AN: Wow! Finally uploaded this! So this is the chapter you've been waiting for, the big reveal! I hope you guys like what I did with it!
raven - the - good - queen . tumblr . com (remove spaces) is the official blog I've made for this fic and is also partially dedicated to everything Raven Queen/EAH. So if you have tumblr, or even if you don't, have a look! Browse, send me your comments and thoughts on the fic, you can even submit a message or question to be answered by Raven!
"As you would say, that Royal story was 'just right'." Apple complemented and clapped with the rest of the class. Blondie had just finished her presentation for Professor Nimble's family tree assignment. It was quite sweet, really.
Raven swallowed nervously, she was up next. She shot Maddie, who sat closer to the bottom of the classroom, an anxious look. Maddie gave her one of her reassuring smiles that told her everything was going to be okay.
"Up last, Raven Queen." Professor Nimble called. Raven sighed and shuffled her way to the front of the classroom to face her peers. She floated over an enchanted presentation board that she left in the corner near the door and placed it on a stand.
She could feel everyone's eyes on her, and not in the nice way. She was about to explain the dark history of her family, but boy were they going to get a surprise at the end.
The Goth cleared her throat. "So, um, as you know I'm the daughter of the Evil Queen." Some shuddered at the very sound of her mother's title. "My mother came from a long line of dark witches dating back to the very years Ever After was created." The board's surface rippled and an old painting of three witches in dark robes were shown crowded over a bubbling cauldron.
"My fifth great grandmother led the Swamp and Mountain Troll charge into battle during the Troll War five centuries ago." The board rippled again to show a tall woman that had an extreme likeness to Raven, in dark armour and had a long sceptre in hand.
"Of course, as you know, they lost that war, but the witches before me continued to perform dark magic." The board showed a picture of a small family tree. "My mother had many dark faeries and even some, um, demons, along her family tree." Raven could see some students cower in their seats.
"The witches before me married into many Royal families." The board changed to show a picture of the Evil Queen, dressed in a beautiful dark purple gown standing next to a tall man with light hair, dressed in red robes. "My mother's first husband was the late King Leopold. She married him little while after his wife passed away. Snow White was previously her step daughter." Raven felt her mouth going dry as Apple watched her with a deep expression. Technically, Raven was just repeating Apple's family history from her presentation. But it wasn't Raven's fault that they shared a little of the same family history because of their stories.
"After the whole, um, poison apple incident," Raven mentally cursed her self for her wording. "My mother met and married my father, the Good King." The board then transitioned to show a picture of the kind Good King on his throne, dressed in his white, blue and gold robes, his golden crown atop his head.
A low murmuring spread through the class. Raven managed to catch snippets of her classmates' hushed conversations.
"Who's her father?"
"-Of the Good King-"
"-There's no way-"
"-what do you mean you didn't know?"
"I thought the Huntsman was her father-"
"-He's my father!"
"I though your dad was the Huntsman who saved Red Riding-"
"-he wasn't even a hunts-"
"-So she really is a Princess?"
Raven blinked. It was both amusing and confusing to see that the people who judged her so heavily didn't even know a thing about her.
"Class!" Professor Nimble yelled, and everyone fell silent. "Continue, Raven."
Raven nodded and took a breath, and smiled. "So, my father is the Good King. The kings and queens before my father ruled over the West with grace and dignity. My sixth great Uncle was the General that helped defeated my fifth great grandmother in the Troll War. My great great grandmother on my father's side created peace between the nations of Never After and Story Page, whom had been feuding for generations. My grandfather's brother fought for the rights of mining Dwarves and worker Elves."
The board shifted through the images of said relatives until it landed on a picture of a beautiful silver crown encrusted with diamonds and teardrop shaped cuts of amethyst. Raven took in some more air and continued. "My father's family had lived good lives, always for their people, for generations . . . and after graduation, I hope to join them as the next Good Queen of the Good Kingdom."
No one said a word. The Professor himself looked to be a little gob smacked. Raven looked to Apple, her mouth was agape and her were eyes unfocused, as if the news was too much for her brain to handle.
After the silence that seemed to go on forever, Maddie stood up and started to clap, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. "Crown Princess! Congratulations Raven!"
As soon as she said that, every rebel in the class (which was almost half) stood and cheered. Raven herself was astonished, but smiled in appreciation.
"Great work Raven." Professor Nimble informed, his voice a little unsure. "That's it for today class, you may go."
As soon as that was said, Raven's friends ran down from their desks to greet her with grins and hugs.
Cedar's arms found her first and gave her friend a hug that almost squeezed the life out of her. "Oh Raven! Congratulations!"
Raven blushed. "Thanks Cedar."
"We're so happy for you! When did your father break the news?" Cerise asked.
"A few weeks ago when I went to visit him." Raven explained. "I've been trying to find away to announce the news-"
"And you thought doing it in front of a class would be the way to go." Hunter finished.
"I never though you one for dramatics, Raven." Ashlynn said as Hunter wrapped an arm around her. "But I guess if you wanted to get some news across fast, that was definitely easier. Blondie has already announced it on her show."
"Good, I can finally get that off my chest." Raven said with a sigh.
"Yeah, but things aren't going to be easy, you know." Ashlynn said worriedly and looked to her boyfriend, remembering True Hearts Day. "People are always going to be in your face, trying to change your mind."
"I know, Ash." Raven nodded. "But I want to do this, I want to be a good leader and I want to send the message to everyone. That they can choose what they want, that they can make their own destiny's, you know?"
Ash smiled and kissed Hunter's cheek. "We know."
"C'mon guys, enough of the worry flurry!" Maddie babbled. "It's time to celebrate! And wait till Rae tells you about the ball!"
"You're going to have a ball?" Cedar asked excitedly.
Raven nodded. "Yes, and you're all invited!" There were cheers all around. Raven was so lost in the moment that she almost didn't notice the blur of red and bond that fled the classroom.
But she did.