When we got to Auradon Castle we quickly went to our rooms and dropped my things off; after we had done this we then walked to the right wing to go and find Adam and Belle.

"Mother!"" Ben called out as we walked into their rooms. "Father!" He shouted as we made our way further into their rooms.

"YES!" We heard them both shout out to us both.

"Where are you both?" I called out.

"In the library!" I heard Belle shout.

"Ok" Ben answered as he led me by the hand into his mother's library to see Adam sitting up reading a book, and Belle reading a book with her head in Adam's lap.

"Hey you two!" Belle grinned as she sits up problem and swings her legs around.

"I'm guessing they've arrived" Adam teased.

"Yes" Ben confirmed.

"Well you both look very happy" Belle noted.

"Yes" Ben repeated as he looked down at me and we smiled at each other before we looked back at his parents.

"So how did you do?" Belle enquired.

"You first Mal" Ben directed.

"Why me?" I questioned as he dropped my hand.

"I opened them first" he reminded me which a smug grin.

"Really?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes" he nodded.

"Ok" I stated. "I got-" I advised as I opened the envelope and pulled out the exam result summary sheet and quickly counted my results. "7 A*'s, 3 A's and 2 B's" I announced.

"Congratulations!" Adam and Belle said together as they both stood up and pulled me into a joint hug. When we broke apart I couldn't help smiling at the pair of them, yes I was dating their son but the pair of them always made me feel like the daughter that they never had. Yes they did also made Evie, Jay and Carlos feel welcome but they seemed more welcoming and supportive towards me - I guessed that this was down to the fact that I was the woman that Ben had imprinted on so they knew that I wasn't going anywhere. I loved the close bond that I had built up with them over the years; they were the parental figure that I have needed in my life - and this was something that I could never ever thank them enough for.

This then made me think whether my actual parents would even want to know or care about my exam results. I could tell by the last time I spoke to them Hades was at least trying to show and make an effort however my mother had had the same blank stare on her face. I decided that I would decide at a later date; as this was a time where I didn't want to be fixating on my parents and whether they cared enough about me to care about how I had done in my exams.

"So son-" Adam started pulling me out of my train of thought. "How have you done?" He pressed. WE then watched as Ben mirrored my actions before he nervously looked up at his parents.

"I have-" he began before he took a couple of deep breaths to steady himself. "6 A*'s, 3 A's and 3 B's" he announced.

*Congratulations!" Belle answered with the same warm smile on her face that she offered me. I then watched as Belle pulled Ben into a hug but when they pulled away Adam and Ben looked at each other and by the cold stare that they were giving each other I could see why Ben was being nervous. I knew that Ben was happy with the results he had got; I also knew that he was also going to be concerned in case his parents didn't think that he had done good enough.

"Thanks Mother" Ben replied. "Father?" He said finally breaking the silence.

"Yes?" Adam answered.

"What do you think?" Ben questioned and again there was a tense few seconds that had passed before Adam broke the silence.

"Congratulations son" he advised before he pulled Ben into a hearty hug.

"Are you sure?" Ben stated as he pulled away and looked up at his father. "I know you probably wanted me to do better" he muttered before he pursed his lips together.

"Ben-" Adam began as he placed his right hand onto Ben's left shoulder. "All I want for you is for you to do your best; and for you to be happy" he added sincerely. "I am very proud of you; please don't think any different" he urged with his famous regal smile.

"Thanks Father" Ben grinned and I started to sense all of the tension start to ebb away from the room.

"Ben-" Belle started.

"Yes?" He answered.

"Have you been worrying about our reactions to your results?" She questioned.

"I just want to make you proud" he nodded. "You both proud" he quickly amended.

"And we are son" Belle stated. "You worked hard" she reminded him. "Especially with your study buddy" she teased as she winked at me causing me to laugh.

"Yeah" he said as he smiled at me.

"You'll have to I don't know-" I shrugged. "Say thank you I guess" I teased.

"Ha!" He laughed sarcastically. "Very funny Mal" he stated bluntly.

"Yeah" I nodded. "I'm going to go-" I started.

"Go where?" He asked in confusion.

