Chapter 15.
„So, I talked to Evie last night and got to the bottom of everything." Mal told Ben, with a serious business look on her face.
„And?" The boy encouraged her, genuinely curious, as well as a bit worried about what had gone down between Evie and Jay for them both to be so distraught.
„It was Chad." Mal stated, a small sneer tugging on her plump lips. „He jumped her in the hallway and tried to hurt her." She told him, anger shining through her jade irises.
„He did what?" Ben thundered, before letting out a very deep animalistic growl. „I can't believe this!" He fumed, his teeth baring, as he suddenly found it hard to keep the beastlike side of him at bay. He didn't want to be like this in front of Mal but he just couldn't help it, he despised foul play more than anything and the fact that one of his friends was a subject to it made things even worse. „I mean, I figured out that Chad was no good by now, but for him to stoop so low… I can't believe it. I can't believe I was ever friends with a scumbag like that!" Ben roared, unwillingly comparing himself to the rotten prince, as his father had once told him that you can always judge a person by his friends.
Mal was a little suprised at his outburst, but not scared. She could never be afraid of him. One, because it was just not in her nature to be frightened and two, because she was completely certain that even if Ben were to ever lose control over his beast, he would never ever hurt her. The girl reached out and ran her small hand up and down his arm in a comforting manner.
„Calm down, baby. I know how you feel, I was furious too." Mal assured him and then paused to look at him straight in the eye. She hadn't missed the implication in his last sentence. „But you are nothing like Chad, I won't even hear of it." She told him firmly, not leaving any spare room for discussion. Ben felt a small wave of relief and comfort wash over the fire of rage burning in his chest but it wasn't enough to put it out completely.
„This is totally unacceptable, I won't stand for this!" He exclaimed, his voice not as loud as before but still as indignant. It was very uncharacteristic of him to be this angry, he was a calm and gentle person by nature, but he was half beast too after all and when that side of him prevailed the result was destructive.
„My thoughts exactly, that's why I came to you in the first place." Mal agreed, finally able to get to the point. „Do you think you can do anything? As a king? Form some sort of punishment for him?" She offered with a hopeful glance.
„Mal, I wish I could, more than anything. Damn it!" Ben seethed, incredibly frustrated by the fact that it was out of his power to help his friends when they needed him. „I want to give Chad exactly what he deserves, believe me. But I can't! Not without proof." He grunted angrily, turning to look at Mal with an almost heartbroken look on his face.
„What do you mean? You're the freakin' king of Auradon!" Mal exclaimed, confused by his statement. Then her eyebrows furrowed and her face took on a sad look, with a slight hint of betrayal shining through. „What do you need proof for, don't you trust me?" Her voice came out somewhat smaller and Ben's expression turned incredulous at the accusation.
„No! Of course not, Mal, I trust you with my life, you know that!" The boy rushed out hurriedly, his voice almost pleading, as he quickly put both of his hands on her cheeks and placed a gentle peck on her nose, then on her forehead and finally on her lips in reassurement. He didn't want such thoughts to even cross her mind. She needed to know he had complete faith in her.
„Then what's the matter?" Mal asked gloomily. She didn't doubt Ben's trust in her one bit but she was kind of put off by the fact that her one real opportunity of getting back at Chad without getting in trouble might not work out after all. Why couldn't Ben help? He was the king after all.
The dark blond sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, frustration and helplessness coming off his strong frame in waves.
„Listen, Mal, I don't think you know exactly how the Law of Succession works in Auradon." Ben confessed and Mal stared up at him, perplexity written all over her face, as he continued. „When the prince turns 16 years old in Auradon, he officially comes of age. He is crowned King and given more authority over the rule of the kingdom, that's true, but not all of the authority, unless or until his father is dead and he becomes the one and only king. Otherwise, if his father hasn't been dethroned or deceased, the old king is declared High King until his death and has the last word in regard to any major issue or decision concerning the States of Auradon and the people in them. So you see, while my father lives, he is High King and I can't make any decisions of this calibre without his approval. Which, as you might've already guessed, he most likely will not give, if I don't provide him with solid proof regarding Chad's actions." The boy declared unhappily. „He may be a good for nothing bastard, but he's still royal, which means I can't deal with him firmly without legitimate evidence, do you understand?" Ben explained, huffing once again in frustration as he finished, seeing as it was not only Mal's biggest desire but his as well to punish the pompous prince severely for daring to lay a hand on Evie. All he wanted right now was to make Evie feel safe and Mal happy.
Mal, on the other hand, let all of this new information sink in before laying a comforting hand on Ben's chest, seeing that he was getting really worked up over all of this. She could see just how much he wanted to help and that it was literally driving him crazy that he couldn't do anything about it. She fully understood that his helplessness wasn't his fault and that if it was in his power, he'd get rid of Chad in a heartbeat. Still, she felt really irritated with this stupid legal stuff. It prevented them from taking care of their friend and it was pissing her off. Ben was way worse though. She could feel his chest vibrating beneath her palm with the feral growl he was keeping in.
„Shh." Mal cooed at him, leaning up to nuzzle his neck and slide her lips lovingly up his jaw and all the way up to his ear, where she planted a tender kiss to his pulse point. She felt his heart rate slow down underneath her lips, a sign he was calming down. Good. They'd find a way to get Chad, all she wanted right now was to soothe Ben. „Don't worry about it." Mal coaxed him gently, sliding her arms around his neck. „Evie's strong, she handled Chad really well." She assured Ben, as he took a deep calming breath, before winding his arms around the purple-haired girl.
„I swear, Mal, if Chad so much as puts a finger on Evie again, I will do everything in my power to smite him, even if it goes against my father's wishes, I promise you." Ben swore firmly, tightening his hold on Mal, as she rested her forehead against his shoulder.
„Let us hope there will be no next time." Mal sighed softly, her voice slightly muffled by his shirt, and Ben couldn't help but agree with her whole-heartedly.