The Apple of My Eye: Book Two (An Ever After High Crossover)

A Daring Hangout

"Do you think Kyle and Apple would want anything?" questioned Kenny.

Cartman gestured towards the array of freshly baked treats in the display case at Beanstalk Bakery, his mouth watering from the fresh scent of the sweets.

"How about we get them one of these pies, and I'll eat the rest of what they got on display," Cartman was rubbing his hands together, about to snatch all the sweets when Stan smacked the back of his head.

"Come on dude, you just ate! There's no way you're still hungry," said Stan.

Carman crossed his arms, rolling his eyes at the boy in the red poof-ball hat. "At least Kahl's princess would have made a deal with me..." sulked Cartman, flipping the bird at Stan.

"What does that hand gesture even mean?" asked Daring, scratching his head.

The boys looked at Daring in disbelief. Cartman tilts his head back, cackling at the prince.

"You see Daring, for a small fee I can teach you all about the art of swearing," offered Cartman. He placed an arm around Daring, rubbing the tips of his fingers with his thumb.

"Don't listen to him dude, he's just trying to make a quick buck off of you," said Kenny.

Cartman stops his foot on the ground in anger. "I hate you, Kenny! Why you gotta ruin my plan?"

Kenny shakes his head.

"Because you're a no-good greedy son of a bitch," Stan joined in.

"You wanna go, brah?"I'll go!" Cartman declared, his fists clenched, swinging them back and forth like a seasoned boxer.

Daring was perplexed, wondering how Apple managed to handle these guys. They were clearly different from his friends at Ever After High.

It wasn't a bad thing, though; it felt good to hang out with people he usually didn't, especially being royalty. Daring's father was strict about maintaining the Charming family's image. Daring was the most talented in the family, excelling at every sport or knighting event effortlessly. He was the one his father proudly presented to the fairytale world. Daring understood that the family's reputation hinged on his hands.

Upon learning that he was no longer the prince destined to inherit the throne of Apple's Ever After, his father's gaze changed. This troubled him deeply; he yearned to be the exemplary son and was determined to regain his father's pride.

Feeling ostracized and isolated, he spent his days longing for the past. Rosabella was by his side, yet she belonged to a future that had not been planned for him since his youth.

He believed that by watching over Apple, he could atone for his destiny and honor both his father and Apple's mother. However, Kyle's arrival shattered his plans to regain his father's favor. He harbored a secret hatred towards Kyle, feigning brotherly affection only to uncover and exploit his vulnerabilities.

Yet, as he spent time with Kyle, he found himself bonding not just with Kyle, but also with his actual brother Dexter. Together, they shared laughter and danced freely, without a worry in the world. The Thronecoming dance marked a significant moment for the brothers, as it was the most time they had ever spent together without self-centered motives.

Maybe Apple wasn't the only one Kyle had saved.

"You're only threatening me cause Kyle isn't here," Stan laughed at Cartman's temper tantrum.

Daring pressed his lips together, hand covering his mouth. The boys glanced at the prince, who was laughing uproariously.

"You guys are so...stupid! The looks on your faces are just...Hahaha."

Daring hadn't laughed like that in a long time. To be honest he can't even remember the last time he laughed like that in public.

'Maybe I should hang out with Ky and his friends more often. Who knows, it might strengthen our 'brotherly bond,'" Daring thought.

A loud ring on his MirrorPhone buzzed. His eyes in slight fear as he groaned in regret. "I have to take this, hexcuse me a moment."

The boys nodded their heads going back to their bickering with one another as Daring ran behind the bakery.

"Hello?"

There was a small bit of silence before a voice finally answers back.

"I trust that you've been keeping a close eye on my daughter. Now do tell, what does my little birdie have for me?"

Daring clenched his teeth, casting a quick glance back at the boys before fixing his gaze on his feet.

"She's perfectly fine, my queen."

The MirrorPhone vibrated, signaling a video chat request. Daring exhaled softly before agreeing. Snow White's face replaced the dark screen.

"Is that boy she's been seeing the reason my little apple is straying from the tree?" The queen raised an eyebrow in question.

Daring may have been panicking internally, but he excelled at keeping his emotions hidden. He was aware that revealing the truth about Kyle to Apple's mother would lead to a prohibition of their relationship. She would take any necessary action to separate them, even if it required hextreme measures.

"Not at all, my queen. He simply wishes for Apple to pursue her true heart's desire, and we both understand that her heart is firmly fixed on her destiny," Daring replied with as much honesty as he could muster.

Daring sensed the queen's scrutinizing gaze. He could only hope that she truly believed his words.

"Very well, thank you for keeping Apple safe. I trust that you know the perfect prince fit for her destiny since you are no longer-"

"Get back here you assholes!"

The only thought that flashed through Daring's mind was 'Oh no.' He glanced back to see Cartman making a beeline for Stan and Kenny, who were clutching all the food.

"What disgusting creatures. I wonder whose parents they belong to. I bet you one of them belongs to the Robin Hood family. I mean have you seen how Sparrow Hood came out?" groused the fairest one of all.

Daring gave a noncommittal shrug. "I'm not entirely sure, my queen..."

Snow White readjusted her posture.

"If you have anything else to report, you know how to contact me."

She ended the call. Daringly, he let his arm hang, phone still clutched in his hand.

"That was too close..."

"What's too close?" Kenny mused, catching a snippet of Daring's remark.

Daring slipped his phone into his back pocket and turned to face Kenny, along with the two boys who were still in pursuit. 

"My sister almost saw me in an untidy manner. It isn't royal to be looking like a mess, especially in front of your siblings on video call," smiled Daring.

***

Daring's smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and Kenny, nodding in response, couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that Daring was hiding something. Kenny clung to the hope that it was nothing major.