Hey guys, welcome back to our main story! I hope you enjoy where I am going with this story; I really can't wait to show you what I have been working on. I hope it has been worth the wait, much love RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo.
P.S. I dedicate this story to our fallen Descendant Cameron Boyce. You were taken away too soon; there is another shining star in the sky. You were such a wise soul for your young years; and you will be missed dearly.
After me and Ben finally broke apart we then went for a long shower together; however this time things didn't develop past cuddling and making out. But this is what me and Ben needed; we needed to hold each other close. As the hot water cascaded over the both of us we enjoyed the silence; sometimes me and Ben didn't need to talk. We just needed to be there for each other; and I knew that this was never going to change.
As I started to get changed into my dark purple slim line dress for the day I started to think about what was going to happen today; I couldn't start feeling relieved at the fact that things could start to calm down now. After breakfast the council members were going to start making their way home to settle their affairs; however their departures were going to be staggered. This was so Auradon City International Airport wasn't going to be overwhelmed by the influx of royals leaving at the same time. But our time on our own with mine and Ben's family was going to be short lived as everyone was going to be coming back for Aurora and Phillip's coronation and end of the tour ball at the end of the week.
When me and Ben were dressed we then went downstairs and stood at the doors of the grand ballroom and greeted everyone as they made their way into the room. The air was filled with a mix of emotions and I had to remember to keep my mind clear so I didn't become overwhelmed by it all. There was relief, apprehension of change and discontentment from certain parts of the accused party.
"Are you ok?" I heard Ben ask and I slowly looked up at him and meekly smiled.
"Yes my love, just so many emotions in one room" I advised.
"I see" he noted. "Do you want to take a moment?" he questioned.
"No" I answered as I shook my head. "We don't want to make them worry" I stated as I pursed my lips together.
"Probably not, no" he agreed. "But you could still have a few minutes away from everyone if you wanted" he offered and I smiled at him again.
"It's ok Ben" I advised.
"Ok" he smiled as he offered me his left arm and I linked his arm and I let him lead me into the room. The room fell into silence as everyone watched us walk to our seats; and as we sat down I saw that everyone was smiling at us both. When I went to look back at Ben my gaze locked with Lady Leah and she rolled her eyes at me; I went to sigh but stopped as I watched as Chip placed mine and Ben's breakfasts down in front of us. Thankfully this made sure that I didn't react to her; which was probably what she wanted – and I didn't want to give her any other reasons to try and take my Beast away from me.
"I just would like to say thank you-" Ben started as he stood up after we had all finished our breakfasts. "I know that this has been very difficult for everyone involved but we have been able to get through everything together" he continued. "It showed me that we can get through everything and anything together; me and my family would like to thank you for the love and support you have shown us all throughout this difficult time" he added. "I would still like to ask that you keep certain details that were shared over the trial concerning my consort's family private-" he stated and I watched that everyone nodded at this apart from Lady Leah. But in my opinion I was passed caring what she thought – she caused this mess in the first place!
"Anyway-" Ben began again. "Moving on" he stated. "Arrangements have started for the coronation and end of tour ball; which the soon to be King and Queen of South Riding, Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip are happy for us for both events to happen on the same day" he advised and everyone warmly smiled at Aurora and Phillip. "As you are all aware your departures have been staggered to ensure the smoothness of your departures-" Ben said which caused the full room to look back over to him. "Darren will come and advise you of the times that you are leaving so you can get your things together. I think there is nothing more to say; apart from I look forward to see you all next week" he warmly smiled. "Enjoy mingling until you leave" he finished before he sat down and the room erupted into clapping. I couldn't help but reach over and press a kiss against my Beast's left cheek; I loved him so much and the fact that the trial was over and he was starting to make plans so we could move on together as a council had given him a cheerful glint in his eyes. I hadn't seen this for a few weeks; and I couldn't wait to see him find himself again. Ben was such a happy, care free, patient and hardworking King and this whole trial business had made him unhappy, very distracted, guilt ridden and withdrawn; but I knew that he would ensure that me, him and our families would never ever go through anything like this ever again.
"Dame Mal-" I heard a voice say after I re-entered the room after going to the toilet.
"Queen Merida" I advised as I turned around to look at her before dropping into a low curtsy.
"Come here you girl" she chuckled as I stood up straight and she pulled me into a hearty hug. When we pulled apart she quickly linked my arm and dragged me towards an empty alcove; I don't know why she wanted to talk to me – but hopefully I would find out quickly.
"I know I haven't had the time to speak to you-" she began as she dropped my arm and stood in front of me. "And admittedly I was disappointed at the fact that you didn't make it to the Borderlands" she advised.
"Sorry you were disappointed" I stated as I looked down to the floor.
"Hey!" she exclaimed as she put her left index finger on my chin and lifted causing me to look up at her. "It is not your fault" she advised as she locked her gazes with mine. "It is those evil bitches!" she snapped and I froze at the fact that the members of the accused party probably had just heard what Queen Merida had just said.
