Hey there I'm baaaaaaaack... another chapter here. totally love it. It's better it's longer. And some daddy issues are in here. Enjoy.
"I do too, but I think it is best to give her some rest."
Ben looked at Mal for the last time. She was sleeping peacefully. He took the covers to pull them a little bit higher.
And Ben, Belle, and Adam left the room.
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"Uugrr... "
... "What am I doing?" Mal thought when she woke up and grabbed her aching head.
She slowly pushed herself into a sitting position.
Oh yes, Ben and Belle forced me to stay at their home,
with their kind smiles and sweet looks and you know the... the... being all good thing and... soup.
...
Pfff I don't know what to do against those two. I was not raised to handle people like that... Mal thought.
She looked around to scan her surroundings.
She just had a dream, neither good nor bad, but she was happy that she was awake now.
But Her head hurt, her stomach hurt and she felt stiff all over.
Why did her body not cooperate with her, damn it?!
She did feel good before she fell asleep.
But that probebly had something to do with the medicine queen Belle had given her.
Mal threw her legs over the edge of her bed and stud upright.
Bad choice. She immediately felt dizzy. She leaned against a closet.
After a minute the dizzy spell slowly decrease and went away.
It was two p.m, she read on the clock.
But she really couldn't sleep anymore. She felt restless, like her muscles wanned her to move.
What am I gonna do? Mal asked herself.
Maybe if do something now, I can fall back asleep in a little while?
So Mal decided to go for a little walk. Her head and stomach did still hurt but it was bearable. Nothing she couldn't handle.
She went outside her room and looked around for a bit.
The castle off Belle and Adam was beautiful, a little too flashy for Mal's taste. But pretty even when it was dark and a little chilly. But the coldness kind of helped her to clear up her mind.
So on bare feet, Mal stepped out of her room. And just decided to go left.
She wandered thru the corridors of the castle, looking at paintings and thru windows.
But then she found a very big and beautiful room, the library no doubt.
...
Damn the king and queen reeeally loved books.
The library was breathtaking. There were so many books and art. The room was straight-out magical looking if you asked Mal.
But the most beautiful thing was the big window in the middle of the room.
It had white long curtains next to it, and even a seat built-in.
And the moon was shining right thru it.
Mal opened the window and went to sit on the seat window.
The moon was one of the things that hadn't changed at all.
The moon looked the same as when she lived on the Isle.
On the Isle, everybody spent a lot of nights outside, cuz some people preferred to lived at night.
The isle was never asleep. There were always people around, and open shops.
That was something Mal found really weird when she first heard that everyone just went to sleep in Auredon.
But Mal loved the moon. It was so mysterious but pretty. It always returned and had his own schedule.
She even knew all of the moon cycles. Just from watching them on slow nights or when she was sitting on the roof of her mothers 'castle'
Mal sat there staring at the moon for some time. It was going to be a long night. Mal thought.
Mal felt uneasy she didn't want to go back to bed just jet. But just by starring at the moon, time would not go any faster.
...
Well, she was in a library... so reading a book sounded like a good idea.
Mal stud up (slowly this time). To go look for a book.
Mal traced her finger over the books and just was about to randomly pick one. She didn't really care what book it was or what was in it.
If it was boring maybe she could go to sleep faster. If it was good book time would probebly go faster.
The book she had picked was named "Riddle me out" The title sounded kind of good so that was that.
Mal went to sit back at the window again and started reading.
Some time went by and Mal had gone thru a few pages. It actually was a good book.
But it was hard to read something with a headache and a little bit of a fuzzy mind. The fresh air did help tho.
...
Mal kept on reading.
But then Mal suddenly heard something from behind.
She quickly got up to her feet and turned around to look where the noise had come from...
That's when king Adem and Mal met each other's eyes...
...
"Well, hallo. I'm surprised to find you here Mal."
"Oh h- hi,"
"Sorry I was walking around and came across this room... Umm, you have a beautiful library sir." Mal said a little nervous.
"Thank you. Belle and I really love to read. This was the first room we decorated.
"It's wonderfully done. And I give bonus points for the big window." Mal said trying to sound as friendly as she could."
"Ha, you like the window? good, That was Belle's idea."
The king looked at Mal. Her hair was a wild mess. She was wearing his son's clothes and was on bare feet. (Not a very wise choice when you're sick he thought.) She did look kind of sick. No, she definitely looked sick.
She was really pale but her cheeks were flushed. And darker circles could be seen under her eyes.
But still, this girl was always on guard.
Adem was surprised when his wife had stormed in earlier that day, telling Mal was sick. And that she had been for a while but never told anyone. She told him everything that happened.
So he did want to ask Mal what was going on. But he did not have that type of bond with the girl. they had hardly spoken to each other.
So he figured he should not ask her any questions. Because he wanted to make her feel welcome to stay with them.
