Third Day of Royal Life
chapter 7
Soifa heard Amber scream about some prank James played on her seconds after waking up. Making her wonder if her step sister know of the…"inside voice" rule for neighbors on the other side of her room. It was early in the morning before school. Wasn't that enough torture for her brother and her? Did they have to endure her constant screaming and whining about EVERYTHING that happened to her? They lived it. End of story and of the misery she inflicts on them. Another scream just made her look towards the door of her room, the door needed to be sound proof at this point. Maybe that royal mage they had could help her out with that one though since magic wasn't her speciality still. She shook her head. No, that mage was...already going to be bad news if she asked for a favor. A knock made her hold her head. The idea of that door opening by her hand with that screaming still raging on. It would give any or induce any innocent passing creature, magical or not, with a headache from hell.
Another knock made her stand and close the book she was almost done with, infuriated at being disturbed as she walked over to the door. Unlocking it quickly and see her stepdad before her with a box in his hand and the other ready to knock again. Amber's screaming at James still going on even as the king entered her room and let her close the door. Turning wasn't an option, she wouldn't face him until she was ready but at the same time. Sofia had yet to actually look at him when speaking and the few times she did. They were quick. Guess now was a good time to at least give the man some respect.
"Sofia, I...wish to earn your respect but also treat you like one of my own. I know you don't...like much of the royal life style. It's clear by your dress, the way you walk and talk bluntly or just ignore regal conversations and parties. I understand your desire to be...private," Roland said to her. "but I also hope that….you'd give it a chance. This world around you can grant you many things others could never have at times."
"Like a school to teach me how to bow and be polite even when the person insults me?" Sofia asked. "Or...how looking like I come right straight from the throne just to make friends or fit in with other royal children?" She walked right by. "Or how I have to change who I am because of a title that never had much meaning to me? I don't or need a royal life your highness. I just need to be in my own private world and don't get me wrong. You make my mother happy and I am thrilled you do." Sofia shrugged. "I just...I can't be part of this world. It doesn't feel right. I feel out of place here. And I have been trying to fit in with how I am, I have but the more I try the more people don't get me."
"What has happened exactly?" Roland asked, box still in hand.
"Amber thinks me to be nothing. Nothing but common trash with a title to hide it. She makes faces and screams as if I have no power and demands I pay attention. whining I don't give it to her. When I do, I am talked down to, treated like mud under petty high heeled shoes. I don't think we'll get along and I would rather punch her pretty little teeth then pretend that her insults to my mother are not heard," Sofia said. "so I warn you now, to prepare you, I will not get along with her at this rate. James maybe, my mother, always. You, I might, but Amber and me will NEVER be sisters at this point. And the next time she calls my mother trash, scum or anything at all. I will not hesitate to make her pay."
The king remained quiet. He had known why Amber insulted Miranda. He knew that his teenager daughter didn't care for his new wife but to hear the stepsister basically admit that she wouldn't get along with Amber due to the words used. Well, it made him stunned. Sofia got quiet too. Waiting for what he guessed to be some cliched parent talk about giving her a chance but he couldn't when she already was. Trying so hard to be herself and fit in, both at Royal Prep and at home but only faced with her mom and step brother to lean on. He wasn't even in there yet and she said it was a might. Did this mean that if he tried to be fair then he'd earn her trust then? She clearly wanted fair treatment without being talked down too. This would require more than a simple peace offering than. It would take...skill and time. Something he wasn't sure about. All he could do was hope this first step could work.
"Well…" Roland cleared his throat. "sorry, well Sofia. I...want to take the first step then. As I said, it's clear you hate royalty being shown. So…I got this." He opened a box with an amulet inside. "I know it's a bit much but...I wanted to give you something to show I wasn't going to play favorites."
" Did Amber and James get something?" She asked him, looking at it oddly.
"Yes, Amber has a new dress and all that. James has a new sword. I had to go small and I did my best to do so for you," He replied gently. "...do you like it?"
His daughter gently took the amulet with one hand and sighed. She smiled at him and nodded to show she did. It wasn't really all that decorated either. A simple purple gem encased in silver with a simple silver chain. The only simple piece of jewelry he could find that would hopefully fit her simple desires and it worked. He even got the honor of her putting it on without being told to leave. On the inside, all his tight muscles and stress just faded and he could relax at last. Something went well and it was great to see some progress.
"I'm glad you like it. I tried to get the simplest item I could. It was...really hard to find too," He joked. "...but I am glad you like. It's...my way of asking to be friends if we can."
"Well, you got a good start but don't expect me to just...up and talk all a sudden," Sofia told him. "but thank you...dad." he smiled at the word. "...I'm glad you gave it to me."
Roland nodded and then slowly backed up. Pointing to the door as he said that he'd leave her to what she wished to be left too. Quickly walking out and then closing the door. Sofia chuckled as she held her book with one hand and the other covering her only newest item. She really did like the gem. The smile still there, she grabbed her school bag and left her room. Ignoring Amber's groan towards the simple green dress she wore at the moment. Once again, the princess demanded that she at least wore royal clothing but was ignored. Sofia caught Bailywick wince when Amber screamed at her. Their dad at the front door made a face at the scream too. The princess regained her…"broken" composure and bowed. Showing off how to bow to her sister with a smirk. Only for Sofia to bow like a man to avoid having to even lift her lower garment up. The girl growled and finally looked at their dad.
