A New Beginning
The year was coming to an end, and with it came the grand Ever After High Celebration Ball.
It was the event of the year, the one night where the entire school—Royals, Rebels, and everyone in between—came together to celebrate the passing of another chapter in their stories.
For Apple White, it was more than just a ball.
It was a statement.
Tonight would be the first time she and Darling made a public appearance as a couple at an official royal event.
And Apple was nervous.
Standing in front of her mirror, she smoothed out the folds of her gown, trying to steady her breathing. Her dress was stunning—a red-and-gold masterpiece that shimmered like it had been woven from magic itself. But no matter how regal she looked, the nerves in her chest refused to settle.
Because she knew what tonight meant.
She and Darling had already faced whispers, judgmental stares, and resistance from their parents. But this was different. Tonight, they would be seen—not just as friends, not just as a knight and a princess, but as partners.
Would people accept them? Would they mock them?
A sudden knock on the door snapped Apple out of her thoughts.
She turned. “Come in.”
The door opened—and Darling stepped in.
And Apple forgot how to breathe.
Darling was stunning.
She wore a royal-blue suit with silver accents, her white hair elegantly braided over her shoulder. She looked both regal and effortlessly attractive, confidence radiating from her like a knight walking into battle.
Apple’s heart stuttered.
Darling’s own face went a bit pink as she took in Apple’s gown. “Wow,” she murmured. “You look… incredible.”
Apple smiled, stepping closer. “So do you.”
Darling exhaled, her usual confidence faltering just a little. “Are you ready for this?”
Apple laced their fingers together, her touch firm and reassuring. “With you? Always.”
When they entered the ballroom together, the world stared.
The grand hall was alight with golden chandeliers, casting a soft glow over the sea of students in their finest gowns and suits. Music swelled in the background, but for a moment, it was drowned out by the hush that fell over the crowd.
People whispered.
Some gasped.
Some glared, their expressions stiff with disapproval.
But some—some smiled.
Apple held her head high. She refused to shrink under their gazes.
Darling, at her side, squeezed her hand gently.
And then, as if the moment had never happened, the music resumed, and the murmurs faded into the usual chatter of the ball.
Apple let out a small breath.
Darling caught her eye, smirking. “That wasn’t so bad.”
Apple arched a brow. “We haven’t danced yet.”
Darling grinned and held out a hand. “Shall we?”
Apple hesitated only a moment before placing her hand in Darling’s.
And then they moved.
As they twirled across the ballroom floor, Apple felt everything else fade away.
The tension. The expectations. The weight of tradition pressing down on her shoulders.
None of it mattered.
Not when Darling was looking at her like that—with the softest, most adoring expression Apple had ever seen. Not when their movements were perfectly in sync, the music carrying them effortlessly across the polished marble floor.
Apple had danced at countless royal balls before. But never like this. Never with her heart so full, her hands so sure, her smile so real.
She caught a glimpse of the crowd as they danced, trying to gauge their reactions.
Some students were still whispering behind their hands, but others… others were watching with quiet awe. A few of the younger princesses even looked downright enchanted, their eyes sparkling with wonder.
Like maybe—just maybe—this was a story they could see themselves in.
Apple’s heart swelled at the thought.
Then, from the edge of the ballroom, she spotted Rosabella and Daring watching them.
Briar was there, too, grinning wildly as she leaned close to Rosabella, whispering something in her ear.
Whatever it was, it made Rosabella flush bright red.
Apple smirked. Finally.
Darling, following her gaze, caught on immediately. “Think we should speed things up?” she murmured with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Apple laughed, twirling gracefully under Darling’s arm before pulling her close again. “Let them suffer a little longer.”
Meanwhile, on the sidelines—
Rosabella Beauty was not having a good time.
It wasn’t the ball itself—she loved the elegance, the excitement, the beauty of it all. No, it was the fact that Briar was being insufferable.
“Admit it,” Briar teased, sipping her enchanted cocoa. “You’re jealous.”
Rosabella crossed her arms. “I am not jealous.”
Briar arched a brow. “So if Daring asked you to dance right now, you’d say no?”
Rosabella’s mouth opened—then shut again.
Briar’s grin widened. “Ha! Gotcha.”
Rosabella huffed. “That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Oh, sure it doesn’t,” Briar said, looking far too smug. “You’re totally fine with watching him stand over there looking all charming and dramatic and handsome—”
“I never said that.”
“—all alone, just waiting for someone to ask him to dance—”
Rosabella glared.
Briar took another sip of cocoa, clearly enjoying this too much.
And across the room, Daring was going through his own crisis.
“Daring,” Darling said sweetly, a teasing lilt in her voice. “When are you finally going to admit you have feelings for Rosabella?”
Daring choked on his drink.
“Excuse me?!”
Darling grinned, clearly having the time of her life. “Oh, don’t play dumb. It’s painfully obvious.”
Daring sputtered, wiping at the front of his pristine white suit. “I—I do not—”
Darling tilted her head. “Really? Because you’ve been staring at her for the past five minutes.”
Daring groaned, burying his face in his hands. “This is so unfair.”
Darling patted his shoulder. “Welcome to my world.”
Across the room, Briar and Darling made direct eye contact.
They exchanged identical knowing smirks.
Operation Make Daring and Rosabella Confess was officially on.
Back on the dance floor, Apple and Darling had fallen into a natural rhythm, the rest of the world melting away.
Apple’s heart thrummed with joy as she gazed up at Darling, who was so effortlessly charming, so completely hers.
She felt weightless. Like a girl in a fairy tale, except—
Except this wasn’t just a story written for her.
This was their story. Their ever after.
And they were writing it together.
The song slowed.
As the final note rang through the air, Apple and Darling came to a stop in the centre of the ballroom, breathless and smiling.
A moment of silence followed.
And then—
Applause.
It wasn’t everyone. There were still a few faces stiff with disapproval, a few turned heads, a few hesitant expressions.
But some people were clapping enthusiastically.
Raven was the first to cheer, standing at the edge of the room with a proud, almost smug smile.
Briar whistled loudly.
Even Ashlynn and Maddie clapped happily, their eyes bright with excitement.
Apple felt something warm and fierce bloom in her chest.
They weren’t alone in this.
And as Darling turned to her with that soft, affectionate gaze, Apple knew—
No matter what came next, no matter what challenges they still had to face…
They were in this together.
And that was all that mattered.
Their story had just begun.