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Chapter Fifteen
* a few days later*
Ben's POV
I look at the clock on my phone, checking for any missed messages before letting out a sigh. I was currently in a meeting with the other royals about, the Halloween Festival. All the royals were present from Queen Snow White to Queen Elsa. Including the Greystone and Charmington royals. I had to take a deep breath and control myself when I saw them walk in, both Queen Ella and King Henri along with Queen Aurora and King Phillip looked rightfully ashamed and sorry for what their kids had done to Mal but when King Stephan and Queen Leah arrived, they looked like nothing had gone wrong, like Audrey hadn't caused my Lady to get sent back to Isle.
Like she hasn't caused any trouble.
It was infuriating. Mal was only starting to get used to being alone with someone else, but a few days ago she was scared to death of being along with someone else. I thought about that morning again, when I told her about being with someone else when I would be too busy. Her reaction was heartbreaking, but it was necessary, I didn't want her to only rely on me. She had other people to help her, and I knew it was affecting Evie, Jay, and Carlos badly when they weren't the ones Mal trusted anymore, Evie, she tolerated but Jay and Carlos she wanted them away from her, the only time she could tolerate them was them they were in a group with the other girls or I was there holding her hand. I looked down at my phone feeling buzz, Mal who I had given her a new iPhone (with restrictions- I didn't want her to find any videos or pictures of Audrey, Chad or the reason she was sent back to the Isle) send me a picture of her waffle sandwich with strawberries. I thought back to when I had introduced her to everyone.
After we had finished breakfast everyone was still there, talking about what they were doing later, stealing glances trying to get a better look at Mal. But she wasn't having it after we eat Mal went back hiding on my chest letting her purple locks cover her face. But everyone didn't care, at one point at least everyone looked at Mal..my parents, Lumiere, Mrs. Pott's, our friends.
"Ben" my mother gave me a look. The moment she shed a tear I tried to hold back introducing Mal to everyone, she's not ready. She was frightened when I told her she would be with other people, I wasn't going to hurt her intentionally. But looking at my mother's glance I had prolonged the moment as far as I could.
I took a deep breath, staring down at Mal. Noticing my glance at her she lifted her head and smiled at me. A small one but a smile.
"Mal.." she gave me undying attention, "I want you to meet these people." her face seemed to pale, she looked ready to bolt out, panic ran through her eyes before she focused on the hair on my neck, she ran her fingers through, "I know you don't want to but it's going to help you while you stay here. Okay?" she looked like she swallowed a lemon before she nodded her head, I kissed her on her head before turning her around to face everyone.
Everyone shifted in their seats smiling and excited to be able to be with Mal where they could spend the day with her. After all, it's been two days since she got here and they couldn't approach her without her flinching. Especially they guys, when Mal sees them she just panics and tries to hide by using my body.
I lifted her head since I was at the head of the table it was easier to tell her who was here.
"Mal you already know my mother, Belle" my mother gave her a smile which Mal returned with a wave. "My father, Adam" he smiled at her, she gave him a wave but gripped my hand. "Next to him is Lonnie" I turned to look at her " You remember her right? Mad nodded her head giving her a smile which was returned enthusiastically. "Next to her is her Jay" she tightened her grip on me before nodding. Jay noticed right away that Mal wasn't comfortable with him but tried not to show it. I decided to move on, "Next to me, is Carlos" he gave her a smile which caused her to grow a bit more when she saw the chocolate covering his mouth from the chocolate syrup he added on his fruit. "Next is Jane she was with you yesterday" Mal smiled at her before burrowing her face into my jacket.
"Mal are you okay?" she nodded her head into my jacket after taking a deep breath. She stayed like that for a while. I was worried that I pushed her too far and this was a consequence of it but after a few seconds, she lifted her head and smiled at me. "Do you want to continue?" she nodded her head before turning a bit to look at the remaining people, Doug and Evie. "Mal that's Evie and Doug" she gave them a shy smile and turned to look at me.
"Is that a-all?" Mal asked me she looked eager to get this over with but I wanted her to be comfortable with them not run and hide from them.
Maybe if I tell her that they're dating
"Just one more thing" she gave me all her attention "So princess, Carlos is dating Jane. Lonnie is dating Jay and Evie is dating Doug." the others gave me looks, most likely asking why I told her that.
Immediately after I said that she relax but her face scrunched up confused, "D-Dating? Like us? They h-have what t-theirs."
I gave her a smile before shaking my head, "No, they don't have what we have." trying to explain that they didn't have the soulmate bond.
