Chapter Text
Nerissa stood still while the seamstress smoothed out any wrinkles on her coronation outfit. She checked the jewelry around the Princess's horns. A reminder of her father's curse, passed down to all his children.
“Oh~ you look amazing, honey.” her mother gushed.
“Thank you, Mommy.” Nerissa said.
“It really suits you. Your sisters will be proud when they see you.” her father noted.
“They'll be here for the ceremony, right?” Nerissa asked.
Both her parents nodded and smiled at her.
“We're just happy one of you finally said yes. Your father was beginning to worry he'd have to pull old traditions on your brother.”
“Well you don't have to worry. Your reputation is safe for now, Father.” Nerissa joked.
“So as the future leader of Auradon, what’s your first official proclamation?” Her father asked after chuckling.
“…It's a program. For the children on the Isle of the Lost…”
Her parents looked at each other with concern, then back at her.
“Everytime I look out to that island, I feel like we’ve abandoned them with no regard.” Nerissa sombered.
“That’s sort of the point.” her father mumbled.
“What are the details of this program?” her mother asked.
“I want to bring over a couple of them and give them a chance to live in our society. A sort of probation you could say. And if it's a success, I'll bring more over.” she explained.
“Do you already have candidates picked out?”
Nerissa nodded.
“Who are they?”
“The son of Cruella de Vil. The child of Jafar. The daughter of the Evil Queen.” Nerissa stalled.
Her parents waited in anticipation. Nerissa breathed out and swallowed the lump in her throat.
“…And the daughter of Maleficent.” Nerissa finished.
“Maleficent!?” her father yelled.
“These are their children I'm talking about. They've done nothing wrong, haven't they suffered enough?” Nerissa asked her parents.
Her mother placed her hands on top of her father's to help him calm down.
“You know she's right, Malphis.”
He rubbed his forehead with his other hand and sighed before giving his answer.
“Fine. But they’re your responsibility, anything that happens while they're here will fall on your shoulders.”
“Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You won't regret this, I promise!” Nerissa said.
She hugged her parents then ran out of the room before the servants could help her out of her suit. They looked over at the king and queen who waved them away from their duties. They left the room which allowed the parents to process what just transpired.
“I'm not thrilled with the idea.”
“We're in the same boat. Still, we must trust our daughter's judgment. She's going to be the future leader, afterall.”
“You're right, as always, Honey.” Malphis said.
“Of course I am.” His wife smiled.
Nerissa knocked on Fauna’s door rapidly until the princess opened the door.
“My! Don't you look important~ what's the occasion?”
“My parents agreed to my program! Oh Fauna, I'm so happy!”
The raven-haired woman picked up her girlfriend and hugged her tightly. She kissed her cheek and smiled until she heard someone clear their throat. Nerissa slightly pushed the door open to see who else was in there.
“Oh. You do look nice…”
“Kronii! It's lovely to see you.”
“I was helping her study. Make sure she doesn't get kicked off the team.” Fauna said.
“You could've come to me.” Nerissa said to her best friend.
“Fauna’s less intimidating than the future Queen of Auradon. Even when affiliated.” Kronii explained.
“Ah, no, that's fair. Well I'll let you two get back to it. I just wanted to share the good news.”
“Do you really think it’ll work?” Fauna asked her.
Her tone was unsure, just like her father’s. Nerissa placed Fauna’s hand in between hers and smiled at her future wife.
“With people like us to help them…I have no doubt that they’ll become functioning members of society.” Nerissa said.
Fauna smiled at her and received a kiss on her hand before Nerissa left to get changed.
“Wow, now that should be put on a poster.” Kronii teased.
Fauna rolled her eyes and walked back over to the table she was sitting at.
“Have you memorized the periodic table yet?” Fauna asked.
“I know there’s oxygen.” Kronii hesitated.
Fauna sighed out and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“And you wonder why you’re failing.” she commented.
“Hey, you’re supposed to be helping me.” Kronii said insulted.
“Unless you study the material we’re assigned, there is no way for me to help you.” The Princess took a deep breath.
“You sound like my sister.” Kronii said dejectedly.
“Let’s take a break, before I pop a blood vessel.” Fauna said calmly.
“If you can’t handle me, how are you gonna handle an entire continent with Nerissa?” Kronii asked.
“I have a lot more patience for civilians than I do for you.” Fauna answered.
“I just know what wears you down.” Kronii balanced a pencil on her nose.
“Don’t say it like it’s a great accomplishment.” Fauna gently flicked the girl’s arm causing her to lose concentration and the pencil to drop.
“Ah, you’re right. The accomplishment is whatever your girlfriend has planned. What is it by the way?” Kronii asked.
“She’s planning to bring some of the Isle kids here.”
“WHAT?!”
“Oh relax, they can’t be that bad.” Fauna sat down across from them.
“But it’s still a big deal. I mean, who exactly is she inviting?” Kronii asked again.
“That I’m unsure of, but I already told her I didn’t want to know.”
“Huh?”
“She asked, and I said no.”
“I get that. Why?”
“Because at the end of the day, they’re all children from the Isle of the Lost. I’m gonna treat them all the same no matter what.”
“Still, you’re putting a lot of trust in Nerissa.”
“You’d do the same if you were in my position.” Fauna said. She picked up her tea.
“I’d probably complain more about it.” Kronii mumbled.
“Ain’t that the truth?” Fauna said into her cup.
“What was that?” Kronii questioned.
“Nothing, let’s continue.” Fauna said after taking a sip.
There were a few minutes of silence while Kronii flipped through flashcards before she spoke to the woman across from her.
“Are you sure she said Isle of the Lost?”