Ben's POV

After the fireworks, I was so busy talking to people who were greeting me because I was now a King, that I didn't notice when Mal left the party.

King Ben.

I wasn't really conscious that now I was a King… It seemed like a dream or something, especially after everything that happened at my Coronation.

Which takes me back to the fact that I didn't know where Mal was.

I went to where Evie was talking to Doug and asked her if she had seen Mal.

- I saw Mal a while ago. She said she needed sometime alone. Oh God! I did not see where she was going. Do you think she is okay? I'm going to check if she in our dorms! No, I can see it in my mirror. Where is it? – said Evie getting up with a really worried look in her face.

I put my hands in her shoulders making her sit again.

- No need, Evie. I think I already know where she is. I will go look for her.

- You sue, Ben? Don't you have to stay? I mean, it's your party after all… I can…

- Mal is more important. – I stated and Evie nodded with a smile in her face. – If anyone asks for me tell them I went to get some air.

- Yes, King Ben. But if anything happens or so please tell me.

- I am sure she is fine. If not, I will make sure she stays.

Evie gave me another big smile but I knew that just like I was, she was really worried about Mal. After all, she had been through a lot that day…

I got out of the party, heading to where I thought Mal was but first I had to make a quick stop to get something.

It was a long walk to where I thought she was and though Mal is all fearless and stuff, she might need me.

xXx

Mal's POV

I was having much fun at the party and Ben was making everything so that I would feel comfortable (I know he is a cutie ahah) but I needed some time alone. I really did.

So much had happened today and because of that I had to do some thinking myself.

So here I was, sitting by the Enchanted Lake where I had my first date with Ben.

It was really dark and a bit cold but when you grow up in the Isle of the Lost these things are part of your daily routine.

In fact, there the nights where never calm or silent as here in Auradon. There would always be people on the streets talking, stealing, fighting, whatever… What I mean is that it was not the best time to think, nor the best place actually…

This was one of my biggest struggles where in Auradon. I would always fall asleep with some background noise but here all that you could hear at night was the wind or some insects. Not that I was afraid or something, of course I wasn't but falling asleep wasn't as easy.

But now, looking at all the stars in the sky, I felt really peaceful despite all the problems in my head.

Before everything that happened, I thought that after today there would be a huge war going on. That all the villains would be putting in practice their revenges and that my mom would be proud of me for doing what she wanted.

But instead I realized I didn't need to be like my mom. Being evil and hurting people was not what made me happy! And neither did to my real family: Evie, Carlos and Jay.

What made me happy were things like being with Ben, learning more, being with my family and drawing.

And this brought another problem… Until now, I being with Ben was all part of the plan to make the villains free. Until his Coronation, I thought was only in love with me because of the love spell I cast him on, only to find out that his feeling for me were real.

Who could imagine? That the son of The Beauty and the Beast could fall in love for the Maleficent's daughter… No! Who could imagine someone loving me? I definitely could not!

All my life I had struggled to make my mom proud of me, to make her love me and now… Now she was a lizard! The size of the love in her heart… Was some of that love even for me? After the way she treated me today I doubt that…

I felt my throat and eyes burning like if was going to cry but I would not allow myself to cry for someone who did not deserve one of my tears…

Why did she even have me? Why have a kid if you are not going to love her, care for her and be proud of her… All of my life I thought the problem was me… That I was not worth love…

But then Ben "showed up". He said that he loved me. Well, when I say he said what I mean is he sang that in front of the whole Auradon prep and the other school and then, when he was not under the effect of the love spell (which I did not know), he actually said it. And that made me feel… I don't even know what it made me feel because I didn't know what love felt like. Happy maybe?

However, I needed to break the spell because I could be so cruel to him… He did not deserve it… Because I like him? Maybe… I can't say…

What I know is that, today being with Ben, dancing with Ben, having him worried about me that made me really happy. Like I had never felt before. Maybe, like I never will… Because just like I said at his Coronation, Ben makes me really happy!

My question now is: do I make him happy? Probably not… Jane's word were all over my head… "He is never gonna make a villain a queen!"

And although I was really angry when she said it and thought I didn't know what I felt for Ben back then, now I know and I know that I want Ben to be happy and that is probably not with me… Jane is right, Audrey is right…

Yes, I might have chosen to be good but I am not worth a King. I don't even know what being good means… Because to be honest being good is not being like Audrey or like Chad…

Please! Those are like the means kids here… Being good is not only to live in Auradon… Being nice to people must be part of it, right? They are not nice to people… They are selfish and self-absorbed and they want people to look up at them… That is not being good…

Guess I will have to find out what I what to be now that I am not under the control of my mom…

I looked at the stars again. I rarely saw them on the Isle of the Lost. The Enchanted Lake was illuminated thanks to their light and it was so beautiful that if I could swim I would do it.

All of the sudden, I felt two hands on my shoulders and I got up really quickly screaming and running.

But then I felt two arms around my waist holding me and him whispering in my ear:

- Mal, it's okay! It's me!

I turned around and hit Ben's chest twice.

- You scared me! Again!

- I am sorry! I am sorry! You did here me come?

- No! I was thinking! What do you want any way? You are supposed to be at your party!

- I know! But I want to check on you… You know…

- No, I don't! I don't need you to check on me! I am fine!

- Come on, Mal! I din't mean to scary you… Forgive me?

