The Charming's Ball
The grand halls of Ever After High glittered with golden chandeliers, their warm glow reflecting off the polished marble floors. Every year, the Charmings’ Ball was one of the most extravagant events on campus, a dazzling spectacle meant to celebrate the legacy of the famed royal family. The air was rich with the scent of enchanted roses, and the soft hum of the magical orchestra practicing in the distance added to the anticipation in the atmosphere. And this year, Darling Charming was tasked with making sure everything ran smoothly.
It was a responsibility she had taken very seriously. She had been overseeing decorations since early that morning, adjusting banners, approving catering choices, and ensuring the enchanted orchestra was in perfect harmony. Every detail had to be flawless, and normally, she would have been fully in her element. But even with all her careful planning, one thing kept throwing her off course—Apple White.
Apple wasn’t doing anything wrong, not really. She was just… there. Existing. Smiling too brightly. Laughing too melodically. Flipping her perfect golden hair too effortlessly. Darling found herself getting distracted every time Apple waltzed into a room, and it was becoming a serious problem.
“Darling, do you think the floral arrangements would look better with more roses or more lilies?” Apple asked, her voice sweet as spun sugar. She was holding a sample bouquet, her delicate fingers tracing the petals as she examined the options.
Darling swallowed hard. She was supposed to be making decisions, not standing there like a flustered mess. “Uh—roses?” she guessed, but immediately regretted it. Apple loved roses. What if she thought Darling was trying to impress her? Or worse, what if she didn’t think anything of it at all?
Apple beamed. “Great choice! Roses it is!”
Darling let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. She mentally cursed herself. She was supposed to be composed, the epitome of a Charming, but every time Apple so much as looked in her direction, she felt her heart galloping like a wild stallion.
From the other side of the ballroom, Rosabella Beauty nudged Daring Charming with her elbow, her amber eyes twinkling with mischief. “You seeing this?” she whispered.
Daring scoffed, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Seeing what?”
Rosabella rolled her eyes. “Darling. Apple. The way she gets all red every time Apple looks at her?”
Daring barely spared them a glance. “That’s just how she is. She’s, uh… intense.”
Rosabella smirked knowingly. “You’re so oblivious. It’s adorable.”
Daring turned to her with an offended look. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Rosabella teased, leaning in slightly, as if daring him to challenge her.
Daring opened his mouth, then closed it, clearly searching for a rebuttal. He had none. Instead, he turned back toward the ballroom and muttered, “Whatever.”
Rosabella laughed under her breath, satisfied. But deep down, she felt a warmth creeping up her own cheeks. She hadn’t meant to make that comment—at least, not so openly. She brushed off the thought and focused back on the main event: Darling’s unfolding disaster.
Meanwhile, Darling was doing everything in her power not to make a fool of herself in front of Apple. She was failing miserably.
As the finishing touches were being placed on the ballroom decor, Apple turned to Darling again, her expression thoughtful. “You know, I think this is going to be the most beautiful Charmings’ Ball yet.”
Darling nodded stiffly. “Yeah. Should be… nice.” *Nice?* That was all she could come up with? *Get it together, Charming.*
Apple giggled, the sound like the soft chime of bells. “You always take these events so seriously. It’s kind of cute.”
Darling felt her brain short-circuit. *Cute. Apple White just called me cute.*
She barely managed to stammer out, “Uh, thanks?” before she heard another snicker from across the room. She turned sharply, eyes narrowing at Rosabella, who was now watching the scene unfold with open amusement.
Rosabella whispered something to Daring, who smirked. Whatever they were saying, Darling was certain it was at her expense. She clenched her jaw. Oh, she would get them back for this.
Before she could plot revenge, Apple’s hand brushed against hers as she adjusted a bouquet on the table between them. Darling went rigid. The warmth of Apple’s touch lingered far longer than it should have.
“Are you alright?” Apple asked, tilting her head in concern.
Darling forced a laugh, taking a step back. “Yeah! Totally! Just, um… thinking about logistics.”
Apple raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. “Logistics?”
“Yes. You know. Uh, event things. Timelines. Music. Decorations.” Darling knew she was rambling, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “Making sure everything is, uh, perfect.”
Apple smiled fondly. “You always work so hard. I’m sure it’ll be amazing.”
For a split second, Apple’s gaze softened, and Darling felt a flicker of something terrifyingly warm in her chest. But before she could dwell on it, Apple turned away to check on another part of the ballroom, leaving Darling standing there, utterly dazed.
Across the room, Briar Beauty entered the scene, taking one look at Darling’s expression before bursting into laughter. “Oh, this is *priceless*,” she said, sidling up next to Rosabella. “Is she always this bad around Apple?”
Rosabella grinned. “You have *no idea*.”
Daring, still slightly pink in the face from Rosabella’s earlier teasing, crossed his arms. “I don’t get it. Why doesn’t she just *say* something?”
Briar snorted. “You *really* don’t get how crushing works, do you?”
Rosabella smirked. “Not surprising, considering *his* situation.”
Daring frowned. “What’s *that* supposed to mean?”
Rosabella leaned in just slightly, her voice teasing yet laced with something deeper. “You tell me, Charming.”
Daring stiffened, his mouth opening, but no words came out. For once in his life, the ever-so-charming Prince Charming was *speechless*.
Briar cackled. “Oh, this is *so* much fun.”
Darling, meanwhile, had finally regained some of her composure—only for it to shatter once again when Apple glanced back over her shoulder and *smiled* at her.
The night was young, and Darling had a sinking feeling that her struggles were only just beginning.