the enchantress - ben florian beast

01

Ben Beast, Crown Prince of Auradon and son of King Adam and Queen Belle, stood with his tailor, Lumiere, who was bustling around him, adjusting the fit of his royal blue suit. Lumiere, ever the perfectionist, was intent on getting every detail just right. "Sleeve, head... Ben, I swear if you move," Lumiere said, his voice a mix of playful scolding and genuine exasperation. Ben, his mind elsewhere, muttered an apology, "Sorry, Lumiere," and stared out the large window that overlooked the Isle of the Lost, a place that had always intrigued him with its air of mystery and isolation.

Ben fidgeted with the hem of his suit, a nervous habit he had developed over the years. The royal blue fabric, adorned with intricate gold embroidery, symbolized his status and the weight of the responsibilities he was about to inherit. As he lost himself in thoughts of the future, his parents, King Adam and Queen Belle, entered the room, bringing with them a warmth and familiarity that momentarily eased his anxiety.

King Adam, with his rugged charm, looked at his son with a mix of pride and disbelief. "How is it possible that you're going to be crowned king next month? You're just a baby!" he exclaimed, shaking his head in wonder. Queen Belle, shook her head with amusement and smiled kindly at Ben. "He just turned 17, dear," she reminded her husband gently.

Adam, unable to hide his amazement, stuffed his hands into his pockets and sighed. "I didn't make a good decision until I turned 42," he admitted, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips. Belle, catching his playful tone, turned towards him with a scoff and crossed her arms. "You decided to marry me at 28," she retorted with an amused smirk, her eyes sparkling with affection.

Adam winked at her, and Belle playfully shoved him, both of them laughing. Their love was a beacon of stability and strength in Ben's life, and he cherished these moments of levity amidst the looming responsibilities of his future.

Ben, drawing courage from his parents' support, took a deep breath and stepped closer to them. "Um, Mom, Dad? I've chosen my first official proclamation," he said, his voice tinged with nervousness and determination. Belle, who had been holding a small cloth, widened her eyes in surprise. "I've decided that the children on the Isle of the Lost should be given a chance to live here in Auradon," Ben declared, his gaze drifting back to the island that had occupied his thoughts for so long.

Belle's reaction was immediate and visceral. She dropped the cloth she had been holding, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. "The children of our sworn enemies? Living among us?" Adam asked, his voice a mixture of incredulity and concern. Belle, equally skeptical, looked at her son with a mixture of disbelief and worry. "And who are their parents?" she asked, glancing at Adam.

Ben, standing his ground, met his father's gaze. "Cruella De Vil, Jafar, Evil Queen, Maleficent, and the Enchantress," he said, his tone firm despite the sheepish smile that tugged at his lips. Adam's reaction was swift and intense. "The Enchantress? Are you out of your mind? Have you forgotten what she's done to our family? And Maleficent? She's guilty of unspeakable crimes!" he shouted, his anger and fear palpable.

Ben, mirroring his father's stance, pointed towards the Isle in a gesture of determination. "Their children are innocent, Dad. Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life?" he argued, his voice filled with conviction. Belle, sensing the depth of her son's commitment, nodded in agreement. Adam, after a moment of silent contemplation, sighed deeply, finally understanding his son's reasoning.

"Well done," Belle said softly, kissing the top of Ben's head. Her words and gesture filled him with a sense of validation and hope. He glanced at the gold ring on his finger, a symbol of his impending coronation and the responsibilities that came with it. His thoughts drifted back to the Isle, and he couldn't help but hope that among the children who would come to Auradon, there might be one with long strawberry-blonde hair and dark green eyes—the girl from his dreams.