When Audrey awoke, she awoke to silence and a bed full of fake flowers. She fluttered her eyes a few times, letting the remainder of the spelled sleep leave her, trying to make some sense of her surroundings.

"Are you alright, dear?"

The voice of the Fairy Godmother.

Audrey very slowly sat up and stretched, keeping the flowers in her lap. Waking up in a nurse's office wasn't as glamorous as in the stories, but she could make do.

"What did Mal do? No, I know what she did. I want her suspended and-"

"No!" Fairy Godmother laid Audrey back down with a snap, staring her down. "None of that, not when you've just woken up."

"But she cursed me! Isn't that a bad thing to do? She put me to sleep, just like her mother did. Just like I thought she would!"

"And who do you think woke you up again?"

Audrey froze at that, scanning the room. Close to the foot of her bed stood Evie, clutching a thick book under her arm, and Mal, who had a pink liquid corked in a vial. Her eyes widened as she realized what had happened.

"You...you woke me up? You broke your own curse?" She pointed at Mal, her voice soft.

"Yeah, and it wasn't easy, believe me. Had to wait a whole day for it to simmer," Mal joked. "You got it poured down your throat, don't worry. It's made to counteract my magic and wake you up again,"

"Why did you do it? You're supposed to be Maleficent's daughter. You're supposed to hate me and curse me for years and give me misery. But you didn't. Why?!" Audrey demanded. "You had every right to just leave me asleep!"

"I could've, you're right." Mal stepped closer. "I could've been just like my mother. But I'm not like her, much like you're not like your own mother, am I right?" She smirked.

Audrey felt fire burn up in her, hot anger, as she stared at Mal, trying to think of something to spew at her, but came up with nothing. She could've left her to sleep forever, or done even worse things to her, but she broke her own curse and clearly went through a lot to do so. Magic was not easy and had prices, Audrey knew. But why?

"When you're feeling better, your parents have invited you back home. Actually, it is a demand." Fairy Godmother chimed in. Audrey looked at her instead. A weekend at home could be just the thing she needed to get her mind refreshed.

"Tell them I'm ready when they are."

###

After Audrey got settled into her room, she followed her parents to her mother's favourite place, the cottage she grew up in. Whenever Queen Aurora needed to clear her head and just get away, she would don her simple clothing and come out to the cottage, so Audrey was excited for this trip. A perfect relaxation getaway.

Everything was just as she remembered it, the quaint shutters, the blooming roses, even her simple bed laid out near the kitchen so she could be near the fire. Her mother and father sat on some cushions and bid her to sit across from them, which she did so.

"I'm so happy to see you two again! After all that's happened, I'm in need of a well-deserved break!" Audrey flipped her hair.

"We need to have a talk." Aurora said sternly, folding her hands in her lap. Audrey decided she didn't like the tone.

"Your actions at Family Day were inexcusable, do you understand? Not only that, but we were informed by other staff that that's a regular thing for you. You act snobby and controlling towards everyone," Phillip began. Audrey's face fell.

"Really only to the Villain Kids, and don't they deserve it? Especially Mal? You saw her put a spell on me! She can't be trusted, and neither can the others," she defended herself.

"What we saw was a scared girl who lashed out in panic and anger after you and my mother egged her on. She didn't act out of malice," Aurora said.

"Other students report you being mean and rude to others as well, not just Villain Kids." Phillip said.

"And on the subject of my mother, you are not to see her without my explicit permission, do you understand?"

Audrey looked up at that. "How is that fair?! She's family too!"

"Yes, but I see now she's been a bad influence on you. She told me she'd raise you to be more queenly and I agreed, not having much experience on that. That was a mistake, and one I hope I'm not too late to rectify," Aurora sighed. "As of now, both of us will be keeping a firm eye on you. You were such a good girl growing up and I want that back. I don't know what it'll take to give you your compassion back, but I'm willing to do whatever,"

"So what now? I just never go back to school?"

"Let's start with this weekend. You can spend it thinking about why Mal saved you despite supposedly being a villainous person. Does that sound good?" Phillip said. Audrey grumbled and turned away. "Well?"

"...She saved me because she's never been like her mother. I can't vouch for the others, but she's never been outright evil, just mischievous." She said finally. "When I woke up, she said I'm also nothing like my mother, and that insulted me. I want to be like you, Lady Mother!"

"I do too! Hopefully, this weekend is a step in the right direction," Aurora stood and walked over to her daughter. "Remember, your Lord Father and I don't hate you, even after all this. I realize my mistakes and hope to help you before it's too late,"

"Grandma said I had to be perfect and poised, not a thought in my head," Audrey played with one of her curls. "I can't believe Mal did all that for me. She had every right to let me sleep forever but she didn't,"

"You're right. She didn't," Phillip smiled at her. "Remember that."

###

Audrey pushed open the shutters and rubbed them down, humming to herself. Despite the cold shoulder of her parents, she was still thoroughly enjoying her time at the cottage. She even resigned herself to a simple pink blouse and skirt, her hair tied-up behind her as she cleaned.

"We're expecting visitors today," Aurora told her when she went to put up the broom. She gasped happily.

