Dexter was supportive as ever, but he wasn't great at hiding his shock.

"It's just…" he took a deep breath, trying to find the words "It's a lot to take in."

"You're telling me." Raven sighed taking a few sweets from the bowl that Dexter had snuck into the fort. "I can't imagine how Apple's taking the news."

"She's still MIA?" Dexter asked. "I thought she would at least talk to you."

"Not since we got the news, but I'm honestly more concerned about what's gonna happen when she comes back."

They sat in silence for a while.

Raven turned to Dexter, eyes wide.

"You don't think people will start treating Apple the same way they treated me do you?" She couldn't picture it, but a lot of the residents of Ever after could be so small minded. "I don't think she could take it."

"Would they have a reason to be worried?" Dexter asked thoughtfully. "I always thought people were scared of dark magic." He paused. "Not that I'm scared of your magic!"

Raven laughed and lightly tossed a book at him.

"You were scared of my magic" she teased.

Dexter easily caught the book and gently set it down.

"Hey! Don't hit a guy with glasses!" He exclaimed in mock outrage. "Also I was not afraid of you!"

They spent the rest of homeroom catching up on what they missed.

"No way! She actually hit her?" Raven gasped.

During the Thronecoming day Parade, Odessa Von Rothbart (daughter of the Black Swan) had her float prominently display an image of a defeated Siegfried and Odette. The Charmings had been pretty upset, but that didn't even begin to compare to Duchess's rage.

"How tacky!" Raven exclaimed. "Why was she allowed to have that?"

"Something about respecting the stories" Dexter rolled his eyes "I mean, I'm not even that close with my Grandfather, and I was still disgusted!" He shook his head and continued the story.

Duchess had started screaming at Odessa! How she should be ashamed of her mother's actions.

"What happened next?" Raven asked intently.

Odessa just sneered at Duchess and then spoke.

"At least I have a mother."

"NO!" Raven exclaimed , knocking over several books. "Are you serious? I can't imagine how Duchess reacted to that!"

"I can" Dexter said, "All anyone could do was watch her."

Without hesitation Duchess grabbed the drapes of the float and yanked herself to the top. Once she pulled herself up she ran up to Odessa and punched her, hard.

Odessa went flying into the display, pieces flying everywhere, and immediately got up and charged at Duchess. While they fought the float hit a bump and lurched forwards. The force threw both girls off and they landed in the crowd, the whole time the fighting never ceased.

"So who won?" She couldn't hide her curiosity anymore.

Dexter just shrugged. "I left before it got worse. Better to let the strongest princes…" he paused "the strongest princes and Cerise handle it."

Just as he spoke, the lunch bell rang.

"Oh crap!" Dexter cried "I lost track of the time!" He glanced at Raven "Sorry Raven! I wish I could stay here longer, but my next class is with Professor Rumpelstiltskin, and I'm gonna need the extra credit!"

Raven smiled sadly, she didn't want to go back to those prying questions, but she needed to face reality eventually.

They climbed out of the fort and Raven hugged him close.

"Say hi to Daring and Darling for me ok?"

Dexter hugged her back.

"I will… I love you Raven, regardless of your story."

Raven could feel herself feeling tearing up.

"Love you too Dex."

They kissed each other for the first time in weeks, not wanting to let go and be separated again.

There was an awkward cough.

Immediately they broke the kiss and stumbled back in embarrassment.

Duchess stared at the two with a raised eyebrow.

"Uhhh, gotta go Raven! Bye!" Face flushing, he dashed out of the room.

"So um…" embarrassed Raven could help but stumble over her words. She and Duchess had become reluctant friends during the "Next top Villain" competition, but she wasn't sure how she would react to the news.

"You probably already heard this but… uh, we'll the rumours are-"

Duchess held up her hand, cutting off Raven's awkward rant.

"I heard everything during your little play-date with Dexter, and even if I didn't it's not exactly a secret." She didn't sound annoyed, but she still rolled her eyes.

"So you don't care?" Raven asked.

"I'm a little pissed that Dexter can't tell the difference between me and Odessa!" She honked in indignation.

"I- what? No." She bit her lip, "oh sorry about that! I didn't realize you were here!"

"Clearly" Duchess honked, "and to answer your question, I don't think you're suddenly a different person just because you happen to related to Snow Bitch."

Raven held back a laugh. Duchess had gained a lot of interesting… vocabulary since she started taking General Villainy.

"Aren't you gonna get in trouble for being late?" Duchess asked as she went back to stacking books. Raven noticed that she was getting coverup on the books she touched. That fight must have really done a number on her.

"No, I'm technically still off until Friday, I'm just moving back into our-I mean my dorm." She said with a cough. "I'm still coming to my next class today though, I wanna catch up with some of my friends."

"What class do you have next?"

"General Villainy."

"I have that class next."

"You said you wanted to catch up with you friends."

"I know."

"Oh, I see." Duchess muttered shyly. I have to stack books as punishment for the whole 'incident' at the parade, do you want me to walk you to class after I'm done?"

