A/N: Hey, there everybody! It's me, MBAV fan66!
And I FINALLY have the next chapter to Sleeping Beauty for you all! Sorry about the really long wait. Like REALLY long! As in...5 MONTHS! Lol! :P
As usual, things have just been a bit busy for me lately with life getting in the way. You know how it is. *shrugs* Lol! :)
So, this chapter is gonna be a bit short and boring. More of a filler chapter really, as I want what happens next to be a chapter of it's own. You know the part I'm talking about in the story. ;D
But I do still hope you guys enjoy it, nonetheless. :)
On to shout outs:
thatwilldonicely- Thanks for adding me to your follow authors list! :D
azury1va- Thank you for following me and my story Twelve Months Of Bethan! Not sure if you've been following along with this book or not, but I still appreciate the love, regardless! :D
white collar black wolf- Thanks for following and favoriting me and my story The Timid Wolf And The Spellmaster! Not sure if you've been following along with this book or not, but I still appreciate the love, regardless! :D
AnimeQueenFairyTail- Thank you for following and favoriting me as an author and my story Twelve Months Of Bethan, as well! Not sure if you've been following along with this book or not, but I still appreciate the love, regardless! :D
Silver Writer 0927- Thank you for your reviews! I'm glad that you like it! Or at least, two of the stories out of the three in the book so far, that is. Lol! ;P And also, thank your for adding me and this story to your follow and favorite lists, too! :D
TiredOfBeingNice- Well, their love life is about to be turned upside down in this chapter, fanfic buddy, once they find out about some very unsettling news about their futures. Lol! But I'm sure you know how it'll all turn out, though. Am I right? *wink wink* You've seen the movie! ;P
Bennyweirlover17- Thanks! I'm sure you'll love this one, too! Even if it is a little boring in my opinion, though. :) And thanks for adding this story to your favorites list, as well! :D
Story: Sleeping Beauty Part 3
Chapter 22: An Arrangement Of Broken Hearts
Main Pairing: Benny/Della
The young man in the woods soon returned home himself with feelings of giddiness and being love-struck from his previous encounter with the beautiful maiden in the woods. There was even a bit of a skip in his step as he walked, as well.
The young man's parents notice their son's strange behavior and proceeded to ask him why he was in such a good mood.
"Benny, my boy! Why the good mood all of a sudden? I can only presume that something good must've happened while you were out of the castle?" wondered King Bernard in such high spirits from his son's wonderful disposition.
"Oh, Father! Mother! I have just met the most gorgeous girl ever! She lives somewhere in the woods, but..." he swooned dreamingly with a sigh. "I think I'm in love with her."
The happy smiles that were on both his parents faces quickly fell to a frown.
"Really, son?" questioned Queen Linda, sounding a bit unsure on how to take the news. She knew that once they tell him about the arranged marriage with King James and Queen Miranda's daughter that he'll surely flip out on them about it.
Benny nodded dreamily. "Yeah! She's wonderful in every way. Like how her beauty just radiates with every graceful step that she takes. Her blonde hair glistening in the sunshine. The way her bright blue eyes sparkle in the light like the water in the ocean. And her voice! Oh, my god! When she sings it's like a symphony of angels singing in your ears making you feel as if you're in heaven or something!" he ranted dreamily, thinking about her as he couldn't seem to get her angelic image out of his head.
King Bernard and Queen Linda both shot each other quick concerned and worried looks at one another from their love-struck son. They had to tell him. Especially, now since they've just got word about the Princess's return to her kingdom.
Queen Linda let out a sullen sigh, as she preparred to break the news to him. "Look dear...We're happy that you found true love or at least what you think is true love, seeing as you take after your father with all the flirting and stuff to every pretty lady that you see, but..." she informed cautiously, trailing off hesitantly.
"But what Mother?" asked Benny curiously, looking at her with a raised brow.
"I'm afraid that you and this mystery girl can't be, honey. You're already promised to another." she finished glumly.
