Content warning for swearing and comments made in this chapter.
After having a cuddle and a little bit of a make out in the shower; me and Ben quickly got ready in our clothes for the day. I decided to wear a white blouse with a dark purple skirt and pumps. I decided to keep my make-up light; with dark purple eye shadow and lip gloss; and I kept my hair down and loose. Ben had decided to wear a light blue shirt, with a navy tie, waist coat, shoes and trousers.
"Mal you look so beautiful" I heard him say as I finished my make up; and when I turned around I saw that he was looking me up and down.
"You don't look so bad yourself" I teased causing him to chuckle.
"I think everyone is ready" he replied.
"Yeah" I agreed as I could hear our family and friends were waiting and talking in the living room area of our suite for us. "Let's go my love" I added as I stepped up to him and we both smiled at each other. I then let him lead me from our bathroom and towards our suite door; I watched him open the door and our full suite went quiet. I took a couple of deep breaths to steady myself and when we both stepped into the room everyone's eyes were on us. I could sense a wave of nervousness and apprehension in the air and I could tell that last night was probably on their minds - fingers crossed that it wasn't going to linger like a bad smell today.
After saying hello to everyone me and Ben then started mingling with our family and friends until we had to go down for breakfast with Adam and Belle. Evie, Jay and Carlos all took me to one side as a group to check that I was ok. I quickly confirmed that I was; however our conversation was railroaded when they saw my wrist. I quickly dismissed this; and when they questioned why I hadn't healed it I stated that I might need it for evidence - given that I had been publicly assaulted. They understood this; and we all shared a group hug - with Ben quickly took a photo of.
Nash then asked to have a word with me; he then asked whether I was ok and I told him that I was ok. He then stated that he felt guilty; and when I asked him why he then told me that he saw me talking with Stanley but he started talking with Leroy. I then told him that he didn't need to be guilty; it wasn't his fault. It wasn't anyone's fault apart from Stanley - he took a chance and it didn't work for him.
Az then asked to speak to me; and just like Nash he said that he felt guilty that he didn't save me. Az stated that he wished that he stepped in before it got out of hand. I quickly dismissed this but he urged that he classes me as a close friend and he was currently mentally kicking himself. I told him that he had no reason to feel guilty; as it wasn't his fault. I then changed the subject onto Freddie and his cheeks lit up to a light pink. He then told me that he enjoyed talking to her and spending time with her. He said that he didn't want to come across too strong so he was going to give her some space - however he did state that he did want to ask her out at some point. I couldn't help but smile at this; all I wanted was for the pair of them to be happy - and I think they could make each other very happy, but only time will tell.
"Ben, Mal" I heard Adam say and my stomach started to sink as me and Ben started to walk towards the main ballroom. I knew that the next available moment Adam and Belle would ask to speak to us; so when I turned around and saw them both stood outside of Ben's office I knew that it wasn't a good sign. Of course it was never going to be a good sign; but the stern look on their face I knew that they were going to want to talk about last night.
"A word" Belle stated bluntly. "Please?" she added harshly as me and Evie shared a concerned look.
"Ok" he said together and we all walked into Ben's office, with Belle closing the door behind us.
"I know you won't have seen the news-" Adam started as he and Belle sat down on one of couch's in Ben's office.
"Not yet" Ben agreed. "But I think we can hazard a guess what you are about to talk to us about" he stated.
"Yes" Belle nodded. "Ben it doesn't look good to see you fighting" she urged.
"And for you slapping someone" Adam interjected as he glanced at me. "I know you both will have your reasons" he continued.
"Yes" I answered as me and Ben sat down on the couch that was opposite to them.
"And we would like to hear them?" Adam stressed, causing me and Ben to throw a glance at each other.
"I'll do it" I advised as I decided that I should be the one who explained what had happened last night.
"You sure?" Ben offered.
"Yes" I nodded. "I have no secrets" I added. "And I don't want your parents to think you have been acting out of turn" I stated.
"Ok" he nodded and I looked over to Adam and Belle. I felt my mouth suddenly go dry at the thought of discussing what happened last night; it was bad enough telling Ben and my family last night. But to say it with a sober mind was going to be another thing; as my mind was spitefully showing me what had happened between me and Stanley last night.
"Please let me say this without you stopping me?" I offered to Adam and Belle. "It was hard enough to tell Ben, Jay, Carlos and Evie last night" I advised.
"Ok" they both said together as they nodded.
"Well to cut a very long story short-" I began. "Last night a man approached me and made a move on me when Ben was in the toilet" I continued as I decided the best way to do this was to tell it quickly - I saw no benefit of trying to drag this out. "When I told him no he got really nasty calling me a slut; easy, saying things like he could do things to me that no one ever could" I added as I started to feel really embarrassed talking about this with Adam and Belle. "He said that there are rumours going around saying that I am easy; and that if I want to be in a position of power-" I started but stopped myself as I started to feel uneasy at what he had said to me.
