Hello, lovely readers! I'm back with Part Two! I will probably slow updates down to once a week, since I'm still writing the rest of part two. So for now, here are some answers to your reviews and comments!

Mustang52: hehehoho guess you'll have to keep reading to find out...just kidding, the answers are in the chapter below!
Miss FairyTales: Thanks so much, I've been writing for a few years now, so it's always nice to hear comments on the writing quality too! :) I love Mal too and truly feel bad for her in this situation too, even though I'm the one writing it haha But yes, please keep reading, I really appreciate it.
Jay-Cee/Guest: I'm a big fan of Ben and Mal too, but what can I say? I'm a sucker for arranged marriage fics
Gummybear1178: Five years is a long time! So much can change...but also as you get older, it doesn't feel as slow. I'm 23 now, and the two years since I've been out of college have whizzed by too soon.

Enjoy!


VI
Time does not pass, it continues.

Ben woke up first. After nearly five years of marriage, he always woke first. He propped himself up with his arm and watched as Layla stirred awake, the sunrise shimmering through their pale blue curtains in their bedroom at Seaside castle. The morning light warmed her creamy skin, causing the freckles splattered across her bare shoulders and neck to sparkle, almost like flecks of gold. Her wavy auburn hair was strewn across the pillow, and he could hear faint whispers, little bits and pieces of conversation, escape past her slumber.

In a few days, her parents were throwing them a fifth anniversary celebration, the beginning of their annual tour of the kingdoms and regions of Auradon. Right before they planned to have a formal meeting regarding the Magic Reform Act and the High Council seat for magic users and magical creatures.

But he didn't want to think about that now, he was content with soaking in her beauty as he did every morning. Perhaps, the only morning he woke up after her was after the night they received news of her grandfather's passing - the night she never fell asleep.

Early in their marriage, Layla kicked him throughout the night on their king-sized bed, her limbs splayed out in every direction. And yet, she often recoiled at their accidental touch. Even now, his wife - a word still so foreign in his mouth, his mind - needed a few seconds to let the guilt wash away when their legs brushed against each other in the dark.

He lowered himself back onto his pillow, his arm growing sore from propping himself up to watch her sleep, and entangled his hand with hers. It wasn't weird, Ben thought, sighing at the softness of her fingers, thin and delicate, the way her skin still ignited his after all these years. Five years wasn't enough.

Layla heard her husband's sigh beside her, a sound she soon figured would pull her out of her dreams every morning. It was one of life's small comforts, Layla learned, a cautious reminder of her presence on earth. But it was the way he slipped his hand in her palm as though it were the most natural thing in the world that often grounded her. Ben was a comfort, a necessity she couldn't bear to part with.

Her eyes fluttered open and she turned to him, seeing his handsome face and all. The light shone against his brown hair, messy from tossing and turning in his sleep. She always felt him move, in their sleep or across the room at a crowded function, as if her body was hardwired to his. And after five years, she still couldn't get over the fact he was her husband. He was hers.

Sort of, she reminded herself.

"Good morning, husband," she whispered, her throat coated thick with sleep. She lifted her hand to his face and gently traced the skin from his temple to his jaw to his chin. He didn't look at her, but she saw him smile to himself.

"Good morning, wife," he said with a hoarse voice, cracking after a night of silence.

"Did you know we've been married for almost five years?" she asked, knowing full well he already knew. Layla figured he must have had a calendar tucked away in his office, counting down the days when he could be done with her.

"Really?" Ben replied, feigning astonishment. "I thought it couldn't have been more than two. What on earth are your parents going to do when they find out it's actually five whole years?"

She laughed, her cheek pressing into her fluffy pillow, and said, "Call the whole thing off, I guess. FIve years isn't anything to celebrate."

"It's almost half a decade."

"We're not even as old as your parents when they got married."

"True, but here we are anyway."

She didn't want to ask it, but knew it was required of her. "H-have you talked to Mal?"

"Not yet, no," he admitted, curling his hand into a fist. He didn't like to think about Mal when he was with Layla. "She'll be here for the dinner tonight."

