I. New School Year (Part I)


A/N: HEY! Vanguardian here, back at it again with another story despite having one already in the grinding mill! This story will still contain my OC Corvus Queen- half-brother of Raven- but it's set in a different universe. More specifically, in a universe where Corvus is the next Evil Queen instead of Raven.

Therefore, his characterization will be heavily different from 'Overseer of Ever After'. Unlike OoEA, this wouldn't have much war and violence (not unless necessary). Not to mention, more CANON CHARACTERS, OH, YEAH! This will be more romance driven than OoEA, so WATCH OUT! I don't half-ass the romance in my stories!

And, yes, we will have other ships here other than Corvus X Apple. It'll be:

Dexter X Raven

Daring X Cerise

Darling X Holly

Hunter X Ashlynn

Chase X Lizzie

(These ships will come in sooner or later as the story progresses.)

This will be a RETELLING of the ENTIRE show. I'll take some book-elements because the EAH books deserve all the love! I'm also going to use the lexicon, because I wanna.

WARNING/S:

-Curse/Cuss words.

-A character having a terrible personality.


Corvus approached the podium, shoulders stiff and chin held high. Though his strides are confident, his insides felt like churning butter. Had he not clenched his hands into fists, he's sure they'd be trembling up to his shoulders. He kept his gaze on the book in front of him.

'It's funny,' he thinks, gazing at it with the loathing and anger it deserves, 'how this one book controls the lives of all of us.' He stopped in front of it. 'I wonder… what would happen if I choose to rip it apart, here and now?' He scanned the multitudes of people staring at him intently. From so fairy up high, he couldn't tell what their hexpressions were.

He glanced over his left shoulder. Headmaster Grimm has his trademark glare solely reserved for Corvus. His thousand-yard-stare and slight sneer was meant to be domineering and threatening. Corvus can only think of fifty different ways to rip that look off of his face. Corvus sent him a glare of his own. A glare that says 'back the fuck off'.

On the other side is where Apple White stood. Far enough to not be seen on the stage, yet close enough that he can see the hexcited grin she sports. Well, it's not too hard to see she's hexcited. Her fist pumping at chest level is a fairy telling indication. The way she's acting reminds him of a child in a candy store who was allowed to pick as many candies as they want.

How adorable.

Of course, this just drives home why he's presenting himself to the entirety of his 'beloved' alma mater. With this in mind, he inhaled deeply. He straightened his posture and gathered all the resolve he has. There's no turning back now.

"I, Corvus Queen, son of the Evil Queen, am ready to pledge my destiny…"


[Two Weeks Earlier…]


"If he's to be the next Evil Queen, how does that even work?" A boy asked in hushed tones as Corvus passed by.

"First, Apple has blonde hair, now her Evil Queen isn't even a queen, at all! Rather, he's a king!"

"I pity Apple!" Another cried." She's so good and kind… she doesn't deserve this!"

"But have you heard?" A girl whispered conspiratorially, as though he can't hear them. "Just this summer vacation, he's apparently sent some of the Charmings to the hospital after a brawl! King Charming was furious!"

"Oh?" Another one gasped. "What an utter brute! Was Daring okay?"

"He's fine." The previous voice cleared up. "It was his cousins that got hurt, thankfully."

"Will Apple be fine with him as her villain, though?" A boy asked. "I'm more worried for her! What if he goes offscript like-"

He turned on his heel, sending his iciest glare at the people talking behind him. All talks stopped immediately. A tense sort of quiet blanketed the entire hallway.

Corvus doesn't revel in this. In the fear that strikes their hearts at a single glare from him. In the fear that creeps upon their hearts as soon as his hulking form comes closer and closer. Yet, here he is, withstanding their wide-eyed, frozen stares. As though one of them will make one wrong move and he's going to send them all to royally freeze where they stood.

He doesn't want to be feared. He doesn't want to be loved. He just wants to be left alone. Yes, he's aware at how petulant that sounded, but he just can't help it!

Fortunately, a voice cried out. "Look, look! It's Apple White! She's so-" The boy speaking swooned, cutting himself off. Corvus heard a slight 'thud'.

