Chapter 9 – Sardinia

-:-:-

They planned for the funeral a week after the fateful incident that had stolen his father's life. Normally they would do something sooner, but for someone as important as Ben's father, for someone who had such a fundamental role in forming the kingdom they had today, more consideration needed to be offered. There was the procession and memorial and funeral – all of which would be under a massive media presence, with invitations to royals and high public officials from across the entirety of the kingdom to be set out, as well as the highest security measures to be put in place to protect such high-ranking individuals.

This was, in course, all in tandem with the Core Council's investigation, but they came to the same conclusion as Ben's tale, despite him being the only one to walk away from the exchange. His father had covered his tracks well, but not enough to hide from people who were specifically searching for his involvement in the modified restriction bracelets or the removal of the Snake Staff. Ben had worked in tandem with Audrey to follow the investigation of the stolen magic from a distance – managing to locate his father's hidden storage facility just before the team of investigators Sultana Jasmine had stealthily commissioned to finalize the Core Council's report.

They kept the facility as untouched as possible, choosing to take copies of all the runework they found for future reference. What his father had done was clever. Definitely illegal, but clever. If they ran into an inherent magic user who didn't want to make use of their gifts, perhaps they could come to a consensual arrangement where their magic was knowingly channeled to a legalized magic well for Ben's usage. After all, while he'd been given a bounty of beast-related blessings due to his father breaking the enchantress's curse, he still didn't have the natural ability to channel magic from the world around them.

Audrey and Chad did as they both came from Fae-blessed family lines. They both needed intermediary tools to do so, of course – Chad using Fairy Godmother's wand and Audrey using a staff Chad had forged from wood made of one of the oldest trees in the Moors. It was not unlike Maleficent's staff in design, though the coloring was lighter, like she was reclaiming this evil thing and using it for good.

Sometimes, you needed symbols for yourself, even if no one else understood them. Ben understood that. He respected it, even. Audrey had already been through so much. If this helped, he sure as hell wasn't going to critique her for it.

But those were all things to be considered for the future. In the moment, Ben had to deal with the fallout of handling a union of kingdoms' response to his father's death.

It wasn't ideal that it had happened so soon after his breakup with Mal. Now people wanted to take advantage of him in his 'emotionally vulnerable' state. There was a deluge of gifts and floral arrangements and offers to be a shoulder to cry on and people really did have no shame. It got to the point where Ben offered one of the maids a bonus to leak to a gossip column about his increased phone calls to Audrey – selling it as though old friends were reconnecting after all this time even when they'd never really been apart.

It was likely too early to bring Audrey back into the public's eye – but six months had passed since her reign as the queen of mean which was generally the minimum when it came to laying low in the wake of celebrity scandals.

People were annoyed by it, of course, and Mal found it suspect, but Audrey had six months of therapy and charity work as well as a lifelong friendship with Ben to combat their suspicions. And Ben, of course, would hear nothing of it, because he trusted his gut at this point, damnit, and he wasn't a fool – and generally the idea of hassling a king who had literally just lost his fiancé and his father was enough to make people back the fuck off and consider the benefits of some actual guilt.

Just to be safe, Ben had that same maid spill that he took just as many calls with Chad as he did Audrey, and suddenly the rumors shifted away from veins of opportunistic gold-digger to old friends reconnecting.

Which was hilarious, considering the fact that Ben had way more sex with Chad than he ever had Audrey.

Ben's mother did not take his dad's loss well.

It wasn't something Ben understood, but it was something he could somewhat sympathize. If he lost Chad or Audrey, he wouldn't know what to do with himself either.

His mom hadn't been expecting this loss, not when his father seemed so healthy, not when it came from out of nowhere. Their anniversary celebration was just around the corner, they had a trip planned out to Maldonia, for Light's sake.

And now it was suddenly all gone.

She tried to be strong, but Ben often found her crying in the library or the garden, Mrs. Potts lingering not far off, trying to offer what comfort she could while the queen of Central Auradon wept quiet tears of grief. It was honestly a relief when Queen Snow made her way in for a visit – because while his mother had taken calls with Queen Aurora and Queen Ariel and Sultana Jasmine and Queen Rapunzel, it was Queen Snow that had actually experienced a similar loss, Queen Snow that could understand her in a way few others could.

"Thank you," Ben said when he walked in on the two of them in the library, his mother having cried herself into an exhausted sleep, her head in Queen Snow's lap while the queen of Hanover carded a gentle hand through her hair. "I can't express how much this means to me. To us."

"Think nothing of it, Benjamin," Queen Snow murmured, offering him a consoling look. "I know what she's going through. It's always hard, and in truth, it never gets easier."

It was a theory Ben understood, though it offered little comfort. He hated that his mother could be so attached to the monster that had become her husband, but at least King Adam had treated her well. If nothing else, he'd done right by one person, and that might not count for much, but for Ben – for his mom – that meant everything.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you like," Ben said, trying not to sound too hopeful.