"Right, that's happening." Her mother insisted inviting all of her childhood friends over for a dinner and hosting them before their anniversary party. She relented, knowing it'd be nice for Mel to spend time with Zara, Selene, and Rae, Rapunzel and Eugene's daughter, outside of political functions and whatnot. Since Melody had become the representative of Coastal City on the High Council, she had a lot less time for being a child. She was just shy of nineteen. "When's the last time the two of you spoke?"

"Maybe last month?"

"You don't remember?"

"With the increase in crime the last few months, it's been hard keeping up with her," he rolled over, avoiding any further eye contact.

"I suppose," she murmured, then asked, "do you want me to talk to her first?"

No. "That might be best. Thank you."

"Anything for you," she said. Ben could hear the smile in her voice, always so eager to help whenever his pseudo-relationship with Mal appeared to be on the rocks. "She's coming over soon anyway for brunch with Evie, Lonnie, and Eliana."

"Why didn't you tell me about that?"

She crept out of bed and he turned to watch her again. Her lavender pajama shorts stopped mid-thigh, lifting even more as she stretched her back and arms, and the pale skin hiding beneath peeked out. "I didn't want to upset you if you two were still fighting."

When he didn't respond, Layla spun to see why, catching him looking at her legs, and blushed, feeling self-conscious. Before she became queen, she used to wear soft cotton pajama shorts and a matching top to sleep, but after her first night with Ben, she changed her mind, opting for something a little more conservative.

Nightgowns were perfect for the summer, lightweight and comfy, yet covered every inch of her. But when they arrived at her parents' castle on the last days of summer, too hot for such nightgowns, Layla had no choice but to wear her thin lavender shorts from childhood. Ben commented, "I think I've seen those before."

She didn't even have to think about it, he was right: he had. "The summer before high school when we split time between both homes for our summer lessons and you were staying here."

"I woke up just a moment before you," he teased, realizing how little their habits changed, "and came into your room. You screamed at me for being rude and seeing you in your indecent state."

"Well, I was and you were." She glanced back down at her clothing. "Clearly, I still am."

Ben bit down on his tongue, keeping himself from making a suggestive remark. When he didn't respond, she added, "What kind of soon-to-be-king doesn't knock?"

"The kind who knew we'd be married one day anyway," he offered, raising an eyebrow.

His wife crossed her arms over her chest, the sheer white fabric rumpling. "Ha ha. Very funny."

"I am hilarious," he said, laughing over the stinging pain in his chest. "I can't believe you haven't realized it after five years!"

Layla rolled her eyes, ignoring the truth of the matter: she found him funnier than most. But she couldn't let herself enjoy him too much, out of fear of crossing the lines she drew with Mal. The Isle girl was one of her closest friends now, often the first or second name she would include on her girls' nights invitations. She refused to betray the trust Mal instilled in her, knowing it wasn't a natural instinct, despite her numerous attempts to absolve Layla of any guilt.

And after five years, she thought Ben would've figured it all out by now: her heart couldn't make room for him.


Layla sat alone at her favorite childhood spot, the terrace in the east wing of the castle. It was the only spot with a perfect view of the ocean, a perfect view of a single mark of glistening sunlight against the blue-green water - the mark of Atlantica. She often found herself here with her family's magic conch, seeking her grandfather's understanding voice and sage wisdom after a nasty fight with her sister or a miscommunication with her parents. It was here she stood to celebrate birthdays with Ben, have her first kiss during a game of truth or dare, when her parents told her she would not be Queen of Auradon.

And it's where she made the decision not to attend Auradon Prep, and where she told Ben the news, the day he decided not to give her the starfish necklace now hanging around her neck. Her parents had found her that day sobbing alone in the cold under the cloud covered sky, reassuring her that she'd made the best decision for her. She'd be safe with her family, not surrounded by people ignorant and afraid.

This morning, as a stark contrast from her memories, held clear blue skies. Her family's maids were placing silverware and table settings on the round wooden table she'd requested for today.

Layla's hair softly moved with the gentle breeze coming in from the ocean, the hem of her teal dress rustling along. The metal chair felt cool against her back, which was left bare, if not for the two extra thin straps crossing over her shoulder blades. It was a relatively dressy affair, as enforced by Evie, otherwise she would have worn her leather shorts and peasant blouse.