...
"I noticed you were reading something."Which book is it?"
"Ow um yes, I just randomly picked a book to read.
"It's called uh... 'Riddle me out'
"Yes Riddel me out' I remember that book, I quite liked that one."
"Did you get to the part where the main character gets captured on the ship, but then picks the lock of his cell and escapes?"
"Yes, I did read that chapter. ... Smart thing he did, use a diversion to escape his cell.
"But he got so easily out of his cell. Picking a lock usally takes more time, and it takes a lot of practice. Plus there all kinds of-"
Then Mal realized what she was saying, and who she was talking to...
"I mean, yes I liked that part too. Mal said quickly with a worried face"
...
"Hahaha." the formal king started to laugh,
"I never thought of that before, interesting point of view... "King Adem laughed.
"He looked at Mal's worried face."Don't worry Mal, I will not hold your ability to pick locks against you."
It looked like king Adem meant what he said. So this brought a little grin to Mal's face.
Somehow, Mal and king Adem started chatting on the seat by the window.
Mal still didn't feel that well. But the conversation with Adem was way more interesting than trying to read a book.
And well, she never really had a long talk with Ben's father before. Only little awkward ones.
So Mal and king Adem started to make some small talk. Mal still felt like shit but was not about to show any sign of weakness.
...
"I actually came to get a new book."
"When I can't fall asleep I usally read. But then sometimes I can't fall asleep because I want to know how it ends..." The king said.
"Ha, well yes Gaston once said something about you and your books."
"He does?" Then what did he say?" The king asked with misbelieve
"Uh well, He said something like 'How stupid it is for a beast to read books. And well that uhh..
...you're not half as smart as you think you are..." Mal says with an unsure look.
"Really?! Gaston is still telling story's about me?"
"Uhh...Yeah' he still does.
"I see..." The king answered like he was in deep thought..."Mal, do you mind telling me more about what Gaston has to share, if I may ask?"
Mal was a little unsure if she should tell some of the statements Gaston had said on the isle. She didn't want to make things worse. And gossip wasn't really her thing neither. But there was something about how the king asked her about it. In a way that was so very friendly. Like he totally trusted her, enough to show her that it bothered him. Or maybe Mal had trouble keeping her guard up around the friendly king because she really wasn't feeling that good.
"Umm, I'-. Well... He tells about how you uh, doomed us all and how dangerous and ugly you are..." Mal said.
"Mmm, well that actually does not surprise me." The king said with a little bit of a smile.
"Me neither, Gaston is not really the brightest there is. He always tells big stories but you can tell not even half of them are true."
"Well, I'm surprised if that bone head even can read." King Adam said under his breath clearly irritated, but then quickly cleared his throat when he realized Mal had probebly heard the mean thing he had said.
"Umm, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"Sound mean?
"Offend Gaston?" Mal asked
"Ha, Yes I did not mean to do that..." My apologies."
"Honestly, it wasn't even that mean."And you are not ugly or dangerous so I'm sure those were.
"And that coming from someone that tried to... you know... end your life... I would be pretty mad."
"I was mad at him, yes, and honestly Gaston still gets under my skin."
"But I don't hold a grudge against him. I guess it is true what they say. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
"I pretty sure what doesn't kill you leaves a scar and a dark sense of humor," Mal said without thinking.
The king heard what Mal had said, and was surprised. The purple-haired girl had a sharp tongue and was a quick thinker, not easy to fool that was suddenly very clear. Because those were some pretty dark words she just had spoken.
But not wrong... actually that might be the ugly truth she just had said.
King Adem didn't really know how to reply.
Mal now noticed the awkward tension in their conversation.
'Damn it' she didn't mean for that to happen! Honestly, people in Auradon do not take dark jokes well.
Mal didn't know how to fix the conversation! Her mind was just too woozy to come up with something. Her head really started to hurt and it was getting so cold all of a sudden a few shivers went down her spine.
"Sorry I didn't mean to sound so sarcastic... It's getting late, I better go back," She said after a moment of silence.
But Mal felt she was getting very tired from talking with Ben's father. It took more out of her than she had anticipated.
She has to lay down or something.
King Adem was just about to say goodbye but then noticed that Mal did not look too good.
"Mal are you okay? You look very pale."
"uh... Yeah, no everything is fine. It's late I better go."Mal said.
Did he notice?! I have to get out of there fast! Mal thought.
Mal quickly pushed herself off the window seat and stood up.
But apparently, she stood up too fast. Because now her vision began to blur, and dark spots begin to appear in her sight...
This was not good. She felt nauseous. What now?... Shit, she was going to... blackout...
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King Adem p.o.v.
"uh... Yeah, no everything is fine. It's late I better go." Mal said.
"It's indeed late. Well, glad we talked, goodnight Mal."Adem said.
