This is a very short chapter, but a crucial turning point in the story, so bear with me. And please stop throwing me off of cliffs. It's annoying.
Three months later
Much had changed in the kingdom since Gil had become the king. Kids were being brought over from the Isle, he had made full legal work over it, and Ben was his assistant.
It came as a surprise not just to the Auradon kids, but to the Isle kids as well that Gil could in fact read and write, and was really good at it. He had arranged legal papers, held trials, fired people off the committee, helped those in need and still paid visits to the Isle. He had proved the innocence of Harry and the Isle kids banned from Auradon, justifying their actions and getting mental help for Ace and Harry.
The only problem was that Gaston and his two children were still on the loose, but Gil and Ben always had a small squadron protecting them wherever they went.
At the moment, Gil was preparing to give a speech that would be watched all across the nations, about the importance of the changes that had made and how it would shape the future for everyone. He hadn't been accepted at first, but was quickly well-known for his sense of justice and desire for peace. By now, thousands of people, children and all were flocked in the square. On the stage, Gil was walking onto the podium dressed in the royal colours and (unwillingly) wearing his golden crown. Ben stood a ways back, smiling at him along with their parents.
He began his speech, hours of well-rehearsed lines automatically running through his brain.
What? You thought things were going to be happy this entire chapter?
Gil didn't know why, but he felt a strong sense of unease when he paused his speech. His ears picked up a ticking, beeping noise.
Bomb.
"Everyone, clear the area! Someone has set bombs!" He shouted into the microphone, genuine urgency in his tone. The people started evacuating quickly, and then Gil saw them.
The small bombs on all the buildings nearby. His parents and Ben directly in the way. Everyone else would make it but them.
He pushed those thoughts aside, thinking for the good of the public. Everyone was evacuated, and then Gil saw a little girl, crying without her parents. She looked to be about three years old. He quickly ran over, picked her up and moved her away into safety, hearing a long beep.
No. We didn't have enough time to evacuate everyone!
With the little girl clinging to his side, Gil watched in horror as five buildings fell down, burying half of the people in the square and his entire family under twenty tons of rubble.
*waits for people to come and attack her* If I get one more death threat from either T.F Crosby or Evil, I'm killing Gil off as well. So stand down or else.