"Who?! My best friends? My boyfriend?!"

"Princesses Anxelin and Ruby Fitzherbert from Corona,"

"Why? I don't know them very well," She asked in confusion.

"We've been told that you enjoy scoffing at them purely because they're not pureblooded. That's not very proper princess behavior, you know."

Audrey just huffed.

"Did you know that when your Lord Father and I first met, he didn't care that I was a peasant? He was super ready to marry me despite that. Imagine if it happened, you'd have been raised more simply," Aurora said.

"But every story says you first met after he broke the spell!" Audrey said in disbelief. "He always knew who you were,"

"Technically, we first met at my Christening, when he was to bestow gifts on me on behalf of his family, but I hear he wasn't too happy to see me." She giggled.

Audrey had no idea what to expect of the visit so she just kept her plain clothes on, greeting the family with her parents, curtsying.

"This cottage is so small and cute! It's quaint!" Ruby gushed upon stepping inside. She kept her hair braided as usual but wore a purple dress embroidered with flowers. Anxelin wore a matching one in green with an apron, which made Audrey do a double-take. She looked so different out of her element and modern clothes.

"I know, right? I love it!" Rapunzel cheered, running around. "It reminds me of where I grew up!" Even she wore a green country gown embroidered with butterflies with a laced front.

"The tower? Wouldn't you have claustrophobia?" Audrey asked. Sure, her mom preferred the cottage too, but that's because she lived her whole life up to that point there, cared for by the Three Good Fairies. What was not to love? Rapunzel on the other hand was forced to live there, kidnapped by her own villain. How could one be homesick for it?

Rapunzel nodded happily. "I actually prefer the tower...my quarters back home are on the tallest tower of the castle. Old habits die hard,"

"She's never been a 'normal' princess, you know," Eugene joked, dressed in a green tunic.

"Eugene!" Rapunzel jokingly nudged him.

"Why don't you three girls go outside? It's a nice day," Aurora suggested, thrusting a large basket into Anxelin's hands. "Pick some wildflowers and have a picnic." She smiled a coy smile she rarely used, ushering the three outside.

"I suppose the adults want to talk!" Anxelin teased, marching forward, swinging the basket around. Ruby and Audrey remained next to each other, the former looking for flowers with the latter deep in thought.

What was she to do with Mal? Actually, no, scratch Mal. What would she do about the rest of the school? She thought she was just giving helpful advice to everyone, just as Grandmother told her to do, but was it possible she was truly being rude to others? Lady Mother seemed to think so, and Audrey never wished to make her upset. Chad was the same way, but she'd deal with him when she actually returned to school.

"I was a...very not nice girl. The word that rhymes with 'witch'," Audrey said bluntly, making the twins stop in their tracks and look at her. Ruby looked shocked while Anxelin burst out laughing.

"I'd say! You said we had little say in anything because our dad's not a prince," She continued to laugh.

"I know. Is it too late for me to change? What Mal said...I shouldn't care so much about her opinion, but it stung me. I'm nothing like my mother even though I idolize her. Mal's nothing like her mother either. I was so rude to her, my whole life..." Audrey trailed off and stared into the distance. What was she even getting at? Was it even possible for her to change? She was a princess. Those never developed from a negative personality, they were always kind and helpful no matter what.

"Of course you can! Everyone deserves second chances," Ruby smiled at her, running ahead to a clearing where the sunbeams hit the grass perfectly. "This is the perfect spot to have our picnic!" She danced around and took the basket from her sister, setting out the blanket delicately. Anxelin gently set up the dishes and silverware, and finally Audrey slowly laid out the food, feeling like she should help.

Animals scurried out from the forest, surrounding their blanket and watching them, but for once the princesses paid them no mind, not even Audrey. She stared down at her goblet of sparkling grape juice.

"The best way to show everyone you've changed is simply by your attitude. Apologizing is good, but you want people to know you're genuine," Anxelin said. "Apologize to Mal and anybody else you bothered, then keep your good attitude,"

"It'll be hard." Audrey said softly. "I think I could, but it'll be hard,"

"Who said it'll be easy? But you have to keep doing it, for yourself! And everyone else!" Ruby took her hands and offered her a cheerful smile.

"Simple dresses look good on you two,"

"Same for you!"

After the girls ate, Audrey agreed to wander around the forest more, though she still pretended to look for wildflowers. They reached a small stream and the girls walked across a fallen tree, holding out their arms for balance.

"You know what? Forget the tree!" Ruby jumped into the water with a happy gasp, unafraid because it only came up to her ankles. "Let's take our shoes off and wade around!"

"Don't have to tell me twice," Anxelin grinned in approval, tossing them onto the banks and splashing around.

Audrey normally never wore shoes when visiting the cottage, so she very slowly dipped her own toes in, standing up once she felt more comfortable. The water was cool and lapped at her ankles pleasantly.

Ruby grabbed a handful of water into her palms and threw it above her, letting it rain down on her. Anxelin giggled and splashed her, dousing her dress, and got rewarded with a squeal and splash of her own.

