-Five Months Till Descendants 3-
Brielle POV
Today is going to be interesting.
There's a council meeting, right? Well, it's not just any council meeting, it's the first council meeting that Harry and Mal are sitting in to watch. They won't be interacting they'll just be observing but knowing one of the council members it'll be more painstaking than it has to.
Yeah... Queen Leah is part of the council and a huge pain in my royal rear already, it'll be so much worse today because of Mal and Harry's presence but don't worry I'm prepared.
I already have the rebuttals and insults locked and loaded if anyone tries to go for Harry. It's important for Harry and Mal to understand how this job works, especially because if something were to happen to me I have Harry down as my immediate replacement for my royal duties and decisions, including council meetings.
I walked over to pick up Harry at his dorm, I told him to basically wear something along the lines of what Ben normally wears just the Harry version of it. I myself am wearing a dark red blazer and matching dress pants with my hair pulled back into a tight bun. I always wear this sort of thing to council meetings, makes them take me more seriously.
Once I made it to Harry's dorm I quickly knocked on the door as we had to be very on time. A few seconds later Harry came out of his room wearing a dark red suit, matching me quite well actually. He had fixed his hair and cleaned up his eyeliner job, looking like his polished prince part of his self,
"Well well well, Lord Harry is looking rather dashing at the moment~"
I sang with a smile as he closed the door behind him. Harry turned back to me once the door was locked and smiled,
"Am I lookin' the part darlin'? Ye sure do I'm sure, I like the suit by the way"
He said as he looked up and down my figure. I giggled and nodded,
"You are looking the part seeing as we are dressed very similarly, and thank you"
Harry gave me his arm and we began the walk to the council meeting room, my binder of notes and pen in tow in my other hand,
"Yeh, the only huge difference is the shoes and if ya think I can successfully walk in heels like that I hate ya disappoint ya darlin'"
I giggled and nodded some as yeah, the heels I'm wearing right now are killer and do butcher my feet, however, they're pretty and I'll be sitting most of the time so I'm sure I'll be fine.
We got to the meeting room and waltzed right on in while everyone else was pouring in. Mal was clinging onto Ben with jolting eyes, Harry staying calm and allowing his eyes to scan and wander.
I went ahead and did as I always do, whilst everyone else stands and chats before the meeting starts I sit down and get my thoughts and notes in order. So, of course, I sat down and Harry sat directly beside me. Ben would sit on my other side with Mal at his side when the time comes. I opened up my notebook and scanned my notes, Harry peeking over my shoulder while I did and reading with me,
"Ye write like yer from the 1800's"
He muttered with a little giggle. I do use intricate wording and I do have nice cursive so I understood. I chuckled and added to my notes a little,
"Queen Brielle"
A painfully proper voice spoke from behind me. I looked over to Harry with a very over it expression before standing and turning around, putting on a fake smile to face the one and only Queen Leah. She's one of the only other Queens on the council. My mom and dad are also part of the council but don't come to meetings often to hinder Ben or I,
"Queen Leah"
I said simply with a neutral tone. She did a head nod and tried to peek at my notes, however, it's like Harry can read my mind because he stood up and blocked the notes from her view and stood next to me. Queen Leah looked at him with a raised brow,
"Lord Harry"
She said simply, obviously a little annoyed that she has to address him as my lord. I internally cackled at how uncomfortable she suddenly got. You can just tell her skin was crawling and it was hilarious,
"Leah"
He simply said back, a stealthy shot back as he sensed her disgust in her tone. A smirk tugged at my lips some whilst Queen Leah continued,
"Your highness, I was wondering if we'd be discussing the trade affairs this meeting?"
I cracked a smile and shook my head,
"No, that'll be next week. This week we'll be discussing the VK program and Isle border affairs"
Harry jumped to attention as I spoke, looking over to me and having to contain his excitement. Queen Leah however sunk, not that I care. She can suck it, its my kingdom we'll talk about what I want in the meetings,
"We spoke of that last week"
"Yes we did, and you didn't show so now we get to do it again and more as I've had more ideas since the last meeting. I'm also thinking of eliminating the way to see the schedule of each meeting before the actual meeting so we won't have any members believing that they are entitled to skip out on certain meetings due to the topic"
I sweetly spoke, I know when I'm being slightly bitchy that I have to do it whilst sounding sweet it's just how you get away with it. Queen Leah chuckled some whilst looking more uncomfortable,
"Well I outta get to my seat"
Queen Leah said to get away from the conversation. I nodded to her to dismiss her so she would leave us alone,
"You do that"
I muttered at her while she walked away spitefully. I then gently grabbed Harry's lower arm to guide him around to sit down again,
"Royal prick"
Harry muttered just loud enough for me to hear. I chuckled, of course, I just love how we're always on the same page like that.
