Mal's POV.
Over the past month I had considered myself rather lucky. I had yet to have to attend a meeting with the Council of Elders. But today it seemed my luck has run out. As I stood waiting for Ben in Auradon Prep's courtyard I couldn't help but wonder why we both had to be present at the meeting. What could they possibly need us both for. The only thing Mal could think of would be what happened at their wedding reception. Only a hand full on people/royal knew the complete truth, sure they all knew Maleficent had tried something but nothing had been released about her having a lot of help from other villains. Fairy Godmother had placed a silencing charm on the ball room so unless people were told what happened they didn't know Maleficent wasn't alone.
Before I could get too lost in my own head I saw Ben walking towards me. Once he noticed me standing there he sped up and was next to me in seconds. "Ben what's going on?" I asked him, hoping he would know why they needed me at the meeting. The first and last time I had to go into one of the meeting was purely to calm Ben down. I had yet to actually sit in on a meeting.
"I don't know. I just got a text saying the council of Elders had called an emergency meeting." He told me as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I couldn't help but think it was strange. But Ben disturbed me from my thoughts again. "Maybe you could also bring up the idea you had the other day? They can vote on it while they're here." Ben suggested and I found myself nodding along. I had hoped to have a little longer to work on what I was going to say butI suppose it doesn't matter how long I have to prepare their opinions would probably still be the same.
Movement in the corner of my eye made me turn towards the school. As I turned I saw Fairy Godmother walking towards us. Pointing in her direction I noticed Ben turn and look at what had caught my eye. I couldn't help but look at him with questioning eyes, which he just shrugged his shoulders to. Ben looked as confused as I felt about the whole thing. Especially with Fairy Godmother now here.
"Fairy Godmother." Me and Ben greeted her simultaneously.
She smiled at us in return. "I guess you received the text from Belle?" She asked. This time me and Ben nodded. How on Earth did she know it was Belle who text us. "She text me as well. It seems she thinks we will all be needed in the meeting. So I thought I may as well transport you both there with me." She explained. I couldn't help but become more worried at this. I knew from Ben Fairy Godmother very rarely attends Council meetings so this must be important. Neither me nor Ben bothered to respond to her we simple each took one of Fairy Godmothers hands and allowed the light blue smoke to swirl around us.
As the smoke cleared I noticed we were in the foyer. I just hope this meeting doesn't drag on although with Leah not being there it shouldn't be too bad. I felt Ben gently grab my hand and I let him lead me towards the meeting room. I snapped myself out of my thoughts when I noticed Ben had stopped walking. I watched as Fairy Godmother walked into the meeting room before Ben turned to me.
"You ready?" He asked.
"As I'll ever be." Truthfully I didn't want to go but I was Queen now. I couldn't just not turn up to a meeting, no matter how much I wanted to get out of it.
Ben nodded to Chip, who just seemed to appear out of nowhere. I took a deep breath and Ben squeezed my hand encouragingly as Chip walked through the door. "Announcing King Ben and Queen Mal." Chip spoke to the room. Allowing my husband to lead me into the room I had a quick look around and found most people were in the same seats as the last time I was in this room, expect Fairy Godmother was sat between Dad and Queen Aurora. The seat I imagine Leah used to occupy. Everyone had stood upon seeing us, even mom and dad. This whole being royal thing is really going to take some getting used to.
I watched as Ben pulled out my chair a little for me before he helped me to sit. Only once I was settled did he sit down before he signalled for everyone else to sit as well. Instinctively I placed my hand on my growing bump, feeling the babies move as I did so. As I looked over at Ben I noticed he had adopted what I call his 'king-ly' face. Although I mostly said it to annoy him or make him laugh, depending on his mood.
"Would someone like to tell us what this is about?" Ben asked the room. I gazed at the various faces sat around the room and most wore confused faces. All but three. Prince Charming looked bored/annoyed while the only two who looked like they knew what was going on were Queen Aurora and King Philip. I just got this horrible feeling in my stomach that it has something to do with Leah.
Philip cleared his throat causing me and Ben to turn and face him fully, as did everyone else in the room. "Well we have been informed you and Queen Mal haven't been truthful about what has been happening with Maleficent." He stated to the room. I watched as Ben simply raised an eye brow at him. "Apparently there are more villains roaming around Auradon. It's not just Maleficent." He stated. I couldn't help but look to Ben. I could see he thought the same as me, that this has something to do with Leah.
"Let me guess..." I had thought Ben would respond to Philip's statement but it was Dad that spoke up. I raised my eye brow at him. I could already hear his anger. "The person who informed you of this is Leah?" He asked the duo. We all watched as Aurora nodded to us that it was in fact Leah who had told them. I couldn't believe this. She wan't even part of the council or even royalty anymore but she was still causing problems for us.
