Finally. An update for this story. Sorry it took so long. I had to think of who's view I wanted to go with. So I picked Amber's thoughts and view.
Sofia's Home
Chapter 1
The castle around her and James suddenly got busy. The day started off so quietly for them. The twins were inside due to the colder weather coming with books to read and lessons about the future kingdoms and their changes. Their father and mother didn't want them to be behind with how things could change. They asked for books from all across their world and neighboring kingdoms. It was a lot to read but they had to. James as was already a great reader and way ahead of her skill wise. Amber didn't read much in her youth though. Her appalling behavior made sure she'd pay for that now of all times. Well it also helped her learn how bad she really was. The day Sofia left was when she vowed she would change her ways. IF and when Sofia returned, she wanted to be a better person. James didn't help her either. Her father and mother was too busy too so she took her own step forward and did so. She was still cocky at times and still could be bratty but it was rare for her to burst out like a child.
James comments to her change were nice and helped her try and keep herself in line. For the sake of her mother, Sofia and for her own desire to show Sofia that her hard work wasn't in vain. She made her promise to treat her mother with kindness. It was hard and she would admit to that everyday for the rest of her life. It was easy now because she loved her mother dearly. The years showed her why Sofia was so protective of her as well. Miranda was the kind of mother any child would want. Supportive, friendly, caring and kind with that stern yet gentle care to her and James. It didn't help her guilt over how horrible she was as a child. What did help was what she asked of her father. A simple demand too. She was to dress herself, feed herself, cook and other things Sofia did on her own. To learn how to better herself and who she would be as an adult and do so before it became too late for her. It worked and he allowed it.
After living like her stepsister, she learned her lesson and earned enough points to be forgiven for some of the things she said and did. There was still many, many things that she refused to be forgiven for. One being Sofia leaving and the other being how she treated the queen. The rest she could earn but not those two. Not until she had Sofia judge her progress and without her there, then she could never be forgiven.
"My princess, My prince, please hurry and clean up. We have company," Bailywick told them, voice chipper about this special guest.
The twins stood and hurried back to their rooms. Spotting their mother and father in their own room getting into clean gowns as well. If their parents had to change then it had to be someone of great importance. A knight maybe? Maybe a prince and a king come to ask for Amber's hand in marriage? She hoped it was not the case but if it had to be done then she would do her duty and marry the man since she was of age to marry someone. Well, she was 25 so long over due to actually be married but it was because many didn't want to marry her now. There was never a given reason but it was their loss. Shaking her thoughts away from that while reaching her room. Amber thought back to how Bailywick sounded.
The guest was clearly important. A knight would make sense. A king and prince would make sense but so would a princess and a queen. Even a royal family would make sense. There was also the other options of a talented magic user, bearing a gift. A musician that was known among all the kingdoms. It could be anything and as she got into a better looking dress and shoes, it had her curious. So much so, she grabbed her crown and headed out with it in her hand. When running in heels began to hurt, she took them off and ran down the hall to the throne room. Stopping long enough to put the shoes back on and the crown on her head. Quickly fixing her gown and appearance before opening the doors. Needless to say, once the doors opened, she froze.
The guest was Sofia. Holding a child in her arms, a daughter no less with a man who had his arm around her shoulders. The man talking to her as if he could carry one sided conversation with no trouble at all. Even Sofia looked as if she could contort and speak with her emotions only. No voice needed to communicate. Her stepsister's daughter though looked like she was in the same boat but probably by birth. Or perhaps, because of Sofia letting her keep her voice to keep her mother safe...her thoughts stopped there. That had to be why! Because she was so horrible to the queen and didn't learn her lesson sooner. Sofia's daughter suffered. She had to make it up to her sister even more now. There was no way Amber could be allowed to be forgiven. Clearing her throat gently, Sofia and her husband turned and spotted her. Both bowing to her as she walked over and bowed back.
"Welcome home Sofia. Mother and father will be here soon. As will James for now, I must...return something to you," She said. "I will be back with Cedric and once he helps me I hope...I have earned the right to be forgiven. For all my transactions and attitude towards you during our childhood."
