Chapter Forty One
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
*dodges projectiles* Gah! I'm so sorry for the delay on this! I went out of town last weekend for the Fourth and there just was no time for writing (even though I took my laptop). Also we are two weeks away from my move so if updates are delayed, that will be why.
61394: Agreed, that would probably be the most unusual thing on the Isle. That's a good point too about how most of the Isle or at least a good portion would be part Hun. Well I mean…unless I'm completely incorrect about the Jewish faith, I don't think they believe in Hell so I don't think Lucifer would get them. More than likely he only gets the Christian ones unless another faith's version called dibs (like Hades with Freddy). You definitely don't have to hit someone to be abusive and the way Ben would stiffen as Audrey touched him in D1, it makes me think there was something there.
Hufflepuff24: You're right he did! Nope, Kristoff never changes! Then again, neither do I! :D
danifan3000: Poor Carlos! Yeah, Cruella would definitely kill him if anything happened to her furs.
Flaresouth: There's always a possibility for more characters, I won't lie! Thank you so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying them! :D
Marcus Emrys: You're welcome! Ooh I like that idea! :D
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Yep rescue's on the way Ben! Just hold on! And because you know that Belle and Beast are just as stubborn as their son!
HufflepuffInDaHealingCoven: Oh I'm so glad you like the under 15s! Hope you like the chapter :D
twilightgirl587: smh means 'shaking my head'. I would think a love spell would affect the head since it's controlling you. You get diagnosed as a workaholic and psychiatry is a type of medicine.
Quil: I always love Lonnie and really think that the movies should have had her more prominent as a character. Well I mean they did in D1 and D2 but then nothing in the third one.
BlackWidwoAndCapRule: Oh I'm so glad—and yep! All the Choosing stories are going to be in this!
Reflections: Oh my goodness, I love that one shot! I especially love the idea of Merida being in their year since she was 14 in her movie.
IceBlueRose: Oh I'm so glad you're enjoying this—and yep, it's thee wakeup call Ben needs. He seriously works too hard for a sixteen year old and he never puts himself first. And yep, all the fics are going to be in this story! Thank you so much—we did! :D
Salty Salt: Honesty I don't think it's bashing so much as a legitimate point! Persephone did know the status of the Isle better than anyone in Auradon but did nothing when she was over in Auradon…you may have given me a new fic idea ngl.
Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
"Okay, let's do this," Celia said with a grin as she unfurled her scroll.
Mal sighed as she put her books away into her locker. Today was the day. It was the day she was going to give Ben the cookie.
"You mean the day where you're going to steal my boyfriend," Audrey shot back.
She didn't want to but there was no other choice—Ben seemed determined to stick his relationship with Audrey out even though any affection there was clearly one sided.
"Here's how one sided it is," Emir said. "When Audrey sprained her ankle in cheer practice once, Ben insisted on running up to the nurse's office to check on her after Tourney practice even though it'd mean he'd be running late for a council meeting. Meanwhile, Ben gets a freaking concussion and all Audrey does is call him to ask when he'd be picking her up for their date."
Audrey only cared about one thing-the crown that came with Ben.
"And water is wet," Melody shook her head.
"Grass is green," Neal added.
"Fire is hot," Ashaki sighed.
"I see we're pointing out the obvious?" Celia asked, looking at them.
Said girl was currently chattering Ben's ear off about makeovers Blueberry had given some of the girls who were sitting out on the quad.
"Why am I not surprised?" Kitty shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Blueberry was giving the makeovers?" Mal asked.
Evie shrugged. "Why not? I like fashion and the 'girly' stuffy you dismiss, Mal. Besides it seems like it's a way to make friends."
"Or a way for the Boreadon lot to use you until you do something they don't like," Mal shot back, never noticing the slight protective edge to her voice. Hey if Blueberry was going to be her roommate, only she got to mess with her!
Ben couldn't help but smile as he heard it—and he wasn't the only one.
"Seems you're becoming protective of Evie," Benji muttered to Malinda.
"If I know my younger self, it's probably more of a 'only I get to mess with her' sort of thing," Malinda muttered back.
Mal had to give the blue haired girl credit where it was due—she was good at the whole fashion thing.
"So you paid Blueberry a compliment and the world didn't end," Jay chuckled.
"She did it with Jane too and Fairy Godmother's not happy about it," Audrey said.
