Chapter Text
Once upon a time, a long, long ago… well, more like 20 years ago… Cinderella married Christopher Charming in front of 6,000 of their closest personal friends. Big cake.
Yeah, so instead of a honeymoon, King Charming and Queen Cinderella united all the kingdoms and got themselves elected rulers of the United States of Auradon. They believed in peace, harmony, and, of course, a perfect happily ever after.
But not everyone got their storybook ending.
After the coronation, the villains were brought back into life. Some sought redemption and earned a second chance, living among the people of Auradon. The rest were imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost, cut off from magic, surrounded by barrier spells, and left to face the consequences of their choices.
Even so, their children were never completely shut out. They could visit their parents and had the right to study at Auradon Prep, if invited.
But Wonderland? That was different.
When the Queen of Hearts refused to bow to Auradon and declared war, the Fairy Godmother sealed the rabbit hole. The entire realm locked away behind a magical barrier.
This is my hood.
No freedom. No way in. No way out.
… Or so I thought.
Hang on, you're about to meet us. But first, this happened.
The grand halls of Charming Castle gleamed under the morning sun, golden banners swaying gently in the breeze. The polished marble floors reflected the opulence of the chandeliers overhead, and the scent of fresh roses from the castle gardens drifted in through the open balcony doors. A faint melody of birdsong accompanied the rustling of the banners outside, blending seamlessly with the soft murmurs of the castle staff preparing for the historic event soon to come.
Inside the royal dressing chamber, Princess Chloe Charming stood tall, though her spine ached slightly from holding so still. The palace tailor circled her, occasionally tugging at a seam or muttering irritably under his breath. He was adjusting the elegant folds of her royal blue dress, his fingers a blur of precision, his mouth full of pins.
Chloe barely noticed. Her gaze was fixed on the mirror, not in vanity, but in wonder. The girl reflected back at her wore the weight of a kingdom.
The dress cascaded from her shoulders in layers of satin and silk, the fabric catching the morning light like ripples on water. Silver embroidery curled like vines along the bodice and hem, glinting softly with every breath she took. The neckline was graceful, sweeping into subtly off-the-shoulder sleeves that framed her collarbones like the top of a crown, drawing focus to her thoughtful brown eyes.
She looked like a queen.
She didn’t feel like one. Not yet.
Her chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, each breath a quiet reminder that the moment she had been raised for, prepared for, was no longer some distant future. It was here. Now. The realization coiled in her stomach like a knot she couldn’t quite untangle. She clenched her hands at her sides, fingers brushing against the smooth fabric of her skirt for reassurance.
The mirror caught the light as the sun shifted higher, spilling golden rays through the arched windows and across the polished floor. The chamber smelled faintly of lavender and fresh linen. Comforting scents, steadying ones.
But her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Beyond Auradon’s glittering spires and well-manicured gardens, beyond the horizon of safety and order, there were two places that tugged at her heart more than any celebration ever could.
The Isle of the Lost. And Wonderland.
She had seen the Isle with her own eyes—though its skies were often overcast and its streets worn, it was far from abandoned. Communities had formed, heard the music that thrived in rebellion, and the voices of kids who refused to be forgotten. Not villains. Just... survivors. Some had found their way into Auradon, into the world her parents had rebuilt. Hazel, her girlfriend, had been one of them.
But Wonderland? That was different.
Chloe had only ever known it through whispers, warped memories passed between students at Auradon Prep like bedtime stories that ended in blood. A land of impossible laws. Of madness. Of a tyrannical Queen. A kingdom sealed, locked away, forgotten by time.
But not by her.
She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts as the tailor grunted in annoyance.
“Your Highness, could you please stand still? It's making my job really hard,” he muttered, straightening a seam.
“Of course, sorry,” Chloe murmured, pulling her gaze back to the room and forcing her shoulders to relax. She offered a tight smile. The tailor didn't notice.
A sharp knock echoed through the chamber, breaking the quiet like a drop into still water.
“Your Majesties,” the steward’s voice announced. The doors swung open, and a moment later, her parents entered.
King Charming led the way, his white suit pristine, golden embroidery tracing regal patterns along the sleeves. The crown atop his head caught the morning light, a symbol of the legacy soon to pass to his daughter. Behind him, Cinderella glided across the marble floor with effortless elegance, her blue gown catching the breeze from the balcony, her silver necklace shimmering just like her tiara.
They paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of their daughter.
Christopher’s lips parted, his brows lifting ever so slightly, and for a heartbeat, he was no longer the king. Just a father seeing his little girl all grown up. He let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head.
"I don’t understand," he said softly, almost to himself. "How is it possible that you’re going to be crowned queen next month? You’re just a baby!"
Cinderella chuckled softly, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "She’s turning sixteen, dear."
“Exactly, too young!” the king gestured dramatically. “I didn’t make a decent decision until I was well into my thirties.”
Her wife turned to him with a raised brow, the corner of her mouth tugging into a knowing smile. “You proposed to me at twenty-one.”
He grinned. “You know I’m just kidding, right, my love?”
Chloe stifled a laugh, her stiff posture easing at the familiar rhythm of her parents’ banter. “Morning,” she said, her voice more relaxed now, warmed by the presence of the people who knew her best.
Before Christopher could reply, the chamber door flew open with far less ceremony.
Chad Charming sauntered in like he owned the place, an apple in one hand and his tourney jacket slung over his shoulder. His blond hair was slightly tousled, and his grin was the same one he'd worn since childhood—mischievous and annoyingly perfect.
“Well, well,” he drawled, chewing noisily as he leaned against the doorframe. His sharp blue eyes scanned the room before settling on Chloe. His smirk faltered for just a second. “My little sis is finally becoming Queen. Should I start bowing now, or just offer my services as your ever-loyal, incredibly handsome royal advisor?”
