The way people hate Ben, as if he’s just there being useless and not the reason the story happened in the first place, is baffling. He defended Mal when he had every right to make her public enemy number one for the love spell, gave her and her friends grace, and could’ve been furious at Uma for another love spell but wasn’t because he understood that she was hurting and only wanted the best for the kids. He also refused to believe that Audrey was terrorizing Auradon of her own volition because he knows that’s not who she is.
He literally gave grace to everyone, despite the fact that they constantly disrespected him and undermined his authority and position as King. He had every right to tell them to “KYS.” Honestly, he’s better than me, because I would’ve abused my power as King and done far worse. Adam and Belle would’ve been locked up, Fairy Godmother would’ve been stripped of her magic, and I would’ve given the wand to Jane.
The way certain stans (I'm not gonna name them because I'm not in the mood of getting attacked by a group who stans fictional white characters) vilify him but Mal and the others get a free pass because of their circumstances as if Ben didn't know peace the moment he became king at 16. I'd hate everyone and had them locked in a dungeon just for that.