"Well I'm going to ring my study buddy" I stated. "See how they did" I winked at him and I watched as a large smirk spread across his face.

"Oh you" he said as he quickly passed his exam results over to his mother.

"What are you doing?" I asked slowly as I took a step back; I watched as a playful glint entered his eyes and I took another quick step backwards.

"Ben" I stated as he continued to follow me as I took another step back. "Stop" I warned him.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"You know what" I stated as I began to turn around and he quickly lunged at me and grabbed me from behind. He then picked me up and I heard the three of them laugh at this.

"BEN!" I shrieked as I dropped my exam results; I then heard him laugh as he spun me around before carefully putting me back onto the floor.

"Thank you" he said happily before pressing a kiss against the top of my head.

"And thank you" I giggled before I pressed a kiss against his right arm as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Hmmm" he purred as he snuggled into my hair.

"Behave you two" Adam teased.

"Nah!" Me and Ben laughed together we rocked side to side in each other's arms causing Adam and Belle to laugh at us.

"What are your plans for the day?" Adam asked.

"Just a lazy day" I advised. "Az, Leroy and Nashoba are arriving mid-afternoon, around three, half past three" I explained.

"Yes" Ben nodded. "I sent my jet for them" he stated. "They are going for Nashoba first then making around trip; picking up Leroy then Az" he advised.

"Ok" we all nodded.

"They said that they will text me when they land" I added. "As everyone else is coming around three" I stated. "Which is when they should be landing" I finished.

"I see" Adam nodded.

"Actually Mal-" she began.

"Yes Belle?" I responded.

"I was wondering whether you wanted to have lunch together" she smiled warmly. "So we could have some girl time?" She offered and I smiled at this.

"Yes Belle" I nodded. "I would love that Belle" I stated and I watched as the same warm smile that Ben normally has spread across her face. "Just let me finish unpacking everything and then I'm all yours" I offered.

"Ok" she nodded.

"Are we going out or staying here?" I questioned.

"I'm going to ask Mrs Potts to do an afternoon tea for us" she explained. "Is that ok?" She questioned.

"Sounds perfect" I grinned and when I looked up at Ben I noticed that Ben was smiling lovingly at me. I knew that it meant a great deal to him that me and Belle got on; but this was really easy - I enjoyed Belle's company and we had created a very close bond over the years.

"What are you going to do when I am spending time with your mother?" I asked as me and Ben threw all of our dirty washing in the basket to be washed as we had finished packing all of our things away.

"I'm going for a hike with Father" he advised as he stood up straight and smiled at me.

"How long you going to be?" I questioned; I knew how Ben and Adam could be once they started a hike - once they said they would be gone for a couple of hours and they were gone for a full day!

"Well I'm going to get changed now-" he began. "We are only going to be a couple of hours, I promise" he winked at me probably knowing what was on my mind.

"Cool" I answered. "It will be nice to spend some time with your mother" I smiled fondly.

"I like how you get on so well" he replied. "Well she is going to be my mother-in-law" I teased. I knew that since me and Ben started our relationship that Ben wanted me to get along with his parents; and this was important to me as well. This was due to the fact that even though I knew that they were apprehensive at the start of mine and Ben's relationship, which I understood, I wanted to make sure that I maintained a good relationship with them. And when I started to get used to know Adam and Belle they had come to become a big part of my life; and they filled a void that neither my mother and newly discovered father had failed to fill in my life.

"Yes" he agreed. "However-" he started.

"Yes?" I nodded.

"Can we keep our recent decisions to ourselves for now?" He questioned.

"Why?" I asked as I pulled one brow up in confusion. "Is it a problem that I tell your mother?" I added in further confusion.

"I just want it to be our thing for a little while longer" he advised.

"I get that" I stated as he stood in front of me. I could see why Ben would want to keep what me and Ben had recently decided to ourselves a little while longer. Everything between me and Ben was so public and it was nice that me and Ben had a couple of things that was only between us - even if it was only going to be for a little while longer.

"I love you" I smiled as I snaked my arms around his neck.

