Chapter Two

The next morning, the royals gathered for breakfast. After enjoying more delicious Nyria food, the younger royals prepared to go out and explore Nyria.
"Let's see what kind of gowns and tiaras this place has." Amber smirked.
"It's beach time for me!" James cheered, as he went to his room to change.
"Sofia, are you ready?" Charlie asked, offering her his hand.
"I sure am." Sofia took his hand.
"Make sure to be back by lunch, children." Roland called.
"Yes, dad." Sofia, Amber and James called.
Charlie led Sofia out into the warm sunny field outside.
"It's so warm here." Sofia wiped her brow.
"Is it?" Charlie asked. "I guess I've gotten used to it. We could stay in the shade, if you'd like."
"That's okay." Sofia smiled. "It's not too hot, and there's a nice ocean breeze. Let's go."
"Allow me." Charlie linked his arm with Sofia's, and directed her towards their first destination; a nearby village.
Sofia gazed at the huts the people lived in.
"I've never seen houses like those before." She said.
"Let's go to the smoothie bar." Charlie offered.
"What are smoothies?" Sofia asked.
"You'll see." Charlie smiled.
The royal arrived at the bar.
"Two smoothies, please, Kim." Charlie requested.
"Coming up, your highness." The bartender noted. Using an elaborate crank and gear system, he mixed the fruits together.
Sofia took a sip.
"Wow, this is great!" She smiled.
"They sure are." Charlie took a gulp of his own.

"Um, Charlie?" Sofia asked. "Could I take one for our walk, please?"
"Sure, Sofia." Charlie turned to the bartender. "Kim, one to go please."
"Coming right up." Kim nodded.
Kim whipped up the smoothie and gave it to Sofia. She and Charlie then moved on to the next spot on the tour.

Back at the palace, Roland and Miranda were met with a new arrival.
"This is my wife, queen Marie." Atticus introduced her. "She was attending a summit at a neighboring kingdom yesterday, which was why she couldn't be here."
"A pleasure to meet you at last, queen Marie." Roland smiled.
"I'm sure it is." Marie chuckled. "I've heard a lot about you and your family from Atticus and Charlie. Especially Sofia..."
"Yes, they do seem to be quite taken with each other." Miranda smiled.
"Well, I couldn't be happier." Marie smiled. "It reminds me of when Atty and I first started dating. We were only a little older then they were, and look at us now."
"Indeed." Atticus nodded curtly. "Now, why don't we have a royal brunch, just us kings and queens?"
"You're the host." Roland smiled.
Meanwhile, Amber was going through shop in Nyria in turn, buying gowns and tiara. She had even brought along an extra-large spare suitcase to bring them all back in. At the same turn, James was on the beach, soaking up some sun.

Charlie took Sofia to his family's royal stables, where she was reintroduced to his flying horse.
"Hi, Bucephalus." She patted his nose. "Remember me?"
"Wanna go for a quick flight?" Charlie asked.
"I'd love to." Sofia smiled.
They both mounted Bucephalus. Sofia put her arms around Charlie's waist as they took off. From up high, they could see the entire island.
"Your kingdom's beautiful." Sofia told Charlie.
"If anyone would know." Charlie smiled, causing Sofia to blush.
Once they returned to the ground, Charlie gave Bucephalus a carrot to eat.
"Good work, boy." He smiled.

After leaving the stables, Charlie took Sofia down to a small cove.
"What is this place?" Sofia asked.
"Somewhere I go when I want a little peace and quiet." Charlie declared.
Charlie led Sofia to a large, flat rock, which overlooked the small beach. They both sat down, and looked forward. The ocean waves were crashing against the nearby rocks, and some seagulls were cawing.
"It doesn't seem very quiet to me." Sofia noted.
"That's the sound of the ocean." Charlie smiled. "Close your eyes, and listen to it."
Sofia closed her eyes. She could hear the roar of the waves, the calls of the seagulls. She could even smell the saltwater.
"Wow." She whispered, opening her eyes again. "This is incredible."
"That's why I like coming here." Charlie smiled. "It's my special place. And now, it's our special place."
"It sure is." Sofia smiled, resting her head on Charlie's shoulder.
The two sat there together, enjoying the sights and sounds of the ocean, only leaving when they realized it was time for lunch.

