Not what it seemed

Summary: *Prequel to Of Tiaras and Coconuts. With her mother's marriage to the king, Sofia thought she would enjoy her new royal life. Until Amber made it harder.

Chapter One

"Mommy?"

Sofia groggily awoke to her mother's humming as she sleepily rubbed her eyes.

It had been four months since Miranda and his majesty had gotten together. On the second month of their relationship, Roland had proposed to her and she answered yes.

Sofia didn't know what a wedding was but knew that if Miranda got married, goodbye the village and hello royal life.

Plus his majesty had twins to play with.

She and the rest of the village viewed the king as a serious man and his children in the same way.

Who knew that a shoe would bring out compassion in their king?

Miranda often told her that the king was serious, but hilariously awkward in a cute way. She didn't really know what that meant but she seemed happy and of course she wanted her mom to be happy.

"Sofia! There you are!" Miranda laughed, bopping her daughter on the nose. "And here I thought you would be sleeping the day away! The coach will be here in an hour so I want you ready by then."

"Yes Mommy," Sofia smiled.

They had practiced her flower girl role for a month now. Sofia loved twirling around in the lavender dress Miranda had made her before reminding herself of her manners.

Prince James was gonna be the ring barrier after all. Princess Amber well she was just excited to have her as a sister.

Though she was excited to live in the palace, she didn't know what would happen to their shop or their home. What about Ruby and Jade and her friends at school?

She would miss them all but, she wondered what royalty had in store for the two.

Maybe something extraordinary, maybe something magical! Or at least Sofia hoped so.

When the hour was up, she carried her doll in her basket before joining Miranda who laughed softly at her hair.

"Here. Let me fix it," Miranda smiled, seeing a few tangles.

"Mom, what's life going to be like for usin the palace?" Sofía wondered.

"I don't know sweetie, we'll just have to wait and see where this adventure will take us."

Sofia nodded but with uncertainty. Miranda wasn't in her wedding gown yet.

Rather than be disappointed, she thought it was a surprise or with how it was when it came to village life, her mother didn't want to ruin it with dirt or dust.

"Mommy, when are you going to get dressed?" Sofia asked.

"I'm going to get dressed at the palace, don't worry," Miranda assured. "I just wanted you to get dressed first. Slowpoke."

"Nu uh!"

Miranda laughed softly at her daughter's protest, gently stroking her hair.

Sofia hadn't meet Amber and James yet unlike she had a month ago, hoping the three of them would get along.

The royal twins had acted so cordial when she met them to where they kinda intimidated her. Especially Amber. Who knew a nine-year-girl could make you feel insecure about yourself?

While James was a bit more laidback and friendlier to approach, making her like him more than his sister. But then again, Sofia could change people for the better which she supposed Amber could use one.

If not then it would take one day at a time.

"Miranda's fine but that commoner! She's so ugh!"

Amber fixed her tiara as best as she could, frowning as Roland placed a hand on her shoulder.

"The commoner you speak ill of is her daughter, Sofia. James immediately vowed to be nice to her. Why can't you do the same?" Roland asked, trying to be patient.

Waiting for his future wife and stepdaughter to arrive from the village was stressful enough but Amber was making it worse.

"Because she doesn't belong here," Amber scoffed.

"Amber, she did nothing to you, you haven't even met her yet. She could be interested in what you're interested in."

"But she's a commoner! Daddy, why couldn't you find someone who was like us?"

"Dad can marry whoever he chooses Amber," James scoffed. He spotted the carriage and smirked. "Looks like someone's not going to be the fairest in the land anymore."

Amber glared at him before staring at the girl that was a year younger than her.

Sofia was beautiful, she had to admit that as the girl had some help from her mother getting out of the carriage.

But pathetic as well, wailing over a raggedy doll before one of the servants gently gave it to her.

"What a baby," Amber muttered.

"At least try to be nice to her Amber. You might even find out that you both have something in common!" James nudged at her, having her wave her fan at him.

"Sure..."

"Hi!" Sofia greeted, seemingly more happier with the raggedy doll at her side.

"Good marrow Sofia," James smiled, kissing her hand. "I see you have your doll. Was that why you were upset?"

"Yes!.. Um please to meet you your highness."

She curtsied as James dismissed the gesture.

"You're about to be royalty too, you don't need to bow to us."

"You bow to me commoner, but since you were so kind," Amber smiled sad she did a small curtsy back.

Sofia stared at Amber, hugging her doll close.

"Sofia you remember Roland?" Miranda smiled, getting her away from Amber.

"Hi your majesty," Sofia muttered softly.

