It was today. Today could be the start of something new; something that could change the whole Ascendancy. Or all his plans would crash and burn around him. The thought made the breakfast from Mrs. Potts churn in his stomach as he stood before the double doors leading into the Chamber. Inside, representatives from all over The Unified Ascendancy and its allies would be speaking with one another, exchanging pleasantries and news as they waited for him. Not his father. Him.
Taking a deep breath, Ben smoothed the front of his deep blue jacket and raised his head, Lumiere bowing deeply when he nodded. The doors swung open to reveal the eighteen gathered representatives, his parents lingering at the edges of the crowd, as Cogsworth announced, "Prince Benjamin of Auradon." Bows and curtsies greeted him as he strode to the head of the table, Ben acknowledging each with a nod and a smile. Upon reaching his father's chair, Ben turned to face them all.
Jasmine and Aladdin of Agrabah. Queen Arianna and King Frederick of Corona. Queen Elinor and King Fergus of DunBrock. King Philip and Queen Aurora of Ulsted. King Henry and Queen Cinderella of Iterian. Queen Ariel and King Eric of Tirulia, as well as Ariel's father King Trident of Atlantica who was participating through a magic mirror like Queen Kida of Atlantis. King Florian and Queen Snow White of Prurian. Even Mulan of China and Hercules were there despite China and Olympus not being a part of The Unified Ascendancy.
"Thank you, all of you, for attending," he smiled, bowing deeply and ignoring his father's twitch. Straightening, he gestured for them to be seated. "I look forward to working with all of you." From his right, King Adam strode forward. Even though the curse had been broken for several decades now, the king still towered over many men, including everyone in the hall. The years hadn't been able to wear away his broad chest and shoulders either, leaving him an impressive and intimidating figure. Ben had been fortunate enough to inherit some of his father's stature, but at 24 he wasn't getting any taller or broader so he would never surpass his father.
"As you all know, Benjamin will be made the Crown Prince of Auradon next year at the summer solstice," Adam said, lifting a hand to rest on Ben's shoulder. "He has been considering his first proclamation for some time and is here to present it for our consideration."
The hand on his shoulder steered Ben forward once more and he bowed to the assembled royalty. "The reason I have asked you all here today is that my proclamation will not have an impact on Auradon alone, but on the whole Ascendancy and our allies as well." Curious eyes watched him as he accepted a thick folder from Lumiere. His stomach churned once more as he set it on the table before him and Lumiere moved to deliver similar folders to the representatives. "I wish to ask for your blessings and guidance moving forward."
"What are these?" King Fergus asked as his wife Elinor opened the file to leaf through the pages, the more detail-oriented of DunBrock's ruling couple.
This was it. No more planning the right words. No more collecting evidence. He could only hope to the gods that he'd prepared enough and that the people he'd grown up knowing as heroes had the hearts he believed heroes should have.
"This was not a proclamation I came to lightly," Ben explained as he opened his folder. "What you have before you, is the research I have done to better explain the decision I've come to." After taking a deep breath, he said, "My goal is to grant the children from the Isle of the Lost an opportunity to leave the Isle and start new lives here in Auradon."
For several heartbeats there was silence. And then voices and bodies rose in surprise and protest.
"The Isle of the Lost?!"
"Have you gone mad?!"
Even having prepared himself for the inevitable, Ben couldn't completely suppress a wince at the echoing shouts and narrowed eyes. He allowed them to continue, better to let them air some of their fury now than to wait until further into the discussion.
Finally, King Florian lifted a hand and the rest fell silent. Dark green eyes found Ben's light brown and held them. "This is a place for serious discussions, young man," King Florian scolded. "Such pranks are childish and have no place here. Our kingdoms do not deserve to have our time spent entertaining such frivolity."
"This is no prank, Your Majesty," Ben replied, keeping his posture relaxed and his voice calm. "I assure you, I understand the importance of your time. This is a discussion I strongly believe must be had."
At the far end of the table, King Philip slammed his hands against the table. "Adam, has your boy lost his senses?!" he demanded. Beside him, Queen Aurora sat silently, her expression blank and cold as if carved from stone.
Ben braced himself as his father spoke. "Benjamin, explain yourself." A low growl stalked beneath his voice, silencing the room, as his mother rested a hand on her husband's arm.
Twenty pairs of eyes locked on him, far too many alight with rage than he'd wanted. Though, he had to be fair. Many of them were more focused on the villains they'd banished to the Isle than on the specific words he'd spoken. These were good people, heroes from the past years. People who funded charities and worked to promote equality. He just had to help them see what he saw.
"It has been twenty-seven years since the villains were banished to the Isle of the Lost," he began.
"Where they belong," King Philip muttered and Ben forced himself to nod.
"Their crimes against our countries, people, and families are unforgivable," Ben agreed, pausing long enough to meet the gazes of all the occupants in the room. If his plan was to work he could not be cowed by his father and his contemporaries. He had to stay in control and remind them just enough that this was a serious discussion between rulers and one day he would be on equal footing with them. He needed to prove himself so they'd respect him and his contributions. "The Isle was a humane and safe way to punish them and ensure they never rise to power again. During that time, you've all had children and started your own families." He looked over the room. He'd grown up alongside many of their children. Audrey from Ulsted. Azza from Agrabah. Chad from Iterian.
