the enchantress - ben florian beast

03

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Emery muttered to herself as she wandered through the darkened hallways of Auradon Prep. The grand corridors, lined with intricate tapestries and polished marble floors, felt like a labyrinth in the dim light. After what felt like an eternity of searching, she plopped onto a wooden bench with a huff, the weight of the day catching up with her. She ran a hand down her tired face and groaned softly, the sound echoing slightly in the empty space.

"Hey," a familiar voice said suddenly, startling her. Emery flinched and gasped, her hand flying to her chest as she turned to see who had spoken.

"Oh my god, you scared me," Emery said, trying to steady her racing heart. Ben stood there, his presence a comforting contrast to the eerie quiet of the night. He had changed out of his formal navy blue suit and now wore loose sweatpants and a royal blue t-shirt, looking more relaxed and approachable.

"Are you lost?" Ben asked, sitting on the bench next to her. His expression was one of genuine concern.

Emery nodded her head, letting out a sigh. Her stomach growled loudly, and her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. "I didn't get a chance to eat anything besides the sweets in the limo," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration and hunger.

Ben's eyes widened in realization, and he quickly stood up. "Oh no, here... uh... let me take you," he said, offering his hand to the green-eyed girl. Emery stood up without taking his hand and followed him to the kitchens, her curiosity piqued by his kindness.

As they walked, the dim lighting cast long shadows along the hallway, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. The silence was broken only by the soft padding of their footsteps on the tiled floor. When they reached the kitchens, Ben rummaged through the refrigerator and found a box of pasta. He offered to make something for Emery, who happily accepted.

"So uh... what's life like on the Isle?" Ben asked as he stirred the sauce with the pasta. The warm, rich aroma of the cooking food filled the kitchen, making Emery's stomach growl again.

"It's alright... I mean, it's all I've ever known," Emery said softly, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. She watched Ben's movements, finding a strange comfort in the mundane task of cooking.

Ben nodded his head, understanding her sentiment. He poured the pasta into two bowls and handed one to Emery. They sat at a small table in the corner of the kitchen, the only illumination coming from a single light above the stove. The soft glow created an intimate ambiance, making the large kitchen feel cozy.

They ate in silence for a while until Emery spoke up. "What's life like in Auradon?" she asked, genuinely curious about his experience.

Ben chuckled softly, swallowing before he spoke. "Same as you said, it's all I've ever known. But, I - I guess that might change soon..." he trailed off, his voice heavy with unspoken concerns.

Emery cocked her head to the side in confusion. "I'm going to be crowned king soon, along with that inheriting all of the responsibilities and pressures of being king," Ben explained, his eyes reflecting his apprehension.

Emery nodded her head, finally understanding Ben's worries. "Hey, on the bright side, you know this kingdom like the back of your hand. You know its people and their needs. You brought us here, and we're your people too, right? So you did one thing right," she said, her voice filled with encouragement.

Ben looked at the girl thoughtfully, a small smile playing on his lips. It was a good thing that there was barely any light in the kitchens, or Emery might have been able to see Ben's cheeks that turned a deep shade of pink. "Thank you... for this. It's very good," Emery said as she ate the food in delight, savoring each bite.

Ben nodded and smiled. "Anytime. By the way, I know Audrey said to ask Doug if you needed anything... but my dorm is on the second floor, and the third door on the right. Do you have a phone?" Ben asked, his tone casual but filled with genuine concern.

Emery shook her head, and Ben looked at her in shock. "You don't have a phone?" he asked incredulously.

Emery shook her head again. "No service, no WiFi, so there's no need for one," she explained, her tone resigned.

Ben nodded his head, looking down thoughtfully. "Are things really bad on the Isle?" he asked, his voice soft with concern.

Emery shrugged, trying to find the right words. "I mean, it's not unbearable. Sure, it's not nearly as great as it is here, but it's got some perks," she said, her tone lightening.

"Like what?" Ben asked, his curiosity piqued.

Emery grinned, setting her fork down. "They've got the best hairdresser and designer ever," she said with a small laugh.

"Who?" Ben asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Dizzy, Drizella Tremaine's daughter. She cuts my hair, and I think that Evie designs clothes," Emery said, smiling as she thought of the younger girl.

"Are you close with Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos?" Ben asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"I guess? I mean, we grew up together, but they were the ones to run the streets and cause trouble," Emery said, her voice thoughtful.

Ben furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "So you aren't bad?" he asked.

Emery laughed aloud, shaking her head. "Are you kidding? Harry Hook calls me 'the sunshine of the Isle.' I'm practically harmless," she said with a loud laugh.

Ben chuckled at the nickname, taking her empty bowl and setting it in the sink. "Do you need help getting to your dorm?" he asked her.

Emery bit her lip nervously, feeling a mix of gratitude and reluctance. "Yeah... uh, I'll be fine," she lied, not wanting to burden him further. Emery had no idea how to get back to her dorm room, but Ben had already helped her a lot, and she didn't want to ask for help again.

"Okay, uh, just if you need any help, just reach out," Ben said, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Emery nodded and waved goodbye as she left the kitchen. The walk back to her dorm felt shorter, and to her surprise, she found it successfully. Before she entered her dorm room, she leaned against the door, placing a hand on her chest again. She felt her heart pound and her cheeks heat up. She opened the door quickly and climbed into the green canopy bed, her mind swirling with thoughts of the night.

As she lay there, staring up at the ceiling, Emery felt a strange sense of contentment. For the first time in a long while, she felt hopeful about the future. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes, letting the comforting darkness of sleep take over.