Beauty and the Beast ~ a malec fanfiction

bonus chapter

The Prince's Ball

Tessa snaked under Magnus' arms with her tape measure, needle and threads as she made sure that everything was fitted as it should be for the ball. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she was in that kind of haze that she usually fell into when she started working with clothing. And everything had to be perfect for the Prince tonight. He was going to try and find someone to marry. And then he wouldn't be alone. That was the most important thing. Tessa just didn't want Magnus to be alone anymore. Not after all these years. She was so focused on getting his suit to look as good as possible that she barely heard when Magnus shouted in pain as she accidentally stabbed him with a needle.

"Ouch! My God woman, try not to kill me before tonight." Magnus grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"I'm sorry Your Highness." Tessa said automatically, slowing down her sewing a little bit. "I'm almost finished now. You can lower your arms, I just have to make your trouser legs a touch shorter, okay?"

"Couldn't you have made the suit perfect in the first place?" Magnus sneered down at her and she got to her knees to deal with the trousers. Tessa shut her eyes and took a deep breath before she started working again.

"Well it seems that you've been eating your greens Your Highness because your legs have grown since I made the suit the first time." Tessa muttered with a little smile, rolling her eyes.

Magnus scoffed and yanked his leg away, causing Tessa to fall forward slightly.

"Oh just leave the trousers! I can't believe you just talked to your Prince like that! If it weren't for you not having anywhere else to go I would fire you right here right now." Magnus yelled. Tessa wasn't scared anymore. She had been the first time Magnus had shouted, when she thought they were still friends. But she knew now. This was now a purely boss-staff relationship. She'd come to deal with that. Instead of looking remotely upset, Tessa just smiled sweetly and said,

"At least let me cut the hanging thread that's been left behind. I'd hate for you to trip in front of all of your possible suitors in the ballroom."

Magnus nodded after a moment and let her lean down to cut it off with a small pair of scissors. Afterwards, they both moved to the mirror and Tessa stood slightly behind as Magnus moved closer and straightened his lapels, smiling at himself.

"You look beautiful Your Highness." Tessa said, putting a hand on his shoulder. He jumped at the first contact, but soon relaxed.

"Thank you Tessa." He whispered in a small moment of vulnerability, which was rare, something Tessa felt like she hadn't seen in years. Then it was gone in a flash when he coughed loudly and smiled smugly. "But of course I do. I always do."

Tessa stumbled backwards as Magnus twirled away after his words. She watched him walk to the door to leave, but noticed that he faltered and his hand froze just before it touched the doorknob. Tessa realised that for the first time in forever, Magnus was nervous.

"Magnus," She went to him slowly and turned him to look him in the eyes. She smiled softly at him and it almost felt like they were children again, standing together as best friends. "when you're out there, just be yourself, relax and have fun. They're going to love you."

Magnus' golden eyes looked into her own and he almost looked scared for a split second. Then it went away and he smiled back at her, the most gentle smile she'd seen from him in a while. It was nice, and it felt warm and familiar to her.

"You may come down later if you'd like. To see William and James." Magnus said, pulling her in for a short and slightly awkward hug that to both of them seemed long overdue. "I know it's been a while since you have and I'm sorry for that."