ACE OF SPADES ╱ descendants
*ੈ 🌹 ‧₊˚volume one ── movie one
──── ❛ ©𝓡𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑. ❜
⸝⸝ ʚ ! ⌗ °• 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, the people of auradon .ᐟ
˙ . ꒷ 🍰 . 𖦹˙— . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

      ﹒⌗﹒🌹﹒౨ৎ˚₊‧                   𝓕𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐍 was meant to be a celebration—vibrant decorations strung across the gardens, sweet treats and fountains at every turn, elegant banners flapping gently in the breeze. Music played in the background, and students roamed the lawn with their families, smiles and laughter blending with the sunshine.

      But for Elizabeth, days like this were layered. Pretty on the outside, prickly underneath.

      She stood near the edge of the food tables, watching Jay and Carlos excitedly approach the towering chocolate fountain like it was treasure. Jay, true to form, leaned forward and stuck his tongue straight into the stream of chocolate, eyes glinting with mischief. Carlos was bouncing beside him; his face lit with pure joy as he dipped strawberries and tried to keep from dropping them.

      On the other side of the table, Elizabeth dipped her own strawberry with far more care, her gaze lifting just in time to catch Jay's antics. Her nose crinkled in disgust.

      "Jay!" she exclaimed, stepping around the fountain with wide eyes and mock horror. "Ew!" She shoved his shoulder playfully, then grabbed his wrist as he reached for the nearest plate. "People actually eat from that, you know!"

     Jay just grinned, chocolate still smeared near his mouth. "Relax, Red. Builds character."

     Elizabeth hit his hand lightly. "No, it doesn't?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes and let go of Jay's wrist, brushing her hair back with a sigh. Her signature red heart barrette gleamed in the sun. "Gross," she muttered, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

      Just then, a voice called from the crowd. "Elizabeth! Come play!"

       She turned to see Ashlynn. Elizabeth's eyes brightened a little, grateful for the invitation, and she followed her friend out to the grassy lawn where croquet mallets waited. She wasn't particularly good at the game, but something about hitting balls with a stick while wearing pastel colors made her feel like she was passing for normal—at least for a little while.

      The laughter came easily as the group played, and for once, Elizabeth let herself forget who her mother was. She leaned into the joy, into Ashlynn's easy kindness, and the warmth of the afternoon. Her blue eyes glinted in the light; her cheeks flushed with genuine delight.

     And then Chad appeared.

      He strode across the lawn like a storm-cloud parting the sun. Tall, blonde, and always wound too tight, Chad's expression was a hard scowl, directed squarely at her. Elizabeth's laughter cut short, and so did Ashlynn's. "Elizabeth," Chad said, voice like gravel, "I need a word."

     She blinked, confused. "M–me?"

     "No, that frog over there. Yes, you," he snapped. "It's only a matter of time before you start stirring up trouble. Hanging around people like my sister—it's not a good look."

      Her spine straightened instinctively, heart hammering behind her ribs. "What are you talking about?" she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

      Chad folded his arms. "You're the Queen of Hearts' daughter. It's only a matter of time before you start yelling about beheadings or causing chaos like the rest of your little villain friends. Don't think you're fooling anyone."

      Elizabeth's expression froze, her face slowly draining of color. "I'm not—I haven't done anything wrong."

     "You don't have to yet," Chad said coldly. "It's in your blood."

     Ashlynn stepped in immediately. "Enough, Chad. You don't get to talk to her like that. Elizabeth's my friend—"

     "She's dangerous," Chad snapped. "You have no idea what she's capable of."

      The words hit harder than they should have. Elizabeth felt the burn behind her eyes, but she refused to cry—not here, not in front of Chad, not in front of everyone who had now turned to watch. Still, her voice trembled as she spoke.

     "Maybe you're right," she said softly. "I'm sorry."

     Ashlynn started to protest, but Elizabeth had already turned, her red skirts catching the wind as she hurried across the grass. Her heart thudded dully in her chest. She found herself near the edge of the garden, settling on a quiet bench tucked behind the rose hedges.

     The laughter and chatter from Family Day faded into the distance, replaced by the faint rustle of leaves and the tightness in her throat.

     She sat there, trying to steady her breathing, pressing her palms into her lap so they wouldn't shake. Every word Chad had said echoed in her mind like a curse.

     "Hey."

     The voice came a few moments later—warm, familiar, and undeniably teasing. She looked up to see Jay standing a few feet away, arms crossed and chocolate still faintly drying near his cheek.

     "You okay?" he asked, though his tone was soft this time. "You looked like you were about to explode someone with your mind back there."

     Elizabeth tried to laugh, but it came out more like a hiccup. "It's Chad," she murmured. "He said I'm just... waiting to cause problems. That I'm dangerous because of who my mom is."

     Jay let out a sharp breath and dropped down beside her. "Chad's a royal pain," he muttered. "He's afraid of anything he doesn't understand. Which is... most things, honestly."

     Elizabeth tilted her head toward him. "It's not just him. It's everyone, Jay. They smile at me, but I can feel what they're thinking. Like if I breathe the wrong way, they'll run."

     Jay was quiet for a beat. Then he reached over, lightly bumping her knee with his. "They're wrong. You're just... fierce. Smart. Honest. Maybe a little stubborn."

     Elizabeth gave him a sidelong look. "Only a little?"

     He grinned. "Okay, fine. A lot stubborn. But you're also kind. You didn't have to come yell at me about the chocolate fountain. That was public service."

     She let out a real laugh this time, the weight in her chest softening slightly.

     Jay's expression turned more thoughtful. "You know... you're not your mom. You get to choose who you are here. You've got friends. Me. Carlos. Mal. Evie. We've got your back."

     Elizabeth looked at him for a long moment. "You think I belong here?"

     Jay met her eyes. "I think you belong anywhere you decide to."

     Silence fell between them, but it wasn't heavy. It was calm. Safe. She looked down at her hands, then back at him. "Thanks, Jay."

     He nudged her shoulder again, his voice casual. "Anytime, Red."

     And in that moment, as the sun filtered through the hedges and laughter returned faintly on the breeze, Elizabeth felt the smallest shift inside her—like a door cracking open.