Rigoletto

Summary: *Loosely based on the movie* During a stormy evening, Cedric tells Sofia the story of Rigoletto, an outcast who was often underestimated based on his outward façade with a heart hidden away from everyone, except from one remarkable girl who saw him for who he really was. (Similar to my "Read Me a Story" series)

Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First or Rigoletto.

A/N: Here's chapter three! Also, I know some things may seem a bit confusing right now, but things will begin to make more sense as the story progresses. There's a bit of mystery to some of the circumstances, so just hang in there. ;) Thanks to all for the feedback and kind words. I truly appreciate it all!

*Story*

Chapter 3: An Unlikely Mentor

"You met a sorcerer?" James and Amber echoed simultaneously as they interrogated their younger sister that evening.

"Yes," Sofia gushed with a bright smile. "It was awesome to finally meet a real sorcerer up close. I mean, of course I've read all about Merlin and others like him, but I never dreamed I'd get to meet one." She sat down to the table with the rest of her family as they prepared to eat their supper. "His name is Mr. Cedric, and he's going to be training me in magic."

Miranda gave Roland a side glance, smirking as she realized he was attempting to avoid eye contact. "Is that so?" she asked somewhat sarcastically. "Isn't that nice? Rollie, did you have something to do with this?"

"Oh, believe me, Miranda," he began as he looked toward her again, "I had very little to do with this decision. This was all your daughter."

"I think it sounds neat," James said as he grabbed a roll from a basket. "You'd get to learn some real magic, the coolest ever I'm guessing, and then you'll beat Lucinda in that competition next year for sure! I say go for it, Sof!"

Sofia smiled in appreciation as they continued eating and conversing. She let her mind wander as the evening progressed. She wondered what sorts of lessons Cedric would teach her. She wondered if he was really as recluse as he seemed to be. She wondered many things, obviously…so much so that she got completely caught up in her thoughts, and her siblings had to bring her back to reality.

"Sofia?" Amber's voice cut through, the blonde's tone somewhat annoyed. "Are you listening?"

"Huh?" Sofia blinked out of her daze and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Amber. I was thinking."

"Hmm… Anyway, like I was saying…"

Everything carried on as usual before the family finally called it an evening and retired to bed.

Sofia woke early the next morning and excitedly bustled about her room, finding items she believed would be necessary for any magic lesson: her training wand, a spell book, and a few other items. She put all of her necessities in a bag and draped it over her shoulder as she proceeded to head toward the front door.

"Ready?" Roland inquired as he walked up beside the girl.

"Yes! I can't wait to see what I'll be learning today." She hummed happily and followed her father out the door. She stopped walking as a thought crossed her mind. "Dad?"

Roland turned to his daughter and looked at her questioningly. "Yes?"

"Do you think Mr. Cedric has any friends?"

The man blinked at her inquiry. He wasn't expecting that… "Why do you ask, Sofia?"

She shrugged. "I'm just curious. He has his servant with him, but he just seems kind of…I don't know…lonely, I guess." She began walking again and matched his pace as they ventured toward their destination.

"Well, I'm not sure, but sometimes grownups tend to keep to themselves a bit more than children. You and your brother and sister are all so full of life and enjoy spending time together and with others, but sometimes, unfortunately, as people grow older…we find ourselves keeping company with ourselves instead of others. …Does that make sense?"

Sofia frowned thoughtfully before sighing. "Grownups never make sense."

Roland chuckled. "I agree. We're a mystery, I suppose." He held out his hand to her, which she gladly accepted and swung back and forth playfully. "Promise me something."

"What's that?"

"Don't…hmm." He thought the best way to state his query before shrugging lightly. "Don't expect…too much from these lessons, all right?" He held up his free hand to her as she began to speak. "Just… Look, I know how much you want to learn more about magic, Sofia, and I do hope you succeed. However, we don't know much about this Cedric person, and I just don't want you getting your hopes up if it's not everything you'd hoped for."

Sofia considered vocally disagreeing, but instead she sighed and nodded. Seemed to her that not only did grownups become more introverted—they also seemed to expect very little from the world sometimes. She hoped she remained optimistic when she was older. It seemed so lonely not having that frame of mind.

They arrived at the mansion and knocked on the door, which opened to reveal a slightly out of breath Greylock.

"Hi, Mr. Greylock," Sofia greeted cheerfully before giggling. "Have you been chasing chickens or something?"

"Um, not quite, dear girl," he responded with a chuckle as he ushered them both inside. "No, I'm afraid I accidentally burned the master's pastries, and now he's threatened to turn me into a beetle, so I'm trying to rectify the problem."

Roland raised an eyebrow at the other man. "And…this is normal around here, is it?"

"Quite! Oh, but don't worry, good sir. No harm will befall dear Sofia here. She is here to learn, and Master Cedric would never let anything happen to her. He sees great potential in her."

Sofia beamed. She was thrilled someone thought so highly of her, even though they'd barely known each other longer than a few minutes. She turned and hugged her father. "Thanks for bringing me, Dad."

"You're welcome. I'll be back to get you in a few hours. Behave well and listen to what they tell you, all right?"

"I will." She smiled as he bid them goodbye before leaving. She then glanced up at Greylock. "So… When do we begin?"

"Oh, momentarily. But um…why don't you come help me for a moment? He's a bit busy right now, but he should be done soon."

"Okay…?" She wasn't quite sure what Greylock meant, but she followed him nonetheless.

They settled into the kitchen, and Greylock used his own wand to show Sofia how to create some delicious pastries from scratch. Enchanted by the idea, Sofia followed all of his instructions well, and soon they had a plate of cookies to share.