Every year, someone offered to host an anniversary party for the king and queen, and it was always something extravagant. Audrey hosted their second anniversary gala in Auroria with her then-boyfriend now-husband, Aiden, whom she'd met on a spa trip with Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. Before and after tomorrow night's celebratory ball though, as was their personal tradition, she and Ben were to celebrate their birthdays only with each other.

This year, they had planned to take a secret trip within their publicized kingdom tour. Which wouldn't prove to be too difficult: reporters rarely followed them to Seaside Castle, fearful of the rumors and whispers of ghosts and hauntings that occurred every so often. Only Layla and her family knew the truth: the castle was connected to Atlantica through magic. And so those who had little education about the inner workings of the castle created folk tales and ghost stories to explain away a few of the mysteries, like the constant sound of moving water.

It would be a nice getaway, she thought, their last moments together before everything changed. Feeling like a pile of nerves, she uncrossed her legs, only to re-cross them with her left leg on top. Her conversation with Ben left her empty: she'd asked Mal to meet with her before the others so they could talk about their plans now that five years was coming to a close.

"Yeah, no worries, I'll be there!" Mal had said over the phone, a false note of excitement in her voice, which worried Layla. She hoped Mal didn't think she had feelings for Ben now, after his last fight with her. Layla remained impartial throughout, well she tried her best to, listening to Mal rant endlessly about her issues with the king.

And so she sat, a pile of anxiety in a nice dress, at her favorite place in the world, waiting to discuss how to transfer her husband over to his true love. Layla kept it transactional in her mind, it was the only way to proceed.

"Hey, Layla," the purple-haired fairy said as she crossed through the doorway, wearing a long-sleeved, knee-length white dress. Something about it resembled Maleficent's infamous black dress from the stories Layla heard, but with a modern style update.

"You look great, Mal," she replied, adding a bit too much sugar to her voice. "Thanks for coming so early, I know it was last minute."

"It was no problem, I promise," Mal said. "I was just finishing up the giant mural for one of the fairy villages nearby when you called. And since I can use my magic to transfigure my dress without getting harrassed on the streets, it took no time at all."

She took the seat to Layla's right, as she usually did when Ben wasn't present, and smiled. "What did you want to talk about?"

Something in her voice felt off, like it wasn't two friends meeting for the first time in a few weeks. It was more like two strangers facing off. "I wanted to talk about you and Ben."

"What about it?"

Layla gaped. "Well, it's been five years and I wanted to see if you were ready."

"Ready for….?"

"Mal!"

"I'm sorry, it's still so weird to think about: five years is already over."

"Right, well, I'm sorry," Layla apologized, "but we should talk about this now. If Ben and I were to separate, I would leave the throne to him. Which would make you queen."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. It's been great leading the people of Auradon, but Ben is the natural leader between the two of us. I just have louder opinions. I'm ready to come home."

"To take over from Mel?"

She gave a slight shake of her head. "Not at all. Melody has been a wonderful Lady of Coastal City, I'd hate to take that from her. I don't know what I'll do, but it'll be fine, Mal. I'm more concerned about you."

"How do you figure that?"

"You've been avoiding me since my grandfather died," she said, and added, "don't argue with me. You have. And it's fine, I swear. But it means we haven't taken the time to train you accordingly. But if you want to be with Ben now, as promised, I can stick around after the separation to help you learn the ropes."

"That sounds great and all but how are you two going to separate in a way that ends with the High Council being okay with it?"

"It's an entirely new council," she stated. "So what do you say?"

"I-" The arrival of Evie, Lonnie, and Eliana withdrew her opportunity to reply, the trio of girls chorusing with squeals and hellos.

Evie, in her signature blue leather jacket - now available in stores across the kingdom - and peach maxi skirt, hugged her best friend first and reached for Layla's hand to squeeze. Eliana wore her blonde hair in a pixie cut, silver monstera leaf earrings, and a silver two piece dress, and flashed the girls her platinum white smile. "It's so good to see you guys!"

Lonnie squealed again, wearing a blue peter-pan collared dress and knee high boots. "And everyone looks so good. Ellie, I love your hair."

Ellie was now the representative of Cinderellasburg, taking the seat after her parents decided to retire. Tugging on her short locks, she said, "Thanks! It's still taking some time to get used to, but I'm glad I took the risk to try short hair after Jessalyn suggested it."

