AN: Posting took longer than promised, sorry. I had to rewrite the plot—it seems this won't be a three-parter anymore. I hope this chapter would be worth the waiting for those who did.
Despite having been staying in the castle, Hugo found himself unable to be in the company of Sofia. While Connor did finally leave later in the afternoon, to which Hugo could not be more relieved by when it had happened, Sofia had some other engagements scheduled—concerning her bracelet it seemed, as she had been clutching it as she had hurriedly left. This lead Hugo to think of Connor even more bitterly than he had already did—the Baron had consumed all the free time Sofia had, time that she and Hugo could have had spent together. While he had not seen most of it firsthand, the little of the courtship Hugo had seen was enough to leave him nauseated. "You mean to tell me that they've been like that all morning?" Hugo remembered asking James.
Hugo was letting off steam skating that night. He hoped to see Sofia, since she did say that she skated every night. His odds were great that he could spend just a little bit of time with her, and maybe even get to be the first one to greet her Happy Birthday. He skated long into the late hours, growing more restless with every second and every thought of his former skating partner.
Disappointment unfortunately hits harder when filled with expectation and hope. Hugo's pocket watch already struck 12am, and no princess was to be found. It didn't help that the answer he got from a group of servants on his way to the guest room was, "Princess Sofia? I wasn't aware that she had left. Wasn't she in the castle all day," when he had asked if Sofia had already returned. Like rubbing salt on his "wound" unknowingly, they also assured him that it was a common occurrence that Sofia would go missing from time to time. They say it's just because the castle grounds are so large; everyone had already grown accustomed to it. It wasn't possible that Sofia would have left without any one person in the castle knowing. The guards would have surely seen her leave.
It just wasn't his day, Hugo thought. He hated going to sleep on a foul mood, but there was no helping it, there's a big day ahead of him—he wasn't going to let lack of sleep limit him from celebrating Sofia's day.
oOo
"Princess, it's already past midnight," Baileywick lightly reprimanded Sofia as he had caught her on her way to the frozen lake, "You didn't even come for dinner."
"Baileywick!" exclaimed Sofia in surprise. "What are you doing up this late," she asked, trying to shift the focus of the conversation to Baileywick rather than her.
Baileywick studied Sofia's face as they exchanged looks before sighing, deciding that pressing her for explanations wouldn't get them anywhere. "Well, it is, technically, already your birthday. I suppose a few minutes wouldn't hurt."
"Thanks, Baileywick," said Sofia as she hugged Baileywick and continued on her way.
"If you aren't back by 1am, I'm personally dragging you into the castle. You should take care of yourself more," shouted Baileywick, hoping Sofia heard him. He sighed again—sometimes, he felt that he gets older quicker with Sofia than when he handled Amber and James at their naughtiest years of childhood.
Sofia would have eventually returned to the castle after a few minutes on her own without Baileywick even reminding her to do so. While it was the main reason, ice skating practice was not the only reason she brought herself to skate right after returning from her secret duties. "What was I thinking, who'd skate this late at night," said Sofia to herself as she crouched and hugged her shins while slowing down to a stop on the ice. She laughed at the silliness of the notion that someone she hadn't met for so long would wait for her in the cold; it wasn't like they promised to meet—she just set an unrealistic expectation. "I've been reading too much of Amber's books."
