The next morning came quickly after a sleepless night for both Sofia and Cedric. Sofia started the familiar trudge up the stairs towards Cedric's workshop, this time armed with pastry and tea. She knew she had to tell him sooner rather than later and at the very least she owed him some sort of recompense.
"Cedric," she called as she entered his workshop, "are you up yet?"
"And if I say, 'no,' will you go away?"
"I have pastry. Blueberry."
"I am up, I am up…" she heard him call from his room in the back.
It took a moment, but Cedric appeared and it was obvious he had just rolled out of bed after a long night.
"You look terrible Cedric."
"Oh, why thank you Princess. Good morning to you as well."
"You know what I mean."
Cedric slumped into a chair and started unwrapping his treat from Sofia as she started to prepare his tea.
"Thank you, Princess...wait. Why are you here this early? What do you want?"
"Nothing! I can't just bring you breakfast?"
"Oh dear, what did you do?"
Sofia's expression flattened. They knew each other too well.
"You're going to be upset and I am going to tell you right now that you shouldn't be. I did it for your own good and because I…" she paused for a moment, " because I want everyone to be as proud of you as I am."
"Sofia," Cedric said as he began to sit up a little straighter in his chair. She had started to pace and her eyebrows were raised, making her appear worried, which worried him; she continued to pace and keep clasping and unclasping her fingers together.
"I sent a messenger to Mystic Meadows and personally requested the presence of your parents as my guests and on behalf of the Royal Family," she blurted out all at once without looking at him.
"You wha...Oh Neptunes Nettles!"
When Sofia finally brought herself to look up at him, Cedric's head was hanging and he had gone pale.
"Cedric? Are you, alright?"
"Oh no, Sofia, no. I, I, I...I need to lay down."
Sofia rushed to his side as he rose from his chair. He had always had a pension for being over-dramatic at times but he seemed genuinely worried. She walked him down the hall and he directed her toward his room.
In all their years she had never ventured to his bedroom and she was surprised at how simple he kept it. The bed was disheveled and lumpy, walls plain, and small trinkets adorned the shelves. Cedric had laid down in his bed and Sofia sat on the edge as he muttered to himself about his father. She took this time to take in more detail, noticing now a handful of cards she had given to him throughout her childhood. She even noticed the silly little wand case she had given him on his shelf, currently holding his family wand.
"Sofia?" She snapped out of her trance and looked back at Cedric.
"I am sorry, Cedric. I wanted you to know sooner rather than later. They are to arrive later this morning before the big event. Are you okay?"
"I am overwhelmed. I am going to try and catch another hour or two of sleep before this afternoon's celebration. It is the big day, after all," he as he feigned chipperness, "you should go."
He grasped her hand in his and she knew all was forgiven, even if she had woken him early and ruined his morning.
Still holding his hand, and still seated on the side of his bed, she leaned over his face and brought her lips to his forehead, brushing them lightly with a soft kiss. As she pulled away she studied his face, which was now somewhat forlorn.
"You will be sensational," she said with a smile.
She rose and left quietly, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Cedric couldn't hide his worry but he was exhausted and would be useless tonight if he didn't get more sleep. He closed his eyes and drifted to a place where he felt whole.
