Hello,

This is my story, the story of Sofia and James. I know that there has been a long time since i last uploaded the story, and for those who are new to my story, please take note that I will change all the chapters to be perfect suited for what I have in mind.

I thank you all, all of you who read and appreciate what I am doing. I hope that you will still have a bit of patience for this story.

See you all soon, have a good lecture :D

Sofia the First

Chapter I Once upon a time...

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, there lived a young girl called Sofia. Sofia was living in the countryside with her mother, in a village near their Capital castle. Her mother, Miranda, was a shoemaker and although she wasn't earning much of from her work, the two were living a normal life, and even if Miranda didn't had the money to give Sofia a better life , she was offering her love, the love of a true mother.

But one day, everything was going to change. For Miranda and Sofia, this day seemed like a normal day of work, but little they know that their life was going to change. A soldier from the royal castle entered the shop and requested Miranda to make a pair of shoes for the royal family. Miranda gladly accepted, thinking that maybe she can somehow impress the king and become a royal shoemaker. In that case, she knew that she will be able to offer Sofia a better life.

"Were going to meet the royal family" was the though that echoeded Sofia's mind

The royal family, composed of King Roland II and his two children, James and Amber, were the rulers of their kingdom. It was indeed an honor to meet them and Miranda knew that she can't miss an oportunity like this. The next day, Sofia and her went to the castle to meet the royal family.

When they arrived at the castle, Sofia was amazed by the beauty of it. She studied every detail that she could, knowing that she could share the story with her friends from the village. The both ladies entered the royal throne room accompanied by the guards of the gateway, heading for the place where King Roland was sitting. Miranda approached the king, bowed in front of him and went to present the shoes that she worked for him. King Roland approached the shoes and the lady, and by mistake, his and her hand found their way to each other. That was the begging of the love between them, and the begging for a new life for Sofia and Miranda.

Sofia became princess at the age of 8. When she met her new family, Sofia was very excited, but in her head, she knew that she wasn't ready to be a princess. As the time passed away, she improved her princess skills , becomming one of the most appreciated princess in her royal school. She never gave up on becomming the person that her new title requested.

But the stars decited that Sofia was bound to do so much more than being a princess in a kingdom. Her fate and the road that she took were much greater than she could ever imagined.

After 8 years since she moved at the castle, Sofia was becoming a real princess, she now knew all about being a princess. But somewhere down in her hearth Sofia was the same girl that arrived at the castle, as she was having the same kindness, the same style like she was having 8 years ago.

James and Amber helped her adapt to her new life, guiding her and helping her all those years at the Royal School Prep. Amber was the old-style princess, respecting every rule and always trying to make things greater than everyone. James was more like Sofia, simple but perfect.

Sofia was 16 years old now, and James 17. But, down in their soul, they knew that everything was not ok, as their developed feelings fore each other, feelings that were much more than simple siblings feelings.

James

I can't stop thinking about Sofia or about what I feel for her. Everyday, my feelings are growing. I have to confess them to her, but i don't know how. I can't hold them inside me any longer because if i don't try I will lose her to another prince and I can't even think about that. I can't even imagine seeing Sofia in someone's else arms. I must face my greatest fear, that she might not feel the same for me, but even in that case, I still need to get up and try. And I might know how I will confess my feelings to her. I will tell her at the Thursday ball. I will invite her to a romantic dance and see how she acts. After, I will take her for a walk in the garden and tell her...

Meanwhile, in the other side of the castle, Sofia was having a conversation with her rabbit pet, Clover.

"The ball is in three days princess, have you decited what you are going to wear" Clover asked while he was eating carrots

" I haven't choose one yet" Sofia replied while she went to sit on the chair near the window. "I was thinking of wearing my usual dress"

" Come on princess, this isn't a normal party, it is a grand ball hosted by your family " Clover said and approached her " You need to impress everyone, including him "

" Him? " Sofia looked at Clover. " If you are reffering to James, you are making yourself illusions" Sofia rose and headed to the desk where her books were arranged. " I am trying anyway to move foward and erase every feeling for him from my heart "

" Why would you do that princess? " Clover went behind. " You don't know what he feels, and as I always tell you, the way he is looking at you, the way he is acting when he is with you and everything else seems to confirm my suspicions "

" Clover, he is my brother ". Sofia stood up and watched her friend. " Even if we have the same feelings, the others will not accept it. There is nothing that can come from this, because everything is against "us" "

" That is not the way you should think about this. He is your step-brother, so you are not blood-related. And beside all of this, if you two share your feelings, you should fight for them, not run away"

Sofia was stunned by the words of her friend. She picked him up and went at the window, taking a glance at the beautiful lake that was surrounding her castle.

