Sisters - a Sofia the First fanfic
Sisters (Chapter 4)
Note: this chapter starts shortly after chapter 3.
Requesting a meeting
It was a day after Lydia and Eezeyal had returned to Lacorinth. At Enchancia Castle that morning, after James, Amber, Sofia, and Lucinda had left for school at Royal Prep, a note for King Roland arrived by special carrier. Baileywick accepted the note, and made sure it got into King Roland's hands immediately.
"King Roland" Baileywick said as he approached Roland. "A note from King Graham of Lacorinth".
"From King Graham?" Roland asked out loud. Roland then read the note:
King Roland: I and Princess Lydia wish to set up a meeting with you and Queen Miranda as soon as possible. Please send a message back to me stating when it is possible to meet with you and your wife. Thank you for your time. Yours sincerely, King Graham of Lacorinth.
"Baileywick" Roland started. "Please find Queen Miranda and ask her to come to my study. There's something I need to discuss with her".
"At once, King Roland" Baileywick responded as Roland walked to his study.
A short while later, Miranda walked into Roland's study.
"What's going on, Rolie?" Miranda inquired.
Roland and Miranda sat down.
"I received a note from King Graham a short while ago" Roland started. "He and Lydia want to meet with the two of us as soon as possible".
"Any idea why?" Miranda asked.
"No idea" Roland replied.
"He and Lydia wouldn't want to meet with us as soon as possible unless it was something important" Miranda remarked.
"I agree" Roland said. "How about we schedule it for mid morning tomorrow?"
"Works for me" Miranda replied.
"I'll have a reply sent to King Graham immediately" Roland said. Roland then went to the door of the study. "Baileywick" Roland called out.
"Yes, King Roland?" Baileywick asked as he entered the study.
"I need a note written, then sent off to King Graham immediately" Roland said.
At Lacorinth Castle
It was just past 1:00 PM that same day at Lacorinth Castle. In Lydia's sorcery workshop, Lydia was petting Eezeyal when Graham walked in.
"Graham?" Lydia asked.
"I just received a reply from your father" Graham started. "He and your mother will meet with us at Enchancia Castle tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM".
"That was fast" Lydia said.
Graham came over and held Lydia's hand. "Try not to worry" Graham gently said. "I'm sure everything will work out".
The next morning at Enchancia Castle
It was 9:42 AM the next morning. At Enchancia Castle, Graham and Lydia arrived aboard a flying carriage. As they stepped off the carriage, Baileywick, Roland, and Miranda were waiting for them.
"King Graham of Lacorinth, and Royal Sorceress of Lacorinth - Princess Lydia" Baileywick announced.
At that point, Roland and Miranda walked up to Graham and Lydia.
"Graham" Roland smiled as he and Graham shook hands.
"Roland" Graham smiled.
"So, what is this about?" Roland asked.
"Could Princess Lydia and I talk to the two of you in private?" Graham responded.
"Of course" Roland answered as Roland directed Graham, Lydia, and Miranda to Roland's study.
Miranda took Lydia aside for a moment.
"Is everything alright, Lydia?" Miranda asked Lydia in a concerned tone of voice.
"Everything is fine, Mom" Lydia smiled.
"What's going on?" Miranda asked.
"I'll let King Graham explain" Lydia answered.
In a few moments, Roland, Miranda, Graham, and Lydia entered Roland's study. The four sat down, with Graham and Lydia sitting next to each other.
"So, what may we do for the two of you?" Roland asked Graham and Lydia.
"Well, Roland" Graham started, being as nervous as a schoolboy. "I don't know where to begin".
"Just start at the beginning" Miranda smiled.
"Well, Princess Lydia and I have had a good working relationship ever since she came to Lacorinth Castle" Graham said, still nervous. "In the last few years, that relationship has grown into something more. We've developed feelings for one another. The truth is Roland, Lydia and I love each other. And, I'd like to get permission from the two of you to ask for Lydia's hand in marriage".
Roland sat there for a few moments, mulling over what Graham had just requested.
"Are you sure you just want her hand, Graham?" Roland asked with a grin.
"Rolie!" Miranda exclaimed, barely able to hold back her own laughter. "The two of them are already nervous enough".
Roland cleared his throat. "Of course, Miranda".
Roland then turned to Graham and Lydia. "If the two of you will step outside, Miranda and I will discuss the matter".
"Of course, Roland" Graham said as he and Lydia got up and walked out into the hall.
Roland and Miranda waited for Graham and Lydia to leave the study and close the door behind them. There was a few moments of silence between Roland and Miranda, with each mulling over Graham's request.
After a few moments, Miranda spoke. "I think they make a nice couple".
