𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄━︎━︎E. Grimhilde ✓︎

❝CHAPTER TWENTY❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 ━︎━︎ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 for the welcoming of the new Isle kids. They were going to leave after Ben made an announcement. Ilaria held Evie's hand, smirking when she spotted Doug a little ways away talking to his newly developed crush. The jerk of Evie's hand grabbed her attention. "Here they come," Evie whispered. Doug ran over and the band immediately started playing. Mal walked up on the platform that Fairy Godmother was standing right in front of, Evie and Ilaria not too far away either.

     Mal pointed. "Right here?" Mal went to go forwards but Fairy Godmother stopped her. "Stay here?" Ben placed an arm around Mal's shoulders as the couple waved at the crowd.

     When the music stopped, Fairy Godmother began speaking in the microphone. "Bippity-boppity, one, two, one two, can everybody here me?"

     The crowd cheered and Jane loudly said, "Yes!" A smile was on her face as she clung to Carlos's side.

     "Ben," Fairy Godmother said, handing the King the microphone.

     "Thank you, Fairy Godmother." Ben said into the microphone. Ben chuckled as he looked around. "What's up, Auradon?" The crowd cheered. "Thank you. Thank you so much for coming out to welcome our new arrivals. They'll be here soon!" He placed a hand in his pocket. "it worked out pretty well for the first four." He glanced at Ilaria and she gave him an encouraging nod.

     Ben turned to Mal, grabbing her hand. "Mal, this is the exact spot we first met not so long ago. I feel like I've known you my whole life. But did I mention, I'm in love with you?" Doug joined Ilaria's side and started playing the guitar, the other VKs along with Belle and Adam joining them as Ben softly sang to Mal. "I met this girl that rocked my world like it's never been rocked and now I'm living just for her and I won't ever stop. I never thought that it could happen to a guy like me, but now look at what you've done you've got me. . . down on my knee." Ben got down on one knee, handing Carlos the microphone before pulling out a ring.

     Mal stood there with her hands covering her mouth. Ben looked up at her, nothing but love in his eyes. "Mal, it's you and me. It's you and me forever. Will you marry me? Will you be my queen?"

     Audrey cried out. "No!"

     Mal smiled and nodded, tears in her eyes. "Yes!"

Instantly the crowd cheered. Evie let out a loud squeal and Ilaria yelled loudly for the couple, clapping. Carlos ended up chest bumping Adam and instantly began apologizing and Ilaria couldn't help but laugh. Ben and Mal walked down the stairs and as Ben walked over to Carlos, Jay, and Doug, Mal instantly walked over to Evie and Ilaria, both girls instantly giving her a hug.

     "Did you know?" Mal asked, her voice filled with joy.

     "Everything!" Evie answered. "I forced Ria to tell me."

     "I helped plan it." Ilaria smiled, giving Mal a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you, Mal."

     Evie placed a hand on Mal's shoulder. "You are going to rock that crown." Mal chuckled. "Okay, so I've only done about 1,000 sketches of your wedding dress―︎"

     Ilaria interrupted. "They're taking up the castle, it's a problem."

     Evie laughed, "―︎and Belle's already planned an engagement party next week."

     Mal gasped and turned to Belle and Adam who approached them. "Well, it's a really good thing I said yes." Mal gave Adam a hug first and then Belle.

     Ilaria turned and spotted Ben. He met her eyes and instantly made his way towards her. Ilaria practically leaped into his arms as she hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy for you, Ben!"

     Ben widely smiled, pulling away and placing his hands on her shoulders. "Thank you for everything, Ria."

     Ilaria beamed. "I'm just glad that you're happy, Benny. You deserve this, you really do."

     "Thank you." He glanced around. "I guess this is a good time to tell you I have a present for you."

     Ilaria cocked her head. "You do?" She closed her eyes and held up her hand. "Don't tell me you've planned a secret engagement thing for me and Evie, because I love her more than anything but we are not there yet."

     Ben chuckled and shook his head. "No, it's nothing like that." Ilaria released a breath. He paused. "But do you want to marry Evie?"

     "I literally offered her my throne when we first met, of course I do! Can we get back to the topic at hand, please?"

     "Right, right." He cleared his throat. "So, if you want it, I have a job for you. How would you like to be my right hand?"

     Ilaria's eyes widened. "Seriously?"

     Ben laughed. "Yes, seriously."

     "Oh my god! Ben! Of course I would!" She gave him another hug. "I'll do anything if it means I can annoy you even more with each passing day."

     Ben sighed but an amused smile pulled on his lips. "Oh, boy. I've messed up."

     "No. Nope. No take backs. It's been offered and I already accepted. Too late now. You're stuck with me forever. Or. . . at least until I take over my throne." She smiled at him before quickly running back over to Evie as Ben walked to his new fiancé.

     Instantly, Jay spoke up. "All bow to Her Royal Majesty."

     Carlos, Evie, and Ilaria joined his side. Carlos tipped his hat. "Oh, yes, her Royal Purple-ness." Jay and Carlos bowed while Evie and Ilaria curtseyed.

     Mal waved her hand. "Silence, you annoying peasants."

     Jay held out a hand. "As you wish, my liege."

     Carlos laughed. "Your Crankiness."

     Mal walked away and Ilaria's eyes followed her, watching with a grimace as Audrey approached Mal, grabbing her hand. Ilaria couldn't hear what was being said, but she knew it wasn't good. Ben grabbed her attention. "Alright, let's do this." The group of six climbed into the purple limo and then they were off to the Isle to bring back their new arrivals.