" You are right Clover. I must face my feelings, not run away from them. After all, he is special to me. He always took care of me and everything. He was the one that helped me when I needed support and he always make me feel like I am more than the others see in me. I will find out the truth at the ball. If he shows interest in other girls, than everything is clear. If not, then i will talk with him and face everything, even risking of us not being the same. Anyway, I was thinking about going at the village, i need some fresh air "

" Good ideea, i was anyway thinking about a short trip to the kitchen " Clover answered and jumped out of Sofia's arms. " See you later princess"

Sofia went to the stables and prepared to leave. But in the last moment, she saw James heading towards her.

" Where are you going Sof? " He asked

" I want to visit Ruby, Jade and Lucinda in the village. I was thinking to have a picnic with them " She answered and showed him the bag. " You want to join us? "

" It will be my honor, my princess" James responded and began to laugh

" You and your jokes "

As the carriage left, the two were enjoying their ride, talking about the ball that was upcomming in only a few days.

" So, are you excited about the ball '' James asked

" I admit I'm a bit nervous about it'' Sofia replied.

" Why are you '' James continued. " It's only a ball after all"

" It's not much anyway. I heard some rumors at school about me not being a born princess and the same stuff like always '' Sofia replied. " I am nervous about it because I don't want to mess it up "

" You don't need to worry Sof'' James grabbed her hand. " You are special even if you are not a "born princess", and the persons that said this about you are only trying to intimidate you. Perhaps that is what they want, but I will be there for you, even if you mess all up. You are a true princess to me "

" Thank you James!'' Sofia kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. " You always make me feel better. I am so lucky to have you"

" And I am lucky to have you too " James though

The carriage continued it's journey to the village. When it has arrived there, Sofia and James went to find their friends. Soon they meet Ruby, Jade and Lucinda. They gathered in the central square and headed for the hills near the village, a place where Sofia endjoyed to go with them when they were younger. But suddently, Sofia reminded that she needs to go and take some stuff from her old house, not far from there.

"Guys ,I need to take some stuff from my old house. You mind if I go now? " She asked while looking fir the key in her bag.

" No problem. Can we come with you? " Ruby asked

" Sure, why not . But who will stay behind with our stuff here? " Sofia continued

" I will stay here and keep James company. I am sure he needs it " Lucinda joked

" You are sure that you don't need any help there Sof?" James aasked

" It's ok James. I will be back fast. Ready girls? " Sofia stoond up

"Ready " Jade and Ruby answered and all three headed towards the house.

James was watching Sofia heading foward and was thinking how much he loves her and how much she needs her. Every moment in which she was away from him was a terrible nightmare, a nightmare from which James wanted to wake up, take her lover in his arms and spend the eternity in that way.

" My god, I love her so much. Why didn't I went with her " James though

" James, I am talking with you" Lucinda shouted while she was shaking him.

" Hmm, what?" He asked

" You didn't responded my question" Lucinda said. " What were you thinking about, other than Sofia"

" What do you mean"

" Don't play fool with me, you think me that blind. It's obviously what is going on here. You like her" Lucinda punched his shoulder

" I really don't know what you are talking about" James tried to change the subject

" Look, Sofia is probably my best friend and I care about her a lot. And it is not that I will run to Sofia and shout that you like her, which I know you do. It is obviously because you look at her in a very special way, you care for her very much and you are very kind to her. If you would ask me, you and her look like a good match because I know that you will take care of her" Lucinda explained to him as he put her hand on his. " Now, if there is anything I can do, tell me"

" Ok, you are right about everything. I really love Sofia, more than a sister or a step-sister. I love her from all my heart and I really want to tell her. But I am ..."

" Afraid of losing her in tha case she will reject you"

" Yes, I know that there are two cases here. If she likes me too, everything will be as I imagine, perfect. If she doesn't like me, we will change and she will push me away" James replied

" Well, I can try to find out what she feels for you" Lucinda answered while she poured herself and to James a cup of tea.

" No, if you will try to do that, it will be suspicious because we just talked. Still I have a plan. I will confess her my feelings at the ball. There I will know for sure if she really likes me or if she does not" He continued

" A good plan. But what if you are wrong and you will still tell her ?"

" Then I will accept my fate and move on, even if it will be impossible for me " James responded as he looked in the direction in which Sofia left. " They are comming back, we will continue our talk later"

" Ok, but still, if you need my help I am here to help you "

" Help him with what ? " Sofia interrupted them, looking strange at them both.