He looked at me with those green eyes and his cute face and I couldn't stay mad at him… It was not his fault that I was mad anyway… I was angry with myself because I was sure what to do and wasn't used to people caring for me…

- Fine! – I said sitting again. Ben smiled and sat next to me.

- I brought you something. Thought you might want it. – he said giving me a small plastic box with his initials on it.

- What is it?

- Open it!

I opened the box and immediately knew what it was.

- You brought me strawberries? – I asked him, holding myself not to smile. He really was a cutie. And he really cared for me. What a reception I gave him… Well done, Mal… Well, done…

- Yes, I thought you might be angry, it's still a long walk until here…

- Thanks! I actually am! – I replied already attacking those strawberries – How did you know where I was? – I asked with my mouth filled with the little red fruits…

- King instinct, I guess.

I had to laugh at that one.

- Good thing you are a King then!

- Did you walk until here with those shoes? – he asked pointing to the heels I had been hearing today which were sitting next to me.

I shook my head.

- No, I came barefoot. Those things are torture weapons! I only used them because Evie insisted!

- I am glad you did! You looked beautiful, you know? Like the fairest of them all!

- That's something you should tell, Evie! – We both laughed and I put the box with the strawberries on the floor, licking my fingers to clean them – And I wasn't that beautiful!

Ben looked at me with a very serious expression, he then came closer to me and caressed my cheek.

- Yes you were. You ARE beautiful, Mal. Don't doubt that. And I loved to dance with you.

I looked at Ben absorbing his words. He was good and gentle and always worried and cared for me… How could I be good for him?

- Well, thanks… I guess. And thanks for the strawberries. Oh… Do you want one?

- You don't have to thank me. And speaking of them, you have your lips covered in red juice.

- I do? – I asked covering my mouth and trying to clean my lips with my tongue. – Is it better?

Ben giggled and nodded.

- Yes, you are perfect.

I smiled back and then looked down. Ben grabbed my chin softly and brought it up so I would be looking at him.

- Are you okay, Mal? I know you have been through a lot today…

I sighed and looked back down…

- I don't even know, Ben… I mean, my mom is a lizard now… She is supposed to be the size of the love in her heart now and… I don't know what I am supposed to do about that… I mean… Does even some of that love is for me? Did she ever love me?

- I can't tell you the answer neither can you. But one thing I can guarantee you, Mal! – He said making me look at him again – It not your fault that she didn't love you because you, Mal… You, deserve love. And I want you to know that no matter what happens I will always be here for you! Always!

I could tell by the look in his eyes that he meant what he was saying. And that warmed my heart and made me feel like I was worth him. I smiled at him and nodded.

- Thanks, Ben.

He smiled back and said:

- And if there is anything that you need I will find a way to make it come true. I guess I have that power. I kinda am the King…

I looked at him and shook my head.

- You are so silly! – I said and both laughed for a while.

I placed my head in his shoulder and he put his arm around my waist.

- So how does it feel to be a King?

He touched his head and took the crow off putting it in his knees.

- I don't know… I guess I don't feel like a King yet… It is a big responsibility!

- I am sure you are going to be a great King. Your first proclamation turned out fine, right? – I said teasing.

- Yes, of course. You guys are great. I am so happy I made that decision. – he reply placing a soft kiss in my forehead.

- Me too – I confirmed with a smile – Are you going to give other kids a second change?

- I think it is the right thing to do. But I wanted you and the others opinions first. And I will probably change a few things because I don't think its fair that people, villains or not, live in the condition you guys lived.

- You are amazing, Ben. And you will make the best king.

- Thanks, Mal. I hope I will. But, then, if I don't, I will have you there to help me out.

Again, I felt my heart warm up. Ben always made me feel this way. He was really a good person. I mean, he gave us the villains' kids another chance and he provided everything so that we would feel comfortable. And even when we were about to betray him, he still believed us…

- Well, I think it's time that King Ben gets back to the party! Everyone must be looking for you.

- Yeah, maybe you're right but I am tired of all the attention I was getting back there. I like it better here. It's calm and you are here.

- Yeah yeah, I know I am awesome. But we need to get back. Evie must be worried too and I am kinda cold!

When I said this, Ben got up and took off his coat off and put it around my shoulders.

- Ben! I don't…

- Be quiet, Mal Bertha! It's a King's order that you wear that!

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

- Fine, I will wear it. – I answerer and dressed the coat. It was really cold now but Ben's coat was warm and it smelled like him.

- Now, let's get back. You're right! Everyone must be worried.

I got up and picked up my shoes.

- It's still a long walk we better get going.

Ben laughed and shook his head.

- Actually, I brought my bike so…

- Fine, I will walk. You go ahead.

- You know I meant that we are both going in my bike.

- I know, I just refuse to go with you in it.

- I am not such a bad driver!

- You kinda are…

- I am not!

- Fine! I will go with you.

- Great! – He said putting his crown back on his head. He then picked up the box with the strawberries and turned to me, picking me up as well.

- BEEEENNNN! Put me on the ground!

- Nop! You're not going barefoot to where the bike is.

- UHHHH… Fine. You really are getting your King habits, Ben Florian!

He laughed and carried me in his arms to where the motorcycle was.

I sat and put my arms around his waist.

- Are you ready? – he asked me

- Yes!

He turned on the motorcycle and headed back to Auradon Prep.

To be continued