"Yes?" Adam prompted as I chose to use the words that Stanley used even though they felt stale in my mouth.
"I need to fuck someone who is going to make me smarter not richer" I replied in embarrassment as I looked down to the floor.
"Oh Mal" Belle said sadly.
"I know" I answered as I looked up at them both. "I slapped him when he called me a slut" I continued. "When he insulted me again I went to slap him again but he caught my wrist and held it tightly" I gulped.
"Show them" Ben advised.
"Ben?" Belle said in confusion.
"Mal?" Ben begged and I nodded at this before I held my wrist up so they could see what Stanley had done to me.
"Mal!" Belle gasped.
"He did this to you?" Adam asked darkly. "Is this why you hit him?" he directed to his son.
"No" I quickly interjected. "Let me continue?" I urged and they both nodded once more. "Jeffrey quickly interceded and told him to let go of me and he did" I confirmed. "But this was when Ben walked up to us and he asked what happened; he then started to insult Ben" I went on to say. "And even though I had to stand in between him Ben stood his ground" I added as I threw Ben a look before I looked back over to his parents. "Ben told him to back off; and he then went for Ben" I stated and his parent's faces dropped at this. "And Ben defended himself" I confirmed hoping that I wasn't going to need to go any further than that.
"I see" Adam noted as Belle nodded at this. "Well you do know that you are going to have to put out a statement?" he stated which caused Ben to sigh.
"Do we really?" Ben asked incredulously.
"Yes Ben" Belle stressed.
"As for this man-" Adam interjected. "He will need to be spoken to-" he added. "He has just assaulted the future Queen of this Kingdom; and he went to assault you" he stressed.
"I know" Ben answered for us both. "I think we would both prefer to forget about it" he continued.
"I know you would" Belle replied. "But you know that this isn't how things can work" she reminded him.
"I know" he sighed.
"It won't take long Benny" I offered and he nodded at this.
"Anyway the police have already spoken to him and he has confirmed your stories" Adam answered.
"Well if he has confirmed our stories then why do we have to tell the whole kingdom?" Ben questioned darkly.
"I don't understand why you are fighting us on this son" Adam stated in confusion.
"Because I don't want to highlight the fact that he tried to take Mal away from me!" he exclaimed.
"Ben" I advised as I slid my right hand into his left.
"No Mal!" he stressed. "I know that you don't want anyone else" he added and I gave his hand a squeeze to try and reassure him. "But this still doesn't stop people trying; this could make more men try" he advised and I shuddered at this. I hated the fact that men tried to pull a move on me; surely they should know by now that nothing or no one is going to turn my head from Ben. He was the love of my life and my soul mate - I just wished everyone would accept this already! "And-" he began as he slid his other hand on top of mine. "I don't want to face it" he admitted as he squeezed my hand with both of his.
"Hey!" I exclaimed as I pulled my hand away from his and I pulled him into a hug. "You don't have to" I replied. "Don't worry about this" I dismissed. I hated seeing Ben in this situation; every time it happens it breaks my heart to see it. I hoped with time it would get easier; but it actually gets worse!
"Ok" I heard him say as I pulled away and cupped his face in both of my hands.
"You and me against the world, remember?" I smiled.
"You and me" he smiled back as he wrapped his arms around my waist before we bumped our noses against each other's.
"Sorry" I quickly apologised as we both looked over to Adam and Belle.
"No" Adam stated. "Don't be sorry" he dismissed.
"It is lovely to see" she smiled warmly.
"If you don't want to do a statement then that is up to you both-" Adam began. "But you know the press are going to have a field day" he reminded us.
"Yeah" Ben replied. "And we will ignore them" he shrugged.
"Yes Benny" I agreed with a warm smile.
"Ok" Belle stated. "Now we have sorted that out let's go to breakfast" she added. "Everyone is going to be worrying what we are up to" she smiled.
"Yep!" me and Ben said together as we both stood up together. I then let Ben slide his right hand into my left and we all started to walk out of Ben's office. As we started to make our way to the others I started to fixate on how Ben reacted to other men might start up due to our recent situation. I made a mental note that I want to try and do something to remind him that he has in fact nothing to worry about.
"So how is everyone?" Ben asked everyone as we entered the room.
"Here they are!" Evie exclaimed. "We thought that you had disappeared off the face of the kingdom" she teased; but I could tell by the looks in her eyes that she was concerned as to why Adam and Belle had pulled me and Ben to one side.
"Chance would be a fine thing" I teased which made them all laugh.
