IV. 3 Days Left… [Part II]


A/N: I… I left for quite a while and I return to THIS much support? Awwwww, thanks guys! My shrivelled heart grew three sizes larger because of it! Really, I didn't mean to leave you guys alone but with the new D&D campaign that I'm DMing for and my college classes, I can't seem to find the time to TRULY work for the chapters. Stopping by to see how many of you guys like it forced my hand to ACTUALLY get some writing done!

Thank you. Really, I mean it.

As of 9/21/2020 we've got 10 favorites and 14 follows. Not bad for a fandom that's been dead for quite some time now.

For Overseer's readers who stopped by this story, the next chapter is being worked on and it. is. a. BULK. Expect something… bigger than 5k. A sliver of Overseer!Corvus's past is slowly being revealed, after all.

MOVING ONTO THE CHAPTER!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Ed Sheeran's 'Give Me Love' (which is a damn classic, guys!)


[51 Hours… (10:00 a.m.)]


"Sorry, Briar," Apple said, her MirrorPhone pressed to her ear, "I have to skip out this time." She sighed, looking guilty with each passing second. "I know, I know, it's our tradition, but Corvus needs my help. Yes, Briar, you heard me right; Corvus needs my help." She said nothing, listening Briar on the other side of the call. "You're the best! I swear to Fairy Godmother, I'll make it up to you! Bye-bye!"

Corvus watched, sitting on the desk of her desk, as she ended the call with a smile. She turned her gaze from her phone to him.

"You know…" He drawled, fiddling with the edge of his coat, "you don't need to do this, right?" He stood, walking to her and leaning down slightly. Fairy's sakes, she so small compared to him. "Go have fun with Briar and whoever-after the fuck you want. I can handle this on my own."

Apple didn't even flinch at his words, nor at his clear height. "Corvus, I told you, I'll help." She insisted with a bright smile. "After all, this is Ever After's history we're talking about! You'll need a partner to decode the more complicated parts. Trust me, I was taught about it at a young age."

Corvus sent her an unconvinced look. "Uh huh." He shook his head. "Whatever-after. It's your life." He looked at that clock. 10 A.M. "We better go. We're wasting daylight. To the Lifairy, right?"

Silently, Apple matched his pace. "You know…" She began as they walked through the mildly crowded halls of Ever After. The students stopped and stared as they saw them together, much like back at the first day of school. Apple ignored it. If she is, then Corvus will too, turning his gaze to her instead.. "Last night, you asked that if this doesn't involve me, would I care? Yes," she sent him a friendly smile, "I would. I would've even if you're not my villain."

Corvus felt his throat tightening. He looked away. "I was drunk, princess. Whatever-after shit I said last night. Disregard it."

"All of it…?" There's a teasing lilt to her voice. Corvus stopped walking, sending her a questioning look.

"Yes." Corvus said firmly. "All of…"

"When I finally have my answers," his traitorous mind supplied, "then I'll be all yours."

A heavy blush settled on his cheeks. Apple grinned, clearly amused, although there's a hint of pinkness to her cheeks.

"L-Let's just go." He coughed, walking faster.

Slightly lagging behind him, Apple giggled.


[Est. 51 Hours… (10:15 a.m.)]


Corvus has been to the Lifairy multiple times. He's browsed its contents far more time than he'd dare admit. Secluded on a corner far, far away from the entrance of the Lifairy, the History section is a place where so few people go to. That's why it's where he goes to when he wants to be alone for a while. However, he's afraid to admit that he's never-after read, much less touched, the History books. Not unless it's for his throneworks.

He looked at the spines of the books, gathering dust. He craned his head up, scanning for something more up their topic.

"Corvus~" Apple called from behind. "Have you found any books yet?"

"A few!" He replied, gaze still on the shelf. "Wait a spell!"

Summoning magic from his fingertips, he casted a high-jumping spell on his shoes. Crouching momentarily, he propelled himself upwards, grabbing the books that piqued his attention. Stacking a total of five books, three of which are tomes, he walked over to their table. Unceremoniously, he set them before her. She eyed them, shock evident in her wide eyes.

"That's it?" She asked, incredulous.

That… wasn't what he was hexpecting, truth be told.

"What do you mean 'that's it'?" Corvus retorted, furrowing his brows at her. "I just brought you five books!?"

Apple sent him a pointed look. "We're researching the history of the Storybook of Legends, Corvus." She stood walking over to the History section. "There's gotta be more than that!"

Rolling his eyes, Corvus scoffed. "Alright, Miss Smarty-Pants, show me how it's done, then." He challenged, trudging behind her.

She glanced back at him over her shoulder. "Oh, I will!" She stopped in front of the shelf.

She placed her hands over her hips and scanning it for books she deem relevant to their research. Corvus scoffed, amused and good-naturedly, crossing his arms and leaning his side on one of the shelves. He let his gaze wander aimlessly, taking in the Lifairy's interior.

Tall, ceiling-height shelves are pushed at the edge of the eastern and western walls, with some smaller shelves in the middle. It was split into two floors, with the second floor granting a wide, wide empty space in the middle, blocked by a metal fence. Right now, he and Apple are on the second floor, at the north-western corner of the Lifairy. At the northern wall are large windows, allowing in as much sunlight as possible. From his viewpoint, Corvus can easily see the gardens and, far after it, the Enchanted Forrest. At the southern wall is the grand double-doors of the Lifairy- always open, yet so few come in.