"Good marrow to you Ms. Sofia, and I see you're all dressed for this occasion," He bent down to her level. "I know I never asked but if it's ok with you because I know you're one of the most important people in her life, It would be a great honor if I could marry your mother."

Sofia giggled and patted his head gently. "If you promise to treat my mother and me with respect, then you have my blessing!"

Roland nodded, earning a hug from Sofia as she dropped her doll.

Amber glared at the toy in disgust, picking it up as if it was a bug of some sort.

James snatched it from her quickly, knowing if Amber had her paws on it she would definitely throw it away without hesitation.

The raggedy doll may have been worn but had shown signs of love before he gave it back to Sofia.

"Now if you'll excuse us, we have a wedding to get ready for," Miranda told him, excusing herself and Sofia.

"Oh! Yes, Lupita here will show you to your dressing room," Roland said, his cheeks flushed red when she blew him a kiss goodbye.

Amber glared at Sofia as she left. Too pretty, too perfect. Got along well with her dad.

Right after the wedding reception, she would show her who ran things around here.

Sofia sighed. The king was nicer than she expected as well as James but Amber? Not so much. Maybe she was just nervous? Or maybe she never had another girl in the palace before.
She hope she'd go easy on her for did she even properly introduce herself?

Well no. Amber calling her commoner certainly didn't help in her favor.

The older girl looked jealous of her, almost making Sofia terrified before shaking her head.

The jealousy was only a phase, nothing more.

Her mother noticed her uneasy face.

"Sofia, is something wrong?" Miranda asked, kneeling down towards her.

"I don't think Amber likes me very much Mommy," Sofia frowned.

"She's just not used to having you as a sister yet. She'll get used to you in her own time."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm sure. She's just in shock right now, but she'll warm up to you. You're a sweetie. You'll fit right in," Miranda told her, giving a reassuring smile.

Sofia smiled back, she trusted her mother's words. Hopefully her and Amber will be great friends!

Only if she knew.

The wedding reception had ended as James twirled Sofia teasingly, helping her back up as she fell to her feet.

The wedding itself had been beautiful, having her nearly cry tears of joy after Roland took off Miranda's veil to kiss her.

Though Sofia only hoped Amber wasn't upset with her for hitting her with her flower girl basket for as the family's steward Baileywick said that it was only an accident.

Amber sat at the sidelines for majority of the reception. She didn't know why her father picked a shoe woman. They had royal bachelorette after bachelorette but no! He picked a single mom and her daughter. Commoners no less.

But Miranda she accepted pretty quickly after being hit with Sofia's flower girl basket.

Sofia? She was gonna give her a chance but after that stunt, her jealousy grew into hatred.

Amber just needed them to be alone together first. And hoped for an empty space to lock Sofia in.

It was evening time as the reception was wrapping up and it was only the royal children and some servants. Their parents were off doing other things.

What they were, thankfully the children weren't old enough to know what it was as Amber batted her eyes sweetly at Baileywick.

"Would it be alright if Sofia and I had a moment?" Amber asked, trying not to be disgusted by saying the commoner's name. "To ourselves please?"

Baileywick thought for a moment before nodding his head softly. It couldn't hurt for the two of them to be alone for a few hours and just maybe Amber's attitude as of late might soften.

Sofia still felt nervous even though she and Amber were now step siblings. Still Amber was intimidating and seemed like she didn't like her but maybe their talk was like an icebreaker.

She was just trying to get to know her.

"I'm sorry about the basket," Sofia muttered, looking uneasy. "I just got excited."

"Well your excitement had me have ice on my lip," Amber scoffed, seeing her uneasiness. "What's the matter commoner? Too much punch from the reception?"

"What? No. Look Amber, I'm sorry I didn't mean to. I was just really excited. My mom seemed really happy and I couldn't contain my excitement."

"Next time do learn to control it. Especially before you embarrass me for your commoner ways."

Sofia felt a few tears in her eyes before wiping them away. Amber knew how to get to her, that was for sure.

But as their alone time continued, Amber kept looking around as if she didn't want anyone to know what she was going to do with her.

I'm going to leave..." Sofia started, walking off. She asked James to save her a slice of cake or any kind of sweets left. She just hopped that he didn't eat any as this "talk" was getting awkward.

"I don't think so!" Amber yelled, grabbing her by the arm.

"You're hurting me. Let go!"

"Well you hurt me! So this is payback!"

Amber took out her fan, striking the girl in the lip a lot harder than what Sofia did.

Sofia let out a cry of pain.

She whimpered, trying not to cry. It was only a fan. Her lip would heal.

