XLIII: Ben's gift
(A little "filler" before the big fight and song comes on)
Before the group could depart from the area, Jane hurried up the stairs towards Lumiere. Carlos had his hand on Priscilla's lower back as they moved away from Ben and Uma. Just as Jay and Mal were about to pass Beast and Belle, Beast halted Mal's progress by calling her name. Belle extended her hand towards the young girl and spoke gently, "Honey, we're so sorry. We had no idea."
"I'm gonna talk to him" Beast Promised
"Lumiere, unveil the gift. They need to see it!" Priscilla heard Jane rush out. A spotlight beamed at Lumiere, interrupting Ben and Uma's moment. Everyone on the stairs halted their steps as Lumiere addressed them, saying, "And now for the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece designed especially for his Lady" Lumiere gestured towards Mal, and the fanfare played their instruments once more
Everyone turned their attention to the opposite side of the boat. The blue curtain that had concealed Mal's gift from Ben gracefully descended, revealing a glass painting of Mal and Ben. Gasps of amazement filled the air, followed by enthusiastic applause. Mal was left utterly stunned when she laid eyes on the gift
Ben looked at the painting and took a few steps forward, engrossed in the painting
"Ben did that?" Mal inquired, her voice tinged with surprise. Priscilla smiled at the way she asked the question. "Yeah, he did," Evie responded
"It's what he's been hiding from you," Priscilla confessed, acknowledging that she was aware of the gift all along. She smiled at Mal and watched as she descended a few steps, her gaze still fixed on the glass painting. "Evie," Mal sighed, her eyes locked onto the artwork, "Ben's known who I was all along."
"He loves the real you, M"
"A true love"
"Yeah"
"Told you," Carlos teased, earning a playful slap on the chest from Priscilla as Mal laughed
The atmosphere took a sour turn when Uma turned around with an angry glare, directing her frustration at Lumiere. "Cover that back up!" She barked loudly at the man, who defiantly retorted, "I will not!" This exchange drew the attention of everyone present, and whispers rippled through the crowd.
Uma stammered for a moment as she sensed the disapproval around her. She then shifted her gaze to Ben and, with a forced smile and gritted teeth, suggested, "Uh, why don't you tell everyone the present you have for me, Ben?" She maintained her facade from before
Ben looked at Uma, "I have an announcement!" Ben said loudly, Priscilla stepped forward ready to stand on her ground. If Ben had any announcements, he would've gone to her first to get her approval on anything whether she liked it or not, she had to deal with that since the day she became his royal advisor. She just needed confirmation of what she thought was true earlier when she whispered in Carlos' ear
A heavy silence fell over the crowd as Ben's words echoed through the boat. Ben's dad removed his glasses, and all eyes were fixed on the young king. "Uma will be joining the court tonight as my Lady," Ben declared, his voice carrying through the room
Beast stepped forward, positioning himself beside Priscilla. He began, "Son..." but was interrupted when Ben firmly yelled, "Now now, Dad!"
And there it was. Her confirmation.
Adam (Beast) cast a perplexed glance at Ben, bewildered by his sudden outburst, while the gathered crowd gasped in response. Priscilla exchanged a knowing look with Carlos. Ben stumbled over his words before he continued, "Uh, so as my gift to her, I'm bringing down the barrier once and for all!"
The crowd around Ben gasped once again but loudly at the idea. Fairy godmother looked at Adam first shocked, her gaze went to Priscilla. Fairy Godmother saw the girl shake her head as she continued to look at both Ben and Uma. Adam puts on his glasses back on his face, in disbelief
Ben pointed at Fairy Godmother with his hand and called her name. She looked back at him, her eyes wide as ever "Bring down the barrier" Ben ordered calmly
"I most certainly not!" Fairy Godmother said almost immediately, she looked back at Priscilla now seeing her shake her head right at her. Telling her not to, "I am your king!" Yelled Ben once again
"Obey him," Uma said right after
Priscilla turned to Mal and Evie, grabbing the purplenette's arm getting their attention away from Ben to her. She saw their faces, she guessed they probably caught on "Uma spelled Ben. I knew it right as she stepped foot onto this boat. His screaming at his dad and Fairy Godmother was just the exact confirmation I needed, we all know he would never do that" Priscilla spoke rapidly at the two girls "Do what you can with that. Fast" With that she moved towards Fairy godmother both Ben and Uma's gaze was now on her
"She doesn't do anything you say until I approve so" Priscilla spoke firmly, holding Fairy Godmother back. She took a step further to the duo "Ben himself knows that" Priscilla glared at Uma, she then looked at Mal, her eyes telling the girl to do something and that's what Mal does. The Lady of the court began to step forward to the two of them calling Ben's name
Both their attention went to Mal "Ben. Look at me" She said right as she was in front of the boy, her eyes staying on him "No. Look at me" Uma ordered, Ben eyes went to the turquoise girl "You love me, remember?"
"No you don't" Mal shook her head
"Yes, you do!"
"Ben, look at me" Mal tries again getting his attention, Uma looks back at Fairy Godmother and Priscilla "Bring down the barrier now!"
"We don't take orders from you, Uma," Priscilla said going towards her but Fairy Godmother was quick to stop her before Priscilla could do anything. Uma turned back to Ben "Ben?" She said with gritted teeth
"Ben, I never told you that I loved you because I thought that I wasn't good enough and I thought that it was only a matter of time before you realized that yourself"
"Please" Mutters Uma with an eye roll
"But, Ben, that's me!" Mal gestures to the painting behind him, Ben staying silent as he turns to the painting "I'm part Isle and part Auradon"
"Ben, eyes over here" Uma tried, she got his attention for a split second before Mal kept going "And Ben, you've always known who we were and who we can be"
"Don't listen to her"
"Ben, I know what love feels like now. Ben, of course I love you" Mal's hands were cupped in between them as she slowly reached for his face "Ben, I've always loved you" Mal leaned in pressing her lips against Ben's, everyone awed at them as Uma in the other hand looked shocked. Priscilla pouted at the cute scene as Evie had her interlocked hands under her chin. Mal slowly leaned back from the kiss looking back at Ben hoping that the kiss had worked
Priscilla smiled once she saw Ben grow a smile of his own, knowing that she had her Ben back "Mal" He said quietly, Mal laughed in relief, and the two leaned their foreheads together
"True love's kiss. Works every time" Evie muttered to herself. Priscilla nudged Evie's shoulder as she heard her. The moment was ruined by Uma suddenly turning to Fairy Godmother with an outstretched arm "Ugh, give it to me!" The sudden burst from her left some people screaming
"No! Guards, seize her!" Fairy godmother yelled as Priscilla got in between them and tried to push Uma back from the woman
Uma glared at her before turning around to the railing, and making a run for it "No! No! Stop, please! Stop!" Mal begged as everyone ran towards Uma, trapping her in between them and the ocean. The girl turned around and faced Mal, her hands on the poll and railing
Mal had her hand reached towards Uma, "Uma, I know you. You are so much more than just a villain and you have to believe me, because I've been there. Do not let your pride get in the way of something that you really want"
The suspense rises as Uma stays quiet, suddenly Uma's shell necklace starts to glow. The girl looked down at it and then back to Mal, who still had her hand out waiting for a response. Mal nodded her head as she slowly approached Uma with a slight smile thinking that Uma would listen to her
Then out of nowhere Uma turns around and starts to climb the railings "No, No! Uma!" Everyone ran to the railing as she fell into the dark waters. Everyone's mouths dropped and waited for any movement from the girl in the water as they watched the glowing necklace slowly sink down
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