Episode 115: Guess Who's Coming to Enchancia?—September 10, 1841

Miranda

"I'm glad it's Lucinda's turn to sing the anthem for the Harvest Festival this year," Sofia strolled into the dining room with Amber.

"I'm sure she'll have an enchanting voice," Amber giggled. "I wonder what she's going to wear."

"You're about the same size," she traced her over. "Do you have any dark purple or blue gowns?"

"She could borrow my navy blue dress," she lifted her eyes. "And I could ask her if I can fancy up her hair a bit."

"Are you thinking of a pompadour?" Sofia gave a mischievous smile.

"No, a ponytail," Amber gave her a light push. "It'll work better with the gown."

"Good morning, girls," I waved them to their seats.

"Morning, Mum," Sofia pulled up her chair. "Are you looking forward to the Harvest Festival?"

"I am," I raised my shoulders. "I'm sure Lucinda will do a good job, and the banquet will be amazing as usual." The festival might be more or less the same every year, but predictability wasn't a bad thing.

Baileywick stepped into the room, his eyes tense on me.

Had something happened? What did I have to do with it?

"What's the matter, Baileywick?" Roland caught his gaze.

"Your Majesties," he straightened. "A few people have arrived from Galdiz to see you. I think you know them well, Miranda," his eyes returned to me.

Who did I know well in Galdiz? I had left many friends in my old kingdom when Birk and I sailed off on our adventures. I almost missed those times, but they weren't as wonderful as the life I had now. A few people I knew well? My gut tensed. "We'll go meet them," I rose from my seat. Hopefully they weren't the people I'd torn myself from.

Roland and I led the way to the entrance, with Amber, James, and Sofia right behind.

The double doors stood open, and a horribly familiar trio stood on the steps, next to a woman in an ornate hijab and a boy a bit older than Sofia.

Mama, Papa, and Rodrigo. My former immediate family hadn't changed much since I'd ran off with Birk.

Papa resembled me the most, with his long, sharp nose, bright blue eyes, and chiseled face. His skin was fairer than mine, and his solid gray-brown hair was straight.

Mama's wide green eyes stood out from her round, brown face. Her full lips parted in a white-toothed smile, and her hair, tucked into a snood, was still black and curly.

Rodrigo's sharp green eyes were still narrow at me, his face round-featured like Mama's, but topped with wavy black hair.

The other two with him had to be his wife Nadia, and their daughter Gabriela. Rodrigo settled faster than me; Birk and I traveled for years until we conceived Sofia.

"Do you know them?" Roland's eyes traced between me and my old family.

"Roland, children," I took a breath, "Meet your Abuelo, Abuela, Tío Rodrigo, Tía Nadia, and your cousin Gabriela."

"What did you say?" James blinked. "All I got was that we have a cousin named Gabriela."

"Those are Mum's parents, her brother Rodrigo, his wife Nadia, and their daughter Gabriela," Sofia gestured out.

"We have other grandparents?" Amber's eyes widened. "And another aunt and uncle? And a cousin?" Her mouth dropped open. "Mum, why didn't you tell us about them? Why didn't we meet them before?"

My gut tightened. How could I say this in a nice way?

"Because your mum left us for an unworthy man," Papa strode forward.

Sofia's cheeks flared a deeper red.

"And when she found someone suitable, things kept getting in the way of our reunion."

"But as you can see, we took the chance to find our daughter in the highest class as soon as we got enough time for a reunion," Mama reached out her arms. "You must be King Roland, Your Majesty," she curtsied. "And you are Prince James and Princess Amber, the royal twins?" She rose and turned to them.

"Yes," Amber bobbed. "But I always come first. First-born, first in line to the throne," she raised her chin.

"And you must be Sofia," Mama turned to her. "It's wonderful to see you've been given all the royal honors."

"I'm glad you're happy about that," she shifted her weight.

All those stuffy royals, including her classmates, thought she would only belong if she married some prince. And Sofia had to listen to them.

"Well, I know you weren't taken in just to be part of the new royal family," Mama lowered her head. "After what happened to Queen Lorelei, the Winslows need some new blood to marry out."

When Queen Lorelei was mentioned, Sofia's face tensed further. She knew something else I didn't. Why was this becoming so usual?

