𝓕𝓻𝓸𝔃𝓮𝓷 𝓗𝓾𝓮 [Slow Updates]

Prologue

Once upon a time, long, long ago... Well, more like 20 years ago, Belle married her beast in front of 6,000 of their closest personal friends. But instead of a honeymoon, Beast united all the kingdoms and got himself elected king of the United States of Auradon. He rounded up all the villains and sidekicks, basically all the really interesting people, and he booted them off to the Isle of the Lost with a magical barrier to keep them there.

                                                                                                                           - Mal (Descendants, 2015)

Benjamin "Ben" Florian stood before the grand window, his gaze fixated on the Isle of the Lost, a place steeped in shadows and despair. Lumiere, the Royal Family's meticulous seamster, battled valiantly to maintain a straight measuring tape, despite Ben's fleeting attention span that rivalled that of a goldfish.

"Sleeve. Head. Ah-ha!" Lumiere's triumphant exclamation punctuated the room as he jotted down the prince's measurements. Yet, Ben's gaze was irresistibly drawn once more to the ominous Isle, its presence framed perfectly by the window's arch. The castle's extension reached out toward the coast, a close neighbor to the land of forgotten souls. A faint hint of sorrow crept over Ben's lips as he contemplated the lives confined within the Isle's sinister confines.

A resonant voice broke through his contemplation, powerful enough to shake daydreams loose. "How is it possible that you're going to be crowned king next month?" King Beast's booming inquiry shattered Ben's reverie. "You're just a baby." Ben's gaze descended to his polished leather boots, and a chuckle escaped his lips.

"Dearest, he's turning sixteen," Queen Belle's prideful tone infused the air. She bestowed a tender smile upon her son, who stood resplendent in his princely attire. It seemed only yesterday that young Ben frolicked amidst sunlit gardens, clad in a beige shirt with silk ruffles and delicate blue shorts.

"Hey, pops." Ben's casual greeting erupted with a brilliant flash of pearly whites. Unbeknownst to him, his parents had stealthily entered the room. He scratched his temple sheepishly, acknowledging his preoccupation.

"Sixteen? Much too tender an age for kingship. I myself did not make a respectable decision until I had reached at least forty-two," King Beast proclaimed, a blend of disapproval and jest within his tone. A response met with a sharp glare from Queen Belle.

"Ah, you decided to marry me at 28," she countered, her gaze unwavering.

The king's smirk widened, mischief dancing in his eyes. "It was either you or a teapot." An exaggerated wink accompanied his statement, but the queen's glare intensified. King Beast's smile wavered. "Kidding, I'm only kidding."

"Mom, Dad..." Ben seized the opportunity amidst his parents' playful repartee. He took a step forward, only to receive a gentle tap on his shin from Lumiere's measuring tape. Quickly apologizing, Ben pressed on. "I've chosen my first official proclamation." The verbal jousting of the royal couple instantly dissolved.

"I've decided that the children on the Isle of the Lost be given a chance to live here in Auradon." Ben's announcement rendered his royal parents brows knit in perplexity. "Every time I look out to the island, I feel like they've been abandoned," he added, his voice carrying the weight of compassion.
"The children of our sworn enemies? Living among us?" King Beast's voice lowered, a dangerous rumble beneath his words. After all, it had been his decree to banish the villains. The notion that his son intended to extend clemency to both fiends and their progeny was nigh unfathomable.

"W-we shall commence with a select few, those in direst need of aid," Ben hastened to clarify, his eyes beseeching his parents for understanding. "I've already chosen them."

A stunned silence held the room captive. King Beast struggled for words, torn between his duty to protect his realm and his son's impassioned plea. "Have you?"

Queen Belle, attuned to her son's struggle, interjected gently. "I gave you a second chance," she offered, a small smile playing upon her lips as her gaze met Ben's.

A slow nod from the king followed. "Who are their parents?"

Steel yourself, Ben thought, and took a deep breath. "Cruella De Vil..."

The queen's head dipped slightly.

"Jafar..."

A muttered curse escaped the king's lips.

"Evil Queen..."

King Beast pinched the bridge of his nose.

"and Maleficent."

Lumiere let out a yelp at the final revelation. Fear flashed across his parents' eyes. King Beast inhaled deeply, his exhalation heavy with anger. "Maleficent! The vilest of villains!"

Stepping down from the platform, Ben moved closer to his parents, seeking to allay their concerns. "Dad, please, listen..."

His father drew near, raising an admonishing index finger. "I won't hear of it! They are guilty of unspeakable crimes." King Beast took Queen Belle's hand, ready to exit the room.

"Dad, their children are innocent. Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life?" Queen Belle stayed her husband's steps with a firm yet understanding grip. Her gaze rested on her son, attempting to discern the catalyst for his impassioned plea.

"Listen, my love, do not let anger blind you to compassion," she whispered, her gaze steady as it locked with Ben's.

"Dad?" Ben's voice quivered, laden with hope.

King Beast regarded his son, a complex swirl of emotions clouding his eyes. After a tense pause, his gaze shifted to his wife, and with a resigned exhale, he relented. "I suppose their children are innocent." Pride tinged with reluctance colored his voice as he ruffled his son's chestnut hair.

"Nonetheless, son, you must be prepared to defend your proclamation to your people and the other kingdoms. This will be a difficult battle you will be starting," King Beast warned, his hand a comforting weight upon Ben's shoulder.

A triumphant smile graced Ben's lips. "You can count on me, Dad." He beamed, and his father's final touch morphed into a lingering embrace.

"Even her, remember? It is your job to convince her," King Beast reminded with a knowing glint.

"I will have that conversation, Dad."

Queen Belle pressed a soft kiss to her son's cheek. "Well done, my dear. Shall we?"

Her hand extended gracefully, an invitation for her husband to take. King Beast bent to kiss it tenderly, and as a united pair, they departed the room.

Left alone in the wake of their departure, Ben thrust his fist into the air in quiet jubilation. Success, he marveled. His gaze then turned toward Lumiere, and in a burst of enthusiasm, he embraced the confused seamster. Lumiere, ensnared by the prince's fervor, found himself wrapped in measuring tape, his features a canvas of bewilderment amidst the triumph.