"I love you too Mal" he returned as his arms claimed my waist. We then looked at each other and smiled before we smiled at each other as we stood in silence enjoying this private moment between us. I then stood on my tiptoes before I pressed a long and loving kiss against his lips. When I went to pull away I felt Ben quickly drop his hands down and claimed my buttocks to hold me up as his lips found mine once more. We then fell into a long and loving make out session; with my hands roaming over Ben's neck, jaw and chest as his hands clung onto my buttocks keeping me in place as his tongue continued to slide against mine in passion.

"Wow!" I panted as I pulled away and I heard Ben chuckle at me.

"Did I mention that I love you?" He asked sincerely with my favourite warm smile on his face.

"You may have mentioned it once or twice" I smiled as I brushed some hair over his right ear.

"Did I mention that I love you too?" I returned as Ben slid his hands from my buttocks and my feet landed properly onto the floor as he rested his forehead against mine.

"You may have mentioned it once or twice" he said mimicking my voice causing me to chuckle at this. We then went to enjoy each other's company for a few minutes more before we broke apart so we could go and spend time with Adam and Belle - which we were both very much looking forward to.

After leaving Ben to get his things together for his hike with his father I then went looking for Belle which didn't take very long as I found her in one of her rooms sitting at a small table.

"Oh hey!" I stated as I walked towards her.

"Hey!" She advised as I stood next to the table. "I asked Mrs Potts to set up this table" she added as she gestured for me to sit down. "And she's already started" she continued as Mrs Potts entered the room with her carrying a tray full of tea and coffee.

"You work fast Mrs Potts" I chuckled as she started to place our cups in front of us.

"Oh yes Mal" she smiled. "I do" she winked at me causing the three of us all to chuckle. "I'll bring the rest of the cakes and sandwiches in when they are ready" she advised.

"Thank you" Belle replied as I nodded at this.

"Thanks for this Belle" I smiled. "It's nice to just have some time with you" I offered.

"Thanks Mal" she answered. "That means a lot to me" she continued. "You know I think of you as a daughter" she reminded me warmly.

"And I think of you as my mother" I happily returned before we both smiled happily and warmly at each other. The conversation then quickly went on to my exam results and Belle told me that she and Adam were not only proud of Ben but they were proud of me as well - which quite honestly meant the world to me. We then went on to eat an assortment of various cakes and sandwiches as we continued to chat aimlessly about anything and everything that came to our minds. I loved the loving and close bond that I had with Belle; and I know that we both would help each other through anything - just like a mother and daughter should.

"There is also something that I want to speak to you about-" Belle started after we had just finished our food.

"Oh" I muttered. "Right?" I prompted her.

"Yes" she nodded. "Now that we have returned from the tour we need to start thinking about your role" she elaborated.

"My role?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes" she clarified. "As Ben's consort" she added. "You both have now finished college so you will now have to be his consort full time" she stated.

"I thought I was his consort full time?" I stated in confusion. Was I just about to stumble into something else that Ben had forgot to tell me?

"I mean in an active role" she stated. "You've never stopped being his consort" she smiled at me.

"I know what you mean" I nodded. "So what does this mean?" I questioned.

"Being more active-" she began. "You will have more appointments; and you will need to assign a royal dresser" she stated.

"A royal dresser?" I asked.

"Yes" she advised. "Every Queen of Auradon has one" she added.

"I see" I nodded. "Is that the person who designs my clothes?" I asked.

"Yes" she confirmed.

"Oh" I muttered. "Well Evie designs my clothes" I reminded her. "I don't think I could ever have someone else design my clothes" I pressed. Evie knows how I like my clothes; and I didn't want to upset Evie by taking another dresser. This was something that I needed to discuss with Evie; I knew that she wanted to launch her own clothing line and she was already getting requests from other royals. But I didn't know whether me asking to become my official royal dresser was going to put extra stress on her or whether she would prefer that I would ask someone else.

"Well if Evie is who you want you will need to employ her officially" Belle said breaking me out of my train of thought.

"What?" I asked. "I never thought about things like this" I added and then I made a decision. Evie didn't have to accept this; but I wanted to do something nice for her - regardless whether she became my royal dresser or not.