He looked at the people below. Some were alone, reading books or on their MirrorTops. Some were in small groups, either animatedly discussing or merely in each other's companies.

If Corvus were to describe the world of Ever After from above, he'd use the word 'colorful'. Take for hexample, Maddie- who just walked in the room. From her head to her shoes, she'd brimming with color and life. On another hexample would be the-

Corvus narrowed his eyes at where Maddie went. 'Did she just… enter the secluded part of the Lifairy?' He straightened, walking to the fence and leaning forward to get a better view. 'What purpose does she have there other than dusty old books…?'

Though Corvus is a suspicious person by nature, he tries not to suspect Raven's friends. They are, after all, kind girls who were more than willing to befriend her. Maddie walking into that room of the Lifairy, however, was just too…

"Corvus~" Apple's voice broke through his thoughts. He blinked turning to her. She's smiling at him- a little too innocently. "I found some."

Giving the door one last look, Corvus walked over to Apple. "Alright." He pocketed his hands. "Show me what you got."

"Right… I need you to get them for me."

He blinked, before sighing. "Where?" His gaze raked over the spines of the books.

As Apple pointed, he did as he's told and acquired it. Some of it were located at the fairy top of the shelf too! By the end of his collecting, they have three columns of books to read over. All three have ten books each. Corvus stared at their pile of books with mounting awe and amazement.

He whistled. "Are you sure we'd use all of these, princess?"

"Not royally no." Apple answered honestly. Corvus sent her a baffled look, to which she laughed at. "Have you never-after written a research paper before?"

Corvus frowned at her slightly. "I… have." He gestured to the pile of books. "But what does that have to do with this?"

"Because," Apple began, picking up some of the books to bring over to their table. With a grunt, he stopped her with a small 'let me' and levitated all of it with ease. "If you were to write a research paper, you have to get as many sources you can find- even if you don't use them at the end."

"But thirty-five books?" He brought them all to their table. "That many? Royally?"

"You never-after know what you can find~" She intoned.

With a tired sigh, Corvus sat down. "How the fuck do you even know this?" He pulled one of the books from the pile and read the title. 'Annals of Ever After's Kingdoms'. Okay, good start- probably. "You're…" He squinted up at her. "How old are you, again?"

"It's rude to ask a lady her age, you know that, right?" She asked in a teasing tone.

He sent her a pointed look. "My destiny is to wreak havoc on all of you in the future." He deadpanned. "Should I give a single damn if I'm being rude?"

"Well, a villain is much more threatening if he's much more refined." She answered.

He leaned over, a sneer on his face. "Well, what do you know about being a villain?"

"I read our families' history together many times." Apple took a book from the pile. Her gaze focused on the book cover. "I know that the most threatening Evil Queen so far was your mother."

He flinched, his back colliding with the chair. Her gaze flicked to him, worry and a hint of guilt evident. Corvus felt his throat constrict at the implications.

'Of course, she'd want me to be like my mother.' He thought morosely. 'Almost everybody hexpects me to be like her. Headmaster Grimm. The entirety of Ever After High. Raven…' With a small whimper, he just focused on the book in his hands, flipping it open. Moments later, Apple's pale hand slipped into view.

"Hey," she softly said, causing him to look at her, "I think you're doing to great job at being a villain." That's not what I want to hear. "You're not your mother, yes, but you're an amazing villain in your own right."

She sent him a reassuring smile. His eyes widened at those words, unshed tears causing them to gleam and shine under the light. The tightening in Corvus's throat worsened as her words echoed in his mind.

You're not your mother, yes, but you're an amazing villain in your own right.

You're not your mother, yes, but you're an amazing villain.

You're not your mother.

He let out a shuddering breath and tried- and fairy-failed- to send her a smile of his own. "Yeah…" He croaked, blinking back tears. "I'm not…" He cleared his throat, straightening his back. "Time's a ticking, princess. We should make use of it." He covered his sniffle with a small sneeze. "These dusty books wouldn't read themselves."

Those words kept echoing in his head. He smothered a smile from building up on his face.

'That's the first time anybody's said that before.' He glanced at Apple before turning back to the book in his hands. 'It feels… nice.'


[Est 49 Hours… (12:30 p.m.)]


Though Corvus wasn't royally fond of reading history books, he's had Apple to help him with the more taxing parts- or parts he found dull. She's ever-after so willing to hexplain, in a fairy crash-course manner, the part he's struggling with. He found that she's spelltacularly knowledgeable in the more… political side of history than she does with anything else. Hex, she even hexplained what's the correlation between the agreement of the Charmings and the Whites back at year 1579. Something about trade routes and not allowing people to starve and- honestly, most of it flew over Corvus's head. He just merely stared at her, impressed and befuddled at her understanding of… this.

"Why…" He found himself saying. "You're, what, fourteen? Why would you know this?" He wildly gestured to the tome between them. 'The Great Deeds of Reigning Snow Whites FIFTEENTH EDITION' is plastered in a formal font at the dark brown hardcover.

Apple tapped the parchment. "It's my duty as the next High Queen to know how to micromanage kingdoms." She reasoned, then pouting at him. "And I'm fifteen."

"That's just a year older!" Corvus threw his hands up.

