Charming Castle was set high atop a craggy mountain peak. To reach the castle, one had to ride in a tram, a wobbly contraption that hung from thorny vines and carried guests over the deep ravines, past snow-covered peaks, and to the castle’s massive front door.

Uninvited visitors were forced to hike the steep mountain path, avoiding piles of mountain goat excrement and paying the various fees to the trolls who lived under the mountain bridges. Upon reaching the castle, guests would gawk with wonder at the splendor of its design. Framed with massive timbers brought in by the giants, and built with glacier stones, the castle withstood storms, quakes, and the occasional onslaught of dragon fire. And poking out of the top of the castle was a tower.

The tower consisted of a narrow staircase that led to a grand turret, a decent-sized room that provided breathtaking views of the mountain range, the winding river, and the village and farmlands below. During most of Darling’s life, this room had been filled with cobwebs, alarmingly large spiders, and the occasional wandering pixie. Darling never suspected that such a gloomy place would become her bedroom.

Or her prison, depending on one’s point of view.

The chaos began one evening while the Charming family was sitting down to supper. As the servants scurried around the grand table, plopping dollops of whipped butter onto crusty sliced bread and ladling soup into golden terrines, a loud knocking arose at the front door.

Butler: Sire, a young lad is at the door, requesting the princess’s hand in marriage.

Darling’s mouth fell open.

Darling: Did you say my hand in marriage?

Butler: I did indeed, my princess.

The servants froze. A moment of silence filled the dining hall. Then Daring and Dexter flung themselves from their chairs and raced out of the room, shoving and pushing each other to see who could get to the door first. The king was close behind.

Darling, who was not supposed to run, because it increased the likelihood of falling and breaking a bone, lifted her skirt and speed-walked as quickly as she could, accompanied by her mother, the queen. By the time they reached the front door, it appeared that everyone in the castle had gathered. Pantry maids, stable hands, even the old man who cleaned the royal chimneys. Darling squeezed between her brothers to get a better look.

A boy stood on the stone steps. He was panting like a racehorse and holding a bouquet of charm blossoms. He wore ordinary, village-mall clothing. No crown sat upon his head. When he saw her, he fell to one knee.

Boy: Will… you…?

He gasped for air.

Boy: Sorry. That trail… was very… steep.

He wiped sweat off his brow.

Boy: Princess Darling, will you marry me?

Everyone turned and gawked at Darling. She wasn’t sure what to do. The king narrowed his eyes.

King Charming: Do you know this boy?

He was still holding his salad fork.

Darling: No.

For she’d never seen the boy before in her life.

Boy: I work in the village. My father owns the Magic Bean Shop.

He grinned at Darling in a goofy sort of way.

Boy: I saw you walk by this morning. I have long admired the Charming family, and I knew the instant I saw you that we were meant to be together.

Darling cringed. Her cheeks grew hot. It was true that she had gone for a walk in the village with her brother Dexter. But she didn’t remember meeting this boy. How could he possibly want to marry her?

King Charming cleared his throat.

King Charming: See here, young man.

As he waved his fork around, a piece of tomato flew off and landed on the butler.

King Charming: I’m sure your father is a very reputable merchant, but my daughter is a princess and thus will marry someone with a royal title. Besides, she is not yet of marrying age and—

Before he could explain further, another boy barreled up the steps, equally sweaty and equally out of breath. A heart-shaped box was tucked under his arm.

Young Man: Princess Darling, will you marry me?

He fell to one knee.

Boy: Hey, I asked her first.

He delivered a sharp elbow jab to his competitor.

Youbg Man: Yeah, but I am truly destined to marry into this family. I am far more worthy of the Charming princess than you are!

They began throwing punches. Darling couldn’t believe her eyes. What was going on? Were they fighting over her?

Ling Charming: That’s enough! No one is marrying my daughter! Go back to the village.

Then he spun on his heels and pointed at Darling.

King Charming: And you, young lady, get back inside.

Darling felt terrible. But what had she done? She hadn’t spoken a single word to either boy. How could they think she would marry them? While her brothers chased the boys away, Darling followed her mother inside.

Darling: Why were they acting so weird?

Queen Charming wrapped an arm around Darling’s shoulder and explained.

Queen Charming: You are older now, and as you have grown, so, too, has your beauty and charm. Our family is well known throughout the kingdom, and there are many, many boys who will want to prove their worth by marrying a Charming princess. Especially one as lovely as you!

Darling: Yuck.

Darling rolled her eyes.

Darling: That’s gross.

And thus it continued. If Darling took a ride to visit relatives, or attended a ball or feast in another village, the very next day a constant stream of suitors would appear at the castle door with flowers, chocolates, and the occasional stuffed unicorn. Bouquets lined the hallways. Love letters filled the royal mailbox. Even trolls and ogres came courting.

King Charming: Can’t a king enjoy his supper in peace?

