Courage || Carlos De Vil (Disney's Descendants)

Chapter 44

Meredith's guilty pleasure was dressing up in pretty dresses and extravagant accessories for occasions; perhaps it was just the princess in her. So, as much as she loved the modern ways of Auradon in the present, she couldn't help but be grateful that traditional events such as balls, coronations, and the like were still very much alive.

It was a little while after the Audrey fiasco quieted down that Meredith was able to indulge in this guilty pleasure again during a particularly important day: Ben and Mal's engagement party. While the event was important because of the obvious fact that it was to celebrate the king's engagement to the future queen of Auradon, it was an even bigger deal to Meredith because they were her dearest friends. She couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Ben, who she once used to play hide and seek with as children forced to go to fancy dinners full of politicians and nobles, would be getting married soon. It was even crazier to think that he was betrothed to Mal, a girl Meredith was once set on never befriending but was now someone she trusted with her life.

That day, she got up early to get ready for the event with her friends at Evie's cottage, which was a full house. Racks of dresses and suits, tables overflowing with accessories, and people running around and yelling different things were all anyone could digest. Evie was distributing the outfits and making the finishing touches on them, while Doug was always by her side to keep her in check. Dizzy claimed the best mirror in the house and placed a chair she stole from the dining table in front of it so that she could work on the girls' hairstyles. The boys were hogging the mirror at the bathroom, trying to style their hair with several types of gel and pomade while simultaneously fighting for a spot there.

Hours later, Meredith found herself clad in an Evie-original green dress adorned with silver accents, a silver hairpiece decorating the low bun Dizzy did for her, and the necklace Carlos gave her resting around her neck. After slipping on her silver heels to match and making sure no stray hairs were on her face, she was ready.

The group — Meredith, Carlos, Evie, Doug, Jay, Dizzy, and the Smee twins — rode to the venue together. The excitement was intoxicating, the limo full of giddy squeals and chatter all while they could see other guests outside making their way to the party as well as several Auradon citizens waving the country's flag happily.

By the time they arrived, the outdoor amphitheater was decked out in flags and decorations in the royal colors of yellow and blue, complimenting the bright sun and the blue skies. Most of the guests were already there, making small talk with one another and munching on some of the appetizers or sipping the mild drinks. Jane and Fairy Godmother were both speaking to some of the staff, obviously having taken part in planning the event. Aziz, Ally, and Lonnie, who had already graduated from Auradon High, took the time out of their own busy schedules to make it to this engagement party. Even Audrey, her grandmother, and Chad and his parents were there, carrying themselves more civilly than expected.

Meredith was deep in a conversation with Dizzy about the difference between Skittles and M&Ms — two candies that the younger girl unfortunately hadn't tried yet — when Mal and Ben finally made their appearance.

"There they are," Evie grinned. The couple walked out of the tunnel that led into the outdoor amphitheater, resulting in applause. Mal exuded elegance and maturity in her deep purple gown, greeting her friends and future subjects with grace. Ben was dashing in his royal blue suit and the crown that sat perfectly atop his head, also looking like the perfect king as he addressed the people around him.

Then, they made their way up the stairs and to the balcony where King Beast, Queen Belle, and Fairy Godmother awaited them with content smiles. The noise in the background came to a halt as Auradon waited for their king to speak.