"SHH!" One of the evil step-librarians hissed at him with a glare, pushing a book cart in her hands.

Corvus shrunk in his seat. Headmaster Grimm may give him detention but none of that compare with the power the step-librarians hold over him. They once made sure to make him rearrange three shelves' worth of Chemythstry books all because he yelled at the top of his lungs. One of them also watched over him to make sure he didn't use magic. That was the worst four hours of his life. It was also the reason why he has a small grudge against Chemythstry. He can't wait to leave this school for good.

"I take it you're top of your Kingdom Management class?" He whispered, brows furrowed at her but smiling.

Apple nodded, smiling widely. "And you? Are you the top of your Kingdom Mismanagement class?"

Corvus sneered, squinting his eyes, earning her chortle. "Any asshole with a braincell can top that class." He hissed, shoving his hands in his coat pockets and leaned over the table. "For hexample, if I were in Queen Evelyn's place, I wouldn't accept the trade route with King Greater. I'll just burn the letter he sent me in the firepl-"

"So this is where you've been." Ella Discord's voice broke through their discussion. Both of them jumped back, yelping. They blinked at their intruder. She's standing there in all her colorful 'glory' with her hands in her pockets, obnoxiously chewing gum. Ella took one look at Apple and her eyes narrowed. Corvus only has a few seconds to diffuse this.

"Ella." He stood, pushing the chair back under the table, keeping his eyes on her. "What brings you here?"

Ella sent Apple a thousand-yard-stare for a few seconds. "I didn't know you're quite the buddy-buddy with White over here." She stated.

Corvus moved in between her line of sight. "It's for a personal project of mine. I asked for her help." He lied, sounding gruff. So, stop it.

Ella kept quiet, looking unconvinced but not pushing it either. "Rakish, Shane, and I were waiting at the cafe." She said. "You weren't answering your MirrorPhone and we thought to ask around. They never-after mentioned you're with her."

Riiiight. He had a meeting with Rakish, Ella, and Shane today to discuss the Legacy Day prank. But that meeting's still at 12:00 P.M.- there still should be plenty of time, right?

One quick glance at his MirrorPhone, however, shows his missed calls and the fact that it's now nearly 12:30 P.M.. His eyes widened and he sucked in a breath.

Have… HAVE THEY BEEN SO ENGROSSED IN THEIR DISCUSSION THAT TIME PASSED SO FAIRY QUICKLY!?

Gulping, he pocketed his phone. He rubbed at his eyes with his thumb and pointing finger. "Perhaps it's time for some break," he turned to Apple, sending her a small smile, "we got caught up talking about…" He gestured to the books.

With a sigh and a small smile, Apple stood, dusting at her skirts. "You're right. A break sounds nice."

"Do… you want me to walk you out…?"

The flick of her gaze from him to Ella was but a second but Corvus saw it. "No," she smiled at him, "I'll be fine. I'll see you later?"

"This spot?" He nodded to the table. At her agreement, he spoke. "Alright, an hour from now? Two?"

"An hour and a half." Apple answered.

She bid him goodbye once more. Passing by Ella, Apple gave her a small nod with a smaller smile. Ella ignores her, focusing instead on Corvus. Once they're sure she's gone, Corvus spoke up.

"I am really sorry-"

"What," Ella interrupted him, frowning slightly, "were you doing with her at such a…" she gestured to the space behind him, "private area of the lifairy?"

Corvus crossed his arms with a scowl. "I don't see why that's any of your business." He coolly answered. "Apple's helping me with something I've been researching. I get that you're not royally willing to be buddy-buddies with her- which might be slightly my fault- but she's…" He trailed off, trying to find the words. "She's a part of my story."

They held each other's gazes for a long moment, neither willing to back down. Ella sighed, looking away first. Her frown was replaced with worry.

"Corvus," she began; her reproving tone caught him off-guard and he lowered his arms, "she's just using you. You know that, right? If you fall for her-"

Corvus blanched, throwing his hands at chest level. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" He sputtered, blushing lightly. "Who said anything about-!?"

You're not your mother.

His mouth clamped shut. His jaw tightened. "A-Anyways, let's just- let's go." He slung an arm over her shoulders, guiding her away from the secluded space. "Rakish and Shane might be spella pissed at me."

"Shane's kinda chill with it. Rakish is practically buzzing with worry." Thank Fairy Godmother she's willing to drop it. "You still owe me three large fries, by the way."

"I specifically remember it to be two…"

He cast one last look at the table he and Apple were using earlier. He just noticed then how close the books are. They were practically sitting shoulder to shoulder, then. No wonder Ella mentioned anything. He can only wonder what it looks like to an outsider.

His throat tightened. He won't fall for her. There's too much complications involved. Too much trouble to be worth it. No, Apple White is that one annoyance he's lumped in the same team with. He won't fall for her. He won't.


[50 Hours… (1:00 p.m.)]


"… And that's how I learned NOT to use the zip line without any harnesses!" Briar recounted her tale cheerfully.

Apple blinked at that. It was… one thoroughly hexciting tale but…

"I'm surprised you made it out of that safely!" She hexclaimed, leaning forward.

Briar laughed. The way Briar laughs, Apple notices, was entirely alike to someone who had just finished a hexciting and hexhilarating activity. Very much like her, Apple thinks, fondly.

