" Ben " Mal replied following Ben into his office.

All good things must come to an end but why did it have to be so soon

She smiled at the portrait above his desk on the wall. He looked so smart and kingly. She shook her head. That was besides this point. She was here to deliver some bad news which she knew would break Ben's heart.

" How was it? " he asked kindly taking her hand in his

Mal felt nervous. Better get this over with. Except she didn't want to. Now was her finally opportunity. She felt guilty, playing along as if she wasn't about to hurt him in the next few minutes. Why was she doing this? Did she really have to leave? Now her heart was talking but sometimes our heart thinks of the solution we wish could work rather than the option that is most practical in the long run.

" Fine " She sighed

Ben deserves better. He deserves a girlfriend who isn't going to hurt him and one he can proudly have standing by his side.

" We need to talk about something. Picking up from last night. I need to talk " Mal added

Ben turned his full attention to her. He was concerned mainly about her, like he has for the last number of weeks. It was probably her favourite thing about Ben. He was so selfless, he cared more about her wellbeing than his own and he would go to the ends of the earth just to make her smile. She will never forget the memories she's made with Ben. They are probably her favourite memories that she's made with anybody (Don't tell Evie). He said when she first came to Auradon that he would teach her to love and he did. She fell hard for him. He was the first person that made her feel loved and that she could be whoever she wanted to be. He supported her to be the best version of herself while she felt she was holding Ben back even though he would never say that.

" What's up? This sounds serious but I'm happy you're ready to open up "

" Ben... this is difficult for me "

Mal took a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak. She didn't know how to say this. It was like there was no easier way to tell him in order to spare his feelings. She struggled to speak and instead she quietly cried to herself which didn't go unnoticed by Ben.

" What's wrong? Hey, hey, it's okay. Whatever this is, we will work through it together " Ben kissed her head and gave her a loving embrace

He knew this was serious. She rarely cried and especially not in front of him or any of her friends. Everyone has a breaking point though and Ben feared Mal was reaching hers.

Ben was making this more difficult for her. The more he talked, the more she wanted to just hug him and forget about this possible solution for her problems.

" Ben, we can't "

" What are you talking about? Of course we can, we've got through everything so far, what makes this any different? "

" It just is, Ben. Things have gotten too much and I hate that it has to come to this " Mal sighed stepping a bit away from Ben with her back towards him. Mal felt really emotional maybe it was down to her pregnancy hormones.

" Come to what? I don't understand "

" I don't expect you to, if I'm honest I'm still trying to figure it all out"

" Let me help you, you don't have to do this alone, especially not when you have me here to help you "

Ben had a fair idea of what she was about to say. He wanted to believe otherwise but this was the most they had spoken in about two months unless it was work related. He was dreading it but they had already been heading in this direction.

" There is no easy way to say this, Ben but we need to break up " Mal choked

" Oh my god " Ben exclaimed

She couldn't leave Ben and at least not end things probably before she went. She knew Ben would hold onto her for as long as he possibly could. So breaking up seemed to be the only way that they could both get what they wanted. It hurt when they broke up for less than a day eighteen months ago but this was worse. This felt worse and she had no idea when this break up would end or even if there would be an end.

Ben paused and dropped the pen in his hand. Clearly in shock at the words that had come out of her mouth. He moved and stood in front of her taking her hands in his and looking into her eyes.

" W-What? " he stuttered " Oh god, I feel like I've just woken up and now I'm in hell. Please tell me this is some screwed up nightmare "

" Ben, I'm sorry. This is real life "

" No, no, no. Why? What did I do?" Ben turned towards her

" You've done nothing, Ben " Mal sighed. She knew this wouldn't be easy aside from the fact that this was tearing her apart. She felt broken hearing his voice crack.

" I have to have done something, there is no other explanation? Is there?" Ben said on the verge of crying " Is there someone else? Have you fallen out of love with me and with someone else? If you have please tell me. I want you to be happy but I need the full truth "

" Ben, this is not what this is about. I don't want anyone else nor is there anybody. I only want you but I have to do this before we go any further in our relationship " Mal pouted

It broke her to see him so upset especially because of her. She needed to get out of here now before she had a breakdown. He didn't realise it but it was hurting her just as much if not even more than it was hurting him.

