Alright, I could mention it in the chapter, but I'll do it now: Auradon is bigger than canon. Not as PANGEA-big, but as in, "afford to host all the Disney royals and co. in one continent" big. Take a canon map of Auradon and just...stretch it out. Saves me the effort in explaining worldbuilding a bit. Oh, and I'll be changing a few things around, so there Sidekick Council is just a council with representatives from each region representing the citizens' interest with a few exceptions, like the dwarves.

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At Château de l'aube (Daybreak Castle)

Audrey's POV

Have you ever felt like there was something important you're supposed to remember and just...forgot? Like no matter how much you wrack your brain around trying to recollect something, nothing comes up?

It was as if I was constantly chasing something that elusively escaped my grasp. It was as if I was chasing something that didn't want to be followed.

Like I wasn't supposed to be after it...

That was what I'd been doing all this morning when I woke up. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather came rushing in as I screamed bloody murder. It was like I bore witness to something terrible, tragic even. I spent hours rummaging through my head, trying to remember what it was I'd seen that shook me to the core.

Grief, dread, pain, and such painstaking loss were all I could recall. It was all darkness, yet what I couldn't see was what frightened me more. And what was worse was the paranoia, like something was out to get me if I wasn't checking over my shoulders.

Quite honestly, it felt stupid. Stupid, but warranted. After all, I'm Princess Audrey Rose of Beauregard of Auroria! No one would be stupid enough to hurt me!

...Except Maleficent, the evil fairy who cursed my mother and caused her to be separated from her parents sent away all because she wasn't invited to a party! (Alright, I may be exaggerating the entire issue a bit and realize the situation ran entirely much, much deeper than it looks. Fairy Etiquette 101 is a must!)

But even though I have the benefit that the evil fairy could never harm me since she was banished to the Isle of the Lost, a prison island that's just off the coast of Auradon and inhabited by the most evildoers, criminals, and their lackeys who were either dead and brought back to life because "Death was too lenient for their misdeeds" or already imprisoned. These criminals were rounded up from all over the regions and placed there to live out the rest of their days as punishment. And with the help of magic users, such as the famed Fairy Godmother of Queen Cinderella's fairytale, a forcefield was erected around the island, prohibiting those who used magic from ever accessing it again and only certain royals, such as the Beauchamp Family, were allowed to open it up to send supplies in and out of the barrier.

I've never been there, nor do I ever want to. Sure, Auradon had its own justice system, but they were more for petty crimes with chances to contribute to society in retribution.

Auradon could give forgiveness to those who deserved it.

The Isle was for those who never deserved a second chance.


3rd POV

After spending a dreadful morning searching for the now-lost dream, Audrey figured it was wise to get back on track and look at her busy schedule for the week. Audrey was a two-week break from Auradon Preparatory School (Auradon Prep or AP) and her family (mainly Queen Mother Leah) never made it hard for the princess to stay busy:

7-8:30 AM: Wake up, get dressed while checking on her emails, and attend morning prayers (or church services on Sundays)

9-10 AM: Have breakfast with her family

10-11 AM: Morning exercises ith Monsieur Cedric

11 AM-12 PM: Dance lessons with Madame Estelle

12-3 PM: Private tutoring with the Fairy Godmothers

3-3:30 PM: Horseback riding lessons with Monsieur Florent

3:30-4 PM: Freeriding on Amaryllis

4-4:30 PM: Gardening

4:30-5 PM: Lunchtime/Afternoon with Queen Mother Leah and Queen Auroria

5-6 PM: One-on-One time with King Philip for "diplomacy lessons" (really just father-daughter time during his schedule)

6-8 PM: Free time with leisure hobbies

8-9 PM: Dinner with her royal family

9-11 PM: Sneak into the garden and take certain herbs and flowers to make special treats for the servants

11 PM: Go to bed.

After this morning, Audrey had eaten her breakfast in bed (Milk as beverage with a plate of ham, cheese, eggs, and toast with Rose Jelly - an Aurorian specialty), she had gone to the private gym in the castle, and her daily exercise ritual with Monsieur Cedric, a longstanding employee and personal trainer of her father's. She knows some kids- and adults - who dislike exercising in the morning, but Audrey loved it. Stretching her muscles and getting rid of any bedsores, which she rarely got but still happened, and getting energized for the day ahead! (Plus, Audrey was the co-captain of Auradon Prep's Royal Wolves, a team she founded herself since the school's Fighting Knights Tourney team didn't have one prior for reasons that surprised her! So, having Cedric helped Audrey keep in shape when she wasn't at school and gave her surprising insight!)

Then, she had dance lessons with Madame Estelle, another addition to morning exercise and fitness that she also loved. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, but she had a love for ballet. It was just something about having absolute control, trust, balance, and Audrey's small love for feeling weightless in the air. And it wasn't to be said she didn't develop a gracefulness in her walk and posture because of it, much to her grandmother's delight. Madame Estelle came recommended as a former ballerina and dance instructor in the noble class, with an inspiring background story of a growing up a commoner to boot! She was hard-working, dedicated, and earned her spot as a prima ballerina. Estelle herself found the princess one of her best students, even daring to say that she could imagine her as part of a dance company had she not been a princess. Audrey takes pride in it because, for all of her teacher's friendly nature, Estelle was strict, disciplined, and brutally honest once immersed in her job! She would shower her in compliments as a royal and demanded Audrey shed that in her lessons!

