Part 2!
Audrey didn't know what to say. Well, she could think of a few things but one required an airhead approach and something ached inside her as if to warn her early not to go that route. Grandmother did say before she left that using such an approach might endeavor him to feel more confident in himself, but this scenario wouldn't cut it, and tried a different tactic.
"You're right," she stated evenly, "you were rude. Clearly, you need a new perspective on this. Let me."
Audrey quickly got up and stood straight with her hands behind her back, like her father did when he discussed sword maneuvers after a spar.
"First off, and I mean this with the partial offense, you went in half-cocked," she began. "Did you even know what you were saying 'NO' to or did you just assume it was something minor? I know you, Ben, and I can see the former before the latter! An Act is something that's taken time to be written by those petitioning before making its way up the chain to be considered as a law. Auradon is 20 years old, so it makes sense there's more need for improvement, but that's beside the point. From what I'm hearing, the Progression Act is to make sure the lower class, especially those who cater to royals, are taken care of and given their fair share for their services, as well as taking care of the very land we live in.
It makes sense the dwarves feel like they're being used for forced labor if they're not getting paid. Look, back when the Evil Queen was running the show, not a lot of people know this but as famous as they are now for mining and Snow White's sanctuary, they also mined for protection. Dwarves are a species with a love for underground discoveries and instinctively know where to mine. They can find minerals better than an average person and go into places the average human couldn't fit because the mine tunnels were often tight and narrow. At the time, it was only wishful thinking to mine and sell their goods to the other kingdoms in secret because as long as they weren't known, the queen wouldn't come and order them to mine solely for her since they were still technically on her territory!
Now, they don't have to worry about a deranged queen enslaving them to make her rich. They not only are well known now, with a bunch of orders from various kingdoms but it's no longer just 7 dwarf brothers in a secret mine: It's a family business consisting of 26! You know Heidi and Billie, right? The only daughters of Bashful and Doc? They help out whenever they can when they come home and dabble, (their words, not mine) in the tunnels and use the jewels that don't cut for royal gifts to support their family in their way. I mean, even my parents recognize the issue and try to find alternative work for the dwarves to make income and benefit the kingdom! Maybe at first, Bergmann's could've expanded and built their home, and sent their kids to AP under Snow White's sponsorship as a courtesy, but they can't truly expand and live better if there's no real money coming in! They must feel as if they're getting hit by the sword they narrowly missed years ago!"
As Audrey rambled on, Ben looks at her in shock and admittedly a little bit awestruck. He couldn't believe Audrey knew all that stuff and was more informed than he was. The dwarves needing protection? Selling to other kingdoms in secret? Sounds completely different from how the story went. And he was aware of the Bergmann cousins in passing since they were on the cheer team, which makes sense since the team didn't exist until Audrey made it and of course, she'd know this from word of the mouth itself.
"As for the trash issue in Seaside, there's clearly a polluting issue going on," she continued, "maybe someone is either dumping the trash or they're coming from the barges sent to the Isle! Possibly the latter sense there might not be anything to stop anything from falling out. My dad visited the facility and even he noticed there was no railing to prevent supplies from falling into the ocean. And putting up restrictions for the merfolk tours sounds nice, but-Hmpf!"
Ben put his hand over his girlfriend's mouth to stop her in her tracks. He had never thought about it like that. It was implied, certainly, in everything they did and everything that was done for them. But to hear the words themselves, from such beautifully shaped, perfectly pink lips…
Just hearing the words made him think about the island across Auradon Bay and further off. Every day, he's seen the isle from his bedroom window and always wondered: Why us? How did we luck into this life? How is that fair? To be born into a life without a choice in the matter, without the freedom to be anyone else?
He knew that the isle was meant for villains, the worst of the worst. He might've not been born if Gaston Legume succeeded in killing his father! However, he always did question the logic of resurrecting dead villains just to put them on an island. It never made sense! And then when he learned that kids had been born there as well...