"I have an idea" I added as a smile spread across my face.

"Which is?" Belle enquired.

"Well-" I started as I decided that I could trust Belle with this; and she could even help me put my plan into action. "Between us?" I questioned.

"Between us" she smiled and I started to explain what I wanted to do for my best friend and sister - which I only hoped my plan would work out as well as I hoped.

"Is there anything else that I need to be aware of Belle?" I questioned after I had finished discussing my plan with Belle.

"Well-" she started. "There are other things but they can come later" she dismissed.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well when things develop more between you two" she advised.

"Are you meaning when we are engaged and married?" I offered.

"Yes" she nodded.

"What things are you talking about?" I enquired.

"Well living arrangements-" she said. "If you want to change anything" she shrugged.

"I see" I smiled as my mind started to remember the many conversations that me and Ben had had just over our quarantine lockdown.

"Have you and Ben had these conversations?" She enquired.

"No" I lied. "At the moment we are just in the moment; you know after what had happened tour and trial" I stated. I did feel bad for lying to her but Ben was right it was nice that we had something that was just between the pair of us.

"I get that" she smiled.

"But I think me and Ben have plenty of time to talk about things" I shrugged.

"Of course you do" she smiled I then opened my mouth to say something but I got a sudden sense that something was wrong with Ben. A beastly roar started to ring louder and louder in my ears and I started to get a sharp piercing pain start to build up in my left thigh.

"Oh!" I groaned as the pain suddenly disappeared as the roaring started to calm down.

"What?" Belle asked.

"Something is wrong" I muttered as my stomach continued to burn in panic as my Beast started to purr and groan in a panic and in pain.

"What do you mean?" She quickly asked.

"The Beast side of Ben is in pain" I admitted.

"What?" She questioned in panic. "I can't sense Adam" she stated as I quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket and I quickly rang Ben. However I then suddenly fell into an even further panic when Ben didn't answer his phone. I then quickly tried to ring him again and my breathing started to quicken involuntarily when he didn't answer again.

"He's not answering" I stated as I fell further into a pool of despair when I sensed that Ben was crying in pain as Belle tried to ring Adam.

"Why are they not answering?" Belle asked in a panic as I heard my Beast's roar start to build up again. My eyes started to water as I started to feel really agitated at the fact that no matter how many times I tried to ring Ben he didn't answer his phone. In fact me and Belle tried to ring Adam and Ben at least ten times each before we heard a familiar voice call out.

"BELLE!" Adam shouted. "MAL!" He added and I froze in a panic at the fact that I couldn't hear anything from Ben apart from moaning, rapid breathing and groaning.

"Oh no!" Me and Belle said together before we quickly stood up and ran out of the room and made our way towards the main hall. And when we both ran into the main hall and we both froze at the top of the staircase at the sight before us - Adam helping Ben limp further into the room.

"Ben!" I shouted as I quickly ran downstairs and up to Ben.

"It's fine" he dismissed as he staggered forward with his father's help.

"It doesn't look fine" I dismissed.

"It's only minor" he grimaced.

"Let me the judge of that" I dismissed.

"Ben come here" I advised as I held my arms out to him and he slid his arms away from his father and he rested his arms around my neck. "I'm going to teleport us into our room" I advised and Adam and Belle nodded at this. "Is there a first aid kit?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I'll get it" Belle volunteered before I quickly teleported the both of us into our bedroom.

"Mal you are worrying about nothing" Ben stressed as I helped him limp towards our bed.

"Come on" I stated ignoring what he said as I knew that he probably was going to be stubborn and fight me on this. "Let me see" I said as I helped him sit on the edge of the left hand side of the bed.

"Mal-" he began.

"Ben" I said sternly as we shared a glance before I started to undo his trousers.

"Mal!" I snapped. "Stop!" He pressed further as I opened his belt.

"No!" I snapped. "You were persistent with me with my head injury" I reminded him. "Hips up!" I demanded.

"Really?" He groaned in pain.