As long as Queen Snow was present she could look after Ben's mom, which cut down on the time Ben had to spend with her, pretending he hadn't been the one to land her with such a disastrous loss in the first place.

It really was for the best.

Queen Snow gave him a thoughtful look. "Evie mentioned something about researching teleportation runes," she said noncommittally. "If you were willing to have some installed, I could travel back to Hanover for my more pressing duties and take care of the rest from here."

Ben allowed himself a small smile, like he hadn't expected such a wonderous bounty. "That would be perfect," he said. "Shall I prepare a guest suite for you?"

"I think I'll stay in one of the extra rooms of your mother's suite," she said, giving Ben the comfort that his mother, at least, was taken care of.

That had been an expected evolution, one Ben had anticipated.

He had not anticipated a visit from King Christopher, who was seen outside of his own kingdom for the first time in years, looking far more alert than Chad had ever described him.

"Your majesty," Ben greeted on reflex just as Cogsworth shoved Ben the other king's way, Chad's father pacing around one of their more private sitting rooms. "Is everything alright?"

"I think I should be asking you that," King Christopher said, managing a pained grin. "I'm sure you've heard enough condolences from an endless line of council people, secretaires, and foreign dignitaries, but I must ask – are you holding up okay, Ben?"

As this was a scenario Ben had never expected to be confronted with it took him a few moments to reply, caught under the sharp blue gaze that resonated so closely to Chad's own.

"I'm… I'm managing," Ben said, opting to go for the default response he used on closer friends and family, even if King Christopher didn't really fall into that category.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through this," the king said, and to his credit, he seemed to mean it. Ben could see the urges of genuine empathy and kindness in him that echoed in Chad, could see the good pieces that had somehow managed to pass onto the king's son. "I came to see if I could be of any help to your mother – though I am here for you as well, Ben, not as a fellow king, but as a friend."

Ben lost a moment to his shock, because here the broken king of Sardinia was, coherent and sharp and sympathetic, offering condolences and comfort when he couldn't even be bothered to extend as much effort to his son. Part of Ben wanted to shout, wanted to grab the king by his shoulders and shake him, wanted to snarl that he could keep his empty gestures and focus on his own fucking kingdom.

But that would win him nothing in the long run, and as far as King Christopher was concerned Ben was still grieving, so he needed to play this very carefully.

"Thank you, King Christopher," Ben said, managing to translate his surprise into something more like overwhelmed shock. "She's with Queen Snow now, but I think she would benefit from your company."

That was an outright lie. Ben was pretty sure there were few people who could benefit from the company of Chad's father – but if this plight kept him mentally present… maybe they could work with that.

He'd have to call Audrey later.

"I'll take you to her," Ben offered, and then he did just that, though part of him was worried about the king's depression – an open secret to those of high standing – worsening his mother's.

He could only hope that Queen Snow kept tabs on the situation.

"Thank you," the king said, determined and- oh, this was giving him a purpose, Ben realized. Maybe there was a part of King Christopher that was self-aware enough to realize what a mess he'd become and didn't want the same fate to befall Ben's mother. It was sweet, and Ben decided to allow him the distraction, at least for a little bit. He'd have to get with Queen Snow before he finalized any decisions.

There wasn't anything to be done for it except to move forward, so that was what Ben did.

-:-:-

"This is bad," Audrey decided when he informed her of the development. "It's good that he's more coherent and engaged, but bad that he's not in Sardinia. He might not have done much, but my sources have been able to maneuver him to mitigate at least some of Duke Francis' machinations. Without him, the Duke will be allowed to run free."

"We need to act fast," Ben said, though the truth of the matter was that they hadn't been able to make much progress with Sardinia because unlike the rest of the united kingdoms, Duke Francis actually had a tightknit group of councilmen that were just as crafty and paranoid as Audrey and Ben themselves. It didn't help that the Duke had allies by way of Queen Ingrith – Audrey's grandmother, thus diminishing Audrey's ability intercede on his less-savory business.

"The bad news is that while King Christopher might seem more engaged, his focus is on your mom," Audrey said. "Even if we try to turn his attention towards some of the issues Duke Francis has been hiding over the years, there's no telling that he'll actually be receptive to it."

"So we're on our own," Ben said, pursing his lips together.

"Maybe," Audrey hummed, wearing a particularly mischievous look in her eye that Ben had grown to love so much. "Maybe not."

-:-:-

"I can't have sex with you," was how Jay awkwardly greeted Ben when he teleported into the king's sitting room that night, the Agraben fidgeting nervously, gaze averted, like he was afraid of disappointing Ben. "Not until you um- have a conversation with the others."