All turned to the wide entrance doors of Ever After High, even him. There she stood. Fairest of them all, tall, smart, gorgeous, and blonde. The last one is fairy ironic, since Snow Whites are known to have ebony black hair. Oh, well, not his problem if her genes decided to take the other route.

Another thing to note was the similarly blond jackass whose arm is looped with hers. Daring Charming- whose only redeeming feature was his good looks and his talent at athletics. Arrogant to a fault too, with the way he points a finger, smiling and winking at girls.

Not even an hour into entering the school- actually, not even thirty minutes in!- and he's already seeing her. 'Fairy Godmother,' he thought, hexasperated, 'what have I done this time to deserve this? Was it because I hurt those damn Charmings!? It was self-defense!'

He watched as they moved around, greeting and entertaining certain people- Blondie- regarding their relationship. All the while he tried his best to maneuver his way to the back of the crowd. Hopefully, his tall height and dark clothing won't give him away. Knowing his luck, however, he doubts it'll work.

"Oh, Corvus~!" Apple called, her melodious voice sing-songed.

Corvus grimaced, freezing in his spot. He was half-way through the crowd too! Said crowd parted to give him a wide berth, uncovering him further from Apple White and her boy-toy. Sighing, he turned around, uncaring whether or not his pissed off hexpression is visible, and trudged to an approaching Apple and Daring. He shoved his hands in his coat pockets. He stopped a few meters away from them.

He loomed over Apple, which is fairy easy to do. He is a little more than six-feet tall. With his green-and-violet eyes, Corvus glared at her, making a point to ignore Daring.

It might seem petulant, even for him, but honestly, he couldn't give a damn anymore. His cousins were the one who started the brawl and when Corvus kicked their collective asses, they whined and cried to King Charming.

Who just so happens to be Daring's father.

"Princess." Corvus greeted her a bit snappishly.

At his cold greeting, Apple beamed. "Watch out, Apple," Daring interjected, stopping whatever-after she's about to say. "He's a dangerous individual. Capable of taking down-"

Corvus interrupted him with an amused snort, rolling his eyes. "If this is about the collective beating I gave your cousins, then hex your facts, Charming." He slipped his hands out of his pockets, intentionally summoning some magic. At the green lights dancing at his fingertips, the crowd around them gasped in fear. Corvus grinned, cruelly. "They started it. I just ended it- the way I wanted it to end." He chuckled, seeing his angered face. "I'm quite impressed, by the way. I can't believe a dumb jock like you would know the word 'individual'."

The crowd all collectively gasped, scandalized, then whispered to each other. Daring sputtered, anger marring his handsome face. "That's uncalled for, you-!"

"Me?" Corvus leaned back, arms spread and a sardonic smile plastered on. "Me, what? Are you going to fight me, Daring?"

He shouldn't go an extra mile to act like a dickhead in front of all of Ever After. But one must commit to their roles. Even if they distaste said roles. Come to think of it, he's not being evil. He's just being an arrogant prick. Ah, well, vanity is one of his role's highlights. Might as well.

Daring stared at him, right at his mismatched eyes, anger brimming in his blue eyes. Corvus stared back, displaying arrogant smugness. None of them made a move to attack each other. The silence and aura around them was oppressive. If one would drop a pin, it'll echo throughout the wide, wide hall. Everybody was waiting for one of them to make the move, oh, so intensely that Corvus can't hear a single one of them breathe.

Idly, Corvus thinks that if they both keep this up, someone will faint from the lack of oxygen, no doubt.

"What's going on here!?" Headmaster Grimm's voice cut through the silence. Corvus turned around and saw him making his way through the crowd. The Headmaster's gaze landed on all three of them, hardening quickly. "What's the meaning of this!? Miss White, care to hexplain?"

Apple spoke up. "Headmaster, it was no-"

"Relax, Headmaster." Corvus drawled, stepping forward with a lazy smirk. "I was just testing if Daring here is worthy of being a Prince Charming." Behind him, he heard Daring let out a growl. Corvus's smirk widened into a grin.