"Then you approve?" Roland asked.
"It's obvious the two of them are in love" Miranda started. "If Lydia is happy, then that's good enough for me".
"Graham is a fine man" Roland commented. "I know he'll take good care of Lydia".
"So, should we call them back in and tell them we approve?" Miranda asked.
"It hasn't even been five minutes yet" Roland grinned.
"Rolie!" Miranda snickered. "We've better get them back in here before they both turn white as a sheet".
"Yes, of course" Roland snickered back.
Roland walked to the study door, opened it, and called to Graham and Lydia. "The two of you may come in" Roland directed.
Graham and Lydia walked in, then sat down next to each other.
"Graham, Lydia" Roland started. "The two of you have our blessing".
"Thank you, Roland" Graham said gratefully.
"Thank you" Lydia smiled.
Graham and Lydia stood up. Roland walked over and shook Graham's hand, as Miranda walked over and hugged Lydia.
Graham faced Lydia. "I can think of no better place than here to do this" Graham smiled as he got down on one knee. "Lydia, will you marry me?"
Lydia bent down and hugged Graham. "Oh, yes, Graham!" Lydia exclaimed with happiness.
Graham then brought out a small jewelry box from his pocket. "Let me have your hand, please" Graham said to Lydia.
Lydia put forth her hand. Graham opened the small box, and took out an exquisite engagement ring which he put on Lydia's ring finger.
Roland and Miranda smiled at the touching scene.
"Baileywick" Roland called out.
"Yes, King Roland" Baileywick responded as he entered the study.
"Have a bottle of our best champagne brought here, along with some glasses" Roland smiled. "We have some celebrating to do. King Graham and Lydia are going to be married".
"At once, King Roland" Baileywick said with a smile.
That afternoon at Enchancia Castle
When James, Amber, Sofia, and Lucinda returned home from school that afternoon, Baileywick was waiting for them.
"Your parents want to see you" Baileywick announced. "You'll find them in the King's study".
"Thank you, Baileywick" Sofia said.
As James, Amber, Sofia, and Lucinda walked into the castle, they talked among themselves.
"What did we do?" James asked.
"Don't know" Sofia responded.
"I didn't do anything" Amber said.
"Don't look at me" Lucinda started. "I've been on my best behavior, even though Deidre has been begging for it".
The four teenagers soon reached Roland's study.
"Come in, you four" Miranda smiled.
"We have some news for you" Roland announced with a smile.
"What, Father?" Amber asked.
"Lydia and King Graham were here this morning" Roland started. "To make a long story short, Lydia and King Graham are going to be married".
Sofia and Lucinda hugged each other, happy to hear such joyous news.
"How wonderful!" Amber exclaimed with happiness.
"Brilliant!" James smiled.
The next day at Royal Prep
Lucinda was walking down a hallway between classes when she heard a snooty female voice from behind her. "Princess Lucinda". Lucinda turned around to see Princess Deidre, a stuck up teenage Princess from the Kingdom of Hythoria.
"I just heard the happy news about Princess Lydia and King Graham" Deidre remarked in a snooty tone. "It must be reassuring to know that you commoners will continue to breed like rabbits!".
"How dare you!" Lucinda snapped.
"What's the matter?" Deidre mocked. "Did I strike a nerve?"
"Your a fine one to talk!" Lucinda snapped back. "You may be royalty, but you act like something that crawled up from the gutter!".
"You take that back!" Deidre demanded.
"Never!" Lucinda snapped.
Deidre raised her hand, and was about to strike Lucinda when Lucinda grabbed Deidre's wrist to stop the strike.
"What is going on here?!" Miss Flora demanded to know.
"Deidre said an insulting thing concerning Lucinda's eldest sister" a teenage Princess wearing a beige gown said. It was Princess Mae. "When Lucinda spoke up, Deidre tried to backhand Lucinda".
"You stay out of this, Mae!" Deidre snapped. Mae ignored Deidre as if Deidre wasn't there.
Flora looked at Deidre with a stern look. "You've been warned about your abrasive behavior before, Princess Deidre" Flora started. "But now you've taken to actually trying to strike a student?! After classes today, you are hereby suspended for one week. I suggest you use that time to reflect on your behavior".
"Your suspending me?! Because of a witch?!" Deidre snapped at Flora.
"A witch I'm proud to know" Mae smiled as she put arm around Lucinda's shoulder.
At that point, Deidre was boiling mad, and started to lunge toward Lucinda and Mae when a teenage Princess Hildegard stepped in front of Deidre.
"Back off!" Hildegard growled. "Now!"
