(Valia's Cotillion's dress above)

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Cotillion. It's time. I have a million thoughts in my head, but just onefeeling in my heart. And I hope my heart is right.

The only event grander than Ben's coronation ceremony was Cotillion. For starters, it was being held on a sleek white party yacht called TrueLove that was docked in the marina. Auradon royal crests adorned eitherside of the vessel. Orbs of light hung from long cables strung over the deck. There were little round tables with lamps on them here and there, leavingplenty of room for people to dance. A set of stairs with a blue-and-gold-trimmed carpet led up to a stage. Everything looked incredible.

Partygoers boarded the yacht in front of roped-off fans and paparazzi,and a few, including Evie and Doug, stopped to talk with news reporters infront of the step and repeat. Evie wore a floor-length midnight-blue dresswith black beading, a long blue cape, red gloves, and athin gold choker featuring a red heart gem centerpiece. Her handbag wasthe shape of a poison apple with a bite taken out of it. And to top it all off, she wore Dizzy's ruby-studded hair ornament clipped neatly to the side ofher bun. Evie struck pose after pose for the cameras.

News reporters held microphones up to her. "Evie, you look beautiful!""Thank you," said Evie. "The dress is gorgeous! Did you design the barrette?""No, it's not my creation, actually," she said. "Many hairaccessories this evening are by a fabulous new designer, Dizzy of the Isle!""Who's your date?" "This is my Doug." Evie extended a hand, and Doug took it and movedcloser to her. "Dopey's son." He stood by her in his tan suit and black bow tie and waved.

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Meanwhile, at Lady Tremaine's Curl Up and Dye on the Isle, Dizzywatched the live feed from the Cotillion on a boxy old TV. After Evie'smention of her hair accessories, Dizzy shrieked. "I made that! That's me!" She squealed again with glee. Lady Tremaine banged the floor above her as if to say shut it. Dizzy put a hand to her mouth and flinched at the sound. "Sorry,Granny!" She spun back around to face the TV. She couldn't help smiling. 

Valia e and Carlos descended the steps to the party deck, past bushels ofcolorful flowers in clusters of white, yellow, and blue, toward the tablewhere people served fruit punch. Carlos was super fashionable, as usual, inred knee-length pants and a black-and-white leather jacket. (Look at the pic above for Valia's.)

Valia looked up at the sky, seeing a flame of familiar color bling up there. Carlos saw her expression and let out a little laugh. His laugh got Valia to smile at him. they locked eyes, and the white-haired boy noddedtoward the dance floor. "After you." Valia smiled, walked off with him,  and danced on the deck. He spun herand then kissed her hand. Evie and Doug were dancing there, alongwith Jay, who boogied with a group of girls. Jay looked handsome in hisred-and-gold leather suit jacket and crimson fingerless gloves. The girlsswooned. He moved to dance with Lonnie, whose dress was a coralpink jumpsuit with a long open skirt.

The music stopped, getting everyone's attention. Young men in paleyellow suits lined the yacht's steps, and in one unified motion, they liftedtheir trumpets and began playing a fanfare. All eyes turned to Lumiere at the top of the steps. He had thin gray hairand resembled the candelabrum he had once been enchanted to be. Thatnight he wore a white suit with gold epaulets and a pale gold bow tie. "Thefuture...Lady Mal!" Lumiere announced.

Mal entered at the top of the staircase.

She looked stunning in her yellow dress, bejeweled with blue gems and blueand yellow tulle, and a sparkling cape trailed the ground behind her. Evie had edged up the look, adding a leather bracelet, boots, and a crownesque hair ornament. Mal's purple hair was in a pretty side braid thatsnaked down her shoulder. She looked down at everyone silentlywatching her from the ship's deck. Mal's heartbeat quickened. The crowdresponded to Mal's purple hair with a murmur of surprise, which was drowned out by Mal's friends, who clapped and cheered. Others joined in. Photographers turned all their video equipment on Mal.

Lumiere joined Mal at her side. "Work it, girl," he whispered. Mal giggled. She surveyed the crowd again. Where is Ben? Then she descended the steps toward the deck as everyone applauded. Belle and Beast greeted Mal at the bottom of the stairs. Beast took Mal's trembling hand in hisroyal-blue suit with gold sash and signature black bold-frame glasses. "Hi," said Mal, comforted by him. "Ben's on his way," said Beast. "You look beautiful."

Belle wore a gold dress and a delicate crystal-encrusted gold crown. Shealso took Mal's hand and smiled lovingly. "So beautiful," she said. "I knowwe were shocked initially, but you were exactly what Ben needed." Shewas referring to the Family Day event when Ben had first announced toBelle and Beast that Mal was his new girlfriend. The photographer captured their shocked expressions upon hearing the news.

Beast gave Belle a little side hug. "And lucky for me, she doesn't go byfirst impressions," he said. He, Belle, and Mal laughed, though Mal's laughwas nervous. Valia could sense that Mal was apprehensive. In true best-friend fashion,Evie rushed to her side. "Hi!" She led Mal onto the deck. "How are youfeeling?" 

 Mal looked at the cameras and guests. "I feel like I'm going to throwup." "It's okay. We're here with you," said Evie as she came up beside Valia. Mal smiled and grabbed the white-haired girl's hands. More fanfare played. It was a great momentfor the VKs. Mal, Valia, and Evie beamed at each other.

Lumiere called out, "King Benjamin!"

Ben appeared at the top of the stairs in a sleek royal-blue silk jacketwith gold accents. The belt he wore had a gold beast-emblem buckle. Hishoney-brown hair was swept across his forehead under his thick goldcrown, and his blue eyes sparkled like stars. He looked every bit a king.

Everyone applauded. Mal couldn't take her eyes off him. Ben nodded,and his eyes met Mal's. She smiled at him. He walked down the stairs andpaused at the bottom. 

"Go get him," Evie and Valia whispered in unison to Mal. the girl took a step forward. Ben passed his parents without looking their way. Okay...Belle mouthed to Beast at the slight. Ben stopped in front of Mal and bowed. Mal bowed back at him.

"Mal," said Ben, coming up from his bow, "I wish I had time toexplain...." He turned around and looked toward the top of the stairs. Mal smiled. Could this have something to do with all of Ben's not-so-secret discussions with Jane? Wondered Mal.

Then her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. The crowd gasped inshock.

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