oOo
"Tie, coat, watch, hair, gift… Okay, I'm ready!" Hugo went through a mental list on just about everything he needed perfect for the day. Hugo was relieved that the people his castle has sent back to him came with a selection of clothes fit for the occasion. He'd be happy with just one set, but his family tend to go overboard. Fortunately, he didn't have to unpack the trunks they sent him; they were a special sort. One could say they were like pop-up books—once the trunk was opened, the hidden mechanisms make the clothes pop up hanged for display as it would be on the other side of a shop's show window. They sent him about 8 trunks in total filled with anything he would be needing to wear from garments to accessories, plus a note. "Baby Bro, I had Brigham prepare some clothes for you. I say pick the set in navy blue. Darker shades look better on you was what Mother always used to say. Oh, and ease up a bit on the bling would you—I'd pick the silvers over golds, if I were you, by the way." His brother might be annoying at times, but there was no doubt he cared—was what Hugo thought until he saw the postscript. "PS: Man, you had me going there. I really thought it was Sofia's birthday the other day based from how fidgety you were. Don't worry I covered for you, don't worry about work piling up. I'm not doing this for free though, you're spilling all the beans on how you got your new girlfriend. I want all the details; you owe me that much. Needless to say, a reddened Hugo tore the note to shreds and threw every piece into the fireplace shortly after reading the note. He was still largely thankful, though. He had his things loaded into his carriage right after, thinking that it would be a pain to have them wait to be moved after the party.
Hugo spent the morning once again looking for Sofia. He soon found that it was unlikely he would be meeting her until later that night. Preparations for her big day it seems. Amber personally organised the event—no shock, really, given the scale of things. The servants were like ants scurrying about the castle while carrying all sorts of stuff. His greeting-slash-confession would have to wait. After leaving his present for Sofia back in his room, on the bed, he went exploring to another one of the castle's wings. It was deserted, Hugo observed, but likely just for the day since the place was still kept up and clean. It seemed that literally everyone was busy setting up the party.
He found himself in a cozy study. It wasn't necessarily small per se, but when compared to the castle's libraries, it was relatively tiny. There were two shelves wide enough to almost be of the same width as the room save for the aisles on either side. One shelf was spaced against the back wall and the other was in front of the first shelf. The room also had a coffee table with two chairs, and an upright piano stationed opposite them. Hugo figured he'd burn some time here until lunch, and maybe even return afterwards.
The sound of chattering stopped Hugo while he was skimming through books between the shelves, looking for one that he would like. This part of the castle should be empty right now, and this fact got Hugo curious about whom those voices belonged. He was about to put down the book and go out of the room to identify the voices, but the people he heard were way ahead of him—they entered the room and slammed the door shut. "I'm not sure why we have to be so secretive, King Roland. We're just talking, aren't we?" It was Connor's voice.
"I'm just being cautious. Reputation is important to a king."
Hugo suddenly got the feeling that this was something he wasn't supposed to hear. He put a hand over his mouth in an attempt to silence himself. Hopefully, they wouldn't think to go around the shelf; otherwise, he'd be found. "I'm not spying, this is just a series of very unfortunate coincidences," Hugo thought to himself.
"Now where was I," thought Connor out loud, "Ah, yes, I remember. I'm merely asking for your approval. It may be presumptuous of me to think so, but you dislike me, don't you King Roland. I don't know what I did to deserve to be so disliked by you and Princess Amber, but believe me, my intentions are in the right place."
"This isn't my choice to make. If you're that confident, you don't even need my help."
"I'm not asking you to force her; I'm just asking for a little push in the right direction coming from you, her father. But, even that is just, in a way, insurance. What I really just want from you is your blessing. There's no reason to refuse. I'm a highly accomplished man, I must humbly say. And, think about it: it's a win-win. You would be making me immensely happy, and in exchange, I get to help you right the wrongs you so desperately want to undo. This alliance would make Enchancia whole again, and every bit of the Kingdom would be back to the Royal Family, as it once was. Don't you want to be able to talk to your sister again without feeling the sense of guilt that she took responsibility for your own blunder. Everybody makes mistakes, King Roland, teenage princes just have more to lose—but you can fix yours."
"You're just like your blackmailing father. But I'm not a boy anymore, I won't yield."
"Heavens, you misunderstood me. This does not in the slightest resemble blackmail. This is a negotiation—one heavily in your favour, might I add. I'm sure the late Miss-"
"Don't you dare bring her into this."
"But she already is. She's at the very core of this all—she's one of the reasons why we could have this conversation right now. She was a very nice lady I was told—it's a shame the twins didn't get to know her."