"Everyone is capable of dance! And anyone is capable of being better than the rest! I danced behind girls with more money in their pockets and designer clothes I could never afford! Now, look around! Do you see them here? Non! Moi? Oui! I put in the effort, dedication and that is the difference between me and them! Backgrounds mean nothing by nightfall! The only thing left standing at final auditions is who is the best dancer and the one who outshines is the one who worked for it!"

Not to mention, Madame Estelle's intense. But that intensity brought out Audrey's respect for her and competitiveness to strive and be better than the rest, no matter what!

As for her private tutoring with the fairy godmothers (a MUST by the Queen Mother to not fall behind during break), it can get...theatrical, to say the least. All together, Audrey found the lessons together can be quite hilarious, especially when Merryweather gets annoyed and pulls out her wand to spell Flora when she annoyed her! Incidentally, not a lot gets done and sometimes she suspects that's the point. However, individually, the fairies can carry on lessons on their own (it helps with them also being teachers at AP) between Math, Languages, English and Writing, Economics, Science, and more. Audrey finds it to her surprise that she can keep up. The only lessons not taught were Religions, optional but tending to favor more with Mythologies since everyone had the choice to practice what they want...and it can't be helped to learn mythology when there's the Olympian Gods in the Aphelothia region to consider, and that's the least of the worries.

The next after those lessons were horseback riding, which was something she appreciated with Monsieur Florent because she was finally outside for the first time (depending on the day) and got to see Amaryllis, her beautiful loyal trotter that she'd care for since she was 14. Another benefit was that the lessons were brief and she mostly cared for the free-riding she did afterward, going as far as she could before she inevitably had to turn back. Sometimes, if she was lucky, Audrey would see her father, King Philip either on a walk or riding on his horse, Samson Jr (the son of Samson the first).

The next was gardening, which was Audrey's favorite as it doubled as extra credit for botany and home skills for Merryweather and Fauna. The royal gardeners were happy to have the princess willing to work with them in the dirt, but left the rose portion of the garden to her and her alone since her father dedicated to her birth (and her birth alone). Audrey took on much advice on how to care for the roses and what she did with the fruits of her labor usually paid off at night.

After tending to the gardens, Audrey dresses in clean clothes and heads to the outdoor dining area to have afternoon tea with her mom and grandmother, where they discuss their day. Her grandmother was keener on her education than Audrey's activities outside of being a princess, but she didn't mind as she knew her parents had busy schedules, leaving the Queen Mother to take the reigns on her princess lessons. However, Queen Auroria made sure to know Audrey had a life outside of being a princess as she once did, making time to see her when she could. However lovey, lunch was almost always a quiet affair.

This is very contrast to when King Philip has his time with her. Overprotective and Daddy's Girl at heart, if it's not on horseback, the king makes time just as much as his wife to spend with Audrey during the day. Because Audrey was their sole child and heir apparent, Philip sought to give her diplomatic lessons if Audrey were to ever become a Queen Regnant of Auroria. Usually, the first visage of those diplomatic lessons that springs to mind would be Philip bringing Audrey to court to watch and observe him in his duties, which wasn't to say didn't happen. Philip found Audrey had a cooler head at handling disputes better than him at times. However, there was something else the father-daughter duo did in the time that they had: Swordfighting. Philip taught her to always remain vigilant, that even with lasting peace something could always go wrong...always. So while she might not have been wielding a sword since she could walk, the king was fairly adept at personally teaching her how to defend herself with a sword. She could never wield the Sword of Truth, the legendary sword that killed Maleficient, but she could handle something smaller, like a raspier. Another thing she was taught was Archery, though her skills are slightly better than her sword hand. In comparison, wielding a bow and arrow was easier than the complexities of sword fighting, but she'd adept enough to hit a good mark, especially if she secretly went hunting with her father (a poorly kept secret actually).

After that, Audrey had time to pursue whatever she wanted before dinner. Audrey either decided to check up with her friends and teammates through phone calls and emails, practice playing piano, deciding on charity work, coordinating her clothes for the school, and saving the best for last, calling her boyfriend, Prince Benjamin "Ben" Florian Beauchamp of Auradon.

They'd had known each other since they were children and were extremely closer to one another than anyone else in their circle. Born royals with good family ties and borderline neighbors, there were rumors that there would be an arranged marriage between the two, and it helped that Audrey was less than subtle about her growing crush on Ben. However, it was just rumors and the Aurorian Royal Family wanted their heiress to have a love match and a choice. Aurora and Philip got lucky their marriage shared mutual affections while others aren't so lucky. So the transition from "Best Friends" to "Dating" at 14 was gradual but welcoming to the new couple.

Plus, Ben was getting more responsibilities recently. There was a council meeting Adam was letting Ben precede over today. She wished him luck and kindly asked Flora to "poof" him a basket of rose-molded chocolates with cream cheese filling to help boost his confidence. Confidence the princess knew he already had because he's a natural leader! (And being a part of a few clubs can help as well!)

