Chapter One: A Ball
Sofia stumbled through a hidden door and pushed a tapestry out of the way, mulling over what she would do. This had to be her toughest story yet. How do you prepare a woman for death?
Sofia opened the story book and analyzed the words. Bethany was an old widow who was living alone in a one room house. Her husband had died from a plague that had swept her kingdom which had also taken the queen. Her son was a knight and she hadn't seen him since he left ten years ago. And now Bethany was dying and Sofia didn't know what to do.
"Princess Sofia! There you are!" Baileywick called. Sofia spun around. "Where have you been?"
"I was…flying with Mercy," Sofia hastily said. It wasn't a complete lie. She did go flying with Mercy. To the kingdom Amalgamate.
"Well you have only two hours to get ready so I would hurry to your room if I were you. Your lady maids are going hysteric," Baileywick rattled and checked his pocket watch.
"Uh, why do I need to get ready?" Sofia wondered.
"For the royal ball tonight. For your sibling's eighteenth birthday?" Baileywick prompted.
"Oh, right! I forgot about that!" Sofia exclaimed and started running to her room. "Thanks Baileywick!"
"Baileywick told us everything and I can't believe you forgot about my birthday!" Amber dramatically cried, flinging herself onto a nearby couch, her purple and gold lace skirt falling perfectly around her.
"Our birthday," James added, looking dashing in his purple jacket and cream pants.
"I'm sorry. I lost track of time," Sofia explained as she smoothed her purple skirt that overlaid the gold under-skirt. Amber rolled her eyes and straightened the gold bow that rested on the back of Sofia's hips. She sent her older sister a smile of gratitude. Miranda shushed them, then turned back to her husband as the family waited for the trumpets to announce their royal entrance.
"You better have remembered to have gotten me a present. If you didn't, I'll have Daddy throw you in the dungeons," Amber whisper threatened as the trumpet fanfare started and the double golden doors that led to the ball room were flung open.
King Roland II entered, his golden crown catching the light perfectly from its perch atop his ginger head. Queen Miranda was clinging to his arm, looking radiant in a sapphire blue gown. James followed closely, his many golden tournament awards sparkling on his jacket. He too wore a crown, a prince crown, but still a crown. Amber walked next to her twin, waving perfectly at all the party goers, strutting when she caught a knight glance down at her large lace covered chest. Sofia stumbled slightly down the marble steps as she followed her family. When they reached the base a waltz began to play. Roland turned and took Amber's hand while James took Miranda's. Sofia smiled as they lead the first waltz of the twins' eighteenth birthday ball.
A tap on her shoulder told her to turn around. Zander, wearing a tradition deep red vest, revealing a tan six pack, and black harem pants with a small turban resting on his black haired head, grinned up at her from his respectful bow. Sofia barley stifled a laugh. She knew Zander wasn't doing this because he was into her because his wife was standing right behind him. A frosty looking blue haired princess from Freezenburg.
Hildegard was looking ravishing in a belly showing sapphire blue top and matching silk skirt. A thin silver and sapphire filled tiara that sprouted three red feathers from the tip rested on her flowing locks. Sofia smiled at the golden band around her finger. The wedding had been a spectacle in Tangu, about three months ago. Though the marriage had been arranged by their parents because of a drought in the desert kingdom, both royals had been so in love that they hadn't cared.
And now the seventeen year old king-in-training was grinning up at her, asking her to dance, because she was lonely and didn't like dancing with strangers. So, with a thankful smile at the pair, Sofia took his hand and allowed herself to be swirled around on the marble dancing floor.
After the waltz was over Sofia drifted towards some of her friends. Ruby and Jade were munching on tiny cakes in the buffet. Sofia laughed as Jade sprinkled crumbs on her voluminous skirt. The corset around her torso was pulled so tight that her lips were turning slightly blue. Ruby, meanwhile, was wearing a simple red gown with gold ribbon trim. Her dark locks were piled on top of her head in a stylish up-do.
"This is really hard to do," Jade grumbled as she swiped crumbs off her lacy dress.
"Why do think there was an entire unit on ball etiquette, with a full day dedicated to eating in a ball gown, at Royal Prep," Sofia laughed.
"Maybe you should give me tips," Jade joked. Ruby laughed and scarfed another cake in one bite so she wouldn't get crumbs on her dress. Suddenly, Sofia noticed that there was someone approaching them. Sir Walter, a young and very handsome knight, walked slowly up to the three girls.