"I know, right?" She grinned, flicking a hand. "Oh, but Mom and Dad truly gave me a scolding for that. They even threatened to take away my partying privileges! Speaking of, I have a party this Tuesday, and it'll definitely be a page-ripper! I even got the ever-after so elusive DJ N-Chant to play his songs!"

Apple took a sip from her latte. "Briar," she began, glancing at her phone, "Tuesday is a school night. Not to mention, Professor Rumpelstiltskin just loooves to give us unfairest quizzes!" An idea popped in her head. "Well, why don't you just move that party in Monday? I know that the timing might just be too much of a rush-"

"But we can spellebrate Legacy Day after! Not to mention, Tuesday is a rest day- to catch some fairest z's." Her BFFA beamed at her. "That's a royally great idea, Apple! Oh, I have to make the preparations, stat!"

As they walked down the streets of Book-End, Apple took in the sights of the village come alive. Despite being a village, it's hustle and bustle are fairy evident due to the newly arrived students. Friends who haven't seen each other in months come to hang out and tell tales of their summer vacation. Granted, it has been nearly two weeks since the beginning of school year so Book-End is just truly an attraction to Ever After High's students. Such a warm atmosphere and lively surroundings brought a smile on her face.

Her gaze landed on Ashlynn- who is, surprisingly, walking the village with Hunter- and she waved her hand high. "Ashlynn!" She called out, eagerly.

Ashlynn Ella is also one of her BFFA's. Although they were introduced a little later than her and Briar- having met during Middle School instead of Kingdergarden, Ashlynn is still fairy much one of Apple's oldest friends. Perhaps it's due to how their tales are much alike- hers, Ashlynn's, and Briar's- that they royally got together.

"Apple! Briar!" Ashlynn greeted them with a smile. She then turned to Hunter, spoke a few words- probably to thank him for walking her to the Village. Hunter nodded with a friendly smile before walking away. Ashlynn's gaze trailed after him momentarily.

"Is it just me or have they been too…" Briar waved a hand lazily. "Buddy-buddy?"

Apple rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Well, Hunter's just being a gentleman. Besides, is it bad for Ashlynn to have a few male friends?"

Briar pursed her lips. "That's not hexactly what I meant."

But before Briar can continue, Ashlynn piped in. "Hey, guys!" She greeted cheerfully, looping one of her arms around Apple's. "What's up?"

They passed by plenty of fairy familiar stores. Some of their wares are new, others not so much. Their window shopping- and sometimes physical shopping (those trinkets just look so fairy cute!)- has led them to one of the busiest café in the village. Sitting down and sipping some sweet latte, Apple and Briar listened to one of Ashlynn's tales.

"… And that's how I spent the last week of my summer vacation." Ashlynn finished with a fond sigh. "Mom tells me it's not necessary but I like to help around the business."

Aside from being the monarchs one of the strongest kingdoms in the U.F.K., the Cinderellas are also known for their hexquisite shoes. They have branches all over the continent and are one of the most sought out brands. Apple even has some of her shoes custom made from them.

"So!" Ashlynn grinned confidently. "I have decided to work at the store here in Ever After!"

"Would that affect your school work?" Apple asked, kind of worried for her friend's schedule.

Don't get her wrong. She thinks Ashlynn's initiative to have a hand in managing their business is fantastic- wonderful, even! But… priorities needs to be adjusted in a way that's beneficial for the future!

"Well," Ashlynn furrowed her brows a bit, "it's only part time. Only after school hours and during certain chapters of the week. Mom arranged the schedule herself, too."

Well, now Apple can rest easy. She's met Cinderella before. In fact, she can easily call the queen her aunt.

"Ashlynn," Briar piped up, a sly grin on her face, "so… you and Hunter, huh?"

Ashlynn let out a light 'eep!' while Apple sent Briar a confused look. "W-What about me a-and Hunter…?" Ashlynn stammered. Apple turned to her and saw Ashlynn looking at anybody but her and Briar.

"Well~…" Briar leaned forward conspiratorially. Her elbows rest on the table and her hands clasped together. "You two have been awfully close lately, hmm? Anything you'd like to tell us, Miss Ella?"

"N-Nothing of note, I assure you, B-Briar." Ashlynn took a sip from her latte, shrinking in her seat.

Apple pursed her lips, seeing her friend's discomfort. "Briar," she turned to the princess in question, "that's ridiculous. Ashlynn wouldn't date anybody outside of her destiny. Right, Ash?"

There's a slight pause. "… Right." There's something subdued in Ashlynn's tone.

Apple didn't have the time to think about it because her MirrorPhone rang a notification. She opened to glance at it. It's another news regarding her mother's newest project. She plans to reopen the Northern Castle-Palace for tourists and have just announced it in a video interview.

Apple blinked. The Northern Castle-Palace was where Apple grew up- due to the Evil Queen's attempt to conquer all of Ever After. It's the ancestral home of House White. The oldest- yet most technologically advanced- infrastructure in all of Ever After. To have mother open it for tourists is a huge step to finally moving on from the wounds the Evil Queen inflicted on-

It's already four p.m.

As her eyes trailed to the clock of her phone, Apple can't help but jolt and gasp loudly. Both her BFFA's sent her weird looks.

"Corvus!" She squeaked, pushing her chair out of the table. "I'm so sorry, but I just remembered that I had to meet with Corvus!"

Three hours ago, in fact!