Raven smiled.

"Love to."

A thousand scenarios went through her head as she walked down to the dungeon. They had snuck out of the library before lunch ended and decided to head to class early.

"Duchess what was it like when you got back? Did people make fun of you? Did people pick sides? Did they stare? Did your friends act weird around you?"

"Yes." Duchess replied nonchalantly.

Noticing Raven's worries face she elaborated. "I don't think these are the same Raven, I mean, you basically became the next in line to rule this entire kingdom. This is long term, but a school fight."

Raven drooped sadly, and nodded. Duchess came of as pretty harsh a lot of the time, but she wasn't try to be mean (not at this moment anyways). Raven always liked that about her, especially now.

"And Raven?"

"Yeah?"

"I absolutely won the fight!" She beamed and swung open the door.

Apparently General Villainy students had taken to eating lunch in class. Which would have been nice to know earlier.

Duchess entered first to the sound of cheering.

"There's our champion!" Hunter declared with a clap.

The rest of the rebels clapped and whistled like Duchess was a wrestling champion.

"Blondie better thank you for her that story! The views on her channel have been odd the page since that fight." Ramona chuckled.

"It took forever to pull you guys apart! You are surprisingly strong." Cerise chimed in. "I didn't think ballerinas had so much muscle."

"I'll admit, as bad as that was, it was kinda nice to hear about something other than the whole Raven and Apple debacle." Cedar sighed.

"How many more detentions do you have again Duchess?" Lizzie asked. "I'm always worried when you walk home, the sun sets so early this time of year."

"Eh, only about another week, I'm a little sick of doing library work. Literally nothing happens there."

Raven cleared her throat.

"Oh yeah Raven was there today too I guess." Duchess said rolling her eyes.

The entire class gaped at her.

"Uh… hey guys?"

"RAVEN!" Cerise cheered.

Everyone except Faybelle, who was sitting at a table in the corner, ran up to her.

"Raven you're back!" Lizzie said gleefully! "We have so much to talk about."

Cedar was basically jumping with joy.

"I cannot tell a lie, I'VE BEEN SO WORRIED!" Cedar looked like she might cry. She ran up and hugged her. "You have to tell us everything about you and Apple!

Cedar immediately stepped back and clamped a hand over her mouth.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that."

Raven smiled.

"That's ok I know you can't help it. But I will tell you! I want to make sure you guys know the truth." She grabbed Cedar back into the hug, Lizzie and Cerise joined in.

"Group hug!" Hunter declared, he grabbed Ramona's arm and pulled her over.

"Hey watch it!"

Hunter pulled Duchess in as well, and they all crowded together.

"Welcome back Raven." Hunter smiled.

"Ow! Hunter be careful. I'm still injured."

They separated and Lizzie started tending so Duchess's bruises.

"Cerise when did you start taking this class?" Asked Raven. Cerise still has to keep quiet about the whole "being related to the big bad wolf" thing a secret, the school couldn't take another scandal right now. Little red riding hood wasn't exactly the villain type. Though, it wasn't exactly a secret, most of the rebels knew already.

"I've got a free period. But forget about that! Tell us everything!"

The class bell rang and Mr.Badwolf walked in.

Raven noticed that he was in human form, she was so used to seeing him as a wolf that she forgot he could change at all.

"That can wait until after class. You all need to step up you test scores. Especially you Mr. Huntsman!" He glanced at Raven, "Queen, I noticed that your move in date was today." He glanced at some papers, "You we're not required to come to class until Friday, and you skipped the first two periods, looking into villainy as a career?"

Raven shrugged "I wanted to see my friends."

Faybelle scoffed.

"That is NOT a good reason to come to class Ms.Queen, but I suppose it will have to do for no-"

He was cut of by the sound of the phone ringing. He picked it up and went into the other room. The students decided to finally get ready for class, but nobody could really focus with Raven finally back. They began to chat amongst themselves until they heard a roar coming from the other room.

"ARE YOU INSANE? OUR SCHOOL IS ALREADY IN CHOAS AS IT IS! NOW YOU WANT TO ADD THIS IN? AND YOUR ASSIGNING IT TO ME TO DO. HOW TYPICAL!"

There was a pause.

"RIGHT NOW? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING! FINE,BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR MISTAKE TO FIX WHEN IT ALL GOES TO HELL!"

Mr. Badwolf slammed his phone down and returned from class shaking with rage. But despite his anger, he looked pale as a ghost.

"Ahem… we'll if there's no need for delay then let me mark Raven down for attendance."

Just as he spoke the door flung open. Out stepped a young girl wearing a bulky grey hoodie and track pants. She walked briskly past the rest of the students and sat herself down at a table furthest away from the other students. She pulled her blonde curly hair away from her face, and revealed the large dark circles underneath her eyes. Despite her appearance everyone recognized her immediately.

"Good afternoon Apple White, welcome to General Villainy."