"Can I help you, Sir Walter?" Sofia asked the young knight. He had dressed up perfectly for the occasion in a deep green jacket with his brown hair swished to the side.
"I was, uh, wondering if Miss Jade would like to dance?" he forced out. Sofia arched her brown brow and turned to her friend who was, surprisingly, blushing.
"Of course," Jade breathed softly and took his outstretched hand. Together, they drifted to the floor and were consumed by the many dancing couples. Sofia just stared in wonder.
"When did they meet?" Sofia asked Ruby, desperate to know the whole story.
"Sir Walter was riding through our village one day and stopped at the well for a drink. But he couldn't figure out how to work the pulley system. Luckily, Jade was there to help him," Ruby explained, smiling at the swirling couple.
"You mean make fun of him," Sofia amended. Ruby laughed in agreement, though her dark eyes were following a purple coated blond who was making his rounds with all the woman.
"Why do you keep looking at James?" Sofia inquired. Ruby blushed.
"I'm not," she protested. Sofia titled her head, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "Okay, okay. I want to dance with James."
"I see," Sofia said in triumph and glanced at her brother. She stared at him till he met her eyes. His eyes drifted from her to Ruby and his stance relaxed. With a determined air, he strode to the pair of girls.
"It is so nice to see you Ruby," James gasped when he stood in front of them. "All the girls are so fake. Do you want to dance?"
"Why me?" Ruby gasped, stunned and blushing immensely.
"You're nice. And maybe you can help me fend off the rabid prince seeking prima donnas," James explained, shrugging as he flashed that adorable side grin of his. Ruby laughed and let him take her arm.
Now Sofia was all alone at the buffet table. She slowly drifted to a corner and watched Amber flit from boy to boy. Zander and Hildegard were dancing elegantly next to James and Ruby, who were waltzing very close together as Roland gave them an approved look. Jade was sitting on a bench, chatting with Sir Walter.
Sofia sighed with a small smile and pulled out her storybook, her mind beginning to mull over possible ways to finish the story with a happy ending. Bethany clearly was not at peace. But what could be bothering her?
Sofia flipped to the painting of her saying good bye to her son for the last time. The pain on Bethany's face was clear. She traced the tears on the old woman's face and suddenly understood. Bethany wanted to see her son again. But Charles, her son, was a knight in the kingdom Amalgamate. And she didn't know if he was on a mission or was stationed at the castle.
"Really, I know balls are dull things, but that doesn't mean you have to read a book," a deep voice teased. Sofia jumped and her book fell to the floor. Prince Hugo stood before her. He chuckled at her reaction and snatched her book from the floor. "The Widow's Tale. Sounds like a very depressing book."
"It is," Sofia agreed as she took it back.
"Then why are you reading it?" Hugo laughed and leaned on the wall next to her. He had grown very handsome and had even more medals from tournaments than James. As of late, Hugo's charming grin and dark teasing eyes had invaded her dreams. She tried very hard not to think about her latest one that had awoken her in a sweat. A dream where Hugo was even closer than he was now. Her cheeks flushed at the memory.
Sofia ignored the fresh smell wafting off of the prince of Amalgamate and turned her eyes back to her book. Wait. Hugo was the prince of Amalgamate! Hugo could help her find Charles!
"Hugo, I need your help with something," Sofia started. "I need to find a knight from your kingdom Sir Charles is his name. It's very important."
"Why do you need to find him? An old lover, perhaps?" Hugo smirked.
"No, it's not that."
"Are you going to tell me at all?" Hugo teased.
"It's his mother. She's all alone and she's dying. And she wants to see her son again before she goes," Sofia admitted.
"Oh." Hugo's mood turned somber.
"So, you'll help me?"
"Sure. I… I know what it's like to have your parent die. Sir Charles will want the chance to… say goodbye."
"Oh, Hugo. I'm so sorry. I forgot that your mother died from the plague." Sofia mentally kicked herself.
"It's okay. I didn't really know her. I was talking about my dad. He's really sick."
"I'm so sorry Hugo," Sofia sighed and placed her dainty hand on Hugo's arm. His dark and suddenly damp eyes gazed thankfully in her kind blue ones.
"Come over tomorrow. We can talk to Charles then," Hugo promised.
"Thanks," Sofia told him. Suddenly Hugo's dark eyes hardened as he spotted something over her shoulder. She whirled around and came face to face with Hugo's older brother, Prince Axel.