Jessalyn, Chad's long term fiance, was the successor to King Arthur's son, Abraham, of Camelot, as the granddaughter of Guinevere and Lancelot. Abraham had bore no children of his own, and trusted his father's kingdom with their closest family friends. She was a worthy heir, he declared to all of Auradon. Lonnie said, "Sometimes, I still can't believe Chad abdicated as the heir of Cinderellasburg for Jessalyn!"

"Aziz says the same thing," Ellie replied, a pale blush creeping up her neck.

"Because he'd do the same for you if you let him?" Layla teased after hugging her. "Zara is of age now, she's ready to take over Agrabah you know."

"I know," Ellie answered, sitting down in a huff, "but I guess I never thought about it fully. Up until last year before Chad made his decision, I thought I would be the one moving to Agrabah. Enough about me though, let's get everyone's gossip out of the way so we can talk about other things!"

"How about you, Lonnie?" Evie asked, a playful smile on her lips. The girl was twirling her hair between her fingers, eagerly waiting for their friend's response to her next question. "You and Jay still together?"

"I think he might be planning on proposing soon," she admitted quietly, with a hand covering her face. "He was willing to slow things down while we both trained for the Royal Guard of Northern Wei, and then again, when my mom said I would take over as the Imperial Emperor's personal guard with my future husband."

"That's so sweet," Mal and Evie sang together.

The blue-haired fashionista smiled and said, "I told Doug not to propose until I was able to pass legislation allowing me to send new clothing to the Isle for the children."

"Sorry about that one, E," Layla apologized, as the maids began to serve buttered cinnamon french toast covered in strawberries and blueberries. "Admittedly, it hasn't been the highest priority for the council the last few years."

"We're not here to talk shop," warned Eliana, but then a flash of realization crossed her face and she said, "Although, we do need to discuss the new Magic Militia proposition brought to the floor."

Ah that. At last year's Summit for Magic, the second since its inception, they not only elected Fairy Godmother for her second term, but brought forth a proposal that would allow Auradon to put together a Magic MIlitia to protect the kingdom from villainous magic attacks. Layla had heart whispers it was Mal who suggested it, reminding them what almost happened when she first came from the Isle. "What about it, Ellie?"

"It's almost been a year since it was proposed at the Summit, and there's been nearly no progress, because there's no support. Public or from the High Council," she explained, flipping her hair back over her shoulder to take a bite of her breakfast. "I would totally vote yes for it because of Cinderellasburg history with fairies, but my people are wary. Agrabah feels the same. But Audrey takes after her father, because of her mother, and we all know Rex isn't gung ho about magic, despite-"

"Despite coming from a long line of warlocks," Lonnie finished for her. "I heard Tobias might be against it, after what happened with Dr. Facilier in Maldonia."

"But," Evie added, "isn't there support coming from the other kingdoms?"

"Yes: Jessalyn of Camelot, Rae of Corona, Astrid of Arendelle, and Eliza of Avalar have all publicly stated this is a cause they believe in." The maids returned with orange juice and champagne, pouring it for their guests.

"Those are all magical kingdoms, all still strangers to the people of Auradon," Mal countered. "You know as well as I do that Cinderellasburg, Charmington, Auroria, and Agrabah hold the most influence on the Council. If their citizens don't agree, it won't pass."

Layla groaned, mentally adding another thing on her to-do list. They didn't plan on weaponizing magic; they only wanted to provide magical protection for the crown. But she knew her friends were right as they usually were. Evie and Mal had proven to be excellent assets to the High Council since Layla had nominated Evie as the first representative of the Isle, and Evie, in turn, hired Mal as her senior advisor.

"Where does Charmington stand on this?" Lonnie asked.

"I'm not sure," the queen admitted, "I haven't had a chance to hear from Seth and his family. But, as Ellie said, we're not here to talk shop."

"Yeah," Lonnie began to tease, "we haven't talked about you and Ben yet."

"Yeah, L! Where are the kids?" Eliana said laughing a pitch too sharply, the mimosas already getting to her. "You've got your degrees, isn't it time for babies!"

Yes, that was what she and Ben had announced after their high school graduation, and it was obviously to prevent questions like this from cropping up at every interview. But their deadline was expiring. With a quick glance at Mal, she said, "No baby plans yet. Sorry to disappoint you, Ellie."