"What's the harm?" Ben asked and unless Mal was mistaken, he sounded amused by the whole thing. "Evie's not hurting anyone and it's clear the other girls like the makeovers."
"How…how are you paying for the stuff for the makeovers?" Jane asked.
"I supplied each VK with a stipend that they can use," Ben said quickly. "It wasn't mentioned in the scroll when Mal went over her welcome basket but it's in there."
"How big's the stipend?" Chip asked.
"I don't…I don't think I should discuss it out loud," Ben said. "But it's enough to make sure the VKs are comfortable every month."
"Oh Bennyboo, don't you see? It's a slippery spiral! First it's the outfits, then it's the hair. Next thing you know it's the lips and the legs and then everybody looks good and then…where will I be?"
"Oh Gods, I really don't change in either timeline do I?" Audie chuckled. "Only in my timeline it was Mal doing the makeovers and she was changing girls' hair with her magic."
"That's gateway magic!" Audrey exclaimed. "We were warned about that back in middle school!"
Mal ducked her head behind her locker so Sleeping Brat wouldn't hear her snort of amusement. Of course that would be what Audrey took issue with. Not the fact that it was Blueberry doing the makeovers but that other girls looked as good or better than Audrey.
"Oh yes perish the thought that someone look as good or better than Audrey," Rowyn said, rolling her eyes.
"Listen, Audrey—" Ben started and Mal stilled. Is the cookie not going to be needed? Is Ben actually going to use his spine and break it off with Sleeping Brat?
Chip, Lonnie, Emir, and Akiho leaned forward eagerly in their seats; as if wanting the confirmation that Ben would actually use his spine.
"I will see you at the game after my dress fitting for the coronation, okay?" Audrey said, cutting off whatever Ben was going to say.
"Wow," Phillip Jr. sighed and shook his head. "You just talked right over him Audrey. If Ben was the type of person to pull rank, that'd be a perfect opportunity to do so."
"Okay," Ben sighed. As did Mal. As Audrey walked off, Mal grabbed the baggie that held one cookie. The rest were in a locked box under her bed to prevent anyone else from eating them and accidentally getting spelled themselves.
"Why not add the tear to just the one cookie so that way you don't have to waste a lot of cookies?" Hadie asked.
They would be disposed of after Ben broke it off with Sleeping Brat and Mal gave him the antidote.
"I've got to agree with Hadie, that's a waste of cookies," Dizzy nodded. "Why not send them to the Isle? Wouldn't the barrier prevent the love spell from working since evil magic doesn't work there?"
"But magic's all about intent," Celia said. "That's what dad told me and Mal's intent isn't evil here even though the spell came from Maleficent's spell book and we can all agree she's as evil as they come."
"Hey Bennyboo!" Mal teased as she closed her locker. "You have pretty good posture for someone without a backbone."
"Can I borrow that?" Emir asked.
"If I say no, you're still going to use it anyway," Malinda said with a chuckle.
Ben chuckled as he turned to face Mal. "Hey," he said, brightening up as he saw her and walked toward Mal.
Malinda shook her head as her baby kicked once more. "That's right pup. Maman's going to rescue papa from a ridiculous betrothal contract. Something you will never need to worry about."
"You got that right," Benji nodded, having heard his wife's statement.
"I just made a batch of cookies. Double chocolate chip, do you want one?" Mal asked, holding up the baggie, waving it in front of him as if to tempt him.
"Oh thanks Mal," Ben said. "But we've got the championship game later and I don't eat before a big game. Can I take it for after?"
"Huh. Should I be disappointed in Ben's weird superstition or happy for it?" Akiho asked.
"I mean normally we'd be happy because it would mean our best friend wouldn't be love spelled. Well if he could be that is," Emir told him.
"Yes but not taking the cookie means he's stuck with Audrey."
"…take the cookie Ben!"
"Doesn't the team go out for 'victory pizza' after winning a game? That's what Jay told me and something tells me that's definitely the case for if you win the championship. You won't want the cookie then."
"He's a teenage boy," Rachel chuckled. "If Ben's anything like my brother, he could eat two large pizzas and still have room for the cookie."
"She's not wrong," Evan nodded.
"Oh right," Ben nodded. "But I mean, we may not win. No win equals no pizza. So I'll need something to cheer me up. I'll tell you what, if we do win I'll only eat two slices of pizza so I'll still be hungry for the cookie. Deal?"