"...en...Ben...Ben!" Audrey called out, slightly miffed, at him and herself for rambling before she noticed he wasn't paying attention.
Ben jumped at the sound of her voice, he hadn't meant to zone out like that. "I'm sorry, I just got lost in headspace there. And you surprised me. I didn't really know the history of the dwarves went that far."
Audrey couldn't help but feel pleased with herself. "Dad wanted me to know a little bit of everything that went on in diplomacy that wasn't being taught. Kind of unfair, when you think about it. But then again, I wanted to learn more about mythological creatures, like the dwarves and fairies, when I wanted to understand why...why...why she cursed my family simply because she wasn't invited to my mother's christening. But once I learned more about Fae culture, I realized how much more other cultures could have an impact on people's futures. Time and place are the key figures in a fairytale. Which was what I was trying to tell you before you zoned out!"
She shoved me playfully. "Look, out of all the things that went wrong, the main thing that happened in that meeting was that you were trying to be your dad. Only someone like Adam could say no and reject something that could help people - even if he had legitimate reasons to do so." Audrey gently held my cheek and raised my eyes to look into hers. "Ben, you are a future king. And a future king will realize the power his word has over people. 'NO' is one of the most powerful yet easily abusive commands a king could ever hold. It can make or break a kingdom, especially in dire circumstances. It can give the advantage to elevate someone to a certain status or drag them down. To choose to save a city or watch it burn. To provide them with the best quality of life or to leave them to suffer. And once that word can be abused, you're no better than a villain on the isle."
Ben felt his jaw drop as her words sink into him. To be fair, she was right, about everything. He'd been poorly prepared, unaware of certain situations in his kingdom, and let emulating his father hurt his first impression as a royal with important people. He'd spent half the time thinking about what King Adam would do when he should have been thinking about what King Ben would do.
Ben laughed under his breath. "I owe you big time, Aud."
Audrey returned this with a wide smile on her face. "Dance with me, sweet prince," she urged.
Ben stood up and bowed. "Happy to please, my lady." Dancing in the forest was her favorite thing to do, he knew.
It might've looked silly to dance with no music, but he heard his girlfriend begin to hum a familiar tune and began to use that to get into the rhythm as they swayed.
"I know you
I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you
The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
I know it's true
That visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you
I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did once
Upon a dream
Once upon a time
I dreamed we'd be together
In love forever
Once upon a night
I was wishing for a never
A never-ending
Once upon a time
Once upon a night
Once upon a wish
Once upon a dream..."
Audrey laid her head on Ben's chest, head above his heart, and relished in the closeness between them. It had felt far too long since they'd done this, having a proper chat just between them. She rarely wanted this to end.
Meanwhile, Ben couldn't help but think more about what she said. A sovereign did have the power to abuse their title and wreak havoc amongst the land. Just look at the Evil Queen for example. She married into royalty, to a widowed king and his young daughter. Granted, no one could predict that Snow's father would die and his new wife would be a monster in all but name. But a kingdom was isolated and rarely traveled through due to a vain and selfish queen who tormented the princess (almost makes him question who had it worst: Snow or Ella?) But she wouldn't be the first villainous royal nor the last. Jafar, Ursula, Prince Hans...the list was endless. Maybe, if Ben was more like his father, he could see reason with the isle, that they deserved to be there.
But what about their kids?
"Ben, you are a future king. And a future king will realize the power his word has over people...To choose to give the people the best quality of life or leave them to suffer..."
Audrey's right. He'll be King one day and that gives him the ability to help people with his position.
"Guess I'll just have to be King soon then..." he mumbled.
Audrey pulled out of her humming to look at him. "What?"
Ben shook his head. "It's nothing."
Yet his girlfriend gave him a look. "I'll decide that. What do you mean you'll 'just have to be King soon' ?"
Been eyed her, a bit reluctant, but decided he didn't see the harm in telling her. She might find out anyway.
"Before I got here when Dad was tearing me a new one? The meeting wasn't the only thing we talked about."