Third Person
Everyone settled down and the meeting started, Ben and Brielle were sat down beside each other and sorting papers out while Mal and Harry were peeking over their shoulders to see what Brielle and Ben were doing,
"Alright everyone, settle down"
Ben announced. Everyone sat down and hushed as the two royal twins began the meeting,
"Today, most importantly we have to go over the VK program. And I know, you're sick of hearing me say this but I won't stop mentioning it until we get a solid answer. I've reviewed who has officially read my last document regarding this program and we have one individual who hasn't read it and is holding us back from that progression. Queen Leah?"
Brielle calmly but loudly spoke, everyone turned to Queen Leah who seemed to be taken aback at her being called out so early on in the meeting,
"Why I have other things to do"
Queen Leah replied, the two VKs in the conversation were extremely offended at her disinterest, but Brielle was their voice because they weren't supposed to talk as they were simply shadowing,
"And the freedom of hundreds if not thousands of starving children and adolescents isn't part of your top priorities?"
Harry had to contain a smile as Brielle quickly fired back Queen Leah's excuses,
"I'm sure they'll be fine for a few more months until we're more ready, Auradon doesn't need more responsibilities until our foreign trade deals are finalized. Besides, we settled on five"
Mal and Harry in unison looked back to Brielle, ready for her comeback,
"So here's the great thing about having twins as King and Queen, that is his job and he's still doing that while I'm working on the VK program so both are happening at the same time so that's not a good excuse. If you want to skip the reading then feel free to just sign the document already. Not to mention, I asked for ten. I will not have that number cut in half, the more the merrier, and I will not be humiliated by having my number cut in half"
Queen Leah sighed and threw her hands up in the air,
"We don't need any more of those children, we have two of them in the room right now and they have caused plenty of trouble-"
Brielle brought one hand up onto the table and held it at Queen Leah, her palm open at first before snapping it shut, the sign for Queen Leah to stop talking. Queen Leah scoffed and stopped talking, shaking her head as she did so but Brielle paid no mind, turning to the rest of the council,
"Princess Cinderella, what are your thoughts on the VK papers I've written?"
Princess Cinderella was new to the council, personally invited into the council by Brielle herself as she knows the princess is smart as any other, and because she was raised by a villain it gives her a completely different perspective. Cinderella smiled and flipped through the pages of the papers she had in front of her,
"I think they are really well thought out, I especially love the passage in which you mention that bloodlines and heritage do not create evil, its personal choices and circumstances. You know, the only reason my two stepsisters are the way that they are is because of their mother, that crooked old woman is the source of the problem. Not even they can be blamed for that however they chose to obey in the ways of evil, so I really like how you included that. You hit the nail right on the head"
Brielle smiled and nodded, another one of the council members lifted their hand from the table some to signal that he wanted to speak. This council member was Aladdin who rarely came to the meetings in person however was able to due to the important matter. Brielle nodded to him in approval to speak,
"I think we should base this decision on how the current VKs have adapted, and if we look across the table there we have two very polished individuals from the Isle. I just think as long as they have plenty of guidance then we'll be alright, especially with you two here you could totally help future VKs adapt"
Aladdin mentioned in reference to Harry and Mal. Mal got a little freaked out as she's not one to do that sort of thing but Harry loved that idea. He could see it now, being able to boss around his sisters when they get here for the sake of teaching them the Auradon way of things. He smiled a little at the thought, a gentle nudge snapped him out of his daydreaming,
"Lord Harry, Lady Mal, what would you two do to help the new VKs integrate easily into Auradon Prep?"
Cinderella kindly asked, Mal blanked but Harry is a natural talker so he simply let the answer roll off his tongue,
"Ah well one of the big problems I had when I first got 'ere was the privilege some thought they had over us. By this I mean we were provoked and purposely targeted for harassment because some students thought it would be easy to put the blame on us for being who we are. So ultimately, I would love ta assure that doesn't happen to anyone else. If I had it my way I'd assign one Isle kid to one able Auradon kid so they'd have someone to learn from straight off the bat. That's how I learned, I stuck with Queen Brielle as much as I could and took in everything she did and said to teach me how ta adapt and 'ere we are, I can confidently say that worked out well"
The nice and kind council members chuckled at Harry's reply and longing gaze at Brielle who joined in the light laughter. Queen Leah raised her hand again, Brielle reluctantly nodding to her to permit her to speak but ready to cut her off again,
"What about the daughter of Ursula who has escaped and is at sea as we speak? Hm?"