" Mal? "

" I need space, space away from your royal lifestyle to think about what I really want and it's not fair to hold you to me until I figure out what I want to do " Mal let out a sob " Ben, you are everything I could ever want. Believe me when I tell you, this is all me not you "

" I can change things for you if you're struggling, you know I will in a heartbeat. Just tell me to " Ben rambled on " I can't l-lose you "

Mal walked back over to Ben where she stood inches away from his face. He was doing anything he could for another chance. She didn't want to put him through this. He really loved her as she did him. She had no choice. Except the real truth which she kept denying was an option. Telling him that would be easier than this conversation that she was currently having but she had dug herself into a hole that only she can get herself out of.

Mal shook her head

" No, No. You can't. You've already done all you can for me. You can't do anymore. It's my fault I'm struggling... never yours. I'm a failure, Ben. Not someone you need bringing down your rep on the daily " Mal wiped a tear off of Ben's cheek

" Mal, don't talk that way about yourself. You are in no way a failure. Quite the opposite, really "

" Ben, you are making this a lot more difficult " Mal looked down at the floor avoiding eye contact

Ben cupped her face making her look at him.

" How long has this been on your mind? "

" The last few days. Everything's been hard lately "

" I know, I know but it doesn't mean we have to break up " Ben agreed

" I think we are past that point, Ben. I don't see what other option I have. I can't keep bringing you down with me. You deserve better "

" No I don't! You are exactly what I need. Everyone around us can see that except for you! Doesn't that say something? "

Ben took a deep breath to avoid losing his temper. After their last fight, he made a vow to try and stay calm in arguments or confrontations.

" Mal, do you want to break up? " Ben said with a serious tone

" Of course not " Mal sighed, but we have to

" Then don't, don't do this " Ben sighed " There are plenty of options, I'll look through them with you "

Ben didn't care what people would think of him right now. He felt weak in this moment. There was some mystery to what was really going on in his girlfriend's head and he was powerless to do anything about it while she had her walls up. He was begging for his girlfriend not to break them up. He loved her and he was willing to fight for them no matter how cowardly he appeared.

Mal was frustrated and upset, mostly upset. She didn't want to do this and Ben being so hurt by her made this that bit more difficult to do. He would hate her for this, for the rest of her life. Luckily for him, once she leaves he probably will never see her again. She knew she probably would lose him for good. She wouldn't blame him if he never spoke to her or wanted to see her ever again. Maybe by leaving she was doing him a favour.

" I have to. You're the king. I need to do this. I need to give you the freedom to be the best person you can be. You need to be at your best as King. You are running the kingdom for goodness sake. I'm just holding you back! Don't even deny it, Ben. Please! I wasn't raised to be a princess and be in the public eye like you have. Its not fair for you to have to deal with the consequences of every mistake I make " Mal turned away from Ben " You need someone who knows what they're doing and that person is not me"

" Mal, I don't need freedom from you. You have never and will never hold me back " Ben said softly grabbing her hand " I want you because you're not like the other girls, I know you would be the best queen when the time comes "

" I'm glad you think I'm capable of that but We need different things? "

" What do you want? I'll give it to you. Just tell me "

" You can't. Not while you're king, anyway. I just want to be able to have date nights without every detail of it being in the tabloids the next day, I want to be with my boyfriend and not worry about everyone in his kingdom hating me and thinking I'm not good enough for you. I was raised a villain, Ben and that won't change. I may be good but those are still my roots " she cried

" Mal, Mal, Mal, you know I would give up the throne for you in a minute. Just tell me too. " Ben said with compassion " We can have the normal life that you want us to have , we can buy a cottage in the suburbs and live happily ever after and never have to worry about the paparazzi again. I'll be honest that life doesn't sound too bad. I'd rather be happy and poor with you than sad and rich without you "

" As much as I want that, I can't do that to you! Ever since you were young, you've been preparing to be king. I don't want you feeling unfulfilled for the rest of our lives, just because I couldn't handle it. You are the best king that Auradon has ever or probably will ever see and I can't stand in the way of that. Who is going to save the lives of the children from the isle, if you don't? I have to take myself out of the picture for you and for Auradon "

" But I want you, Mal. Its always been you. There will never be anyone else for me but you! You are my soulmate. You're hurt right now and its paining me that I never saw it sooner " Ben rested his forehead against hers " I love you "

Mal pulled away from him. Here we go!