Audrey gestured for him to continue. Ben took a deep breath and continued.
"You know how my 16th birthday is coming up in a couple of months? Well, before then, he..Uh...He..."
Come on, Ben, just say it! he encourages himself.
"My dad wants me to be King before my 16th birthday."
"WHAT!?" Audrey exclaims incredulously, pulling herself from Ben's grasp. "Is he insane!?"
"Careful, that's treason!" Ben warns, though his heart's not in it as he watches her pace back and forth.
"Does he want you to have a nervous breakdown!?" she asked, not meeting his eyes and she tried to wrap her head around that.
Audrey understood her role on her own throne. Her parents talked to her long and hard about contingency plans and what would happen if they fell before she was of age to become Queen. Grandmother wanted her to marry Ben and one of their children could rule Auroria, but King Philip was more practical. The youngest she could inherit the crown would be 18 and the oldest would be 25. If he died, her mother would step in as Queen Regent until she was of age. If both died, Queen Mother Leah would step in. It would take the loss of all 3 to be Queen of Auroria and they made sure she'd be prepared for that day.
A day she hoped would never come.
Ben couldn't handle it. Plain and simple.
He might get a few victories, but he will be overwhelmed by the work. And his parents aren't dead, so it makes no sense why he should sit on the throne so soon! At the very least, all their royal friends had parents who were at least going on twenty when they claimed their birthrights!
"Look, it doesn't matter Aud-" he started, but Audrey cut him off with a sharp look that shut him up quickly.
"It does matter! Because YOU matter, Ben! I've seen my Dad work himself into the night with his position, despite the help he has. And he was 25 when he rose to the throne. You're still 15. Yes, this is your 15th year, but still. The only legit royal in Auradon who was literally of age to be a ruler is Queen Elsa! It even took your dad a few more years until he was king! So, explain to me how it seems so sensible to put a legit teenager in Sophomore year on a throne!?"
The look of disbelief on her face broke something in Ben.
"...You don't believe in me, do you?" he muttered.
Realizing what he meant, Audrey kept a neutral expression and took a deep breath. "It's not that I don't believe in you, Ben. NEVER doubt that! But let me tell you something: If my dad just made me queen regnant for a day, I would fail because I'd be in charge of so many operations and would end up favoring one issue over another. I'm humbled enough to know I'm not ready for that kind of responsibility yet! I'm already a part of the school council and captain of the cheer squad, and I'm content with that because it keeps me busy yet I'm also able to find free time whenever I can. You, on the other hand, are the captain of the tourney team, a member of the school council as well as many other clubs that you like but can drop at any time.
My point is: You already throw yourself 100% into everything you're in. Being king at 16 will burn you out."
Listening to her, Ben felt a little ashamed of himself at assuming his girlfriend's lack of faith in him. Part of him argued he could drop the clubs he's in like she said, but then he saw her point more and more. He's still young and too young to carry the burden the throne lies with. and if he were honest, Audrey aside, Chad is another example of being too young for the throne. He's one of his best friends, but even he had to admit his immature antics wouldn't help him on his own throne (and whether this was his own personality or Queen Ella's desire for her kids to have it better than she had is to be debated.)
But he wanted to make an impact, a change. And if that meeting was any indication, he needed to be taken seriously and show it!
But how?
"Ben?" Audrey called out. She knew what he was thinking and already decided to deliver the final blow of King Adam's ridiculous plan.
"You don't have to be King to make a change."
Two days later at Beast Castle...
"Just be yourself, there are other ways to show strength than your father's kind."
Ben's mother's words rang in Ben's ears as he sat down to meet with Grumpy, who had been elected to represent the dwarfs and sidekicks in their petitions.
Great. Wonderful. Just perfect. A one-on-one with Grumpy.
Ben shook his head. He suspected anyone else would have been a better person to negotiate with than the crabby old dwarf.
The last time they'd met, the infamous dwarf had been insulted by a sugar cookie.
These talks were doomed.
