REMINDER: CHAPTER 26 IS A TRIGGERING CHAPTER. A WARNING WILL BE PLACED IN THE TITLE, BUT NOT IN THE CHAPTER.
During the week after the birth of Prince Hadie, a lot of preparations went into place for Mal's big coronation.
Invitations were resubmitted to all the nobles and all the royalty across the entire kingdom, which they all received the very next day. By mid-afternoon of that day, the Royal Family officially announced the birth of Prince Hadie and then invited everyone, who couldn't attend, to watch on the Auradon News Network's live broadcast, which would take place the following weekend. Every student at Auradon Prep was encouraged to attend—
Which led to quite a bit of interrogations from classmates.
Everyone wanted to know where they would be seated, how the chapel would be decorated, what their gift bag contained, and so many more selfish questions that it became hard to keep track.
And poor Ben was the one left to handle it all.
Since it was such a momentous occasion, the headmaster cautiously allowed the soon-to-be queen to skip school to help finalize all preparations for her big day. Dr. Facilier voiced that he still wanted Mal to do her school work when she had the chance, so she didn't fall too terribly behind.
Living up to his own expectations of being a good boyfriend, Ben collected the missing princess's work and brought them to her castle, all while dodging and deflecting any questions asked about the coronation. That part wasn't particularly hard to do. One mean look sent every nosy person scurrying away, just like they would on the Isle of the Lost.
When it came to the delivery, the daily routine was nearly the same. Ben would arrive at the castle promptly at the same time with one-headed Cerberus greeting him at the door. The loyal companion would follow—more like lead—the Isle prince to the hearth room, where the Royal Family would be resting from the day's activities. As always, baby Hadie was the first to notice Ben's presence, giggling and holding out his arms until Ben took him from either his mother or father.
From there, the . . . family, would take their conversations to the dining room. Some days, it was a nightmare to return Hadie to his mother for his premade dinner bottle. Most of the time, Ben admitted defeat. While cradling the small prince in one arm, Ben would take quick bites of food in between holding the bottle steady for Hadie. Although she found it incredibly amusing to see him trying so hard, Mal eventually started feeding Ben herself so he wouldn't choke from eating too quickly. The first time his beloved did that, Ben's face turned bright red from embarrassment while the king and queen chuckled lightly, finding it just a tad funny as well.
After the delectable meal, Hadie would quickly fall fast asleep, clutching Ben's finger like his life depended on it. Somehow, Ben managed to pull off the hand off to the parents each time, though Hadie's nose would scrunch up in his sleep, like he knew something wasn't quite right. His parents and sister would laugh each time that happened.
It couldn't be any more obvious that Ben was Hadie's favorite.
Once the switch was successfully made, Mal would take Ben to her bedroom so he can help with her school work. In reality, Ben would just watch with admiration as the princess finished the homework without any extra assistance. In the matter of thirty minutes, most times less, Mal would throw all her papers on her desk before tackling Ben on her bed, kissing one another until they were ready for the next step.
Needless to say, Maleficent requested that no 'studying' takes place the night before the big day so Mal could actually walk down the aisle during her coronation. Although embarrassed that it had to be asked, the couple kept true to their promise not to do anything.
Well. . . they tried not to do anything, but Ben could not resist Mal's bright green eyes and the pout on her lip that just begged to be kissed and so much more. Since it was Friday, Ben had been granted permission to stay the night in the castle, so it was the first night that they could do mostly everything that they ever wanted to each other.
And of course, when Mal barely linked into the dining room, Maleficent scolded them very harshly for not listening to her, which was when Hades finally figured out what 'studying' actually meant. The dating couple couldn't look at each other or the parents for the rest of their breakfast time; the two's faces red like an over-ripe tomato from being caught.
After finishing their meals, everyone when to their respective rooms to get ready for the big coronation. Maleficent once again warned the couple to stay in separate rooms until they were both fully dressed, and not a moment before.
This time, Ben was much more stealthier when he snuck into the princess's room when she only wore her underwear as Evie prepares the dress to be worn. The lavender dress has to have hundreds of layers of fabric with the train at least five feet long with the cape even longer at ten, almost fifteen feet. The back of the dress was indeed open, revealing the scars of past wounds.
Mal wanted to keep no secrets from her people when she became queen.
When the Isle prince slithered in, Ben rushed toward his beloved, giving her such a passionate kiss that it stole Mal's breath away. Evie had to practically pry the two apart for the kiss to end. After whispering in her ear about how they would spend her first night as queen, Ben was shoved out of the room by Evie while Mal's face flushed with anticipation and excitement.
