If I Never Knew You

Chapter 7

Four years ago she would not have been caught dead looking the way she was. With her waist long wavy blonde hair, short white dress with matching high heels and purse Mal looked like an actual princess. After she had recovered enough to step outside in the public eye there had been many rumors as to why she looked so drastically different. Mal had become an expert at avoiding the tabloids, but every now and then, when she was in line at the store buying late night ice –cream she's catch a glance at the latest gossip. Ninety-nine percent of the time what was printed was complete nonsense, and she found them to be quite entertaining. The most popular theory as to why the future queen's physical appearance was that she was being pressured by other royals to look more "suitable." She laughed silently to herself. She could only imagine what people's reactions would be if they knew what had really lead to her altered appearance. She was on her way to meet Belle and Carlos to sample cake for her wedding. She was on the phone with her very apologetic fiancé who had to cancel on coming the last minute.

"It's really no big deal, Ben," she assured him as she crossed the street. "It's not like you have some stuffy office job you can sneak out of, you're the King. You have other responsibilities that outweigh cake tasting." She had to keep herself from rolling her eyes at his response.

But you're my top priority, Love. I should be helping with our wedding.

"We just got the Council back on our good side, you don't need to blow them off now," she told him. "And your mother and Evie have made it painfully clear that this is my wedding, you just show up to say 'I do' and stand there and look handsome—which shouldn't be too hard for you," she added. Mal was approaching the bakery Carlos had suggested. She could barely make out him, Dude, and Belle in the distance.

"I've got to go, almost there," she told him. She smiled at his response.

I'll make it up to you tonight, he said in the deep husky voice that always made her weak in the knees.

"Ooh yah," she said smiling, "how's that." Ben went on to describe what he had in mind. Her mouth dropped, and her eyes grow twice their normal size. "I'm gonna hold you to that," she said smirking, imaging what events would unfold later that night. "I love you, too," she said before hanging up the phone. Mal slipped her phone back into her purse before greeting Belle and Carlos. Dude barked and wagged his tail until Mal picked him up in her arms and kissed his wet nose. Dude barked and began to lick Mal's face.

"Dude," Carlos reprimanded taking the dog in his arms and holding him close to his chest. "We don't lick other people's faces, it's rude."

Belle gave Mal a hug and kissed her cheek.

"Ben couldn't make it?" she asked. Mal shook her head.

"He wanted to. You know him, he wants to help with everything, but the Council called for an emergency meeting up something stupid, and since we just got them back on our good side I didn't want him to give them any reason to start up everything again."

Belle nodded her head.

"Well it's a good thing I'm here then," Carlos said giving Mal a hug, "I am a condenser of good sweets. This place makes the best cakes in all of Auradon. I got Jay's last birthday cake here," he explained.

"That was a good cake," Mal added. "I had three pieces."

After sampling nearly thirty different types of cake, Mal almost decided she never wanted another piece. But the thirty-first piece was one of, if not THE best piece of cake she had ever had in her life. The cake itself was moist and nearly melted away in her mouth like golden goodness, the frosting was thick and sweet and made her taste buds dance inside her mouth.

"This one," she said as she licked her fork clean. Carlos and Belle agreed.

After the cake had been ordered Mal, Belle and Carlos parted ways, Belle asked for Mal to stop by the castle later in the evening so they could talk. Mal was starting her walk back towards her apartment when she heard her name being called from behind her.

She turned and saw someone she didn't particularly care to see walking towards her. Aqua strolled towards her, a smug smile on her face.

"Aqua," Mal said crossing her arms. "To what do I owe the pleasure," she asked. Aqua smiled.

"I saw those lovely pictures of you in the magazines, and just had to ask why the sudden change?"

"That's not really any of your concern," Mal told her.

"Is that any way for a queen to talk to one of her subjects," Aqua asked with a raise brow. A light growl came from the back of Mal's throat. Aqua laughed lightly. "Pick that nasty little habit from that adorable fiancé of yours?"

"If you'd excuse me, Aqua I have to be going." Mal turned on her heels and started to walk about.

"Don't you dare turn you back on me," Aqua threated. Mal turned around to address her old rival only to find the taller girl standing inches away from her. Mal, never one to be intimidated stood her ground. Aqua jabbed Mal in her chest with her finger. "I'm not through talking to you, just yet," the daughter of the sea witch spat out.

"What do you want?" Mal asked. Aqua's scowl turned into a crooked smile.

"I just wanted to tell you to enjoy the happiness," she said sinisterly, "while you can that is."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Mal asked angrily. Aqua grabbed Mal's face with one of her freshly manicured hands.

"You might have given up your leather jacket for fancy lace dresses and make up, but deep down you are still that wicked little girl you were back on the Isle. You are a villain, Mal. And villains don't get to have happy endings."

"I'm no villain," Mal said slapping Aqua's hand away, "and if you come near me or anyone that I love I will destroy you."

Aqua cackled. "I'd love to see you try, since you no longer have your magic."

Mal's eyes widened and her mouth dropped.

"I—I don't know what you mean," she lied, horribly.

"Oh I think you do," Aqua said stepping closer to the future queen. "I know how you signed away your magic powers so that the Council would let you marry your beautiful king. You are powerless."

Mal stood there shocked and speechless as Aqua started to walk away. The taller girl turned her head back one last time, "Like I said, Mal. Enjoy your happiness while it last, because soon it will be taken from you."