After her designated free time is over, Audrey has dinner with her family, discussing their day, and it's after dinner that Audrey goes to the gardens to retrieve some of the biggest roses she's bloomed and makes haste to the kitchen to make treats for the staff. It started when she was young to say gratitude, but ended up being her tradition when she can help it. And when she's done, she leaves a note and heads straight to bed.

This was one of Audrey's more basic schedules when she was in Auroria and not at Auradon Prep, so things were subjected to change.

But the next day would call for something to break it altogether.


The next day...

"I blew it!"

"No, you did not."

"Yes, I did! I blew it and I don't know even where to start fixing it!" Ben exclaimed in defeat through the other side of the phone, pacing around in his bedroom. Audrey sighed, feeling terrible and she wasn't the one facing ire from an angry dwarf!

She was in the middle of her freeriding time with Amaryllis when she received a call on her personal cell from Ben. Cutting her ride short, she returned her horse to the stablehand and rushed to her father's office, thankfully empty, to continue the talk. Ben had told her last night that the meeting was today, but apparently, it didn't go so well.

She'd been well aware of the mining issues with the dwarves. Her father himself stated something wasn't right and stopped all shipments from the mines from entering Auroria. He saw something illegal at foot and wouldn't have anything illegally manufactured in his country! So aside from the crown jewels and anything not created with the help of the dwarves, Auroria had adopted a small but growing trend in crafting, which has brought in surprising business. Billie Bergmann, Bashful's daughter and one of her cheer mates, couldn't look her in the eyes but she flushed as she told her that her Uncle Grumpy was less than pleased that it didn't fix the situation, it did help to have one less kingdom to take orders for and helped make money with the crafting business Billie had going on with her other cousin, Heidi.

"I stuttered, fumbled, and stalled all over the place! If I can't take this, what else can I do wrong?!" he groaned in frustration. And don't even get him started on having to channel his father and inner-Beast to adjourn the meeting! And that's not counting one of the representatives being his girlfriend's fairy grandmother to boot!

"Ben, are we discussing a bad council meeting or tourney practice?" Audrey stated with a hint of seriousness in her tone.

That shut Ben up and gave him the chance to actually laugh at the comparison.

"I-I guess you have a point," he agreed as he sat down. "I felt like a child again, watching my father rage and being terrified about it. Even if today wasn't anything like that. It was more of a council revolt than anything my father has done."

"How about this," Audrey offered. "Why don't I come and visit? You're clearly in a bad headspace and need a pick-me-up!"

She heard Ben sigh again on the other end. "I don't think that's such a good idea, Audrey..."

"Don't tell me what's a good idea and what's not! Especially when it comes to you, Ben. I'm practically psychic. I know you better than you know yourself!"

Ben chuckled softly. "I highly doubt that."

She gave a feigned gasp. "Me? Your girlfriend of 3 years and best friend for more than that!?"

Audrey's heart filled with warmth at the sound of Ben's laughter and couldn't help but smile in return.

"Come to the cottage," Audrey suggested, "and by the cottage, I mean the honeymoon castle! I'm sure Grandmother would be thrilled to have you visit. I'll set up something nice and you can tell me everything yourself when you get there!"

"Audrey..." he trailed.

"Don't 'Audrey' me!" she voiced. "I bet you called because you were already planning on asking FG to 'poof" you to see me anyway and wanted my permission first. One, you are always welcomed to Auroria. And two, I always welcome your visits. Aside from talking, we haven't even seen each other since break started. This will be good for us!"

Ben had to snatch the phone from his ear to look up and see, that indeed, Fairy Godmother was already in his room waiting for him. She always had a knack for knowing when people were in need. But the look she was giving him wasn't helpfulness, but grimness. Which itself said one thing: His father wanted to speak with him.

He found himself trembling for a moment before he snapped himself out of it! This would not be the first time he's endured his father's wrath and it won't be the last. Just until he becomes king!

"Hey, I gotta go," Ben said. "How about this: I give you an hour and a half start and I meet you at the HC. I...I just really need to see you."

On the other side, Audrey just couldn't stop the growing smile on her face. Yes, she could get a lot done in an hour. She'd need her parents' and grandmother's permission (which she no doubt she had) and maybe plan out a surprise picnic!

But she wasn't stupid, she caught Ben's voices wavering at the beginning and had a hunch what caused it.

"Alrighty, Benny Boo! I'll see you later! Bye!"

"Bye-"

But Audrey hung up before he could even finish. Ben shook his head. Typical Audrey.

Audrey immediately raced out of her father's office and searched for her grandmother. She'd be happy to suspend most of her schedule for a brief visit from the prince. But as she hurried down the stairwell, she stopped.

She didn't know why. But she suddenly feels sick to her stomach for calling Ben "Bennyboo". She'd been calling him that since they were kids and he seemed okay with it.

So why didn't it feel right coming from her?


At the Château de lune de miel (Honeymoon Castle)...

If Ben could ever repay her for it, he could!

After a painful hour of listening to his father rant about his pathetic excuse of a council meeting, Fairy Godmother must have seen fit to rescue the downed prince from her king's rage and "poof" him to Auroria! He would've opted to change out of his royal attire to something more casual so he wouldn't come off as a burnt-out royal, but he figured beggars can't be choosers.