Her eyes widen, fear seemed to spread in her eyes, "Are they like him? Do they have others? How many do they have?"
Looking up I could see everyone's alarmed face when she said that. But how was I supposed to explain that? That he had other women and used them, that Mal thought like him they had others.
I cleared my throat, "No theirs not like him, they are dating which means it's a relationship with just two people." Mal's eyes widen before she nodded in understanding, "we sort of have that. The only difference is you and I are together are fated together"
"Does that mean forever?"
I nodded my head. "Just you and me"
She gave me a smile before leaning into my chest before whispering "I like that"
I smiled before laying a kiss on her head, "Me too"
We stayed like that for a while before my dad cleared his throat. Looking up I saw many emotions through people's faces. Mal's friends- Carlos, Jay, and Evie looked heartbroken and angry, their partners trying to give them support while they looked sad, and my parents, on the other hand, gave me a sad smile mixed with a prideful look.
"Ben, son I know you don't want to hear this but you need to have a meeting with the rest of the council before the Halloween festival" my dad shared a look with my mom "they want to discuss the finishing touches and the new idea for our theme" he looked over at Mal.
I let out a sigh. Before things had gone wrong Mal, along with the VK's had talked about recreating their parent's evilness and having a costume to scare the kids, like a haunted house with Mal being the main entertainment as Maleficent and turning into a dragon at the end while also using her magic to spoke everyone. It was one of those days that everyone who had magic was able to use it in situations like those, I looked down at Mal who was playing with come of my buttons.
"Ben" I looked to my far right and saw King Stephan staring at me, giving a rather annoyed look, "are you listening to us"
My dad sitting beside me shifted around looking ready to argue while my mother placed her hand over his trying to help my father relax, though she didn't look that calm herself.
I didn't respond instead I looked at my phone responded to her message before checking the time and if I had any other messages, Queen Leah scoffed, "Ben, if you aren't going to be listening then why are we here"
I looked up from my phone giving a stoic look to the royals from the Greystone Kingdom, the other royals tried and failed to ignore the tension in the room.
"I have no reason to answer to you" I lifted my head giving a stoic look, "it seems to me that you both forget who is King."
The room was quiet, not sure how to handle the situation, everyone around the kingdom new well in fact that Audrey and Chad had framed Mal in order to send her back to the Isle.
"King Ben if I may ask," I turned to Queen Elsa who was sitting next to the Charmings, Ella and Henri. "Do you have a new idea for this year's Halloween festival."
"No and yes" I turned to look at everyone in the room, "I have decided to keep the idea the same idea with the VKs and add some villains"
"Villians?!" Snow White's eyes widened.
Eugene cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, did you mean actual villains?"
The room gave me a mixture of shock, panic and scared looks.
Shaking his head Naveen cleared his throat, "And who are these villains?"
I kept my nerves hidden, "the villains I choose aren't aware yet about the arrangement"
"But who are the Villains" Ariel asked tightly holding Eric's hands.
I cleared my throat, "Hades and Maleficent"
"Hades?!" half the council cried out
"Maleficent?!" the other half yelled.
Queen Leah let out an exaggerated cry before falling down, all the way into in seat while the rest of the council started firing complaints and disagreements.
"Enough!" I shouted after fearing them bicker and argue with the idea, "Hades and Maleficent will be joining us, they will even be members of the council representing the Isle."
"King Ben this is outages Hades is the god of the dead and ruler of the underworld" Hercules spoke "how do we know he won't try to take over Auradon." several members nodded their head.
"What about Maleficent, she tried to take over Auradon using her daughter," Queen Leah argued "how do we know she won't do it again"
I narrowed my eyes, "She won't" trying to keep my Beast calm. "They both will be joining us this is going to be their second chance at a good life"
The council stayed quiet for a few seconds before, Mulan spoke: "Do you think they can change?"
"Of course they can't their villains" Jasmine spoke irrigated.
"They deserve a second chance" my mother finally spoke, the council turned to look at her "I gave Adam a second chance and Ben gave Mal a second chance and she chose good"
"Hades and Maleficent already served for their crimes committed" my father spoke, "if they, the two most evil villains can change why can't the whole Isle?"
The women in the room turned to look at their partners before nodding and them following except two royals.
"Then answer me this King Ben" Leah spoke spitting out the word King, "if those villains deserve a second chance as you say why can't my granddaughter have a second chance"
Eyes immediately turned to me in shock and disbelief.