"I just wanted you to know-" she began. "You have a good friend in me; I can see that both of your and his Majesty's hearts are pure and anyone with a right mind can see that you are made for each other" she said sincerely.
"Thank you Queen Merida" I smiled warmly.
"You're very welcome" she returned. "And may I be so bold Dame Mal?" she questioned.
"Yes Queen Merida?" I prompted.
"I never saw the appeal of marriage or children myself; but I can't wait to see the royal family that you two make" she said fondly which made me freeze. She was the first person to mention mine and Ben's children; and to be honest I found it a little unsettling.
"Erm-" I muttered.
"Sorry" she quickly apologised. "Did that embarrass you?" she questioned.
"No" I answered. "Just no one has openly commented like that before" I explained.
"I see" she nodded. "Well it is only the truth" she urged. "You can see you two are very compatible" she continued. "The Beauty and his Beast" she said lovingly as she grinned at me and I couldn't help smiling back at this. "Just like his parents" she winked at me before she turned and left me to my own thoughts. As I watched her walk away I couldn't help envision the family that me and Ben were going to have; then a sinister thought then slithered into my mind. Now that I know that I am not part mortal after all – am I biologically combatable to give Ben the children that he needs?
As I started to fall into a panic my eyes landed onto Fairy Godmother and I made a decision – I needed to talk to her about this, as she is probably one of the very few that will understand mine and Ben's situation.
"Fairy Godmother" I said as I stepped up to her.
"Dame Faery" she answered before dropping into a low curtsy.
"Fairy Godmother please?" I whined.
"We are in a formal setting Dame Faery" she reminded me.
"I know" I sighed; it felt weird that she would have to address me this way. Especially as she had known me as Mal up until recently.
"Is there something I can help you with?" she smiled fondly.
"Yes" I confirmed. "Yes there is actually" I added. "I was hoping that I could talk to you" I said. "Privately" I quickly continued before pursing my lips together.
"Oh" she muttered. "I see" she nodded. "Of course" she smiled again. "When would be best?" she questioned.
"Could we speak now?" I asked and I watched as concern started to embed into her eyes.
"Ok" she nodded.
"Let's go to one of the meeting rooms" I offered.
"Ok" she nodded again.
"Mal is something wrong?" I heard Ben say as he stepped up to us both.
"No" I answered. "I just need to speak to Fairy Godmother" I advised.
"Oh" he nodded. "Do you need me to come with you?" he questioned.
"It's ok Ben; I can do this on my own" I explained.
"Ok my love" he smiled. "You can use my office" he offered us both.
"Thank you" Fairy Godmother answered for us both and I smiled at him; I watched as he winked at me before we quickly left the room – with me hoping that me and Ben weren't about fall into another sticky situation.
"So how I can help you Dame-" Fairy Godmother started after I closed the door on Ben's office closed.
"Fairy Godmother" I stated cutting her off. "When we are behind closed doors you can call me Mal" I advised sincerely.
"Ok" she nodded. "How can I help you Mal?" she asked politely.
"Well-" I started. "I don't know whether this is something that you can answer" I advised. "But I still want to ask" I stated as we both walked towards the couches in Ben's office and we both sat down.
"Ok" she advised. "Please go on" she urged.
"I know you won't have been listening but you will have still heard-" I began.
"Your conversation with Merida?" she questioned.
"Yes" I nodded.
"What about it?" she asked.
"She said that she thinks me and Ben are compatible" I said.
"Yes" she said. "Yes you are" she grinned. "What's on your mind Mal?" she urged as she slid both of her hands into mine.
"I don't want to say too much in case you aren't aware" I said.
"Ok" she replied.
"But do you know about Ben?" I returned; if she didn't know anything that I wouldn't press the matter further. This was Ben's secret and yes I started to feel like I was betraying in almost; but I would tell him later – and hopefully he would forgive me.
"I don't know what-" she started but quickly stopped herself. "Oh" she muttered. "I think I can see where this conversation is going" she advised. "You mean with him imprinting on you?" she reasoned and I took a sigh of relief that she knew about mine and Ben's situation.
"Yes" I confirmed.
"I am aware of your and Ben's situation because when Ben was growing up Adam and Belle explained to me and we have shared many discussions about his nature" she explained.
"I see" I nodded.
"What are you worried about?" she asked.
"Well given now that I know who my father is I don't know if I am biologically compatible with him" I said. "I am part faery, part goddess" I reminded her sadly. "Ben is part mortal, part beast" I continued. "What if we can't have children?" I questioned sadly. "He needs to have them for the line of succession" I finished as I looked down in shame.
"Mal" she cooed as she gave my hands a gentle squeeze causing me to look up at her. "You need to stop stressing about this" she advised. "Yes there are a lot of things going on in both of your DNA; but you need to remember something" she stated with a warm smile.