"That is not for you to decide, Mr. Queen!" Headmaster Grimm snapped.

Corvus tilted his head, crossing his arms, feigning confusion. "No? Well, what if I go offscript like my mother?" He straightened, taking a few steps forward. His gaze is steady, like a lion eyeing his prey. "What if I decide to take over all of Ever After? Snow White won't be there- she'll be asleep with the poisoned apple I fed her. The only person who can rise banners underneath their name is Prince Charming. And if Prince Charming fails, then all of Ever After will. be. mine."

Corvus saw that with each word he spoke, Milton Grimm's eyes widened, primal fear shown in spades. "Was that a threat!?" He demanded.

"Merely a hypothetical question, Headmaster." Corvus answered curtly, turning around to gesture at Daring. "I would like to know that, in case me or any of my lackeys get any funny ideas, he'll be prepared to take me down. Kill me, if needed."

At his words, a new wave of shock enveloped the crowd. Kill him? Defeat him, yes. Imprison him, definitely. But… killing?

A movement caught his sight. His gaze quickly flickered behind the blonde duo and grinned widely- and sincerely. He walked passed them, not even glancing their way, and made his way through the crowds- who moved out of his path- to reach Raven and her friends. Cerise, Cedar, and Maddie.

Ah, yes, some of the people he actually likes in this school. Cedar is honest, almost brutally so- if it weren't for the fact that she just can't lie! Cerise has the deal with her parents- yes, he knows her parents after catching her going for a run in the Enchanted Forest one full moon- and she's royally friendly after he promised to keep her secret. Maddie is… Maddie.

"Hey!" He waved at them as he got closer. "How're you girls?"

Raven spent the last week of summer vacation staying over at Cerise's home in the middle of the Dark Woods. She wasn't with Corvus when he went to school earlier.

"Corvus!" Maddie greeted happily, throwing her arms in the air. "The group of four overly delighted in the whoopee of getting kips in oodles!"

He stared, trying to decipher the meaning behind that riddle. Not a second passed, however, and he just shrugged it off. "That's great, Maddie!" He said with a wide smile. "I'm glad you girls enjoyed your kips…!"

Whatever-after that is.

Maddie giggled, looking every bit as jittery as she usually looked like. "Uh, Corvus?" Cedar spoke, earning his attention.

"Hm?"

"Did you manage to anger Headmaster Grimm, again?" Cedar asked, looking behind him. Corvus turned around and saw said Headmaster stomping to them, a fierce kind of anger settled in his face.

"Ah, fuck." Corvus muttered.

"CORVUS QUEEN!" He screeched. "My office. NOW!"

"Welp," he turned to the girls, smiling apologetically, "I'm called." He sighed. "Too bad, I wanted to hear more of your week. I bet that's far more interesting than mine."

"Well, you shouldn't have made Headmaster Grimm angry." Raven said, raising an eyebrow at him. "It's barely the first day- classes hasn't even started yet!"

"I may or may not have pissed off the golden boy of the school." He shrugged, words nonchalant. "It's fun pissing him off. I'm just checking if he has any balls underneath all that make-up."

"That's childish and you know it." Raven chided, frowning.

The Headmaster yelled his name once more. "I'm coming! I'm coming!" Corvus grinned at them. "I'll see you later. Uh, I'll bring in some cake, for the dorm room warming party."

"You don't need to do that." Raven said. "Besides, Headmaster Grimm looks like he's about to have a conniption." At that, said Headmaster screeched his name again. "Go." She urged, an amused smile on her face. "Before he gives you a worse punishment than what he plans."

Corvus snorted, turning around. "What's he going to do?"


Apple's hexhilarated that Corvus's fairy willing to take on his duties as her Evil Queen. Not to mention, also fair, the way that he acts is perfect villain material!

The only way he can even be more perfect is if he's a girl. But, much like her blonde hair, she will overcome this and go through with her destiny. She'll prove to everybody that, despite the jarring anomalies from her fairytale, she's just as worthy as the previous Snow Whites!

