I planned for about fifteen chapters, by the way. I'm kind of surprised so many people are already following this fic, wow! Thanks for your support so far!

Heart of the Dragon

Chapter 2

Much as Ben wanted Mal at his congratulatory dinner in the stately Auradon Palace, Belle and Adam insisted the new King dine with only his family tonight. It was just then Ben realized that he and Mal had been pretty much glued at the hip for over a year. A year, and it felt like just yesterday he was shaking her hand and introducing her to his kingdom for the first time.

Time flies when you're happy, his parents always said. Especially now that Ben had graduated. Although, Belle had always said that when she spent a whole day in the library, and Adam had insisted that time flew through happiness when he witnessed all of Ben's major accomplishments. Had a year really gone by since his coronation? Ben remembered that love spell Mal had put in a cookie like it was yesterday.

And now he was about to ask his parents something incredibly crucial. Maybe Mal not being here wasn't too terrible, especially since his father could have a pretty—Ben chuckled at the thought—beastly temper. Who could blame him for feeling so nervous?

He took a deep breath and tried to think of all the good meeting Mal and the others from the Isle had brought to the kingdom. In the past year Ben had recruited a few more kids to study at Auradon Prep, learning ethics and following in the graduates' footsteps. Really, life just couldn't be better, that's what he had to keep thinking to himself. He'd never been in love before, and now a devious sorceress completely captivated him—changed because she wanted to and brought out the best in him. Ben began to dress for the evening out of his graduation robes and in the suit Madame de la Grande Bouche had left hanging on his closet door, calming himself as much as possible with his previous thoughts… well, no, that wasn't calming him too much, not even thinking of Mal.

No, Mal was just making his heart flutter faster.

"Have fun at dinner tonight xo" she'd texted just now, the message appearing in front of his wallpaper—a picture of them pressed cheek to cheek in an impromptu selfie. Something about that nervous smile… it could drive Ben crazy. It did drive him crazy.

"Still wish you were here—miss you" he texted back, just as there was a knock on the door.

Cogsworth, on time, as usual. "Dinner is served, Your Majesty," he announced, opening the door wider so Ben could follow him. Ben pocketed his phone, opposite what was in the other pocket. It burned a hole through the fabric, he thought, but as his fingers brushed over it, there it was, cool as ever.

He was going to need as much strength and courage as possible—and then more for later.

Babette dusted off the ornate head chair just as Ben arrived, and she pulled it out so he could sit. Lumiere finished lighting every candle at the table (even if they were a bit… old-fashioned), and his parents walked in arm in arm—Belle in her usual ponytail and tasteful linen dress, and Adam in a handsome royal blue suit. All the servants bowed to him, and as they sat, Mrs. Potts was already getting their drinks ready.

Adam then proposed a toast. "To our graduated son—may he use his newfound wisdom to rule Auradon with a just hand!" Ben clinked glasses with his parents. A hearty red. His parents really did break out the good stuff on special occasions. And that would probably help with the nerves later.

He waited until the main course to bring up the subject.

Or rather, Belle brought it up for him. Before then the three of them tittered on about the state of the kingdom, how lovely the graduation ceremony had been, what Mal's plans had been for the evening… But the past didn't matter. Not when the future was right before them.

"So, Ben, any plans for the summer? Besides your normal duties, of course." Luckily both Belle and Adam kept in mind that Ben had just turned eighteen—still a teenager. He had to have a bit of time to explore, have some fun.

But he was also a King, too.

He took another deep breath. This was the moment. "Well, now that you mention it…" he started, fumbling around in his pocket. "This summer might get a bit busy."

"Why, dear?" Belle prompted, inclining toward him. Her other hand was hidden under the table.

Might as well just get it over with. "I'm going to propose to Mal," he said quickly.

Belle gave Ben a terse smile, but remained silent for the moment.

Adam, on the other hand, choked on his wine. "Maleficent's daughter?" he boomed once he stopped coughing. "You want Auradon to be ruled by her?"

Ben had, unfortunately, inherited a bit of his father's temper, and found himself wanting to cry out even louder. But he knew better than that—at least, he knew if he yelled back, they wouldn't get anywhere. "By us," he clarified. "Father, when I picture my future with a Queen, I only see Mal by my side." He held the ring he intended to give her, showing it to his parents. Diamond complemented by emerald, to match her eyes. "You've gotten to know her for over a year now. Her goodness has only shone with each passing day. She truly is nothing like her mother, and she would be a just ruler for Auradon—it would give us all hope for the future."

For a few moments, no one said anything, only weighed the options. Even the servants seemed uncertain for what would happen next.

Finally Belle spoke up. "You have my blessing. I'm sure Mal will make a fine Queen."

And then, after what seemed like an eternity, Adam let out a long sigh. "You have my blessing, son."

Ben beamed at his parents, gaping for a few moments before he got up and hugged them both in thanks. It was then he realized that Belle had been holding her husband's hand throughout the whole dinner to keep him calm.

I'm going off of the Disney designs and voices from the animated movies rather than the ones from The Descendants. It'll probably make more sense when more characters are introduced, of course.

Reviews are always appreciated!

Next chapter: Mal reminisces on her past year in Auradon, completely content. Everything's about to change, though... Starting with the disappearance of her mother.

Till then!

~Eliza