Mal steeled herself. Taking a deep breath in front of the door. She took one last moment to discretely iron out the wrinkles in the new dress Evie made her with her hands. It probably didn't help because her palms were sweaty. Mal definitely wasn't used to wearing garments that you had to worry about wrinkles. Satin wrinkled, but you know what doesn't- leather. How she wished she had her purple leather jacket right now and her combat boots. She needed the strength for this battle.
Ben reached down and clasped her sweaty hand. Not letting her wiggle out of it. He needed her to know he was solidly there for her. They would get through this together. He definitely didn't want her knowing that he felt just as nervous to see Audrey and her family. But this was part of his kingly duties. To do a tour of the country and pay a visit to all the royal families. They were at Charming castle seeing Chad and Audrey's family in one go.
The steward opened the door for the family and Cinderella's family and Aurora's family all stood politely waiting to greet them. Obviously Chad's family was much more polite to Mal than Audrey's family was. All fake smiles and stabbing stares from the Sleeping Beauty gang. Everybody could sense the awkward but Ben held to Mal fast. He was making a statement. He was there for her.
"Let us begin the tour of the castle shall we," Cinderella led everyone into the hallway. Mal had been told even though they had all been to the Charming castle before this was customary on the royal tour. The Charming's held a lot of the history of Auradon within their walls. As lady of the house it was Cinderella's duty to perform the tour for everyone to appreciate their history.
They stopped at a painting of what looked like a young Ben. But the parents standing next to him weren't his. And the painting looked so old. Mal was squinting her eyes at it trying to figure it out. "When Adam's family fell out of power due to the tragic loss of his parents." Cinderella paused to extend her hand in consolation Adam took it thankfully. It wasn't Ben in the painting, it was his father. "and when the cursed enchantress put his family castle to ruin, Aurora's family took up the mantel to reign over our land."
They made their way over to a painting of young aurora and Phillips's families. "They reigned prosperously for years-"
"Until Mal, I mean Maleficent, cursed my family and sent them all into a long slumber." Audrey jumped ahead of her, unable to miss the chance to take a jab at Mal. Ben squeezed Mal's hand. Everyone was uncomfortable and didn't quite know what to say. Except Audrey's family. They all stared at Mal smugly.
Cinderella was quick to move along. "The Charmings were next to take up the reign during tragic and difficult times. Until that time in which Belle was able to break the curse and the true reign was brought back to our land."
"Do you know what happened next Mal," Chad asked her. He had obviously been promoted by Audrey.
Ben rubbed his thumb over Mal's hand. She struggled knowing an answer was expected, "I -um-"
Cinderella coming to her aid, oblivious to what her son was doing. "It's okay dear. I'm sure Auradon history wasn't exactly a popular class on the isle."
"A girlfriend of the king not knowing our history, we'll just have to have fairy godmother add another class to the curriculum for you." Usually Mal was quick with a comeback but everyone was watching her. She was expected to be a lady of a society she didn't know the rules to. But she knew well enough getting into a bitch fight with Audrey wasn't okay.
Ben desperately wanted to tell Audrey to back off. But knew he couldn't in this scenario. "Thank you Queen Cinderella for your wonderful tour. I always love seeing these paintings. They're inspiring."
"Shall we head to lunch then?" Cinderella began to lead the guests back to the dinning room.
Ben was able to spare some time with Mal when he dropped her off at her dorm after their lunch at Charming castle. His parents most likely gave them space because they felt badly about how uncomfortable the day had gone.
"I'm okay Ben. I'm annoyed but it's all going to be okay," Mal snuggled into Ben on her bed to watch the movie the had put on the TV.
"I just hate feeling like I can't say anything back to Audrey," Ben ran a hand through his hair tugging at in to let out some of his frustration.
"It's really okay Ben," Mal ran her hand down his cheek. And she really meant that. Audrey's nastiness towards her hadn't upset her or tugged at Mal's insecurities. Not this time. In fact it had angered her. And she felt motivated to prove her wrong. But she didn't need Ben to hear about that. He wouldn't approve of her methods.
Ben snuggled her tight to him and rubbed her arm while they half watched the movie. Mostly Ben was just happy to hold her and have time with her. Mal couldn't stop thinking about her spell book under the bed. She was itching to look through it. She was sure there was a speed reading spell in there she could use when they go to see Aladdin and Jasmine. Audrey was not going to have room to say anything anymore. She was going to fit in. Mal would make sure of it.