After bidding them a rushed good bye, Apple quickly made her way to the lifairy of Ever After.


[Est. 46 Hours… (4:35 p.m.)]


Apple saw Corvus in the secluded space they shared earlier. His stance is far more relaxed than she hexpected it to be. He leaning on the backrest of the chair in a position that looks painful to his spine and his legs are resting on the table. A book is in his grasp, eyes trained on the letters.

"I am so, so, so sorry!" She cried, causing him to jump from his position. He planted his feet on the ground, book clattering to the table, and he lifted himself slightly from his seat. Upon seeing her, he sat back down, looking confused.

"Wha-?"

"I didn't mean to forget about our arrangement, I promise!" She quickly added, brows furrowing at him. She sent a pleading gaze at him, asking him for his understanding. "I just lost track of time with Briar and Ashlynn and-"

From behind her, she hears one of the stepsisters hiss her way harshly. She craned her head to the left and send them an apologetic smile. "Sorry." She whispered before turning back to Corvus.

His gaze on her was unreadable. Eyelids half lowered, almost giving her a thousand-yard-stare. His jaw is clenched. Apple half-hexpected him to lash out at her.

Instead, he sighed. "I didn't hexpect you to return, truth be told." He bluntly said, turning his attention back to the book.

Hurt bubbled up in Apple. Of course, she doesn't deserve to feel hurt. She did leave him hanging for nearly four hours.

Instead, she walked over to the other side of the table and took a seat. "I did say I'd help you." She can't help but say. Corvus didn't reply anything but a noncommittal grunt, not even looking at her. Apple swallowed down the extra hurt that bubbled up her throat. "W-What have you found?"

Corvus sighed, clearly annoyed. Apple found herself shrinking in her chair. He leaned back, resting his arms on the armrests. He tilted his head back, giving her a complete view of his neck.

"Nothing." He huffed, looking at the ceiling. "Nothing at all." He straightened his back, finally looking at her in the eye. "I had half a mind to just…" he waved a hand lazily, "chuck these books on the walls just to relieve me of my boredom." He paused, looking pensive. "I… admit… that your presence has lessened the boredom I feel reading these…" He sneered at the books piled on the table.

Conflicting emotions of guilt and warmth made their way to Apple's chest. "I swear I didn't mean to leave you."

His gaze snapped to hers. For a moment he looked both shocked and hopeful, but those emotions quickly left him with nothing but a mask of indifference. "I wouldn't blame you if you did, princess." He grinned at her in a devil-may-care manner. "These dusty old tomes and a future villain isn't hexactly great company for a Saturday weekend."

"If these dusty old tomes will help this future villain clear his mind for Legacy Day," Apple said determinedly, "then I will stay."

Corvus's mouth twitched upwards, as though he's trying to hide his amusement. "Even if it's hard?"

"Even if."

Corvus stared at her, uncaring and amused. Apple stared back, rigid and determined. The tension- a fairy weird tension- in the air is palpable. She can feel her cheeks heat up at his pointed gaze. Corvus broke their stare-off when his gaze trailed down- almost like he's glancing to her lips.

Her blush deepened at that realization. Could… Could it be that Corvus is… attracted to her?

She cleared her throat. His eyes are back on hers once more. His cheeks were also light pink and there's something in his gaze that makes her shiver.

"Perhaps… we can ask my family dwarves to deliver us some history books from the Northern Castle-Palace itself…?" She offered with a friendly smile.

Corvus blinked, lazy and slow. As he swallowed, Apple watched his throat bob up and down. "Would those tomes have the answers these tomes don't have?"

"Maybe." Apple sent him an apologetic smile. "However, they're much more detailed than these," she waved a hand to the pile between them, "books. I have read…" His gaze seemed to silence her.

There's nothing hostile there, no. Just… something that makes her pause her words. And make her heart race.

"Then I suppose we have no need for these." Apple blinked as Corvus stood. The aura around them lightened quickly. She can't help but feel disappointed. He lifted a hand and enveloped the stack of books in magic. "I'll return them. Go contact your servants. Time's a ticking, princess."

Apple pressed her hands to her cheeks, feeling their heat. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself down. Her heart just won't stop racing.

"Calm down, Apple," she whispered to herself, "it's just Corvus. Your future villain."

'Your fairy, fairy hot future villain.' Her traitorous mind supplied. Apple shook her head.

No, Corvus couldn't be attracted to her. Even if he looked like two seconds away from leaning over and pulling her into a kiss, earlier, he's not attracted to her. He's just messing with her mind. He's just being his usual, evil self and…

And Apple's not sure how to feel about that.


[45 Hours…(5 p.m.)]


The two of them made their way to their dorm room, where Pouty- the dwarf that answered her calls earlier- will drop off twenty tomes from the lifairy of her ancestral house. Upon entering their room, Corvus made a beeline for the kitchen that came with their special arrangement.

Headmaster Grimm chose the living space closest to the faculty and staff. As such, she and Corvus are in their own little space- one that used to be used by a teacher. That's why their room came with a share bathroom and a small kitchen. A kitchen that came with complete necessities provided by the Headmaster himself.

Sometimes, Apple thinks he's overdoing things related to her.

"Would you like some hot chocolate?" Corvus offered from the kitchen.

'How wonderfully domestic.' She thought. Briefly, she can imagine Corvus making her hot chocolate, pressing the warm mug into her hands, and leaning down to-

Nope, no, nuh uh. Not even going there.