"Yes well she would no about that wouldn't she." Ben muttered but unfortunately it wasn't wuite low enough to not be heard.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Philip snapped at Ben and I actually flinched. No one knew what Gaston had said other then me, Ben and our parents. We hadn't told anyone for fear of the retaliation Leah would get. I felt it was enough punishment having her title stripped and being threatened with banishment, she certainly didn't need her helping Maleficent being made public. Although the VK in me wished now I had listened to Ben and told people.
I noticed Ben clenched his fists around the arms of his chair. I knew he would quickly loose his temper if this continued. "It means..." I started to explain, much to the surprise of Ben and our parents. "Leah would know exactly how many villains Maleficent is working with since she helped them when they attacked us at our wedding reception."
Everyone around the table gasped in shock at that. I hadn't wanted it to come out like this but I wouldn't let anyone speak to Ben the way Philip had. "That can not be true." I heard Aurora gasp out. You could hear she didn't want to believe it but before I could respond Aladdin spoke.
"How do you know this, your majesty?" He asked.
"I know because when the villains retreated after they attacked us, they left two behind. After questioning one of them he revealed Leah had told them who had what kinds of powers. Aiding them when they attacked as they knew who to watch out for." I explained. I briefly looked over to Aurora to see the horrified look on her face. I felt bad for her having to find out like this but it had to come out now.
Snow White cleared her throat next. Once she saw she had mine and Ben's attention she asked her question. "If you don't mind me asking your majesties, who is helping Maleficent?" I knew that question would be voiced eventually but I still wasn't prepared to answer it. I looked to Ben hoping he would see my silent plea.
"That we know of Maleficent's accomplices are; the Evil Queen, Jafar, Cruella, Gaston, Maleficent's Goons and Diablo." Ben told the royals. I noticed Mom grab Dad's hand at the mention of Gaston and everybody shivered upon hearing Diablo's name. It was widely know he could be just as evil a Maleficent and meeting the two of them together is something to avoid if possible. "However, Gaston, Diablo and Maleficent's Goons are currently in our dungeons."
"Why were we not told this sooner?" Tiana asked us.
"I discussed this with King Ben and Queen Mal upon their return from their honeymoon. We decided until we knew exactly what we are dealing with to not cause the Kingdom panic." Fairy Godmother explained for us. I'm glad she did because I don't think me and Ben would have been able to explain it as well as she just did.
"Although you should remain on your guard." Ben told them.
"And why is that?" Cinderella asked us. As I looked in her direction I noticed she looked understanding while her husband still looked mad about something. I glanced at Ben to see how he wanted to play this and seeing him nod I sighed.
"Because I believe there is a villain out there helping Maleficent that we haven't seen yet." I said. I slumped back in my chair slightly. Sitting like a Queen be damned. My back is killing me. Plus it's not even lunch time and I'm already exhausted, I feel like I could crawl back into bed right now and sleep for a bloody week.
An hour later and we had finally finished telling the council everything we knew about Maleficent and her plans. The royals all agreed it probably wouldn't be good for this to get out to the public yet. We all agreed to keep this between us at least until we had a plan for rounding up the villains once more. I couldn't help but be relieved as it looked like the meeting was coming to an end. That was until Ben spoke.
"Before we conclude this meeting I believe Queen Mal has a proposition she would like you all to vote on." Ben explained, jolting me from my own thoughts. I saw him smile at me as I saw up a little straighter and took a deep breath. I was nervous about this. I had hoped to have time to explain it to Mom and get her advice on how best to present it to them but now I didn't have that option.
I noticed everyone was looking at me quite confused. Taking another breath I calmed myself before I began speaking. "As you know King Ben has decided to carry on allowing children from the Isle of the lost to get a fresh start here in Auradon. In fact we welcomed our newest students just this morning." I stated, causing many nods. Ben had told them who we had chosen to come over and they had all agreed to them. "However I have noticed that during these kinds of council meetings every Kingdom within Auradon has someone to represent it, except for one."
Mom smiled brightly at me and I noticed out of the corner of my eye. She had caught on to what I was getting at at least. "The Isle of the lost has no such representatives in this council or any of the others. The Isle of the Lost may be the home of villains but it is still part of Auradon and it's inhabitants are still Auradon citizens. Therefore I feel they should have someone to represent them on this council." I stated. "So I would like to put it to a vote amoungst yourselves. Should the Isle of the Lost have two representatives join this council to speak for them?"
As I finished speaking I got many smiles directed at me from most of the council members. If I was to base it off that I would say I'd soon have to convice to of my friends to join the council but I couldn't count on it yet. When the vote is in then I will think about that. I didn't count on what was said next.