The Honeymoon Cottage (or Castle) was a wedding gift to the then-Princess Aurora and Prince Philip as a wedding gift from the late King Hubert as a starter home. A castle of bedrooms and elaborate rose gardens, it was the couple's first home until royal duties required the family to move into Daybreak Castle. After that, it served as a secondary home but was nowhere near as beloved as the cottage the queen grew up in.

But like any castle, royal guards were surrounding the premises, and luckily before Ben had to announce his arrival, he spotted his girlfriend at the front gate waving excitedly at him with royal guards standing stoically beside her.

Queen Aurora was a famous beauty in a land of famous beauties, and so it was only to be expected that Princess Audrey, daughter of Aurora, was gifted with the same lilting voice, tan skin, lovely curly, brown hair, swan-like neck, and deep, dark eyes that could drown a prince in their warm embrace. She resembled more of her father than her mother but was just as beautiful all the same.

Like a kitten scenting catnip—or perhaps like a banished former villain sensing magic on the isle—a young prince could hardly be expected to resist such sparkly, dimpled charms. Audrey, like her mother before her, was exactly the sort of princess who gave princesses their rather princessy reputation—right down to her very last perfect curl and the last crystal stitched into her silken gown.

And so it was to her that Prince Ben went to lick his wounds and seek some comfort after the disastrous meeting of the King's Council—like the discouraged, catnip-seeking kitten he was. He felt a bit of shame coming to her like this, but she always told him that if he needed to see her, her door was open.

"It's such a mess," he told her as they walked around the garden, her guards not that far behind them. Which was fair considering no one in their right mind would leave their princess and sole heir alone, even if the company was a recurring and well-known face.

"So what happens now?" Audrey asked, looking perfectly charming with a flower in her hair. Naturally, it happened to match the silken lining of her dusty-rose bodice. "Surely even a prince can't be expected to do everything right the very first time he tries?"

Easy for you to say, Ben thought.

A dove alighted on Audrey's shoulder, cooing sweetly. Audrey lifted one pale pink nail, and the dove nuzzled her gentle fingertip. Ben found himself looking around for the royal portraitist.

Ben sighed.

Somehow, even the sight of his beautiful girlfriend wasn't enough to lift the prince's somber mood. "Dad says I have to hold another meeting to fix it. He's disappointed, of course, and he's had to send conciliatory gift baskets to everyone who was there, including his favorite cream cakes for Grumpy, so he's not in the best mood. You know how much he likes his cream cakes."

"Frosted or unfrosted?" Audrey asked. "And with currants or chocolates?"

He wanted to snort. Figures she would know how to deal with the grouchiest of the seven dwarves.

"Both kinds," Ben said, sighing again. "More than a dozen each. Mom thinks it's the only way to make peace, although Dad was kind of annoyed to give away so many of his favorite treats."

"They are rather good." Audrey smiled. "And everyone does love cake."

Audrey meant to as a joke but frowned when she noticed the distant look on his face. She was just trying to cheer him up, but something was nagging at her. As if to tell her to say something different than what was coming out of her mouth.

But when she opened her mouth to speak, she felt a dark chill rushes through, causing her to stumble as she found herself hunching over as a heavy surge of despair overcame her along with her body succumbing to numbness and her vision fading.

Meanwhile, Ben found himself wishing Audrey could be more understanding, but her life had been charmed from the beginning as the pampered princess of two doting parents—especially Aurora, who been separated from her mother and forced to spend her formative years in a fairy foster home, under the threat of a deadly curse. "My daughter will never know anything but love and beauty and peace and joy," Aurora had declared. And she had meant it. So it wasn't hard to see now why Audrey couldn't understand how Ben could ever disappoint his parents. She never had.

And she never will, he thought.

Like almost everything in Auradon, Audrey was perfectly sweet, perfectly gentle, and if Ben were honest, sometimes perfectly boring. There were other colors, aside from pink and pale turquoise. There were other animals, who liked to do things other than coo and cuddle. There were perhaps also other topics than gowns and gardens and balls and carriages—no matter how good the custom paint job on the latest chariots was.

Weren't there?

Been started to say something when he noticed Audrey was no longer beside him and turned to see her kneeling on the ground. His heartbeat spiked as he ran to her side.

"Audrey!"

"PRINCESS!"

"PRINCESS!"

At the sound of his shout, the guards came running as Ben hastily knelt to her side. She was heavily panting, her face etched in anguish and her lungs tighten, preventing her from making a sound. Audrey felt faint as the weight of a nightmare she couldn't recall hitting her full first.

It was of loss...

Fear...

Horror...

This sting of despair hung over her as if she's lost something and can't ever get it back. She felt it. She felt it all as she trembled.

"Audrey! Audrey!" Ben yelled, trying to shake her out of her stupor, but when he tilted her chin up to look at her, he felt his stomach drop.

He knew this look. He's felt what that look brings to him. Ben had his fair share of this expression, especially after that disaster of a council meeting...and every time his dad was in his wrathful moods.

Audrey was a panic attack. And it's a bad one!

Ben noticed her guards were starting to reach for her when a harsh "NO!" erupts from Ben, stopping them. The prince winced, lowering his tone and keeping the Beast behind the cage inside him. The guards were just trying to do their jobs.