"Ah Tourney games, the one time we don't have to worry about Ben eating win or lose," Emir said, shaking his head.
"Yeah, praise the Gods King Beast doesn't schedule a council meeting on game days," Akiho nodded. "If we lose, Ben actually has time to go and eat dinner."
"I eat on days where we don't have Tourney games too!" Ben said quickly, not liking the look on his parents' faces.
"I mean…they are fresh from the oven," Mal told him, biting her lip. "But I guess you're being smart, not to trust us I mean. Don't eat treats offered by kids from the Isle after all. I'm sure everyone's saying it."
"Nice," Lil Shang chuckled. "Play up the guilt Ben'll be feeling at having to say no."
"No, no, no! Mal, it's not that—"
"No, no, like I said, you're being smart," Mal reassured him before sighing. "Oh well, more for me."
"She's good," Meg said with a small smirk.
Before she could pretend to go for the cookie, Ben snatched the bag out of her hands. "See, totally trust you," he said as he bit into the cookie.
"You know, I know it's technically due to your skill at smooth talking people but how much do we owe to Lonnie for adding in the chocolate?" Jay asked, looking at Mal.
Mal couldn't help but smile slightly at that. She didn't know why but hearing Ben say he trusted her…Gods Ben was going to hate her when he found out she spelled him.
Benji chuckled softly as he remembered his reaction to finding out he'd been spelled. Let's just say it wasn't a typical reaction.
Plus her parents were going to ground her until they figured out a way to kill a God if they ever found out about this.
"Well we know there's a way to kill a God but I'd rather not talk about that," Hercules said.
"Do you like it?" Mal asked softly as Jay and Carlos walked up.
Ben nodded, humming in approval as he swallowed the bite he'd taken. Before he could say anything else, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. It was almost like he was being stabbed by thousands of tiny knives from the inside.
"I am so sorry," Malinda said to Benji, gently taking his hand and rubbing the back of it with her thumb.
"You didn't know," Benji said softly, gently kissing the top of her head.
"I should have looked it up. Wouldn't that be public record?"
"The fact that I can't be controlled by love spells or potions? Yes. The side affects? Nope."
"That is a good point though. We should double check that we have that on record. You know the whole Ben can't be love spelled/love potioned thing," Chip said, looking at Beast and Belle as he heard Benji's point.
"Yeah…I'm um I'm really liking the walnuts and the chocolate chunks," Ben said, resisting the urge to race to the bathroom before he deposited the cookie on Mal's shoes.
"Mal makes good cookies," Benji nodded.
"Though I do appreciate you not throwing up all over my shoes," Malinda added.
Mal stared at Ben in concern, she knew the spell had the best reviews but they didn't say anything about causing the person being spelled to sweat like they had a fever. Was it Lonnie's tear? Was it the chocolate? Did he have an allergy to walnuts? Oh gods, why did she put the walnuts in? They were optional in the recipe after all!
"Are you allergic to anything?" Mal asked, looking at Ben.
Ben nodded. "I've actually got several allergies."
"He gets that from his father," Belle said, giving Beast a fond smile.
Ben shook his head fondly before looking over at Mal again. "Don't worry, walnuts are not one of them. I'm allergic to shrimp, soybeans, bananas and oddly enough Neosporin."
"Never heard of that last one," Uma said.
"You know, the stuff you put on cuts to stop it from scarring?" Ben asked.
The VKs stared at him blankly. "That's a thing?"
"More importantly, you never thought to tell me this why?" Malinda said, looking at her husband.
"It never came up," Benji shrugged.
"Excuse me Mal," Ben said softly. For once not caring about how it might be perceived by others, Ben raced to the nearest men's bathroom and locked himself in a stall. Draping himself over the porcelain throne, Ben proceeded to throw up the cookie. And his dinner from the night before.
"And no one checked to see if you were okay?" Lonnie asked Benji. "I mean, forget about the fact that you're the Crown Prince. Someone rushing to the bathroom to throw up should have been checked on."
He knew what this was now. His parents had warned him back when he was twelve and his father had the 'talk' with him.
"I thought he'd already had the talk though?" Kitty asked.
"I had two 'talks'," Ben said with a sigh. "The 'birds and the bees' talk with Chip after he caught me reading his health class paper and then the 'hey, here's what's going to happen if someone gives you a love spell' talk with dad."