If anyone would ask, she would say she and Amber had a disagreement and nothing more.

"Why do you hate me?" Sofia wondered, a tear running down her cheek.

"Why are you crying?" Amber scoffed, dragging Sofia by the arm. "Because if you must know commoner, I hate that."

"A tear? Amber we all cry."

"No only you commoners cry. We don't, we're strong. Can't believe my father married a dirty commoner like your mother. You especially."

Sofia was taken aback by Amber's disgust of her old lifestyle, calling it nothing but dirty.

She groaned softly, biting her lip so her stepsister wouldn't hear.

The pain of being dragged by the arm was becoming unbearable as Sofia looked around frantically for someone to have Amber let go.

But the servants seemed not to be observant of what was going on to help her.

Her eyes pleaded with one but they turned the other way. She wanted herself to shout for James but instead she kept tugging, hoping Amber's hand would just let go.

She hated this. Why did it had to be Amber?

At least with James she would be having fun and actually having a good time.

Amber's hand didn't seem to want to let go until the next thing Sofia knew, she was thrown in a closet.

"Amber can we just talk this out please?" Sofia begged as she hoped Amber wasn't going to do what she thought she was going to do.

The older girl snorted. "Me? Talk to a dirt commoner like you? Nonsense! We're doing this MY way."

With that remark, she closed the door, leaving Sofia alone.

The former commoner hated the dark, banging her fists on the door as tears threatened to flow from her eyes.

"HELLO!? ANYONE?! PLEASE!" The girl called until finally she broke down into tears, slouching down against the door.

How long was Amber going to keep her in there? Alone and scared?

Sofia whimpered at the realization, trying her best to stay calm.

She didn't know how much time had passed but she could only assume it to be the sounds of servants walking about, not caring even if she banged on the door.

Who knew servants were so cruel?

But then she got a feeling in her lower region..

"No. Please. Not now," The child whimpered.

Sofia didn't want to embarrass herself to where her new stepsister thought of her as a baby. Being alone in a dark space was already frightening enough.

Even though she was in the dark, she felt around the place hoping to find a pan or bucket or even a mop. Anything!

Sofia gave in to her fear of the dark for a moment as she stood on shaky legs, whimpering softly.

She stood up close to the door, rattling the lock in the hopes someone would hear it.

But no one came to the door.

Except for Amber who peeked underneath the door and saw Sofia's shaking legs.

"It's not cold in there commoner," the older princess scoffed. "You're fine!"

"I'm not fine," Sofia whimpered, trying to hold back tears.

The pride she tried to attain upon hearing Amber's voice had vanished as Sofia stepped away from the door and started to cry.

"I will let you go~ if you stop being a baby!" Amber yelled, banging on the door.

Once hearing that sentence, there was a glimmer of hope for Sofia.

Immediately she wiped away her tears, forcing herself to smile in spite of her plight.

But it didn't last long as the lavender dress she had loved to twirl around in was starting to stain, having her cheeks burn in embarrassment.

She heard the door rattling and Amber's eye peeking through the small crack she made.

"Are you still being a baby?" Her voice teased in the darkness.

"It's your fault for that!" Sofia hissed, tears going down her cheeks. "I'm cold, wet, and ruined the dress Mommy made for me!"

"I don't care. Now come. I'm embarrassed. Looks like I'm going to have to teach you how to be a woman!"

Amber grabbed her by the ear, pulling her out out the darkness.

It was late into the evening by now and she was for sure James ate her leftover sweets.

But he didn't much to her surprise, seeing him approach her and Amber.

"Baileywick was just about to send out a search party for you two. What happened?" James asked.

The fury in him softened as he noticed Sofia's dress and glared at Amber.

"Oh, I found Sofia in the closet," She smiled at her brother giving a wink.

"Very funny Amber."

"But I'm serious! I found her in the closet! Poor girl look at your dress!"

Amber sounded concerned but Sofia knew the truth.

James could see the pain in his new sister's eyes, gently taking her hand in his.

She smiled weakly, trying to cover herself.

"You probably think I'm a baby don't you?" Sofia sniffed.

"No, I find you as a sister," James told her. "I could stay the night with you if you want."

"Sure."

"And about your dress, Amber already has Dad stressed out with her behavior so..."

"It was so dark in the closet James. I was so scared," Sofia frowned, taking a shaky breath. "I.."

"I know, I know," James shushed, stroking her hair. "Amber shouldn't had locked you in there until you ruined your dress with urine."

Sofia wanted to break down into tears as James continued stroking her hair.