However, that resolve doesn't ease off the slight fear she has for Corvus. It's natural to fear him, of course. He will poison her later on in their story, ever-after all. But that's not what Apple fears from him hexactly. It's the hidden potential of going offscript- much like his mother- in him.

Earlier, she saw the way his magic crackled with hexcited energy at the mention of going offscript.

Majority of her childhood, she was locked away from Ever After, only being allowed outside to go to Kingdergarden school. Even then, she's accompanied by a small army. The reason for this? The Evil Queen was wrecking havoc all over Ever After and Wonderland. Her mother and father genuinely feared for her life- their lives, then. Imprisoning the Evil Queen was a great stroke of luck, she heard her father say once. If it were to happen once again, it might doom everyone forever-after.

That's why, here she stands now, in front of the Headmaster's office, knocking. Well, she was about to when she heard voices inside.

"…as you wished, Headmaster!" It's Corvus.

Apple frowned lightly and glanced at the large clock nearby. It's already lunch time. This means that Corvus has been in there for nearly four hours now, likely missing his classes. That won't do. That won't do, at all! She can't have her villain uneducated!

"Well, here I am- acting like a grade A fucker just so your precious golden girl gets to be put in a pedestal contrasted against me! AS! YOU! FUCKING! WISHED!" He continued to rage.

Apple flinched, shocked at his words. "I don't like your words, young man!" Headmaster Grimm snapped.

"I don't give a shit if you like the way I speak!" Corvus snapped. Apple can hear a loud, menacing thud. "What I care about is you berating me for being hexactly who I needed to be! YOU want me to become a villain feared by everyone. Last year, REMEMBER!? You called me to your office, ordered me to be the villain I am meant to be! Well, guess what, Grimm!? YOU GOT THE VILLAIN YOU WANTED!"

Oh, no. It's getting physical. She's got to stop this!

She opened the door. Both pairs of eyes snapped at her. Corvus loomed over Headmaster Grimm, his palms laid flat on the dark wooden desk. Headmaster Grimm sat on his hexecutive chair, elbows resting on the desk with hands clasped together midair. Both of their eyes are alert and wide open.

"Miss White!" The harsh tone it had moments earlier was gone. "What can I help you with?"

"I-I knocked and you weren't answering so…" She took a deep breath, fighting down the blush rising to her cheeks. "I wished to talk about…" Her gaze slid to Corvus's hunched form. "A-And-"

Corvus's sighed, interrupting her. "You two clearly have something to discuss." He strode away from the Headmaster.

"I still haven't dismissed you yet!" Headmaster frowned, rising from his seat. "Get back here!"

Corvus whirled around. "Then give me my punishment!" He roared, bright green magic crackling at his fingertips and his shoulders. "What are you going to do? Hexpel me? Suspend me?"

"Watch your tone, Mr. Queen." Headmaster Grimm warned.

Apple saw the tic of Corvus's jawline. "You can't do anything to me. I have one year left. The only thing tying me down here is the fact that I've yet to sign my page in the Storybook of Legends," he looked at Apple over his shoulder, "I'm guessing you had a hand in that?" She doesn't. Honest to goodness, she didn't have a hand at the fact that his page-signing is delayed. "So," Corvus turned to Headmaster Grimm, "what's my punishment?"

Headmaster Grimm slid his gaze from a furious Corvus to a stunned Apple before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Nothing." He answered. Apple blinked. That… wasn't what she hexpected.

"Wait," Corvus leaned back, animosity immediately gone from his posture, "seriously?"

"Would you rather I actually punish you, Mr. Queen?" Headmaster Grimm glared at Corvus.

Corvus laughed, cruel and unrepentant. "It's nothing new." He said, pocketing his hands. "But this? This is new."

"Out! Get out!" Headmaster Grimm snapped, wildly gesticulating. Corvus turned his heel and walked out of the office, a wide, lazy grin on his face.

Apple looked at him as he walked past her. He didn't even give her a single glance. She turned her gaze from him to the Headmaster, who's looking at her hexpectantly. Tired, but hexpectant nonetheless.

She turned to Corvus's retreating back. "I'll… go and talk to him." Apple closed the door then ran to catch up.

