Cedric sat at his in his workshop, looking out the window. Normally, he'd be working on a new potion or spending secret time with his lovely princess, but he was currently riding a train of thought that seemed too possible for comfort. Despite Sofia's constant reassurances since the beginning of their relationship that she had loved him for nearly two years, she could leave him any second. Not because he didn't believe or want the princess, because God, did he. But because he really wasn't enough. He felt old, he felt ugly, he felt like Sofia deserved someone young and handsome and royalty, something he could never be.

Amidst his thoughts, Cedric didn't notice a certain princess slip into his workshop until a small pair of arms lovingly wrapped themselves around his chest from behind. "Oh, hello,"

"Hello to you too," Sofia giggled. Her voice might as well be sunshine, for Cedric couldn't help but close his eyes and enjoy it washing over him. "What are you thinking about?" She asked, pulling away to hop up on the desk in front of him.

"Nothing important," He said offhandedly.

"You've always been a terrible liar, dear,"

The sorcerer sighed. "Its just that.. I.. you.. I don't deserve this," He stood up so they would be eye level.

"What don't you think you deserve?" Sofia felt like she knew, but didn't want to bring it up without being sure.

"You. This. You're so.. beautiful and kind and.. and you're a princess," The word seemed to shimmer from his mouth. "But I'm just an ugly, old sorcerer who has nothing going for him," His princess gently used a hand to guide Cedric's gaze to her, though he still couldn't bring himself to look at her.

"Oh, Cedric," He closed his eyes at the way she said his name. "I love you. I don't think you're old, and I certainly don't think you're ugly. You're quite handsome and you care about me, and that's all I need," She kissed him softly, briefly, before he finally opened his eyes.

"You certainly have a way with words," He smiled sadly. "But I heard news of a prince coming to ask for your hand. You can't deny that I'm not a prince,"

"I'll refuse him. Don't compare yourself to a prince; you're too busy to think about such trivial matters,"

"Oh, too busy, hmm? And what am I too busy doing?" He smiled finally, not being able to not feel elated at Sofia's words.

"Why, kissing me, of course." Just as their lips almost met, Baileywick cleared his throat from the door. He already knew of their relationship after seeing them kiss one night out in the garden, but the princess begged him to swear to secrecy so he never spoke a word about it, unless to make sure with Sofia that everything was going alright.

"There is a guest here to greet the royal family, Princess Sofia. You are being requested."

"Of course I am," She sighed. She still kissed Cedric quickly, and could feel his lips trying to chase after hers as she hopped off the desk. "I'll come back as soon as I can."

"Take your time, love."

Baileywick escorted Sofia to the throne room where she took her seat before a pretty girl who looked barely older than Amber came through the doors and bowed.

"I'm Eleanor, and I'm the replacement gardener." The young girl smiled.

"Welcome to the palace, Eleanor." King Roland said. "I do believe Baileywick can tell you where your supplies and gardens are?" Baileywick nodded and lead Eleanor out of the throne room.

"She seems nice, don't you think, Sofia?" Miranda asked her daughter.

"I have a bad feeling about her," Sofia's forehead creased in thought.

"I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe lunch didn't settle well with you?" Roland suggested.

"You're probably right, father. May I be excused?" Sofia stood, smoothing her skirts out. She was permitted to leave and immediately set out for the path that lead to Cedric's tower but past her bedroom, so she could quickly change into a more comfortable dress before spending all her time leading up to dinner with Cedric. Unfortunately, her plan was never put into effect for just as she was about to leave her closet, a pair of hands grabbed her waist and covered her mouth.

Sofia struggled by trying to kick the door, but no one would notice since her closet was in the back of her room. She soon felt very tired, and felt herself being laid down on a plush sofa.

Clover, who was sleeping on the princess's bed, heard the banging and quietly snuck to a place behind the closet door. He saw Sofia leave and ignore him, but took the opportunity to enter the closet while Sofia left the room.

Once inside the closet, Clover saw Sofia laying on the sofa. But how was that possible? Sofia just walked past him.. unless.. oh no. Someone is impersonating Sofia and left the real Sofia out cold on this couch! Thankfully, the rise and fall of her chest was still obvious. Still, he needed to tell someone, and fast, before things got worse.

I wrote this because I had a really intense writer's block, so this is not going to be the best you've ever read. Still, I figured somebody somewhere would want to read it, so here it is. :)