"Hey come on I'll show to your new room. Dad had made just for you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Your mom was telling stuff about you to Dad on their dates and when he was planning to propose, he was also constructing your room," James smiled, squeezing her hand. "It'll get you away from Amber."

"She really is a wicked stepsister," Sofia admitted, wanting more than anything to get out of her dress.

James smirked at the confession, having Sofia close her eyes.

"I promise I'll be right here with you," He assured.

"Thank you."

"After all siblings are there for each other!"

Sofia smiled softly at him, her stomach rumbling as James dug into his pants pocket and gave her the leftover sweets he'd saved for her.

He wasn't giving her pity. He was more furious with his twin more than anything else.

Sofia was only a year younger than them. Amber probably told the servants to not let her out during her time in the closet.

The thought made James even more furious as Sofia bumped into Roland.

"Sofia? What happened to your dress?" Roland asked gently, kneeling down towards her.

"Amber locked me in a closet," Sofia muttered, embarrassed by her appearance.

"What?"

"Amber locked Sofia in a closet!" James repeated, "They went to have a talk but never returned! We were close to sending a search party!"

"Did any of the servants come?" Roland asked.

"No," Sofia sniffed. "They just looked away. They didn't even bother stopping Amber or anything!"

"I'll be giving some of them a talking to in the morning," Roland sighed before taking Sofia in his arms. "But I have a surprise for you Sofia."

"I thought my room was the surprise your majesty."

"Well it is but I have a special welcome to the family present just for you."

Sofia grinned at the thought before snuggling close to Roland's chest.

"Where's my mom?" Sofia asked as the three walked along.

Roland's eyes widened, his face turning a beet red, "Your mother? She's um asleep! Yeah. Asleep."

Luckily for him, Sofia took the excuse. She understood that Miranda had to be exhausted after getting married to the newest love in her life.

James opened the door to Sofia's room as the young girl rubbed her eyes.

"You are going to stay with her for tonight right James?" Roland asked, letting Sofia's hand go.

"Of course. I'm not Amber Dad," James smiled.

"Good, I'll have a talk with her in the morning. And as for you Sofia, I have a surprise for you in the morning. I'm sure you're going to love it!"

Sofia nodded sleepily as he left the room, leaving her and James alone.

The crown prince knew she had to be exhausted after the day she had as Sofia lifted up her arms so he could take off her dress.

"How about a bath huh?" James suggested with a smile. "You can't fall asleep dirty."

"But I never bathed with a boy before," Sofia blushed.

"You don't have to hide anything. I know what a girl looks like from bathing with Amber when we were really little. However, if you want, I can shield my eyes."

"Thank you. James, you're really nice."

"No problem.." he told her, turning around to face the wall. "I'm really sorry you're having a bad experience at the castle so far. Amber's just jealous. Don't let her words get to you."

"You think so?" Sofia asked, taking off her shoes, stockings, and undergarments.

"Of course. She's always been that way but never abusive."

"Until I came along."

James turned away from the wall and squeezed her hand.

"James!" Sofía blushed again, embarrassed, "I'm not an old lady! I can get into the tub myself!"

"After what you went through today, you're exhausted!" James laughed, leading her to the tub.

"I am not!"

Sofia's lower lip turned to a pout as James couldn't help but laugh again.

His new sister was nothing but innocent and adorable.

Despite her protests, he lead her to the tub and helped her in.

"Now do you need help Senior Sofia?"

"No!" Sofía shooed him, splashing him in the process, "SHOO! SHOO! Back in your corner!"

James went back into his corner before turning around, hearing her gentle inhaling and exhaling.

"Tubs are for bathing, not sleeping," he smiled, softly stroking her hair.

The young prince was right. Sofia was exhausted.

"Lemme just have a few secs," Sofia mumbled as she struggled to keep her eyes alert. The warmth of the water wasn't helping.

Eventually she went to sleep as James shampooed her hair.

Clearly she was a heavy sleeper, not moving a muscle as he gently wrapped her in a towel after finishing the bath.

Noticing a mark on her lip, James frowned.

James hated to do it but he gently shook Sofia awake. "Hey, I'll make you a deal. If you get your clothes on, you get to sleep in a nice warm bed. Deal?"

Sofia yawned, rubbing her face. "Deal.."

The young princess sleepily did her task, and her brother escorted her over to her bed.

She yawned, looking around frantically for her doll before it was put in her arms.

James smiled softly, patting her head. He had kept the doll safe from Amber's grasp since it was dropped accidentally during the wedding.

"Good night Sofia," He whispered while in return she turned over and snored softly, causing James to chuckle. "So cute."