To be honest King Adem was very happy he got to talk to Mal. He never really had a long talk with her about anything. And now he had to admit, he liked talking with her. She was basically the opposite of shallow, and never failed to surprise him. Thanks to Ben he now saw that kids of villans didn't have to be like their parents.
Mal stood up and was about to leave the library. When King Adem saw how Mal was wobbling on her feet. Mal then grabbed her head with one hand and then started to sway dangerously. What was going on king Adem thought? He immediately came over to Mal. He placed his hand on her back and asked again if she was alright.
But there was no answer... Then Mal gave a heavy breath and her eyes fell closed. All of a sudden Mal's legs gave out from under her body, and she started to collapse.
Luckily king Adem was standing close and could catch the purple-haired girl in time before she hid the ground.
"Mal?! Mal hey! Hey, can you hear me?!
Mal was out, breathing heavy and leaning against king Adem's arms that were holding her upright.
"Mal?! Mal?! Hey!" Adem started to panic.
He started shaking Mal a bit. Trying to get her to wake up.
King Adem put her back to the window seat sitting her down while holding her close.
She was in worse shape than he thought?! They were just talking a minute ago. She was fine! How did this happen?!
...Wait did she feel unwell this whole time?!
He steadied the girl and tried to get a response out of her.
After some more shaking Mal slowly blinked. But did not respond yet.
"Mal? Can you hear me, "
"say something?!"
"Mal?"
...
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No one's p.o.v.
Mal could hear King Adem saying something, no asking something...
Mal grabbed with one hand her aching head. And slowly breathed out.
"Mal can you hear me?!" King Adem asked once again.
"Uh, yeahh..." Mal slowly replied while blinking a few times.
"Mal! Yes, Can you see me?! Adem said, glad the girl responded again
"Yes... I can see you,..." Mal replied again.
"Okay good, good.
Mal felt warm. Just as he thought.
"You got a fever, Mal."
"Are you still feeling dizzy?"Adem asked worriedly...
"It's uh less fuzzy, ... I'm okay now," Mal said as she tried to get away from the steady grip from Ben's father. Not allowing the help.
"Okay? I don't call that okay Mal, you just lost consciousness!" King Adem said.
Refusing at the same time to not let go of Mal because she still clearly needed the support.
Mal was now sitting back on the widow seat leaning slightly against the king, who was holding her up.
"How do you feel now?" Adem asked still a little shocked.
Mal didn't understand why the man looked at her like that. He looked like he was scared his favorite pet was going to die or something.
"I- I feel just fine, really. I didn't mean to bother you. Good night." With that Mal slowly got up.
"Wow wow hey, easy." Adem quickly supported her, afraid she was going to fall once again.
Adem sight deeply. first thing in the morning he was going to talk to Belle. Mal really was not letting anyone close.
But right now he had to get Mal back to her bed safely.
"Okay common let's get back to your room," Adem said.
"Thanks for the help, but I can get back on my own."
"Mal I am going to bring you back to your room, you're sick and I am very worried about you.
Confused Mal looked at King Adem: What did he just say? Worried? Why? What could happen? Does he think I'm not strong enough to walk? I am totally capable to walk...
The king saw a little confusion in mal's face. But decided that the conversation was over. He was walking her back and that was the end of it. So the king Adem and Mal started to walk back.
Usally Mal would not allow someone to walk her back like a helpless child. But this is Ben's father, she didn't know what to say, and she had to stay nice. But what did it matter? she's too tired and didn't feel like saying anything. So Mal ended up saying nothing and started to walk back together. King Adem saw the doubt in the girl's eyes. But he too did not know what to say.
So the both of them were walking in the direction of the guestroom in silence.
So when they arrived at the guest room they came to a stop.
"Umm, thank you for walking me back I guess," Mal said still trying to sound as friendly as she could.
"It's the least I could do. Now Mal before you go to bed you should take the medication Belle gave you earlier today, okay?
"Um yes, I will do that."
"Is there anything else I can help you with Mal?"
"Uh, no-no. I got it from here. Thank you"
"Well then, good night Mal." King Adem said friendly and walked away
King Adem decided it was best he left at the door. He actually wanted to help her in bed and make sure she got some rest. But he knew that would make the girl uncomfortable. So he left
"Good night," Mal said and went inside her room.
After she closed the door, Mal facepalmed herself.
'Great, way to go Mal. You passed out in front of someone and not just someone Ben's father. Urgggr how could I be so dumb.' Mal thought.
But Mal didn't want to think too much about it. She was so very tired. Her head hurt and was so heavy, she felt warm but cold at the same time. She had even started shivering. So she aimed straight for the bed. She didn't even remember she had to take the medicine Belle left her. But even if she did remember there is no telling if she had taken the pills. Taking medication was just something the vk's were not used to.
So after Mal got under the covers and in the white fluffy bed, she fell into a sleep-like death.