" I love you but I can't do this, I'm going to drive myself insane. I don't even know what I want, Ben. How do you think it feels that everyone knows where their future is heading? My life, right now, has no direction. You're the king, Evie has her business and will be studying fashion, Jay will be playing tourney as a pro, Carlos is heading off to college and every one of our friends has their own path. But me? I have no clue where my life is heading " Mal sobbed into Ben's chest as he pulled her into an embrace.

" Mal, there is plenty of time to figure this out. You're not on a deadline just because your friends know what they're doing " Mal looked up at Ben while he tried to comfort her. If he was honest, he didn't know how to comfort his distraught girlfriend in times like this. She has never been this upset before and he felt like he has failed as her boyfriend.

" You will figure out what you want to do. I know you will. Whatever you do, I will be so proud of you "

" I love you, Ben but I can't do this anymore... not now anyway " Mal pulled away and left Ben standing in the middle of his office in shock " I'm so sorry but let me go, please "

" I'm sorry, Mal. So so sorry "

" So am I "

Mal left his office and stood at the doorway and looked back at her lover. Correction : Her ex lover. That would take some getting used to except she didn't want to. He was her first love. As far as she was concerned ( and probably for the next eighteen years at least) he would be her only love. Mal took one last look at Ben before hesitating to leave. Why was she so stupid to let him go?

Everything she said to Ben was true, she had been worried about her future for months. Even more now that she's graduated. Except now she had an unborn baby to worry about and she had to find a path to follow to provide a life for the child. She wouldn't allow herself to screw up this innocent being's life cause she is indecisive and unsure of where she belonged in Auradon.

Ben stared blankly at the wall trying to focus his attention onto something else but he was failing, his eyes fell onto a picture of the two of them when they were happy, in love and still together. He had lost her. The one and only girl he truly loved. The only girl he believed he would ever love. He hurt her in some way. Why did he have to be king? Why couldn't he be one of Doug's cousins or something? That way he could give Mal all the love and time she needed. His chest hurt. It was like he could physically feel the pain of losing her. Almost like he lost himself. She brought out the best in him and now she was gone. He had no idea what would happen now.

Would they even talk?Would they be friends?Would it be like they never even met? He hoped not...

He loved her and the word break scared him. This break could drive them further apart than closer to each other. He couldn't bear to think about the outcome of whatever was going on. He knew something was up. He should've done more to help. What kind of boyfriend was he? He always thought that he had tried his best but he guessed he failed at that. He wasn't what Mal needed and she deserved the best. As much as it pained him, he loved her so much that he would lose her just to give her her happiness.

" Ben, is everything okay, honey? " his mother came into his bedroom about an hour after Mal left.

Ben just sobbed.

" Baby, what's wrong? " she pulled him into a tight embrace.

" W-We broke up " he sobbed

" Honey, I'm so sorry " Belle said while she rubbed circles on her son's back.

" It's all my fault...if I wasn't king, this never would have happened "

" Mal always struggled with what came with being in the royal family. I'm sorry you couldn't have a normal life or relationship but let me tell you something, if the relationship is meant to be, you both will find each other again someday "

Belle firmly believed that they were soul mates. Cotillion proved that to them and everyone in Auradon. This was just an odd obstacle that they would overcome with time and then one day they would reunite and have babies and make her a grandmother. What she didn't know is part of her life plan was already partially in action?

Ben nodded and hoped his mother was right. "Mother knows Best " right?, all he knew is he would have hope and wouldn't give up on her even if she had given up on him. She was in a fragile state and he didn't resent her for it as she clearly was struggling and was doing what she thought was best even if it was far from what she should've done.

He may be the king but he still needed his mom in times like this and Belle was there whenever he needed her. She was determined to help him through this but she also had to be there for Mal. She could assume that Mal was hurting too except she was long gone.