Hey guys! I'm finally back. It took me a little while to get this chapter done, but it's finally done. Updates in this story are going to be a little slower than my last story so please bare with me.

if you haven't read the prequel to this please go check it out. It's called "Uncovered".

please be sure to follow, favorite, and review. I love reading your reviews. I take into account every opinion, suggestion and thought you leave me. I might even answer any question you have. Thanks for reading...

MAL

It has been a little more than a month since Ben proposed. We have had an amazing time in the palace. I not that afraid of water anymore, but I have to admit that I prefer the pool over the beach. We haven't spent that much time outside. We are up no earlier than noon and probably back in his room right after dinner. I haven't told anyone about our engagement, not even Evie. Ben promised he would tell his parents before the school year began, but he still hasn't gotten around to it and we only have a little over a week left before we go back.

I've gotten used to having both rings in my finger, but I couldn't stop touching and looking at it until now. I've also gotten used to gossip. It's not as upsetting because this gossip is mostly speculation and pictures of us walking down the street. It's not as personal or as intense as it was this past school year. Ben practically forbid me to look at magazines and gossip sites anyways, so I don't even know what they're saying and honestly I don't care.

I wake up when I feel the cold sheets on my face. I'm used to Ben's heat when I sleep. Even in the scorching summer heat, I'm more comfortable that way, but the cold on my cheek makes me feel insecure. Whenever I sleep alone the nightmares flood in. It's always the same. I am falling from a large stone pillar into some intimidating waves. It stops when I'm with Ben. Back in summer school, I could barely sleep at all. One day Fairy Godmother asked why I was always so tired, but I lied and said it was weird not having Evie in the room. I don't think she bought it, but she never brought it up again.

My eyes flutter open and I can see Ben's side of the bed empty. I get up slowly and walk to the bathroom, but he's not there. He's nowhere to be found. I reach for my phone to check my messages when the front door opens.

"You're awake" he walks in and gives me a peck on the lips.

"Couldn't sleep" I explain.

"The nightmare again?" He asks concerned.

"Yeah" I push a strand of hair out of my face.

"Your okay" he wraps his arm around me and plants a kiss on the top of my head.

"I know" I whisper, "I know because I'm here with you". "Why are you up so early?" I change the subject.

"Oh right" he steps away but he's still holding my hands. "I have an exciting surprise"

"the last time you you said that we got engaged" I raise an eyebrow, "so this better be damn good if you want me to be surprised".

"Believe me" he laughs, "I'm afraid you'll like this one more than our engagement".

"I don't think that's possible" I cross my arms.

"We'll see" he walks towards his office, "I have some paperwork to do, but come get me when you get dressed".

"Uhhh" I complain jokingly, "i was hoping this surprise didn't involve clothes".

"Of course you were" he smiles, "Go. Your going to be pretty excited".

He leaves the room and I go into the bathroom. I brush my teeth and wash my face before changing into a purple dress and applying sunscreen, lots and lots of sunscreen. A couple of weeks ago I told Ben I didn't need sunscreen and got pretty sunburned, so now I put on sunscreen all the time. When I'm done I put on both rings and go straight to Ben's office. He has been taking care of his royal duties, but he doesn't have to do everything yet. Even though he's the king, he's only sixteen so his parents still take care of a few things.

"So what's this big surprise?" I cross my arms and lean against the door.

He checks his watch and then his phone before answering. "Your just in time" he stands in and pulls me out of the room by my hand. We go down a couple of stairs and end up in the foyer.

"What's going on?" I question as we stand at the entrance.

"Just wait a second" he says and now I'm annoyed. Why can't he just tell me what's going on. He's so stubborn sometime. Then I hear it.

"Please be careful with those. The fabric is very delicate and I don't want them wrinkled" a familiar voice says as a blue head of hairs appears over the shrubs. A smile forms on my face and I can feel the excitement building up inside me.

"Of course" the palace servant said kindly.

"Thank you" I hear and Evie appears in front of me. Her eyes light up and I know my eyes do the same. She lets out a shriek and runs towards me. He collide into a huge embrace and burst out laughing. We stand there hugging for a long time before we finally break apart.

"I can't believe your here!" I exclaim with a large smile.

"Look at you" she points out, "last time I saw you you couldn't even shower without help"

"Well I'm back to normal" I laugh and hug her again. When we separate she stares at my hand. Shit. I haven't told anyone that Ben proposed. She's probably mad I didn't tell her right away. Her face fills with curiosity, but she doesn't ask any questions about the ring.

"So what are you doing here?" I ask breaking the tension.

"Ben invited me to spend the last week of summer here with you" she explains but I don't believe her.

"What's the catch?" I turn back to Ben.

"Fine" he throws his hands up in defeat. He knows not to lie to me by now. "I'm going back to the castle for a couple of days and..."

"And you didn't think I'm capable of being alone yet" I finish and narrow my eyes, "or maybe you thought that I wouldn't get mad at you if Evie was her"

"Did it work" he says with a cheeky smile,

I scrunch my nose and cross my arms. "A little bit" I admit and we all laugh. A limo honks and Ben pulls me away from Evie.

"I have to go" he says holding my hands, "I'll be back the day after tomorrow"

"Wait" I frown, "you're leaving right now?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. If something happens or you can't sleep just cal me" his hands move to my shoulders, "I'll be here in a heartbeat".

"I'll be fine" I reassure him.

"I love you" he smiles.

"I love you too" I respond and he pulls me into a kiss. It's soft and slow, but it doesn't last very long. He waves goodbye as he gets on the limo and I watch it drive away until I can't see it anymore.

I take a deep breath before turning around. There's no way of avoiding the topic now that it's just us. Evie stands a few feet back with her arms crossed and and eyebrow raised.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" She asks "anything at all?"

"Not really" I try lying and shake my head.

"So Ben hasn't asked you anything recently?" She asks trying to get me to budge.

"He's asked me loads of things" I walk past her and into the castle.

"Really Mal?" She follows me. Her heels clicking on the marble floor. "You're not going to say anything at all?". I take a deep breath before I speak.

"Ben" I struggle to finish, "proposed". I shrug and Evie lets out a loud excited scream. She runs up to me and hugs me again. I think she's more excited than I was.

"And when were you going to tell me" she's serious now.

"Up you can't tell anyone Evie" my eyes widen, "I'm serious. Ben hasn't even told his parents yet".

"Wait you're not pregnant are you?" She reaches for my stomach and I smack her hands off.

"No!" I raise my voice and she smiles and bounces with excitement.

"I can't believe he proposed" I roll my eyes, "you're going to be the queen".

I'm going to be the queen. Mal, daughter of the mistress of evil, queen of Auradon. I obviously knew it was going to happen, but hearing her say it aloud makes it seem real for the first time.

"So when's the wedding" she notices I have faded into my own thoughts.

"We're not sure" I say still shocked, "we agreed on waiting until we finish school. So at least a year I guess"

"Can I design your dress?" She's way too excited for her own good.

"Wow" I stop walking, "no puffy, preppy, long white dress for me"

"Mal" her excitement fades a little, "you're getting married to the king. You're going to have to hear a white dress".

"Fine you can design it" i say through my teeth, "but only if you'll be my maid of honor?"

Her eyes widen and when she shrieks and bounces in excitement again I regret asking her in the first place. This is going to be a long week.