Footsteps echo down the hall, and we stop arguing.

“It is here in these esteemed halls that ordinary ogre citizens do the noble work of journalism, sharing important news with the citizens of Enchantasia! That’s what Happily Ever After Scrolls was established to do, at the urging of Fairy Godmother Olivina and the royal court. And it has done so for over three decades. Olivina and I could not be more pleased.”

It’s Hazel Crooksen, Olivina’s faithful assistant. The tiny goblin is as terrifying as ever, strolling through the hallway in a hot-pink suit with a glittering RA crest on her jacket. Underneath, she has on a glittery ROYAL ACADEMY FIELD TRIP shirt. Behind her are ten students. All from Royal Academy.

We’re toast.

She stops short when she sees us. “Oh. I thought it was ogre lunch break.”

“It is.” Tara speaks up, glancing quickly at the blue mirror that is still uploading Sasha’s story. If Hazel sees it… “But when work still needs to be done, we do it. That’s what interns are for.”

Hazel smiles thinly. “Of course. See, children?” She motions to the RA students, some of whom look familiar. “How satisfying it is to be a regular ogre citizen of Enchantasia and do such work. This is what your lives would be like if you weren’t noble. You’d live and work in this village like these peasants and have jobs at places like Happily Ever After Scrolls.”

Uh-oh.

Sasha stands up slowly. “Are you saying then that nobles’ lives are too important to be bothered with a profession that shares the news of the kingdom?”

Hazel bristles, holding her chest. “Why, I never! An ogre talking back to a group of nobles?”

Oh no. Oh no.

Suddenly, the newsroom goes dark. Every mirror, except for the one with Sasha’s story, lights up. I blanch at the familiar face in the mirror. Her white hair is piled high on her head, and she’s wearing several strands of pearl necklaces.

“Hazel, is that you, darling?” Olivina says.

“Yes, Headmistress!” Hazel rushes forward, her face flush. “I’ve got the children on the field trip, and this ogre…”

Logan grabs my hand.

“Are you all right?” Olivina asks. “I felt a disturbance. Are the children safe?”

“Of course.” Hazel looks confused. “Say hello to the fairy godmother, children.”

“Hello, Headmistress!” they shout in unison.

“Hello, my dear royals!” Olivina’s voice is thick with emotion. “I hope you are enjoying this look at quaint village life. It’s nice to meet the peasants you will someday rule.”

I can hear my heart thumping in my chest.

“I’ll tell her who’s going to rule,” Sasha whispers. I stomp on her foot.

“Hello there!” Olivina suddenly notices us. “Who do we have with us on this tour?”

We all freeze.

“The interns,” Hazel says breezily. “They’re not very exciting, unfortunately. They’re finishing some work on their lunch hour.” She makes a face.

Olivina looks at us intently, her smile fading. “Work during lunch? How noble! What are your names?”