"Those banished to the Isle have had children as well. Children who are now living in a prison that was not meant for them," Ben continued. A frown creased Sultana Jasmine's brow and Aladdin tapped the table, dark gaze focused on something beyond Ben's understanding. Corona's king and queen exchanged looks. "As such, I believe that those children should be allowed a chance to live as free citizens instead of as prisoners suffering a sentence they didn't earn," Ben concluded.
Once more, silence fell over the representatives. Low whispers were exchanged between some couples while others merely exchanged looks and nods or shakes of their heads. Ben stayed silent, giving the Council time to process. It was a test of his self-control not to look over at his parents, though his father's disapproval sat heavy in the air. His mother's thoughts remained hidden from him.
How long he stood there, he wasn't sure before Queen Snow White spoke, her voice melodic and soft. "The idea of them having children never crossed our minds when we banished them. To imagine them with families is foreign and unexpected." Several heads nodded around the table and she continued, "You are correct when you say that the children born on the Isle are living within a prison. However, it is one that has open land and is sustainable. It is not unlike a town or village in one of our own countries."
"Except for being inside a barrier with limited access to land and resources," Sultana Jasmine commented, earning a disapproving glance from King Florian.
"Our greatest concern," Snow White said, "is what their parents may have taught them. Grimhilde was not a kind woman and I do not believe she would teach any child of hers anything different." Delicate pale hands extended to indicate the rest of the Council. "Would I be right to say that those you exiled are the same as Grimhilde?"
No one disagreed with her. None of them could, even Ben. However, "That's one of the reasons I believe they should be allowed to come to Auradon," Ben explained. "If someone is never shown another way of living, can they truly be blamed for their actions or beliefs?"
Aladdin gave a slow nod. "Prince Ben is right," the former street rat said. "It's why Jasmine and I started a program to give street kids a chance. Get them off the streets and lead better lives." Dark eyes met Ben's before turning to face the rest. "Those children on the Isle have only ever been taught by their parents, villains. But we're the reason they've never learned anything else."
Grateful, Ben bowed his head to Aladdin who gave him a small wink. "I know this is a difficult request, and I understand your concerns. I would like to allow you all some time to think it over and look through my notes and research. Then we can return and I can address any further questions you may have and hold a vote."
The Council agreed to a two hour recess and soon the Chamber was empty of everyone except Ben and his parents. Not ready to look at his father, Ben turned to Belle, meeting her gaze with a silent question. Smile soft, Belle took his hand. "I'm proud of you, Ben. This isn't an easy request to make. But it's a noble one."
Beside them, Adam snorted and Belle closed her eyes for a moment before turning to her husband. "Adam, we should talk. Ben, we will see you after the recess." Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she murmured, "Stay strong."
The hours took their time, meandering thoughtlessly through a maze, and all Ben could do was wait and hope and go through his notes again and again. Ever since he'd learned of the Isle as a child he'd been fascinated with it, almost obsessed. At first it was only the magic of the barrier and the history of it. Then it was all of the stories behind the villains locked away. And finally, it was the realization that there was something broken about the Isle.
There were so many children even with the censuses that weren't even half-heartedly carried out once a year by the soldiers escorting the supply deliveries. Children that were alone with parents he knew to be cruel and heartless. Parents that could very easily treat their children as terribly as they treated their victims. He needed to give those kids a chance. Needed to know what life was truly like on the Isle.
By the time the recess was over, Ben's resolve had only strengthened and he watched the Council file in. Once all of them had taken their seats, Ben addressed them. "Are there any questions I can answer for you?"
"Your notes were quite thorough, Prince Ben," King Eric said, Ariel nodding beside him. "I believe we can move forward with the vote?"
When no one disagreed, Ben removed the official proclamation he'd had drafted the night nodded. "Very well." Selecting a pen, Ben took a deep breath before asking, "Tirulia?"
"Opposed," Ariel stated.
"Iterian?"
"Opposed," Cinderella informed him.
Soon there was only one country left to ask and Ben's stomach was in knots. Corona, DunBrock, Atlantis, Agrabah, and Olympus had all voted in favor of his motion. Ulsted, Iterian, Tirulia, Prurian, and Atlantica were opposed. Mulan had abstained from her vote for China.
Careful not to let his voice shake, Ben asked, "Auradon?" refusing to look at either of his parents. One vote. He needed just one more vote.
A pause. Silence. Despite his better judgement, he peeked through his lashes at his parents. Their attention wasn't on him; they were focused on each other. His mother's eyes burned into his father's, something in them making Ben nervous even though he wasn't the one in her sights.
"In favor," Adam said, lips curled, but Belle nodded with a note of finality. For a brief moment Ben was reminded of something the servants said a lot when he was younger; don't cross a woman who tamed a beast. At the very least it appeared that the beast wouldn't cross her.
Then his thoughts caught up with what just happened, and Ben's heart stopped. He'd gotten the final vote he needed. His proclamation was going to be allowed to move forward. He could start saving his future peers from the Isle.
"That is five opposed and six in favor," he announced after his mother touched his hand, returning him to the moment. "The motion passes and the proclamation will be set in motion."
Some low cursing could be heard from where King Philip and Queen Aurora sat while Queen Arianna and King Frederick shared relieved smiles.
"Have you decided on which children will be brought over first?" Mulan asked, head tilted as she studied Ben.
"Yes," he smiled. "I have."