I had recently discovered the gap that had risen between us. It shouldn't have existed, I had no idea why it formed, but there it was. Maybe Sofia had spent so much time learning about her magic with Cedric, she'd drifted away from time with me.

"They will be grateful for the healthy alliance you'll create," Mama clapped a hand on Sofia's shoulder.

"They already are," she giggled with color in her cheeks. "I've given the kingdom lots of friends."

How many alliances had she created? Her graduation party was twice the size of her coronation ball in terms of guests.

"If Sofia wasn't meant to move out, she'd be my future royal advisor," Amber beamed at her.

Sofia shifted her weight again. She had a lot of different paths ahead. She always juggled everything to please everyone, but her choice of a secondary school was the start of her narrowing her options. If things didn't go well in a few years, she'd be caught in a three-way tug-of-war with Roland, Amber, and Tilly.

"Maybe you three can show Gabriela around the castle," Roland saw the look in my eyes.

"We'll be happy to," Sofia took Gabriela's hand. "Do you want to see our rooms and the play areas?"

"Give me the whole tour!" She pushed behind her. "I'd love to see all the surroundings first; your castle must be enormous."

—

Sofia

"Let's start with the gardens then," James led the way down the steps and onto the castle green.

"Good idea," I watched Dad, Mum, and her family file into the castle. "The adults are going to have a lot to talk about. Maybe we should stay out of their way for a bit."

"I do want to get to know you first," Gabriela tugged her arm away from mine.

"This is incredible," Amber twirled around. "We have more family than we thought! Did you know Mum had parents and a brother with his own family?"

"No," I held my arm. "Mum doesn't really talk about her background." The only parts of her past she mentioned were her travels with Daddy. But there were things she implied. She had some bad experience with magic, and someone close to her had betrayed her. Whatever the experience was, it made her uneasy when my powers erupted, and she didn't trust magical beings that much.

"Well, she should," Amber raised her chin. "I had no idea you came from the upper middle class! I have to write to Hildy about this."

Entering Ever Realm Academy next week might get easier.

"You seem really close to Tía Miranda," Gabriela smiled. "What's she like?"

I opened my mouth, but I saw her eyes were on Amber.

"She's great," Amber raised her shoulders. "She always wants to be our mum as much as she can."

"And she loves having fun," I chimed in. "Maybe we can all play Dazzleball. You'll probably love that," my eyes traced Gabriela's short paisley skirt.

"I don't know what Dazzleball is, but that sounds like a good idea," she raised her head.

"You'll love it," James spread out his arm to the sports field. "It's the best royal game in all the kingdoms!" He trucked over to the crate of equipment, threw it open, and stuck in his arm. "You just need one magic ball." He rifled around until he pulled out what looked like a frisbee. "This is the Dazzleball."

"Do you just—throw it?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Oh, it'll show its stuff soon," he grinned. "Everyone form a square. You and Sofia can be a team, and Amber and I will be the other. The team with the most goals in…thirty minutes," he glanced up at the clock tower, "Wins the game."

"That sounds like a good start," Gabriela readied herself beside me a few feet in front of one of the goalie nets.

James lobbed the frisbee at her.

It twirled in the air, and when she caught it, it had become a rounders ball.

"Whoa," she pulled it in.

"See?" He held out his hands.

"It doesn't turn into anything dangerous, does it?" She stared at it.

"It just turns into sports balls," he shrugged.

"Thanks," she threw the ball at Amber.

It fell to the ground and rolled as a bowling ball.

"Sorry," she winced.

"No problem," Amber carefully lifted it. "What sports do you play in Galdiz?"

"I'm not an athletic person," she lowered her arms as Amber bowled the ball, "But I heard there are good tennis teams."

The bowling ball became a New World football and just slipped between her legs into the net.

"Goal!" Amber cheered.

"Winslows 1, Cordovas 0," I grabbed the ball and tossed it to James.

He jumped back on instinct when it turned into a dodgeball.

The ball struck the net behind him.

"Now we're tied," Gabriela grinned at me. "So, you play sports a lot in Enchancia?"

"Not as much as we used to," I scratched my forehead as Amber picked up the ball. "We're all busy with new schools and activities."

