Dexter's Plan
Darling wasn’t the only one suffering.
Dexter had been watching the slow-moving disaster that was Darling’s love life with a mix of amusement, second-hand frustration, and deep, personal pain.
At this point, she and Apple were both clueless—and painfully stubborn. It was like watching two characters in a story who obviously belonged together but refused to read the script.
So, naturally, as her brother and a self-declared expert in romantic disasters, Dexter decided it was time for some Charming intervention.
“You need a push,” Dexter told Darling as they walked through the castle halls.
Darling groaned, rubbing her temples. “I don’t need anything, Dexter.”
“You do,” he insisted. “You like Apple. She probably likes you too. But instead of doing anything about it, you keep running away.”
Darling scowled. “I do not run away.”
Dexter crossed his arms. “Then what happened during the Prejudice Game?”
Darling winced. “That was… different.”
“Sure it was.”
She shot him a glare, but he only smirked in response.
“Fine, genius,” she muttered. “What’s your big plan?”
Dexter’s grin widened, a spark of mischief lighting up his usually awkward demeanor. “I’m going to get you two alone. Somewhere romantic. Somewhere you can’t escape.”
Darling narrowed her eyes. “Dexter.”
“I’m thinking candlelight,” he continued, completely ignoring her warning tone. “Maybe a private balcony?”
“Dexter.”
“Trust me. It’ll be perfect.”
Darling sighed, dragging a hand down her face. “This is going to be a disaster.”
Dexter just smirked. “You’ll thank me later.”
Dexter should have seen the warning signs.
He had the perfect plan. He pulled a few strings (okay, mostly just bribed Hunter with homemade pastries) to get access to one of the lesser-used balconies of the castle. It had a gorgeous view of the Enchanted Forest, soft lanterns casting a warm glow, and—most importantly—no easy escape routes.
Getting Apple there was easy. All it took was Daring dramatically lamenting that Darling needed her opinion on something “deeply personal and life-changing.” Apple, ever the dedicated friend (and, in Dexter’s very informed opinion, crushing hard), had agreed without hesitation.
Darling, on the other hand, required significant effort.
It involved Raven threatening to hex her. Rosabella dragging her through the halls. And Dexter standing guard to make sure she didn’t bolt.
But eventually, the plan worked.
Apple and Darling were alone, the door shut firmly behind them.
Now all Dexter had to do was sit back and let romance take its course.
Except.
Fifteen minutes later, the door slammed open.
Darling stormed out first, looking furious.
Apple followed, her expression unreadable—but there was something in her eyes. Something raw, like she’d been thinking about too many things at once.
Dexter’s stomach sank.
“What did you do?!” Darling snapped, jabbing a finger at him.
“Uh,” Dexter started, already realizing he might not live to see tomorrow.
Apple sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I’m going to bed,” she muttered before walking off, leaving the two siblings standing awkwardly in the dimly lit hall.
Darling turned back to Dexter, arms crossed. “Fix it.”
Dexter gulped. “What… exactly happened?”
Darling exhaled sharply and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I panicked.”
Dexter frowned. “Panicked how?”
Darling hesitated. “…I may have told Apple that you locked us there because you thought she had a crush on Daring.”
Dexter stared at her. “You WHAT?!”
“I panicked!”
“That’s not panicking, that’s self-sabotage!”
Darling groaned, pressing her forehead against the wall. “I know, okay? I know. But she just—she looked at me, all confused, and I froze. I had to say something.”
Dexter pinched the bridge of his nose. “And she believed you?”
Darling hesitated. “…I don’t know.”
Dexter sighed. This was worse than he thought.
For a brief moment, he considered giving up. Let them suffer. Maybe they deserved to drown in awkward pining forever.
But then he remembered the way Apple looked at Darling.
How her gaze lingered.
How she followed Darling’s lead in ways that didn’t seem conscious.
How she always smiled just a little softer when Darling was around.
She likes her, Dexter thought. She just doesn’t realize it yet.
And if Darling was going to be a disaster about her feelings, then maybe… just maybe, Dexter could do something about Apple.
The next morning, Dexter sought out Apple.
He found her in the Royal Library, flipping through a book but clearly not reading it. She seemed distracted, her usually poised expression unusually uncertain.
Dexter took a deep breath. “Hey, Apple.”
She glanced up. “Oh. Morning, Dexter.”
He hesitated. Then, carefully, he sat across from her.
“So… about last night.”
Apple’s grip on the book tightened slightly. “Mm.”
Dexter leaned forward. “Darling was lying, you know.”
Apple blinked. “What?”
“The whole ‘you like Daring’ thing? That was her panicking. She just blurted out the first thing she could think of.”
Apple was silent for a long moment. Then she set the book down, folding her hands together. “…Why would she panic?”
Dexter gave her a knowing look. “Why do you think?”
Apple’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Dexter watched as she processed that. It was slow, like puzzle pieces shifting into place.
Then, softly, she murmured, “I don’t—” She cut herself off, biting her lip. “I never thought about it before.”
Dexter smiled gently. “Maybe it’s time you do.”
Apple exhaled, rubbing her temples. “Darling’s going to kill you for this.”
“Probably,” Dexter admitted.
Apple gave him a small, thoughtful smile. “But… thank you.”
Dexter grinned. “Anytime.”
Later that day, Darling stormed into his dorm room.
“What. Did. You. Do?” she hissed.
Dexter didn’t even look up from his book. “Oh, nothing. Just made sure Apple knew you lied to her.”
Darling groaned dramatically and flopped onto his bed. “Dexter, I swear—”
“Relax.” He turned the page. “I might have also nudged her in the right direction.”
Darling sat up sharply. “Nudged how?”
Dexter smirked. “Let’s just say… she’s thinking now.”
Darling blinked. “…Thinking?”
“Yep.”
Darling narrowed her eyes. “That sounds vague and suspicious.”
Dexter shut his book and grinned. “I know.”
For the first time, Darling didn’t look annoyed.
She looked hopeful.
And for Dexter, that was definitely worth the risk of whatever chaos would come next.