An hour later found Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos in the limo approaching Castle Beast. All four of them were nervous but Ben and Bree didn't know of anyway to calm them, but at least the four VK's weren't angry. Their anger had spiked upon seeing Bree in the courtyard. It was clear she had tried her best to cover the red handprint on her cheek but it was still visible to those who got close enough. Upon seeing it Mal desperately wanted to find the brunette princess and use her for magical target practice but decided that would be a bad idea, for now.
Far too soon for the VK's liking the limo stopped and a driver was opening the door. As the six teens climbed out of the car they noticed Belle and Adam stood at the top of the stairs causing the four isle teens to fidget nervously. Something both Bree and Ben spotted immediately. "You'll be fine guys." Bree promised them. The four VK's smiled and nodded to the princess but it did little to ease their nerves. They were basically being thrown in the deep end here and it wasn't a good feeling for them.
The six teens slowly walked up to the King and Queen, Ben and Bree leading the group. It wasn't long before they were acsending the stairs towards the older couple. "Ben, Bree." Belle greeted her two children as she pulled them both into a hug, before she turned to look at the four Isle teens. Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos bowed/curtsied to the two elder royals. "Welcome." She greeted them, while her husband eyes them a little suspiciously. Belle was a little annoyed at her husbands reaction but decided not to push him right now, the four teens were clearly already nervous they didn't need to see Adam lose his temper as well.
Bree turned to face the Isle teens to reassure them but before she could say anything her mother cut her off. "Bree! What happened to your face!?" The Queen exclamied. The long haired brunette locked eyes with her brother, the two silently having a conversation. None of the four VK's knew what to say to this. Of course they knew what had happened, they had seen it. But was it their place to say anything? "Bree?" Belle called to her daughter, who finally tore her gaze away fron her twin brother.
"Nothing. I'm fine." She promised her mother, but the Queen clearly didn't believe her daughter if the raised eye brow was anything to go by.
Thankfully Belle decided to let the conversation go for now, remembering she had three royal families and the Radcliffe's inside the castle. The benevolent Queen looked back to the four teens stood between her children and smiled gently at their nervous and scared faces. "Follow me kids. I'll show you to where you need to go." She told them, taking her husbands offered arm as she turned back to the caslte.
The royal couple lead all six teens through the caslte and both the prince and princess realized they were heading to the large ball room. They couldn't help but smile a little bit at this. Hopefully the relaxed atmosphere of the room would help settle the VK's nerves a little but as they looked at the other four teens they knew it wouldn't help at all. But thay also noticed while Evie, Jay and Mal looked nervous Carlos just looked purely terrified. They wanted to offer some kind of reassurance to the four of them but couldn't think of anything to say that they hadn't already said in the car on the way here.
Faster then any of the four VK's would have liked the older royals stopped outside a large wodden door and Mal's sensitive fairy hearing picked up on the voices on the other side. She couldn't help but shoot a worried look to Evie. She was worried for all of her friends/siblings. They were all worried about this meeting.
Evie's POV.
I locked my brown eyes with Mal's green, worry filled ones. It was easy to see we were all nervous about this. This was the part of coming to Auradon I was completely dreading, meeting my step-sister, Snow White. I took a deep breath as I turned away from my sister/best friend and watched as Queen Belle opened the door.
Without thinking the four of us followed the royal family inside the room and my eyes fell on the woman I knew to be Snow White. It had to be, she matched my mother's description exactly. Pale skin, short black hair, ruby red lips, it couldn't be anyone else. As I looked at her I noticed she was smiling at the four of us, but that she was also looking between me and Mal. Clearly she wasn't sure which one I was.
In a slight daze I followed Ben and Bree over to her, my three siblings following. I didn't even notice Queen Belle and King Adam had got to sit to the side of the room. I noticed we were heading straight for Snow White first and I quickly became worried. I couldn't help but think this would end in disaster. "Snow White, this is Evie Queen. Evie this is Snow White." Ben introduced me to my step sister.
Immediately I lowered myself to curtsy to her, knwoing she was royalty. It was something my mother had always ingrained in my brain, even though I'm a 'princess' myself I still need to show proper decorum to other royals. "You don't need to curtsy, Evie." I heard Snow White say and I couldn't help but look up at her, slightly shocked. I didn't quite believe what I had just heard.
