Dragon Love (Descendants story)

Royal Cotillion

"Ben, there you are!" Mila grinned as she finally managed to dodge the press and finally found her best friend. She grinned and hugged him tightly, which the young king gladly returned. "Nervous?"

"You have no idea," Ben chuckled slightly. "But.. not for the reason you might think."

"Oh, so you're not nervous cause the Royal Cotillion is basically engaged to being engaged to being engaged? Might as well get Carlos a promise ring while you're at it," Mila grinned teasingly, wrapping an arm around Ben's shoulders.

Ben tensed up slightly. "N-no, not really. It's something I wish I could explain."

Mila smiled sympathetically at her friend and grabbed his crown so she could ruffle his hair. "Don't worry sugarcube, we're all here for you. Being nervous is normal."

Ben sighed and smiled softly at Mila. "Thank you. It's good to know no matter what happens, you have my back."

"Of course, you dork," Mila grinned and nudged him playfully.

The two friends shared a soft chuckle before the sound of trumpets gave away that Belle and Adam were announced. Mila cringed slightly when Lumiere called them prince and princess, the title still seeming so weird for the two.

"Guess, i'm next," Mila muttered jokingly, giving Ben's shoulder a last squeeze before she let go of him. "You'll be fine, if it gets too much, just look for me in the crowd, alright?" She grinned and fixed her blouse.

Before she walked down the staircase, she tuck some strands that were falling out from her hairdo behind her ears.

Her grin widened as she noticed Mal waiting for her in the front of the crowd, quickly making her way down so she could greet her.

Mal grinned and gave Mila a brief kiss before the trumpets announced the soon-to-be lord of the court. Carlos was slightly nervous but the thought of spending this night with Ben and all his other friends overtook his nerves the second Lumiere jokingly told him to 'work it.'

As he descended the staircase, his friends made sure to clap and cheer as obnoxiously possible as they could, making him laugh rather loudly.

Adam and Belle intercepted the young De Vil, Adam finally apologizing for his behaviour during Family day, all those months ago.

"I know we were shocked at first but... You are exactly what Ben needs, and we support you two whole heartedly," Belle smiled softly, calming Carlos' nerves.

"And luckily for me, she doesn't go by first impressions," Adam said jokingly, earning a few laughs.

After they finished talking, Carlos hurried to his friends who all welcomed him with open arms.

It didn't take long for the trumpets to sound again, as Lumiere announced Ben. "King Benjamin!"

The crowd started cheering as Ben descended the stairs, looking very regal as the crowd bowed before him.

Mila grinned as she noticed Carlos' lovestruck expression and nudged him playfully, wiggling her eyebrows at him. Carlos laughed and playfully slapped her arm, before Jay gently nudged him towards Ben. "Go get him."

Ben's smile seemed to falter slightly as he took a bow before Carlos, who returned the gesture. "Carlos.. I wish I had the time to explain." He muttered as the sound of footsteps made everyone's attention go to the staircase once more.

Uma shyly rounded the corner, looking beautiful but rather awkward given the murmerring that started as she joined Ben's side.

Ben looked at Carlos, apologetically. "I'm sorry, it all happened so fast. Something happened to me when I was on the isle with Uma," Ben tried to explain. "A connection."