Sofia's Love Story
Chapter One
Atticus, a king from the far-off kingdom of Nyria, came to Enchancia in a royal visit, bringing his son, prince Charlie. The whole royal family, plus Baileywick, had come to greet him.
"Greetings, king Atticus!" Roland greeted him. "So glad you could come!"
"A pleasure, king Roland." Atticus declared. "Please, you must introduce me to your family."
"This is my wife, Miranda." Roland smiled.
"Hello." Miranda nodded.
"And our children: James, Amber and Sofia."
Amber and James bowed, while Sofia waved.
"Hello, young ones." Atticus smiled. "This is my son, prince Charlie."
Charlie had been hiding behind his father. He had never been to another kingdom before, and he was nervous. Then he locked eyes with Sofia, and an instant connection was formed.
"Perhaps one of you could show prince Charlie around while I talk with your parents?" Atticus asked.
"I'll do it!" Sofia stepped forward.
"Wonderful." Atticus smiled. "Go on, Charlie."
Hesistantly, Charlie walked over to Sofia.
"Very well, then." Roland declared. "Shall we, king Atticus?"
"We shall, king Roland." Atticus nodded.
As they left, Charlie spoke up.
"So, what do you do for fun around here?" He asked.
"Let's see." Sofia thought "I'm on the flying derby team, and like I playing with my friends."
"I'm on the flying derby team at my school too" Charlie revealed.
"That's great!" Sofia smiled. "Do you want to meet my horse?" His name's Minimus, and he's really sweet."
Okay." Charlie nodded.
They took a carriage to Royal Prep's stables, where they met Minimus. Charlie quickly earned the horse's trust, and together, they went for a long flight.
That night, while the royal siblings were washing up for dinner, Sofia was telling Amber and James about the day she had.
"Charlie was great." Sofia smiled. "He's a really nice boy, and so much fun!"
Uh-oh." Amber smirked. "Looks like someone's got a little crush."
"What?!" Sofia gasped. "Nuh-huh!"
"Yeah-huh." Amber counted. "I can see it all over your face."
"I... I don't..." Sofia blushed.
"Gross." James snorted. "I'm outta here."
As James left, Amber turned to Sofia.
"What's the matter?" She asked. "This is good."
"But I don't know what to do, Amber." Sofia declared. "I've never felt this way before."
"I'll show you how to handle this." Amber smiled. "Trust me."
"Okay, Amber." Sofia nodded. "But it'll have to wait until after dinner. We're almost late."
"Very well." Amber sighed. "But I can give you some help at the table."
The royal siblings joined their parents and guests at the dinner table.
"Sofia, Charlie tells me you two had some fun today." Atticus spoke up.
"Yes." Sofia added. "Lots. He's very nice."
"And handsome." Amber added. "At least, that's what she told me earlier."
Both Sofia and Charlie turned bright red.
"Amber!" Sofia hissed, mortified.
"Of course he's handsome!" Atticus smirked. "Takes after his father."
Sofia dropped her fork under the table.
"Whoops!" She said. "Dropped my fork. "Amber, can you help me?"
"Help you pick up your for-aah!" Amber yelped, as Sofia pulled her under the table.
"What are you doing?" Sofia whispered. "Why would you say that?"
"To help." Amber smiled. "You want him to know you like him."
"Him, maybe." Sofia said. "Not the whole room!"
"Good point." Amber shrugged. "But it's not like you weren't thinking it!"
"Just let me talk to him from now on." Sofia declared.
"Fine." Amber sighed.
The two emerged from under the table.
"Found it!" Sofia held aloft the fork. "Thanks, Amber!"
"Anytime." Amber smiled.
For a time, talk on the table varied between royal protocol, upcoming events, and other things. But soon enough, Atticus turned back to Sofia.
"Charlie told me you're on Royal Prep's flying derby team." Atticus declared. "Is that true?"
"Yes, it is." Sofia nodded.
"Sofia's the first princess ever to make the flying derby team!" Amber butted. "My sister really knows how to break boundaries, doesn't she?"
"Indeed she does." Atticus nodded. "And again, Sofia, I must thank you for playing with Charlie today. He doesn't have that many friends back home."
"That's okay, king Atticus." Sofia smiled."I had fun."
It was her pleasure." Amber smirked. "Really."
Sofia glowered at Amber.
After dinner, she followed Amber into the corridor.
"Amber, what did I tell you?" She asked.
"You said not to talk to Charlie." Amber pointed out. "You didn't say anything about king Atticus."