"Mother!" Aurora chimed angrily "now is not the time to talk about this"
"No this needs to be said, answer me than King Ben why can't she have a second chance"
"I already gave her a second chance" I gritted out "and she didn't have to pay for what she did. But if want it to be fair than when they are both found, they will be sent to the Isle of the lost"
Aurora and Ella gasped while their husbands paled.
Stephan slammed his fist on the table, "they don't deserve that! They made a mistake"
I let out a humorless laugh, "A mistake you say" I clenched my fist, "What they did was no mistake they deserve their punishment for the stunt that they pulled but I won't be the only one deciding the punishment" I paused "when they are caught the council along with myself and Mal's parents will decide their punishment"
They tried to argue again but the plain my father sent their way was enough to keep their mouths shut.
It was silent for a few moments before Ella opened her mouth, "How...How is Mal?" all eyes turned to me waiting for my answer.
My mouth dried.
What was I supposed to say?
Well considering she was abused not bad.
Terrible she doesn't trust anyone but me.
She had nightmares every night.
My thoughts went back to last night.
When I found out she still had nightmares.
It was late at night, Mal and I ended the day by watching the movie third movie of High School Musical. Mal and I had spent the day together, we spend the day after breakfast first by being in my office,
I was working while she sat on a couch that I brought in reading a book. After around 1 o'clock we moved to the dining table to eat lunch with everyone all whom which Mal seemed to be warming up to, we stayed there for a good while with Mal participating a bit answering with 'yes' and 'no' and even going as far as saying full short sentences, after I took her to the rose garden in the gazebo and she started telling me about the books she read and why she liked them.
After the long day was laying down next to her in her bed watching High School Musical with her leaning against my chest.
Mal had gradually gotten used to my touch. She didn't flinch when he suddenly touched her, she even leaned towards my touch when I'm near her.
It was progress.
And I was hopeful.
I caressed her hair before muting the TV, with one hand she fisted my T-Shirt holding on tight. I pulled her closer before closing my eyes. I tried to imagine a world where I didn't make that stupid mistake. I thought back to the last fight I had with Mal, her telling me that my kindness and my trust in people would bring me down that it would hurt me. And she was right. I closed my eyes tighter and took a deep breath of her scent.
She is my queen.
And I failed her.
She suffered.
Because of my fatal mistake.
I was a fool.
The emotion washed over me. The tears wanting to flow began to sting my eyes. The aching in my chest got stronger, nothing helped not even pulling her closer. I began to sniffle before moving out of the bed. I pulled her hand my shirt and shifted carefully to not wake her up. Walking hesitantly I moved towards the bathroom. I closed the door before turning the light on and looking at myself in the mirror. Shaking my head I ran my fingers through my hair and leaned against the sink before covering my eyes.
Swallow her become hard to do.
The tears ran down, stinging my eyes.
I thought back on how I treated her.
How heartbroken and disbelief she was in.
God, it hurt.
It fucking hurt.
But I was never going to let her down not again.
I lifted my head staring at myself. I wanted to punch the wall, punch myself. I wanted to scream for hurting her. Stalking my fist into the counter I shook my head, I could think like this. I needed to remember that it wasn't my fault. That I was being manipulated like everyone else. I could let the mistake drag me down to the point where I can't help her. She was counting on me.
I took a deep breath washed my face and walked out. Mal needed me right now.
The first thing I noticed walking out was Mal moving around in her bed almost scared. I quickly moved toward the bed. Kneeling beside her I noticed the tears running down with her sniffling while moving her head.
My heart stopped.
I thought she didn't have any more nightmares.
I thought she was fine.
After I moved towards the headboard to lean against it I pulled towards me. She immediately began to thrash around trying to get far from. But I didn't let her, I hugged her close, and immediately her hands moved to fist my shirt. I began to mumble a song in her ear. She started to settle down. Starting to relax I kissed her on her temple before relaxing myself. Letting out an even breath tried not to move as she was laying in my chest. Snapping out of my sleepiness I noticed her walking up. Her nose scrunched up her eyes shut d tightly she finally woke up. She got up immediately looking at her surroundings before her eyes landed on me. Letting out a whimper she pulled away. When I tried to touch her she flinched away, tears forming in her eyes.
"Mal"
"You-you hurt me"
"King Ben," Aurora asked, looking over at her I noticed her eyebrows knitted together concerned with her eyes slightly watery.
"She's fine" was all I said.
The rest of the royals looked at each other uncertain. But I didn't give them any room or time to voice their opinion.