When Ben was born, his parents had a christening for him as all royals did. Instead of getting the gifts of beauty and song like Aurora had, Ben had been gifted with the gift of Goodness, the gift of Hope and the gift of being immune to love potions or spells.
"That third one seems to be the most practical," Carlos spoke up.
"But it's not necessary," Leah sniffed. "All the villains are on the Isle after all. No one else would try to spell Ben."
"Funny because I'm looking at a villain right in front of me," Harry scoffed.
Really Merryweather should have come up with all the gifts.
Mal shook her head. "Why am I not surprised it was her? She's Maleficent's least favorite imbecile, probably because she was the one to let her know she wasn't wanted at Aurora's christening but also because of the fact that she's the one who altered the curse."
Her's were always the most practical.
"She was the one to give Audrey the gift of Strategy," Aurora said with a small nod.
"That's right," Phillip Sr. said. "Fauna gave her the gift of enjoying the outdoors and Flora—."
"Honestly. Are we going to just sit around and go down memory lane or are we going to read?" Leah scoffed.
The issue was the side effect of the gift—because of the immunity, anything that had been laced with a love spell or potion would cause his body to forcefully expel it.
"I mean it would make sense for something like that to have a side affect but that just seems unpleasant," David said.
"Really dad?" Emma chuckled. "I think that's an understatement, don't you think?"
So did the potion on my timeline's Ben not work or did the viewings just not show Ben throwing up the cookie? Audie thought, lightly biting her lip.
Panting heavily as the vomiting subsided, Ben wiped his brow that still shone with sweat. Mal..Mal had spelled him. With a love spell. She had feelings for him too!
"How…how did you make that jump?" Lonnie asked, looking at Benji. "I mean, clearly you're not wrong because you end up marrying her but really?"
Granted it wasn't the most logical jump to make but this was the first time Ben had ever been spelled like that—plus, you know, gift of Hope. He had to be hopeful.
"Ah! That makes sense now."
But there was another reason why Ben thought that Mal might have feelings for him. She had come into his office a couple nights prior, actually it'd been the same night as the Tourney practice that Mal had observed. Anyway, she walked in, brandishing Emir's phone like it was a weapon.
"I do have to admit, that was one of my favorite bursts into my office," Benji said with a chuckle.
"Ben? Put the paperwork down!" Mal exclaimed, barging into his office. "You need to answer one question, one that could change your life!"
"Huh?" Ben asked as he looked up, working on paperwork yet again. "Life changing questions? Mal, what are you talking about?"
"I think it's actually fairly obvious," Ruby said, shaking her head. "It's in the name 'life changing question' after all."
Mal sighed and leaned on Ben's desk, putting Emir's phone between them. "Ben, answer this question honestly. No 'yes but I should really….' but an honest answer. Do you want out of your betrothal contract?"
"Yes!"
"I think Mal asked Ben, not you two," Lonnie chuckled at Emir and Akiho's outburst.
"Doesn't matter, Ben won't say it so we will," Emir said firmly.
Ben paused. "Well I mean, does any sixteen year old really want to be in a betrothal contract?"
"That's not what she asked," Emma said with a sigh.
"That's not what I asked," Mal said as she crossed her arms over her chest and Ben sighed.
"Well I mean…look okay, honest answer? Yeah getting out of it would be great but I gave my word—"
"Technically you didn't," Lucas said. "Your parents gave their word on your behalf."
"It's still a promise made in my name though," Ben said, causing Chip, Emir, Akiho, and Lonnie to groan in frustration.
Belle couldn't help the slightly sad smile that pulled at her lips. "Ben, honey…don't you remember what I told you when you were twelve? If you want out, you just say the word and I'll get you out of that contract."
"Then you'll be happy to know that the contract is null and void anyway," Mal said as she sat down across from him.
"How? That contract's been finalized since Audrey and I were three, though we only started officially dating last year."
"Exactly that. As we've stated multiple times, three year olds can not consent to someone signing a contract in their name," Hades stated.
"That's exactly what I mean Ben. It was finalized when you were three. A three year old can not give consent so the contract doesn't even have the consent of the concerned parties.
"I've taught you well Mali. Good job," Hades said with a small smile.
"I mean you already said that dad, but thanks," Mal said, grinning back at him.
As I told Akiho and Emir at Tourney practice, a contract or deal needs to have consent—otherwise it's a hostage situation. Trust me Ben, I know my way around contracts and deals. It's kinda my dad's thing."