"We just had some business to take care of" Ben explained as me, Ben, Adam and Belle all took to our seats.
"Mal!" Leroy exclaimed as I noticed that Mrs Potts had already placed our full English breakfasts down for us.
"Yes?" I replied as I looked over to him.
"Your wrist is bruised" he said in shock and I quickly looked down at it.
"Yes" I answered as I picked up my knife and fork. "I really don't want to talk about last night" I advised. "So let's change the subject?" I stated hoping that everyone would use this as a hint to not bring it up again.
"Yes" Ben agreed. "What are everyone's plans for today?" he enquired.
"We were thinking about going to see a movie" Evie advised.
"I see" I noted. "What are we seeing?" I questioned. "Or are we still to decide?" I added.
"Well actually Mal-" Ben started. "We already have plans for this evening" he advised and I watched as a playful glint entered his eyes.
"Do we?" I questioned in confusion. "You never said" I stated.
"Yeah sorry" he quickly apologised. "I have something that I need to attend; and I need you to come with me" he explained.
"Ok" I nodded. I couldn't really be too surprised at this - this was my life now. I just wished that I knew what we were doing as it looks like it conflicted with spending time with our family and friends.
"I'll help you get ready for tonight Mal" Evie offered.
"Thanks Evie" I smiled. After everything that has happened recently it would be good to have some girl talk; I feel since the trial me and Ben have been locked away in our own little bubble. Yes I would never complain about that; I loved my time with my Beast – however girl talk was also very much wanted and needed. "What time do we need to leave?" I asked.
"Around six" he explained.
"Ok" I nodded. "So a lazy day up until then?" I replied.
"Yeah" he answered.
"So where are we going?" I enquired.
"It is a surprise" he smiled happily.
"Why?" I answered.
"Because it is" he shrugged.
"Hmm" I hummed.
"What?" he asked.
"I just don't understand why you can't tell me" I advised.
"Well that is what a surprise means?" he chuckled.
"So it is like a date?" I guessed.
"Kinda" he admitted.
"I'm so confused" I admitted. "But ok" I said slowly. "When are people arriving tomorrow?" I added trying not to fixate on the fact that Ben was obviously trying to sweep me off my feet for some unknown reason.
"From dinner time" Ben stated. "We have planned a meal for the full council members" he continued. "And during that meal you will hear the plans for the coronation the next day" he stated.
"Yes" we all nodded at this. "I can't wait it's so exciting!" Evie exclaimed.
"Yes!" Audrey also exclaimed. "My parents are excited but they are a little nervous" she advised.
"Why?" Jay asked.
"Well they just want to make sure that they do a good job" she explained.
"I'm sure they will Audrey" I said as I offered her a warm and friendly smile.
"Thank you" she replied as we shared a glance before we looked away from each other. I looked down at my breakfast and I saw that Ben put his knife down and he rested his right hand against my left leg. I then put my fork down as I started to eat a slide of toast and I slid my left hand into his. I then started to hope that even though all this trial business had passed that me and Audrey could have a nearly ok relationship. Yes I know that this might take some time; and I had a gut feeling that I was always going to feel some resentment but I wasn't going to let this get to me.
After we had finished breakfast we then decided what we were going to do; unsurprisingly the guys decided that they wanted to play Tourney. So as I response to this the girls and I decided that we would sit out on the lawn and watch their playful antics. As we walked out to the gardens I heard that after the rest of our group went to the cinema they intended to go for a meal; I don't know what Ben has planned for the pair of us later but it sounded like our friends and family were going to have a lovely evening – something I would have very much enjoyed.
Before Ben went off to go and play Tourney I pulled him to one side and I tried to get him to tell me where we were going. I thought I might have gotten somewhere however he decided to tease me instead; and he told me that I would have to wait and see before he ran off after the others. I really didn't know why Ben was being so secretive for; however I decided to go along with it – he obviously had his reasons and whatever he had planned he had put a lot of thought into it. And also given the fact what had happened last night I didn't want to give him too much stick over keeping whatever we were doing as a secret – he obviously wanted to spend some time with me with what happened last night.
As I watched Ben start to play Tourney with the other guys as I walked towards the rest of our group I started to get excited at the fact that me and Ben were getting some time alone together. Yes I knew that me and Ben were currently all over each other at the moment; but I think this was us both not being used to being with each other all the time. As time went on I knew that we would be settle better into our now very busy life; but I knew for a fine fact that I would never get sick of spending time with my beautiful and perfect soul mate.
As I sat down with the girls I then looked at the scene in front of me and I couldn't help but be happy with the relationships that I have with my friends. Yes some relationships were currently new and strained; but I did hope that will time they will only grow stronger. I loved the life and the people that were in my life; and I didn't want to lose anyone that I hold dear – especially my perfect Beast.