Chapter 1: A Royal Idea
Auradon was the thriving capital of the Magic Kingdoms. With its luxurious green fields and thriving community, it was the perfect place to live. No one was hungry or unhappy. Hundreds of people lived in perfection, in immaculate cottages with thatched roofs and freshly picked fruit on their tables every morning. The streets were lined with colourful flowers and smooth cobble stones, with children laughing as they ran through the marketplace.
Above Auradon's bustling market, at the top of a great hill, stood the Auradon Royal Palace. It proudly glistened in the sun, with its smooth white stone walls and golden ornamented towers. Tall blue stained-glass windows were scattered on the palace walls, with wide crenelations lining the tops. A golden gate stood strong and proud, holding the bridge of the entrance. A large mote surrounded the castle, it's bank masked with fragrant flowers and shrubs.
Prince Ben stared out into the vast fields surrounding the Kingdom from his fathers study, peering through the stained glass curiously. He'd always wondered what laid beyond the Magic Kingdoms; what people lived beyond the reign of his father and his associates. And one day, he hoped to find out.
"Benjamin," his father scolded, causing Ben to return to the meeting at hand.
King Adam had been a fair King to the people of Auradon. He had brought the kingdom great luxuries and prosperity, and had ruled with a kind, open heart. However, King Adam was also ready to give his kingdom to his eldest born, but there was just one matter they had to discuss.
"Benjamin," Lumière, his fathers assistant began, "As you are aware, your descent to the throne is... Imminent. Now that you have reached 18, your father believes you are nearly ready to take his place as the next rightful heir. However, there is one more matter we must attend before discussing your coronation-"
"Son, you need to provide this kingdom with an heir," King Adam interrupted bluntly, "And therefore, a wife. I understand you want to marry for love, but-"
"You've been ruling without a queen since I was born," Ben interrupted, "Why do I need to find a wife so urgently?"
"Precisely for that reason," Lord Cogsworth explained, "Auradon has been lead without a Queen for nearly two decades. The people of Auradon want a Queen."
"We've had an idea," Lumière began, "The King would like to invite all eligible women of royal status to visit Auradon for the summer, and lodge in our visiting quarters. This will not only be a fantastic political move, but it will allow you to meet your potential Queens-to-be."
"I'm not expecting you to marry anytime soon, Son," King Adam reassured, "But I would like to see a woman by your side when you are crowned King. Your mother... Although she is gone, she shaped me into the man I am today. And I'd like to see someone do that for you."
Ben stayed silent as he took in the courts words. Although he was against the idea of marrying for power, he understood his fathers words. He wanted to become the best King he could be for Auradon, and if his mother had turned his father into the King he was today...
"Alright," Ben concluded, "I'll agree to partake in this... But I'd like for the Charming's to be present also, and for any other neighbouring Princes that would like to take part."
"But-" Lumière began arguing.
"If I'm to find love, so should they," Ben concluded, earning a smile from his father.
"Excellent," King Adam smiled, "Cogsworth, please have Dopey send off the invites by the end of the day, and have Miss Feathers prepare the visitors wing."
Despite the short notice of the King's request for the invites to be sent off by nightfall, Dopey was proud to say he had managed to write, sign and address each and every one of the invites in record time. He'd sent all the invites for the Northern and Western kingdoms, leaving just two more deliveries to be sent by courier.
Dopey smiled as he addressed one final letter, which was not an invite, but rather a letter to his old friend Queen Snow, who lived far too many kingdoms away for him to visit. He had been meaning to write for quite some time now, and was looking forwards to planning a visit in the winter time.
He was about to slip the letter into the envelope when suddenly, the door of his study slammed open, causing him to drop a stack of the invites along with the letter.
"Dinner is almost ready!" Madame Garderobe exclaimed as she waltzed into the room, eyeing the stack of invites, "Are those the final invites?"
"Yes," Dopey confirmed, calmly picking the papers up, "King Adam wanted them sent by nightfall."
"Well, you better hurry dear," Madame Garderobe explained, "Nightfall is minutes away, and the courier is about to leave. See you at dinner!"
Madame Garderobe waltzed back out of the room, leaving a startled Dopey scurrying to the window in horror. He'd been so entranced in writing his letter to his friend that he'd failed to notice the change of time. With a yelp, Dopey hurriedly sealed the final envelopes, grabbing all the invites before rushing down the multiple flights of stairs of the palace, running to the stables.
He just hoped the horses hadn't left yet.
UERSHIOESGHOSQ
Lady Grimhilde knew the nickname given to her by the residents of the Enchanted Woods. 'The Evil Queen' they'd call her, and to be perfectly honest, she didn't mind one bit.
Years prior, when the revolution of magic had happened, she'd sided with Maleficent through to the bitter end. And although she was once the Queen of the Enchanted Forest, she was soon overthrown by her own subjects after Maleficent's banishment. And instead, they elected none other than her step-daughter, Snow White, to be the new Queen.
And of course Snow White, being the benevolent leader everyone believed her to be, 'allowed' for her to continue living in the palace, in her own secluded wing without servants or companionship. All she had was her daughter, Princess Evie, and the little magic left from her magic mirror.
Although to the world she was a reformed villain, the reality was that she was just... Waiting. She made sure to teach her daughter everything she knew; from blush to poisons, from cooking to cursing. She made sure Evie was educated, but not too much, just enough to woo any prince she wanted.
The Evil Queen had created an Evil Princess, and she was just waiting for the opportunity to let her loose into the world. She knew that she could bring kingdoms to their knees if she so wished to, and if she had the opportunity.
Thankfully, that opportunity came that morning with the courier.
Snow White had left early that morning for an important meeting, leaving The Evil Queen to snoop through her mail, as she tended to do. Many of the letters were primarily corresponding to gossip Queen Snow had been mailing her friends about, but one small, golden letter stood out.
The Evil Queen eyed the envelope with interest, and with little hesitation, tore it open. A single slip of expensive card was inside, with golden ink gracing the page. The Evil Queen read;
King Adam cordially invites all eligible women in the White's Royal Court to the Auradon Summer Court, in search for the next Queen of Auradon.
All attendees may bring one lady-in-waiting, and will be provided with lodging in the Auradon Palace.
Proper ball attire is required for the coronation ball at the closure of summer, to which all members of the royal families are invited.
Please correspond with your attendance by no later than the full moon's passing.
The Evil Queen could've screamed with joy. Not only did Snow White not have an eligible heir, but Evie was more than perfect. She was of royal descent and has just turned 18, making her the perfect candidate. The Evil Queen quickly hurried through the castle halls, eager to tell her daughter of her new upcoming trip.
After all, she'd always wanted a mother-in-law wing.