Chapter 15

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Ben sighed as he walked to his office in dismay.

He was an empty shell of himself without Mal.

He never realised how much her presence keeps Ben afloat. 

As much as he disagrees with his mother, he needs to rule in Mal's absence.

He couldn't let Evie do all the paper work, it wouldn't be fair on her. His parents can handle the media while he does his other duties. 

"I can't help but to worry for him" Ben heard bis mother say from inside his office.

"I understand but he is a reck which is not good to rule" his father replied "He's lost someone he loves, we need to cut him some slac-"

"If it is true she has her father's curse then I can't help but be concerned" Belle said with dread in her voice "It's Hades! He's almost as worse as Maleficent!"

"That is because of the curse he is bad, remember that my dear" Adam said "I know, I am concerned for Ben as well" 

Ben heard his mother sigh.

"Ben needs to know there's no cure and to move onto a more...suitable lover...like an actual princess" Belle said, making Ben's blood boil.

They're talking about his future without his input! 

Ben has had enough of listening.

He opened the door, the door slamming into the bookcase next to it, making the former royals jump.

"I love who I love mother" Ben said bitterly, Belle's eyes widen as she realised he listened on the conversation "I thought you two would know better; mother, you weren't royal and father you were a beast!"

"I know" Belle said softly, trying to smile her way out the situation "We can't help but be concern, we're your parents. You have to understand our doubt as Mal is the daughter of two villains and before...Mal and her friends came to Auradon, everything was peaceful"

Ben nareed his eyes.

"It was never peaceful, people were suffering in fear! Yes, there were villains on the Isle but there were so many innocent people put there because YOU feared there power. The conditions are terrible there and not fit for any human being, even if they're evil" Ben ranted "And not to mention Auradon, everyone is afraid to be themselves. I was afraid, Audrey was afraid, a lot of us were afraid because we knew if we messed up you would lock us up or put us on the Isle to rot!"

Belle and Adam gasp at their son's tone, making Ben sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"I just want to make everyone equal, not seperate based on who they were or who they're related to! Like I originally planned" Ben finished.

"Ben-"

"I am the king remember father?" Ben said sternly, interrupting his father "Why don'y you accept my decisions?"

They were both going to say something but Ben cut them off again but sighing, rubbing his forehead which he now had a headache from the bickering.

"I need to do work, can you please leave so I can concentrate and do my job?" Ben asked his parents, fed up with it. 

His parents looked at each other and nodded, walking at the room without a word.

Ben walked past them and shut the door, resting his forehead against the wooden door.



"I thought they would never leave" 

Ben snapped his head to his desk to reveal Mal, looking like her normal self, sitting on his desk with a soft smile.

Ben widen his eyes and he smiled.

"M-Mal?" he asked, confused and in shock "Why are you-"

"No one must know I'm here okay?" Mal demanded, making Ben looked at her with even more confusion.

Ben nodded and walked towards her, noticing her was gripping onto her mother's staff for dear life.

"Did it work?" Ben asked softly, almost too afraid to ask.

Mal nodded, looking at the glowing staff.

"No curse" Mal started "But I cannot let go of this staff otherwise it's game over"

Ben hesitated slightly before getting any closer to her.

"Are you a threat?" Ben asked, worried "Sorry, it's just I don't know and-"

"I am not a threat to you" Mal said softly "I would never harm you, nor the innocent people of Auradon...and besides-"

Mal smile broadened.

"...why would I kill the love of my life?" Mal asked, making Ben smiled.

Mal offered her arms opened, making Ben run into them, almost breaking into a sob. 

"I-I thought the staff took o-over you" Ben stammered out "The look on you face before you left...it got me worried and I thought I lost you forever and-"

"Hush my love, I am fine" Mal whispered, not realising how much of a toll her disappearance had on Ben.

"But how?" Ben asked, coming out the hug.

Mal shrugged.

"I am my mother's daughter, I assume it's because I am of her blood it doesn't effect me" Mal said "Audrey on the other hand..."

Ben froze.

"She's controlled isn't she?" Ben asked, making Mal nod.

"Under my control" Mal answered "I cannot help that unfortunately but at lest she won't do anything stupid"

Ben sighed, making him feel slightly better.

"Why did you stay away?" Ben asked, gripping her one hand "I could have helped you, people would under-"

"You would understand Ben, but everyone else..." Mal said, her voice flattering slightly as she pulled her hands away from Ben's "...You know of the curse so it's fine but the others only know slight details, even your parents don't know"

"But-"

Mal put her finger on his lips, silencing him 

"Ben" Mal said "I have to keep you safe, I hope you understand that. I am not on the best of terms with any of the leaders now, and if you follow me into my mess then you could lose your position and I don't want that"

Mal sighed as she softly put her finger away from Ben's lips.

They both were silent.

"I have to keep the people I love out of it, Auradon out of it" Mal said "Once I get this sorted then-"

"What sorted?" Ben asked.

Mal smiled and leaned to kiss Ben.

Ben surprised, but he gave in, the familiar taste almost breathing him back to life.

This moment only lasted for a few moments before Mal pulled away, with tears in her eyes.

"I love you Ben" Mal whispered "I hope you know that and I promise I will make this mistake right, and then we can be together again"

"Wait...Mal" Ben whispered as Mal disappeared, making him fall onto his knees with a bang on the wooden floor.

He got his love back to only lose it.

Ben's thoughts are buzzing with confusion with so many questions about Mal and her plan.

Ben took a deep breath.

He just has to trust her and hope and pray that she can finish what she plans before Ben drowns more in the loneliness and depression.

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