Turning away, she swiftly left and passed James and her mother. Telling them that she would be back. Not even her dad stopped her from heading to where Cedric's tower was. He sighed though and she heard him tell her to hurry it along. Their guest couldn't wait. She promised him that she would. At least, best as she could. Cedric wasn't one for being rushed but she wasn't going to give the sorcerer a chance to protest. It was gonna be her going in, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him to the throne room. No chance to defy her or waste time. She would explain on the way to him. If need be, even mention Sofia's name the minute she grabbed his arm. He did help her in the past so maybe he would again. It was the hope. Especially since he never cared for her antics and was one of the few who wanted her to suffer for what happened with Sofia. As she headed up the steps, she met the sorcerer on his way down.
"So, I take you heard who is back?" She asked turning and walking alongside him.
"Yes and I am going to give her the voice she gave to you back," Cedric looked at Amber while speaking. "When she gets it back. Show her her respect. Her magic is strong. Stronger than it ever was before."
Amber would have asked what he meant by that. Yet when he looked at her and said those words, she could sense an overwhelming amount of pride and envy from him. The sorcerer was clearly envious towards Sofia and he had every right. She left him a thank you note and a personal that remained in his grasp without ever telling the king or queen was what written to him. Amber guessed since he and Sofia both had a gift for magic though. It was related to that. Like some promise to return one day as a powerful magic user maybe. Now was the day she and her family would finally hear about the contents of the letter. It was her hope and it was a high hope but she would hold her tongue. As they approached the throne room, they heard her mother and father greeting Sofia and their granddaughter home. When they walked through, Amber stopped while Cedric walked on to the king's side. Miranda was holding Sofia and from what she saw, crying. Sofia returning the tight hug but her face was hidden.
When the king pulled them apart to let Cedric in. Amber saw the queen wipe tears away with Sofia doing the same. The envious wizard suddenly speaking and getting everyone's attention as Amber felt the added voice Sofia gave her leave as well as the singing talent she had. After the spell was over though, they all waited to see if it worked. Thankfully, they didn't wait long. Sofia spoke up after so many years of being silent.
"So was it worth the wait Todd?" Sofia spoke towards her husband, who seemed stunned at how gentle yet low her voice was. "I can give you that personal concert you asked for now."
"...if we weren't here, I would ask for it right now," Todd joked, taking Sofia's hands into his own. "I have missed your voice so much. It's wonderful to hear it once more."
"It is. You are staying right Sofia?" The queen said, getting Sofia's attention. "I know you hate the castle and the royal life but at least stay awhile. I want to hear all of what you have seen, what you have learned. All of it."
"I was planning on staying but only for a few days mom and that is final," Sofia told her. "I like traveling and we actually have our own home to return elsewhere."
"You have your own home? Where? Which kingdom is it in?" Amber asks, excited to know where she could finally visit her.
"It's not in a kingdom. It is across the sea but nowhere near any kingdoms so...we live free lives without anyone telling us how to live or what to do," Todd told Amber. "I mean no offense to any rulers or to you but we prefer to be very private about where we live and how we live and how we raise our Terra."
Amber looked to where his hand was gesturing when he said Terra. It was pointed to the young girl in Sofia's arms. So that was the young girl's name. She looked a lot like her sister. There was signs that Todd was her father like the hair color and eye shape but the rest was Sofia. It was hard to ignore how cute Terra looked though. This girl would be a heart breaker when she got older. Bailywick speaking up broke her thoughts on the future. Saying that it was time they allowed the guests to relax in their room until dinner was ready. Since no one argued with him and Sofia didn't object to it. He led her and Todd out of the room. Leaving Miranda, Amber, Roland and James to talk about what they would ask Sofia and how they would ask her to avoid making her leave again. In the end though, James made the point of Sofia leaving anyways. She clearly loved how she was living free of any rules or laws around her or on her. To take that away and force her to come back would just make her leave and never return. It would also put them all on her "must avoid" list. Something Miranda didn't want to happen. They all made a promise to one another though. To talk with Sofia as long as she was here and then say goodbye without forcing any guilt on her when she left.
Easier said than done.