"And mama's," Uma added.
"Mal, I…I gave my word I'd see this contract through," Ben said softly.
"Ben, you gave your word on a contract that was made when you were still thinking about mud puddles and thought girls were gross," Mal said gently.
"And lugging around that old plush dragon," Chad added. "What did you used to call it?"
"This from the boy who would carry around a wooden sword around when mom was pregnant to protect her according to dad," Kitty teased.
"Dad!"
Milah chuckled slightly. "Reminds me of you," she whispered to Harry.
"What do you mean?"
"Your father gave you a dagger when you were two and you would insist on following me everywhere when I was pregnant with CJ. After all, according to you, the baby didn't have a dagger and you did so it was up to you to protect me and the baby."
Neither of them noticed the slight smile on CJ's lips as she heard that; Milah's whisper not as soft as she'd thought.
"Unless it's been renegotiated, you could get out of the contract right this minute and no one could be upset with you."
"It's an agreed upon contract!" Leah exclaimed. "Why would it ever need to be renegotiated?!"
Ben shook his head. "Unless there's been a meeting that I'm not aware of, the contract hasn't been renegotiated. Mom and dad, they…they'd prefer to minimize their contact with Queen Leah."
"We in no way blame them for that!" Neal nodded.
"Yeah, I also like to minimize my contact with Grandmother," Phillip Jr. sighed.
"Yeah I don't blame them for that," Mal snorted. "But Ben, you're not bound to this contract. You're not a prized horse to breed, you're a teenager. If you want out, there's no legal reason to hold you to the contract."
"Yes well since when has Leah cared about what's 'legal'?" Jasmine muttered, loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room.
"Ooh, okay. I like her," Hades nodded.
"Dear, I think that's the entire Agrabah royal family you've said you liked," Persephone said with a fond smile.
Ben stared at Mal in shock. "Mal, I…I'm supposed to marry Audrey. Even if the contract's void, even if I wanted to get out of it, all it would do is show me as someone who doesn't keep their word. Not a good look for the king."
Emir sighed. "Ben, you didn't give your word. Your word is still intact here."
"Ben, every other king from here to the Underworld got to pick who they wanted to marry. Why shouldn't you? Why are you treating yourself like some sort of sacrificial lamb?"
"Because he's Ben and as we've stated, he ties his happiness on the happiness of others," Chip said with a small sigh.
"Mal, I'm not treating myself like a sacrificial lamb but a promise was made by my family on my behalf and I should keep it. Would I prefer to marry for love? Of course I would but—"
"Then you should get to," Abby said firmly. "Like I said before Ben, that contract's the reason mom miscarried. Don't give Leah the satisfaction of getting what she wants by following it through. Besides mom and dad married for love, so did Aurora and Phillip."
"You're very wise," Chip told her.
Abby shrugged. "I spent some time talking to my grandmother—my namesake. She's not very happy with dad for the whole Isle thing, said that she thought she had taught her son better. She was a bit more understanding about the contract, especially as mom and dad signed it a month after I…after mom miscarried."
"What about our Grand-père?" Ben asked as their Granddad Maurice was still alive.
"You honestly think I'm in the same level as him?"
Thank Gods. My father should never be anywhere near my daughter, Beast thought even as he winced at the idea of disappointing his mother. No matter how old he was, that was one thing he didn't want to do.
Mal sighed and shook her head. "Okay…I didn't want to have to play this card but…Ben you want to be a good king right? You want your people to be happy?"
"Of course," Ben and Benji said at the same time.
"More than anything," Ben said, looking more than a little confused at the change in topic. "It's why I push myself so hard, to make sure I can get the work done for the kingdom."
"No I'm pretty sure you work so hard because you're a workaholic," Lucy said, shaking her head.
"Yeah, we're gonna touch on that later. But Ben, how are you going to rule them properly or make sure they're happy if you aren't happy in the relationship you're in? Ben, anyone with eyes can see you're miserable."
Benji leaned over and kissed Malinda's cheek. "You are good," he said with a fond smile.
"Mal, there's so much more to think about than my being happy. We're talking political alliances., trade agreements, Queen Leah not being a thorn in my side for the rest of my life—"
"Beastie Jr, there's no kingdom if you're unhappy," Harriet said.
"Besides, you shouldn't have to worry about Leah," Belle told Ben. "Leave that up to your father and me."