Roland threw a fist at Connor's face, but stopped right before hitting Connor's unblinking eyes. He can't have a castle guest with a black eye. Like it or not, Connor was invited by Sofia.
"Violence isn't becoming of you, King Roland."
"You know, doing this just makes me hate you even more."
"You forced my hand—you're a nosy father."
Roland laughed.
"Is there something funny?"
"You essentially just told me that I know too much."
"Too much? You know a little, allowing me to negotiate with you, but not enough to shoot me down," Connor chuckled, "That information won't do you any good."
"You're full of it, Connor."
"You talk like I'm trying to steal your crown. I'm only after your blessing."
"We both know Enchancia is your end-goal."
"That's just your assumption. You don't have any evidence for it. No matter. There is no doubt in my mind that you will come to your senses soon enough, Father."
"I'm not your father."
"Not yet."
"You're not as charming as you think."
"And you're not my only contingency. When worse comes to worst-" Connor then finished his sentence by raising a vial of a pink substance. "She'd say 'I do.'"
Connor stopped a bit on the way out and added with a soft voice,
King Roland fell seated, defeatedly, on one of the chairs after Connor left. He sat there for the rest of the day, possibly thinking of a solution, or maybe just licking his wounds, who can tell.
Hugo naturally couldn't leave either. He just heard something incredible which is also something that he shouldn't have heard at all. Prince Hugo squatted nervously between the shelves, hoping that King Roland would not spontaneously think of picking up a book from where he was. He couldn't even think—his mind was a mess, maybe even as much as Roland's.
"There you are!" these were sweetest words coming from Baileywick in the ears of Hugo. "We've been looking all over for you. You're late for Sofia's party."
Hugo could hear them on their way out: "Hey Baileywick, keep an eye out for anything Sofia drinks or eats—should what she's drinking or eating be left unattended, replace it immediately."
"Is something wrong, Sire?"
"Double the number of people stationed in the buffet, too. And, make sure that only you and I know about this. As far as everyone else is concerned, I just want more people serving at the buffet tables."
"You suspect an attempt at poisoning?"
"…I'm just being cautious," he said, more like recalling vocally rather than replying.
Hugo took a deep breath as soon as he was confident that he was alone. He had to calm down first. For now, he just left for the Grand Ballroom, acting like nothing had ever happened.
oOo
"How is your party, Sofia," Amber coyly asked as Sofia was finally able to separate herself from the guests. "Wow, Madame Colette outdid herself this time. Of course, it was under my guidance that she styled you so wonderfully. I daresay you're the prettiest in the world today. I'm close behind, naturally," said Amber as she jokingly added, "But only because it's your birthday—I'm handing you the number one spot for today."
Sofia flung herself at her sister, happy almost to tears with what Amber had made possible for her. Amber's events were always grand, but this one was exceptional even among her largest ones. Sofia's coming-of-age gala took Amber months to plan.
"Sofia, we're going to fall!"
"Oh, sorry," hugging was difficult with what Sofia was wearing, especially with the crinoline underneath her skirt. Sofia was wearing a lavish amethystine ball gown. It hugged her nicely, the princess seams doing its work accentuating her figure. The sweetheart neckline with an off-the-shoulders style, Amber's idea, pushed that accent further. It was elegant yet teasingly sultry. In Amber's words: "What better way to show the world that you aren't a little girl anymore—a fine woman!" The tulle over her skirt was simple, but was intricately textured—but not so that it would make her look gaudy. There was floral pattern from the edge of her skirt, working its way up a bit on one side. Sofia's naturally wavy hair was held up in an updo, which reveal both her ears are with simple diamond stud earrings that go nicely with her amulet. Amber wanted her bracelet replaced or at least off while she was wearing her main gown for the night, but Sofia insisted that she keep it on.
"You look amazing, Sof."
"Can't I have this moment at least for myself, James."
