Chapter 1
Raven
I didn't mean to make the whole entire school hate me. More importantly I did not mean to make her cry. I never meant to destroy the one moment, that I knew meant so much to her.
I, Raven Queen, never intended to do any of these things.
Then again...
Maybe I truly was wicked, despite my hopes and beliefs that I was not the person, legacy wanted me to be.
Maybe, our story always contained an tainted opening. After all the Great Authors did make me a male.
When everyone knows that the old hag etched in Snow White’s tale was a jealous middle age woman. Not a man, unimpressed with his own vanity.
I mean there had to be some logical reason as to why I still wasn't feeling guilty about what I had done at "Legacy Day"
Why I felt empowered in that moment of pure rebellion. Despite knowing I was throwing not only myself, but others in lethal danger.
Approaching the apple framed door, plastered in various glass shards of heavenly golden and deep ruby, I hesitated to even open my mouth again as her sobs continued to rumble through the dark hall.
I knew that I couldn't leave things broken like this between us.
I may not be sorry for my actions, but I can say that I am sorry my choices devastated her like this.
Though our fellowship over the years had thrived in vain as it was. I was determined to keep it. Soon to be villain---or not! Considering what I had just proposed only a mere hour ago.
Rapping my amethyst ringed hand upon the beds of glass, I waited patiently with a heavy heart.
Now, when I said I waited patiently, I mean that I waited for over an hour at that door. Silently praying she would come, or at least stop sobbing long enough to tell me to go away.
"Apple, please I know you're in there...and I know you don't want to talk to me, but you have to understand---I had to do it. I’m not that wicked person that destiny wants me to be. I am who I-"
"BUT WHY CAN'T YOU BE YOU AND JUST DO WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO? I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE YOU TO NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF MY LIFE! INSTEAD, I'VE DONE NOTHING, BUT TRY TO WELCOME YOU ABOARD! HOW COULD YOU HAVE OF DONE THIS TO ME? AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE DONE FOR YOU?!"
Her voice caught me off guard as the door flew open. Her fierce sapphire eyes pierced into mine for the first time in our lives.
Giving her a weak smile, I gazed upon her and pretended that those daggers were not targeted towards me.
"You've done a wonderful job welcoming me, ever since we first met in Nursery Rhyme School." I answered, not responding fully to any of her questions.
Instead, I allowed myself to reflect on memories of our early years. Long before things became so complicated and we were being forced to embrace our destinies. Allowing them to unfold without our control.
In our small school, Apple was the first person in our class to acknowledge my presence. She was also the first person I had ever made the effort to be kind to.I wanted to maintain a friendship with her, I wanted her to stay.
Looking back on those years of joy, Apple was right!
Through every chapter of our lives, she had done nothing but build a golden bridge between us.
Almost, as if she had been trying to make up for the "Happily Ever After" I, as a villain would be forced to give up. In exchange for making her's come true.
She crossed her arms, her golden brows furrowing, as the storm in her eyes calmed.
"You didn't answer my question Raven! ...Do you not understand that if you don't go to Headmaster Grimm and accept your legacy that Daring and I may never get married? THAT I MAY NEVER BE QUEEN-AND THAT WE COULD DISAPPEAR JUST ALL BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE EVIL? " Apple then paused, pointing a finger at me.
"WELL- I’ve got news for you... Your life isn't being lived for just YOU! and I can't believe that even after this, you're just going to go back to your desk and pretend as if I never uttered one word in protest to your logic."
Apple sighed,lowering her gaze."I just can't believe you sometimes." She muttered.
Rolling my violet eyes, I lowered myself, until I met her gaze.
"How do you know that's what I’m going to do?" I questioned.
"Because I know you." she replied tiredly.
I sighed, wishing I could tell her that she was being silly.That I was, in fact, going to Grimm's office right now. But she was right. My stubbornness was likely going to place me at my desk. Unconcerned about the mess I had made for not only "our" story but the fates of other stories that were likely going to be changed up. All because of my actions.
I watched Apple as she kept her head tilted towards the floor, focused on the cherry-oak floorboards beneath us. I allowed myself in the meantime, to think for what felt like forever after.
Soon after Apple stepped away from her door frame.
Draping herself across her fainting couch, she left the door open to me for whenever I was ready to talk to her again.
Laying in silence,she fidgeted with her thick framed glasses.
Stepping further into the golden and red realm that was known as Apple's room, I did my best to avoid stepping upon her pearls, the oceans of fabric from her gown, and upon the majestic crown she had worn only hours ago with pride, as they laid carelessly scattered on the floor.
I could tell "Legacy Day" was something that Apple no longer wanted to think about, let alone pretend to care about anymore.
I had ruined everything for the person who spent four years preparing her Legacy Day speech, and a whole lifetime dreaming about the day that was suppose to make her life complete.
I knew I couldn't give her this day back, nor could a simple apology mend everything I had shattered, but here I was ready to try all the same anyways.
Approaching the fainting couch as she remained laid back upon it, I knelt down on one knee.
I approached the fainting couch where she lay, and knelt down to one knee. "Do you remember what I said about everyone getting to choose their own destiny now?"
Apple, gave me a reluctant nod in response as she continued to toy with her glasses.
I extended my hand out, reaching over and gently placing it on her's. In attempt to fully gain her attention.
"I know you're upset, and I know what you want, but I'm not rejecting my role to hurt you Apple, I am truly not. I'm doing this for you"
She blinked silently. Allowing my words to sink into her mind for a few moments. "What do you mean you're doing this for me?"
"I-I-" I stammered. Feeling as tongue tied as Hopper did when Briar was about. I tried to not let my fears prevent me from speaking about the way I felt any longer. But before I could gain the courage to speak, her impatience reared its head and she cut in.
"See? You don't even know why...Don't act like you had an answer, I know you're just trying to distract me and quite frankly I don't have the mind to play games right now. So why don't you just leave me alone so I can do my best to forget this night! I need to finish my "Kingdom Management" project anyways." She said forcefully.
Nodding, I rose and silent left. As the door to her room disappeared behind me, I quietly scolded myself for missing my chance.
Scowling, I strolled across the parlor, which served as the main entry way between our dorms. I suddenly collided with what felt like a brick wall.
Hearing the affection cries of a man, I quickly spit out an apology. I instantly regretted it.
It was Daring Charming, Ever After High's most anticipated future King. He was whining about how our collision had created creases in his tuxedo.
In a strange way. he and Apple shared many physical traits. They both had locks of gold, silver-blue eyes, and fair skin.
My parents, often joked that they were the most perfect couple there ever was. Stating that they only cared for one another because they were sheer reflections of each other.
I attempted to rise to my feet quickly, so I could get away from Daring, but instead when I looked up, all I caught was the blinding beams of his perfectly glued smile.
He kept his smile, as he helped me to my feet.
"Oh birdman, you're quite the pathetic sight to behold. First, you choke on your legacy day speech.Then you ruin it for the rest of us, and now you're trying to ruin my Happily Ever After." Daring sighed, before he proceeded to effortlessly slam me into the nearest wall. "I'll just make this easier on the both of us." He hissed. "I'd rather not decorate my new silk coat with your blood. So heed my words, Apple isn’t interested in freak shows like you, and neither am I. So just crawl back into the shadows where you belong." Daring growled, ramming me back against the wall once more, before he carelessly dropped me to the ground.
"Oh and a word of advice" He said smugly, as he knelt down next to me. "Remember the rules from the old "Golden Book"; villains don't live happily ever after with the royals, They're instead, wiped out of everyone's memories by heroes like me."