"Why on Earth would we consider having two more VK's join this council?" Prince Charming asked. "You're here. Isn't that enough." I couldn't help but be hurt at that question. It was no secret that Leah never wanted me to marry Ben or join this council but to now have Prince Charming start saying it, it certainly hurt more then I thought it would.
"That statement is completely out of line!" Jasmine said, loudly. It was easy to tell she was trying to keep from shouting but even the fact that she was sticking up for me couldn't get rid of the tears that had gathered in my eyes. This is the only downside to being pregnant. I have zero control of my emotions.
"I agree. There was no need for that statement from you." Elsa said, backing up Jasmine. Since I had been spending more time with Ellie I had also gotten to know Elsa better. I couldn't help but give the pair a watery smile. Ben seemed to notice I was on the verge of an small emotional breakdown and sped things up a little bit.
"Why don't we just vote on it. They same kind of vote we always have, each Kingdom at a time." Ben stated causing more nods from around the table. "Princess Jasmine and Prince Aladdin?"
"Yes." They both agreed without hesitation.
"Princess Snow and Prince Ferdinand?" Ben asked them. They also agreed without hesitation. "Prince Eric and Princess Ariel?"
"Of course." They stated. Then we came to the one I was dreading.
"Prince Charming and Princess Cinderella?" He questioned. I didn't even need Ben to ask to know what their answer would be.
As I expected Charming voted "Absolutely not." while Cinderella stayed silent at her husbands side. I watched Ben roll his eyes at the pair before turning to Elsa.
"Queen Elsa?" He called upon her.
"Certainly. They need someone to represent them." She stated, flashing me a quick smile as she finished.
"Princess Rapunzel and Prince Eugene?"
"Yes." They both responded. I felt my smile grow a little. I had been counting in my head and knew I had enough votes already but I knew Ben would finish the vote to make sure no one could claim it was unfair.
"Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen?" He asked.
"Definately." They answered to Ben. Then Ben got to the second pair I had been dreading after today.
"King Philip and Queen Aurora?" He questioned.
"No." Philip stated, earning another eye roll from Ben. Then his eyes landed on our parents.
"King Adam and Queen Belle?" It was weird to hear Ben call them that but I guess in these meetings he had no choice. Everything had to be formal.
"I agree with Queen Mal. They need representatives on this council." Mom answered with Dad nodding along to what she was saying. Once they had answered all eyes, including my own, turned back to Ben.
"With six votes for and only to against, the motion carries. Another meeting will be held in two weeks time to introduce introduce those representing the Isle of the Lost." Ben stated. Once her had finished speaking he turned to me and held out his hand. Taking it he helped me up and led me from the room with our parents following as Lumiere and Chip went in to escort the others out of the castle.
Once we were safe in the family room I finally let my tears fall and let Ben sit me on his lap. I just couldn't believe what had been said in there. "It's okay Mal." Ben kept whispering to me. I knew he would want me to talk about it so I decided just to get it overwith. Once I had stopped crying as much I took a breath before speaking to Ben.
"I just don't get it, Ben." I stated, earning me a confused look from him. "No matter what I do people still see me as a villain's child who shouldn't be here. You heard what Charming said." I said before starting to cry again.
"Forget it, Mal." Ben told me. "He doesn't know you or what you are like. He's just bitter because our family rules Auradon instead of his." My tears slowed at this and I couldn't help but look at him curiously.
"Ben's right, honey." Mom said to me. I turned to face her and Dad so I could listen to them properly. "Once me and Adam united the Kingdoms the royals all got together and allowed the citizens to vote for the family they wanted to rule the Kingdom." She explained. This part I knew from my Auradon history class but I didn't know why it bothered Charming so much.
"Obviously me and Belle won the vote and the Charmings came in second." Dad carried on the explanation. "But there was a law put in place. If our heir abdocated the throne, we didn't have a child or if Ben never got married and had children then the Charmings would rule when our family became unable to." Realisation dawned on me as I listen to what Dad said.
"So basically he hates me bacause I married Ben and I'm pregnant because it means his family still can't claim the throne for their own?" I asked. They three of them nodded and I couldn't help what came out of my mouth next. "Wow, what a self intitled arse." I insulted him causing chuckles from around the room.
"Who's up for a movie?" Mom asked and we all nodded to her. "Mal it's your turn to pick what would you like to watch?" She asked me and I didn't even have to think about it.
"Pitch Perfect." I stated. As Mom put the DVD in the player I couldn't help but think back to the meeting we had just had. Besides me getting upset after Charming insulted me I couldn't help but feel like it went okay. Well it could have been a lot worse anyway.
Author's Note: Hope you guys didn't find this chapter too boring. I just felt like it needed to be in. Please leave me a review and let me know what you think x