“We might not have magic flowers or magic potions or diamonds in the bayou,” said Princess Tiana. “But we have the best food, and we should be compensated fairly.”
Ben listened to every kingdom’s representative make their case, and then he spoke his piece: “Just as Auradon Prep has become open to taking more students from the Isle of the Lost, Auradon must remain open to trade between all our united kingdoms. Diamonds, potions, lotions, and beignets are equally important. Surely we can find a solution that would satisfy everyone here.”
The meeting continued, and eventually, all parties were satisfied by the trade agreement. Grumpy didn’t even look that grumpy in the end. Ben began to put his papers back into his folder and a few delegates began to leave the room when Aquata, Ariel’s oldest sister, who was representing Atlantica, came up to Ben, rolling her bathtub-like contraption forward. “Can I ask you something?” she said, looking worried and splashing a little.
“Of course, anything for a princess of the sea,” said Ben with a charming smile.
“We hear from our people that Uma has been seen underwater. She’s out there, free to wreak havoc and do whatever she wants.”
Ben brushed his hair off his forehead and nodded. “We are aware and have stepped up security. Genie mentioned seeing something near the Isle of the Lost that looked like it could have been a giant octopus. I’ll make sure to send more reinforcements to your area if she’s seen there,” he said, trying to sound reassuring.
“Thank you,” said Aquata, sounding a tad relieved. “It’s just, her mother…her mother almost destroyed my family.”
Ben nodded. “I’ll make sure everywhere on Auradon is safe, even underwater.”
“We’re not safe, not anywhere, as long as there’s a villain out there,” said Aquata, shuddering. “I heard you were going to let more of those people from the Isle come to Auradon. I hope that’s just a terrible rumor. Do say it isn’t true!”
“Actually, it is true,” said Ben. “We’d like to give more people a chance, especially the children, who are innocent. Everyone deserves a chance to be good, don’t you think?”
Aquata frowned, and her cheeks flushed. It was clear she did not agree. “I hope you know what you’re doing, for all of our sakes.”
Ben kept a diplomatic smile on his face. “My main priority, always, is the safety of everyone in Auradon. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Aquata splashed away in a huff, but Ben let it go. He knew it was an almost impossible task, to bring the people of the Isle and the people of Auradon together to live peacefully once more, but he had to keep trying. He had to unite his kingdom somehow. That’s what a king was meant to do.
ma and Hades faced each other. She crossed her arms, and Hades crossed his. He glared at her. She glared back. It was like they were looking into a mirror; they were both blue-haired villains with a score to settle against their enemies.
“Did I hear you right? Did you ask me if I still have my ember?” said Hades.
“Yes, or are you deaf from all this loud music?” said Uma. “Your ember. Do you have it or not?”
“Why do you ask?” he said imperiously.
“It could be useful,” she said, leaning against the wall of his cave as if she didn’t care a whit whether he still had it or not.
Hades frowned. His blue hair stuck up from his forehead like a rock star’s, but he had lines around his eyes. Like Uma’s mother, Ursula, he’d been on the Isle of the Lost for more than two decades. Uma thought that Hades’s life on the Isle of the Lost was probably not all that different from his former life in the Underworld—there was no sunlight down here either.
“Aren’t you tired of living underground?” she asked. “In this damp and dreary cave?”
“Is it any better up there?” he scoffed. “On Auradon?”
“You fool! You know it is! I was there! The place is a fairy-tale land!” she told him. “And we should be part of that fairy tale.”
Hades yawned. “I’m more of a myth guy.”
“Whatever you are, you’re not content here. How could you be?” said Uma. “You used to be a god! Don’t you guys live on nectar and honey?”
Hades sniffed. “We do have delicate constitutions. Not that you’d know anything about that, being an octopus.”
“Sea witch,” corrected Uma.
Hades looked suspicious. “By the way, how did you get in here?”
“There was a crack in the tunnel. A tiny one.”
“And you fit through it?”
Uma waggled her eyebrows. “I have my ways.”