*The next day*

After breakfast Ben called an emergency council meeting and to say that it was awkward was an understatement! As I was involved I had to sit through it next to Ben and listen to the council question him on whether he had slept with Uma. Ben told them that he couldn't remember; so the council then asked him what he could remember.

So I had to then sit through Ben talking through everything that had happened that night; that when he went to go back to Auradon Castle Uma appeared out of nowhere. He then said he remembered going to the ship; talking to people and me but that was it. He described it like he was in a haze where there were periods where he couldn't remember anything; but everything became clear when I kissed him.

I hated seeing Ben going through this turmoil again; he was scared how it made him look. I had assured him that he didn't look weak but he discounted this. He felt that it looked like he was very easily manipulated by Uma and he didn't want his other subjects to think that. I tried to reassure him that this wasn't the case - but I believe that part of him still thought that.

My heart broke even further when the council suggested that me and Ben had to abandon our plans so he could pursue an arrangement with Uma so their child will be the next King or Queen of Auradon. Ben then told his council that this was not possible as the time for forced and arranged marriages were a thing of the past. The council said that they agreed with this, but now that a child is in the mix they can't ignore this.

Ben then shocked the room by saying that as he was pre-contracted with me before Uma that he threatened to run away with me and elope. The council then advised that me and Ben now had to be monitored to make sure that this didn't happen. I could see why Ben has suggested this - but it had only made things ten times worse!

When the council brought up the fact that he needed to marry Uma again Ben then states he needs to be sure that he is the father of Uma's baby. He asked for a DNA test, which could only be taken when the baby is born. The council then asked him what was he going to do if the baby was his; Ben threw me a defeated look before he muttered awkwardly that he would have to follow his duty.

It was at this point where it got too much for me so I stood up and quickly walked out of the room, not giving anyone a second glance. I know why Ben said what he just said but this didn't mean that I had to like it. It just made everything seem so final. Yes it had to be proved that Ben was the baby's father - but it looked like there was a possibility that me and Ben was only on borrowed time.

As I ran into our rooms I come to the conclusion that maybe I wasn't meant to have a happily ever after; and I was probably going to have to come to terms with this. I will always cherish the love that I have with Ben; but the longer that this situation was going on it would appear that Uma has won the final battle and I can't fight back. Maybe I needed to make my own plans for when the inevitable happens - which I knew would break me entirely.

"Mal" I heard Ben say after he ran into the room after me.

"Ben just leave me alone" I said with my back to him as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"No" he urged. "I need to explain" he stressed.

"There is nothing to explain" I advised as I span around and looked at him.

"There is" he answered. "If that baby is mine-" he started; and I could tell by the look on his face he didn't want to finish the sentence. "Then I'll have to marry Uma" he admitted. "I'm sorry Mal" he added. "I'm so so sorry" he added as he stood in front of me. "But me and you can still be together" he smiled.

"How on Auradon do you work that out?" I exclaimed. "Uma wouldn't allow it" I reminded him. I could just see it now; if Uma gave birth to Ben's baby then she would demand for my removal. And even though Ben would put up a fight I knew that at one point Uma would get her way.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with her" he shrugged.

"Ben she will be your wife" I reminded him harshly. "You will be expected to have more children with her!" I spat as I started to fall into despair that Uma might have the life that I was meant to have.

"Well that's never happening" he advised. "I only want children with you" he confirmed.

"So how would that work?" I questioned.

"You would become my mistress" he advised.

"What?" I exclaimed. Ben couldn't be serious! Could he? I had heard stories about in the past that Kings were allowed to take a mistress; Ben assured me that he never would with me - but where would this leave us? For me to live a separate life with Ben; to only be allowed time with him every now and again, to be publicly known as his whore lurking in the background as Uma parades by his side. Our children would also suffer backlash as well - surely Ben didn't want me and our children to have that life? Unless he thought this was the only way how me and him could share a life together. "If you loved me like you say you do wouldn't suggest that" I advised. "Me to be publicly known as your whore!" I snapped.

"But it wouldn't be like that" he assured me.

"It would be!" I exclaimed. "Ben do you really think I can just stand by and watch you marry Uma?" I asked as my mind started to show me their wedding day. "Watch you have a life with her and your baby" I said as my voice broke. "Pretend as if nothing is wrong" I added and I watched as his face dropped. "I can't do that" I advised. "I won't do that" I amended.

"So if the baby is mine you are just going to end things between us?" He muttered. "Mal you are my one true love" he reminded me.

"I know Ben" I replied. "And you are mine" I replied. "Which is why this is breaking me apart" I explained. "I'm sorry Ben but I can't watch you have a life with Uma with me just waiting for a glimpse of time with you" I said. "It's going to kill me, it wouldn't be much of a life" I sniffed as tears started to form in my eyes.

"I love you" Ben said as his voice broke which told me that he was close to tears as well. "You and only you" he urged.

"And I only love you Ben" I returned. "But-" I began. "Even if there was a way for me to be your mistress Uma is not going to allow it" I said as tears started to run down my cheeks.

"It has nothing to do with her" he advised.

"It will!" I cried. "She will be Queen she can use her influence to get me to leave!" I sobbed. "Heck!" I exclaimed. "She'll send me back to the Isle" I panicked as the realisation hit me.

"She won't Mal" he dismissed. "I won't let her" he promised as he pulled me into a hug.

"Please don't leave me Mal" he begged. "I need you" he said causing me to look up at him as I dropped my arms down and wrapped them around his waist.

"And I need you" I urged and we both cuddled back together as both of our worlds came crumbling down around us.