Content warning for themes in this chapter.
"Lady Adams if you would please?" I heard Fairy Godmother say and Ben stepped out of my arms as I turned to face her. As I watched her warm eyes land on me I smiled at her as I slowly knelt down onto the top of the four steps; I then watched as two members of staff stepped forward. I noted that one was holding her wand on a dark blue velvet cushion where the other one had Belle's old crown on a similar cushion, which was going to be mine in moments of seconds. I watched as Fairy Godmother turned and picked up the crown and she carefully placed it on the top of my head; she then turned and picked up her wand and stepped back in front of me.
"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of Auradon with justice and mercy along the side of the King of Auradon as long as you both shall reign?" she questioned seriously.
"I do solemnly swear" I promised.
"It is my honour to bless our new Queen" she smiled as she moved her wand from my left shoulder to my right.
"Ladies and Gentleman-" Fairy Godmother started before she turned and placed her wand back onto it's cushion as Ben helped me back to my feet. "I would like to introduce to you for the first time, King Benevolent Florian Adams of Auradon and his wife, Queen Maleficent Bertha Adams of Auradon" she declared proudly which made the whole room clap and cheer as me and Ben linked arms. We then both stepped forward and began to walk down the aisle; it felt weird at the fact that people were now bowing to me and Ben but right now I didn't want to concentrate on this - this was a time for me and Ben.
When we got outside we both stood on the top of the stairs to allow the press to take photos of us; when the crowd saw me and Ben they erupted into clapping, waving and cheering and we waved over to them.
"Well it is official" Ben smiled down at me. "My beautiful wife" he purred happily and we looking lovingly at each other. I loved how even though we were in the public eye we were able to share this loving and private moment together; it felt like time stood still as I gazed lovingly into my husband's eyes.
I then watched as Ben's face dropped as he quickly glanced at my chest before he froze; I opened my mouth to ask him what was going on but stopped when his voice echoed around the surrounding area.
"NO!" he roared.
"Ben what-" I managed to get out but I was cut off as Ben dove towards me and we both landed harshly on the floor. When my back landed against the cold marble floor I froze when I heard a gunshot go off.
"AUGH!" Ben shouted out in pain.
"Ben?" I muttered; and I started to panic at the fact that his eyes were closed and he wasn't moving. "Ben!" I cried out; and I felt him stiffen on top of me as shouting and screaming surrounded us. I watched as the Cathedral doors quickly shut to protect everyone in it as our guards and body guards started to surround the pair of us.
"Just stay there Mal" I heard Ben say as I tried to move from underneath him. "It's not safe!" he urged and we both shared a concerned look.
"Ben you've been shot" I said as I cupped his face in both of my hands. "Let me up!" I stressed as I watched his face grimace in pain.
"NO!" he shouted out in pain once more. "Not until I know it is safe" he groaned.
"Ben please?" I begged as Dawson, Ben's chief of security stepped up to the pair of us.
"Your Majesties" he urged as he crouched down next to us. "Police have surrounded you" he advised as I noted that the guards circled us with their shields up. "It is safe to move you both to safety" he advised as Ben's dropped his head against my chest.
"Ben's been shot" I told him and I watched as his face dropped in horror, before quickly spinning around and leaving. "Ben we are safe" I told him and I heard him sigh as he looked up at me with his eyes nearly closed. "Just slid slightly off me Ben" I advised. "It's ok" I told him again.
"Ok" he muttered as he half slid off me, so he was only on top of me slightly.
"Where have you been shot?" I asked as I brushed my nose against his.
"Shoulder" he moaned. "I had to save you" he told me.
"Hey!" I exclaimed. "We will discuss that later" I dismissed. "Right now we need to get you to the hospital" I advised as I started to panic at the fact that we were still nowhere near getting Ben to hospital and to safety.
"Yeah" he muttered. "AUGH!" he shouted out in pain before his eyes rolled back and he passed out on top of me.
"Ben!" I exclaimed in panic; before I gave him a gentle shake hoping that this would rouse him. "BEN!" I screamed, causing everyone around me to panic further. No! I couldn't loose him! Not like this! Not after we had just renewed our vows! I started to feel myself fall into panic and horror at the sight of my soulmate lying peacefully like this as blood continued to flow through the back of his blazer jacket. I felt like my heart was shattering into a thousand pieces; but I felt driven to safe Ben - like he had just done for me. My perfect and heroic husband.
