Thursday followed Wednesday, as it tended to do, except for that one time when the Science and Sorcery class accidentally conjured a time spell and the days of the week got jumbled. Thursday meant that there’d be a meeting of both Hero Training and Damsel-In-Distressing.

Darling didn’t have to worry about the hero class, because firstly, she wasn’t a hero, and secondly, she’d had no right impersonating her brother and attending class in his name. Seriously, that had been wrong. And she should never do anything like that again.

She called Dexter. Hunter answered his MirrorPhone and said that Dexter was still sick in bed. As she showered and dressed, one question spun around in her mind. How could she make things right for her brother? When he did go back to class, he’d be expected to joust with nearly perfect precision. Maybe he could learn to match her skills eventually, but not by this weekend! What could be done to save him from further embarrassment?

Only one answer came to her, and though she debated it over and over, it seemed to be the only solution. It would require more risk, but that didn’t worry Darling. These days, Risk was practically her middle name. Especially after yesterday.

Her heart still fluttered when she thought about the passion in your kiss and the way you held her as you both slept. When she woke up, it was your face she saw first. Just thinking about it got her giddy.

She had a boyfriend. Definitely a first for her. Though, she had other fish to fry.

She couldn’t wait to share her plan with Dexter. After a hurried breakfast of lumpy porridge, she headed to her brother’s dorm room. Along the way she accepted two boxes of chocolates, caused a fight to break out, and was handed a rather prickly uprooted rosebush. She couldn't be rude to them, but she was now in a relationship so it was impossible now for her to truly accept their affection.

Darling: Uh, thanks.

Up ahead, a group of boys crossed the commons, with Daring in the lead. Dressed in their suits of armor, helmets tucked under their arms, they were stirring up quite a bit of attention. Even Darling stopped to watch the procession. No matter which side of the aisle you stood, Royal or Rebel, the knight in shining armor was one of the most celebrated characters in the fairytale world. As the morning sun glinted off their chain mail and crests, a little shiver darted up her spine.

Today it was her turn to be the hero, for she was determined to save Dexter’s reputation.

Well, actually, she was determined to ruin it.

Darling’s idea was this. Because of her nearly flawless display in class, she’d set a standard that Dexter could never meet. Even if he had a new visor that fit over his glasses, the truth was that Dexter possessed a very different skill set than his brother or sister did. It was stressful enough that everyone expected him to be number two, but now they expected him to be better than he could ever be.

So Darling’s answer was to go to Hero Training class dressed as Dexter and erase her previous performance. She’d miss the target, she’d lose her balance, and she’d show everyone that it had been a fluke and that Dexter was back to his old self. Then, when he got over princely pox and returned to class, everyone’s expectations would be back to normal.

You told her that it was not a good plan and suggested to come up with something else. She told you it was fool-proof.

She knocked on the door, and when no one answered, she tiptoed in.

Darling: Dex?

Hunter was with the other Hero Training students, and Mr. Cottonhorn was nowhere to be seen. Dexter, however, was in bed, fast asleep. The spots on his face had gone from a pale blue to royal blue, which was more fitting his complexion, but still looked weird. His medicine sat on the bedside table. She glanced at the red warning label: CAUSES DROWSINESS.

Poor guy. Should she wake him? Her hand floated above his shoulder. What if she woke him and he told her not to go to Hero Training? What if he forbade her? She tapped a finger on her chin. Perhaps she shouldn’t wake him. After all, sleep was important.

It would be selfish of her to interrupt his recovery. She’d go to class, then come back and tell him the good news—that once again, Professor Knight and the students didn’t expect more from him than second-best.

And so, after slipping into her workout shirt and pants, and tucking her dress, heels, and tiara under Dexter’s bed, she put on the armor. Then she flipped her hair, slowing time so she could run down the hall and get to the field just as class was beginning.

Hunter: Dexter? What are you doing here? You looked terrible this morning. I thought you were too sick to joust.

She didn’t have to respond, because her brother stepped in.

Daring: Charmings are never too sick. We have superior immune systems. How does my hair look? Do I have helmet hair?

Hunter glared at him, clearly still upset over how he had punched you. Though you and Hunter had your ups and downs, you two were still friends in a sense. And Hunter liked you much more than he like Daring.

Hunter: Whatever.

Professor Knight: Squires!

Professor Knight rode onto the field. His horse was a swaybacked old thing with a white beard that matched his own.

Professor Knight: Gather ye round.

The students clustered together, their faces turned up toward the professor. Darling was the only student wearing a helmet. It actually made it easier for you to spot her from the bleachers. You just wanted to be around in case something went wrong.