Evie played along with the girls to prevent growing suspicions - she'd gotten awfully good at it over the years. "Your babies would be adorable! Can you imagine a beautiful baby girl with your auburn hair and Ben's hazel eyes?"

"Gorgeous!" exclaimed Lonnie. "Considering the rest of us aren't married, can you please finally tell us what it's like?"

"What what's like?"

"You know," Ellie whispered, giggling conspiratorially, "it."

Oh. Of everything she'd ever rehearsed about her relationship with Ben, that was the one item Layla never failed to push off to a later time, in hopes no one ever asked. She didn't even know where to start lying about it: they shared a bed, but rarely touched, and never kissed except at public functions. He wasn't hers, and she never dared touch him.

And for the most part, the press and media avoided the topic out of respect for the couple, and her friends, out of shyness, didn't dare ask about such a raunchy topic. They practiced Auradon's tradition of waiting until marriage, as did Ben.

But with Lonnie's potential proposal from Jay and Eliana's pending marriage to Aziz, and the alcohol surging through their veins, the pair were brave enough to ask. Layla's eyes darted over to Evie and Mal, calling for help, but neither girl knew what to say to change the subject. "That doesn't seem like an appropriate conversation piece."

"Oh please, we know everything about each other," Ellie reminded her, putting her hands on Layla's knees. "I remember your hastily written email after you and Seth almost came close to having sex, L."

"Oh my gosh, I remember that!" Lonnie squealed. "That was the most scandalous thing I'd ever read. Can you imagine if you and Seth actually did it? You might be married to him now."

Layla's heart dropped a bit at the memory, but it was fine. She'd moved on from what her and Seth could've been a long time ago. Bringing a fake smile to her face, she laughed along with her friends. "If someone told me when I was five I would have relationships with Seth and Ben before turning seventeen, I probably would've bitten them."

"You so would have," Ellie agreed, clinking her glass against Evie's. "If you two knew Layla back then, you would like her so much more than you already do. She was feisty, and she bit people."

"I'll bet," Mal murmured, and Layla was grateful her drunk childhood friend was finally moving on from the previous topic. Even if she knew which lies to speak, it still wouldn't have been something Mal should be present for. Statements like that, including lies, hurt. And Layla's wedding vows to Ben to love and protect him included Mal too.


Ben's dinner tasted bland and lacking. As he pushed another spoonful of plain porridge into his mouth, he thought of Layla's cooking. When they stayed in their cottage outside Auradon City, she would cook with plenty of spices and herbs, a superb combination of flavors he yearned for now. He almost drooled at the thought.

If Layla had had any input for this dinner, he imagined it would have been much more exciting than it was now. Presently, Ben was sitting at the head of the table with Layla at the other end and all of their guests in between. One of their celebration planners decided it would be wildly more fun if the seating arrangements were shaken up a little, separating the couples amongst their single friends.

Which is how he ended up with Mal, Eliana, and Aziz, and his wife sat with Seth, Audrey, Astrid, and her sister, Melody. Every so often, he'd managed to catch her glance across the table at him, the right corner of her lip twitching, threatening to give away her mocking amusement of Audrey's awful jokes.

Back when they were still dating, Ben often believed he had a poor sense of humor; no, the truth lied with Audrey - she was spectacularly unfunny. He laughed at Layla's suffering expression, though she was quick to rid her face of any trace when Seth looked at her.

Something within him seized with tension whenever Seth even so much as breathed near Layla. It was a reaction he never hoped to tame, as that man's presence never sat well with Ben. At the moment, Snow White's son was smiling at whatever story Astrid, Anna of Arendelle's daughter, was reenacting with wild gestures. But he kept sneaking looks at Layla to see her reaction, to smile at her and receive one in return.

That was one truth existing in their marriage: he couldn't stand Seth anymore.

"Ben?"

"Yes?"

"She was asking if you were finished with your porridge? The rest of us can't start on our entrees until you finish your appetizer," Mal reminded him, giving him a pointed look. It was a look he'd grown used to over the years: it was Mal's way of telling him she knew exactly who he was distracted by, and her way of making him feel guilty.

