Sofia the First

The Absurd Love Triangle

Chapter One: The New Prince

The Enchancia trio got off their carriage, and started heading into the Royal Prep Academy. Just as they were about to, a shadow cast over them, looking up they see a big closed carriage covered with sorted jewels. Then the two brawny pegasus' pulling the carriage landed. Two footmen then open the carriage door, revealing a boy in fine clothing getting off. One of the footmen announced, "His Highness, Prince Edward the Third!"

The fairy headmistresses flew by them, coming out of the school.

"Coming through, dears." said Flora.

"Pardon us." said Fauna.

The fairies greeted the young prince, escorting him inside.

"Hmm, just who is this Prince Edward the Third…?" said Amber in a loving sigh.

"I don't know, but he smells like trouble." said James.

"You don't know that, he could be really nice." said Sofia.

They made it into the classroom, from there, class started with Headmistress Flora, announcing the new student.

"Class, this Prince Edward of Granite, he'll be joining us for the rest of the school year." waves her wand and a desk appears next to Sofia, "Have a seat next to Princess Sofia, Edward, she started Royal Prep, not long before you."

"Thank you, Ms. Flora." sitting in the seat.

"Alright, today we will start with…" as she continues the lesson, while Sofia tilled towards Edward.

"Hi, my name is Sofia."

"Edward." they shook hands, "So, you're new too, uh."

"For some time, yeah, I can show you around if you like."

He paused then gave a smile, "Sure, thanks… Why don't you show me the gardens first?"

"Okay, I will. Meet me there at recess." they went back to listening Ms. Flora's lecture. While across the back of the room, James gave a scowl towards Edward.

When it was recess time, Sofia headed towards the gardens where Edward was waiting for her.

"You made it! Great!" he said, and then suddenly he took out a watering can and sprinkled water on Sofia!

"Ah! Wha…?" she was befuddled as he gave out a big laugh, "I don't understand… Why would you…?"

"What? Can't take a joke?"

"I don't think pouring water on people is a joke! I thought you wanted to be friends! Humph!" she storm away, as she headed back inside, James and Zandar were playing nearby then he noticed his soaked sister.

"Sof! What happen?!" he goes to her.

She did a slight sniffle, "Edward, poured water all over me…"

"What?! I knew there was something phony about him! Come on; let's get you inside to dry up…"

"Thanks James…" tilling her head on his shoulder.

"Careful, wet head."

Once she came back from inside the girl's locker room with towel drying herself out as much as she can. James kept steaming over what just happen.

"It was bad enough me and Amber tricked you to go on that swing, but for him to do this… that's going too far."

"Thanks for your concern, but I'm going to do what needs to be done…"

"Punching him in the nose?"

"No, I'm going to ignore him, and then if he keeps doing it, then I'll tell the fairies."

"I still think punching him in the nose would be better…"

"James, fighting solves nothing. It gets you nowhere. But… it is sweet you want to defend for me…"

"Hey, you're my sis, of course I do…"

"It's just… even though we are family, but we're never related, you still want to help me…"

"Sof, it's my duty to watch over you. You know what Dad told me before the day you came to the castle? He told me to keep an eye on my new sister at all costs, as I am the oldest sibling and the next king of Enchancia. It'll be my responsibility to take care of those around me. So far, I think I've been failing to keep my promise…"

"Don't say that, you didn't know Edward would do this and neither did I… There are some things you can't control."

"I just hope he won't be too upset with me."

"I'll explain everything, in fact I'll even mention my brother was kind enough to help me back inside to get warm."

"Nah, you don't have to do that…"

"Alright, if you insist."

"But if you ready want to… then go for it."

She just smiled. When the school day was finally over, and they got back, they were climbing out of the carriage when Amber said, "Sofia! I just noticed your dress is all wrinkly! What happen?!"

"Edward." James replied in a grim tone.

"Is that true, Sofia?"

"It is…" they started walking into the castle.

"But why? He's obviously a prince of higher status, why would stoop so low to do such a thing!"

"Do such a thing to what?" said the queen when she saw them coming in.

"Hi Mom." said Sofia.

"There's this new prince name Edward, and he pour water all over Sofia!" answer James.

"Oh my. Are you alright?"

"Yes, Mom thanks to James."

"Ah, Sof, don't go there."

"Well come on, let's get you into something warmer before you catch a cold." she takes her daughter's hand and they walk down the hall.

"Thanks to James, uh…" said Amber suspiciously.

"What? I saw her all soaked and decided to help, is that so wrong?"

"No, I would say, that was sweet of you and caring."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Nothing." she starts walking to her own room, then says under her breath, "Yet, that is…"

For the rest of the week at school, it just got worst for Sofia. The next day, there was fake snake in her lunch box, it didn't scare her but it scared the other princesses sitting next to her. The day after, she accidently sat on a whoopee cushion at her desk, that one was really embarrassing. In gym class, when climbing the rope, it was a fake and confenee fell. It was just one prank after the other.

