In the quiet, cobbled town of Eldergrove—held captive for years by rival forces—hope was blooming again. I, Rose, worked for Madam Dorothy in her dusty old apothecary shop. One morning, I took my talking dog, Meadow, to pick apples for her. I climbed the tallest ladder of the orchard’s largest tree, plucking ten crisp apples before heading back.

After placing them in a basket, I swept floors and sorted jars. That’s when we heard it—a trumpet. Everyone rushed outside as a man unrolled a scroll: “The war is over! The knights return, and soon, Eldergrove shall be free!” The square erupted with joy.

Betty and Charlotte ran to me. Charlotte, the romantic, grinned, “We must get ready. A prince could be waiting!” I laughed but reminded them my shift wasn’t done. “Go on, I’ll catch up,” I said.

Inside, I heard a smug voice. Beatrice. Laughing with her friends about getting herself a prince. Beatrice the girl I’d loathed since childhood. I dont get how she can be so full of herself.

Freedom was coming. But I could already feel a new kind of battle brewing.