This Enchanting New World

Chapter 12

"All this time...," Mal reflected, "All this time that I emphasized that this legacy was mine and mine alone..."

"And that you let the legacy define you and be everything you cling to..."

"Thinking you know what you want and who you want to be..."

"I wasn't alone," we finished at the same time. 

I was blushing like a fire, and Mal's eyes were still welling up with glistening tears. She tried in vain to blink them back.

"Mal, only daughter of Maleficent, you are from the blood of the dragon and carry its strength and fire. Remember, however, this burden is not yours to bear alone. Rely on your friends, and let their strength carry yours as well," Mal slowly murmured under her breath.

I tilted my head to the side, my tangle of midnight blue curls falling like a waterfall.

"What?," I asked, raising a single eyebrow.

"Yen Sid told me that the first time I ever went back to the Isle. Clarissa, I think he was talking about you!"

She shook her head, with a pathetic snort. The kind of laugh of people when they're trying to cover up insecurity.

"All this time I thought I was so special," Mal said with a rueful smile.

"Oh, come on. Girl, be proud! You are so special. Everyone knows who you are. You saved all of Auradon. You're a hero," I retorted.

Mal paused.

There was a profound, perfect silence.

Finally, she whispered, "But am I truly a hero if the people I saved think me a villain for doing so?"

I searched for something to say.

"Heroes are boring," I proclaimed with a wicked grin. "Villain pride for the win."

We burst out laughing.

After the teacher, a descendant of Mushu, scolded us for talking, the rest of the period went in a blur.

I barely paid attention to the lecture by said teacher.

I didn't even notice Daughter Gothel outside the window, looking in on me and Mal's newfound intimacy with tears in her eyes and a jealous scowl on her attractive face.

That girl really did have a bad habit of turning up places wasn't supposed to be.