“Chad,” Cinderella warned lightly, though the twinkle in her eye betrayed her amusement.
“What? I’m being nice!” he said, holding up his hands as if innocent. “I mean, come on, she looks very… queenly. Very regal.”
The princess rolled her eyes, smirking. “Well, it’s not like you had to be here, brother. You could’ve kept the crown yourself.”
He snorted, pushing off the doorframe and strolling further into the room. “Nah, I think we all know I was never the ‘kingly’ type. Too much stress, too many meetings, and not nearly enough time for tourney practice. You, on the other hand, actually care about politics and stuff.”
Christopher gave a small shake of his head, but his eyes were gentle. “You would have made a fine king if you’d wanted it, son.”
Chad gave a crooked grin, tossing the apple core into the bin like he was scoring the final goal in a championship match. “Yeah, well, I like where I ended up. And Chloe’s going to do great—way better than me.”
Chloe tried to stay cool, but her heart gave a small flutter. She turned toward him with a playful eyeroll, masking how much his words meant. “Thanks, I guess.”
Christopher stepped forward, his expression softening as he reached out to smooth an invisible wrinkle from her suit. “You look incredible,” he said quietly. “Just like your mother did when we were crowned.”
Chad groaned loudly from behind them. “Not this story again—”
“I think she looks even better,” Cinderella interrupted, her voice proud and unwavering. She leaned in to press a kiss to her daughter’s cheek, the gesture grounding and warm.
Chloe inhaled slowly, willing herself to stay calm. Her palms were damp, and her heartbeat drummed louder in her ears. She glanced past them, to the mirror—where the girl staring back at her no longer looked unsure.
She looked like someone ready.
This was it.
She turned to face her parents fully, standing tall. “Mom. Dad.”
A pause.
Her voice was quiet, but it didn’t waver. “I’ve made my decision.”
The castle staff in the room—tailors, stewards, attendants—exchanged a glance, then began to retreat with silent bows, leaving the family alone in the chamber. The doors closed behind them with a hushed click .
The energy in the room shifted. The lightness faded. Christopher straightened. Cinderella’s hands folded in front of her. Chad’s grin faltered again, just slightly.
“For my first official proclamation,” Chloe continued, “I want to offer redemption to the children of Wonderland.”
Silence bloomed like a shadow, spreading fast.
No one moved.
Charming’s expression was unreadable, but the slight narrowing of his eyes revealed the storm brewing behind them. Cinderella’s lips parted, but no words came. Chad’s arms dropped slowly to his sides.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked finally. No teasing now. Just her brother, serious and steady.
Chloe met his gaze and nodded. "Yes. They never got a chance."
The king stepped forward, his tone carefully measured. “Dear, this isn’t the same as the Isle. Wonderland… was sealed for a reason. It’s dangerous. Unpredictable. We gave second chances to the villains here in Auradon, but Wonderland declared war . The Queen of Hearts—”
“—The Queen of Hearts isn’t the one I’m inviting,” Chloe interrupted, her voice calm but resolute. She didn’t flinch under his gaze. If anything, she leaned into it, willing him to see her conviction. “Her daughter is. And a few others. That’s all.”
Silence pressed at the edges of the room.
Cinderella’s brows drew together, her fingers absently twisting the folds of her skirt—a small, elegant motion that betrayed the storm brewing beneath her surface. She didn’t speak, but the concern in her eyes was loud enough. Chloe felt it settle in her chest like a weight, not oppressive, but heavy with love and fear.
“The Queen of Hearts tried to behead our family in front of the council,” her father said, softer now. Less king, more father.
“I know,” Chloe replied, her voice dropping with it. “But her daughter didn’t.”
She let the words hang for a moment, then continued, her tone gentler now. “None of them asked to be born there… behind locked doors and magical walls. None of them chose that story. And if we truly believe in second chances, shouldn’t we offer them one too?”
The air seemed to still.
Her father sighed, the sound weary, full of history and responsibility. He rubbed his chin with a slow hand, as though trying to work through the tangle of memory, fear, and hope all at once. A king’s mind wrestled with the past. A father’s heart weighed the future.
Across the room, Chad had grown unusually quiet. Gone was the smirking brother, the tourney champion always ready with a joke. Now, he just watched. His shoulders slack, arms crossed, a quiet observer to the shifting balance of power in their family.
The silence stretched until it felt like time itself was holding its breath.
Then, at last, Christopher exhaled. The sound was long, deliberate. Thoughtful. And as he looked at his daughter, something shifted behind his eyes. Now there was a softening, a spark of pride cutting through the doubt.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"I always knew you’d be a better ruler than I was," he said quietly, the words wrapped in warmth, not defeat.
Cinderella turned her gaze from her husband to her daughter, the lines of worry still etched into her face but beneath them, a quiet pride shimmered like silver beneath water. “This won’t be easy,” she said, her voice tinged with the kind of knowledge only a queen could have.
The princess squared her shoulders, chin lifted just slightly. She met their eyes, unflinching. “I know.”
From behind them, Chad let out a low whistle, the tension breaking with a flicker of his usual charm. “You’re gonna shake things up, huh?” he said with a grin, the glint returning to his blue eyes. “Nice.”
Chloe’s lips curved, but it wasn’t amusement that tugged at her, just a small, quiet satisfaction. A readiness. Her smile faded almost as quickly as it had come, her gaze drifting past them all, toward the open balcony where sunlight poured in across the marble floor
Beyond the castle’s gilded edges, past the safe borders of Auradon, lay a place the world had tried to forget.
Wonderland.
A kingdom wrapped in mystery, in madness, in shadows. Locked in time.
But not for much longer.