Love in the Open
The news of Darling Charming and Apple White dating spread through Ever After High faster than a magic beanstalk.
People talked. Gossiped.
Some were excited, gushing about how romantic it was. It was the perfect love story—two princesses defying expectations, choosing each other instead of the carefully laid-out paths their parents had set.
Others were surprised, not quite sure what to make of it. Apple White, the picture-perfect future queen, and Darling Charming, the rebellious knight with no interest in being a prince? It was unexpected, to say the least.
And then there were those who were less than thrilled.
Including Apple’s parents.
Queen Snow White had been furious.
“This is not your destiny,” she had said, her voice sharp with disappointment, her usually kind eyes clouded with frustration. “You were born to follow in my footsteps. To marry a prince. To continue the legacy—”
“I was born to make my own choices,” Apple had responded, firm and unshaken. Her heart pounded, but she stood her ground. “And I choose Darling.”
The queen had been too stunned to respond.
Her silence should have been a victory, but the coldness in her gaze stung worse than any argument could.
Apple had always been the perfect daughter. The one who never disappointed. The one who followed the rules, who did what was expected of her. The one who never caused trouble.
Until now.
Darling had been there, waiting outside the castle when Apple had finally stepped out after her mother had stormed off. She hadn’t said anything, just pulled Apple into a hug, holding her tight as Apple trembled.
“I’m proud of you,” Darling had murmured into her hair.
And Apple had clung to her, because she needed to hear that.
Because standing up to her mother had been terrifying.
Because deep down, a part of her feared that maybe, just maybe, she was making the wrong choice.
But then Darling had pulled back, brushing a strand of hair behind Apple’s ear, looking at her with so much warmth, so much love, that all the doubts melted away.
And Apple knew.
This was right.
Of course, the tension between Apple and her mother didn’t disappear overnight.
The queen’s disapproval was ever-present, a shadow lingering over Apple’s every step. Their conversations were clipped, the warmth that had always been there now replaced with an uncomfortable distance.
But Apple stood strong.
And Darling stood beside her.
Meanwhile, in the halls of Ever After High—
“So,” Briar drawled as she flopped onto the couch next to Rosabella. “Your best friend is dating the future queen. Thoughts?”
Rosabella crossed her arms, not looking up from her book. “Good for them.”
Briar smirked. “That’s all?”
Rosabella finally looked at her, one brow arched. “What else am I supposed to say?”
Briar leaned in, grinning like she was enjoying this way too much. “Oh, I don’t know… maybe something like, ‘Wow, I’m so happy for them, but also a tiny bit jealous because I secretly wish I had something that cute with a certain Charming prince?’”
Rosabella choked.
“I—”
Briar’s smirk widened. “Come on. Everyone knows you and Daring are pining.”
Rosabella scowled, adjusting her glasses. “I am not pining.”
“Uh-huh.” Briar’s tone was drenched in disbelief.
“I’m not,” Rosabella insisted, shoving her book in front of her face as if that would end the conversation.
Briar just grinned.
Because she knew Rosabella too well.
Meanwhile, across the room—
“Daring,” Darling said sweetly, her arms crossed as she leaned against the table. “When are you finally going to admit you have feelings for Rosabella?”
Daring, who had just taken a sip of his drink, immediately spilled it all over himself.
“Excuse me?!” he spluttered, grabbing a napkin and dabbing at his shirt.
Darling smirked. “Oh, don’t play dumb. It’s painfully obvious.”
Daring coughed, looking anywhere but at her. “I—I do not—”
Darling arched an eyebrow. “Daring, please. I have eyes.”
Daring groaned, burying his face in his hands. “This is so unfair.”
Darling patted his shoulder sympathetically. “Welcome to my world.”
Across the room, Briar and Darling exchanged knowing looks.
A silent agreement passed between them.
Operation: Make Daring and Rosabella Confess was officially on.
The next few days were absolute chaos.
Briar and Darling took it upon themselves to make Rosabella and Daring realise their painfully obvious feelings for each other.
The first step? Forcing them to spend more time together.
“Oh, no!” Briar gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I completely forgot about my study session with Rosabella! Daring, be a dear and take my place?”
Daring frowned. “Why would I—”
“Because you owe me,” Briar said, cutting him off with a too-sweet smile.
Daring narrowed his eyes. “For what?”
“For existing,” Briar said. Then she turned to Rosabella. “Right, Rosy? You don’t mind, do you?”
Rosabella shot her a glare. “I mind very much.”
Briar waved her off. “Too bad! Have fun, you two!” And before either of them could protest, she was gone.
Daring sighed. “I guess we’re studying together, then.”
Rosabella scowled. “Looks like it.”
They sat in silence for a long moment before Daring cleared his throat. “So… um. Books.”
Rosabella groaned. This was going to be a long session.
The next step? Teasing them relentlessly.
Briar and Darling made a game out of dropping not-so-subtle hints.
“So, Daring,” Darling mused one afternoon, “hypothetically speaking, if you were to date a rebel, which one would it be?”
Daring frowned. “What kind of question is that?”
“A fun one,” Briar added with a grin. “Come on, tell us.”
Daring hesitated. Then—he glanced at Rosabella.
Just for a second.
But Darling caught it.
Briar caught it, too.
“Oh my gods,” Briar whispered. “You like her.”
Daring immediately went red. “I do not!”
Rosabella, overhearing, nearly tripped over her own feet.
Darling and Briar smirked at each other.
This was going to be fun.
And so, the game continued.
Darling and Apple were making history.
Rosabella and Daring were one well-placed push away from admitting their feelings.
And Ever After High?
Well, Ever After High loved a good story.
This one was just getting started.