𝕰𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝕬𝖋𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕳𝖎𝖌𝖍: Princess In A Shining Armor #EAHWattyAwards2018

Chapter 1: Born To Be Royally Rebellious

Princess Darling woke to the sleepy bleating of a horse. The world was as dark as midnight-but perhaps the horses could smell dawn sweeping through the tiny cracks in the walls. Though still a bit half-asleep, she was aware of the chill of winter slowly melting to the warmth of spring just around her comfortable bed. However, all she wanted was to roll over inside her blanket like a bear and have a dreamless slumber once more.

"Good morning, Darling!" Maribelle exclaimed from behind the door.

Darling winced as the governess opened the thick curtains, which suddenly filled the room with sunlight.

"C'mon now," Maribelle beckoned and took Darling's blanket off her in just a second. The princess opened her eyelashes and looked through her window beside her bed. The sun was setting into the bright emerald forest.

The last page of summer is finally closing. It's the first day of Boarding School, the fabled Ever After High, where children of fairytale heroes and villains are trained and fulfill their destinies as the next generation of fairytale creatures.

Darling sat up from the bed and stretched her muscles out. "What time is it?" she yawned.

Maribelle laughed softly. "It's six in the morning, child. Why don't you clean yourself up while I'll cook breakfast?"

Darling nodded with a smile while Maribelle closed the door behind her.

This summer had been so much fun. There's no homework to do everyday-just plenty of hours to practice fencing with her father and, of course, with her two lovable brothers tagging along. King Charming believed that his children have great potential to become brave knights or heir to the throne-like how Charmings were. She spent her time meeting with Rosabella in the nearby library. Darling loved learning to properly ride a horse outside their castle and staying up late talking to her siblings by the friendly fire.

Darling tried very hard to forget about her first year. Queen Charming was shocked when her daughter announced that she was placed as a Rebel. Yet, she did her best to listen sympathetically to her mother's grievances. Darling was the only female born in the family. Her mother was genuinely grateful to have the opportunity to teach her before Legacy Day. When she was at the age of eight-Queen Charming forced her to go to the well-known Princess Academy—doing curtsies, talking to creatures, practicing perfect etiquette. You would have guessed that she has done so correctly.

Although she longed to get out of there.

But Darling was eager to rejoin her friends at Ever After High for her second year of boarding school. Back then, the future had seemed so distant.

The clock cuckooed, calling her to go to the dining area.

Darling put on her fuzzy slippers and left her room. The Charming castle is enormous, but she could smell the bacon from afar. She glanced around the area if anybody was there lurking in the corner. Sighing in great relief, she ran to the massive Great Hallway before anyone could catch her.

When she was a young lass, the castle had teemed with servants and assistants. All of them had watched the children, ready to tattle to their mother if they caught them breaking the house rules and basically doing anything rebellious.

"Sweetheart," her mother would say. "Do I have to remind you that you shouldn't sleep late at night? You might get dark circles under your eyes."

Darling couldn't even look at her mother's eyes. "I-I was fencing with Dexter. I'm s-sorry, mother."

"You're a princess, Darling," whispered the queen. "You should be eager to become the first Charming to bind yourself to follow the Storybook of legends that will show you your destined story."