A Princess and A Zombie (A Z-O-M-B-I-E-S and Descendants AU)

Ch. 40

When she returned home that night, her heart sank. Her brother was waiting on the porch with Lumiere. She hadn't expected his arrival so soon, and the sight of him filled her with a mix of relief and anxiety.

"Ben?" She approached him cautiously, her emotions a tangled mess. "What are you doing here?"

Ben's expression was a mix of concern and determination. "You know what I'm doing here Lia,"

Aurelia nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground for a moment before meeting her brother's eyes. "Do I even get a say?"

Ben's eyes softened as he looked at his sister, understanding the turmoil she was going through. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I wish things were different, but they're not."

"Ben, I have a life here." She pleaded.

"You had a life in Auradon too."

Now that stung. She looked away from her brother, "I've never been this happy Ben, don't take that away from me. Please."

"I'm sorry Lia, it's already been decided."

Tears welled up in Aurelia's eyes as the reality of her situation sank in. She felt trapped. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "What about what I want? Don't I get a say in my own life?"

"Not when it regards your safety."

Aurelia's tears were a testament to the emotional turmoil she was going through. Lumiere watched with empathy, understanding the immense weight of her predicament.

Ben sighed, his expression filled with regret. He stepped closer to his sister and gently embraced her. "I wish it were that simple, Aurelia. I know this is hard for you, and I promise, we'll do our best to make your transition back to Auradon as smooth as possible."

Aurelia clung to her brother, seeking solace in his presence. She knew deep down that her safety was important, but it didn't make leaving Seabrook any easier.

Her voice was muffled as she spoke against his shoulder, "I don't want to lose everything I've found here."

"Everything or him?" Ben's question hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the complicated emotions swirling within Aurelia. She pulled away from her brother, her tear-filled eyes searching for answers in his gaze."I don't want to lose Zed," Aurelia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's... he's become so important to me, and I can't bear the thought of leaving him behind."

Ben nodded, understanding the depth of her feelings. "I know it's not easy, Aurelia, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good."

She pulled away from him, hurt written across her face. "Where was the logic when you fell in love with Mal? A villain from the Isle of the Lost,"

Ben sighed deeply, torn between his responsibilities and his sister's heartache. He looked at Aurelia with empathy. "I understand why this feels unfair to you, and I admit that love often defies logic. But my situation with Mal was different. I was in a unique position to influence change and bring about a more inclusive Auradon."

Aurelia's frustration was evident. "A unique position?" She scoffed, "You mean there was no one to argue with you because you're the king, and what you say is law."

Ben ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of his decisions. "I won't deny that my role as king played a part, but it wasn't just about power. I believed in the possibility of change, of breaking the cycle of prejudice between Auradon and the Isle. And I believed in Mal. I still do."

Aurelia's anger began to ebb as she saw the sincerity in her brother's eyes. She understood that he had faced challenges and criticism for his choices, just as she was now.

"But Aurelia," Ben continued, "Your situation is different. It's not just about me, it's about the safety and well-being of Auradon. Damian is a real threat, and I can't take chances with your safety."

Aurelia let out a frustrated sigh, pacing back and forth. She knew her brother was right about the danger Damian posed, but it didn't make leaving Zed any less painful.

"I love him Ben,"

Ben looked at his sister with a mix of empathy and concern. He could see the depth of Aurelia's feelings for Zed, and he knew that separating them would cause her immense pain.

"I know you do," Ben said softly, "And I wish there were an easy solution that would allow you to be with him and stay safe. But right now, the safety of everyone in Seabrook is at stake, and I can't ignore that."

Aurelia's frustration and sadness were palpable. She felt torn between her love for Zed and her responsibility.

"I just want you to understand, Aurelia," Ben continued, "I'm not doing this to hurt you. I'm doing it because I believe it's the right thing for everyone. We'll explore all possible options to ensure your happiness, but we can't ignore the threat that's looming."

Tears welled up in Aurelia's eyes, and she wiped them away with a shaky hand. "I know you're trying to protect me, Ben. And I appreciate that. It's just... it's so hard."

Ben stepped closer to his sister and embraced her again, offering whatever comfort he could. "I know it's hard, Aurelia. But we'll face this challenge together as a family, just like we always have."

Aurelia nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of the decisions that lay ahead. She knew that her love for Zed and her duty to Auradon were in conflict, and finding a resolution wouldn't be easy.

"I don't get to tell him goodbye, do I?"

Ben looked down, unable to meet his sister's eyes. "I don't think that would be wise."

Aurelia's heart sank even further at Ben's response. The idea of not being able to say goodbye to Zed was almost unbearable. She felt a sense of helplessness and frustration, trapped between her love for Zed and the safety of Seabrook.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about the possibility of leaving without a farewell. "It's not fair, Ben. He deserves to know what's happening, and I deserve a chance to say goodbye."

Ben's expression softened as he saw the pain in his sister's eyes. He knew how difficult this situation was for her, and he didn't want to make it any harder. "I'm sorry."