Within an hour, just a few minutes after her folks left for the cathedral, Mal was finally ready for one of the biggest days in her life. Evie, already dressed for the occasion, left first, but not before threatening Ben not to mess up Mal's hair, makeup, or dress, or else she would make sure they are always disrupted when they're about to 'study'. The couple barely managed to hold on their amused laugh before Evie left them alone.
Still, this time, they kept true to their word of not doing anything. In the carriage they rode in together, they merely held each other's hand while Mal waved to her soon-to-be subjects. Ben's gaze was only on his beloved, completely transfixed on her beauty. Mal noticed after a few minutes, as she blushed at his overwhelming attention and looked away. In response, Ben gently moved her face so she'd look at him once more and kissed her. All those who witnessed it cheered at the action, for they were glad their future queen found someone who truly cared for her.
Once the carriage finally stopped at their destination, Ben easily booed out of the vehicle first before extending a helpful hand to his beloved. Everyone gasped when they noticed the gruesome scars on the princess's back. There were some gossiping whispers, but it was drowned out by the overwhelming cheers of everyone else.
After leading his beloved to the top of the staircase, Ben kissed her cheek lovingly before he himself was being escorted to a side entrance of the cathedral. Within a few moments, Ben found himself within the front top row with Audrey and Chad just a handful of feet away. Since they had no dates that could have moved them closer, Lonnie, Jane, and Doug had to watch the spectacle from the balcony, which wasn't a bad idea considering they still felt vengeful toward the other three in some way.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly—
Until an Auradon prince felt the presence of the Isle prince.
At first it wasn't that big of an issue. Being held at the front of the cathedral in his mother's arms, Hadie wasn't anxious with all the extra people around like his parents believed. Once he noticed his person standing too far away from him, Hadie held out his arms expectantly. After a few seconds of realizing no one was bringing him to his person, Hadie's lip quivered lightly before he began his screaming, crying fit. His mother tried to calm him, but all he wanted was his—
"Queen Maleficent?" Ben greeted, approaching after a few seconds of the fit. "Do you want me to take Hadie?"
"I can't have you do that," Maleficent argued, rocking her persistent son. "You won't be able to enjoy the ceremony with your hands full."
"Nobody will with Hadie as he is," Ben retorted realistically. "We know he's acting like this because he wants me to hold him. I really don't mind if it means Mal's big day isn't ruined by her baby brother's stubbornness. Besides, you'll be able to focus on her with Hadie out of your way."
Holding his gaze for just a moment longer, Maleficent reluctantly passed her son over, feeling that way only because she didn't want Ben to feel obligated to do so every time Hadie cries. Once the hand-off was made, the infant instantly stopped crying, and instead giggled happily when he was in Ben's arms.
Stepping back into his original place, Ben shook his head at his beloved's brother. "You are one mischievous baby," he commented teasingly. "After her coronation, we are breaking this habit of yours."
Hadie giggled even more, as though saying it was never going to happen.
Within the next moment, the cathedral doors opened, revealing the most beautiful princess anyone has seen. As she walked down the enormous pathway, those she passed bowed respectfully. Once she was near the front, Mal couldn't help but to laugh, diverting her path slightly as she approached her two most favorite people in the world. "I see Hadie has you wrappers around his finger."
Chuckling softly, Ben insisted, "It was this or have him cry until he lost his voice. His laughter is a lot more pleasant to hear."
Giggling at the comment, Mal laid a hand on her beloved's cheek, confessing, "I love you, Ben."
Heath skipping a few beats, Ben forced himself to look away so he didn't become too flushed. It wasn't the first time Mal has said those words to him, but it always made him react in ways he couldn't explain—
And yet, Ben still didn't have the courage to say it back.
Still looking elsewhere, Ben grumbled, "You better go. They're waiting on their new queen."
Keeping a particular comment to herself, considering they were in public, Mal simply kissed her beloved's cheek and then her brother's before finishing her travel down the aisle. At the end, her mother stood to one side while her father stood in the center, a beautiful silver floral crown in his hand. Smiling at her father, Mal bowed before him, hiding her nervousness.
"Do you swear to govern the people of Auradon," King Hades began in his most powerful tone, "with fairness, mercy, and the kindness that continues to grow in your heart as long as you shall reign?"
Taking a deep breath to keep herself steady, Mal vowed, "I do, solemnly swear."
"Then it is my honor . . ." Hades paused to lay the crown on his daughter's head, ". . . to present to the kingdom of Auradon their new ruler, Queen Mal."