"I'm at Ever Realm Academy learning to be the next queen," Amber threw the ball at her. "And the new greatest astronomer."

Gabriela's hands slammed around a tennis ball. She threw it at James.

Her throwing it two-handed turned out to be smart, as it readied James for a medicine ball.

"I'm learning to be Enchancia's First Knight at Chivalry Hall," he snagged it with a grunt.

"I go to the Institute for Science and Alchemy to learn magic," I beckoned James to throw it my way. "When I'm not going on adventures around the Ever Realm, that is." I held out one arm.

The Dazzleball usually alternated between big and small balls; it would shrink somehow when it went my way.

"So, you all do different stuff?" She watched me lunge forward and seize the frisbee again.

"Honestly, our family is kind of drifting apart," James sighed. "It almost feels like I'll start traveling and Sofia will move out tomorrow."

Mum and Dad were the only ones who wanted to stay together more than he did.

"Are you having problems?" Her face tensed.

"It's…hard to explain," I tossed the frisbee to Amber. "But we've always had a few bumps."

This time, the frisbee compressed into a rounders ball again.

"Our parents are all right, though," Amber quickly caught it. "They've always been happy."

"Great," Gabriela breathed out. "I guess Abuela was the only thing making them nervous. She can do that," she chuckled. "Worst critic of our family trade."

"Things have gotten rougher because everything's starting to be addressed," Amber threw a football at her. "We haven't had a family adventure since summer vacation. We used to have more."

Gabriela ducked, and the twins scored another goal.

Amber had a point. "Maybe we're going on less trips because we're settling down together," I picked up the ball. But part of my insides pulled tight.

"Wait, you really do have things to talk through?" Gabriela stepped back. "Do you eat together at dinner or anything?"

"Some of us are getting too caught up in their own things," James clapped his hands. "Myself included," he caught Amber's look.

"I'm probably totally wrong due to just showing up," Gabriela watched me kick the ball, "But something looks strange between you and your mama, Sofia. I don't want to pry."

She noticed it? "Mum's been with me since the very beginning," I waved her hand. "I love her more than anyone. She just wants to make us one family, and that means…giving everyone else extra attention."

"Yes, Mum leaves Sofia on her own too often," Amber's foot slammed down on the new bowling ball. "James is right," she gave him a brighter gaze. "We're not quite all together." She bowled the ball.

"So," Gabriela kicked the ball back as a dodgeball. "Tía Miranda's too caught up in the now?"

"Royal life has been hard for me, but it fits Mum like a glove," I breathed in. "That's why we've been drifting apart."

"Are you fighting?" Her eyes widened.

"We…just do our own things," I shrugged. "She knows I'm doing well, and it doesn't matter who's helping me. She knew I'd find my way as a princess, and she was right. I hope she doesn't take me for granted," the memory of our first Mother's Day floated back. She almost brushed past the rose I gave her.

"People say that can happen when some folks know each other too well," she scratched the back of her head. "One person assumes the other will always be fine even when they're not because they look strong and happy. Then that person does something stupid to try to actually fulfill their life."

Okay, that sounded like us. Maybe letting go of sunny thoughts was good in ways besides not needing them to control my powers anymore. "Well, I haven't really done anything stupid," I raised my finger.

"Aunt Tilly implied you've nearly gotten yourself killed a few times," Amber raised an eyebrow.

"Some of my adventures can become dangerous," I gritted my teeth.

"Okay," the turning gears in Gabriela's mind were almost visible. "Tía Miranda's giving you lots of attention," she pointed to Amber, "Which is making you jealous," she turned her finger on me, "And you're taking on crazy things to distract yourself from the problem you're trying to avoid?"

What? "You don't know us at all," I threw out my hands. "I'm not jealous. My activities aren't distractions."

"I'm sorry," she tossed hers up. "I jumped to conclusions."

"Maybe we should stop the game to talk things over," James picked up the New World football.

"I think that sounds right," I breathed down the fire.

"You should go ahead and meet up with Mum and Dad," Amber gazed at James. "Keep Gabriela's visit fun while Sofia and I clean things up."

"That's the way it is," he shook his head as he tossed the ball into the crate and shut it. "If you want me to take over the reins, let me know."

