Chapter Text
“Yes. You can ask Chad. He was the one who received the letter. So that was the end of my mission.”
“So the detectives are out of the picture?” Belle asked.
“I can ask the intelligence to look for her.” Red offered casually. “I just need something about her. An area where she lives, her height, or a recent description.”
“I can only tell you that she's somewhere between 160 and 165.” Everyone immediately began discussing the possibilities.
“Don't you think you're going a little overboard?” Evie asked, and everyone looked at her. “She's spent almost two decades in anonymity. Don't you think it's a little unfair for you to expose her just because of a party?”
“We're not planning to expose her. We just want to talk to her.” Audrey said, and Evie raised an eyebrow.
“Audrey, we've known each other for almost thirty years. You and keeping secrets?” Everyone around the table nodded.
“Yes.” Red nodded. “Maybe we are going too far. Maybe we should just try to get in touch with her. Write to her label or something.”
“Good luck with that, Red.” Sultan Kali, Jasmine's daughter, said. “No one knows anything about her. I'm a Clover fan too, and so are my kids. So I'm just going to ask you to keep me in mind if you manage to find her.”
“Sure.” Red glanced at her watch. “And it's almost time for me to get back to work. Ren, are you or I on the military council?”
“I'll go, even though it was Dad's turn.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“Where is Dad?” Manuel asked.
“I don't know. He was supposed to meet with the trade council, but that was five hours ago.”
“He's probably moving another flock of flamingos again.” Bridget said with a sigh, but no one else reacted.
Only Red let out a soft sigh and finished her tea. She rose from her chair.
“I'll leave you in my mother's hands for the rest of this soirée. Thank you all for taking the time.”
“It is always our pleasure.” Ella Charming replied warmly.
“Oh, and we've also settled some of the pressing conflicts.” Mal added. “I'll send you the contracts by tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Red left the room, accompanied by her two sons.
Once they were in the quiet corridor, Red asked,
“So, Mom, what do you think?”
“We can try, but... I don't know. Aunt Evie has a point.” Miguel pulled out his phone.
“So, should I start making calls?”
“Go ahead. I'll also reach out to some old contacts in Auradon. Just keep it quiet. Your sister can't find out.”
“You got it, boss.” Red laughed and ruffled her son's hair.
“Get to work, and please, I don't want you filling up my dungeon again before dinner.”
“Yes, Mom.” The two boys said in unison.
The three of them continued down the corridor at an easy pace. After all, royal duties never ended.
If I Could Turn Back Time Chapter 1 If I Could Turn Back Time Chapter 1 If I Could Turn Back Time Chapter 1
She entered her castle, hearing the voices of her children from the door. When she stepped into the bid living room, she found her daughters arguing.
“No. You can't take my green dress!”
“But you don't even wear it, and it looks better on me anyway.” Evie walked over to her husband, who was sitting quietly in his armchair, reading a book.
These little arguments were nothing new in their household.
“Hi, honey.” She said softly as she sat down in his lap.
“My love.” Doug put his book aside and gently kissed his wife. “How was tea?”
“Good. As usual, but more peaceful. I see the babies are having fun. Where's Dani?”
“She should be in the atelier. She kept saying she was going to experiment with a new way of sewing the lining.”
“Did Dizzy come by?”
“Yes, she stopped by for lunch. She said your order would be ready on Saturday and left the samples for Snow White's dress.”
“She is a lifesaver. I have a little more work to do in the office, and then I'm all yours.” The man smiled and adjusted his glasses.
“Weren't we going to make pasta for dinner?” They kissed softly.
“Yes. With pesto.” Evie brought their lips together again, this time for a little longer.
“When do you think they'll stop acting like we're not even here?”
“I don't know. Maybe when we move out.” Both adults laughed as Evie stood up.
She went over and hugged each of her daughters before heading toward her office. It was next to the atelier, and she could hear her eldest sewing. The woman closed the door and sat behind her desk. For a moment, she relaxed into the soft material before taking a deep breath and reaching for the third drawer.