Brielle sat up straighter with a ready answer,
"We have guards lining the coast on lookout 24/7, if anything were to happen we are very prepared. Also, I will say, we have an equal force to Uma sitting at this table as we speak so I'm not worried"
Brielle glanced over to Mal and winked, easing her some from her anxiety of being here. Then the bell rang, indicating that their meeting had come to an end. Ben stopped everyone from getting up too fast,
"Before you all go, I want you all to read over Brielle's proposed proclamation even if you have read it already and seriously consider the benefits for our entire kingdom to upping the number from five closer to ten. Keep in mind that doing so would allow us to keep more families together and bring pairs of siblings rather than simply individuals by themselves"
Ben quickly said as he and Brielle stood up. Brielle nodded to him as he spoke, appreciating the extra back up. Once he was done speaking Brielle took over,
"Thank you for your time and cooperation, next meeting I expect to finish the VK program and if we don't then well, I'll simply call for an extra meeting or two until we do. Farewell"
With that everyone got up and began mingling some as they walked out. Brielle sorted her papers while Harry stood up,
"Well, that was intriguing"
Harry said once he got up, ruffling his hair as he had been dying to mess it up again aver since he styled it. Brielle chuckled and picked up her things in one arm and took Harry's arm with the other,
"Yeah? Welcome to that, it's not terribly hard as long as you pay attention and have all of your points together in an organized manner. It's just one big conversation, besides you jumped in like a natural so I'm sure you'd be alright if you had to take my place"
Brielle casually spoke as they walked out. Harry paused for a second, furrowing his brow and wondering what Brielle meant,
"What do ya mean if I had ta take yer place?"
Brielle paused too as she slipped up some, not exactly wanting to reveal to Harry that she has him down as her replacement if something were to happen to her when it comes to royal duties and even council meetings,
"Well Har, I have you down as my replacement in case something were to happen to me. You'd essentially take my place if I were unable to do my job as Queen. I wasn't planning on telling you that so soon but here we are"
Brielle muttered. Harry came to a screeching halt in the middle of the hallway and turned to Brielle with wide eyes,
"Wha? I'd take yer place? I could never, not ta mention what on earth could happen ta ya?"
Harry said, sounding more scared about something happening to Brielle part than anything. Brielle shrugged and smiled some,
"You never know Har, it's better to be prepared and to not need to be so prepared than not prepared at all. Besides, I trust that you'd make the right decisions for me, that's not a plan for my death after all silly goose"
She said with a light laugh as he had even drained of all color. His fear of losing Brielle in any way is a deep one. It all started all those nights ago when he had the nightmare where he hooked her, ever since then he's been very sensitive on that topic. Harry gently grabbed Brielle's shoulders and leaned down to be more at her level,
"I am never, ever ever ever ever going ta let anything happen ta ya where we'd need that. I love that ya trust me with that responsibility, but before that it's my responsibility ta protect ya to the best of my abilities"
Brielle softened out of her business professional mindset and softly smiled at Harry as she did know he would always try his hardest to protect her if he had to, even if he had to sacrifice himself for her. She slowly put her hand up to his cheek and brushed his face with her thumb and simply looked at him for a second,
"I know, it's just a just in case measure. Doesn't mean we'll ever have to use it alright Har? No need to fret your precious mind"
She softly whispered, definitely putting Harry's mind at ease with her reassuring words. Without any further verbal words, Harry pulled Brielle into his arms and tightly held her, in his mind he didn't want to let go for a single second as now the thought was in his mind. However, the sound of Brielle gasping for air again snapped him out of it and quickly loosened his grip, forgetting how strong he is for a second. Brielle giggled and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck,
"Hercules needs to learn how strong he really is"
Brielle said as she giggled, her laughter calming Harry's nerves almost all the way back down to normal. He took a deep breath as an attempt to lull himself further. Brielle felt his tenseness and used one hand to lightly brush the back of his head and play with his hair some.
Once she felt him relax further she pulled her head away from his chest to look up at him. He looked far better than before as well, a pleasing and relieving sight for Brielle as she hates it when he spirals. She just hates being him so upset, so she always tries to stop a spiral before it starts to save Harry from the mental torture of it. She moved one hand to his cheek again and cupped his jaw at the same time,
"Now, I don't know about you but I'm very over wearing what I'm wearing right now and would love to just get out of it"
Harry being as clever as he is had a response within seconds,
"Well then, let's go get ya out of yer clothes then~"
He purred, immediately lighting Brielle's face up in blush right as he scooped her up off the ground and carried her to her room, a squeak coming from Brielle's lips as she was swept off the ground, but giggled right after. Brielle rested her head on Harry's chest as he escorted her to her room, taking occasional long glances up at him to simply adore who she loves so much.
A/N
Hiya! Woah look at me posting at a normal hour my time, what a concept XD You may or may not have noticed the considerable time gap in between this chapter and the last, why is that? Because I'm getting over-excited about D3 and wanna write it already XD
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, this one was our first actual serious one I feel. The others have just been so fluffy :3
Also, we just hit 40k views on this book... this is crazy y'all 0_0 Thank you all so much I don't even know what to say anymore its just crazy to me, thank you all for your kind words and support ^-^
I just want to say this now, I promise D3 will be super worth the wait :D How did you like this chapter? I know it was a little more serious so that's lowkey why I'm asking just cause we haven't had serious scenes in a while XD So how do you like it?
Remember to stay hydrated and to be kind to yourself today :D
-Brooke