Professor Knight: On this day, which is today, thou shalt face one another on the field.

Then he looked directly at Darling.

Professor Knight: Squire Charming, how good of you to join us. A true knight would never allow a little malady like princely pox to slow him down. Be it known that I once jousted when I had an inflamed hangnail.

Then Professor Knight explained the jousting rules.

The field was divided by a short fence, which prevented the horses from colliding. Two riders competed at a time. They took their places on opposite ends of the fence, facing each other. A shield was held in one hand, a lance in the other. The horses had been trained to ride the length of the fence, so there was no need for reins.

When the trumpet blasted, each rider hollered: “Charge!” The goal was to hit the opponent’s shield with the lance. Hitting the shield and breaking your own lance earned the highest score. Hitting the shield and unhorsing the opponent earned the second-highest score. But missing the shield earned a big, fat fairy-fail.

Professor Knight: Be advised, that whilst your lances are sharp, Professor Rumpelstiltskin hath placed a safety spell on each one. Thus there wilt be no skewering of flesh in this class.

An audible sigh of relief rose among the students. You smiled, glad that Darling wouldn't be getting hurt. This whole plan was risky, so you were glad that at least she would be safe.

Professor Knight: Squire Charming and I shall now demonstrate.

Daring and the professor took their places. Daring’s steed was young and muscular. The professor’s horse was bowlegged and arthritic. This didn’t seem like a fair match. But when the trumpet sounded, the old horse managed to summon a surprising show of strength.

Professor Knight: Charge!

Dust rose from beneath their hooves as they thundered along the fence. Daring’s aim was perfect, hitting the professor’s shield in the exact center. But the professor’s aim was equally exact. Each lance cracked in two, the tips flying through the air. Daring whipped off his helmet. With a shake of his head, his locks fell perfectly into place. Then both he and the professor bowed. Everyone cheered.

And so it went that each student took his turn riding the course. Quite a few missed the shield entirely. A few others were unhorsed by direct shield hits. Darling couldn’t risk being unhorsed, for that could mean possible injury, which would lead to her identity being discovered. How could she lower the professor’s expectations but avoid being hit at the same time?

It would soon be her turn. She looked around for Sir Gallopad. Where was he?

Daring: Take my horse.

She shook her head. There was no time to learn the nuances of a different horse. She and Sir Gallopad were perfectly suited. And he’d get jealous if she chose another. But where was he? An odd movement on the horizon caught her eye. She peered through her visor, then smiled.

Sir Gallopad was using his camouflage skills so he could graze in peace. His legs blended into the tall grass, while his upper body blended into the distant forest. She whistled. As he raised his head, his body turned jet-black. Then he joined her on the field.

Hunter slapped her back.

Hunter: Good luck, roomie.

He mounted his horse.

Hunter: I’ll try not to maim you.

It was all in good fun, but truthfully, thanks to all the ax-throwing, Hunter was one powerful guy. Darling decided to add firewood chopping to her workout routine.

Daring: Looks like you found yourself a good horse.

She nodded. He set a footstool next to Sir Gallopad.

Daring: Good luck.

As she stepped onto the footstool, she remembered to act like Dexter. So she pretended to be a bit wobbly. Only after the third try, and a big groan, did she manage to pull herself onto the saddle. Daring handed up the shield, then the lance.

Daring: You’re not too sick? You gonna be okay?

She nodded.

Daring: That’s the spirit!

Hunter waited on the other end of the field. She went over the plan in her head. To lower expectations, she would hit Hunter’s shield, but not hard enough to break the lance. At the same time, she would send most of her strength to her legs, so as not to fall from the saddle. She took a deep breath.

The trumpet was raised. Her adrenaline soared. She tightened her grip on the lance. This would be her last chance—her only chance to joust. Never again would she have this opportunity. Today she was a knight. Tomorrow and for the rest of her life she’d be a damsel.

And as the trumpet blasted, Darling’s plan was shattered.

You watched as Hunter went flying off his horse and into the dirt below. Not only did Darling break her lance, but she also cracked Hunter's shield.

You sighed and face palmed.

So much for that plan. Though, you understood why she was doing this. But, she needed to stick to the plan.

Unfortunately, you watched as knight after knight was thrown from their horse with such accuracy and power that you began to wonder if Darling's Enchanted Touch was actually just her strength.

So bizarre to think that this small, sweet girl was capable of such raw strength.

It was honestly kind of scary. And, a bit attractive.

Y/N: Squire Darling to the rescue, eh?

You smiled and decided to sit back and watch your beau wipe the floor with the knights.