Ben wished that people would stop telling him to be himself. It sounded like such simple advice—and maybe it would have been if he had had any idea who himself was.
But who was he?
Prince Ben, son of King Beast, heir to the throne of the great kingdom of Auradon?
He was certainly nothing like his father, who knew how to enforce his rule without forcing it on his subjects. Ben cringed to recall how he had stood on the table and yelled.
That wasn't who he was.
He was Prince Ben, son of King Beast and Queen Belle, heir to the throne of the great kingdom of Auradon.
And if like his father, he was meant to inherit the throne—then it would be on his own terms, as his mother's son and not just as his father's heir.
Because, like his mother, Ben was quiet and gentle and loved nothing better than to disappear into a great, thick book. His childhood hadn't been about hunting or sword-fighting or besting someone else on the field.
It had been spent in a library.
He shared his mother's love of reading, and he always had. Ben's fondest memories were of sitting next to Queen Belle at the hearth of her magnificent library's enormous fireplace, reading by her side. He'd be digging into a pile of books dragged from the lower shelves, while hers were always taken from the very highest. It was paradise.
Once, when his father had discovered they had spent the entire day hiding in the library and scolded them for skipping out on a royal luncheon banquet "for the sake of a story," his mother had mounted a passionate defense.
"But these aren't just stories," she'd said. "They're whole kingdoms. They're worlds. They're perspectives and opinions you can't offer, from lives, you haven't lived. They're more valuable than any gold coin and more important than any state luncheon. I should hope you, as King, would know that!"
King Beast's eyes had twinkled, and he had lifted Queen Belle into his powerful arms with one easy motion. "And, as you're my queen, I should hope you would know how much I love you for that!" Then he'd gathered up his young son, and the three of them had made a late lunch of cream cakes in the garden.
Ben smiled. He hadn't thought about that day in a long time.
"You don't have to be King to make a change."
Ben found himself smiling as Audrey's words ran through his head.
After leaving that day, Ben made sure to read up on everything she'd explained to him before, from Dwarven family trees and history to methods to the pollution issue to handling the Ice situation with Agrabah. He was still astounded with what he found and fact-checked everything he hot to make sure this meeting went off without a hitch. He owes her one and more.
He found himself thinking of it still as Lumiere ushered the older dwarf into the conference room.
Grumpy nodded to him and took a seat across from the prince, his short legs swinging like a child's.
"What's this all about, young man?" He coughed. "I'm not in the mood for any of your tantrums." He eyed the table uneasily as if the boy was about to leap upon it, even now. The plate of sugar cookies and the goblet of cider in front of him, he left untouched.
"Thank you for meeting me today," said Ben. "I thought this might be easier if it was just the two of us talking. Since everything got a bit—loud—before."
"Hem," said Grumpy. "We'll see about that. You don't plan to hop on the table again or shout like an animal, do you?"
Ben flushed. "I apologize for my behavior the other day. I was…a fool."
"You—What?" Grumpy was caught off guard.
Ben shrugged. "I admit it. I didn't know what I was doing and made a mess of everything. And I certainly don't blame you for not wanting to take me seriously now."
Grumpy looked at him grumpily, if a little pleasantly surprised. "Go on."
Ben smiled. It was a start, and he'd take it.
"You see, I called you in because I read all one thousand and one pages of your complaint."
"Really? All one thousand?" asked Grumpy, sounding impressed despite himself.
"And one." Ben smiled again. He was a fast reader, and a concerned listener, and if he was truly going to be himself, he would need to use both talents in his favor to settle this complaint once and for all.
"From what I could gather, it appears what you and your colleagues are demanding is to be heard and to have a voice in your future. Something more than just a seat at the Council."
"It's not that much to ask is it?" asked Grumpy keenly.
"No, it's not," Ben acknowledged. "And I think we can come to a simple agreement."
"What do you propose?"
Ben shuffled the papers. He thought about it, and about how to say it. How had his mother put it? Perspectives and opinions I can't offer, from lives I haven't lived.