It was locked, as always. She slowly ran her finger along the edge until she found the hidden button and pressed it.
There was a faint click.
The drawer opened only two inches, but that was enough for her to reach toward the back and release the mechanism. She then pulled it almost completely out. All the documents inside were exactly where they were supposed to be. She glanced toward the door, listening for any movement.
When she heard nothing, she picked up a pen and opened the false bottom. Evie pulled out an old phone before putting the bottom back into place.
She pressed the power button and waited for the device to start. Then she entered the passcode. When the phone accepted it, an old photograph from years ago appeared on the screen. It was a picture from a summer vacation, where Mal, Jane, Red, Dizzy, Celia, Uma, Chloe, and she had all been hugging each other after a friendly volleyball match. Uma was still holding the ball, while Red had jumped onto Mal's back.
The woman smiled at the memory. She missed those days. The time before everything went wrong.
She sighed and opened the contacts.
Well... contact, really.
There was only one number saved in this phone.
She dialed it.
A familiar melody began playing as she waited. The first ring passed, then the second. She expected that. After the third, she took a breath, but before she could exhale, the call was answered.
“Yes. Is everything all right?” A gentle voice asked immediately, calm and even.
“Yes. There's no reason to worry.” A sigh came from the other end.
“Okay. It's not Christmas or my birthday today, nor is it yours. I wasn't expecting you to call.” Evie felt her eyes beginning to sting.
“It wasn't exactly planned. And I know it's a violation of our agreement, but I needed to hear your voice.”
“It's okay. It's good to hear your voice too. What's wrong?”
“And yours. It's nothing life-threatening or critical. I just need a favor.”
“Meaning?” There was a rustling sound from the other end of the phone.
“A girl has a celebration coming up. She wants something specific for her birthday. Someone specific.” A sigh came from the other end.
“Evie, if this is about Dani...”
“No, it's not for me. But Dani would love to see you, and Elena and Mila would love to meet you. They're already thirteen.”
“And who is it for?” The Evil Queen's daughter took a deep breath.
“Blair. She's turning fifteen.”
“Blair, as in Blair of Hearts?” The voice cracked slightly as she said the last name.
“Yes. She... she's a huge fan.”
“You know I can't, E. There's a reason I stay away.”
“I know.” Evie could barely hold back her tears. “I know, but it's been eight years since I last saw you. And nineteen since you left.”
“Dani barely remembers you anymore. Dizzy cries every year on your birthday. And it's only one night. Everyone will be there. It'll be crowded. They won't even notice you.”
“But you aren't calling to invite me to a party. You want me to go on stage. Evie, that's too risky.”
“How could I forget what a stubborn person you are? I made sure no one found out your name for almost twenty years. I'll hide this for one night.”
“Evie, it's not...”
“And you're not the same anymore. I barely recognized you before, and I knew what to look for. They haven't seen you in a decade. They won't even recognize you. You'll just come, walk in with me, have something to eat, sing a few songs, and then disappear into the night like you always do.”
The woman on the other end sighed.
“I'll think about it, but I can't promise anything. Okay?”
“Yes. Whatever you say.” There was a brief pause before the gentle voice returned.
“I'll need a list of preferences if I agree, and the date.”
“As soon as I know, I'll let you know. I'll even arrange a band for you. Just say yes.” The voice let out a raspy laugh.
“I said I'd think about it, E. I'll think about it. And how are you and Doug?” The two women continued talking for a little while before hanging up. Evie switched off the phone and returned it to its hiding place.
After taking a deep breath, Evie slowly left the office and entered the atelier. Dani immediately smiled at her.
“Hey, Mom. How was your tea with Aunt Red?”
“Normal. Work talk and all that. The princes figured out what they're getting Blair.” Her daughter immediately stopped what she was doing.
“And is it going to be better than our gift?”
“I don't know. We'll see.” She stepped closer to take a look at her daughter's work.
And so the late afternoon continued peacefully. Evie kept a gentle smile on her face, but she was barely holding back her tears.
Still, she remained strong, as always. Strong for her children. Strong for her friends. Strong even for the sinners.