"Huh?" I said before I could stop myself. Rising from my curtsy I saw her smile at me.
"Evie, you may be the daughter of the Evil Queen but you're still my step sister. Meaning I love you and you don't have to be so formal with me." Snow explained to me.
I was pretty sure I resembled a fish right now. I had not been expecting her to say that and I instinctively looked to my siblings, as I noticed Ben and Bree was about to lead them away, who looked as shocked as I felt. Never in our lives had anyone every said those words to us. I spun to face Snow White again, catching sight of Ben and Bree's confused faces as I did. "You what?" I asked, disbelief clear in my voice. I watched as Snow White tried to figure out what I meant and her face fell as she caught on.
"You mean no one has every told you they love you?" She asked me and I simply shook my head.
As I was about to respond verbally Mal beat me to it. "You're joking right? We were raised by villains. Loving their kids isn't exactly top of the priorities." Mal said and I couldn't help but nod my agreement to what she said. While none of us particularly wanted people to know what life was like on the Isle I knew Mal had said it so I didn't get upset as I usually did when the topic of my mother loving me came up. But I was glad the others apart from an upset looking Ben and Bree, were too far away to hear what Mal had said.
I watched Snow carefully for her reaction and noticed her eyes fill with tears. Before I could even blink she pulled me into a tight hug. Instinctively I stiffened, as I have no doubt my siblings did, before a finally relaxed a little and returned her embrace. "I'm so sorry for what she's done Evie. You're my sister and I will always love you." She whispered to me and I tightened my hold.
Jay's POV.
As we watched Evie hug her half sister who she has always wanted to meet we all shared a relieved look, glad it was going well for her. After a few minutes we followed Ben and Bree to a young looking couple in the room. We stood between Auradon's prince and princess, Mal inbetween me and Carlos, and waited for Ben to introduce us. Although I was pretty sure I knew who this couple was anyway. But my suspicions were confirmed when Bree started talking.
"Aladdin, Jasmine this is Jay. Jay this is Aladdin and Jasmine." She introduced us and I took a leaf from Evie's book, bowing to the couple.
The two didn't speak until I was once more stood upright. "It's nice to meet you Jay." Jasmine said to me, both her and Aladdin smiling at me. "I think you actually room with our son, don't you?" She asked and I nodded to her. I didn't quite trust my voice to not show my nerves right now so until I was sure my voice would stay strong I thought it better to give none verbal answers. But that went out the door with the next question.
"Aziz tells us you have also joined the Tourney team. Do you enjoy it?" Aladdin asked me.
I took a deep breath before answering. "Yeah. I mean we never had anything like that on the Isle but it's fun." I responded. While I didn't want to let Auradon get to me it seemed like I was failing because what I had just said was 100% truthful. It was something I emjoyed immensely and hoped to continue. Well until the villains took over when we got them the wand anyway. After that I highly doubt the game would exist anymore and while I would never admit it out loud the thought made me a little sad. "So what's Agrabah like?" I asked the couple. Since I would be working for them I had no doubt that I would be seeing it for myself soon but I wanted to get the attention off of me.
"Jafar never told you about Agrabah!?" Jasmine exclaimed. What was it with these royals not understanding that we were raised by villains and unless something was evil we knew nothing about it. I shook my head to her so I didn't seem rude but before I could talk she carried on. "I'll have Aziz show you around when you come and visit. I'm sure you will love it." She said. I'm sure I will. I thought to myself. Anywhere has to be better then the Isle of the Lost.
Carlos' POV.
Once more Ben and Bree moved over to a different couple although these two I knew, well her I did. I immediately recognized her from some of my mother's old photo's. She was Anita, which meant he was Roger. Instinctively I scanned the floor around them to make sure they hadn't brought a dog with them and I let out a little breath when I noticed they hadn't.
Ben cleared his throat and I finally lifted my gaze from the floor. "Roger, Anita this is Carlos De'Vil. Carlos, this is Roger and Anita." he introduced us to each other.
"I know." I stated earning confused glanced from everyone, Mal included. As I looked beck to Anita I decided to explain just how I knew who she was. "My mom made me sort though some old photo's of hers a while ago. She still has some of the two of you from college." I explained and Anita's facial expression went from confused to understanding, as did everyone else's. I made small talk with them for a few minutes and once I was obviously comfortable with the older couple I noticed Ben and Bree lead Mal over to the last family in the room. I couldn't help but silently hope she kept her temper in check.