"A princess would never do something like that!" Audrey protested. "She'd be poised and walk across the tree,"

"But my mother did it. She's a true princess, she was just so excited to finally see the world for the first time in her life," Ruby said softly.

"Being a princess isn't just about manners, it's about treating others and yourself with kindness," Anxelin put her hands on her hips. "That's why we can be true princesses in spite of everything, same for someone like Anya."

Audrey stared at her reflection in the water, running her hands through her curls. Even now, they were her pride and joy. She thought of the images of her mother, regal and queenly, nobody ever thinking that her life had been spent in a cottage with animals and fairies in the forest. What was it like for her?

She took her hand and splashed a small wave onto the twins, making them giggle.

"You're getting it!" Ruby cheered. She kicked her feet up and jumped, splashing the others with a huge wave. Audrey laughed before she caught herself and splashed them again. The girls ran down the length of the stream, splashing each other and completely forgetting their shoes.

"What a beautiful view," Anxelin gasped after they had calmed down. They reached another clearing, this one near the end of a cliff, and far off in the distance was a grand castle. "Yours?"

"Yes," From so far away, Audrey couldn't really even recognize it as her own and instead saw it as a generic castle in the distance. Right now, she was essentially a peasant girl. "Lady Mother might've come out here every day and just stood here to soak up the view...never knowing where she truly belonged. But sometimes I wonder if it's what she wanted,"

"Huh?" Ruby asked curiously.

"Nothing." Audrey refused to elaborate, stepping away. She didn't want to get so sentimental, not yet anyway. She never wondered that of her mother before, if she was actually happy as a princess or missed her simple life, but now she was. Today was fun and relaxed, and Audrey thought she would miss it too if she was to return to school the next day and never return here.

"Either way, let's start heading back," Ruby stuffed their basket full of wildflowers and walked ahead, wondering if Queen Aurora would be pleased with what they brought her.

"We were gone for so long," Audrey noticed.

Anxelin looked up at the evening sun before she burped loudly. "Too much sparkling cranberry juice!" She laughed before burping again.

"This is what I mean! If your parents were less eccentric, you would be more proper! That's gross!" Audrey blurted out before she could catch herself. She covered her mouth.

"They're eccentric, and proud of it. This is what I mean. You can be annoyed without being rude," Anxelin scolded. "It's due to my upbringing, I can admit, but so is yours!"

Audrey was silent for a minute before she finally sighed and tried to smile. "I am sorry for having an outburst, it won't happen again."

"And I'm sorry I forgot myself there." Anxelin said. "I'm so used to hanging out with other non-conventional people that I can forget my manners,"

"But you're still the burping champion back home!" Ruby laughed.

The three girls arrived back at the cottage, Ruby running over to the adults despite her heavy basket.

"Did you have fun?" Eugene asked sincerely.

"Yeah! The food was great and look at all our wildflowers!" She opened the basket to show them off.

"Oh my! Mind if I take a few to make paints out of? They're just so vibrant!" Rapunzel asked eagerly.

"Sure," Aurora smiled at her. "And how was your day?"

Audrey wanted to have her normal feigned politeness, saying something simple and nice to make everyone happy, but she was working on that. She knew her mother wanted the truth. "Fun, honestly. I liked the food and we splashed each other in a river. I saw the view of our castle from far away! And...Anxelin was a bit vulgar and I yelled at her."

Aurora nodded.

"Sounds like an exciting day!" Phillip smiled at her.

"Do you...miss this life? Genuinely. Was there a time when you never wanted to become a princess and just stay here forever?" Audrey told herself she wouldn't think about it again, but seeing her mother popped the question back into her mind. Aurora looked shocked for a moment.

"Yes." She replied bluntly. "My life up to that point was nothing but this cottage. Simple and rustic. I met a man I loved with all my life and was determined to marry him no matter what. I was going to have a simple but nice birthday party...and my present was being told I was a hidden princess and was to return to the kingdom immediately. I couldn't even tell the man I loved goodbye. The moment we got there, I cried heavily at my dresser. Even after Phillip woke me up and I knew we were destined, I struggled. Palace life was not for me. It's why I thought Mother would be a good teacher for you about court matters. I'm older now and I see I should've helped you more, and now that you're older I hope you realize why this cottage is so important to me."

Audrey blinked as she sat there. Truly, she couldn't picture her proud mother ever being unsure or upset, let alone seriously crying. The stories always left that part out and made her be a fair maiden who did everything dutifully and got rewarded in the end. No emotion or humanity.

"Can I really change as a person? The twins believe so, but I'm a princess! They don't change. I've hurt so many, I can admit it. Does anyone even like me or want to see me change?" She asked after a while.

"Some might not, but most will. You just have to try and show you're serious," Phillip answered.

"The twins said the same thing,"

"Then they're onto something."

Audrey looked away. It would be hard, but she wanted to, needed to change. Mal's words stung and she wanted to put them to rest. She just had to start being nicer to everyone. True kindness, not faked politeness or soft words meant to please everyone, the things she was taught by her grandmother.

She hoped her mother would teach her enough to replace all that in the coming days.