To Lovingly Hate You

A Night To Remember (Part Two)

Third Person

As the Cotillion truly hit its stride, the music, food, and general atmosphere being a general hit, it was finally time for the King's announcement that had been hyped up all evening. This evening was supposed to be devoted to Mal's introduction to becoming his Lady of the Court after all, and she spent all night fine-tuning herself so she would be ready for the very night she once ran from.

And she still wasn't sure that it was the right thing to do, her gut simply didn't feel... like tonight was right. She was hoping, as she waited just out of view for her announcement, that she'd begin to feel better once the night really got going. However, the unnerving feeling she was getting wasn't helping whatsoever.

But soon... Mal was standing just out of view, taking deep breaths, trying to keep her cool, and just thinking about how much calmer her life should be once this night was over.

As the party roared and many of the other royals danced and had a ball with the music, trouble, and danger brewed just below the surface, waiting for the right moment to emerge.

Lined with blue and yellow ribbons and guards dressed in their nicest uniforms, the ship truly did look absolutely like... what a bunch of royal teenagers would put together, down to the music taste that Fairy Godmother occasionally cringed at, but all the same, so far, the night was looking to be a memorable one for all of the happy, dancing teens that were none the wiser.

Just as the teens really began to get down with the music, just as the party was hitting its natural peak when it came to the energy levels, they'd reached the middle of the ocean, and therefore, it was time for the true intent of the evening to unfold.

The main staircase built especially for grand entrances like these was connected to a special upper cabin where two rooms kept the King and his future Lady of the Court apart. Mal would make her appearance first, then Ben, and she was simplytrying to keep her cool until she was reunited with Ben. They'd taken some brief time apart after the incident that led to Mal running away back to the Isle of the Lost, but since then, they'd been able to find some common ground and set some new boundaries, so they'd started fresh and were doing better slowly but surely, so she was actually excited to see Ben. They'd been forced to get ready separately to make for a better grand reveal, and she needed to have some support at this point.

Finally, the men who stood lining the grand staircase in their uniforms raised their instruments in unison to play a few notes, the music and partying halting almost immediately. All of the young royals and any staff and chaperones turned to the staircase as none other than Lumiere stepped out, prepared to announce the entrance of the two most important royals of the night.

The VKs quickly worked their way to the front of the crowd, all standing together with their partners standing beside them, honestly thrilled to see one of their closest friends really making it in their new life. Mal had so much trouble attempting to adapt to Auradon life, to see her aside someone she loves in a position of power where she can continue to change the lives of others just like them was a sort of dream come true for all the VKs, though it did put plenty of weight on her shoulders.

Once the instruments went silent, Lumiere announced Mal first, the lady of the hour,

"The future Lady Mal"

Taking one more breath before rounding the corner and finally facing the crowd, as nervous as she was, Mal held a brave polite smile and flaunted the yellow and blue dress she was laced up in as best as she could.

The crowd reacted positively to her arrival, and the VKs bloomed into bright smiles at the sight of their friend. Lumiere whispered some words of encouragement as Mal paused at the top of the stairs, giving her an extra boost of confidence before her descent down the grand stairwell.