One of the best ways to spend a Sunday was curling up in his mom's personal library with a book and a cup of tea. Most people pictured a huge, grandiose library when they thought of Queen Belle's famous library: marble floors, soaring ceilings, towering carved columns, golden railings on spiraling staircases. To a degree they're right. It's huge, but his mom prefers things cozy so it's all dark wood and warm red curtains and carpets with little nooks tucked away for the perfect place to hide and read instead of his dad's preference for golds and cream stones and open spaces.

Speaking of his dad…

"Has Dad heard about the rumors?" Ben asked, wincing a little at the thought.

"Fortunately, with the rumors starting to die out, it hasn't reached him," his mother replied as she sipped her tea. "His… unwillingness to be involved with your decree means the chances of him overhearing things are low. While I'm grateful they're already fading, have you been able to find anything about how they started?"

Ben hesitated, catching his lower lip between his teeth. As understanding as she was, as supportive as she'd been regarding everything with the VKs–from granting them permission to share a room to her anger that they were being targeted by divisive and hateful rumors–he wasn't sure how she'd take an accusation against Audrey. After all, she was friends with Queen Aurora and King Philip and supported his betrothal to Audrey. And Audrey didn't exactly show her true colors around his parents. She was smart enough to know that they'd support him ending the betrothal if she did. Gods he wished she was stupid sometimes.

"Ben?" his mother prompted, and he nearly jumped in his seat. "Are you alright?"

"Just frustrated," he sighed. "I can't find any evidence. Only more rumors." It was the truth. Only part of it, but it was the truth. The VKs would be proud.

Expression softening, his mother passed him the tray of cookies. "I know it's been hard. But I'm so proud of you for doing this. None of those children deserve to be on that Isle." As he accepted the tray and chose a cookie, Belle's smile faded. "When we were discussing using the Isle as a prison, I never once considered the inevitability of children being born. I'm a bit ashamed that it didn't even cross my mind until you brought it to our attention."

"Mom, you were scared and trying to find a way to protect everyone. Yeah, a lot of details got overlooked, but you're trying to help now," Ben told her. She was a good person and the reason his decree was passed by the Ascendancy at all. "And you're the one who raised me. If you hadn't taught me to think about others and fight for what I believe in, I never would've done this."

With a soft laugh, she shook her head. "You don't need to reassure me, Ben. I'm alright. Just a bit disappointed in myself. And beyond proud of my son. With your help, I know those kids have the best chances at succeeding. Speaking of which, what do they think of school? Do they like their classes?"

Nearly choking on a cookie, Ben laughed. Waving away his mom's concerned frown, he swallowed. "I'm okay. I'm okay. Gods where do I start? Um." Where did he start? There was so much he could tell her. About how Carlos's entire being brightened around animals and how he was becoming more and more confident with them. About how Jay was dedicated enough to training that he impressed Lonnie. About how Ben could often find Evie working on an embroidery project during lunch while everyone talked. About how Mal complained constantly about having five classes, but never seemed to say a single bad thing about her Ancient History class.

"They all say that Philosophy is the worst thing in the world," he began, laughing. "Jay and Mal have both said that it belongs on the Isle where it can't hurt anyone's brain. Math and English have gotten mixed reviews; Carlos seems to enjoy them, and Evie says they're difficult."

"And Mal and Jay?"

"Find them frustrating and pointless. But I think all of them like being able to read better. I keep finding all of them in the library." Smiling, Ben ran a hand through his hair. "Carlos actually asked me to teach him how to use the system to find things."

If he was honest, Ben never thought any of them would take him up on the offer to teach them. All of them seemed hesitant to ask for any kind of help. So, when Carlos asked, Ben had been thrilled and had to make sure he didn't seem too excited. The last thing he wanted was to spook Carlos. Carlos was a quick student too, figuring things out after only an hour and able to find the books Ben asked for.

"But all of them love their other classes," he continued. "Jay's one of the best students in his class. Trying to keep up with him during warmups is hard even for some of us in the higher-level classes. Lonnie's super impressed too. Says that he's going to be a force of nature once he's trained. And Carlos is a natural with animals. Checkers and the stray he met–he finally chose the name Duke for him; I still need to get the collar and tag–follow him everywhere. They even wait for him outside his other classes. He's really good with horses too. Whenever he isn't busy, he's in there working with them.

"Evie's amazing with needlework. I'm surprised she took the class. Though I suppose having a class that makes sense to her and feels familiar is probably a good thing. But she's too talented to be in that class. Mom, you wouldn't believe some of the things she's made. Especially her clothes. I know you heard about them, but you really should've seen the outfits she made for their first day of class. If she wasn't from the Isle, people would be begging her to make something for them.

"Mal's having a bit of a harder time, but I think she likes Ancient History. She doesn't talk about it much, but that's actually a good sign. Especially since when she talks about her other classes, she's complaining about them. Other than classes though I think she's getting used to Auradon. Sometimes I'll see her hanging out with the others and sketching. From what little I've seen, her art is amazing. Like really amazing. I think she usually uses charcoal. Rapunzel mentioned something about painting with her again, so she's painted at least a little bit before."

What else could he tell her? Maybe about Mal's sharp sense of humor or Evie's clever way of playing with words. Or he could tell her about how each of them were figuring out their favorite foods: Mal loved strawberries, Jay liked all meat but also loved pancakes, Evie definitely had a preference for seafood, and Carlos absolutely adored chocolate. What else? What else?

"So when do I get to meet these VKs?"

Ben paused, cookie halfway to his mouth. "Mom?"

"You talk about them all the time, and I hear stories from some of the professors, but I've only spoken directly with the VKs once, and that was barely a greeting. I'd like a chance to get to know them."

"I'm not sure…" Would they be comfortable meeting his mom? Of his parents, she was the only one he wanted them to meet… His father… That would be a bad experience for everyone involved. But the VKs were still skittish. He saw the way they acted around some of the adults. Nervous. On edge. As if they were just waiting for something to go wrong. And he knew his mother would never intentionally do something to make them scared but…

Eyes softening, Belle smiled. "I realize that it's not a simple request," she said as he bit his lower lip. "I'm one of the people who banished their parents. But I would like to make amends and show them that they have my support."

"I'd love for you to meet them, Mom, but… but I don't know if they'd be comfortable. Formal things…"

"It doesn't have to be formal," his mom assured him when he trailed off. "A simple and casual lunch. No obligations to stay and chat afterwards or dress up." Reaching out, she rested a hand on his. "Ben, if you don't think they're ready we don't have to."

For a moment, he hesitated. It might be too much too soon. But, at the same time, it might help if they knew that the Queen was supportive and wanted to help them even if it was only something simple. Maybe… maybe it would be okay.

"I'll invite them tomorrow."