The next morning, Abbey Roe and Millie got dressed in their everyday outfits. After breakfast, the two girls headed for the east terrace of the castle of their Legacy Day rehearsal. Headmaster Grimm was already explaining what the Legacy Year students must do.
"So, when your magical key appears, you will insert it gently into the Storybook of Legends and turn it thirty degrees clockwise," Headmaster Grimm explained. "Then stand, shoulders back, and declare your destiny to the world! Now, we're going to practice with this book of entirely reasonable school rules. Who will go first?"
Apple, of course, volunteered. "Oh! Me! Me! Me! Em! Ah! Uh! Uh!"
"Step right this way, my future queen," Headmaster Grimm said, letting Apple step forward.
"I am Apple White, and I pledge to follow my destiny as the next Snow White!" Apple declared.
"Perfect!" Headmaster Grimm complimented.
"I know," Apple said with a smile.
The other students went next. One after another, Abbey Roe saw them eagerly look forward to sign their lives away.
"I, Madeline Hatter, pledge to follow the destiny of dear old dad: The Maaaad Hatter of Wonderland! When do we drink the tea?"
"I am Hunter Huntsman and I pledge to follow my destiny as the next huntsman. I'll swing my axe bravely and save both Snow White and Red Riding Hood!"
"Hey, there! Charming. Daring Charming. I pledge to be just like my old man, King Charming: brave, good-looking, kind, good-looking, thoughtful, and good-looking."
"Um, I'm Dexter Charming... Well, I should use my full name, right? Ahem. I am Dexterous Charming, another son of King Charming, and I pledge my destiny to be...well, to be one of those Prince Charmings who saves princesses... But, Headmaster, can I ask a question? I've never been cleared about which story is my destiny..."
"Gallant princes are needed in many stories," Headmaster Grimm answered. "On the actual Legacy Day, when you make your pledge, the Storybook of Legends will show you your destined story."
"On Legacy Day?" Dexter asked. "Oh, okay. I've waited my whole life to know. I guess a few more weeks isn't so bad."
As Dexter stepped off, Abbey Roe immediately thought about Jude. She was going to become the next Laneabella, so what will happen to the younger Riffin child? Will his destiny become unknown until his Legacy Year? She still had that thought as two more students had their turn.
"I am Briar Beauty and I pledge to follow in my mom's footsteps and sleep for a hundred years. BUT BEFORE I DO, I'm gonna live every minute! Oh, speaking of which, my dormroom, Friday night, we're gonna blow the roof off the place, and-"
"I'm-I'm Cedar Wood, and-uh I pledge to follow my destiny and be the next Pinocchio. Well, I mean, not the next Pinocchio... huh. I mean, actually, I can only tell the truth while I'm in school, but then one day, one day I'm gonna lie... Uh, but does that mean I'm gonna be like my dad... or not like my dad..."
Millie was up next, but she didn't look too happy. "I am Millicent Enchant, daughter of the Semi-Barbaric Princess," she said through gritted teeth. "And I pledge to watch..." She took a deep breath. "...my true love marry a prettier girl or get eaten by a vicious tiger."
Abbey Roe came next, and she was willing to fake it for real. "My name is Abigail Rosalyn Riffin," she said with a convincing smile. "I am the daughter of Laneabella, and I pledge to become the next good queen of Magica!"
Aside from Millie's clapping, no one responded. "Next," Headmaster Grimm said, not even complimenting the declaration. And as Abbey Roe walked to the side, she wondered if Snow White's story was the only one that mattered...
"I'm Raven Queen, and I pledge to follow my destiny as...as... I have a question."
"What is it?" Headmaster Grimm asked.
"I was just wondering, I mean... What happens when I take the pledge?" Raven asked.
"You are promising to carry out your part of the Snow White story," Headmaster Grimm answered.
"Yeah, I get that," Raven said. "Bur what if I don't want to?"
Every student (except for Abbey Roe) gasped, but Apple went off on a nervous ramble. "She has to do it!" the blonde girl exclaimed. "I mean, if-if she never poisons me, then I'll never fall asleep, and-and I'll never be kissed by my prince, and I'll never become queen, and I'll never have my Happily Ever After!"
"Ms. Queen, don't even joke about such matters," Headmaster Grimm said. "You know the pledge is the greatest protection I can give you. Every citizen of Ever After exists as part of a story. If you don't pledge your destiny, your story ceases to exist."
"Ceases to exist?" Raven asked. "So then... What happens to me?"
"You will cease to exist!" Headmaster Grimm answered. "Poof! Now, Raven, continue."
"But, Mr. Grimm..." Raven started to say.
"Poof-poof!" Headmaster Grimm interrupted.
But Raven didn't continue. With an "I have to go.", she ran down the steps and back into the castle.
Even as the Legacy Day rehearsals continued, Abbey Roe noticed Millie was silently crying. Eventually, she could no longer hide her feelings and she ended up getting comforted by her best friend.
"Is there something wrong, Ms. Enchant?" Headmaster Grimm asked, noticing the crying girl.
"She's fine," Abbey Roe lied. "Just some allergies." But she knew the true reason what was bothering Millie. She had to lose her true love or poof out of existence. Either way, the red-haired princess knew her only friend was doomed.