||IF ONLY||

Chapter Twelve

Brielle sang with her brother as they welcomed their guests. She danced and sang with a small smile, secretly enjoying the performance before it ended. The group of students bowed before they dispersed to find their families and friends. Brielle made a move to go over to her darlings but before she could make it too far her father pulled her gently. "We would like to take a family photo before you run off to your many lovers," her father joked with an amused expression.

Brielle laughed before nodding, "Alright but you have to play a game with me later old man." King Adam laughed as she bumped her hip into his teasingly.

"To see you lose?" he teased as they made their way over to Ben and Belle. 

"I'm gonna win," she replied as they stopped in the archway.

"Win what?" Ben asked curiously.

"I'm gonna beat Dad in a game of croquette," Bri said confidently. She saw her lovers waving at her and she smiled brightly at them as she got in the middle of her parents with her brother.

"If you say so Bri," Ben laughed teasingly. Belle shook her head and Bri turned to Ben and grabbed him into a playful headlock. 

"You better get ready for me to beat you too," she laughed as she messed up his hair. Belle slapped the two of them.

"Children. Behave for the picture," Belle scolded but had an amused glint in her eyes.

"Sorry Mom," The two said as they straightened themselves out. The amused photographer shook his head before snapping another photo of the family. Bree cleared her throat as the photographer got ready to take another picture.

"Me and Dad made a deal," she informed, "since I'm supposed to be visiting the Isle tomorrow to check in on the orphanage, I'm going to take the VKs with me to see their family." As she said this, her brother and mother both looked at her and her father in shock. Her mother sputtered a bit as the photographer took a photo. The queen was a bit taken aback but she nodded in approval. She understood where her daughter was coming from.

It was a bit unfair that the VKs didn't get to see their families even though the barrier was being opened and closed. Ben was confused because no one had informed him but he nodded nonetheless. They took one more picture before Brielle skipped off to her lovers. She noticed Mal near Queen Leah as the others talked to their friends and sighed. Queen Leah hated the VKs, she didn't care that they were children, they were still villains in her eyes.

It was obvious by the way she was not screaming at a frowning Mal for what her mother did. "My Daughter-" The Queen yelled.

"Is safe here Queen Leah," Brielle started, "Mal has not done anything to you, or your daughter, or even your granddaughter. You stand here yelling at her for things her mother has done. Should I yell at you for what your father did? Should I yell at Ariel for her father watching multiple people drown out of his then hatred for humans? 

You stand here and yell at her because you know she can't hurt you. You know you have the power in this situation and you abuse it. If you want, you can continue, but remember I know things about your family that would destroy you and your happily ever after. Yell at my girlfriend again and you won't have to worry about a villain or a villain kid, you'll have to worry about me."

Brielle made sure to be as close to the Queen as she could while she whispered her last sentences threateningly. She felt someone push her and saw Audrey standing there. "Get away from my grandmother, you freak!" Audrey yelled. By this time, everyone was staring at the situation. Students knew what would happen if they didn't stop antagonizing the group because when you bother one, you bother all.