An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter One

The day of Roland and Miranda's first wedding anniversary was drawing near, and a celebration was being put together to mark the occasion. It was a big deal for Sofia, too; It was also more or less the anniversary of her arrival at the castle, where she joined with her new family, and began her many adventures.
The kids returned home from school to find the castle staff hard at work, hanging decorations and preparing food for the anniversary ball.
"Looks like Baileywick's got the staff working overtime." Amber noted.
"Mom and dad are going to be so happy." Sofia smiled.
"Mm-mmm." James murmured. "Can't wait for all that ball food."
Miranda came to greet her children.
"How was school today?" She asked.
"Same old, same old." James shrugged.
"Are you looking forward to your anniversary?" Amber asked.
"Of course I am." Miranda smiled. "Rollie and I are so happy. Our first year together."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Who could that be?" Miranda mused.
Miranda opened the door, revealing a red-headed teenager.
"Are you queen Miranda?" He asked. "Former wife of Alex?"
"Why yes, I am." Miranda added. "Who are you?"
"I'm Alex's son." The boy revealed. "Your stepson, and Sofia's half-brother."
Miranda and the kids froze in shock.

"W-what is your name?" Miranda stuttered.
"My name is Luigi." The boy declared.
"Please, come in, Luigi." Miranda said awkwardly.
"Thank you, queen Miranda." Luigi nodded.
Luigi stepped into the castle. Sofia stared at him.
"You must be Sofia." He noted. "Dad told me a little about you."
"But he didn't tell me anything about you." Sofia retorted. "And I never saw you when I went to stay at his house."
"There's a reason for that." Luigi declared. "My mom had a fight with dad a fight a couple of years back. She took me and left. After that, he met your mom, and I guess he couldn't bring himself to tell her."
"Oh." Sofia nodded.
"I went looking for dad a while ago." Luigi finished. "We really hit it off. It was dad who suggested I come and see my half-sister."
Roland came into the entrance hall.
"Who is this, Miranda?" He pointed at Luigi.
"Rollie, this is Luigi, Alex's son, and Sofia's half-brother." Miranda explained.
"I see." Roland scrutinised Luigi. "How old are you, may I ask?"
"Fifteen, sir." Luigi answered.
"And what is your reason for coming here?" Roland asked.
"I want to get to know my half-sister." Luigi declared. "If that's okay with you, sir."
"Well, I think that would be alright." Roland mused.
"Really?" Luigi asked.
"Of course." Roland nodded. "There's nothing more important then family. Since you're Sofia's half-brother, that makes you my family."
"Thank you, sir." Luigi nodded. "Sofia, would you like to take a walk with me? There's so much I want to talk about."
"I suppose." Sofia shrugged, a little uneasy at the prospect of having an older brother come from out of nowhere.

As they went outside, Amber turned to Miranda.
"Are you sure having this Luigi around is a good idea, mother?" She asked.
"Of course." Miranda nodded. "It'll be good for Sofia to interact with a new member of the family."
Sofia and Luigi walked out into the courtyard.
"I know this is kind of weird for you." Luigi noted. "Having me pop out of nowhere, right?"
"Yeah, you could say that." Sofia nodded.
"So, what school do you go to now?" Luigi asked.
"I go to Royal Prep." Sofia told him. "It's where I learn how to be a princess.''
"Wow." Luigi nodded. "You know, dad told me you help him at his shop sometimes."
"Yes, I do." Sofia nodded. "Why, is there something wrong with a princess working?
"No, I think it's great." Luigi nodded. "Princess likes to work, just like the rest of us. So, what was with all the decorations back there?"
"It's mom and my new dad's anniversary." Sofia explained. "They're holding a special ball in celebration."
"Do you think I could come?" Luigi asked. "I've never been to a royal ball before."
"I suppose I could ask mom and dad." Sofia mused.
"Thanks, sis." Luigi smiled.
It felt a little weird to be called "sis" by someone Sofia had only just met, but it was a good weird.
"How about I show you around Dunwitty?" Sofia suggested. "The castle is a little busy at the moment, and I'm sure you'd prefer seeing somewhere a little less crowded."
"Sounds good to me." Luigi nodded. "Lead the way."
After briefly going back to the castle to let her parents know where she was going, Sofia walked towards Dunwitty, Luigi following.

"Where are we going first?" Luigi asked.
"Let's stop by Ruby and Jade's." Sofia suggested. "They're my best friends."
"I'll be happy to meet them, then." Luigi smiled.
As they neared Ruby's house, Sofia saw her friends playing outside.
"Hi, girls!" She waved.
"Hi, Sofia!" Ruby waved back.
"Who's that boy?" Jade asked.
"Ruby, Jade, this Luigi, my half-brother." Sofia introduced them
"Pleased to meet you." Luigi smiled.
"Uh, hi?" Ruby said awkwardly.
"You never said you had a half-brother." Jade declared.
"I only just met him today." Sofia shrugged. "I'm showing him around Dunwitty."
"That's nice." Ruby smiled.
"So are you. Sofia two Friends " Luigi chuckled. "Aren't they?"
"Sure are." Sofia smiled. "We've been friends since before I became a princess. Well, we'd better get going. There's still lots to see."
"See you later, Sofia!" Jade waved.
"Bye, Luigi!" Ruby yelled.
Sofia showed Luigi around the rest of Dunwitty, and even Royal Prep.
"So, what do you do for fun around here?" Luigi asked.
"Well, I go for rides on Minimus, my flying horse." Sofia declared. "And I'm in the Buttercup Scouts, too... And for some reason, I always seem to have these wild adventures."
"Sounds like a real thrill-a-minutes." Luigi chuckled. "My life seems boring by comparison."
They soon returned to the castle, where they stopped at the gardens to rest.
"So, what now?" Luigi asked.
"How about..." Sofia tapped him on the arm. "Tag! You're it!"
Sofia ran into the garden. Luigi stumbled after her.
"Where does she find the energy?" He panted.