"It's okay! I can take it from here!" he stated sharply yet genuinely to the guards. He probably didn't have the clearance to do that, but they likely didn't know how to handle something like this.

"But! Your highness-" he started, but Ben cut him off.

"She's gonna be fine. Just give her some time," he said, carefully brushing the hair out of her face and felt sick inside at the pained expression on her.

Ben couldn't do anything but hold her and try to keep her steady until she calmed down. He kept calling out to her while swaying back and forth in her arms.

"Come on, Audrey, you can hear me. Can't you? You can get through this! Just listen to the sound of my voice," he pleaded as he tried to call her back. "Just come back to me. I'm right here. Do you hear me? I am right here..."


The princess was numb to all sensations. Her hands shook, her feet tingled, her blood was rushing but she couldn't feel it as she paid attention to the pounding chest. She felt her lungs tighten as if she couldn't breathe and nothing was getting in or out. But was scared her was the dread. The hopelessness that had taken over and made Audrey just want to cry in despair.

She felt cold.

"Audrey..."

What was that? She felt something, a trickle really. But it felt nice.

"Audrey..."

There it is again. That feeling. Audrey tried to reach out, trying to feel that trickle that came over her. She reached and reached and reached until she felt it. She felt warmth flow through her, eliminating the cold that encompassed her. It was relishing and she sought out more. And the more she felt, the more she heard something call out to her.

"Audrey..."

Warmth. That was what she felt if the sound had feelings. If she could, she'd outstretch her hand more and could just hold it, keep it close, keep it safe from the cold grasp of darkness surrounding her, she'd be content.

"Audrey..."

Is that...Ben? He's the warmth. Audrey could've laughed. Of course. It's Ben. Who else, Ben with his sunny disposition and willing (yet naive) nature. Of course, he's warm. He must be keeping her warm, but Audrey felt tempted to let it go. she didn't want him to know what this darkness surrounding her felt like. He couldn't feel this. She'd rather be cold.

she tried to, but once she had Ben's warmth, it wouldn't let go of her. As if he would protect her as she wanted to protect him.

"Audrey..."

Flashes started to appear before her. Her in the kitchen, baking with help. Her picking out a dress. Her arriving at the Honeymoon Cottage. Her waving at Ben at the front gates. Her walking beside him until it all faded. Had she fainted? No. She wouldn't be this aware if she had. She needed to wake up. She HAD to wake up!

"Audrey...I'm here."

Ben, I hear you...


The soft lull of Ben's voice felt like cool rain on a sunny day. This...This was the first feeling what brought Audrey back to the present. Eventually, Audrey stopped hyperventilating and began to hear Ben calling out to her. And soon enough, as suddenly as it came, the despair went away and it unsettled her. Her vision came back to her and revealed the sight of being wrapped around a very worried boyfriend.

"Ben..." she called out faintly.

Ben cradled her in his arms, taking note of the color drained from her face. He didn't know what was going on, but he didn't know what could cause Audrey to drop like this. Royal or not, her home life is nothing like his to warrant a panic attack!

"Audrey, are you alright?" he asked.

Audrey had to grasp her head as she felt dizziness wash over her.

Not hearing an answer, Ben lifted her off the ground and carried her to the sitting area he saw from the previous times he's been to the castle. He carried her there and sat her down on a lawn chair under an outdoor umbrella.

"Your highness!" the guards came, reporting to Audrey.

"I-I'm fine," Audrey stuttered. "Just return to your post. I just spent a little too much time in the sun. That is all."

The guards were reluctant to follow her orders but distanced themselves away from the royals before them.


"So, are you going to tell me what just happened back there?" Ben asked after a few moments of silence.

Audrey was no longer reeling from her attack and took a moment to take Ben to the surprise picnic she made for him- all his favorites too! It was located in a secluded patch of wildflowers laid out on the grass amid the blossoms, in a woodland vale. She pulled him down to the embroidered silken blanket. Her initials, intertwined with those of her royal parents, were stitched into the fabric beneath them. The gold silken thread sparkled like sunshine in the grass. Ben took the time to appreciate the effort she must've put into this.

Ben reached out and smoothed a loose curl away from the blush of her rosy cheek. "It's lovely. And I thank you for it. But—"

"I know," she sighed. "I didn't bring any cream cakes. It was all I could think about when you mentioned them. I do apologize. But we can sample a good seventeen sorts of other pastries." She held up one shaped like a swan, with chocolate wings. "This one is sweet, don't you think?"

"You're changing the subject," he saw. Audrey gave him a look.

"I don't know. I just...I can't remember what I saw. I just know something happened when I passed out," she admitted. She sucked the chocolate off her finger, and even that was distractingly cute. Ben wondered if she knew it and suspected that she did. "But enough about me! Now look, can we just get to your problems! You came here because you wanted your wounds licked and I need to know what I'm licking! Now spill!"

...

...

...

Realizing just how scandalizing that sentence came out, Audrey blurted out a mortified "Oh God!" while covering her face to her embarrassment.

Ben busted out laughing. Gods, he needed it because he was not looking forward to recanting everything that happened. . He wanted to talk to her more about her attack, but he had a feeling Audrey would continue dodging the topic until it gets changed.