"So you know magic just as well as Mr. Cedric, huh?" she inquired as she munched on one of her cookies.

"I know plenty of magic, but Master Cedric is one of the best where we come from. In fact, while we studied together, he far surpassed me. There was only one other who managed to match him, and she's training with him now." He paused when he realized he'd obviously said something that made the young girl stare at him in surprise.

"She? You mean there's another student training with him?" She slid down from her stool in excitement. "Can I watch?"

"No, no, no, young one. We mustn't disturb them now. Oh, he'll be angry with me if he even finds out that I mentioned this…"

"Why? What's the big deal?" She seemed utterly confused. Why were there so many secrets in this place?

"Because privacy is Master Cedric's most cherished thing in the world… Intruding on that would be bad for both of us."

"Hmm…" Sofia nodded and clambered back onto the stool, kicking her feet slowly as she waited for her lessons to commence. "So…tell me more about yourself, Mr. Greylock. Have you always worked for Mr. Cedric?"

Greylock chuckled. "Actually, the two of us grew up together. My family had always worked with his in some fashion. And after we graduated from sorcery school, he offered me a job—his family was quite wealthy—and I accepted. He needed someone whom he trusted as his servant, I suppose. Granted, I'm rather certain I get on his nerves quite often…" He smirked as Sofia giggled. "But that's what friends do, I suppose." He suddenly snapped his fingers as a thought hit him. "I forgot the laundry. Stay here, Sofia. I'll return shortly."

Sofia watched the brown-haired servant leave and considered her options. She could do as he'd asked: stay and wait for his return. Or…

She grinned and slid down from the stool again, creeping back into the main hall. She heard some muffled noises behind a door and pressed her ear against it. She heard two voices: one sounded like Cedric's while the other was a girl's voice. She gently pushed the door open just a bit, only to see a girl with long brown hair aim her wand toward a plant, say a few words, and release the spell. The plant grew into a large and looming tree, producing…cupcakes?

"Huh, look at that," the girl remarked in an amused manner. "I've always wanted a cupcake tree!"

"Elena, this is serious," Cedric scoffed as he folded his arms. "If you're not going to treat these lessons properly, then maybe you should leave."

"Right," the girl remarked as she released one of the sweets from its branches and gave him a pointed look. "Because you'd do much better on your own." She frowned when he looked away. "Cedric, you don't have to push me away, just like you've done with everyone else. It's bad enough you hardly trust Greylock anymore… And now with this little girl coming to train with you? Are you going to push her away too?"

"Enough," he commanded with a cold stare. "I appreciate your concern, princess, but I'm quite capable of managing things on my own. I hardly understand why you come around anymore. Haven't you got a kingdom to run?"

Sofia's blue eyes widened. That girl was a princess?!

"I'm here because I care about you," Elena responded firmly. "You're my friend, Cedric. I can't just leave you all alone… You know very well our kingdom is no longer. You simply change the subject to avoid it. I'm worried about you. I refuse to see you fall into despair and lose you like we lost everyone else."

Cedric began to say something, but he heard the creak of the door and frowned, drawing his wand and aiming it at the door.

Elena realized the situation and grabbed his hand quickly, lowering it and the wand at the same time. "Cedric, don't! You'll hurt her!"

Sofia breathed a sigh of relief as she realized the other girl had quite literally just saved her life. "I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"

"I'm quite certain you were told not to interfere or interrupt me, little one," Cedric told her coldly. "You could have been injured because of your carelessness. Our lessons will begin soon, but now is not the time."

"Cedric, you don't have to be so rude," Elena chided as she released his hand and walked over, putting one hand on Sofia's shoulder. "She didn't cause you any harm. She's a child. I'm sure she was just curious."

"Curiosity brings doom to many," he responded with a chilling tone.

"But not everyone. So stop moping and apologize to her."

Cedric raised an eyebrow at his friend's insistency before muttering a bitter 'sorry' under his breath, ignoring Sofia's look.

"It's okay, Mr. Cedric. Mr. Greylock told me to wait on him, and I didn't listen. I was just…being nosy, I guess." She grinned sheepishly as Elena laughed.

"I love your honesty. And don't feel bad. I was the same way when I was your age." She smiled at her. "I'm Elena by the way. Cedric has told me about you."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. I'm looking forward to seeing what the lessons you two share will produce. Maybe spending some time with someone so kind and positive will do him some good. He makes a wonderful mentor, though he doesn't always believe me when I tell him so." She then turned and walked over to her longtime friend, grasping his arms gently and getting his attention. "No matter what happens, I'll always come back to you. I believe in you; now start believing in yourself." She gave him a quick hug before leaving the room and whispering 'good luck' to Sofia in the process, the door shutting behind her.

"Well," Cedric drawled out as the young girl turned to look at him. "You came for a lesson, if I remember correctly…"

Sofia nodded, somewhat shy all of a sudden. The room was quieter without the bubbly Elena with them, and she wasn't sure how things would go between her and the sorcerer now. She kind of wished they had a distraction.

"Master Cedric!" Greylock panted as he opened the door quickly. "I'm so sorry, but the girl is missing and I can't find—oh, there she is." He laughed nervously as Cedric gave him a confused look while Sofia grinned guiltily at him. "Well…never mind. Carry on. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

"Making pastries that aren't burned this time, I take it," Cedric retorted.

"Heh, of course," Greylock added as he left the room.

Sofia grinned at the exchange between them before looking toward the other sorcerer. "So…what are we going to be studying?"

He gave her a thoughtful look. "Everything."

To be continued…