Hiram Lodge lets out a low chuckle as he reads the headline on Riverdale's Newspaper. The headline, "New Riverdale resident is Not What She Seems,"is printed in bold and enlarged font. A couple of days ago, he'd bribed the newspaper chief, Alice Cooper, to write and publish the article after the festival.
Seeing how she felt the same way towards the mysterious princess due to her odd friendship with her daughter, she complied. Alice Cooper is the town's gossip and a know-it-all. She and Hiram rarely saw eye-to-eye, but when it came to Annabelle, they both agreed that she didn't belong in their fair city of Riverdale. They both hated her, even though Hiram's hatred of the mysterious princess is more personal than anyone knew. He continues reading the paper, eyes filling with surprise as he reads the part of the article that says Archie Andrews, the boy next door and star quarterback, has fallen victim to her supposed spell, becoming hopelessly entranced by her.
"Now, young princess. You will vanish from this town and never return." Hiram says to himself.
"Did you see this?" Betty exclaims, tossing the newspaper on her dining room table. Her mom looks up from her coffee and sees the paper.
"I did, Elisabeth. What's the problem?" she asks.
"What's the problem?" Betty demands. "I'll tell you, you made Annabelle sound like a criminal."
"We don't know who she is or where she came from, so she might as well be a murderer. Who knows?" Alice explains.
"How do you know?" fumes Betty. "Annabelle has been nice and kind to us, even towards you. She's my best friend, and you have no right to drag her name through the mud like garbage. You know, Mom, not only did you ruin the princess's reputation in this town with your filth piece, but you ruined Archie's. He's madly in love with that girl."
Alice shrugs nonchalantly. "Eh, all the better. That boy is nothing but garbage, too."
"Mom!" bellows Betty Cooper.
Alice stands and yells, "That's enough, Betty! I've had it up to here with your disrespectful attitude. Go to your room, now!"
Betty crosses her arms. "Bite me."
"That's it, young lady. You're grounded." Betty huffs and march to her room.
Annabelle stares down at the paper in her quivering hands.
"I-I can't believe this." she stammers. She turns to look at Archie sitting beside her on her bed. He puts an arm around her and pulla her close. The young royal laid her head on her boyfriend's shoulder and sobs quietly. "How can people be so mean?"
"I'm sorry, Annie. I am." Archie comforts. "I wish I could make it better." He rubbed her shoulder.
"This has my dad's fingerprints written all over it," Veronica states. She comes up to Annabelle, putting a hand on her arm. "Don't worry, sweet princess. Jughead, Betty, and I'll get to the bottom of this. I promise." With that, she leaves. "Thank you, Veronica," Annabelle said.
Veronica smiles and nods. Annabelle lifts her head off Archie's shoulder.
"Why does he hate me so much, Arch?" questions Annabelle. "I haven't done anything to him or anyone else." Archie hugs her as he whispers, "I don't know. Hiram Lodge is the only man I know who can hold a grudge longer than anyone else." Annabelle sniffles. She pulls away and rests her forehead against Archie's.