"Now your suspended for two weeks, young lady!" Flora snapped at Deidre. "And for the remainder of this school day, you will spend it in detention!".
Deidre stormed off in a huff toward the detention room.
"I apologize for my part in this, Miss Flora" Lucinda said. "I should have walked away".
"No apology is necessary, dear" Flora smiled at Lucinda. "Your to be commended for not striking Princess Deidre on the spot. As far as I'm concerned, that makes you the bigger person".
"Most kind" Lucinda replied.
"By the way, Princess Lucinda" Flora started. "Miss Fauna, Miss Merryweather, and I are happy to hear that Lydia and King Graham are getting married. Would you please pass along our best wishes to the happy couple?"
"I'd be happy to, Miss Flora" Lucinda smiled.
Meanwhile, at Lacorinth Castle
At that same moment, in Lydia's bedroom at Lacorinth Castle, Lydia was looking through some papers she had received when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in" Lydia invited.
In walked a 32-year-old woman with brown hair. The woman was Princess Eva, Graham's sister. Like Graham, Eva was single.
Eva and Lydia smiled at each other, then hugged.
"I'm so happy for you and Graham" Eva smiled. "I don't know two people who are more deserving".
"Thank you, Princess Eva" Lydia smiled.
"Hey!" Eva smiled. "We're going to be family. It's just Eva to you now".
"Okay ... Eva" Lydia replied.
"So, how are you holding up?" Eva asked.
"Butterflies in my stomach" Lydia answered.
"That will pass" Eva smiled.
"Eva" Lydia started, "I'd like to ask you something".
"Ask away" Eva said with a grin.
"I was wondering if you would be my Maid of Honor at the wedding?" Lydia asked.
"Oh, Lydia!" Eva exclaimed with happiness. "I would love that. Thank you".
Eva and Lydia hugged once again.
"What to do first?" Lydia asked out loud.
"What about bridesmaids?" Eva inquired.
"That's an easy one" Lydia smiled. "I know exactly who I want".
A few days later at Enchancia Castle
At Enchancia Castle, it was early afternoon. Sofia, Lucinda, and Amber were in a sitting room in the castle when Baileywick came in.
"Miss Jade and Miss Ruby are here" Baileywick announced.
"Show them in, please" Amber smiled.
In a few moments, a teenage Ruby, and a teenage Jade, walked into the room.
"So, what is this about?" Jade inquired
"We're not sure" Sofia replied. "All we know is that Lydia said to meet her here. She wants to talk to the five of us about something".
"... mysterious" Ruby commented.
In a few minutes, Baileywick came back into the room.
"Princess Lydia of Enchancia" Baileywick announced.
As Lydia and Eezeyal walked into the room, each teen girl in the room hugged Lydia, and offered Lydia their congratulations on her upcoming marriage to Graham. Lydia then had everybody sit down.
"The five of you are probably wondering why I wanted to meet with you" Lydia said.
"We are ... curious" Lucinda commented.
"I'm here to ask the five of you to be my bridesmaids" Lydia smiled.
Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, Ruby, and Jade quickly said yes while smiling.
The wedding of Graham and Lydia
A few weeks passed, and it was now time for the wedding. At Lacorinth Castle, the ballroom was set up for the wedding, and the guests had arrived. Meanwhile, in a private room, Lydia was getting ready for the wedding.
"You look lovely, Lydia" Miranda smiled.
"Thank you, Mom" Lydia smiled back.
At that point, Eva walked into the room.
"It's time, Lydia" Eva smiled.
Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, Ruby, and Jade then walked into the room and formed, with Eva, two lines of three. Lydia stood in front of the two lines.
"Let's do this" Lydia smiled.
The seven of them then walked to the doorway of the ballroom. When they appeared, the orchestra started playing the wedding march. Everybody turned to look at Lydia, who was wearing a beautiful lace trimmed white wedding gown.
As Lydia walked down the aisle, she looked at the guests who were in attendance. Among the guests were King Roland, Queen Miranda, James, Miss Flora, Miss Fauna, Miss Merryweather, Mrs. Hanshaw, Jade's mother, and Lydia's Buttercup troop.
As Lydia walked further down the aisle, she noticed a blond haired woman in attendance - it was Scarlet, who was dressed in a lovely lavender gown. At that moment, Eezeyal gently perched himself on Scarlet's shoulder. Scarlet and Eezeyal smiled at Lydia.
Lydia continued to walk down the aisle. As she walked, she couldn't help but think it was sad that Eva and Graham's parents could not be at the wedding. Unfortunately, their parents had died years ago as a result of a carriage accident.
In a few moments, Lydia arrived at the alter as Roland walked up behind her. Once at the alter, Lydia and Graham stood together, while the minister started the ceremony.