"So that means because some old bat can't keep her nose out of your life, you're expected to be miserable?" Mal asked. "Yeah, that seems fair Ben. Come on, even Aurora picked Phillip. If Leah's daughter ended up picking the person she ended up spending the rest of her life with, then honestly Leah has no grounds to dictate that you follow through with the contract."
"Also I'd like to just say that there's no way our future selves would hold you to the contract," Phillip Sr. spoke up. "After all, I was ready to give up my throne for who I thought was a peasant girl I'd just met the same day. Never mind the fact that I was also betrothed. I just lucked out that said peasant girl was also Aurora."
Ben sighed. "I just…Mal I want the kingdom to do well, for my people to be happy and thrive. But I also...Audrey and I used to be the best of friends. I don't want to risk that friendship over a contract."
"If anything, Leah's the one who risked the friendship by insisting on that contract in the first place," Macaria pointed out. "If the contract wasn't a factor, you two might have grown to fall in love naturally."
Mal bit her lip, she had heard that from Akiho and Emir. Of course she had also heard their rants on her the few times they'd forgotten Mal was with them. She had heard about how Audrey clearly only cared about the crown…about how Ben was putting in all the work in the relationship…how they were worried about what the added stress was doing to Ben…
"And this is where you come to talk to someone. You boys don't need that stress either," Jasmine said, looking at her second son and his friend.
"We did," Akiho told her.
"Yeah, if Chip couldn't get through to Ben we didn't really see the point in escalating it," Emir said with a slight shrug.
Chip sighed. "Ben had asked me not to, said he would talk to his parents if it got too stressful. Knowing what I know now though, I should have broken that promise."
"Ben, from what I've seen and from what I've heard from others…the friend you used to have? She's not there anymore," Mal said softly. "She was the only one to point out that you were the future king our first day here. That's all she sees."
"Excuse me?! How dare you—!"
"What's his favorite book?" Malinda asked, cutting Audrey off mid rant.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything!"
"If you truly see more than just Ben's title, then tell me what his favorite book is!"
"What…whatever he happens to be reading at the moment," Audrey scoffed.
Ben sighed. "Your favorite's your parents' story that your father had bound in pink leather for you for your fifth birthday," he said softly. "Your mother even had it illustrated. Your favorite snack is celery with peanut butter and raisins since the protein gives you the strength to keep going with cheer while the celery prevents you from bulking up too much. Your words not mine. Your favorite—."
"Ben, I love you but if you keep going, we'll be here forever," Chip said, shaking his head.
Ben sighed. "Audrey…she does like to emphasize social standing," he muttered. "The few times we've fought were because she tried to say I shouldn't hang out with Emir and Akiho since they're only half royal and I'm 'crown prince'. Never mind the fact they've been my best friends for twelve years or the fact that I'm half royal too…"
"There's a fair few of us at Auradon Prep who're 'half-royal'," Rose said. "And anyway, if it's about keeping the bloodline 'royal', it's actually better for the bloodline to marry for love even if that love isn't a royal. Otherwise there's the risk of marrying relations."
Cinderella sighed slightly. Ben shouldn't have to worry about his girlfriend dictating who his friends were on top of all his other duties.
"See?" Mal said with a sigh. "If Audrey's trying to say who your friends are and isn't taking into account that she's basically insulting you to your face at the same time…is your friendship still there Ben? Do you really want someone who has no problem insulting you ruling the kingdom that you seem to care so much about? Is that really the type of person you want to spend the rest of your life with? Not just as king and queen but as husband and wife?"
"Honest answer," Benji said, looking over at Ben as he opened his mouth. "Remember I'm you so I know the answer you're about to give."
Ben sighed and closed his mouth, running a hand through his hair.
"If I'm honest? No," Ben sighed. "Audrey's more interested in the titles than the actual kingdom. She…she wasn't happy that I was bringing you guys over from the Isle."
"Hold up," Akiho said. "Didn't Audrey complain that Ben didn't talk about his proclamation with her when we read the scroll that revealed that Ben sleeps in his office and skips meals?"
"Dude!"
"Yeah she did," Emir nodded, ignoring Ben's exclamation. "So why would she say that if she wasn't happy that Ben was bringing the VKs over?"
"Ben would have had to make the proclamation," Lonnie sighed. "So it's possible that Ben didn't talk about it to Audrey and then Audrey wasn't happy when she heard the proclamation."
