A Fairy Tale With a Twist Book 1: Mirror verse

Chapter 4

Mirabelle's POV May 16th: Today, my family attended an Auradon council meeting. I donned a red dress and a plain tiara. The council consists of several royals, sidekicks, the magical council, the research team, and the animal sidekicks. My parents serve on the royal council, and we, of course, report on France. The meeting began with the usual formalities: introductions, updates on various kingdoms, and discussions of current events. As the meeting progressed, I found myself growing more and more fascinated with the various perspectives and insights being shared.

Ben called this meeting to discuss the new changes being made in our country, specifically regarding the placement of villain kids in Auradon Prep. The intention is to maintain peace while providing them with a quality education and access to unique classes such as "smiling class" or "goodness class." Viola mentioned these classes to me, but she didn't share her opinion about them. Additionally, Ben addressed other changes, such as the implementation of new laws for the citizens of the Isle of the Lost.

Every council member came with paperwork for the adjustment. Each royal house member that was officially labeled as an Auradonean came to the meeting, while other kingdoms that aren't but are still living in the Ever Realm had their own. Everyone had their own colors, symbols, and mottoes. The meeting room was in a grand hall, decorated with banners and flags bearing their crests. The floor was covered in rich carpets, and high windows allowed sunlight to stream in, casting dappled patterns on the walls. A long table took up the center of the room, adorned with an array of food and drink.

A lot of changes were made, so each of them, one by one, started talking about what had been going on. It was a time of great transformation, and everyone was eager to share their stories and experiences. As they talked, they realized that their lives were all intertwined in ways they never expected, and that the decisions they made, however small, could have a profound impact on someone else's life. Dad quickly flipped through the papers, pausing before he could comment on them. The King of the Southern Isles raised his hand, interrupting the conversation. 

 I approached my dad and asked if I could have the floor. Patiently, he waited until it was our turn. Then, he stood up and made an announcement, "My daughter, Princess Mirabella, has something important to share." All eyes turned towards me as I began speaking from my position on the research team's council side.

"The stars might be trying to convey a message about the upcoming change," I said, Kepler looked up from his laptop, closed it, and requested further explanation. Eagerly, I described the patterns I had observed and how they seemed to correspond with the appearance of certain stars. Kepler nodded thoughtfully, lost in contemplation for a moment before finally speaking up.

"It's an intriguing theory," he acknowledged, "but we mustn't rush to conclusions." I glanced at Viola, who nudged me. Taking the cue, I retrieved the old journal I had discovered during our search for study materials for the field trip. Inviting Viola to join me at the front of the royal council, I continued, "I stumbled upon this fascinating journal during our preparations."

The story revolves around an ancient event known as the great conjuring, which took place thousands of years ago. According to legend, during this event, the stars aligned to create a portal to another realm, where a powerful wizard resided. Within this realm existed a mirror of immense power, capable of revealing one's truest self upon gazing into it. Intrigued, the council members listened attentively. However, tragedy struck when the mirror was stolen. As per the journal, it was concealed in a location accessible only to those who possessed great bravery and selflessness. The stars were said to guard this hidden location, and it was prophesied that only when they realigned would the mirror be unveiled once more.Kepler's face and eyes widen as if he sees a ghost. Viola showed the research team that he seemed the most interested in the journal. Wonder why, yes, he is a part-time scientist and business owner, though stars weren't his main research projects. But still, it's fascinating to see how he's reacting. Maybe he knows something about the journal. Something that could change everything.

Taking a deep breath, he began, "There are a few things we can do to keep the fairy-tale world safe. One option is force-field protection. Although the stars are clearly changing, indicating a connection to celestial magic, it pains me to say that we may have to resort to using our charm forces." A brief silence followed, until Happy broke it with a question, "But what good would that do, Kepler? We created Auradon to protect ourselves from the curse, and there is so much dark magic present." 

After pondering for a moment, Kepler responded, "True, that was centuries ago. Surely things have changed since then?" He paused, reflecting on the question, before continuing, "Our team at the center has actually invented a new device specifically designed to protect your kingdom from external threats. However, in order to test its efficacy in this new situation, we need to conduct experiments. It's important to note that Auradon is aware of my origins from another kingdom, located a bit further away. This journal I have can provide a good starting point for you, as long as you choose not to remove the charms. Ultimately, the decision is yours."

After a while, the 'adults are talking' discussion started. Chloe and I decided to give them some space and went to the waiting room for a bit. During our conversation, Chloe expressed her pride in me for speaking up about the journal. She was relieved that no one got angry. However, she mentioned that the king of the southern island seemed more focused on discussing his entire family and increasing security than addressing the issues. Despite that, she assured me that we would find out what happened and retrieve the mirror. She made it clear that, despite being busy, she would always make time for me, just as I had done for her.

Despite our attempts to distract ourselves, Finn appeared momentarily confused. "Pops never talks about where is from. His family only visits once or twice a year, and that's all he's aware of. I'll ask about it later," he nonchalantly remarked. As we strolled back to the Great Hall, an unsettling feeling enveloped me. The council meeting had unveiled the extent of the kingdom's predicament. 

Viola stood with her hand in her pocket, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I think the entire kingdom knows more than what it is saying," she remarked. It was a valid point, and I couldn't help but agree.

The council meeting dragged on for a couple more hours, leaving us weary and in need of sustenance. Luckily, there was a café conveniently located next door. We made a mental note to visit it if our hunger became unbearable.

Finally, the meeting came to an end, and Kepler, ever the first to take action, approached us. He gracefully bent his knee to meet our level. "Listen, you girls were great in there, but in the future, try to report these things to us sooner," he advised. We both nodded in agreement. "Now, let's have dinner at the cafe. You kids must be hungry," Kepler suggested, his warm smile accompanied by crinkles at the corners of his eyes.