"What?!" shouted Benny incredulously. "Since when and to whom?!"
"Since you were just one. Your father and our very good friend, King James had got to talking about you and their newborn daughter's future, as well as our two kingdoms. They thought it be a good idea if you were to someday to marry their daughter, Della to unite the two kingdoms and to ensure everlasting peace between the two kingdoms." explained Queen Linda.
"And you went along with it?!" yelled Benny in shock.
Queen Linda only nodded ashamedly, but to King Bernard Benny's shouting at his mother was unacceptable.
"Benny! Do not raise your voice at your own mother like that!" scolded King Bernard harshily, defending his wife.
But Benny was beyond furious at the news of him already being promised to someone who he hasn't even met yet without even getting a say in it, years later.
"What about what I want?! Huh?! Didn't you even stop to think about what I maybe wanted?! Shouldn't have a say in who I get to marry someday?! Not you!" argued Prince Benny.
"We were thinking about the kingdom's future in the long run! It was good idea at the time and I stand my decision!" argued back the king.
"To marry some stranger who I've never really met, but only once?! When I was one?! I don't even know the girl! So, why should I go through the deal, anyways?!" snapped back Benny. "I don't even love her!"
"Because I said so and it's for the kingdom!" stated King Bernard sternly.
"Yeah, well...screw the kingdom!" exclaimed Benny bitterly, throwing his hands up in the air.
Sighing to calm his anger towards his son's rebellious behavior, the king decided to speak to the prince in a more calmer tone in hopes to get through to him.
"Look, Benjamin! I know it's frustrating in not getting to marry who you would like, but that is the path that me and your mother have set for you. You may not love the princess at first, but I'm sure in time that you will and will soon see that our decision for your future all those years ago was the right one. You'll see, son." he reassured the prince, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Marrying Princess Della is the right thing to do. And who knows...she just might be your one true love, after all." he added with a small smile.
Prince Benny quickly pulled away from his father's reassuring grasp on his shoulder with a "humph" and glare. "You're wrong, Father! I already know who my one true love is and that's the girl in the forest! I just know it is!" he stated bitterly, before marching off up to his room.
"Hopefully, he'll see the light once he properly meets the girl." hoped the King gravely.
"I'm sure he will." reassured his darling wife comfortingly, coming up to him to give him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled softly at her loving bit of affection.
"Now the awkward part is the ride to Whitechapel to introduce the two to each other." joked Queen Linda to her husband.
"Yeah, you're right! Knowing him, he probably won't even talk to us on the entire trip there." added King Bernard amusingly with a small chuckle.
A couple of hours later, Princess Della and the fairies had finally made it back to the castle. Della was of course, welcomed with open arms from her loving parents as they gave her a big emotional hug. They couldn't believe how much she's grown in just 16 years and how beautiful she has gotten since they last saw her.
The princess was of course overjoyed to finally meet her parents. She too, welcomed them with open arms and was very eagered to get to know them and to catch up on lost time with them, as well.
"Oh, our darling little girl has finally returned home at last! I'm so happy James!" squealed Queen Miranda happily with joy, as she tried not to cry from it.
"I know dear! She's grown up so much since we last saw her. It makes a father so proud to see his baby girl grow up into a fine and beautiful young lady." agreed King James in the same manner, as he stood there admiring his daughter proudly.
Princess Della couldn't help but to blush at the kind praises her parents were giving her. "Thank you for your kind words Mother and Father. It makes me so happy to see you, as well. It's been so long and I very much look forward to rekindling our family bond with one another, as well." she thanked them gratefully, with a slight curtsy.
"I see that the fairies made sure to raise you with poise and good manners like a true princess, then." laughed King James hardily. "But nonetheless, me and your mother very much feel the same way as you do." he added sincerely with a smile.
"Now!" exclaimed the King, looking around at his loyal servants. "Let us begin on the preparations for the Princess's return party! Shall we?!" he commanded hardily.
