A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for reading and giving me your feedback on this story! This is my first official fic that I've ever posted on any online forum! I'm so sorry for the delay on this chapter and I'm sorry for how short it is, but chapter 3 should be coming soon! Thank you all!
"Please sit down Sofia." he said as he gestured to the chair in front of the fireplace. Sofia took a seat and awaited for her father to begin. "Sofia, now that Amber is married things will slowly be getting back to normal around here. I was wondering what you might have planned now that you've decided you won't be returning to your travels anytime soon?"
"Oh. Well I suppose I haven't thought about it too much." she thought aloud, "I do wish to continue my magical studies with but.."
"Yes, well that is all very nice Sofia but what about other things? Before Amber was engaged she would participate in social events. Charity balls, banquets, races, you know, places she was surrounded by peers her own age. She was involved."
Sofia was beginning to understand where her father was hinting at. She knew soon enough that after she came back to Enchancia her parents would try to encourage her to meet suitors. She half-expected it to be the day she first arrived home, but since Amber's news about her engagement, in Amber fashion, she took the spotlight until the day she said 'I do'. "Well dad, that all seems fine and dandy but all those things just aren't for me. And I don't feel like I have the time for a social life at the moment."
"Sofia..this is the perfect time." her father insisted, "You're no longer going to travel and Amber's wedding is over. There's nothing left to distract you from rekindling friendships with those you went to Royal Prep with." he sighed.
"That's not true Dad. My lessons with are taking up my time." She explained.
Roland let out a soft sigh, "Sofia..I'm so very proud of you and your accomplishments with magic. But magic lessons are no longer of importance now. I love that all my children have hobbies but it's time to set it aside and look forward. I'm not saying it will be forever but I think it would be really good for you to see some friends and go out. Not stay cooped up in a tower with Cedric."
"It's not just a hobby of mine dad. and I have talked about moving up in my apprenticeship. He says that I can now be a certified sorceress now. I just have to be tested in front of the Sorcery Council and then I will earn my certification. But I need a lot of time to study."
"That's wonderful Sofia, but then what after? You'll be a sorceress. You won't need to spend so much time with Cedric anymore. In fact, I could just replace him with you."
"No! You can't do that!" she cried.
Roland held his hand up, "I won't Sofia, but I want you to take this seriously." He then brought a chair closer to the princess and took her hands into his. "Sofia, I love you and I only want what is best for you...I have something..a uh..proposition for you." Roland seemed to have trouble finding the right words without upsetting his daughter, "You don't have to agree, but you must promise me you will give it some good thought before making your decision. Can you do that for me Sofia?"
Sofia looked into her father's pleading eyes. She wasn't sure she could promise something she didn't know anything about, but she could see the love and concern her father had for her. She decided he wouldn't ask her this unless it was something important to him. "I promise Dad, I will do my best." she sighed.
"Ok, do you remember your friend Princess Leilani?"
"Of course, I haven't seen her in years but we've wrote to each other from time to time. Why?"
"Well it seems that Princess Leilani also has an older brother whom will soon be the next chief."
"That's odd, she never mentioned an older brother?"
"I can see why she didn't, he wasn't near the island around the time you and Princess Leilani first met. Apparently it is custom for the sons of the royal family to voyage around the islands until they're old enough to rule" he explained, " I have received letters from the chief of Hakalo and he would like to form a treaty of a sorts between our kingdoms."
"That sounds wonderful dad, but I'm still not sure how I play into this..?" she wondered.
"Well Sofia, the chief has expressed that he would very much like to make this treaty through marriage between you and his son." he paused for a moment waiting for Sofia's reaction, but she remained still and unchanged, "He and his wife believe you would be the right fit for their son, they've expressed how much they trust you and have adoration in your courageousness and believe to be the perfect candidate to rule Hakalo alongside their son. I have not agreed because I know in the end it is your choice, but I ask you to think it over Sofia. We would be the first kingdom to create an alliance with Hakalo as well as this would be the first time they have a royal marriage outside of their own culture. You know very well how private they are with their island." he remarked
"So you want me to agree to a marriage to a man I've never met because it would benefit our kingdom and make history?" Sofia asked.
"I'm asking you to consider it." he replied.
"You're asking me to consider an arranged marriage! While Amber and James can happily choose who they want to be with for the rest of their lives, I'm the one you ask to consider an arranged marriage!" Sofia began to raise her voice while her eyes began to water. She couldn't understand what possessed her father to even consider that this was an option. All that she could think of was her shattered dreams of a life with Mr. Cedric beginning to fall apart.
"Sofia, I'm not trying to upset you." Roland pleaded, "Please try to understand it from my perspective. As a king I try to do what is best for the kingdom. As a father I try to do what's best for my children."
"And how is this in my best interest Dad?!" Sofia snapped.
"Sofia...it concerns me how much time you spend with Cedric. People talk. Now I know he has become a better man, thanks to you, but I will not have you be the center of gossip especially if it includes a scandal between the two of you." he shouted.
"So what you're telling me is even if it were the case that I may have feelings for you wouldn't accept it? You're telling me my feelings still don't matter! The only thing that matters to you is your own opinion." Sofia fumed.
"Sofia he is a bumbling sorcerer that is beneath your class. Do you really think I would accept that?! Or the kingdom for that matter! You're a princess."
"I think you forget Dad, that you married beneath your class once and it was out of love."
"Yes, but I first did things the right way. I married Amber and James' mom, whom was a princess." Roland stated.
"So you're telling me that if you had met mom before falling in love with your first wife you would not have considered being with her instead of Amber and James' mom? Just because it would not have been the traditional thing to do?" she argued.
"Sofia, those are a lot of what if situations. You can't expect me to answer such a thing."
"Then you shouldn't expect me to follow along some tradition just because it's the 'right way'" she shouted. Sofia stood up from her chair and started off towards the exit, "I'll keep my promise, but don't expect the answer you're so willingly hoping for." And she closed the door behind her.