"Well, it happened like this..."

Flashback...

Ben nervously fiddled with the beast-head ring on his finger as he waited for the Council members to come in and take their seats around the king's conference table later that morning. His father's advice rang in his ear.

"Keep a strong hand. Show 'em who's king."

He flexed his fingers, thinking of his father's fist. His father didn't mean it literally, but Ben was worried nonetheless. He supposed he would just have to improvise.

"Ready, sire?" Lumiere asked.

Ben took a breath and tried to sound as serious as possible. "Yes, let them in, thank you."

Lumiere bowed. Even though it had been a long time since he had been enchanted and turned into a candelabrum, there was something about him that still resembled one, and for a moment, Ben could easily imagine two small flames flickering on his outstretched palms.

Lumiere knows who he is—and he's happy being Lumiere. Is it so much more complicated to be a king than a candelabrum?

The thought was, for a moment, comforting to Ben. But then the Council entered the room—and he found nothing was comforting about the sudden sight of the royal advisors.

They're pretty terrifying, Ben thought.

He didn't know why. They were chatting amiably enough, discussing last night's Tourney scores and whose Fantasy Tourney League was winning. Seats were taken, gossip exchanged, goblets of spiced cider passed around, as well as a plate or two of the castle kitchen's sugar cookies.

Representing the council were the Doc and Grumpy Bergmann of the 7 dwarves, sporting business casual suits but still donned the stocking hats. Seated next to the dwarves was Contess Le Grande and the Grand Duke, the latter here in place of Duchess Joy, who was on maternity leave. They represent Cinderellasburg and the current royalty, as well as the civilians.

The next were the representatives of Charmington, Duchess Rose Red and Prince Ferdinand, her husband (the younger brother of Prince Florian - Ben's middle namesake.) Ben had to admit their story takes time to recall until he remembers 3 key factors: A bear, a curse, and an ungrateful dwarf (which the infamous seven claim no direct relations to...or so they say.) He knows Rose was a civilian who married into royalty and Snow's Lady-in-Waiting. However, the key thing Ben could remember is that she is the exact opposite of Snow in personality and appearance. As for Prince Ferdinand, "Freddie" as he likes to be called, all Ben knew was that he went missing and reappeared a few short years after his brother married Snow with a bride of his own. He's not as popular as his brother and both he & his wife prefer it that way.

Next were King Triton's daughters, Princess Attina and Alana, the first and second princesses in line for the throne to Atlantica. They represent merfolk affairs, tourism, and collaborate with Seaside on various occasions. It's for meetings like these that King Triton uses his trident to give the mermaids legs to attend. Ben noted Attina was more serious while Alana was a bit more laid back, which he internally appreciated.

Rounding out the other side of the table were two of the three "good" fairies of Queen Aurora, Merryweather & Fauna, representing Auroria seated next to the famed Genie of Agrabah. Ben honestly believed he took the position to represent the region because he's one of the oldest magic beings in the entire continent, has ties to royalty, and wants to simply be involved. The fairies likely wanted to be helpful to their queen and her family. They were comparing vacation notes. The fairies were partial to the forest meadows while the genie preferred the vast deserts.

The only representatives missing were Princess Ting-Ting, and her husband, Ling of the Northern Wei, which was fine as they had their own kingdom covered without coming all the way out to Auradon. Camelot's reps were present, though if this was a meeting about them, the topic would be over getting rid of the horrible smell the kingdom has. And a few other kingdoms were missing, which all the more highlighted those here as the ones this meeting was really called for.

"I guess we should get started?" Ben ventured, clearing his throat.

No one seemed to hear him. The nobles were chatting it up with each other, the fairies were discussing Audrey with Genie, who in turn was talking about Jordan (upperclassmen at Auradon Prep and friend of Ben's). The mermaids and dwarves were in a heated debate over minerals from each of their turf and which was the most valuable. All told, it was a friendly group, or so it seemed. Ben began to relax.

And why shouldn't he? Unlike the infamous villains trapped on the Isle of the Lost, the good citizens of Auradon looked as if the last twenty years hadn't aged them one bit. Well, the Grand Duke was finally showing his grey hairs while the Contess was showing her age as well. The fairies? Genie? Well with one being far and the other being completely mythical, of course, they'd never show their true age. The princesses of Atlantica have aged gracefully, even with both as mothers to two students that also attend Auradon Prep. And the dwarves? Well, they've always looked older to him.

Everything looked great!

Except for one thing—

"What—no cream cakes?" Grumpy grabbed a sugar cookie, glaring at the plate.

"It's a meeting, not a party," Doc said, harrumphing.

"Well, it's certainly not a party now," Grumpy said, examining a cookie. "There isn't even a current or a chocolate chip? What, are we discussing budget problems today?"

"As I was saying," Ben interrupted, moving the plate of cookies away from Grumpy. "Welcome, welcome, everyone. I hereby declare this meeting of the King's Council officially in session. Shall we begin?" asked Ben.

Heads nodded around the table.

Ben glanced down at the notecards he had hidden beneath his right hand. Hopefully, he was doing this correctly.

He coughed. "Excellent. Well, then."