"That's not why I called you here," Ben said, earning a dark flush from Jay, the Agraben's gaze going wide as it skittered back towards him. "But I appreciate your clear communication."

"Oh," Jay said, sinking onto the couch with an embarrassed expression, looking as though he wanted the thing to swallow him whole. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed."

"Hey, it's okay," Ben soothed, really settling into his good guy mask as he took a seat on the couch across from Jay, a respectable distance away. "I'm sorry that I've been so busy that I haven't been able to properly talk to you." Since the end of their casual relations. "Are you doing okay?"

"Me?" Jay asked, eyes going wider still. "I'm fine. I mean- I have everything."

A beat, and then he cringed, shooting Ben an apologetic look that the king had to fight not to laugh at, because Jay really was too sweet.

Ben would miss fucking him.

"I'm glad," Ben said, soft enough to make that flush darken. "I'll admit, the purpose of this meeting leans more towards business than pleasure. I um- I wanted to ask you a favor."

Jay didn't expect that, and as awed as he was, that was somewhat neutralized by his suspicion, because even if he was a sweetheart, he'd still grown up on the Isle under Jafar. "What can I do for you?"

"You're free to say no," Ben said, making Jay blink. "But some of my researchers developed a set of bracelets that are capable of absorbing and transporting a magically-inclined individual's power to a crystal for storage, where that energy can be redirected and used by non-magically inclined individuals." At Jay's blank look, Ben elaborated, "I'm worried about my mom. After- with my dad dying… I know it was a heart attack. I know he wasn't like, assassinated or something, but I can't stop thinking about what would happen if I lose her too."

"You want to protect her," Jay surmised, and that resonated with him, because Jay had always been the protector of Mal's crew.

"Exactly," Ben said. "She has guards, but I wanted to be able to create some protection runes that she could activate at will – barriers and emergency teleportation and all that – but I don't have the magic for it. So I um- I know it's not small thing to ask, but since you're not interested in training in your magic – I mean, beyond teleportation-" Because they could all agree that was useful. "Would you be willing to donate your magic so I could get the runes created? We wouldn't need much. And I understand if you say no, since this is all entirely experimental, but-"

"It's okay, Ben," Jay soothed, his brows drawn together in an expression of concern. "What um- what would I need to do?"

"Here," Ben said, picking up the wooden box he had placed on the coffee table and opening it to reveal two new magic-absorbing bracelets that Audrey had made for him – modeled after the restraints used on Jafar, though these were more stylish and could pass as eccentric accessories. "If you wear these while you sleep for a couple of nights, that should do the trick. They're designed to absorb the magic you naturally channel and transfer it back to the lab."

Jay took the box from him, carefully fingering one of the bracelets in a casual inspection. He seemed to test it out, brows furrowing as the bracelet stole the magic he pulsed into it before he pulled his hand away.

"And it just effects my magic?" Jay asked. "That's it?"

"That's it," Ben confirmed. "When you take them off in the morning your natural connection with magic will resume, and everything will be normal." He waited a beat, and then said, "It's okay if you say no. Just- this would be a big weight off my mind, is all. And maybe it's silly-"

"It's not- it's not silly, Ben," Jay said, holding the bracelet properly. "You suffered a great loss. Wanting to protect the rest of what you have – I don't think any of us would blame you for that." He considered his options, then picked up the other bracelet. "I'll do it."

"Thank you," Ben gushed, doing his best to seem breathless with appreciation, overwhelmed with thanks. "I um- I can't- I can't thank you enough."

It was unkind to prey on the love Jay had for him, to take advantage of the affection Jay had for a version of Ben that was barely real. Ben knew he was playing on Jay's devotion, on his love, and he knew it wasn't fair – but that was life as a king, and there was nothing to be done for it.

"I'd prefer for this to remain a secret if you don't mind," Ben continued, making Jay pause. "I mean, from the world at large, not- just- it's my mom."

The implication being that he could tell his partners if he wanted, but Ben already knew he wouldn't. The others were not as blinded by their love for Ben as Jay was. The others would question, would worry about the far-reaching implications. Jay wouldn't, but to play it safe, to ensure he followed the whims of his beloved, he wouldn't tell them about this. He wanted to follow Ben's wishes to the best of his abilities, and besides, what was a few nights with magic bracelets?

For Ben and for Sardinia, it would be everything.

"Okay," Jay said, mustering a kind smile. "I'll make it happen."

"Thanks," Ben said in a rush, doing his best to seem overwhelmed.

"Happy to help," Jay said, and then he fidgeted slightly. "Um- so uh, since I'm here, do you want to cuddle or something? I mean, because of- I know things are crazy right now-"

"That would be nice," Ben said, because nothing came for free, and it wasn't like this was a price he was unwilling to pay. He enjoyed spending time with Jay, and if they kept things platonic, they could both benefit.

