Author's Note: Welcome back, readers and happy 2024!

Thank you once again for your patience. Aside from my busy work schedule, I had trouble finding the scene with Edward and Nathaniel at a hotel on YouTube, but thankfully I found it.

Shout out to retro mania and Crimson Commander688 for the positive reviews, thank you so much! I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

Sleeping Beauty and Enchanted don't belong to me.

Happy reading!

Chapter 14

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Las Vegas, Philip and Diaval went to the Grand Duke Hotel. After sneaking into the building and securing a room, the two young lads get settled in.

As Philip made himself cozy on the bed, Diaval pulls the boots off Philip's feet. Somehow, Philip turns the TV on when he touched the remote control.

Confused and intrigued, Philip turns the channel. He lands on the local news, which talked about the bus attack from earlier.

"It appears this odd little box controls the magic mirror." Philip remarked, for he had never seen anything quite like it.

The young prince switches to another channel, landing on a soap opera.

"I've always been in love with you," said Christopher, the soap opera actor. The actress, Alana gets up from the ledge of the sofa.

"Don't you have any self-respect?" Alana retorted.

Suddenly, the scene playing out on the TV intrigues Diaval. For it hit close to home, regarding him and Maleficent. He walks over, eyes glued and sat down.

Diaval continues watching as Christopher whirled Alana around.

"I don't need self-respect," He shot back. "I just need your lips against mine."

Philip turns the channel.

"Wait, go back, go back, please!" Diaval insisted.

Philip goes back to the soap opera.

"How could I love a man when he doesn't even like himself?" Alana questioned. She turns away, smirking, while Christopher stood there; narrowing his eyes.

"Get away from me, Christopher. You disgust me." Alana turns her lover away.

"I can't help my feelings for you," said Christopher.

As Diaval watches the scene unfold between Christopher and Alana, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him and his lady love. For he saw himself in Christopher. This sent Diaval's mind reeling with questions: Did Maleficent really love him? Is she toying with him? Will they really have a happily ever after together?

Diaval continues to watch the TV for a while, pondering about all the times he had with Maleficent and questioning his mistress' loyalty…until Diaval finally snapped out of a daze. He had a job to do and when it's all said and done; things will improve between him and Maleficent.

Getting off the bed, Diaval gathers up his things (including the apples and ingredients) discreetly, while Philip watches TV. He heads for the door.

"I think I need some air, sire." Diaval said.

Philip nodded absent mindedly. By now, he switched to another channel.

"Sire, do you like yourself?" Diaval asked the prince.

"What's not to like?" Philip questioned, slightly puzzled. He gives Diaval a small smile.

Diaval nods and exits the room, leaving Philip with the TV.

Once out of the building, Diaval decided to head back to Circus, Circus; so, he'll keep a close watch on Aurora and the three fairies. With Prince Philip tucked away, he'll follow them and carry out his plan to poison Princess Aurora with a second apple. And hopefully, those meddlesome fairies will not interfere.

A/N: OK…so, this chapter turned out to be short. But after writing the last few longer chapters, this turned out to be relief.

The Grand Duke Hotel is a reference to the grand duke character from Cinderella.

In the original Enchanted movie, Paige O'Hara (Belle's voice actress) makes a cameo as a soap opera actress named Angela (a nod to the late Angela Lansbury, the voice of Mrs. Potts, R.I.P.). The man Jerry is named after Jerry Orbach, the voice of Lumiere (R.I.P.). When listening very carefully, the Beauty & the Beast prologue music can be heard. In this case, Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid) portrays Alana (named after one of Ariel's sisters). Christopher is a reference to Christopher Daniel Barnes, Prince Eric's voice actor. The music playing is the Eric seeing Vanessa on the beach score.

Thank you to retro mania for suggesting Jodi Benson as a Disney Princess cameo. I initially thought of Linda Larkin, Jasmine's voice actress, but Jodi is a better choice.

Anyways, the next chapter will be somewhat longer. Coming up, Aurora does another act with the clowns. I will have them do a different gag and even include a Who Framed Roger Rabbit reference (you'll see in the next chapter).

So, stay tuned, more to come!