Mal's POV.
I followed Ben and Bree over to the only trio in the room and I gulped. I was not looking forward to this and if Audrey's attitude was anything to go by then this meeting was going to be disasterous. Following Evie and Jay's lead I curtsied as we stopped in front of them and Bree intruduced us as I stood back up.
"Aurora..." Bree began to say but the older women cleared her throat before giving the brunette princess next to me a hard glare. "Sorry." She apologized, sarcasm clear in her voice and I had to stop myself from smirking, as did Ben I noticed. "Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip, Queen Leah, this if Mal. Mal this is Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip and Queen Leah." She finally introduced us.
"It's nice to meet you." I told them, forcing myself to smile and keep my voice even. But even I heard the nervousness in my voice. Damn it. Why couldn't I have held my voice together.
I noticed Aurora was smiling at me along with Phillip but I could tell immediately Audrey got her attitude from the glaring old bat next to them. I didn't even have to speak to the woman to know I wouldn't like her, I just hoped she kept her mouth shut because if she started I wasn't sure I could keep my anger in check. I was still mad about what Audrey did to Bree, if this woman started she was likely to get all of my anger. Thankfully it was Aurora who answered me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mal." She told me and I couldn't help but think she was lying. After all my mother did curse her to death as a baby. If the three good fairies hadn't been able to slightly change the curse then she wouldn't be hear right now. "Relax." Aurora said to me, clearly seeing my tension and worry in my face. I have no idea why but in the past few days of being in Auradon I seem to have become incapable of hiding my emotions from my face. Something I have been able to do since I was a small child.
Relax! I shouted in my own head. That's easy for you to say! Your not facing the very person your evil as hell mother cursed and probably hates you. I ranted to myself.
Taking a calming breath I forced myself out of my own head and turned to face the royals again. "You know I hold nothing against you right?" Aurora asked and I couldn't help but raise a disbelieving eyebrow at her. Was she really expecting me to believe this? "Honestly. I do not blame you for anything your mother has done. You weren't even born then, let alone had any part in what happened. How can I blame you for something you weren't even alive to see." She explained and I truly couldn't believe my ears. She didn't hate me nor did she blame me for anything.
"Neither do I." Phillip added as I saw him wrap an arm around Aurora, pulling her lovingly into his side.
My attention however was quickly drawn to Leah as I heard her scoff. Seeing me, Ben, Bree, Aurora and Phillip all looking at her she began explaining herself. "Well I don't forgive her for what her mother put my family through." She stated. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her. So much like Audrey. I thought to myself. "Her mother cursed my infant daughter. If I want to hold it against her spawn then I will do so."
I couldn't help but flinch a little at being called a spawn. I had to fight not to let memories of my mother invade my head. I managed to successfully push the memories away but knew I would be having nightmares tonight, I just hoped Bree wouldn't realize. "Queen Leah, that is uncalled for." Ben stated, as both him and Bree took a step closer.
"May I remind you that while Mal will be working for you there are rules that will be followed by you." Bree said and I noticed Leah's face turned even more sour, if that was even possible. And these people are supposed to be the heroes!? Yeah right. Leah seemed like she would fit better on the Isle.
"That's enough, mother." Aurora told Leah, shocking me. Was Sleep Beauty actually standing up for me!? Oh if my mother could see this she would freak. "Sorry Mal. I will make sure she understands not to treat you like that anymore." The blonde said, turning back to me. Yeah, like that's going to stop her. Thankfully for the remainder of the time I was talking to Aurora Ben or Bree was close by and Leah kept her mouth shut. After another half hour Ben and Bree finally said we were heading back to Auradon Prep and I have never been more relieved to hear I was going back to school in my life. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep from punching the look off of Leah's face but Aurora and Phillip were surprisingly nice.
Author's Note: So I know this is the first time I have used a characters POV in this story but I felt it was a better was for this chapter to go. I apologise if it appears a bit jumpy. Again I just want to thank everyone for the lovely reviews and PM's I got about this story, especially pinksakura271, Mustang52, danifan3000, LoveShipper and Rose-Bells-Al-Jazz-Em-Ed-Geor for their amazing and supportive reviews on every chapter. I hope you like this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think x