So Ben gladly curled up against Jay's side, letting him take the lead for once while Ben turned on the recording he had of Jay's latest college Tourney game, making the Agraben blush furiously as Ben went on and on about how very good he was.

And hey, Ben wasn't even stretching the truth because Jay was talented, so really he was just giving the Agraben the credit he was due.

And everyone won.

-:-:-

The reason they needed Jay's magic for their task was similar to the reason his father had used Jafar's – the sorcerer's particular flavor of magic happened to lean towards mental manipulations, and while Jay was unpracticed in such things his magic wasn't, and was more inclined to cooperate with the runes Audrey had created for the purposes of their plan.

From there it was the simple matter of arranging a meeting in the Wildlands – the place north of the Great Wall that was technically outside Auradon's legal jurisdiction. The wall was closely-monitored by the guard of Imperial City and Arendelle, though there was a section in the far east at Apheliotia's coast that remained unguarded as a sort of delegatory oversight – King Hercules assuming Captain Elizabeth Turner – of the Port Royal privateers – had it under her purview while the Captain assumed the same thing in return as the wall was on land.

It was a mix up Ben's father had encouraged and less-savory kingdoms had taken advantage of it for the express purpose of committing the kind of crimes Ben needed to consider on soil where Auradon's law didn't apply. It should have been more difficult to lure the necessary Sardinian councilmen up to that area of the Wildlands, but it really wasn't. Because as the law did not apply to Ben, it similarly did not apply to them, which meant Ben was just as vulnerable as they were.

It was a terrible, stupid risk, but Ben took it with his most loyal guards (and Audrey, hiding in the shadows with her staff), and when the dust was settled, he hypnotized the untouched councilmen as necessary and got to work wiping this trip entirely from existence.

Two days later and tale of all of Duke Francis' illegal activities came to light by way of a secret whistleblower destroying the old man's power structure from the inside.

"I can't believe this," King Christopher said when Ben told him the news, Ben's mom and Queen Snow watching the footage unroll as they all gathered in his mom's sitting room.

"Sometimes," Queen Snow began before Ben could struggle to think of some mindless platitudes. "Our worst enemies are closest to home, Chris. I know how very terrible that feels."

Because her stepmother was Queen Grimhilde, and while Queen Snow had come out of her own fairytale victorious, she was not entirely unscathed.

Ben suspected none of them were, really.

"We can clean this up together," Ben's mom declared suddenly, making the other two blink, making Ben swell with hope because she seemed like her old self again – determined and full of fire. "Ben, do you think we could install another teleportation rune for Sardinia?"

"I'll talk to Evie," Ben said, because as confused as he was by King Christopher's presence he could admit that the man and Queen Snow had done wonders on his mother's disposition. Perhaps having someone around who so greatly understood your loss was a greater comfort than Ben would ever be able to understand. Two days ago, Ben would have loathed to provide a potential point of access for Sardinia castle to exploit or misuse, but now Chad's grandfather and the corrupt council was taken care of. Now, Sardinia could finally move forward.

Chad – who had known about his grandfather's manipulations – should have been less surprised by the sudden turn of events than his father, and yet he seemed entirely gobsmacked when he teleported into Ben's suite that evening, seeming at his wits' end.

"Did you-" Chad began, cutting himself off with a shake of his head. "You and Audrey- did you- you made this happen? You did this?"

"We… yes," Ben said, to hell with speaking in code, and he had a moment of Chad staring at him with wide, watery eyes before the blond all but threw himself at him, claiming Ben's lips in a hungry kiss and clutching onto him desperately.

"Ben, Ben," Chad gasped, overwhelmed tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. "Please, Ben. Please."

"Of course," Ben said, because in the end he could deny Chad nothing – and a logical part of him knew it was stupid because Jane didn't know about their arrangement yet, she didn't have the same understanding as Doug, they hadn't gotten permission, but the beast in him wanted, always wanted, and that night, he had.

So he gathered Chad in his arms and carried him to the bedroom, Chad crying tears of happiness while he babbled his thanks, pressing kisses to whatever parts of Ben he could reach because the man who had abused him for so very long was finally gone.

"Ben," Chad croaked as they fumbled out of their clothes, each of them desperate to maintain some kind of contact with each other. "I love you, Ben."

"I love you too," Ben said, and it was true and it wasn't anything worth looking into, because how much was Ben's love worth at the end of the day anyway? He loved Chad, loved him the way he would few others – a love comparable to his love of Audrey even if that was different – but it wasn't something he could ever dwell on because the thing was so stupidly momentous that to do so would entirely rip him apart.

Chad blubbered against Ben's lips and Ben didn't care, because Chad was finally safe and Chad was close and in his bed and it was everything Ben ever wanted, and that was all that would ever rightly matter as far as he was concerned.

-:-:-

Endnotes:

Ben – so done with this shit.

Also Ben – Has priorities.

Until next time :)