Sofia didn't tell Cedric where she was going, she hadn't even told him she would be away for the weekend. It was silly and childish but she kept thinking to herself that if she refused to talk about it then it wouldn't really be happening. She felt like he would be disappointed in her and the guilt was eating her, tearing her apart. Sofia knew she was second choice for Zandar, ever since Hildegard married Hugo, but ever since the talk with her mother she kept reminding herself that things like that couldn't matter.

"Princess Sofia," the coachman's voice interrupting her self-loathing session, "the Kingdom of Tangu."

They had started their descent and with every inch downward Sofia's heart sunk deeper and deeper inside her chest.

"Welcome to Tangu...uh, again," Zandar did his best to hide his awkwardness and smiled politely.

"Thank you and your family for having me. It is nice to see you again, Zandar," Sofia felt just as awkward but was masterful at hiding it.

The two exchanged brief pleasantries and a quick kiss on the cheek before Zandar showed Sofia to her room.

"Well, it looks like we're here."

"It appears so. Lovely room. Thank you again for having me."

"It is my pleasure. I will let you get settled in before dinner. Pick you up around 6?"

Sofia giggled, "sure."

As soon as the door closed behind her, Sofia lay flat on her back in her lavish bed. The room was huge,covered with vivid colors and ornate detail. It seemed excessive.

Her mind wandered, first to her family, and she wondered what they were doing. She wondered if James had pushed Zandar towards Sofia as much as Amber had been pushing Sofia towards Zandar; afterall, they were twins. Her thoughts drifted away from her family, and their antics, and returned to Cedric and how disappointed her friend would be at her actions. He had always said he wanted her to be happy and it felt like she was betraying him by even entertaining the idea of foregoing her happiness. Sofia took a deep breath and jumped up, she needed to get freshened up for dinner.

A loud knock at her door came just as she placed the last pin in her hair - perfect timing. She crossed her massive room and opened the door to Zandar's awkwardly smiling face.

"Good evening, Sofia! Ready to go?"

She smiled politely back at him and nodded, "of course!"

She had been friends with Zandar for such a long time, it was hard to see him as anything but her friend and James' confidant.

"I am excited to see your family," Sofia said genuinely, "it has been such a long time since I've seen them and even then, I don't think we ever spent time together outside of formal events."

"Well, they are excited to see you too."

Conversation was tedious but their great hall was upon them. It was just as colorful and ornate as her room, if not moreso - if even possible.

"Sofia, dear, such a pleasure to see you." Zandar's mother was outwardly friendly but her embrace was cold and unfeeling.

"Welcome to Tangu," his father said.

"Father, she has been here before, remember?"

"Of course, but never as our guest, Zandar."

Everyone sat down for dinner and Sofia was eager to get to know Zandar's family.

"Thank you all for having me here," Sofia began, "the room I am in is lovely and I have never seen such intricate detail like that."

"Of course not, dear, you're from Enchancia," Zandar's mother chuckled to herself, Zandar's father following suit.

"What my mother meant to say is that the design detail is very specific to this region."

"She knows what I meant, dear. Enchancia is satisfied with...simple taste."

Sofia smiled politely, "Well, it is absolutely lovely."

The food was starting to be brought out and foreign scents filled the air.

"Our chef has prepared our finest regional dishes for us tonight in honor of your visit, Princess Sofia."

Zandar leaned in closer to Sofia,"Father has always liked sharing our cuisine with visitors, I am pretty sure that is his favorite part of having guests," he said playfully.

Sofia giggled quietly.

"I am excited to try them all," she said enthusiastically.

Throughout the meal, Sofia made several comments in an attempt to stir conversation but the majority of the meal was consumed in silence. When they said their goodnights, conversation was kept short.

"Sorry about that," Zandar said as he walked Sofia back to her room.

"About what?"

"Well, umm, my parents aren't the most talkative."

"That is alright. I am just glad that we got to share a meal together," Sofia said, trying to make Zandar feel better.

"Well, this is you," Zandar said, pausing outside her door.

"Yeah. I guess I should turn in for the night."

"Yeah...Hey, do you want to go to the hanging gardens tomorrow? I know you leave tomorrow night but it might be a nice place to have a picnic or something."

"That sounds wonderful!"

Sofia was excited and her smile said it all. She hadn't been to the hanging gardens since she was a young girl.

"See you tomorrow then?"

"Of course," Sofia chirped as she leaned in to give Zandar a hug goodnight. He hugged her tighter than normal and Sofia felt slightly uncomfortable. As he pulled away, he lingered and kissed her tenderly on the cheek. They both blushed.

"Goodnight," he said, looking almost surprised by his own actions.

Sofia went inside and once again collapsed on her massive bed. Her heart raced and yet again her thoughts drifted.