Wordlessly, she slowed her pace to walk beside him. She racked her brain to try and find a way to converse with him, even just for a moment.

She can feel the students' gazes as they stared at the two of them. They weren't seen together on their own before, come to think of it. Not for long periods of time. He might hold a fairy important role in her story, but the amount of times they've interacted are far and few in between. He tends to be gruff and cold every time too.

But that's okay! He's not there to be friends with her. In fact, Apple wishes he so much as strike up the need to engage her in a rivalry that matches their mothers'. Instead, he seems to gain more satisfaction from annoying Daring.

"You didn't knock." He whispered, out-of-the-blue and in a-matter-of-fact way.

"H-Huh?" Apple turned him.

Voice still lowered, he spoke. "Earlier, you lied and said you knocked." Corvus glanced at her, mouth quirked up. "You lied, princess. Who would've thought that the good ol' Apple White ought to lie." A light blush of embarrassment grew on her face. He chuckled, voice deep. "Don't worry, princess. Your secret's safe with me."

"You were slamming the table!" Apple reasoned, although the blush hasn't died down. "I had no choice but to intervene!"

"All of us have two choices." Corvus stated, once again in a matter-of-fact way. They both halted their tracks- him first, then she followed suit. "You might think that there's no choice but there always is."

"The other choice would be to leave you to possibly hurt Headmaster Grimm!" Apple frowned, looking at him incredulously. "If it came to that, you might get hexpelled, then where would I be?"

He shrugged, in a fairy devil-may-care manner. "I never-after said it was a good choice." He said before continuing his walk. From the direction of their trek, she noticed that they're heading to the castleteria. "You must've heard our conversation." She looked at him guiltily. He only grinned, enjoying her shame. "My, my. Apple White, an eavesdropper and a liar? What has Ever After come to?"

He gasped hexaggeratedly, then laughing at her discomfort. "Enough of your teasing!" Apple snapped with a vitriol that shocked both of them. Evident by her sudden pause and his eyes widening a fraction. "I don't want it..." She adds, a bit more weakly.

Corvus stared at her, widened eyes softening. Almost intrigued. Her blush deepened, now possibly reaching to her ears. Once more, their walk was halted. She turned away, unable to stand it if he so much as laughs at her face once more. At his silence, however, she snuck a peek at him. He was looking at her with mild interest- head tilted with half-lidded eyes.

The light filtering through the school's hallway casted a light on his hair that makes it seem like it's blood-red instead of magenta. His mismatched irises- his right is violet, his left is green- seemed to glow menacingly. His dark olive skin was beautifully shaded by the light, making it seem like a gorgeous painting that she's seen in muse-ums.

He wears a black overcoat that easily gives him more of a domineering presence. Underneath is a skin-tight royal violet tee-shirt. Dark gray jeans with black high-cut combat boots. Not to mention his multiple ear-piercings, ring snake bites, and eyebrow piercings really gives him a delinquent look. His large, muscular, and looming frame also raises his already hostile image. Everything she wants in a villain.

"Then what do you want from me?" Corvus asked, voice hushed.

Apple remained silent. He took her silence as the answer itself and continued walking. She had no choice but the catch up. As they neared the castleteria, he pushed the grand doors open then looked at her. A rare picture of sincerity settled on his face.

"Remember my promise to you all those years ago?" He asked in an uncharacteristically soft manner.

Apple can't help but blink at those words. Yes, she still remembers his words from years ago. In fact, in the nights where her thoughts run wild with memories, that moment in time is something her mind always returns to. Before she can speak, he straightened his back and sent her leveled gaze.

"I would like it if you call off your attack mutt just this once." He curtly said.

'Attack mutt…?' Apple tilted her head, confused.

"What's going on here?" Daring demanded, causing Apple to turn to him. His usually handsome smile was replaced by a cautious glare as he approached them. "Apple, was he bothering you?"

Corvus ignored him, walking further inside. "Daring," Apple placated, walking to him and laying a hand on his arm, "we were just talking."