Crossing my hands on the table I have them a hard look," That will be all." the council looked shocked seeing as we only covered half of what we needed to do and it was just nearly noon (usually the meetings lasted until 3 or 4 pm).
"You may all leave" again they were shocked but obeyed allowing their husbands to help them up and push their chair. Queen Leah, of course, couldn't help but scoff and roll her eyes before allowing King Stephan to help her up. They both send glares my way but didn't comment.
I moved to the door, saying goodbye to all the council members and apologizing to some for the meeting being cut short as the guard from the other side opened the door. I turned back to talk to Hercules and Meg who were still arguing that bringing Hades could be a bad idea. I tried to explain when I heard them chatting of the leaving royals stopped, turning to see the faces of the royals pale and some wide eyes while others with a mouth opened shocked. Turning fully to the hall I say Mal shuffling quietly towards me.
I wasn't surprised by their reaction.
Mal even though she had been here for a few days she still had those physical reminders of being in the Isle. Her face had small purple bruises healing, her busted lip was also thankfully healing, she still limped a bit when walking through that was quickly fading. Today she had worn a t-shirt, her pale arms in-display showing her many different bruised arms that were finally starting to heal.
When she was finally close enough in arm's length, I pulled her closer hiding her from all the royals. Wrapping my arms around her I took a deep breath of her strawberry scent. Immediately after I pulled in her into my arms I felt her relax letting her body sink into mine.
Pulling away from the moment I lifted her face shows she was looking at me.
"Are you okay?" she nodded her head trying to look behind me before leaning against me again attempting to hide her face.
I turned back to face the royals still present. Aurora had a hand over her mouth with tears forming in her eyes while leaning against her husband, Phillip for support while he looked down ashamed of his daughter's actions. Ella played significantly gripping her husband's hand like it was her lifeline while he tried to calm her down still having a hard time looking at her. Queen Leah, on the other hand, did not seem bothered instead she looked happy, like her husband.
King Stephan looking annoyed cleared his throat, "Aren't you going to introduce us, King Ben?" Spitting the word 'King' like he wanted to question my authority.
Mal instantly tensed before standing straight and looking at me, waiting for me to talk. Though we have had significant progress with her interactions with others she still tenses when she is addressed by someone who she doesn't know especially if it's a guy.
Facing King Stephan I pulled Mal next to me while the other royals looked ready to break us apart.
"King Stephan, this is my lady of the court and my future, Mal" I finally spoke. Mal tried to give him a small smile before hiding against me. Staring down at her I smiled at her before placing a kiss on her head.
Noticing someone staring I looked up, King Stephan was practically glaring at us, "Well? Isn't she going to bow?"
My temper flared. I felt my beast wanting control.
Kill him.
Hurt him.
He insulted mate.
He belittled her.
How dare he?!
My beast kept repeating the same words over and over. I wanted to hurt him, just as bad or even worse than what Mal went through in the Isle. But before I could say something I felt Mal move, looking down at her I noticed she had done exactly what he had asked for, a bow.
I hear tiny gasped and people moving around shocked. They had never really seen an obedient Mal, she during meetings or events was always a spitfire, loud or bubbly, if she didn't think it was right she would say something not stay quiet she spoke what she thought was best. But his Mal she was quiet, she was obedient, she did listen, she did not voice out anything unless directed to. And they had never seen that. Now they know the extent of the crime Audrey and Chad committed. They know now that sending them to the Isle is fair and justice.
Gently lifting her on her full height I whispered in the ear, "you don't need to listen to what he said" before she nodded again and leaning against me,
"I think it's time you left King Stephan"
AAAHHHHHHHHH I'm sorry to say but I will be only updating twice a month.
For many reasons but mostly because I had planned up to chapter 20 what I was going to write and what was going to lead to what but I didn't think of future chapters after because I didn't really think this would get so many followers but it did...so now I just want to take some time to plan what I'm going to write while also not being stressed about my life out of writing this
AHH
The council finally saw Mal!
Maleficent and Hades are coming to Auradon!
Questions
what do you think Ben gave Audrey a second chance it?
how will Maleficient feel seeing her daughter like that?
Do you think Ben will really send Chad and Audrey to the isle?
what do you think happened when Mal had that nightmare?
ANY SUGGESTIONS?
please review or leave a PM
at his moment I have no idea where I want to continue after the Halloween festival.
the only thing I have clear is I want to have a chapter for:
holidays
birthdays
