Duchess tucked her wings, then perched on the dormitory’s stone ledge. As gracefully as possible, which is difficult when one has webbed feet, she stepped close to the window and peered through.
Raven’s desk lamp glowed. Her side of the room was a tangle of thorny branches and dark oak furniture. The ambience was foreboding. The decor had been chosen by Raven’s roommate, Apple White, to fit the image of what Raven was expected to be. The future Evil Queen was not supposed to surround herself with ruffles and colors, like Apple’s side of the room.
Raven sat slumped over her desk, writing. She was dressed in black leggings and an embellished hoodie, her purple-highlighted hair tied back from her face. Her expression was serious. Was she working on a to-do list, or writing in her diary? Maybe she was working on the thronework assignment.
“Did you read the hext from Blondie?” Apple asked as she flitted past the desk, her long nightgown drowning in ruffles. Luckily, the window was cracked open, so Duchess had no trouble eavesdropping.
“No.”
“She said that Lizzie Hearts might quit the Next Top Villain contest.”
“So?”
“So?” Apple squeaked. “You should be happy to hear that news. If Lizzie quits, it will make it easier for you to win.” She stood in front of her magic mirror, brushing her hair. “You’re going to win, right?”
“You don’t know?” Apple whipped around. “But you must win. You’re destined to be my Evil Queen.”
“What-ever-after,” Raven grumbled. “Look, I’m trying to read.”
Apple’s eyes widened. “What are you reading? Is it for your General Villainy thronework? What are you going to do? Will it be scary? Am I going to be the victim, which I’m totally willing to do, by the way? Should I alert the dwarves?”
Duchess leaned closer, pressing her beak to the glass. This was it. Raven was going to tell Apple about her rotten and nasty plan. A shiver of anticipation ran through Duchess’s feathers.
But Raven didn’t say anything. She turned the page, then glanced up at the window. Her eyes flashed. Oops. Duchess pulled her long neck away from the glass. Did she see me?
Raven didn’t come to the window, so it appeared that Duchess was in the clear.
“Well, whatever spell you decide to cast, I know it will be the best. I mean, the rottenest.” Apple giggled. “No one else can be the Next Top Villain but you, Raven. And then our destinies will begin, and you’ll become the evilest in our kingdoms and you’ll feed me that poisoned apple, and I’ll fall asleep and be kissed by Daring Charming, and live Happily Ever After, and it will be royally enchanting!”
Hate to tell you this, Duchess thought, but when I get named Next Top Villain, Daring won’t be able to take his eyes off me.
“I think you should stop worrying so much about our destinies,” Raven said. “Sometimes it’s better to live in the moment and not for the future.”
Easy for you to say, Duchess thought.
She shifted her weight on the ledge. Still hidden from sight, she cocked her head, listening for more conversation.
Apple hummed a little song, then said, “I’m going to bed now. Charm you later.”
“Good night,” Raven said drily.
Wow, talk about the odd couple. Duchess thought that she and Lizzie were the most mismatched pair in the dorm, but these two were like sugar and salt.
Suddenly, the window slid open and Raven stuck out her head. “Hello, Duchess,” she said.
Duchess honked.
“Are you spying on me?” She rested her chin in her hand. “Trying to find out what I’m doing for General Villainy?”
Duchess blinked.
“I know it’s you. You want me to think you’re Pirouette, but I can tell it’s you. Want to know how?”
As far as Duchess knew, she and Pirouette looked identical. No one had ever been able to tell them apart. She tore a piece of ivy off the wall and began to eat it, pretending she hadn’t understood a word.
“I can tell it’s you because you stand like a ballerina.” She pointed to Duchess’s webbed feet.
True enough, Duchess’s feet were turned out in first position.
Flustered, Duchess flew away.