"Yes" I nodded as I shared another stern look before he nodded at me and he lifted his hips up. I then carefully and slowly removed his trousers and quickly pulled his hiking boots and socks off before throwing them to the floor. "Oh Ben" I cooed as my eyes landed on the wound on his left thigh. The wound looked very deep as I could see the underlying tissue that looked like meat gristle; it was around six inches in length and blood was still running out from it. "How did this happen?" I questioned slowly as I started to wince at the thought of my Benny getting hurt.

"I fell and landed on a branch" he explained as he held onto his leg tightly before groaning in pain.

"Where is it?" I asked.

"I pulled it out" he advised.

"Ben!" I snapped, surely he could see that pulling the branch out caused more damage?

"Mal-" he started.

"Ben you are really not going to stop me" I advised. "Just let me take care of you" I urged. "Please?" I begged. My dragon urges were flaring up badly and all I needed and wanted to do right now is to care and look after my Beast - and even Ben wasn't going to stop me.

"Ok" he nodded. "My stubborn dragon" he smiled.

"My grouchy Beast" I teased and I quickly pressed a brief kiss against his lips.

"Oh" we heard Adam say causing us to pull apart to see Adam and Belle walking towards us. "Sorry" he apologised as Belle continued to stare at me and Ben.

"Belle can I have that?" I questioned as I reached over for the first aid kit.

"What?" She muttered as she broke out of her train of thought. "Oh" she added. "Yeah" she nodded and she passed me the first aid kit and I quickly opened it and started to pull things out of it. I then started to clean the wound as carefully as I could it my heart kept breaking every time Ben groan, moaned and cried out in pain.

"Do you want me to dress it or-" I started.

"Or?" Ben panted.

"Do you give me permission to heal you?" I questioned and me and Ben shared a quick glance before he nodded. I then held both of my hands over his wound and I concentrated as my hands started to heat up slightly. "Heal this wound, stop this bleeding, close this wound up to stop this pain of feeling" I chanted and we all watched as the wound slowly healed itself before disappearing causing Ben to sigh in relief. "Better?" I smiled.

"Better" he nodded quickly as he quickly rubbed his thigh where the wound used to be. I then looked over to Adam and Belle and I noticed that something was really bothering her.

"Belle what's wrong?" I muttered.

"Nothing" she dismissed.

"No what is it Mother" Ben insisted.

"It came as a shock to me that's all" she stated.

"What is?" I questioned.

"That you don't need me to take care of you anymore" Belle explained. "You have Mal" she added and I realised what was bothering her.

"Oh" I muttered. "Sorry Belle" I apologised.

"No Mal" she stated. "Don't feel bad" she dismissed. "Sometimes I guess me and your father forgets that you have grown up; and then it comes to times like this" she advised. "You are not my little boy anymore; and that is fine" she smiled. "I just got a shock that's all" she explained.

"I see" Ben nodded. "Yes I am an adult now; and me and Mal have each other" he added lovingly as we smiled at each other. "But that doesn't mean that me and Mal aren't going to need your help from time to time" he stated. "Isn't that right?" He asked me.

"Yeah" I nodded. "Sorry I took over" I apologised to both Adam and Belle. "I just-" I started as I looked lovingly at Ben before I looked back at his parents. "I guess when my Beast is hurt there is no stopping me" I advised and I looked at Ben to watch my favourite crooked smile spread across his face.

"That's my girl" he said proudly.

"That's my man" I teased.

"We will leave you to it" Adam stated. "I'm guessing that you are going to want some time alone before the others arrive" he advised.

"Yes" Ben answered before his parents smiled at us before they quickly left the room, giving us some privacy.

"I think we need to talk Ben" I stated as we both looked at each other.

"About what?" He asked and I watched as concern started to show in his leaf green eyes.

"About what has happened since we last saw each other" I explained.

"I see" he nodded. "On one condition" he offered.

"Yes?" I smiled.

"Cuddle time" he winked at me.

"Of course Beast" I flirted as we both climbed onto our bed and rested our heads onto the pillows. As we cuddled together happily we started to get lost into each other's eyes. It didn't take long before Ben's lips pressed against mine and as his tongue slid against mine I couldn't help but fill with relief at the fact that Ben was ok, as I couldn't bear anything happening to him.