Gaston and Helga managed to sleep through most of the following day. When they woke up late in the afternoon, Helga went into the nearest village to get them food. When she returned, she had two formal outfits for each of them and word about the Queen's birthday ball that night. The news of the ball took Gaston by surprise; he hadn't even realized what day it was. Helga proposed they go to the ball together to talk with his mother.

Gaston thought that was a bad idea since his return would take attention away from his mother and she would hate that, but he was eager to get the talk over with. The more time he spent thinking about everything, the more he realized he didn't want to be king. He didn't even want to be back in this kingdom.

As Gaston lied in bed last night, waiting for sleep, his thoughts wandered not to him becoming king or even to Meg (as they often did at night); he thought of Aladdin.

Aladdin had been his best friend since they were kids. After his parents died when he was young, Aladdin grew up on the streets of Corona. Mostly Aladdin stole to survive and took shelter in old, run- down buildings.

When Gaston was around nine years old, he began helping at his father's tavern; mainly cleaning the tables and floors and taking out the trash. That's when he met Aladdin. Aladdin would hide in the alley next to the tavern and pick- pocket the drunks as they left. Even at that age, Gaston knew his family had very little money and was struggling to survive. After a couple nights of watching Aladdin steal money, Gaston approached him with a deal: if Aladdin taught him to pick-pocket, Gaston would in return teach him how to hunt so he wouldn't starve. They were best friends from that night on.

When Gaston was eleven, his father had been out hunting and was attacked and killed by a bear. At eleven years old, Gaston became the man of the family and its sole provider. Gaston's mother had no real skills and sold the tavern for money. Gaston continued to hunt for their food and then sell the furs, but he knew that alone wasn't enough and they wouldn't survive long living that way. Gaston would never admit it now, but he had been scared back then. He didn't know what would become of him and his mother. Not to mention, he missed his father and was devastated by the loss. It was Aladdin who had given him strength and calmed his fears. Aladdin had lived most of his life without parents and knew exactly what Gaston was going through.

Even after his mother married the widowed king and Gaston became a prince, he remained best friends with Aladdin. They were brothers and nothing in the world could separate them.

Back then.

His friendship with Aladdin changed after Jasmine came into their lives. If he had known then Jasmine would be Aladdin's, he never would gone anywhere near her. But, that wasn't the real downfall of their friendship. It was the start of it, true, but she changed Aladdin. For the better, most would argue. Not Gaston, though. He'd give anything to go back to the days before his engagement to Kida when he was the captain of The Huntress, with Aladdin as his first mate; doing whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.

It wasn't possible now. Gaston was going to be king and Aladdin likely washed his hands of Gaston after what happened to Hercules. Perhaps even before then. Aladdin had a shot at a real future with the princess; he'd never give that up.

Gaston would; he'd give up being king forever if it meant being the captain of The Huntress again. In fact, that had been his plan up until Helga sauntered into his life and ruined everything. The Huntress was intact and Gaston knew exactly where she was. All he had needed was a crew and he could have gone back to that life. It wouldn't be the same without Aladdin, but it was the best option available to him at the time.

Instead, he was back to being controlled by a greedy, power-hungry woman. Gaston hoped when Meg and The Damned arrived in Corona, he would have a chance to talk to her and tell her what happened. Then he'd happily turn Helga over to her and let Meg exact revenge on her however she wanted.

Gaston was already ready for the ball when Helga emerged from the washroom in her gown. Her eyes widened when she saw Gaston and she even blushed a little.

"You clean up well," she told him.

Gaston took in her appearance. Her gown was dark green with a full skirt, corseted top and long lace sleeves. It looked like a gown a young princess would wear; she even wore a tiara. "As do you," he said. "If I didn't know you, I'd think you were a respectable person."

Helga glared at him. "Tonight you will have to act as if you like me, you insufferable brute!" she snapped. "I am your fiancée and you need to convince your mother-"

"I'm aware," he interrupted. "But, if I'm to pretend I love you, you need to… not be yourself. Spending all this time together has me yearning for our wedding night when you kill me and finally put me out of my misery."

Helga gave him a bored expression. "Stop being dramatic." She started for the door. "And I'm not going to kill you before you give me a son."

X X X

The entire room fell silent when the herald announced Gaston at the ball. All eyes were on him and Helga. Though, his mother sat on her throne on far side of the ballroom, he could see the look of anger on her face. Helga gathered her skirt in one hand and stuck the other in the crook of Gaston's elbow. She displayed a sweet smile for everyone looking at them as they walked down the stairs.

As the shock of seeing Gaston wore off, all eyes turned from him to Helga. She was a beautiful stranger and they were curious about her.

When Gaston and Helga finally reached Queen Grimhilde's throne, they both bowed.

"Happy birthday, mother," Gaston greeted. Helga wisely stayed silent beside him.

"Thank you, son." The Queen's voice was as cold as ever. "It is good to see you again."

He doubted that very much. "You, as well."

The Queen looked at Helga with a hard and disapproving glare. "Who is this?" She said the word as if she thought Helga truly was a 'this' and not a person. "One of your playthings from that island you're so fond of? She certainly is a pretty little doll, isn't she?" The Queen arched an eyebrow at Gaston, daring him to correct her and speak against her.

"Her name is Helga. She is the reason I've come home. I wish to speak to you-"

Queen Grimhilde held up her hand to silence him. "Now is not the time. It will have to wait until morning." She smiled coldly at Helga. "In the meantime, enjoy the party. And do try not to embarrass my son, dear."

They bowed to her again. "Good evening, mother."

Helga's grip tightened on Gaston's arm as they walked away. Once they were far enough away from the Queen, she exhaled loudly as if she had been holding her breath the entire time. "God damn, she is far more intimidating in person that I had imagined." She snagged a flute of champagne off a tray as a servant walked past and downed it all at once.

Gaston frowned at her. "Please attempt to conduct yourself like a lady. You are the future bride of a prince and among royalty; you are not on your ship."

Helga nodded and apologized. "You're right. It's just that no one has ever rattled me that much and I couldn't have been in her presence more than a minute."

Gaston couldn't help noticing everyone around them watching them. He took her empty champagne flute and handed it off to another nearby servant. He then took her hand and led her to the center of the ballroom for a dance. He pulled her close so his mouth was near her ear.

"Tomorrow will be worse," he told her in a low voice. "Right now she has an audience and has to maintain appearances. Tomorrow we will be alone with her and she will not be as kind as she was tonight."

When Gaston twirled Helga, he caught the fleeting look of panic on her face. "That was supposed to be kind?"

"My mother will not give up being queen easily. Once she learns of our engagement and my intention to become king, she will rake you through the coals to prove you are not fit to be queen."

Helga narrowed her eyes at him. "Why didn't you warn me about this sooner?"

Gaston smiled down at her. "Where is the fun in that?"