3. Misunderstanding
One-Shot
The twins' birthday ball would start in half an hour and Sofia could not open her eyes because of the headache she had.
She had already put on the dress Amber had ordered to manufacture for her, elegant and excessive as always, and with Violet's help she had arranged her hair and make-up. But with the headache she had, she wouldn't be able to stand a second in a ballroom full of people chatting and laughing.
So, without thinking it twice, she went to Cedric's tower, where she would surely find something to calm her discomfort. Also, they had already agreed to meet exactly 30 minutes before the party in his tower. It was almost a tradition that before any ball or party she would come to his workshop to wish him luck if there was going to be a magic show, to encourage him if he was tired because of the preparations or just to chat about the people who was invited or what would happen during the evening.
When she reached the top of the stairs, she opened the door without knocking, after so many years she felt almost co-owner of the place, but there was no one in there. Not finding Cedric, she went straight to the shelf where she knew she would find the medicine. Amber certainly had him doing some last minute preparations and that was why, she supposed, he had not arrived.
Sofia had ordered the place about 100 times and knew the location of each ingredient and potion as the palm of her hand, so it was a surprise not to find the small container where it should have been.
"Mmh ... How strange." She whispered to herself, turning to her second option.
While she was stirring things in a drawer, without success, she heard the workshop's door open behind her.
"Sweetie, where's the headache medicine?" She asked, still searching. "I thought you left it by the ..."
She almost drowned in the air as she turned around and did not find Cedric as expected, but a 15-year-old girl loaded with spell books, eyebrow raised and a mischievous smile on her face.
Sofia was speechless.
"Sweetie?" Calista asked, leaving the books on the nearest table and crossing her arms, with a permanent grin.
"Y-yes, sweetie, Callista, my dear ... my heart!" Sofia exclaimed dramatically as she ran to hug her. The headache was put aside quickly and now all her efforts were not to shake with nerves. "You know this place and you can tell me where to find the remedy. C-can you?"
Callista looked at her with narrowed eyes, not believing a single word.
"Sure, honey." She answered sarcastically. Callista stepped away from her and walked slowly towards the desk where the potion jumped into view. Apparently, Cedric had used it recently.
"Well done, Sofia!" She cursed herself inwardly. "Don't you want to ruin it some other way?"
"Oops, I'm such a fool!" She laughed nervously. "Thank you, Callista, what would I be without a friend like you?"
Callista's impertinent eyebrow was still up there. Sophia didn't know what else to say.
"Well ..." She filled the accusing silence. "I'd better drink this!"
She drank it wanting nothing more than to sip the bottle and leave the place, but before the vial touched the desk, the door opened again.
"I'm sorry I'm late, my love, there were still a few arrang-"
Cedric stopped short when he saw his niece with a triumphant expression next to the princess, soon to faint.
He quickly turned his gaze to Callista and continued talking, trying to pass his mistake in an unnoticed way.
"A few arrangements to be made... I-I didn't want to keep you waiting, my sweet and dearest Callista!" He said as he approached to embrace his niece welcome.
"Oh my God," Sofia thought, wanting to throw herself out the window.
Callista pushed her uncle aside abruptly.
"Stop it!" She exclaimed quite angry. "Do you think I'm an idiot? You didn't even know I'd pass by here!" She said pointing his uncle with an accusing finger.
Cedric turned pale, perhaps paler than Sofia was. Then, unexpectedly, the girl giggled enthusiastically.
"I knew it! I knew it would happen!" She said as she launched herself to embrace them both at once. "And do not worry," she warned, pulling away from them. "My lips are sealed." She imaginary zipped her mouth. "Uncle Ceddy, I left over there the books you lent me. Tomorrow I will come to bother again and I want to hear everything," she said with a playful smile. "Bye bye!"
She kissed both of them on the cheek and disappeared in a red smoke.
Cedric and Sofia were still paralyzed where they were, their hearts stopped.
After an eternal silence, he was the first to speak.
"She won't say anything, don't worry." Cedric said with a tremor.
"I know, I trust her." She answered cautiously.
They stared at each other. 5 months, 5 months! And no one had discovered them. Though they both were grateful that it had been Calista and not Baileywick, for example. But they did not expect it, and they blamed themselves for this blunder.
"We have to be more ... careful." Sofia said a little recovered from the astonishment.
Cedric huffed, as if to say it was obvious.
Both trusted Callista blindly, and knew that their secret was safe. That was the only thing that made them catch their breath.
"Let's go." He said looking at the time and grabbing her by her waist. "I need a drink"
Sofia bursted out in laughter as they closed the door behind their backs.
This was hard to translate haha. Hope you like it!