" He asked me to look in my magical books for a spell " Lucinda answered and gave James a quick sign to let him know that she has everything under control. " You arrived pretty fast"

" It wasn't a long walk and we didn't had to carry many things back to the carriage" Sofia replied as she set down near them

The time passed, and while James was having a football game with Ruby, Jade and some kids from the village, Sofia founded herself alone with Sofia. Sofia was feeling that she should tell her friend about James and ask her a opinion about everything.

" Lucinda, can I trust you with something? " She asked

" Of course, what is it"

" Well, it's about something I have been feeling lately... I know it will sound strange, but I think I have a crush... on James" Sofia replied while Lucinda reacted by spilling the tea in her cup

" I can be such a fool sometime. Sorry, but I was suprised a bit. You are saying that you like James" She continued by trying to forget the little incident

" Indeed, I have been feeling this lately, and I didn't know what to do "

" Well, you should tell him " Lucinda told her while she took a muffin

" How to do such a thing, what if he thinks me as a crazy person... "

" You are afraid of what James might think about you liking him or what he might do if he doesn't like you ? " Lucinda asked

" Both of them " Sofia continued while she looked at James. " I am afraid of losing him, even as a brother. In this way, I can still dream and be with him, even if not fully "

" Yes, but you will never know the truth, and maybe in the future you will find out that he liked you and it will be too late to do something about it "

" I know. And the most scary part is that i can't find the courage inside me to risk everything" She looked at her hands. " Somehow, I believe that I will look like a fool one if I tell him"

" But do you have a plan ?" Lucinda asked

" I do. I will see how things go at the ball. If he will show interes in other girls, then it's all clear to me"

" And if not ?"

" If he doesn't do that, I will confront him and tell him everything" Sofia replied while she looked at his dreamboy. " If I had a small clue... " Sofia said

" You'll find out, and everything is going to be ok" Lucinda put her hand on Sofia's shoulder. " Now, let's change subject or they might hear something "

" Agree, let's join them " Sofia said as she step up and headed towards James and the others. But as she approached with Lucinda, a kid kicked the ball into Sofia's leg and made her fall hard. Seeing all of this, James runned towards her like hell to see if she is ok.

" Sofia, are you allright ? " He asked as he took her in his arms

" I am ok but my leg hurts "

" We need to take you to the castle and let a doctor examine you " James replied as he rose with her in his arms. " We have to go, we will see you later guys"

James took Sofia back to the carriage and headed back to the castle fast. He never let Sofia from his arms and continuously said to her that everything will be ok, that she will be fine. When they arrived, they were greated by their parents.

" Sofia, James, what happened ?" Roland asked as he approached them with Miranda

" Sofia fell because she was hit by a ball " James explained as they headed towards Sofia's room. " I think that you should send for the doctor to look at her leg"

" Indeed, I will meet you in her room " Roland said as he went for the doctor

" Well, this is a bad thing " Miranda said while James put Sofia in her bed. " We were supposed to go at a council for two days before the ball, but if your leg is hurt you two are going to have to stay behind "

" It's not that bad " Sofia replied. " It's hurts a lot probably because of the fall "

" Anyway, it's probably best if you two stay behind. We need someone to look for the castle " Miranda continued. " Some of the staff and Baileywick are going to come with us, and the others were send home. We though that we are going to take you two with us. Only the guards are going to be here to protect the castle "

" I can take care of her " James said.

" I know you will " Miranda replied. " You always looked and took care of her everytime she needed "

" Well, the doctor is here " Roland entered and headed towards Sofia alongside the doctor

After the doctor examinated her, he recomanded to Sofia to rest a bit and her leg will heal fast.

" Well, looks like you two are going to stay behind. Amber is at Hildegard for two days, and I ordered some of our staff to stay with you two" Roland explained . " They are returning to the castle tomorrow morning"

" I will leave a note with everything that you will need to do for Sofia . I am counting on you James " Miranda replied

" Of course, I can handle this no problem " James answered

" Ok then, our carriage is ready to leave. Take care of yourselves " Roland said as all took their goodbye hugs

After their parents left, James went in the kitchen to prepare Sofia something to eat.

James

How a great chance to show my feelings for you Sofia. It's like the destiny is on my side. Look what I do for her, I even cook, me…. How impressing. Sometime I suprise myself and I know she will be very proud to see that I am taking care of her. After all I own her this because Sofia always helped me, she always has been there for me, she always make me to stood up and face something, she always make me to rise when I fall, she always has been my support, she is like me, she likes adventures, she likes to have fun, she is a great leader… I really know that she is my love, my soul mate, my princess, and I will not miss this chance to show her my feelings, it's the best way. It's a great opportunity because we are alone, not at the ball when we with all the important persons... This might be The Beginning...