Mal sighed. "Ben, I can't force you to do anything here but you're clearly not happy…for the sake of the kids who are still on the Isle, I…I can't just stand around and watch as you subject yourself to be miserable for no real reason."
"I would say that sounds ominous but you are trying to get Ben out of that Gods damned contract so I'll allow it," Chip nodded.
"Thank you for your approval," Malinda said, shaking her head.
Ben shook his head, pulling himself out of his thoughts. Mal had tried to talk him out of his contract, had tried to spell him…if that wasn't the universe telling him something needed to change, Ben didn't know what was.
"And the Fates brought us here to change things so clearly this is something that needs to be changed! I mean she tried to spell you Ben and you still marry her?!"
"Huh, Audrey actually knows Ben's name," Emir said, sounding slightly impressed.
Fishing his phone out of his pocket, Ben dialed his mom's number and took a steady breath.
"Ben, honey, you never need to be nervous about calling me," Belle said, her voice gentle yet firm at the same time. "I'm your mother. You can always count on me, your father, and Chip to be the three people guaranteed to be in your corner."
"What about Lumiere? Cogsworth? Mrs. Potts?"
"Of course you can count on them too but if I started listing all of the castle's staff, we'd be here into the next millennia."
"Hey mom? Do you have a sec? Everything's fine, I'm not in trouble…I was hoping to talk to you about the betrothal contract? Yeah um…do you remember when I was twelve and you told me if I ever wanted out of it, you'd get me out? Can I take you up on that? Wait, really? All I needed to do was ask? Mom, I…I really appreciate this. I know we spent years in an agreement with Audrey and her family but..she's just..I don't think we're compatible. You'll handle it? And talk to Aurora? Mom, thank you. I don't mean to put more work on you this close to coronation but thank you. Yeah I'll eat after the game. Love you too and thank you again. Bye."
"Yes!" Chip, Emir, Lonnie, and Akiho all exclaimed in jubilation.
"I…are they doing a conga line?" Mal asked.
Ben sighed. "Sometimes it's hard to remember that Chip's nine years older than me. This is one of those times. Chip! Come on! Audrey's in the room!"
Still…there was a bit of relief to the idea that he truly could be removed from the contract. Sure his future self was married to someone who wasn't Audrey but that didn't mean he would be removed from the contract so soon.
He couldn't help but chuckle as he put his phone away. Now there was only one more thing he'd need to do—officially end it with Audrey.
"I'll pray for your hearing," Lil Shang chuckled as Lonnie continued to celebrate.
Audrey could only sit there, mouth agape; too stunned to say anything. She never thought Ben would revoke his consent to the contract!
Gods he had a better chance of convincing his mother that she didn't need to get a book every time they went shopping. To be fair though Ben was just as bad in that regard.
"I'm not that bad!" Belle exclaimed.
"Belle, you once bought a copy of a book you already owned because it was a special edition release," Beast said with a small sigh.
"Nothing wrong with making sure a book has a good home."
"You've caused us to have to expand the library. Twice."
Sighing, Ben stood up and went over to the sink to rinse his mouth out. Vomiting was not fun. At all.
"We can agree with you there!" The VKs all nodded in unison.
Once he was sure his mouth was thoroughly rinsed out, he left the bathroom and went to Audrey's dress fitting. Thankfully it was on campus so Ben was able to located it easily. Fortunately, Audrey seemed to be finishing up as she was in her regular clothes and not her coronation dress. At least Ben assumed they were her regular clothes.
"This from the guy who only wears suits," Lonnie chuckled.
"Bennyboo! Did you come to walk me to the game?"
"Hold up," Emir said. "Captain duties include showing up early for practices but does that also include games?"
"I…I believe so," Ben said. "I mean I'm always early for games to go over the plays with coach."
"So why the hell are you risking being late to the championship for Audrey of all people?"
"Actually, Audrey…I was wondering if I might have a word?" Ben said as he walked into the room. He noticed that the seamstress and her assistant quietly scurried out, as if to give the royals their privacy.
"Smartest people in Auradon in that moment," Lil Shang muttered.
"Of course Bennyboo," Audrey grinned. Ben sighed but knew he had to do this. It was only fair to Audrey.
"Why be fair to her when she wouldn't be fair to you?" Abby asked.
"Mom and dad always taught me that it's better to treat others the way you'd want to be treated," Benji said. "I know if the situation was reversed, I'd want Audrey to tell me to my face rather than have mom tell me on the phone. Besides I knew her since practically birth—it was the best option."