"I'll pass, thanks!" Apple answered, making her way to her desk. She sat on her office chair, leaning back and sighing in bliss. The soft cushions royally lessens her tiredness.

She can hear the small stove come to life. That's a common sound for her to hear nowadays. In their two weeks living together, Corvus is fond of heating up milk- whether to drink is plain or to add some chocolate on it. She's yet to try his hot chocolate, always rejecting it when offered to her. It's not that she's not curious, it's just feels so… intimate to have someone make a drink like hot chocolate for her. Without pay, too.

She's not supposed to feel intimate with her villain.

Sharing food with her is one thing. Making food for her? That's on another level entirely.

Apple opened her eyes, taking a deep breath. Corvus, standing beside his bed and removing his large coat, raised an eyebrow at her.

"You know, it's royally fine if you want to quit helping me, you know?" He said, earning her frown.

"Corvus," she patiently said, "I told you. I'm going to help you. At this point, whether you like it or not."

He dropped his coat on the bed. "Well, well, well," he grinned at her, "dearest Apple White has some ominous side to her, after all." Apple stared at him in incredulous annoyance. He laughed. "I kid, I kid."

He made his way to his side of the room, behind his two-seater sofa. Taking a deep breath, he pushed it to the middle of the room. Momentarily, her eyes wandered over to the defined biceps underneath his shirt.

"What," she began, clearing her throat, "are you doing?"

Corvus straightened, panting slightly. "What? You don't wanna make a studying nest for us? How are we gonna research together from like," he gestured to her bed and then his, "thirty feet from one another?" He didn't wait for her reply, walking back and carrying his coffee table. He set it down in front of the couch.

That's… a fair point.

He went back to his side of the room, to his cabinet, and rummaged in it for something. "Where are those- wait- ugh!" He came away with a long pillow- one made for cuddling- in his grasp.

Apple blinked. 'What…?' She thought, watching him dump it on the sofa. As he jogged back to his cabinet, she stood and followed him. Stopping right beside his bed, she leaned on one of its four poster.

"Uh… Corvus…?" She called, watching him carry three small pillows to his sofa. "That's… overdoing it."

"It's a studying nest, Apple." He sassed, which- honest to goodness- just looks plain ridiculous from his position. Apple can only watch as he scurried back to his cabinet for more pillows.

Honestly, where does he even stuff all those pillows!?

Intent on finding out, Apple walked towards him only to catch a glimpse of something else entirely. A guitar. There's a guitar in his cabinet. What's next? A lamppost!?

"You play the guitar?" She asks, earning his wide-eyed attention. Apple can't help but chuckle at his hexpression. He looks like he's caught red-handed.

A beat.

"Yes." He answered, a bit sheepishly. He took it from his cabinet. It's a beautiful dark red guitar with a shine polish. Its bronze strings gleam and shine too. "I used to… well…" He walked over to the chair and rested it on the side. "Let me just grab my hot chocolate."

As he made his way in the kitchen, Apple took a seat on the newly made study nest. It's comfy. Fairy comfy. Due to the fact that the entire set of furniture belongs to him, a faint scent that resembled his cologne permeated her surroundings. She took one of the smaller pillows and pressed it against her, closing her eyes.

She can see herself sleeping here. It just feels so comfy and warm and… and safe.

When she opened her eyes, it's to the sight of Corvus looking at her with a slight teasing smile. A mug is in his hands. "Tired, princess?" He took a seat beside her, setting his drink on the table.

"No, just…" She pressed a palm against her mouth to stop a yawn.

Corvus chuckled, low and- almost- fond. "You can take a nap if you want." He said. "Your dwarf's not yet here."

"I think," she said, still holding onto his pillow, "you should play your guitar."

He raised an eyebrow. "And why should I do that?"

"You let it out for a reason, didn't you?" She fluttered her lashes at him.

He stared at her, searching her face for… something. Then, he sighed- though he's smiling- and reached over to get his guitar.

"This is a song that a dear friend of mine suggested. Although I'm not sure where she's getting these songs from."

As he strummed the keys, Apple was utterly entranced. Although the notes are simple, the way Corvus plays it is just… beautiful. There's emotion there- in every strum and tap. And that's just when he's playing it. When he opened his mouth to sing, that's when Apple's focus truly shifted to him. It's like the world around them didn't hexist.

"Give me love like her

'Cause lately I've been waking up alone"

Their eyes met and, for a moment, Apple forgot how to breath. Her heat skipped a beat, before doubling its tandem. She leaned forward, eager to hear more, still clutching to his pillow.

"Give a little time to me or burn this out

We'll play hide and seek to turn this around

All I want is the taste that your lips allow

My, my-"

Apple's phone rang, shattering the illusion around them. Corvus stopped strumming, looking as though he- too- was snapped out from a trance. It was then Apple noticed that they're close. Closer than what is appropriate.

She flinched, loosening her grip around the pillow. She fumbled for her MirrorPhone, hear heart hammering in her chest. With shaking hands, she pressed it close to her ear. "Y-Yes?"

"Princess?" Pouty called from the other line. "Uh, we've arrived with your order-"

"Oh," Apple straightened, "of course! You're outside the room, right?"

"Yes, m'lady."