James couldn't stand it anymore he had to do something! The first chance he would get, he would have a serious talk to Prince Edward the Third… When class was over, he waited until everyone else was gone, but he did manage to get Edward to stay behind as well.

"What's up?"

"What's up is that you keep pranking Sofia, and it needs to end, now!"

"Whoa… Okay, yeah, I'll stop, is she hurt?"

"Her feelings? Yeah."

"Besides that, I didn't hurt her anywhere else; because that was the last thing I intended to do…"

"No, she's not… But why…?"

"I like her."

"Wait, as in like, like her?"

"Sure is…"

James heart started thumping, that was the last thing he wanted to hear. He thought for sure that Edward was acting like a real jerk; he didn't think that Edward was doing it because he liked Sofia and get her attention… He was speechless.

"You okay?"

"Uh? Oh yeah, I am. I'm just concern about Sofia."

"I get that, I understand from the other kids you're siblings."

"Yes, we are, and I want you to go over to Sofia and apologize to her."

"Sure I will. You know… you're a really good big brother, I respect that."

"Stepbrother." he blurted it out, and then was confused to why he said that.

"Oh…" sounding as though he should be worried, "Any way, I'll go straight over to her now to apologize."

When he had gone, James stood still wondering why he acted the way he did.

"Well that was interesting."

He turns to see his twin sister, Amber at the doorway.

"What is?"

"How interesting that you pointed out you were Sofia's stepbrother. Funny, I thought you liked calling her just your sister."

"What are you getting at, Amber?"

"So how long have you been keeping this secret from me? Since the day she first arrived at the castle?"

"You think…? No! That's not… Gross!"

"Come off it James! You like her! You've always have! You defend her, you help her, you like playing with her, more than with me I might add…"

"That's because you like girly stuff! At least Sofia likes to do guy stuff with me!"

"My point precisely, you're the only guy she's ever hung around but now this cute new prince comes into her life, you feel worry she's going to be taken away from you!"

"You're talking nonsense Amber; I've never been in love with Sofia!"

"Whatever," starting to go, "Just a little tip for the future, James, if you need to say something, don't say it if it's too late…" She was gone from his sight.

He walked to the window, pondering to his sister's words, and then he sees below in the courtyard where Sofia was talking to Edward. He couldn't hear their words but it seem pretty clear of what it is. Edward had just apologized, and she accepted the apology. They shook hands to seal the deal; he saw Sofia was slightly blushing while Edward wore a cheesy grin on his face.

In his thoughts, James was going, No, Amber's wrong, she has to be… I don't love Sofia, do I? She's just my sister and only my sister, and that's all she'll ever be… Or can she be more? He shook his head; this was too weird to really be thinking about right now. He had other things to do, and Sofia will be there just the same, their relationship will never change…

Edward and Sofia walked along the gardens, and then they stopped by the roses.

"You're not going to pull out another watering can are you?" she asks.

"No, of course not, that's beneath me now. I should've just accepted your hand of friendship right away, but the truth is, I afraid to get close to you because you might have decided to change your mind and didn't want to be friends with me after all."

"Well, we're friends now, and that's what matters…"

"You have an awesome brother by the way; he's the one who made me see the light."

"Really? He didn't try to punch you or anything, did he?"

"No, he and I had a little chat, that's all. But I would like see him try to fight me, because I have a mean backhand and I don't like to use it. Is it true he's your stepbrother?"

"He is, my mom married his dad. I use to live in the village before I became a princess."

"Lucky you."

"I guess it was luck, but I didn't feel like being a princess at the time."

"But something changed your mind, what was it?"

"Living in the castle became more bearable, James, Amber, and I became close with some help…" she looks down to her amulet.

"By the way is that an amethyst you're wearing?"

"I think so, my new dad gave it to me when I arrived at the castle, and I promised I would never take it off. It's a very special amulet…"

"It really looks great on you. In fact I have tons of other amethysts back home."

"Now that I think about it, you had a lot of jewels on your carriage where did you get those?"

"In my kingdom's gem mines. That's what makes my kingdom so important is because we own many jewel mines, from diamonds to rubies, you name them."

"I bet everything shimmers when you go in there."

"Maybe someday I can show you…"

"Would you?"

"I sure would…" by then the bell in the clock rang, saying it was time to go home.

"I have to go, see you tomorrow?" she said as she moved forward.

"I'll be here!" he waved her off, she waved back.

As Sofia got in the carriage, Amber asked, "So, did you straighten everything with Edward?"

"I did, and I was right, he really wasn't bad he just needed a friend but didn't know how to."

More than friends, is what I got… James thought.

"You okay James? You seem a little out of it." she asks.

"Fine, I'm fine. I'll always be fine with you around, Sof." giving her a smile, she return it as Amber glowered at her twin.

That night, Sofia went to bed feeling very happy, she had a new friend. A friend she could rely on, but then she also had a strange tingling feeling whenever she thought about Edward… She closed her eyes then fell fast asleep…

End of Chapter One.