With his coronation approaching, Ben Florian, the new prince of Auradon, decided that his reign would not simply be a continuation of old traditions. He believed that true justice could not exist while an entire portion of the population remained isolated and condemned for mistakes they did not commit. Thus was born his most audacious project: to bring young people from the Isle of the Lost to live and study in Auradon, offering them education, freedom, and the chance to choose who they wanted to be. For Ben, it was not fair that an entire generation should suffer for the failings of their parents—failures they had never even witnessed.

As the plan began to take shape, he chose four descendants of the most feared villains of the old era. Children of Jafar, Cruella de Vil, and the Evil Queen were among those selected. If even they, raised under the direct influence of such cruel figures, could adapt to life in Auradon and accept a new opportunity, then all the other young people from the Isle could too. It was a test—for the kingdom, for the council, and, in part, for himself—that his ideal was not merely a naive dream.

Among those chosen, however, there was someone who particularly piqued his curiosity: Maleficent's daughter. Unlike the others, she hadn't come willingly. Her ever-watchful gaze, her defensive posture, and the way she reacted to others' kindness as if expecting a trap made it clear that trust was not something natural to her. Ben perceived this. And, in a way, it intrigued him. Not out of distrust, but out of compassion. He wondered how many times that girl must have been deceived to carry such caution in every gesture.

One afternoon, while chatting with other students in the school gardens, Ben spotted her walking alone through the fields, away from the laughter and movement of the other students. There was something lonely about that scene—and he felt that this could be the perfect opportunity to try, at least, to show that her kindness didn't hide ulterior motives.

With a naturally confident, yet gentle smile, he stepped away from the group and walked toward them, quickening his pace until the distance between them was less. He stopped at a respectful distance, without invading their space, maintaining the polite posture he had learned since childhood.

"Hey, wait a second," he called, still slightly out of breath from the short run. "Do you mind if I walk with you? There are a few things I'd like to talk about."

Another smile appeared on his face, calm and sincere, filled with the silent hope that perhaps this was the first crack in a wall he was determined to tear down.