King Charming hollered one night after they’d been interrupted for the fifth time.

King Charming: Sons, defend your sister from these adolescent intruders!

From that moment on, Daring and Dexter didn’t simply chase away the suitors; they made a sport of it. Dexter rigged buckets over the front door. A dousing with cold water was especially effective.

Daring preferred chasing them with his sword drawn or charging on his trusty steed. Of course, no one was hurt in the process, but it was best to deal with the fame-seekers swiftly, to discourage them from setting up camp. And if they started singing corny love songs below Darling’s window, the royal hounds were released.

The royal sign-maker was summoned to carve a sign from the finest mahogany for the front door.

The Princess Is Not Accepting
Marriage Proposals At This Time!

But despite these efforts, boys continued to show up on the doorstep. And when one was found stuck in the chimney, King Charming called a family meeting.

King Charming: My darling, the suitor situation has gotten out of hand. Thus I have decided that you must stop venturing outside the castle.

Darling: You want me to stay inside? But I thought you wanted everyone to see me. I thought you were proud of me because I’m so charming.

Ling Charming: We are proud. But circumstances have changed. Until it is time to send you to Ever After High, you must spend your days inside, out of sight from all those pimple-faced boys. Your spellementary teacher will come here to teach you. That should calm things down for a while.

He wagged a finger at her.

King Charming: And don’t even think about sneaking to the village. If I have to listen to one more screechy version of ‘Girl, You Rock My World’ being sung outside the dining room window, it will be ‘off with their heads’ like the Queen of Hearts!

So, in an attempt to keep the peace, the king had Darling’s bedroom moved to the grand turret in the castle’s tower. The servants cleared away the cobwebs, spiders, and a few pixie squatters, then set up a canopy bed.

Darling: This is so cliché.

She plopped herself onto a velvet chair.

Darling: Seriously? I’m going to be a princess stuck in a tower? How many times have we heard that story?

Queen Charming: Sweetie...

Queen Charming checked her reflection in one of the many mirrors that now decorated the room.

Queen Charming: You are not stuck in a tower. You are simply living here. Most of the time. And not leaving unless you have permission.

Though it felt like the worst-case scenario, it took only a few days for Darling to realize that tower living had its benefits. Firstly, she had to climb a long flight of stairs, so her legs grew strong. Secondly, because most everyone hated climbing those stairs, she had long stretches of time completely to herself. With no one paying any attention, she made weights out of stacked books. She used the rafter for pull-ups.

Why did she bother with these activities?

Because Darling had realized that in all those stories about girls stuck in towers, not a single girl had simply climbed out. Which seemed the most logical thing to do. So Darling decided to build up her strength.

By moonlight, she shimmied out the window and taught herself how to climb the ivy trellis. Within a few months, she was scaling the wall as gracefully as a spider. And beneath her delicately woven gowns and lacy festive frocks, Darling became transformed. She now possessed a body as strong and sinewy as any athlete’s.

Living in a tower might have been an old-fashioned story, but Darling Charming was rewriting it.

Y/N: Nice digs.

Darling nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of your voice. She had been brushing her hair at her vanity when she found you crouching in her open window. You were smiling, but you were missing two teeth. You also had a black eye and your clothes were dirty.

You looked like a deckhand compared to the last time she had seen you. Your hair was longer and much more tangled, while she her hair was clean and freshly done. She wore a clean night gown that was white and light blue in color. You wore a white tank top that was a size too big for you with a hole on the side. Your trousers also looked too big, being tied with a rope.

Darling: Y/N? What are you doing here?

You gave her a look as if the answer was obvious.

Y/N: The ship came in today. You weren't at the docks with your family. Dexter told me that you weren't allowed to leave the castle anymore.

Darling smiled at the sight of her friend. You jumped into her room as she rushed over and gave you a hug, bot caring that she may get her gown messy. You returned the gesture.

Darling: I've missed you.

You smiled widely.

Y/N: I've missed you too, princess. You're the only one I can play cards with.

Darling pulled away suddenly.

Darling: You're not going to ask for my hand in marriage, are you?

You looked at her confused.

Y/N: Huh? What do you mean?

Darling decided against telling you about her oh so many suitors. Besides, she was just happy to see you again.

Darling: Nevermind. Did you bring cards?

You smiled as you reached into your pocket. You pulled out a deck of old cards. The white was now nearly yellow and the red was faded. The edges were slightly torn but it didn't matter. They were the cards the two of you always used.

You both sat down on the bed and you began to shuffle the cards.

Darling: Oh, how did you get here?

You looked at her questioningly. You then pointed at the open window.

Y/N: Window.

Darling: My room is 5 stories up.

Y/N: I climbed.

Darling: What about the guards? There are a dozen patrols that cross each other every few minutes.

Y/N: And?

Darling and you stared at each other. You shrugged. Darling shrugged. You started dealing the cards. Darling smiled the entire time you played your game.