One Kiss: A Descendants AU Tale

4. The Royal Cotillion

Evie reached the King's Castle by seven-forty the morning of the Cotillion. This time, the guard didn't refuse her because she went in without permission. She didn't have time for the formalities. Today was bound to be hectic and she needed this put behind her.

"Ben!"

Ben jumped up so fast, his chair crashed to the floor behind him. "Evie? What's wrong? Is it Mal?"

"No, it's... um... " she realized he wasn't alone. Two men dressed in fine coats and ostentacious powdered wigs sat in front of him. Both turned their heads to look at her. The robust man with a handlebar mustache looked displeased while the leaner one looked merely amused by the interruption. "Oh! Its... it's nothing urgent. Sorry, I should come back later at a better time."

She turned to the door, but Ben called out, "Wait, please. Evie. I actually wanted to talk to you."

"You do?" A fluttering tickled in her stomach.

"Yes. Lumiere, Cogsworth?" He gestured to each of them in turn with a curt nod of respect. "I believe we can discuss this matter at length at the next council meeting."

The robust man called Cogsworth sputtered, "I'm afraid not, Your Majesty. In fact, if you do wish to stay this course, we should discuss a preliminary meeting before gathering the other members---"

"But of course," Lumiere butt in with a very thick French accent, "please let us know when you decide how you'd like to proceed. Let us go, Cogsworth. If you keep puffing up like that, you won't be able to squeeze your sizable gut into your waistcoat for the Royal Cotillion, now will you?"

"Why you, eh, I never-- that is highly slanderous--"

Lumiere ignored him and made a grand bow to Evie, grasping her hand to place a kiss on her knuckles. A giggle escaped her lips. "Farewell, mademoiselle."

The two advisors were still arguing on their way out. "They seem fun."

"Yeah," Ben gave a short laugh. "Never a dull day with those two around. Lucky for me."

Silence ensued and then they both started talking at once.

"So what did--"
"You wanted to---"
"Oh, sorry, you first--"
"Go ahead--"

"Ben!"

"Yes!"

"I want to apologize."

He gave a snarky smile, that was a bit too charming in Evie's mind. "I forgive you, of course. But what exactly is it you are apologizing for?"

"I promised to protect you... but you were taken, held hostage, and threatened."

"Evie, you're acting like you took the knight's vow," he laughed then cleared his throat when she only glowered at him. "Oh, come on, you know none of that was your fault. I accepted the dangers going in."

"Right, but still. I feel responsible, so I am sorry."

He sighed. "And you told me I shouldn't apologize for everthing." He stepped around the desk to her to place a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for saving me, Evie. If there's anything you want, then just name it."

"That isn't why--!" She pursed her lips. "Actually, there is. I know some kids on the Isle that could benefit from some Auradon hospitality? I could give you a list?"

"That's actually what I wanted to speak to you about. I know I dropped the ball on the Isle project. I would like more kids to be brought over, that was always the plan but I've been so busy... Evie, I know it is a big ask, but I'd really like to appoint you as a royal advisor and put you in charge of the whole operation."