"Ladies and gentlemen", the minister started, "we are gathered here today to join Graham and Lydia in holy matrimony. Who gives away this woman?"
Roland stepped forward. "I do".
"If there is anybody here who can show just cause why this couple should not be married, please let him or her speak now, or forever hold their peace" the minister requested.
Nobody said anything.
"Do you, Graham, King of Lacorinth, take this woman, Lydia, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until death do you part?" the minister asked Graham.
"I do" Graham smiled.
"Do you, Lydia, Princess of Enchancia, and royal sorceress of Lacorinth, take this man, Graham, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until death do you part?" the minister asked Lydia.
"I do" Lydia smiled.
"Please bring forth the rings" the minister requested.
The rings were brought up, and handed to the minister.
"Graham" the minister started. "Please place this ring on Lydia's finger, and say Lydia, I give you this ring as a sign of my love and devotion".
Graham placed the ring on Lydia's finger. "Lydia" Graham smiled. "I give you this ring as a sign of my love and devotion".
"Lydia", the minister again started. "Please place this ring on Graham's finger, and say Graham, I give you this ring as a sign of my love and devotion".
Lydia placed the ring on Graham's finger. "Graham" Lydia smiled. "I give you this ring as a sign of my love and devotion".
"By the power invested in me by the Kingdom of Lacorinth, I now pronounce you husband and wife" the minister smiled. "Graham, you may kiss your bride".
Graham and Lydia embraced as everybody clapped.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you King Graham and Queen Lydia of Lacorinth" the minister announced.
Everybody again clapped.
Afterward, everybody walked out into the courtyard of Lacorinth Castle. In a few moments, Lydia turned her back and threw the bridal bouquet behind her. After a mad scramble, the lucky lady who managed to catch the bridal bouquet was Eva.
Early that evening
The ballroom at Lacorinth Castle had been rearranged for the after wedding celebration. After the guests had gathered in the ballroom, an announcer stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen" the announcer started. "I present to you King Graham and Queen Lydia of Lacorinth".
Everybody looked at the top of the stairs. Standing there was Graham and Lydia. As everybody clapped, the couple made their way down the stairs arm in arm.
"Ladies and gentlemen" the announcer again started. "It is time for the married couple's first dance as husband and wife".
Graham and Lydia stepped out onto the floor as the orchestra started playing a slow waltz. The two then started dancing, enjoying their new life as husband and wife.
After the dance, everybody enjoyed a fine dinner. As the dinner was taking place, Graham and Lydia went around to each table greeting the guests. A fine time was had by all.
As the evening wore on, the after wedding celebration wound down. Most of the guests then left after congratulating the happy couple. Roland, Miranda, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James stayed behind for a little while talking to Graham and Lydia. Soon, it was time to leave.
"Congratulations, Lydia" Miranda smiled as she hugged Lydia. "I'm so happy for you".
"Thank you, Mom" Lydia smiled back.
"Congratulations, Graham" Roland smiled as he shook Graham's hand. "May the two of you have a long and happy life together".
"Thank you, Roland" Graham smiled back.
"I'm so happy for you, Lydia" Sofia smiled as she hugged Lydia. "Congratulations".
"Thank you, Sofia" Lydia smiled back.
Sofia and Lydia continued to hug each other for a little bit before Sofia and the rest of the family left for Enchancia Castle.
As Roland, Miranda, Sofia, Lucinda, Amber, and James departed aboard their flying carriage, Graham and Lydia waved at the carriage until it disappeared from sight.
Graham and Lydia, now alone in the courtyard of Lacorinth Castle, held each other before walking back inside the castle. The two of them were very happy. It was the beginning of a new life that held a bright future.
Author's notes
I want to thank GradGirl2010 for giving me permission to use the character of Lydia (from GradGirl2010's story "My Sister's Keeper"). I also want to thank jakevoronkov1 for giving me permission to use the character of the Scarlet Warrior (from jakevoronkov1's fan fiction featuring the Scarlet Warrior). I am most grateful to these authors for letting me use their wonderful original characters (and items associated with these characters), and when using these characters, I will always treat them with the upmost respect.
I would also like to respectfully note that the Kingdom of Lacorinth, Lacorinth Castle, Lord Asmoth, King Graham, and Princess Eva are inventions of mine I created for use in "Sisters", while Aunt Serafina (A.K.A. Serafina Rosario), Princess Deidre, and the Kingdom of Hythoria are inventions of mine I created for use in my Sofia and Lucinda as teens series (including "Sisters").
I want to thank you for reading "Sisters". I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Any reviews you wish to post would be gratefully appreciated.