Ben smiled. "I propose listening to the people who know best."
Grumpy raised an eyebrow.
Ben consulted his notes. "Let's start with the mermaids. They should charge a good sum for every undersea tour they do with restrictions for food and trash being left behind in fines. I'll talk to Queen Ariel and King Eric about organizing a beach cleanup with aid and locating the source of the garbage dumping to prevent it from happening again"
Grumpy nodded. "Sounds reasonable. Okay. But what about us miners?"
"Half of everything you mine must remain the property of the kingdom," said Ben. He knew his father would settle for no less. But thanks to Audrey, and one very long night researching the geography of the mines, he reached a satisfying conclusion
"Half? What about the rest of the diamonds? Where does that go?" asked Grumpy, sounding alarmed.
"The other half will go to a 401D Fund. A retirement fund for dwarves to take care of you and your families. Tell Doc not to worry. Though might I suggest a deal with the crafting and jewelry making you managed to make on the side with other kingdoms? I'm aware of the small venture the girls in your family are making in Auroria, so I hope you could consider doing more here in Auradon Capital as well with the other jewelers."
This stunned the dwarf but caught a hint of pride at the mention of his wife, sisters-in-law, and nieces' hard work being acknowledged.
"Sounds fair enough." Grumpy nodded, despite himself. "What about the restriction of magic? Just between you and me, those three fairies make a lot of noise."
"The three good fairies will have to take their complaint up with the Fairy Godmother. I can't do anything about it myself, I'm afraid. But I'll get them a meeting with her. That much I can do."
"And Genie's request regarding the ice for Agrabah?" Grumpy frowned. At this point, he looked like he was struggling to find things to still be grumpy about.
"For now, we're looking into that. However, I talked to Queen Elsa, who was appalled and willing to oversee that the shipment makes its way to the city properly and if be, would create the ice herself." That was almost one of the easiest concessions to make, as his father didn't have the best relationship with the Ice Queen. Still, she was stunned at the plight that was happening under her nose and was willing to work with Ben in righting the wrong, going even further by agreeing to go to Agrabah to remedy the issue.
Grumpy folded his arms. "What about the woodland creatures? They're working their paws and hooves to the bone."
"I've had a team install dishwashers, washer-dryers, and vacuum cleaners in every noble household they serve. It's time we realized we're living in the Modern Age, don't you think? Forest woodlands included. And just like the oceans and Seaside, I'm willing to give the forests a national park status with hefty fines in littering, restrictions, and organized clean-ups so the animals moving into the Summerlands can return home and rebuild their habitats."
"Meh," said Grumpy. "I don't care much for modernity, but I think our furry friends will appreciate it. It's hard to do dishes by hand, without, you know, hands. And I'm sure Chieftess Pocahontas would greatly appreciate some breathing room."
Ben tried not to laugh.
"As for Mary and the mice, from now on, they will be well compensated with the finest cheese in the kingdom, from the king's own larders. I worked out a deal to get more tailors and help for making the clothes, with a small compromise that the mice help with the yarn and thread-making in the sewing rooms only." Ben let the last paper drop.
"Fair enough," Grumpy nodded.
"So we have a deal?"
Grumpy looked over the compromise for a minute (maybe a minute too long for Ben) and put out his hand.
"Deal."
Ben shook it. He was more relieved than he let on. (At least, he hoped he wasn't letting it on. At this point, he was sweating so much he hoped the preparation didn't show through his blazer.)
"You know what, young man?" huffed Grumpy with a frown.
Ben steeled himself for a grouchy comment, but none came.
"You're going to make a good king," the dwarf said with a smile. "Give your father my best, and send your mother my love."
"I will," said Ben, pleased by how well the meeting had turned out. He pushed his own chair back from the ancient table. His work was done, at least for today. But if this is what being king is all about, then maybe it isn't as hard as I thought.
The dwarf picked up his stocking cap and hopped down from his seat, turning toward the council room door.
Then he paused.