"Audrey, I…I spoke to my mom early about our betrothal contract. I—"
"Yes? Oh, did you want to start discussing possible wedding dates? You should have told me Bennybear! We could have had the phone on speaker and I could have been there with you!"
"Let the man speak Audrey!" Rose exclaimed. "Gods, seriously, the world does not revolve around you!"
Ben shook his head. "No Audrey. I…I called my mom to revoke my consent to the contract. We were three when it was finalized, we shouldn't be held to it when we couldn't even consent to it."
"It only took Chip, Akiho, myself, the rest of the Tourney team, Lonnie, Emma, and Mal to get him to see that," Emir said, shaking his head.
"Oh, and don't forget a cookie spiked with a love potion," Akiho added.
Audrey's smile became very fixed as she stared at him, obviously in shock. "Excuse me?"
"Here we go, she's about to start yelling," Ben muttered with a small sigh.
"Audrey, I…I'm serious. I requested to be released from our betrothal contract as I no longer consent to it. I…I hope we can still be friends though."
Lonnie sighed. "Ben, your friendship with Audrey ended the day she became your girlfriend."
"Bennyboo, you must be joking! You…you wouldn't actually ask to be released from the contract! I'll talk to Grammy, we'll get this straightened out! This has to be a mistake!"
"Your grandmother is not a God Audrey," Phillip Sr said. "She can't force consent."
"Audrey, there is nothing to get straightened out," Ben told her. "My consent's been revoked for about half an hour now. You can talk to your mom but I'm sure she'll call you once my mom's done talking with her."
"You know I do have to say that this might have been better done in a meeting between all impacted parties," Lucas said. "That way, Audrey's not blindsided multiple times in one conversation and would technically have someone in her corner."
"Are you defending her?" Chip asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lucas pointed to Audie. "In case you forgot, she's my timeline's Audrey and you all like her. I think, despite her attitude, I can at least see both sides here."
"Wait, are you breaking up with me? You can't do this Ben! We've been betrothed since we were three! You can't just walk away from that! You can't take this away from me! I'm supposed to be queen! What, is it stress from coronation? Classes? Tourney? How can you just walk away from what we have?"
"Grab the ear plugs!" Emir, Akiho and Chip all exclaimed as Leah nodded along with Audrey.
"Actually, I'm surprised she's not shrieking now," Lonnie said,
Audie shrugged, her hand once again wrapped over Audrey's mouth. "Who's to say what goes through her mind?"
"You can. You are her."
"Very true but even I don't know what goes through this Audrey's mind."
Ben sighed. "Audrey, be honest with me. What do we have? What else do we do together other than shopping?"
AKA me being your pack mule for a day, Ben thought with a small sigh.
"We have a contract Ben! A promise we both made, not only to each other but to our families! Are you just going to walk away from that?!" Audrey exclaimed and then took a breath.
"It's possible for her to stop mid rant to control herself?" Rose asked, tilting her head.
"I'm sorry, I'm more focused on the fact that she tried to guilt Ben with all that talk of promises," Akiho said, a small growl to his voice.
"I know what this is. Professional Tourney players do it all the time to avoid distractions in important games—Chad told me.
"Hey! Don't drag me into this!" Chad exclaimed. While he was happy with the possibility of getting to date Audrey, he did not want to be dragged in to the middle of their argument. "I may have told about that Audrey but this is Ben we're talking about. Think about it, how many games has Ben gone through while you two were dating. Has he ever broken up with you because of 'nerves' before?"
"Dear Gods, the Charming brat speaks sense," Hades said, looking stunned.
"Do you like him?" Poseidon asked.
"I…I don't know."
I will see you after the game Bennybear and we can go over possible wedding dates."
Giving him an air kiss on the cheek, Audrey walked out of the room. Ben stared after her in shock—while he hadn't expected she'd take it well, he hadn't expected that.
"Denial. It's not just a river in Egypt," Ashaki sighed and shook her head.
Great. What am I going to do now? Ben thought as he started to make his way to the field. It was game time.
"And with that, the scroll is done," Celia said.
"I think after this next scroll, it might be a good spot for a break," Beast said, looking at his son.
"Good idea," Kit nodded as he looked over at Chad.
Chad chuckled nervously. "Hey, how's about I read the next scroll? Any one object? Nope, okay then!"