"Well, you've got me there." Sofia admitted. "But still..."
"Relax, Sofia." Amber smiled. "I was just trying to help."
"I know." Sofia sighed.
"Tell you what." Amber suggested. "You come by my room tomorrow, and I'll help you dress for success. Charlie is going to love what he sees!"
"Okay." Sofia said unsurely.
The morning, Sofia came by Amber's room.
"Ah, there you are!" Amber smiled.
"Yes, I'm here!" Sofia shrugged.
"Okay, let's get to work!" Amber declared.
Amber brought Sofia to her wardrobe, having her try on countless dresses, tiaras and hairstyles. Eventually, she settled on an ornate blue outfit, a matching sapphire-encrusted tiara, and a loose, wavy hairdo.
"Oh, you look fabulous!" Amber squid. "Charlie won't be able to take his eyes off you!"
"I don't know, Amber Sofia looked at herself in the mirror. "I don't look like... me anymore."
"That's entirely the point, Sofia." Amber said breezily.
"Now, the next part is to impress Charlie."
"What?" Sofia asked.
"Come on." Amber insisted. "Just do as I say, and Charlie will be impressed. I know it."
"Okay, Amber." Sofia nodded. "Let's go."
The girls left Amber room and want outside to the garden, where they found Charlie.
"Hi Charlie." Sofia smiled, flapping the fan Amber had given her. "Nice to see you again."
Charlie's eyes open wide when he saw Sofia's new look. Surely this wasn't the same Sofia he was playing with yesterday. Maybe she had a sister he hadn't met yet.
"Charlie?" Sofia asked. "Are you there?"
"Oh, hi." Charlie said, gathering his wits.
"Charlie, it's me, Sofia." Sofia declared, striking a coquettish pose Amber had taught her. "How do you like my new outfit?"
"Oh, it's... nice, really." Charlie admitted. "But I was going to take you to meet my horse today."
"We can still go, Charlie." Sofia smiled. "I'm sure my dress can handle it. And you can meet all my friends today."
"Oh, that would be fun." Charlie smiled. "We can do that after our picnic."
"A picnic?" Sofia asked.
"I set it up for us yesterday." Charlie said. "That is, if you can actually sit down in that thing."
Sofia could tell that Charlie wasn't at all impress by her new look at all.
"Come on, my carriage is waiting for us." Charlie offered.
"Okay, coming." Sofia nodded.
'Why did Sofia change her look?' Charlie thought to himself. 'I liked the way she was yesterday."
Miranda spotted Sofia walking down the path.
"Sofia, where are you going?" She asked.
"I'm going with Charlie for the day, mom." Sofia told her. "See you later."
"Okay, have fun." Miranda waved.
Charlie led Sofia to his father's carriage, and the ivory-colored flying horse that pulled it.
"This is Bucephalus." He smiled, patting the horse's head.
"He's amazing." Sofia stroked the horse's chin.
"Want to go for a ride?" Charlie asked.
"You bet!" Sofia smiled.
They both climbed on Bucephalus (Sofia had some difficulty, due to her dress).
"Hang on to me." Charlie instructed, grabbing the reins.
"Okay." Sofia said nervously.
They took off into the air, flying at great speeds.
"Whee!" Sofia yelled.
As they soared over the village of Dunwitty, Sofia saw Jade and Ruby, and had Charlie land.
"Hi, girls." She waved.
"Sofia!" Jade smiled. "Nice horse?"
"What's his name?" Ruby asked. "Who's that, and what are you wearing?"
"Bucephalus, prince Charlie, and you really don't want to know." Sofia replied.
"I've heard of you." Jade told Charlie. "You're the prince of Nyria!"
"That I am." Charlie nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Any friend of Sofia is a friend of mine."
Together with Jade and Ruby, Sofia showed Charlie around Dunwitty. Afterward, Charlie flew Bucephalus over to where he had planned the picnic. They both sat on the red-and-white checked cloth (Sofia, again, had difficulty), and ate the food, sharing small talk. After they returned to the castle, Amber privately cornered Sofia.
"How did it go?" Amber asked. "Did you tell him?"
"No." Sofia admitted. "And I don't think he liked the dress. Maybe I should think of something else."
"Well, you'd better think fast." Amber declared. "King Atticus' visit ends tomorrow, and Nyria's so far away. It could be a while before you see him again."
"I know." Sofia groaned. "I know I should tell him, but I just can't do it!"