"Thank you," she nodded. "But I'll take care of this one."

James and Gabriela headed off, the latter giving a quick guilty look over her shoulder.

Amber's gaze returned to me.

"Look, Gabriela just jumped to conclusions," I held out my hand. "Maybe I'm not as happy as I want to be, but it shouldn't be your problem. I just like going on adventures, that's all," I tried to close it. I didn't know if Gabriela was right, too.

"I know," she managed a smile. "Sofia, if we're taking up too much of Mum's time, you should tell her. She wants us all to be her children now, but you came first. I don't want you to get in trouble trying to sew up a wound the wrong way. If you are using your passion for adventures to deal with this…we know what happened to the last princess who tried distraction to avoid a family problem," her gaze trailed down.

Anna. "If I'm trying to distract myself, I've already endangered the kingdom," my shoulders slumped. "Vor was my fault. I put together the items that brought her to Enchancia. I didn't think through what could happen."

"But you defeated her," she raised her chin. "Listen," she sat down, "I'm glad you've become more honest, even if it came about from bad times. There's one mistake of Anna's I don't want you to repeat."

"I've already gotten you hurt," I dropped beside her.

"Don't find love for the wrong reasons. When you leave Enchancia, I don't want you to leave family problems unresolved," she brought Cinderella's lesson back into me.

"Things should be tied up," I swallowed. The last curse probably wouldn't be broken if distraction lingered.

Amber drew up her legs. "Maybe you're right; Mum does sort of…take you for granted."

"She's known me since before I was born," I tried to shrug. "And you and James just impress her more than I do." I had to learn how to give her a spectacle.

"But…" She breathed in, "Do you think she spends too much time with Dad and James? I don't want to be too hard on her, but it feels like she only really cares about us when we get into trouble."

"It's my fault," I held up my hand. "Mum didn't take me being a wizard too well, and she gets worried because my adventurous streak comes from my dad dad. It…" My voice trailed off.

"Admiral Vasquez told me," she lowered her eyes. "One of the Enchancian naval ships went to Stormy Point and never came back. Mum doesn't want us to die for our kingdom. She doesn't want to lose anyone else, especially not you."

The recent lessons churned in me. "There's a lot I didn't want to admit," I gripped my hands. "But when Vor took over the castle, I had to face myself. Throw away trying to lie and taking on too much by myself. It'll take a long time before I can fully call myself a princess. Until then, I'll have to tell myself being a good leader is enough. And—" I looked back at Amber. "I can't pretend anymore. Over the past two years, my view of our family's changed. Out of everyone—you're the one I love most," the truth spilled from me.

"Above Mum?" Her eyes widened.

It jabbed me. "You've brought out new sides of me, just as I've brought out the true strength in you," I raised my head. "Our adventures together made me realize staying in one castle isn't my happy ending," my fingers curled around my overskirt. "I want to continue my adventures, even after I fulfill my destiny. Especially after I fulfill my destiny," I began to smile.

"You really will take after Aunt Tilly," Amber chuckled. "I hope there's a way our family can truly come together," she stood up. "The two broken pots need stronger glue."

"We've got at least nine years," I got to my feet. "We'll have time to find it."

"Until then, let's try to stay close," she headed to the entrance. "Keep your feet on the ground."

I'd try. Gabriela seemed to have a point the longer I looked at my recent life.

—

Miranda

"You know, if they traded hair and eye colors, I would think Amber was your daughter, not Sofia," Mama strolled onto the balcony.

"Amber spent so many years without a mother," I followed her. "I want to make up for that time."

"Well, you went so far, you left your own daughter behind," she shook her head.

I pulled back. "What makes you think that?" I clutched my hands. "I'm the greatest person in Sofia's life."

"Oh, I don't see that," she gave a bittersweet chuckle. "Maybe you were close once, but even when you're side by side, you're miles apart. I'm sorry you passed down our family curse," Mama leaned on the balcony.

"What do you mean?" I drew back. "I never heard of any dark magic affecting us."