All the servants in the room gave a bow and nod as compliance before quickly rushing off to begin decorating the ballroom for the party.
King James smiled happily at how eagered and happy all the servants were at the joyous news. He then turned his attention back to his precious daughter.
"Now then, my dear! We have to hurry and get you ready before the Weir's show up! Today is going to be a very big day for you!" chirped the King happily.
"Oh? How so, Father?" wondered Della.
"Because today you get to meet their son, Benny! Who is also to be your betrothed, my dear!" answered the Queen, coming to stand next to her husband with a smile.
"My what?!" shouted Della in shock.
"Your fiance?" reiterated Queen Miranda with a quizzical expression, as her words came out as more of a question than a statement. "The person who you'll marry and make your husband?"
Della shook her head repeatedly, not wanting to believe it.
"But I can't!" she blurted out, on the verge of tears.
"And why not?" asked King James.
"Because my heart belongs to another!" cried out Della desperately.
King James and Queen Miranda were both shocked by this. "And who is that?" asked the King.
The Princess looked down in shame and guilt. "I'm afraid I do not know his name. I met him only just earlier today in the forest. It was love at first sight." she confessed truthfully.
Miranda approached her daughter slowly and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry honey, but...this arranged marriage between you and the Weir boy has been in place since the day of your christening, I'm afraid." she explained sympathetically.
"But...why?" sniffled Della sullenly.
"For the kingdom. Me and King Bernard of the neighboring kingdom are very good friends. And on the day of your christening we both had thought it to be a good idea if our only children were to someday wed to ensure everlasting peace between our two kingdoms. I'm sorry, darling...but the pact has been made. There's no going back now." apologized King James to his daughter.
Heartbroken, Della ran off to her bedroom (after one of the servants had showed her where her room was to be after soon arriving and before meeting the king and queen) crying. She didn't want to marry this prince from another kingdom. Even if it did mean everlasting peace between the two nations. She wanted to marry the young man who she just met hours ago in the forest. The one who had captured her heart.
Granted they only just met, but in her heart she could tell that it was true love and they were meant to be together.
It was all very heartbreaking, as she cried her eyes out on her bed until she cried herself to sleep (for a brief nap) from the horrible news. As she drifted off to sleep, Della had wondered just how it is this day had gone from being so wonderful and great to so awful and terrible in just a few short hours.
"I see then..." said Stephanie from her throne, stroking her chin in thought after hearing the news her loyal henchman had brought to her about the Princess's whereabouts. "So, those meddling no good fairies was the reason as to why I couldn't find her, then...go figure with those three goody two-shoes."
A blood curdling grin then broke out onto her face. "No matter. Now that she finally knows the truth about her origins, they'll probably bring her back to her parents castle so that she may get to know them now and live the life that she's always meant to have. Which means...I know exactly where to find her now and that the prophecy can now take place."
Then Stephanie soon remembered something. Knowing the good fairies, they had probably altered her curse on the Princess. Instead of death, she'd fall into a never ending slumber like state until the day her one true love appears and kiss's her.
Angered, she waved her hand around the crystal like orb that rested atop her staff. "Forces of darkness that reside within, show me what I truly seek. Who is to be the Princess's one true love that can break the curse that I have placed upon her life?" chanted Stephanie.
A cloud of mist swirled around inside the orb, thus revealing a young and handsome gentleman with green eyes and brown shaggy hair. Stephanie grinned evilly knowing just who this person is, as a wicked and cruel plan brewed within her twisted and dark mind.
A/N: Oh, my! What is Princess Della to do now? Knowing that she is already engaged to be married to another! And the same for Prince Benny, too! Just what are they going to do? And who is the other person that they both are in love with, anyways? Lol! As if you already didn't know. ;D
What could Stephanie's evil plan be involving the person she saw in her crystal ball?
Stick around to find out in the next chapter!
Until next time, I'll be seeing you all around! Bye! :D