"Oh, thank you ever so much! I'll be out." She pulled her phone away, staring at it's screen briefly. She turned to Corvus a way-too-bright smile on her face. "The books are here, Corvus!"

Corvus stared at her, inhaling. "Yeah." He muttered, a bit breathless. "Yeah, I-… Let's just…"

Apple nodded, understanding his message. Still, she can't seem to stop the hammering on her chest.


[34 Hours… (3 a.m.)]


Corvus shifted so Apple may lean much more comfortably against him. She's been asleep for the past hour now, having dozed off in the midst of their reading. He can't blame her either; it's already deep in the middle of the night, after all. A glance to his phone showed the large digits of 3 a.m.. It's already Sunday.

Tomorrow is Legacy Day. And he's yet to find the answers to his question. Thirteen hours and fifteen tomes- not books-, yet he still hasn't found anything.

'This is hopeless.' He pressed his palms on his forehead. He closed his tired eyes, sighing through his nose. 'I should just give up.'

Apple shifted beside him, mumbling something incomprehensible. Corvus glanced at her.

He'd never-after admit this to anybody, but sometimes he's scared of seeing her asleep. It just reminds him of what he will do to her. Yes, it's not permanent. Yes, someone will wake her. Still, it never-after stops to remind him how real his destiny is. In fact, seeing her with just a gentle and serene hexpression brought rising anxiety to his gut.

He turned away, gulping. His breathing got a little ragged, he noticed. He pressed the ball of his palms on his eyes. He won't allow tears to come out. He won't.

Truly, he's touched that she's going so far just to help him in his stupid little research.

"Corvus," Ella's voice echoed in his thoughts, "she's just using you. You know that, right?"

'I know.' He miserably thought. 'I know.'

And yet… and yet she told him he's not like his mother. The first ever-after person to say the words he didn't know he wanted to hear.

Yesterday, when they separated- and after Corvus discussed the prank with his friends- he found himself going to the gardens to just… think. He laid there, underneath the same tree where he gave her his promise. Deep in thought.

Her words had him looking back at his entire life. Is he not his mother? After all, he's causing so much trouble, raising hex wherever-after he goes. Is that not the typical fashion of his bloodline? Yet her kind smile and even kinder words kept shattering those thoughts.

He rubbed his tired eyes with two fingers. "It's just the beginning of the school year, for fuck's sakes…" He grouched. He closed the tome shut, sliding it away petulantly. With a sigh, he reached for another book. This one has a cover that feels more leathery to the touch. As he flipped it open, Corvus can only stare at what greeted him.

It's… written in a language entirely unfamiliar to him. Strange, alien alphabet is scrawled over the first page. As he flipped past more pages, he saw that the entire book was written in the same language. As his flipping got more and more frantic, he passed by beautiful drawings clearly made in ink and free-hand.

One was a drawing of a girl in a long, simple dress sitting on a bench. Her gaze was directed on a butterfly resting on her fingers. Another was a boy in a princely outfit, patting a horse's nuzzle. Another was a girl sitting on the floor, reading a book, while other books and magical tools scattered all around her. There were plenty of other drawings too, but those three people are constantly drawn. Their poses are different, usually caught in between mundane tasks.

Some drawings are also slightly alarming- magic circles with patterns that are entirely unrecognizable. This royally got his attention. As a child, the Evil Queen would often task him and Raven to memorize different types of magical sigils, patterns, and runes.

"The darkest of spells require a physical manifestation," she taught them, "learn these and you'll get a prize, my dearests."

Her prizes were often favors from her. As such, Corvus strove to perfect his lessons. And, as such, Corvus is intimately familiar with all manners of runes, sigils, and patterns.

He leaned back, staring at nothing with a troubled hexpression. He glanced at Apple, still asleep on his shoulder. 'Why does your family have this book?' he wants to ask.

House White isn't a magical House by nature. Sure, they have some members in the cadet branch who are wizards- magic-users who study to gain access to magic- but none of them are sorcerers. Besides, they focus on Light magic not… whatever-after this is.

Great. Another question on top of his still unanswered gigantic question. Wonderful.

Closing the book, he placed it separately from the used books section.

He grabbed another book and resumed reading. However-after, as soon as he opened it, it's also written in the same text as the previous book. 'What the fuck!?' He flipped the pages again, incredulous. With a frown, he leaned forward-

Only to freeze when he heard Apple let out a small groan.

Shit. Right, he has someone asleep on his shoulder. Carefully, he stood, making sure not to jostle her too much, and laid her on the bigger part of the couch. He also made sure to grab some pillows to slip under her head.

Quickly returning back to his seat, he placed the book on his lap. He was barely able to even place it when Apple shifted her position, resting her legs on his lap.

'Are you serious…?' He sent her an annoyed look. 'Really, White?'

No reply. Obviously.

He sighed, pulling the book out from under her. Placing it on top of her legs, he opened it. There are drawings in this one too, although the drawings of the boy have lessened greatly and, not even half way through, he seemed to have vanished from the writer's list of muses entirely. The two girls remained though, and this time they looked to be older. It was then that it occurred to Corvus.

These two books are diaries.

Unlike the other books, these are actually written events from that time.

Hope bloomed within him. If he can only find out what is written in here, then surely they'd have the answers he sought!

