Fucking hell does Cordelia ever shut up? For the past two hours he has heard nothing but her bitching about how he needs to find himself a real woman and how of course she knew just the woman for him.

'Dear sister, I didn't realize that you actively thought about my love life. Is there some reason for that perhaps?' Cedric inquired voice thick with sarcasm and a smirk on his face. He watched as Cordelia stammered for a few minutes quite pleased with himself. 'Look, I know you are trying, in your selfish way, to look out for me but, just because I currently have no lover, it doesn't mean I have no practice in the art of lovemaking. However, seeing how Princess Sofia is here perhaps we can change the subject from my boring love life to something more appropriate?'

'Tell me, dear brother, why does Princess Sofia come to our family gatherings so often?' Cordelia off-handedly commented while tapping a painted nail against her painted lips she continued. 'Is she, perhaps, the reason you haven't admitted to having anyone? You two have to keep your love private least the King find out and make you shorter by a head?' Fuck! She just about nailed it on the head with that question. Part of the reason he didn't like to admit his feelings for the princess, even to himself, was because of the King. The other part was the fact that he was over a decade older than her and the fact for the first few of years he had known her he actively tried to take over the kingdom.

'The Princess can have any suitor she wishes I highly doubt that she would want an ageing sorcerer over ten years older than she is.' Cedric stated with more calm than he felt. He knew one day he would have to watch as she married someone else and pretend to be happy for her, well if she were happy then he would be happy for Sofia, shit Princess Sofia. If Cedric starts forgetting Sofia's title in his head Cedric may just slip up and say it. He can not allow himself to do it even once. He must remember that she is a Princess of the Realm and he is just the royal sorcerer there is no way for them to be together. Besides that, there was no way in Hades that the princess would EVER fall for him.

At least while Sofia is here, Cedric can pretend that she is a part of the family and let his guard down even for a little while.

Talking with mum about my feelings for Cedric helped, thought Sofia as she watched Calista perform a new bit of magic she recently learned at Huxley Hall. Her mother was surprisingly supportive of the whole thing and was willing to talk to her father about letting Sofia pursue a courtship with the Sorcerer. She did, however, tell Sofia to be cautious about how Cedric feels about it, after all, he is older than her, but that was no reason to hide her feelings from him.

'Sofia, darling, just because you may like him it doesn't mean that he likes you back in that way. Don't force anything on him, but let him know in little ways that you wouldn't mind a relationship with him if he wanted,' Sofia's mother had counselled the other night.

With that conversation in mind, she decided that tonight, after they went back to the castle, she would tell him how she felt.

'Princess Sofia, do you like my uncle?' Calista asked suddenly pulling Sofia out of her thoughts of happily ever after with Cedric. Face flushed she told Calista, of course, she liked him, Cedric is her friend. 'That's not what I mean, and you know it, you want to be with him like Grandma is with Grandpa don't you?' Blushing again, she sneaked a peek over at Cedric and was instantly transfixed; he looked so handsome in the evening light while talking with his sister. Absent-mindedly she nodded as Sofia noticed Cedric had gotten a far off look. He's been doing that a lot lately, she thought. Walking over to Cedric, Sofia heard his last remark about not wanting an ageing sorcerer and felt the immediate need to correct him.

'Mr. Cedric, is everything okay?' Sofia cautiously asked worried for her friend, and, hopefully, eventual husband. Looking at her Cedric nods his head, a gentle look in his eyes.

'Yes princess, everything is fine, however, while we are here please just call me Cedric,' let me pretend that we are more than just friends, he finished in his head. With the gentle smile back on his face, Cedric turned and looked at the sunset. Sofia couldn't help but giggle.

'You know, Cedric, Prince Eugene is almost ten years older the Princess Rapunzel? And he was a thief.' Hazel eyes widened in shock, is she hinting at what I think she is? He questioned himself; no, it can't be the Princess deserves someone better than me and closer to her age. Shutting his eyes, Cedric turned his head away from the Princess; suddenly he felt a pair of soft lips on his cheek. Snapping his head around Cedric looked at Sofia and saw a soft blush on her cheeks.

'Don't count yourself out of the running just yet. Okay, Cedric?' Sofia looked at Cedric with hope filling her eyes. 'Oh would you look at the time, we need to get back to the castle. I'm sure dad would like that herbal potion you are making soon.' Pausing to bite her bottom lip she looked off into space, 'Would it be alright if I continued to drop the mister from your name even back home?' Too stunned to say anything Cedric just nodded his head. 'And while we are alone you can call me just Sofia, to be honest, I prefer it when people forget that I am a princess, mostly because I wasn't always one. If my mum hadn't married Dad I would still be a village girl, but that you mean I wouldn't have met you, Cedric, and I am thrilled to have met you.' Her cheeks were burning now as she walked, well nearly ran, away too afraid to say anymore.

The flying carriage ride was silent on the way back to the castle as both of the occupants were lost in their thoughts.

She can't mean what I think she means, can she? Cedric thought, no I can't let myself go down that road it will only hurt her in the end. And I absolutely cannot tell her the truth of my feelings, if she were to find out what I had tried to do…That's it I will tell her tonight, and maybe that will turn her away from this foolish notion of me being in the running for her heart. Cedric leant over and looked out the window closest to him.

I can't wait to tell Cedric how much I love him, Thought Sofia, I just know Cedric feels the same way about me, and I will have to inform him I don't care about the past. Without realizing it, Sofia mirrored Cedric watching the world go by through the small window.