"He's a terrible person, Apple." Daring faced her, looking the most serious she's ever-after seen. "He sent six of my cousins to the hospital just because they encountered him in the middle of the night."

Apple looked at Corvus, watching as the people in line at the cashier let him through. "I'll be fine, Daring." She said, smiling sweetly at her Prince Charming. "Corvus didn't hurt a single hair on me." She gestured to herself. "See?"

Daring just looked at her, royally unconvinced, but said nothing.


A small box of thronecake in hand, Corvus pushed the door to Raven and Maddie's dorm room open. "Rae, I brought throne… cake…?" Corvus paused at the sight that greeted him.

Instead of Maddie in the room, it's Apple White standing there with Raven. Frowning, he set the box on a nearby table and walked to them.

"What's going on…?" He asked, gaze scanning the entire room. Somehow, Raven's decorations was imposingly evil and the other half was tidy, immaculate, and filled with reds and golds. He was able to piece two and two together from that alone. "Princess, what's the meaning of this?" He turned to Apple.

"Well," she clasped her hands together, smiling, "considering that you're my villain, I think I'd like to get to know you better."

"By making Raven your roommate!?" Corvus furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why, yes…?" Apple raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "She is your sister, ever-after all."

Corvus barely withheld the urge to start blasting everything to smithereens. Vaguely, he can hear Raven tugging at his arm and calling his name but all Corvus can do is stare at Apple White.

The utter gall she has bringing Raven into this! Years ago, when they've been introduced as each other's fairytale members, Corvus asked one thing- and one thing only- in hexchange for his obedience to become her Evil Queen.

Leave Raven out of this.

This is clearly a breach of that agreement. "If you wanted to get to know me better, make me your roommate!" He stepped forward, only to lurch back as he forced himself not to grab Apple by her collar. "Surely you can ask Milton Grimm for this!? You're his golden student, right!?" He faltered, voice failing him. "Just… just please, leave Raven out of whatever-after destiny we share."

Apple's shocked hexpression melted into one of guilt. "Of course." She assented and it took all Corvus has not to slump over and sob. However, he couldn't stop the shuddering sigh of relief that tore through his lungs. "I'll ask Headmaster Grimm. Right now, if it makes you feel better."

Clenching his jaw, Corvus sent her a grateful look.


Headmaster Grimm stared at the two of them like they grew five heads. Right now, the two of them are seated in front of him, in his office, discussing about the roommate problem.

To be royally honest, Apple hadn't hexpected Corvus to react the way he did. The desperation in his voice, the utter panic on his face, the wild fear in his eyes…

She glanced at him, still feeling the guilt that's settled in her gut like an uncomfortable heat-pack. He's hunched over, arms crossed and his downcast gaze was trained to the floor. It seemed like… he's trying so hard to look small- to be small. Whatever-after bravado's remained in him all but faded away.

"Miss White… are you sure about this?" Headmaster Grimm asked.

Apple turned to the Headmaster, nodding resolutely. "I am fairy sure, Headmaster Grimm." She declared with her chin held high. She looked at him in the eyes. "I wanted to get to know my villain and," she glanced at Corvus, "what better way would it be than to have him as my roommie?" She sent him her brightest smile.

Headmaster Grimm pinched the bridge of his nose. "Princess, I only care for your safety." He beseeched her, sending her a pleading look. "Mr. Queen isn't hexactly a lady you can room with. Not to mention, he's dangerous."

From the corner of her eye, she can see Corvus curl up tighter. "Headmaster Grimm," she began calmly, hands neatly placed on her thighs, "Corvus is an important member of my story. Without him, I won't be able to get my happily ever after. I need him."

Headmaster Grimm usually gave her so much, almost to the point of excess. Her birthday was hailed as a vacation day and has a contest where people will bake a cake all for her! While the school's rules still apply to her, she was given so much leeway than what was fair.

But this time, this time, Apple thinks that he won't budge to her request. A sinking feeling was dropped in Apple's gut. Surely, Headmaster Grimm can see her side, right? Corvus is essential to her story and she just wants to know the person who will change her life for the better!