As they walked back to the castle, they saw Amber coming out of a carriage with one of the castle servants carrying her extra-large spare suitcase.
"Amber?" Sofia gasped. "How many gowns and tiaras did you buy?"
"Oh, a lot." Amber declared sheepishly. "I sort of went overboard."
As they entered Charlie's castle together, they found queen Marie there to greet them.
"Mom, you're home." Charlie smiled.
"Yes I am." Marie smiled. "You two must be princess Amber and princess Sofia?"
"Yes we are." Amber nodded
"Well, Charlie has told me all about you." Marie told them. "Especially you, Sofia.
"Please to meet you." Sofia smiled.
"Mom, me Sofia and Amber are going to wash up for lunch." Charlie declared.
"Okay, dear." Marie smiled.
After coming back Sofia, Charlie and Amber found everyone else already seated.
"The beach was great!" James announced. "I swam out far enough that the waves would push me back in."
"And I bought this fabulous tiara, encrusted with island gems." Amber gushed. "It goes great with the sun dress I bought not five minutes earlier."
"I'm glad to see you're all enjoying our stay." Roland smiled.
"So, Miranda, I understand you and Sofia are quite new to being royalty." Marie declared. "If you'd like, I could give you some tips."
"Well, I have been doing okay so far." Miranda mused. "But I suppose a couple of tips wouldn't hurt."
"Excellent." Marie smiled. "We'll talk about it after lunch."
After lunch, Sofia and Charlie departed the castle again. Charlie took Sofia to a nearby lake, where they shared a romantic boat ride.

"This whole trip has been wonderful, Charlie." Sofia sighed. "It makes me sad to think it'll be over soon, and I'll go to leave."
"Me too." Charlie admitted. "But we'll still be able to visit eacher other as often as we can."
"Yeah." Sofia smiled. "There is that."
"And I do like seeing you." Charlie kissed her on the cheek. "A lot."
"Oh, Charlie." Sofia blushed.
Back at the castle, Amber was trying on all the outfits and accessories she'd bought, and admiring herself in the mirror. Meanwhile, James was back at the beach, lounging in the sun.
"Best. Trip. Ever." He smiled.
At the same time, Roland and Atticus were on the castle balcony, overlooking the kingdom.
"You have a very beautiful kingdom, Atticus." Roland declared.
"True." Atticus nodded. "However, Enchancia is not without it's own rustic charm. I really must visit again, when I have the time..."
"Yes, you must." Roland agreed. "And bring Charlie with you, of course. Sofia would like that."
"Of course." Atticus nodded. "How could I not, when they're both so happy when they're together?"

Meanwhile, queen Marie was giving tips to Miranda about being a queen.
"Okay Miranda, here are some trips of being queen." She declared. "Firstly, you must always be ready to attend a royal summit, day or night."
"At night?"" Miranda asked. "But I never Leave my Kids without saying goodnight. And what if me and Roland both have to leave at the same time?
"I'm sure you two could have someone watch them." Marie declared
"Well, Baileywick or my ex-husband Alex could watch them for a few hours..." Miranda mused.
"Ex-husband?" Marie asked.
"Yes, he's Sofia's real father." Miranda explained. "We lost touch for a while, but he came back and saved Sofia's life."
"I see." Marie nodded. "Now, be ready to take charge if one of your kids is sick and Roland stays with them."
"Okay, but I always stay with one of the Kids if they are sick." Miranda countered. "Queen or not, a mother's work is never done."
"Wow, Miranda." Marie smiled. "I think you already have the makings of a great queen."
"Thank you, Marie." Miranda smiled.
Meanwhile Sofia and Charlie returned to the castle.
"So Charlie, why haven't you made any friends yet?" Sofia asked.
"I guess I'm just scared that the other princes and princesses won't like me." Charlie admitted.
"My friend Vivian was shy, just like you." Sofia remembered. "I helped her to make friends, and I can help you. I can give you a few pointers before we leave."
"I'd like that." Charlie smiled.
Sofia gave Charlie some advice for connecting with others, and making friends.
"Thanks, Sofia." Charlie smiled. "I'll use what you've taught me, and hopefully, I'll make lots of friends."
"That way, you won't be so lonely when we're apart." Sofia declared.
The next morning, the royal family prepared to return home.
"Bye, Charlie." Sofia kissed him on the cheek.
"See you soon." Charlie smiled. "I promise."
The royal family climbed into the carriage (Amber's purchases being loaded into the back) and took off into the sky, Charlie and his family watching as it left.

The End.