Forgotten

Chapter 11- Cotillion (And the Rescue Attempt)

Evie somehow got me into a dress and got me into a limo to Cotillion. I was disgusted by the entire scene. It was too much pink, too many snooty princesses, and too much happiness. I stayed off to the side, ignoring photographers and people asking who I was. Mal was below deck, waiting to be announced.

A trumpet fanfare blared through the loud air. Lumiere stood at the top of the stairs.

"The Future Lady Mal."

Mal walked out, shivering. She smiled when Lumiere said something to her. Evie clapped for her, and the rest joined in. King Adam helped her down the stairs. Evie and I walked up to Mal. We led her toward her group.

Another trumpet fanfare blared, but this time filling the quiet air.

"King Benjamin!" Lumiere announced.

Ben bowed to Mal after he walked down the stairs. Mal bowed. Ben wasn't smiling.

"Mal, I wish I had time to explain..."

I gasped in disbelief when I saw Uma appear. Once she got to the bottom of the stairs, I hugged her tightly. I was surprised that she hugged me back. She was never one to allow touch, even from me. Occasionally a high-five, or a pat on the back, but that was as much as it went to. The hug assured me I was safe.

"I'm going to get you out of this wretched place," Uma assured me in a whisper.

Ben walked up to her. She looked like she was about to cry. Ben kissed the ring on Uma's finger. His ring. It was supposed to be Mal's. Ben walked up to Mal, holding Uma's hand. I was slightly confused by the entire scene.

"I'm sorry. It all happened so fast. Something happened to me when I was on the Isle with Uma. A connection," Ben admitted.

"What are you saying?" Mal asked.

"I'm saying-"

"It was love!" Uma gushed, grinning. "It was. I just—I realized how alike Ben and I are. You know?"

"We are," Ben whispered.

"Ben," Mal said. "Ben. Did you go back for her?"

"He didn't have to. I dove through the barrier before it closed, and I'm an excellent swimmer," Uma admitted.

"You are."

"Thank you." Uma giggled. She turned to her enemy. "Listen, Mal." Uma took Mal's hand in hers, making Mal freeze. "I just really want to thank you. I do. For everything." Uma hugged her.

"Don't you see, Mal? You were right! You knew that we weren't meant to be together. That's why you never told me that you loved me," Ben said, hitting a low blow.

Mal was speechless. Panic filled her eyes. She was losing him.

The two danced to the instrumental song of Kiss the Girl. I stood there. I didn't know what to do. Ben was in love with Uma. I closed my eyes. I smelled something, making me confused. I took another deep breath. Something was radiating off of Ben.

"Not too thrilled I risked my life for him," Carlos spat.

"Let's get out of here," Jay decided.

"Okay," Mal said immediately after.

Jane ran up to Lumiere. The music stopped, making us freeze.

"And now, for the unveiling of King Ben's masterpiece. Designed especially for his lady."

A glass picture was revealed. Mal looked beautiful, and they captured how she looked to him: beautiful. Ben wouldn't show this now if he was truly with Uma. Something was wrong with Ben, and it had all to do with Uma.

"Cover that back up!" Uma demanded.

"I will not," Lumiere refused.

"Uma," I whispered, worried she would blow her cover.

"Um... Why don't you show everyone the present you have for me, Ben?" Uma suggested, recovering from her fury.

"I have an announcement!" Ben exclaimed. "Uma will be joining the court tonight as my lady."

"Son-"

"Not now, Dad," Ben roared, startling even me. "So as my gift to her, I'm bringing down the barrier once and for all. Fairy Godmother. Bring down the barrier."

"I most certainly will not," Fairy Godmother said, shaking her head.

"I am your king!"

"Obey him!"

The smell was finally clear to me. I kept it hidden, sure that someone would realize.

"Ben," Mal said, catching his attention. "Ben." Mal walked up to him. "Look at me."

"No, look at me," Uma insisted. "Look at me. You love me, remember?"

"No, you don't."

"Yes, you do!"

"Ben, look at me," Mal insisted.

"Bring down the barrier now!" Uma snapped.

"I do not take orders from you," Fairy Godmother snapped.

"Cool it," I mumbled to her as I walked over to her.

"Ben, I never told you that I loved you because I thought I wasn't good enough. And I thought that it was only a matter of time that you realized that yourself. But Ben, that's me. I'm part Isle and part Auradon."

"Ben, eyes over here."

"And ben, you've always known what we were and who we can be."

"Don't listen to her."

"Ben, I know what love feels like now." Mal smiled. "Of course I love you. Ben, I've always loved you." Mal kissed him sweetly.

I felt something shatter. The spell had been broken. The spark in Ben's eyes returned.

Ben smiled. "Mal?"

"True love's kiss," Evie said, looking at me.

"Works every time," we finished.

Uma had had enough. "Ugh! Give it to me!"

"Guards! Seize her!" Fairy Godmother screamed.

Uma pinned herself against the railing. I ran over to her. People were about to grab her. I made a ring of blue fire, something I didn't know I could do. The guests gasped, inching back from the fire slowly as if it would move toward them.

"Touch her and see what happens," I threatened.

Mal stepped forward. "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."

Uma's necklace glowed. She grinned, hopped over the railing and into the water.