It was a spellbindingly crisp morning at Ever After High. Dew still clung to the leaves of the Enchanted Forest as students bustled through the rose-trimmed courtyards, books in hand and destiny on their minds. Raven Queen, however, had something else on her mind. Something she wasn't supposed to be thinking about during History of Evil class.
Dexter Charming.
She slouched low in her seat, pretending to take notes while sneaking glances at him across the aisle. He was fiddling nervously with his pen, trying to focus, but his eyes kept drifting toward her, too. Every time their eyes met, they both looked away at lightning speed—like two awkward lightning bolts trying not to strike.
"Psst," Maddie Hatter whispered from behind her, upside-down in her chair for no particular reason. "You two look like deer caught in a fairy ring. Just saying!"
Raven nearly dropped her quill.
After class, she ducked behind a towering spellbook shelf in the Library of Legends. A few seconds later, Dexter slipped in beside her, almost knocking over a stack of scrolls.
"Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to—are you okay? Did I—are we—are you mad?" Dexter whispered rapidly, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Raven blinked at him, flustered. "Dexter. Chill. We're okay. I just—uh—I thought we were meeting near the Enchanted Locker Tree?"
"I tried, but Duchess Swan was having a meltdown over a broken mirror, and I didn't want to get caught in a tragic monologue."
Raven snorted, then immediately tried to hide it. Dexter caught the laugh and grinned like a dork. Raven's heart did a weird little flip. Ugh, how was she this into him?
"We're doing good, right?" Dexter asked after a beat. "Keeping things low-key?"
Raven nodded. "Totally. Super incognito. Master spies."
Across the library, Cupid and Cerise Hood were sitting at a table pretending to read. Cupid leaned toward Cerise, whispering, "They're so awkward, it's honestly precious."
Cerise smirked. "Raven blushed when Dexter smiled. I think she's broken."
Back in the hidden corner, Raven pulled out a small picnic box from her spellbag. "I packed us lunch. Kind of. It's just hexberry tarts and dark chocolate bites. But... you know."
Dexter's face lit up. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever made for me. And also the most delicious-sounding. Can I hug you? Wait—can I say that? Or is that too relationship-y in public?"
Raven stared at him, then burst out laughing. "You're such a dork. But yeah. Hug away."
He hugged her—awkwardly, kind of bumping her hairclip and knocking his glasses askew—but she hugged back anyway, holding him a little longer than necessary.
"Okay," she said, pulling away, "we are definitely nailing the secret thing."
Later that day, the Castleteria buzzed with its usual lunchtime chaos. Raven and Dexter entered separately, sitting at different tables like they'd planned. Raven slumped next to Maddie, who was arranging teacups in alphabetical order.
"So," Maddie said without looking up, "how's life with your super not-secret boyfriend?"
Raven choked on her fruit fizz. "Wh-what?"
"Oh please," Maddie giggled, "everyone knows. Apple's making a scrapbook."
"What scrapbook?!" Raven hissed.
"Our Favorite Moments of Raven and Dexter: A Collection," Maddie replied cheerfully. "She's already got photos. You two are not subtle."
Meanwhile, Dexter sat with Hunter Huntsman and Hopper Croakington II.
"So how's your totally public relationship going?" Hunter asked with a grin.
Dexter blinked. "It's not public."
"Dude," Hopper said, "you were blushing so hard in class, I thought you had a fever. Also, Raven drew little hearts in her notebook. With your name."
Dexter groaned and buried his face in his hands.
Just then, Cupid floated into the center of the Castleteria, trailing rose petals and confidence.
"This next song," she said into her heart-shaped mic, "goes out to Ever After High's favorite power couple—Raven Queen and Dexter Charming!"
A spotlight appeared out of nowhere—probably Cupid's magic—and landed right on them.
Raven froze mid-sip. Dexter looked like a petrified statue.
"Oh no," Raven whispered. "Abort mission. We've been made."
Everyone clapped. Hopper stood up and gave a standing ovation. Apple White teared up and started passing out celebratory cupcakes. Even Headmistress Grimm, standing in the doorway, gave a subtle nod of approval.
"You all knew?" Dexter asked, voice cracking slightly.
"Of course," Apple said with a graceful toss of her golden curls. "True love isn't exactly easy to hide."
"We were rooting for you!" shouted Lizzie Hearts.
"You're all… okay with it?" Raven asked.
"Darling," Cupid said, landing softly beside her, "Ever After High was starving for a new romance arc. You two are literal destiny goals."
Raven turned to Dexter, red-faced but smiling. "So, uh. Guess we're not a secret anymore."
Dexter scratched the back of his neck. "Nope. Not even close."
She reached for his hand. "Wanna be awkward in public together now?"
He grinned, gripping her hand back. "More than anything."
And as the music swelled and the crowd clapped, Raven Queen—daughter of the Evil Queen—stood tall beside Dexter Charming, realizing that for once, happily ever after didn't need to be perfect.
Just real.