Ever After High Diaries

Duchess Swan's diary

Two Birds, One Throne

Nothing's more fableous than being fairytale royalty. Don't get jelly - you know it's true. Not just anyone can be the next Swan Queen. It takes a special je ne sais quoi - that indescribable quality that makes a person stand out from the flock.

Just don't lump me in with those other Royals at school. Unlike those overprivileged princesses, my Happily Ever After wasn't delivered on a silver platter. Hex, I don't even have a Happily Ever After. I'm destined to have a tragic ending, where I'm cursed into the body of a swan. Well, isn't that just spelltacular? It really ruffles my feathers.

But it's not going to be that way forever after. I have bigger plans. I'm going to live my Royal destiny, but there's no way this Swan has a Happily Never After. All I need is a window of opportunity, and I'm going to dance right through it.

Chapter 1

Before the bell rang, all the other girls flocked together to dish about all the high school drama. While they chit-chatted about boys and parties, I pored over my notes. Midterm hexams were only a few weeks away. It takes a lot to hocus focus to be the top princess in school, especially with distractions like Briar Beauty snoring in the back row all the time.

The classroom door CREEEEEKEDopen, and our Princessology professor, Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen, glided into the room. She pristinely cleared her throat.

"For your midterm hexams, you will be graded on your ability to inspire people with your Happily Ever After. This is the first step in carrying the torch of your story. After all..."

She turned to Apple White, "...without the fairest one of all, we wouldn't know how to survive jealousy." Apple proudly nodded. "Or..."

She turned to Ashlynn Ella. "How could anyone go from rags to riches without a Cinderella story?" Ashlynn sunk in her chair. "Or..."

She turned to me. Was she going to mention my elegance? My passion? My ability to express through dance what words cannot say?

There's so much to choose from... so what's taking her so long? After some awkward chin-scratching and eyebrow-raising, the White Queen turned her back. "Yes, well, you get the point."

Chapter 2

After the bell rang, I stayed behind."Excuse me, Mrs. Her Majesty the White Queen. " (She insists on being addressed by her full title.)

She gradually turned her head, "How can I help you, Miss... uh, Miss...?"

Was she being serious? I'm a top student! "My name's Duchess Swan."

"Well done," she said with great sincerity. "Are you here to enroll in my class?"

SERIOUSLY? "I'm in your class. You said we were being graded on inspiring people with our Happily Ever After. What if I don't have a Happily Ever After?"

She casually blinked. "Every princess has a Happily Ever After. Are you sure you're a real princess?"

"Of course I'm a real princess!" Careful! A White Swan doesn't let her feathers fly. "My fairytale is actually a ballet called Swan Lake. I'm the princess cursed into a swan's body by an evil wizard. Then my Prince Charming falls in love with me and promises to break the spell."

"And you live Happily Ever After," she said. "Simply enchanting."

This was the hard part. "Actually, he gets tricked into falling in love with the wizard's daughter, the Black Swan. The prince realizes his mistake, but it's too late. The evil wizard forces him to keep his word. But my prince would rather be with me forever after even if it means... even if..." Tears started rolling down my cheek.