"You know, son, sometimes you remind me of her." Queen Belle was much beloved in the kingdom.
Ben smiled. "You know, I hope I do."
Grumpy shrugged, pushing open the door. "Not nearly so pretty, though. I'll tell you that much. And your mother, she would have made sure we had a cream cake or two. At least a few currants in the cookies. And get Princess Audrey something nice! No one else could have told you about the jewelry but her and your head ain't pretty enough to adorn anything but a crown!"
Ben roars with laughter as the door slams shut.
"See! I told you you couldn't blow it!" Audrey squealed over the phone. Ben had called her almost as soon as the meeting ended before he reported back to his dad.
"Yeah, I owe it to you. Believe it or not, Grumpy completely realized the jewelry bit was all you and told me to get you something nice," Ben said.
"And are you?" he could hear the flirty smile through the phone.
"I do believe I'm gonna have a tough time finding a thank-you gift," he admitted with a smile. Audrey's laugh soothed him.
"I'm all for spending time with you," she said, "but...If I had to name a gift, it would be a bracelet. Custom made."
"You sure aren't pulling the punches with gifts."
"I'm either gifts, quality time, or active service. Two days ago, I believe I nailed two of the three for you so you have to deliver!"
"How about I make you lunch and deliver on the bracelet later?"
"Don't short me, Benny!"
"Me? I would never!" he jested. "And 'Benny'? What happened to 'Bennyboo' ?"
Ben could've sworn he heard her wince. "Decided I should drop it. Stop feeling right to call you that. Too childish."
"An Audrey-original nickname? Too childish? Next, you're going to tell me you're giving up the color pink altogether?"
"Don't push it!"
Ben couldn't contain it as he laughs loudly. He did find it strange that she dropped her childhood nickname for him all of a sudden, but he now knew she could be serious and that maybe she got sick of it. He did, but he didn't have the heart to tell her.
"Alright, I gotta go. See you in school in a few days," he states. Audrey bid him farewell followed by a smooch before handing it up.
He couldn't help the smile on his face and the pep in his step as he walks down the castle halls. He smoothed out issues with the council, got Grumpy's approval, and hopefully made his dad proud.
And next in the process: Get a bracelet for Audrey because she and her invaluable insight deserved it.
Life was funny when you think about it. Before, even with good intentions, there were moments when he thought she was in her little world. When did she care more about living as a royal than being one (or was that Chad he might've been mistaking her for)? And he couldn't blame her, after all, they grew up in the same background and he might've been the same way...if his dad wasn't the way he was.
And it didn't help that he felt guilty that he never dreamed of her.
He had dreamt about another girl.
One with purple hair and green eyes glittering in the dark, a sly smile of mischief on her lips.
Who was she? Where was she? Would he ever meet her?
And would he ever get her out of his head?
He felt like he was cheating on Audrey with a girl he never met. And while he hasn't met every kid in the land, he knew that that color couldn't be found anywhere else.
Which means she might be from the isle.
That sent him driven in two directions and he had no desire to be in a one-sided love triangle.
Besides, even though he hadn't dreamt of her before, it wasn't until he had fallen asleep in the castle library surrounded by volumes of books that he did dream about Audrey.
It was strange. She was just standing there in the background with her back to him. I tried walking to her, but it felt like she was further away. Ben called out to her, but it was like she couldn't hear him. He felt sweaty and puffy as he just gave up walking and began sprinting before flat-out running after her. By the time Ben managed to get to her before he could reach out and make her look at him, he jumped and was awakened in cold sweat by Lumiere.
It scared him and part of Ben thought it was leftover from her panic attack earlier that day.
But he also took it as a sign if he was finally dreaming of her at all. But it came back to the main thing:
He's dreaming of two girls from two completely different places: Auradon and the Isle of the Lost.
Later that day...
Stopping to look out the window from his high vantage point in Beast Castle, Ben lost in a few thoughts of his own.
It was true that Grumpy the Dwarf had told him he'd make a good king, but privately, Ben wondered if he was right.