"Don't we need to wait for your dad, kid?" Genie asked, putting his feet up on the table. Now that magic was discouraged in Auradon, the genie had taken physical form and was no longer a floating cloud. While still blue, he looked more like a handsome man in a black navy blue Arabian suit with his hair still in a ponytail and beard curled up at the end.

"Yeah. Where's King Beast?" Countess Le Grande piped up.

"Isn't your father joining us today, Ben?" Doc asked, gently.

Color crept into Ben's face. "No, sorry. My dad—I mean, King Beast—has, uh, asked me to run the meeting this morning.

Everyone stared and sat up. Been winced inwardly, blaming it on the last-minute stuttering. Grumpy let the cookie drop.

"Anyway." Ben cleared his throat and tried to affect confidence he did not feel. "On to business."

He's stalling. He knows it and it wasn't for a moment's hesitation that someone noticed.

"I'm not against young royals handling more responsibilities - Amphitrite could certainly be doing a share her own," Attina spoke up, "but are you sure you can handle this meeting?"

He didn't know why, but the aquatic heir apparent always made him feel inadequate. Not that she comes off patronizing! But she had the luxury of growing up royal without ascending the throne all her life, becoming a wife and mother in the meantime. Perhaps that's it! When King Triton passes away, it would be smooth sailing to the throne.

A stark contrast compared to what his father wants for him.

Ben did his best to give her a confident smile. "I'm fully prepared to step into my father's steps for the day."

Maybe it was just him or he just barely caught a doubtful look in her eyes.

He looked at the stack of papers in front of him. Petitions and letters and applications and motions, from sidekicks from every corner of the kingdom…

"Show them who is King." That's what my father said.

He tried again. "In my role as the future king of Auradon, I've studied your petitions, and while I appreciate your suggestions, I'm afraid that…"

"Our petitions? Are you talking about the Progression Act!?" Grumpy sounded annoyed.

"Er, yes, I'm afraid that we cannot recommend granting these petitions as…"

"Who's 'we'?" asked Grand Duke.

Doc looked confused.

"I guess, I mean me? What I mean to say is, I've taken your suggestions for change but it doesn't look like they can be approved as…"

Alana tilted her head. "Not approved? Why not?"

Ben became flustered. "Well, because I…"

Doc shook his head. "I'm sorry, son, but have you ever even set foot outside this castle? What do you know about the whole kingdom? For instance, our goblin cousins on the Isle of the Lost would like forgiveness—they've been exiled for a long time."

All around the table, the councilors began to murmur in hushed tones. Ben knew the meeting had taken a turn for the worse, and he desperately began to review his options. There was nothing on his notecards about what to do in the case of council revolt. Ben looked at his options:

1. What would my dad do?

2. What would my mom do?

3. Could I run for it? What would that do?

Ben was still evaluating option number three when Grumpy spoke up. "If I may interrupt," Grumpy said. "As you know, for twenty years we dwarves have worked the mines, gathering jewels and diamonds for the kingdom's crowns and scepters, for many a prince and princess in need of wedding gifts or coronation attire."

Ben turned even redder, looking at the polished gold buttons on his shirt. Grumpy glared at him pointedly, then continued. "And for twenty years, we have been paid zilch for our efforts."

"Now, now, Mr. Grumpy," said Ben. "Sir."

It's just Grumpy," he huffed.

Ben looked to Lumiere. "May I get the law book, please?"

"Be my guest," said he bowed, walking out the room and hurriedly came back with a thick book with the title "Auradon's Law & Conduct" before graciously handing it to the prince.

He opened it and turned to a chart in the appendices at the back of the thick book. "Okay, then, Grumpy, as a citizen of Auradon, it looks like you and the rest of the dwarves have been granted two-month vacations…twenty holidays…and unlimited sick days." He looked up. "Does that sound right?"

"More or less," Doc said. Grumpy folded his arms with another glare.

Ben looked relieved, closing the book. "So you can't say you've been working for exactly twenty years, can you?"

"The math is beside the point, young man—or should I call you, young beast?" Grumpy shouted from behind Doc, who was doing his best to shove his stocking cap into Grumpy's mouth.

"Prince Ben will do," Ben said, with a thin smile. No wonder the dwarf was called Grumpy; Ben had never met such a hostile person in his life!

...Well, there is one.

"If I can interject, and I don't mean to offend, but we're a bit tired of being without a voice and a contract," Doc spoke up.

"You're here now, aren't you? I don't believe you can call that being 'without a voice,' can you?" Ben smiled again.

Two for two!

Boom!

Maybe I'm better at this king stuff than I thought.

"But what will happen to our families when we retire?" Doc asked, not looking convinced.

"I'm sure my father has a plan to take care of everyone," Ben said, hoping it was true. Almost praying he did.

An indignant snort erupted from across the table. Ben leaned forward to listen. "And has anyone noticed that the animals do all the work in this kingdom? Since the Fairy Godmother frowns on magic, mice make all the dresses!" Countess Le Grand exclaimed. She understood how detrimental mice were to her queen's story, but she hated rodents! "By paw!"

"That's very—" Ben began, but he was cut off. He was no longer in charge of the room. That much was clear.