But… a spell that involves translation of texts would take hours at best, days at worst. Considering the size of the journals (which are even larger than the 'completely reasonable' book of school rules that he's fake-signed for two weeks now), it'd take him weeks to translate these! Not to mention it's in a language that doesn't seem to hexist within Ever After!

"DAMN IT!" He bellowed, gripping the journal in his hands tightly.

He'd rip this apart. Watch him. He'd tear this fucking journal a new one. What kinda bullshit is this!? Tease him with answers but keep it out of reach!? What kinda bullshit-!?

"Corvus…?" Apple's groggy voice broke him out of his angered haze. "I… I fell asleep."

He turned to her. His hands are shaking, and his breathing has gotten a little ragged. "Go back to sleep, princess." He replied, tightly. "It's fine."

She shook her head, moving to sit up. "No, no," she covered a yawn behind her hand, "I'm supposed to be helping you…"

"Can you translate this?" He all but shoved the journal in her face.

Still rubbing her eye, she sleepily took it from his grasp. Of course, she can't. Apple White isn't a magic user. There's no way she could understand it. He also highly doubts that studying a language that's not used in any part of the world would be a part of her homeschool curriculum.

He watched as Apple tried to read it, blinking away the sleep in her eyes. "It says here," Corvus can only watch in great astonishment as she pointed at a sentence on the page, "that… 'Adelaide has… given me flowers… she-' I don't know that word, sorry." More awake, she straightened her posture and continued reading. "Uh… I… can't read that. No, not that too. Oh! This one says 'Rhiannon is so fond of her…' something, something, 'I should get her…' that's either the word for scroll or the word for book."

She scanned the page further. "This… is a journal, Corvus."

Yeah, he got that.

She turned to him. "Was this with the other books?" She asked. He only gave her a nod, too shocked to form words. She turned back to the journal. "It's weird. Some sentences are familiar but most of the words are getting too… complicated." She rubbed her temples. "My head hurts reading this, sorry."

Corvus can barely swallow the bitter laugh escaping him. All this time… All this time, Snow White has access to magic not even his mother knows. She could've easily defeated his mother with the amount of hidden magic she has up her sleeve. ALL THIS TIME! He didn't even have to-

"What's so funny?" Apple asked, curious.

A bone-deep weariness shrouded him. Minutes ago, all he wants are answers. Now, he just wants to sleep.

"Nothing, princess." He closed the journal and set it on the table. He eyed the remaining books. Try as he might, he couldn't muster the motivation to continue. "I'm going to bed."

Apple blinked at him, confused. "We… only have three books left."

"That's for tomorrow." Ignoring her, he made his way to his bed and, unceremoniously, plopped face forward. He blindly reached for one of his pillows. Briefly, he can feel the bed shift. Upon feeling for one, he quickly slid it under him.

"Are you okay?" He hears her ask. He turned his head and saw her sitting on his bed, looking at him worriedly.

He sent her a tired smile. "Just tired." Fairy Godmother, he sounds so weak and miserable. "Let's continue tomorrow. Or later."

She nodded, clearly unconvinced but having a small smile on. "Alright." She stood.

As she began to walk away, he grasped her hand. She turned him, curious and mildly surprised. "Thank you." He sincerely said. "For this."

She grasped his hand, too, and began rubbing his knuckles and fingers with her thumb. "There's no need, Corvus."

Corvus let go, watching her as she walked away. He closed his eyes and let sleep wash over him.


REPLIES TO:

Ld9676112: Go for it, I say. I mean… it wouldn't hurt for me to read about your OC. If I really like the concept, I'll bend over backwards to try and fit him/her/them into this story.

(There are rules, though, such as their parents must be from fairytales, folktales, or myths. I cannot add a kid OC of Link- from LoZ- in this. Nor can I add a kid OC of Ezio Auditore- from AC- in this. If you're referring to a dragon prince something like the show in Netflix- forgive me, I've never watched it- then I'm gonna have to decline because it's not a folk tale or a fairytale.)

PowPow456: (*gets teary-eyed and hugs this comment close to my chest*) WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH LOVE AND ADORATION I FEEL FOR YOUR COMMENT! THANK YOU! SO MUCH!


A/N: Corvus is a 6'0" seventeen-year-old, Apple is a 5'2" fifteen-year-old girl. She's not even reaching his ear height! (She'll grow taller, sure, but so will Corvus. He's not yet done growing, baby!)

I'm not sure if essays and research papers are being written by literal 15 year olds, but in my experience, we were given the basics of thesis-writing at… eighth-grade? So… I'm gleaning stuff from that.

The reason why they suddenly had a kitchen was because when I was watching the show, I didn't notice any bathroom doors from Raven and Apple's room. Since I placed a bathroom there, I thought 'hey, why not make Grimm plop them in the middle of an old faculty room or something?'

So yeah, they're pretty much bunking with teachers now. They're far enough to feel isolated, but close enough for an entire brigade of teachers to come rushing to Apple's aid in case anything happens. (I mean, something will happen but it's not what any of those teachers are hexpecting HUEHUEHUEHUE-)

Are they going too fast? Don't worry, we're still at, like, the second week of the story. There's more to come. I still haven't even made Apple and Raven interact!

Part III is the final part to this section of the story, THEN we FINALLY get to the dreaded Legacy Day. AFTER THAT, things will PROBABLY be more in tandem with the show.

edited: 9/26/2020

edited: 10/12/2020

edited: 7/21/2021