Ever After High AU: Book 2 - Hearts and Thrones

Chapter 13 - Twists and Panic

Raven's POV

Raven was working on her thronework in her dorm when she is jolted from her concentration by 3 firm knocks at the door. She takes a few deep breaths as she turns around in her seat to see Ashlynn already opening the door for Hunter.

This was not unusual, even before Raven and Ashlynn became roommates. Hunter and Raven had been friends forever after. Partly out of their parents' connections, but mostly because Hunter is a genuinely good friend and person who takes the time to get to know you. So even when Raven and Apple were roommates, Hunter would parasitically come over to check up on Raven or to just hang out. Those visits began to  increase dramatically, though, when Ashlynn moved in. Now it seemed Hunter was over every other day, either to pick up Ashlynn for a date or outing, or to hang out with Raven, or both of them... Just whatever was planned.

What was unusual though was how scared he looked. This in it of was worrying since Hunter is typically a pretty brave individual. He quickly comes in - leaving the door open per dormitory rules - and turns to Raven.

"Have you gotten any text messages from Dexter today?" Hunter is panting hard and his voice is breathless, like he ran all the way here.

Raven blinks in surprise, about to answer when her Mirrorphone dings with a notification. She grabs it and it takes a minute for the words on the screen to register in her brain, but when they do her heart breaks.

Dexter

Thank you for everything. I'm sorry I wasn't able to say goodbye in person

She shows Hunter the message who promptly  takes out his own Mirrorphone, his own Message App opened.

Dexter - Roommate + Friend

I'm sorry. My Dad is making me leave EAH. Thanks for being my friend.

Raven feels herself go ice-cold and she chest get tight. She grabs the back of her chair to ground herself. "Wha - What..?"

"After Hero Training, Dexter's dad basically ordered him via text to meet him in the Enchanted Forest," Hunter runs a hand through his hair, "I offered to go with him, but he shook his head in a 'no'... I thought.. I thought that meant everything would be..." He leans his head back, taking a deep breath in though his nose, lips pursed. The hand in his hair runs down the side of his face and to his jaw, "..Why would his dad just... Pull him out like that?"

"King Charming is not one to go off script, even by Royal standards," Ashlynn says, voice hollow. Hunter and Raven turn towards the princess and Raven's is shocked at how ashen her roommate suddenly looks. Hunter immediately goes over to comfort her - being the good boyfriend that he is - and asks her want she means by 'even by Royal standards".

Ashlynn takes a deep, steadying breath, "King Charming has high expectations for his kids, but especially Daring and Dexter. He always expected them to be the perfect Prince Charmings, all the time, especially in public, but in private as well." She looked down at the carpet, grasping Hunter's outstretched hand. Hunter gently pulls her into his side to ensure she remains steady on her feet.

Raven clutches the back of her chair. King Charming's expectations for his sons reminded her of... well, her mother's. Just replace being the perfect Prince Charming with being the perfect Evil Queen and it honestly doesn't sound that different.

"No wonder we bonded so easily," Raven thought, then another thought occurred to her.

"What is King Charming's expectations for Darling?" Raven asked. Ashlynn slowly rasied her head, a thoughtful look on her face, before pale realization took over. She bit her lip as she explained that, "King Charming's expectations for Darling were to be the perfect princess - beautiful, quiet, a damsel who would let her future husband run everything while she just sat there looking pretty."