Corvus stood. Apple snapped her gaze to him, alarmed. She soon relaxed when she saw the lack of hostility on his face. In fact, the way his jaw was set and his brow was furrowed shows determination. He held out his left hand to the Headmaster. A thrumming sound rang through the room, getting louder and louder with each second that passed.

Then a flash of light blinded her momentarily. As she slowly regained vision, she saw that a green sort of energy wrapped itself on Corvus's arm, starting from his shoulder and ending to his fingertips- like a bandage.

"I, Corvus Queen, promise that I shall not- will not- harm or hurt Apple White when we're in our shared dorm room. Not intentionally. This I swear upon mine and my ancestors' Magic. Let it be known that if I were to break this promise, I'd lose it."

She gasped, eyes wide, before turning to Headmaster Grimm. He's staring at Corvus's face then to his held out hand then back again. His throat bobbed as he gulped down, frowning at Corvus.

"I, Milton Grimm, will accept this promise and will be notified the fairy... hexact... moment Corvus Queen breaks it." Roughly, he took Corvus's outstretched hand. The sound of chains being pulled taut echoed throughout the room, louder than any thunder crackle that Apple has ever-after heard. The Headmaster soon dropped Corvus's hand as though it was diseased and walked to the window. He clasped his hands behind him, staring at the view outside. "You shall be moved to the living quarters nearest to this office."

Apple leaned forward, mouth hanging open in shock. A relieved grin bloomed on her face. She turned to Corvus as the feeling of triumph rushed through her. He spared her a glance before looking at Headmaster Grimm.


The hallways of Ever After High's dormitories were silent. Golden-orange sunlight filter through the tall windows that reach the ceiling. Outside, beautiful green grass and tall trees dot the landscape from afar. Surrounding the castle is the colorful, and tastefully decorated, fields of flowers. Reds, whites, violets, oranges, and greens inhabit Ever After's gardens. A bird or two sometimes flies by. Sometimes, they're the colored pixies whose fondness for the gardens is common knowledge.

A quiet trek from his old room to his new one.

"You didn't have to do it, you know." Raven said, breaking this silence. She's helping him carry his luggage to his new room, even if he denied her help. Corvus turned to her. "I'm fine with her being my roommate."

He sighed through his nose. "I just can't let you get caught up in all of…" He lazy gestured his hand mid-air. "All this. I'm the eldest child of Narcissa Queen. I get the fall- not you."

It took him a few more steps forward before her realized that she wasn't catching up. "Rae?" He sent her a worried look. Raven is looking at the tiled floor, face mildly contorted in what seems to be sorrow. Her hands clench and unclench beside her. "Raven." He walked to her, still levitating his items, and wrapped her in a tight hug. "Hey, it's okay." He whispered, keeping an eye on their surroundings. "This is how it's supposed to be. Let me handle this."

"It's unfair." Raven said, muffled by his coat. "You're a good guy, Corvus. I wish everybody here can see that."

Corvus said nothing, only tightening his hug on her momentarily. He pulled away from her with a reassuring smile, levitating his baggage once more. Raven only looked at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. Corvus hastily looked away, feeling his throat tighten.

"The… The room's still quite some distance away." He hoarsely said, keeping his gaze in front. "White's probably already decorated my side of the room. Or at least, she's planning to. Knowing how easily she can ask people to do her bidding, we'd better hurry up."

He forced his hand to stiffen, clenching his jaw. Any signs of weaknesses right now will not be tolerated. If he so much as shows a tiny bit of weakness in front of his little sister, he will never after forgive himself.

He will bear the burden of being the Evil Queen. All punishments that is ordained to a villain shall be his and his alone to suffer. He will be strong. He will endure. He has to be. No amount of begging will move him from this. This is his destiny as the eldest Queen.


A/N: I know, I know, Daring's not one to throw hands at people willingly, but think of it this way; Corvus is a special case. He's known to hurt people- even sending them to hospitals. So, of course, Daring- who's trained to be a hero all his life- would be cautious, if not antagonistic, to Corvus.

edited: 6/18/2020

edited: 6/15/2020

edited: 7/27/2021