princess who's destined prince loves another princess. Oh, what have I done wrong for things to turn out this way?" I exclaim at the end. Myrtle strokes my hair to comfort me.

"That can't be true. Whatever is going on now between you and Hopper I'm sure it will work yourself out. Like you said you've hardly spoken. Things will get better now that you are together again. It's probably just a misunderstanding"

"And what's worse," I continue, "I told everyone that I was a good singer and now I have to sing a solo in front of the entire school tomorrow" I cry in despair.

"You did what? Why did you say something like that, you know you're terrible at singing"?

"I know!" I whine, "I wish I hadn't, but I really wanted them to like me. You have to help me, Myrtle, could you use your magic to make it so that I can sing tomorrow?" Myrtle pauses thinking about what to say, but her face tells me she isn't going to say what I want.

"I would, but I'm a water nymph and can only do nature magic. I don't think I could cast any spells that could make a person sing, sorry Lily. Maybe you still have time to tell them you can't do it?"

To be honest, I'm too much of a coward to tell them the truth. It just doesn't seem like the easiest option to me, I refuse to swallow my pride. I feel overwhelmed. So many unpleasant things have happened at once and hardly anything has gone the way it should. This wasn't what I expected to happen when I came to Ever After.

"I want to be alone for a while, I'm going to take a walk," I say, wiping my eyes. I unwrap myself from Myrtles' arms standing up to leave.

"Should I come with you?" Myrtle asks.

"No, I just want to be by myself for a while"

"Ok, I'll be in our dorm room"

"If my mother phones, don't tell her I'm upset"

"Of course, I won't say anything, don't walk too far from the school, it's getting dark"

I nod and head for the door to take comfort in the enchanted forest.

***Tbc***

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