His heart belonged to Mal, after all this time, even when they agreed not to be in a relationship for the duration of his marriage, partially out of fear of what would happen if someone found out and partially out of respect to Layla. For five years, Ben suffocated. He'd been wedged in between two looming walls, threatening to fall over if he made one wrong move.

Mal insisted she knew the difference between what was real and what was for publicity, but deep down Ben wondered if he could. Swift kisses when he could manage behind closed doors with the purple haired artist, pecks against Layla's temple to assure the crowd of his affection. Hand squeezes when they passed in the hall, warm hugs of comfort after high pressure council meetings.

It all blurred together, even now as he turned his attention from his wife to the girl sitting beside him. "Yes, I've finished. You may start serving the next course, thank you."

Out of the corner of his eye, he swore he saw Seth reach over and brush his thumb over Layla's palm, but when Ben tried to get a better look, Seth had returned both hands to his side. He shook the image from his mind, hoping to quell the anger burning inside, and asked Eliana and Aziz, "Has Aziz found the courage to ask for your hand in marriage?"

"Ben!" Eliana blushed, her face turning red hot, as Aziz winked at him.

"In time," he said, taking Ellie's hand in his, "I have to be sure Zara is ready to handle Agrabah, and Mom and Dad. And Genie. He may have the hardest time saying goodbye."

"I can imagine," Ben murmured, and cleared his throat. "Did you ever imagine you'd abdicate? Must not have been an easy decision."

"Actually, I think I made the decision as soon as she told me Chad would be leaving for Jessalyn," Aziz admitted and, after noticing the puzzled look on his king's face, added, "It was easy, your majesty, because it was for her."

It wasn't an accusation, or even an assessment of his life, but the words stung. His choice to part with Mal was difficult, energy draining, but he'd come to his decision in under an hour. And it haunted him every day since.

His eyes, now tired and heavy, began to water; and Ben immediately gave Aziz and Eliana a kind smile, and explained the tears away. "That was beautiful, man. I know it's out of practice nowadays, but as your king, you have my blessing."

"It means a lot anyway," Aziz replied, reaching to pat Ben on the back.

Suddenly, Layla appeared by his side, with a mischievous smile in tow. "My darling, can you please come over and tell Astrid about the time Audrey had a complete meltdown when the dress Ellie and I made for her was purple and not pink and blue like her mother's? Because she doesn't remember it at all."

"Of course, my love," he replied, the false endearments so instinctive and natural to him now. "I remember learning my first swear words after that."

"Really?" She pouted in front of their guests, her pink lip shining under the warm lighting. Noticing where his gaze had fallen, she absent-mindedly licked her lower lip and said, "I wasn't the one to corrupt you?"

Ellie and Aziz, as well as a handful of others sitting in earshot, howled with laughter, while Mal sat still, adjusting her hands in her lap. The blonde beauty made pointed eye contact with her, and said, "You weren't the first to corrupt poor Ben, I'm afraid."

"You're not saying it was only Audrey to corrupt him, are you?" Seth said, having caught the tail end of Ellie's statement. Ben kept his face from narrowing as he put a hand on his shoulder, clamping down slightly. "I think I used to muck him up a bit too."

Doug said, "I don't believe that Ben was innocent in all of this though. Remember when he released the frogs from our marine biology outing the summer we came here for lessons and tutoring?"

"Seth dared me to do it."

"That's a filthy lie and you know it, your majesty." The term was used in jest, and Ben couldn't help but crack a smile. "You dared me to do it, saying it would impress Layla."

"But you chickened out."

"I did, yes. But I suppose it worked in the end, didn't it? The two of you," he reminisced, faint remnants of his German accent beginning to poke out, "and then there's me and Nico."

His wife, Nico, waved from her seat at the middle of the table, her shiny black hair falling softly across her face. She was the daughter of a former noble somewhere in Corona, where the couple had met and fallen in love.

The group of them had forgone the formal setting they were previously confined to, crowding around his end of the table. Seeing the crestfallen looks across a few of the newcomers faces, namely Rae, Jessalyn, and Astrid, Ben said, "Okay, everyone, go back and eat. Yes, my love, I'll come share the story with Astrid."

He rose from his seat, and Layla offered him her hand and he took it, relishing in her soft skin. She guided him back to her seat, throwing smiles back at him every few seconds, as if they were sharing a private moment.

But they weren't.