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Cedric

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It's been a month since Cedric told Rolland that he did wish to court Sofia, he had never been so nervous in his life. Still fearing that this would still all turn bad and the king would have his head, it didn't help that in this month Sofia would just about live in his tower. His log had become backed up and he wasn't able to get anything done. That evening was going to be there first courting, he had planned something simple. He was never a man to overdue himself, feeling like he should though seeing how she was a princess.

He just couldn't get himself to go overboard, no matter how much he thought about it and tried to plan. Grabbing his wand he gets set to go,

"Come Wormy, let's get going."

Wormy cawed flying off his perch to his shoulder, they both left the room heading down the stairs to the bottom where it let out of his tower. Heading to the garden, he walked through entering the maze going a ways in you would of thought he got himself lost. Finding a nice tucked away part that had overgrown from no one coming back this far he pulled out his wand, reciting a spell a door appears and it looks like it has always been there, when he opens it, it leads to an open area. Making a table appear in the middle he sets it up with a simple 3 tier silver candlestick holder. Placing paper lanterns in midair to float for their light, having assorted flowers grow around the walls of the maze and at the back a giant weeping willow that would cover the air. Pleased with what he has done all he had to do now was wait, placing a compass in his hand he waves his wand over it and hands it out to wormy.

"Wormy if you don't mind, can you take this to Sofia."

He caws taking the compass in his beak and flies off, feeling uncomfortable nervous he has a coat rack appear near the door. Taking off his robe he hangs it there. Feeling like his under attire will be perfectly fine for this. Hoping that the Princess will like what he had done he starts to pace around, this was his first time courting anyone in his life.

The sun starts to set, wondering if she would even show up. If she came to her senses and gave up. Before his thoughts could become any more negative a knock on the door came. Going over and opening it he saw Sofia, she looked gorgeous and he then felt much underdressed. Her face flushes as he stares at her with his mouth slightly parted.

"I'm sorry I am late, Amber couldn't resist in making sure I looked my best for my first courting."

Sofia was wearing a over the top ball gown that you could tell Amber picked but still showed Sofia's taste as much as possible, what shocked him the most is even though he felt underdressed the color scheme was similar to what he was wearing, the ball gown was the same color as his undershirt the lace on the corset on her stomach, chest and what spread to the sleeves where the color of his vest. There was a part that slit open on her skirt and black ruffles looked like it was flooding out it, in her hair were a small yellow ribbon mixed in with all her curls and her jewel hung perfectly in the mix of everything.

Taking her into his arms, he shuts the door behind her. Holding her close with his left hand he takes his right hand and lifting her chin up and bringing her close for a kiss, their lips lock for a brief but passionate kiss.

"You look stunning."

Sofia red now, from the mixture of him looking at her and his kiss, ushering her to move into the area more Sofia finally gets a better look at the room. Her eyes light up walking a few more steps in before stopping she turns around smiling.

"This is perfect Cedric!"

He relaxes and smiles at her,

"I am very glad you like it,"

Walking next to her, he extends his arm. Wrapping her arms around his they walk to the table. Cedric pulls out her chair and then goes to sit in the other one. Pulling his wand out he waves it over the table and the candles appear and light then there meals appear in front of them, sliding his wand away again he now looks at Sofia, still astonished that someone as amazing and as wonderful as her would fall for a man like him.

They made small talk and ended up spending the night talking about magic, potions and the next time they would visit Cedric's parents. Feeling like he did everything wrong during this courting his fears where subsided when Sofia started talking again.

"This has been the best courting, thank you for such a wonderful time. You knew how to do everything just perfectly."

Her warm honest smile that fallowed sent butterflies threw his chest and his faced flushed lightly but with the candle light you couldn't make it out but his expression told her everything that he was feeling just now. Letting out a small giggle she stands up and walking over to him, pulling her own wand out she moved the table with ease. Getting in front of him she leans over and kisses him deeply, he kisses back wrapping his hands around the back of her head. Sofia was the one to pull away and smiled again.

"This was amazing, I wish I didn't have to leave yet but if I don't get back soon they will worry."

It had long gotten dark and he agreed with her, pulling his wand out he cleaned everything up and they were both walking arm in arm back through the mazing together, once again making small talk and discussing magical property of herbs. As soon as they got to the exit King Rolland was standing there with his arm crossed. Cedric tensed,

"You know what time it is?"

Cedric pulled his pocket watch out to look that the time, it was almost 1 in the morning. When did it that late? He had thought to himself. Sofia was the one to talk before he had a chance.

"Sorry dad, we got caught up in discussing about the magical attributes of potions."

The king sighs, his fears that they were doing things they weren't supposed to.

"Well next time try to get back at a more reasonable hour."

Sofia giggled.

"Technically we never left the Castle ground."

Rolland rolls his eyes at her.

"You know what I mean young lady."

"Yes, I know I just couldn't help myself. I promise to keep a better eye on the time next time."

Cedric was always astonished with how Sofia was always so confident and sure of herself. Sometimes he thought she could get away with murder without anyone pointing a finger at her. The three of them walked back to the castle, once inside they parted ways with the king. Cedric walked her to her room and wished her a goodnight.

"Goodnight my Princess."

He bowed to her, she curtsies to him.

"Goodnight my Sorcerer."

She threw his arms around him hugging him; he tensed from the unexpected public display of affection. Hugging her back quickly before anyone would get on him for hugging her at such a late hour and outside her room no less. Pushing her away from him, she looked slightly disappointed but knew if they were alone he wouldn't have pushed her away. Waving at him she goes into her room shutting the door behind her.

Heading back to his tower he mulled over the events of the night, knowing he wished to talk to Sofia if she truly enjoyed her time. Even considering a truth serum to see if this is what she truly wanted. He wondered if she would laugh at him for considering this. Sighing to himself he reaches his tower unlocking the door, before he even had time to shut the door his mother was out of the portrait standing in his room.

"Oh, Ceedykins! I couldn't wait for you to get back so you could tell me how your courting with Sofia went. By how late it is I know it must have gone just splendidly."

Walking over to his mother he gave him a warm smile, she embraced him in a hug.

"It's good to see you mummy, I hope it went well. Sofia said it was perfect but I still worry. We ended up talking about magic the entire time."

His mother gave a soft chuckle at him.

"Sounds like you both had a wonderful time, you look exhausted. Both of you come and visit us soon."

Giving her another warm smile he nodded.

"We have already planned to come in the coming weeks; we will see you then mummy, goodnight,"

With that she wished him a goodnight and disappeared into the portrait. Retreating to his room he lies down looking up at his ceiling. Still very unsure of himself, if this is even right. Wanting to be good enough for her but feeling like he never would. He beats himself up mentally until he manages to fall asleep.

Note: I hope you enjoyed this first chapter of the second book, I decided to be nice and let their first courting go smooth but they may not have this much luck in the future, the doubt in Cedric will only grow in the coming chapters!