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"Ben can only imprint on the woman who can give him the children that he needs" she urged. "There is no other woman in the kingdom who can do that for him" she said. "The fact that you are part goddess and not part mortal doesn't change anything" she elaborated. "In fact-" she began. "You and Ben have accepted each other wholeheartedly; you love each other unconditionally. This can and will not never change; you have both changed each other. And those changes are permanent" she pressed as she stared into my eyes. "You don't need to worry about not giving him children Mal; everything will be ok" she finished with her trademark smile. I nodded at her; I felt stupid for even asking about it now. But surely with everything that has gone on recently Fairy Godmother and Ben would understand why I had to ask about this.
"Thank you Fairy Godmother" I smiled at her as I squeezed her hands gently. "I guess I already knew that" I chuckled meekly.
"But you needed to hear it?" she said happily.
"Yes" I confirmed.
"You know where I am Mal" she stated. "If you ever need to talk about anything; day or night you know that" she offered happily.
"Thank you" I answered. "Same to you" I suggested.
"Tha-" she started and we both heard Ben's voice suddenly start to rise.
"You don't need to know where Mal is!" he snapped. "I said no and that is the end of it" he warned whoever he was talking to.
"Your Majesty please?" a voice begged and I could tell that it was Aphrodite.
"Don't! Ben snapped back. "Don't you dare!" he warned them harshly again. "Don't you think you three have done enough?" he asked incredulously and me and Fairy Godmother threw each other a concerned look before we pulled our hands from each other. "Without this" he stressed as we both quickly stood up and started to head towards the door. "I said no!" he shouted once more as we both walked out of the room to see the scene in front of us. Ben was currently standing in the main hall with Aphrodite, Ava and Ceto and by the looks of it Ben had a look on his face which told me that if looks could kill the three of them would be dead.
"Ben?" I asked in confusion as we both stepped up to the four of them.
"Mal-" Aphrodite started and I froze in shock.
"APHRODITE!" Ben roared which caused the ballroom next door to go quiet.
"Ben what is going on?" I questioned.
"They want to talk to you" he answered as he threw a dark look in their direction as Zeus, Hera, Hercules and Meg appeared in the doorway. When they saw the scene in front of them they all shock their heads in disbelief; apparently they still had to learn their place and some humility. "And I said no!" he spat in their direction. "They keep pushing me on it" he advised me.
"I see" I noted. In all honesty I knew that at some stage I would need to talk about what had happened but not now and not like this. They were continuing to undermine and disrespect Ben; and there was no way that I was going to let them do this any further. "I suggest that the three of you listen to your King" I warned them and I watched as all three of their faces dropped. "I for one don't have anything to say to you at the moment" I advised. "I don't think it will do you any good cause to press this matter further" I continued as I slid my right hand into his left. "Ben said no" I reminded them. "He is your King; you have hurt and disrespected him enough already" I stated in distain. "In fact-" I began. "You've hurt us both enough" I urged. "You should give us some distance until we are both ready to talk about this" I finished and I squeezed Ben's hand.
"Of course" Aphrodite smiled meekly. "Sorry your Majesty" she offered and Ben nodded at this.
"Sorry your Majesty" Ava and Ceto said together and Ben nodded again.
"Darren if you would be so kind" Ben advised and Darren quickly appeared as if out of nowhere.
"As you wish my lord" he answered before he quickly gestured for the three of them to follow him. The three of them nodded meekly at him and followed him up the grand staircase; which told me Darren was seeing them to their rooms.
"Benny" I advised as I dropped his hand and I wrapped my arms around his waist as Fairy Godmother returned back to the main ballroom. "Calm down Beast" I cooed as I started to stroke the bottom of his back.
"Ok" he nodded as he pulled me to him and he pressed a kiss against the top of my head. "Did you get everything sorted with Fairy Godmother?" he asked as I snuggled my head into his chest.
"Yes" I confirmed. "I just needed some reassurance" I advised.
"Reassurance?" he questioned in confusion as he pulled away and looked down at me.
"I'll explain later on my love" I advised. "There are ears watching" I nodded to the room next to us.
"I see" he smiled and we cuddled back together. Me and Ben stood there for a couple of minutes and when my eyes landed on the open ballroom doors they landed on Fairy Godmother as she was talking to Jane and Carlos. She looked over to me and Ben and smiled and she winked at me before she returned back to her conversation; I then decided I wanted to do something nice for Ben. I felt that he deserved it after what he had gone through; so I decided to make some cookies for him so I could take them away with us. Yes it was only a little thing but I knew that Ben would appreciate them; I slowly looked up and Ben and we both smiled at each other – I couldn't wait for our weekend away to start. Me and Ben needed to be alone to be able to de-stress and calm down from the trial – and some Bennybear and Malmal time was exactly what we both needed.