"Not to mention all the clothes washed up in the river thanks to people washing their clothes in them! The woodland creatures and the environment is not tolerating finding people's 'delicates' where they eat and sleep!" added Freddie. "They aren't too happy about littering on their habitats, either. Seriously, Chieftess Pocahontas's territory in the Summerlands is becoming increasingly crowded with animals leaving their homes because of the mess!"

Rose nodded. "Plus, Snow White needs a whole new wardrobe as she's reporting on the Coronation soon! Your coronation, I might add!"

Ben searched desperately through the papers in front of him. "Every citizen has the right to file—to file a—"

"Ariel," started Alana, "and King Eric has begun noticing dead fish beaching the shores of Seaside and the wretched smell, and to make it worse, the fish are intertangled with trash! What are you going to do about it?"

Ben tried again. "You have the knowledge that what you do is very much appreciated—"

Attina added to her sister's rant to keep it going. "Seaside isn't the only ones having issues with the fish and garbage! The merfolk gives undersea tours all year round without taking a penny. Even in the busy season! The oceans and Atlantica is our home and I will not have it being disrespected!"

Both sisters nodded indignantly. Cogsworth slapped a hand over his eyes, while Lumiere squeezed his arm in support.

Ben nodded. "Well, that is certainly something worth further consid—"

"And if I might add, living without magic has taken a toll on our nerves," sighed Merryweather. "Flora can't sew, Fauna can't bake, and I can't clean without our wands. You'll find our petition at the end there, dear boy." Merryweather shoved it into Prince Ben's face, and he sat back in his chair, surprised. Didn't Audrey have one of the fairies "poof" a goodie basket to him the other day? But I guess even she didn't realize the fairies had grievances.

Fauna chimed in. "While we appreciate all that the Fairy Godmother has done, we can't see why just a little magic might not be useful?"

"But is there any such thing as a little—" Ben began.

Genie sat up. "And a little birdie told me that that the ice shipments for the Lone Keep from Arendelle are stalled as well. Now look, the people of the deserts are resilient, but if you don't get this resolved, Al and Jazz are gonna be forced to do business elsewhere."

Then before he could blink, in a quick swirling blur of blue, he appeared before Ben, face-to-face, his expression filled with dissatisfaction. "To put it bluntly, Prince Ben: This blows!" announced Genie, blowing him a mocking kiss.

The dwarves applauded wildly.

The mermaid sisters' tittered. Cogsworth left the chamber in a huff, and even Lumiere motioned for Prince Ben to cut the meeting short.

If only Ben knew how.

The room began to dissolve into absolute chaos, as the sidekicks and dwarfs began to shout at one another, while the good fairies kept on complaining about the back-breaking work even ordinary chores now entailed, and all the rest of the company advocated for relief from their own grievances.

It was hard to pick out one from the next, Ben thought, as he slunk down in his chair, trying not to panic.

Breathe, he told himself. Breathe, and think.

But it was impossible to think amid the ruckus in the room. The mermaids complained that the tourists left their trash everywhere; the dwarves whined that no one liked to whistle while they worked anymore, Freddie and Rose argued about environmentalism and the loss of the animals that moved away, and even Genie looked bluer than usual.

Ben covered his ears. This wasn't a meeting anymore. It was an all-out brawl. He had to shut it down before people started throwing things—or mice.

What would my father do? What does he expect me to do? How could he put me in this situation and expect me to know what to do?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Finally, Ben stood up. No one cared.

He climbed on top of his chair—and still, nobody noticed him.

That's it!

His father told him to be kingly, and kings were heard!

"ENOUGH!" he yelled from the top of the table. "THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED!"

A shocked silence filled the room.

Ben just stood there.

"Why! I never…" growled Grand Duke. "How rude! To speak to us in such a way!"

"Impertinent and ungrateful, that's for certain," sniffed Merryweather.

"Why that does it!" said Grumpy. "Where's King Beast? We're not deaf! Don't you know your manners, son?"

"My word, we've never been treated so poorly!" Merryweather fluttered.

The dwarfs and fairies left the room, shooting Ben wary glances as they filed out. The mermaids huffed and walked out as Lumiere was left to call the maids to clean up the mess from the meeting, shaking his head. The countess and duke turned their noses up as they walked past without so much as a word; the Freddie and Rose gave him pitiful looks as they walked out, the Genie included; and even Doc gave the prince a silent, hurt look.

Ben hung his head, embarrassed by his actions. He had tried to lead like his father, and he had failed. He hadn't been able to table the petition, and he hadn't been able to inspire confidence in the King's Council. If anything, he had made the situation worse.

Which is why I would make a terrible king, Ben thought, as he climbed down from his father's council room table.

He hadn't proven himself.

He'd only proven one thing—

That Prince Ben wasn't fit to wear the royal beast ring that was currently on his finger.

Flashback ends...

"They said I was rude," he lamented. "And I was. But I didn't have a choice—they weren't listening to me. They also said I lost my temper." He hung his head, ashamed of the scene he had caused.

And after that, he came here to have Audrey lick his wounds, like a complete coward. Just as she said.

Speaking of the princess, he heard nothing from her. So when he looked up to face her, he almost had to turn his head and winced at the disappointed look on her face.