More to the point, he wondered if becoming a good king was even something he cared about at all.
Did it matter? What he care about? What did he want? All the pressure he's facing? It made him feel-
Trapped, Ben thought, staring out over the vast expanse of the kingdom. That's what I am.
"You don't have to be King to make a change."
Those words ran through his head again. He looked up at the sky as if it held the answers. The blue skyline, bright and clear as usual, and he could see to the distant horizon, where Auradon itself dissolved into nothing but misty shoreline and azure blue waters.
No.
Not nothing.
Ben thought of his dream of the island.
The Isle of the Lost. That's what everyone called it, even his father.
He considered again what it would be like to live as they did, trapped underneath the magical dome, just as he was in his royal life.
They were prisoners, weren't they? His father tried to pretend that they were not, but even Ben knew otherwise. They were exiled to the island by order of the king.
Just as Ben was able to live in the castle because he was the king's son.
And because my father loves me, Ben thought. And because I was born to this.
It was impossible to stop thinking about it.
He flinched as a sharp pain pierced his underarm.
"Ouch!" Ben gasped as a needle poked him again in the armpit.
"Sorry, Sire! Forgive me, Sire." Lumiere, who was measuring him for his coronation suit, quailed.
"Quite all right," said Ben, who looked kingly, at least according to Lumiere, in the royal blue velvet suit with yellow piping. It had belonged to King Beast, who had worn it at his coronation. "It was my fault—I moved."
"Your mind is elsewhere, sire," said Lumiere sagely. "As befitting a future king of Auradon."
"Perhaps," said Ben.
For a future king, he was surprised by how little he knew about the Isle of the Lost. How did the villains fare, beneath the dome? How did they live, eat, and take care of themselves? How were their families? What were their hopes and dreams? What did they see when they stared out the windows of their castle or cottage or cave?
Ben remembered he had heard that a few of them had children. Some would have to be his age by now, wouldn't they? He wondered how they dealt with living in the shadow of their infamous parents.
He imagines that for them, it's a lot like this, he thought, staring down at his royal beast-head ring, the one just like his father's. Wearing his father's suit, fitted by his father's tailor. Standing at the window of his father's castle.
We're all trapped. I'm as trapped as they are.
The more Ben thought about it, the more he knew it was true. He hadn't chosen to be born a prince and become a king, just as they hadn't chosen who their parents were. They were prisoners for a crime they had not committed.
That was the greater crime, wasn't it?
It's not fair. It's not our fault. We have no say in our own lives. We're living in a fairy tale someone else wrote.
At that moment, Ben suddenly understood why it was that the sidekicks wanted more for their lives: because he found he wanted even more than that.
He wanted things to change, throughout Auradon.
Everything, he thought. For everyone.
Was that even possible? On the other hand, how could it not be? How could he possibly keep going with the way things were now?
Ben thought about it.
If he was going to be king, he would have to be himself, his mother had said. And he was different from his father. That was clear to everyone, even Lumiere. Ben would rule, but he would rule differently.
He would make different rules and proclamations.
His mind wandered again to the image of the purple-haired girl with bright green eyes. The girl from his dream.
Who was she?
Would he ever meet her?
Was she one of them? One of the lost souls on that cursed island? He had a feeling that she was.
"You don't have to be King to make a change."
His mind went to Audrey, standing sternly before him as she did at the castle, telling him everything he did wrong and telling him how to rectify it.
"Ben, you are a future king. And a future king will realize the power his word has over people...To provide them the best quality of life or to leave them to suffer."
And just then, he had a flash of inspiration.
One that would change the fates of both Auradon and the Isle of the Lost forever.
Why not?
It's about time.
His mind was made up.
"Sire! Where are you going?" cried Lumiere as Ben suddenly leaped away from the needle and thread, a flurry of straight pins and bespoke chalk and measuring tape flying into the air around him.
"To find my parents! I have something to tell them, and it can't wait!" said Ben. "I've got the most brilliant idea!"