"Guys, there's enough of me to share," giggled Sofia.
"And, you might have said otherwise, but sharing with me wasn't ever a bother for you, right?"
"How could you not know your own sister?" teased Amber.
"Hey, that stings," James laughed.
"I've talked to almost everyone now," said Sofia, "But have you seen Hugo?"
"Picking favourites from your guests, I see."
"It's not like that, Amber," blushed Sofia, "It's just strange that I haven't seen him yet, that's all."
"Relax Sofia, I'm just joking. Hmmm, let's see," said Amber as she looked around. Amber then caught a glimpse of Connor through the crowd, walking towards them. She sighed, "Well, he's not Hugo, but-"
"Princess Sofia, you never fail to set my heart aflutter, you surprised me."
"Hands off," said Amber as she slapped Connor's hand away with her fan, stopping him from kissing Sofia's hand.
"Amber!"
"Can I talk to you for a bit?" she asked Sofia sweetly before turning to Connor and changing her tone, "I won't care if you mind. I'm talking to my sister in private."
Amber pulled her sister a considerable distance from Connor, who was left with James. "For the millionth time. That guy is bad news. I can feel it; and he's creepy, seriously," Amber whispered.
"He's just awkward at times-"
"You mean all the time."
"At times. It's okay."
"Just promise me you'll be extra careful around him."
Sofia nodded to appease Amber. "But there's no need to. You'll see," as she went to rejoin James and Connor.
oOo
Now able to think more clearly having already gathered his wits and composed himself, Hugo arrived, a little short of breath, in the Grand Ballroom. He noticed the large room was obscenely quiet for a gala—no music, no anything, just murmurs from the crowd who also seemed surprised at the sudden development. Where everyone was looking was a small group—James, Sofia, Amber, and Connor who was standing on a chair, holding a glass up. He was apparently in the middle of a speech.
"—Which bring us here today. Princess Sofia, it is on this very day, your 18th Birthday, that I, Lord Connor Fulbjorn, hereby profess my insatiable love for you and ask for your hand in marriage. I don't need an immediate reply. It is my wish that you think it over carefully, and hopefully come to the same conclusion that I had—that I am the best man for you. I leave now, allowing you to ponder without the pressure of my presence, but I will return another day, ready to hear your answer. Until we meet again, Princess."
Connor leapt and flipped through the air over the crowd landing just before one of the windows. He blew a kiss and leapt down, causing everyone to rush concerned to the windows, peer through, and witness him landing on his coach. It was a comical sight, really, ridiculous even, but Connor did it with bravado and conviction—and that is what made the moment both serious and compelling. If anyone else had done it, he'd have put himself in unredeemable embarrassment.
Calculations ran in Hugo's head. What were the political implications of refusal? What could Connor do that could disadvantage or potentially ruin Sofia, or the Royal Family, should he be refused? The simplest plan that even an idiot could think of would be to twist the story of his rejection—and gossip like this always sticks like gum on hair. Undoubtedly, Connor is not an idiot, his plan would be more intricate than that. The only way to mess up whatever Connor's plan, without putting the Royal Family and Enchancia deep in scandal and political disarray, was for a third party to enter the equation. It's a variable Connor should not have accounted for. Hugo knew that he was potentially the only one who could do something about it—the King is already dancing on the palm of Connor, and was possibly the only other person who knew about "the real" Connor. By elimination, he was left. He was the man for the job, and he didn't once hesitate about that. He's going to be the Hero, even if his idea meant that he might have to play a villain in the story. Hugo whispered "Happy Birthday" to Sofia from afar and hurried home—he had to start planning and working to set it in motion in time.
AN: I probably won't be updating soon, so here's a few details about what's coming next. Don't worry, no major spoilers.
1. The narrator would follow Sofia more than Hugo in the next chap as opposed to the first two.
2. I won't be writing Sofia as some doll being pulled about by the princes. She's definitely not the type. I plan to have her in on the "action."