"Hey, baby bro. I hope you don't mind if steal this princess away to dance, do ya?" Axel asked, a smirk twisting his lips in a cruel way. Hugo frowned.
"Excuse me?" Sofia interrupted, not used to being ignored or treated like she wasn't there, especially by a prince. Axel didn't even turn. He just grabbed her hand and began pulling her away. Sofia's eyes caught her Dad's. He looked pleased. Pleased that such an important prince was paying attention to the village girl turned princess. Sofia swallowed the rejection on her tongue and allowed herself to be taken to the floor.
Axel spun her around and around, laughing all the while. His predatory stare made her feel like a deer being chased by a hunting party. Sofia slowly began to notice the many stares upon them, including her family's eyes. She gulped and gave a big grin, hoping she was fooling everyone. But really, his touch was too firm and too bold, his hands sweaty and meaty, and he smelled like a wet dog.
"Was my baby brother bothering you, Princess?" Axel asked her after the dance as he led her to a small bench for two. Sofia sat and nearly gasped as the pain in her feet lessened.
"No, not at all," she assured the bossy prince.
"You should let me know if he is. I don't want my brother socializing with maidens he can't wed. He'll only make a fool out of himself," Axel protested and Sofia blushed then crinkled her brow. Why couldn't Hugo marry her? Neither of them was engaged. Not that she had thought about Hugo marrying her.
"Thank you," Sofia said, standing, hoping to make a break for the buffet table and the secret door behind the tapestry. But Axel stood as well.
"Perhaps you would like to leave this loud party and go somewhere more private," Axel whispered in her ear, holding her hands captive, pressing closer and closer. Sofia gasped at his boldness and took a step back. But Axel followed. She smelled wine on his breath.
"Prince Axel," Sofia began.
"Why are you afraid of me? Did my brother say something?" Axel growled, his right hand stroking her loose curls. "You really are very pretty for a village girl." She swatted his hand away and backed up, freezing when she hit the wall behind her.
"Axel, stop."
"So pretty. I wonder what you would look like sitting on a queen's thrown. Wearing Amalgamate's traditional colors," Axel purred and leaned in. Dread filled Sofia's stomach. This was extremely inappropriate. Dancing with Axel in a room filled with people was one thing. Kissing one in front of a room filled with people was quite another. No one would marry her if people knew she had kissed Axel. They would consider her his. And Sofia didn't want to be his.
Just as his lips descended Axel was ripped away and spun around. He nearly fell over, he was so drunk. But Hugo continued to hold his older brother's arm in a death grip, his eyes throwing daggers at the sputtering red head.
"What are you doing?" Axel yelled and cursed as Hugo squeezed tighter.
"Saving you from ruining our kingdom's reputation. Do you know what people would think if they say you kissing someone you aren't engaged to? Especially considering she's a princess?" Hugo shot back. Though he wasn't yelling, his words were still powerful. Sofia placed a hand on her heart, fingers stroking her amulet, as she watched the brothers bicker.
"What would they think?" Axel repeated, a laugh in his voice. "That I could be doing much worse!"
"We're done. I knew we shouldn't have come. I knew you would try something like this. You always do," Hugo growled.
"Just because you're a prude doesn't me I have to be," Axel shot back. Then he turned to Sofia. His leering gaze made her freeze. "I'll see you soon, princess." Then he walked away, confidence and cruelty flowing off of him. Hugo glared after his brother before turning back to the princess still frozen like a statue.
"Are you okay?" he asked her, truly concerned. Only a flicker of the fire remained.
"Yes…yes, I think so," Sofia stuttered, nodding slowly, beginning to breath. "Did anyone…did anyone see?"
"I don't think so. I only noticed because I was keeping a close eye on my brother. He likes to disappear when he has a pretty girl in his clutches," Hugo assured her and Sofia nodded, shivering slightly. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"As long no one saw me, I will be," Sofia responded, straightening up and taking a deep breath. If Axel had ruined her family's reputation then she would be to blame. They would get no respect from the neighboring kingdoms. "Thank you."
"Anytime, princess," Hugo said as he bowed. Then he followed his brother out of the ballroom, towards the carriage that would take them home.
Sofia sighed a sigh of relief and walked back over to the buffet table. A quick look told her no one was watching her. All eyes were on the darling of the royal family, Princess Amber, as she flittered with every man she could find, face flushed red from the wine. Sofia's pale hand reached behind the tapestry outlining the royal family tree and pressed against a brick. The wall slid open and Sofia slipped inside, walking through the darkness, trying to forget everything that just happened.