"Not a literal curse," a bittersweet smile touched her face. "Your grandmother was from Ariha, one of the kingdoms below the Central Sea. When she was a young woman, she met a group of traveling folk. One of the fellows there became her husband. She joined his group and left her people behind. Then I was born and grew up in Southern Galdiz. But when I met Roberto, I joined him in the north. And then there was you," her eyes drifted back to me. "I knew from your first day you were meant to thrive on so much more than I could provide. You were a dreamer, and you were alive in adventure and imagination of a world far and wide. Then I had your brother, and I loved him so, I forgot to be with you and watch you grow. So you went and began to make a family of your own. I'd lived the same life, I should have known. Mothers and daughters, broken apart. One leaves another from an abandoned heart. We ask each other, when did it start? Who first left her mother from an abandoned heart?"

"I made my first friend, an elf funny, but sly," my mind jumped back to my lonely childhood. "I thought in her I could rely. But she only saw me as a tool in her supply, so I shut out the magic and turned to reason in life. Then came a man from the Northern Sea offering years of adventure to me," pain and warmth rose back after years. "So I left you for him, and we followed the stars. And well, we went a little too far," I chuckled as I recalled the very fateful night that stuck Birk and I under a grounded roof. "Mothers and daughters, broken apart. One leaves another from an abandoned heart. We ask each other, when did it start? Who first left her mother from an abandoned heart?"

"And now, the cycle continues," Mama lowered her face. "Though I can see you try to lie, there is no doubt she will leave you when the right fellow enters her life."

"No one else took her place inside me," I laid a hand on my chest.

"That's not true, no matter how hard you believe," her face firmed. "But your new king and his children, in her place they succeed," her voice rose with the sharp truth. "Because she has magic, and you want normality. She's like you, she's meant for more, so don't turn him away when he comes to the door. Because he will, and you can't deny she left you years before the day she'll say goodbye."

"Mothers and daughters, broken apart," I swallowed the truth as I sang with my mother for the first time in years. "One leaves another from an abandoned heart. We ask each other, when did it start? Who first left her mother from an abandoned heart? Well, we'll never know when it did start," our voices slowed.

"But we left our mothers," Mama gazed over me.

"Abandoned our daughters," I lowered.

"And pray that our daughters won't leave more abandoned hearts," we gazed out at the gardens again.

Sofia played a hoop race with Clover and Whatnaught.

"I can't believe I left her for Rollie and the twins," I grasped my head.

"You look at them more," her gaze trailed out. "You love her, but you take her for granted because she's always been with you. I know," she looked back at me. "I was the same in so many ways."

I took Sofia for granted? I always knew she'd remind me of the old times and help me out. I always knew she'd be fine. Maybe Mama was right. "What do I do?"

"Make up for your neglect," warmth trickled back to her eyes. "Don't let the perfect twins and husband distract you from what you first treasured."

How many times had I been caught in the royal gifts and brushed over the simple? Sofia had her own life. But it was still connected to mine. An idea rose in me. "I think I'll follow your advice for once," I turned away.

"Sofia," I came up to her side, "Would it be all right if we had a picnic in the Ever-Golden Glade tomorrow?"

"Sure," her eyes brightened. "It's always fun being with you and Amber and James. Is Dad coming with us?"

I really had been swallowed by them. "No," my insides sunk as I kept my smile. "I was thinking…it could just be the two of us."

Her eyes widened, and her smile spread. "You've always wanted to keep our new family together," she shook her head with a laugh. "We've never had a past family outing since—we became royalty." Her eyes drifted to Mama, Papa, Rodrigo, Nadia, and Gabriela. "Did this reunion inspire you?"

"Yes," I clasped my wrist. "I know I haven't spent much time with you since I found my happy ending," my face lowered. "But I want to make it up to you."

"You've always been with me, Mum," she reached out. "You give great advice."

"But what else have I done?" I bent down. "I was so happy, I didn't realize you needed my support. You had to find new people on your own. All the trouble you've gotten into is my fault."

Her face lowered with mine. "Don't blame yourself," that too-mature firmness returned to it. "Crazy adventures are part of being in the magical world. They're just one byproduct of having a sorceress," she tried to chuckle. "I'm glad you want us to have some time together, just the two of us."

"I'm happy I finally want that with you," I looped my arm around her. I'd been so caught up having normal children and a husband who never sailed off, I forgot the wizard daughter I already had. I wouldn't let myself forget her again.

The End

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