"Father I demand you make her change into something decent for a school! She is a disgrace to Royalty High!" Amber said making Roland look at Sofia and then at her. "well father!?"
"Sofia made all her gowns like that Amber," He said to her already shocked face. "I can't change something your sister clearly wants kept as is."
She stomped her foot on the ground and got into the carriage. Sofia eyeing the...very almost blinding green dress the princess before her wore. Bright, shining green sequins sewn into the fabric with blinding shining green beads around the torso. Even the shoes had almost an ultra shine to them when exposed to the sunlight. This girl looked like a light with a green transparent green paper over it just...brighter. James had a blue coat and pants on with a white shirt though and it seemed to...almost compliment the bright green paper of a princess next to him. Him talking though broke her thoughts.
"Oh, I finished those books you lent me. I couldn't put them down," He said to her with a grin. "it was so amazing to read those adventures! Anymore?"
Sofia nodded, "I have two in my bag. One is an adventure about mage to upgrade his power and to be accepted by the people. The other I haven't read yet BUT the title is 'A Life To Live' and it looks interesting but I'll let you know what my...general opinion is."
James grinned and fist pumped the air above him. She let the princess tell her his favorite parts of the two books. The prince barely able to keep his enthusiasm down at every great scene or detail he liked. She also mentioned that some scenes were also her favorite too. Both enjoying the moment until Amber demanded silence. Making her brother go quiet but Sofia laugh lightly. Making her sister demand to be silent. When she stopped though, the smile that was left made James shudder as the coach landed at last. Amber stood to go first but Sofia jumped over the edge and ignored her sister's yells. The fairies hearing the yelling and coming out just as Amber was confronting the young princess. All three watching with high hopes that nothing...bad would happen.
The more Amber kept insulting both the queen and her. The more James and others could tell Sofia was nearing her limit. The insults ceased when the young princess nearly punched her step sister. Making the older one by a year cringe and cover face. It never connected though and she simply breathed and walked away.
"one chance," Sofia said to Amber, stopping and turning to look to her. "ONE chance. You make me smile, laugh WITHOUT insult my mother. I won't punch your face in. If you ruin it...I not only will make you regret it but I will always...ALWAYS make you pay." The crowd got quiet as Sofia sighed. "My mother loves your father. She does and the fact that she said yes should be a...loving gesture to you and James. You insulting her behind her back isn't right nor fair to her! The next insult best be left unspoken or I'll make you regret ever seeing your father smile at my mother and you will NEVER have a mother like mine AGAIN!"
She turned and headed inside. The royal children and fairies around quiet until Flora started to usher them in for classes nervously. Fonna worried about what would happen now. Only Sofia knew where to hide and no one could ever find her once she did. So Amber had to be careful and it was clear the princess knew this. The usual talkative Amber was quiet while James looked nervous but thrilled about something. Either from the lack of trouble with Amber or just something he had used to distract his mind.
School ended on a high note for Sofia. Amber said nothing to her all day and at lunch, never once brought up her mother. A good progress until...the carriage and there. It all ended. Once again, Amber screamed her complaints. Something about...a prince hitting on her and asking her out. Why did this girl care if she had turned him down? Was asking her out illegal? If so, she was gonna make a list of rules and then post it up on the wall at school to let Amber have a decent where she wouldn't be screamed at. So far, one rule, don't ask her out. Sofia heard another scream and this time James finally snapped. Telling her to shut it and let the rest of the ride be silent. Claiming to have a headache and Sofia mentally thanking him. She had one as well at the moment.
It was a quick trip to thanks to the quiet moment but she didn't stay around. Getting out first and heading around the castle quickly. Ignoring her sister as she reached the kitchen window and grabbed a single piece of meat on a plate full of others to be cooked for dinner no doubt and moved on. Holding it close as she turned and headed to where the ground stood under her window. Once there, she sat down and waited, working on the homework from school with the meat next to her. It was still warm out so she could get away with this and the light was natural so no harm from her. Waiting for her fox friend to vent to him would be just that...a wait and with hopes of it being worth it. Rustling made her look up and smile at the same fox as she held out the meat to him. Like last time, he or she, took it and started to eat as Sofia started to talk and talk. Mostly how she just...wished she punched Amber but held back with hopes. High hopes that Amber would leave her alone but no. The princess didn't.
Instead, she waited for the carriage ride home to whine and scream at her. No insults but the mere idea of Amber taking advantage of the fact that Sofia couldn't just...walk away was almost aggravatingly smart. She planned when to whine to her and knew when to now. Once done, Sofia sighed and apologized to her friend. She never asked how his day was. It was rude, even if she could understand him. It didn't seem to bother him since he was eating and listening to her but she still smiled at him.
"How was your day?" She asked him.
"Well, y'know nothing special. My stomach is full cause of this meat now though," The fox...wait...the fox spoke to her.
Sofia's eyes grew wide as this...fox spoke human to her and she in turn could hear it. The fox saw her surprise and started to talk again. Telling her that he didn't kill any healthy deer today, just those who were unable to move or were sickly. It didn't matter what this fox said thought. She was...hearing him. It was plain as day. As if she were in front of another human but...it was a fox.
"Um…" She spoke up at least. "...I...I can understand you."
"Oh, I'd assume so. You do wear the Amulet of Avalor do you not?" He or she said nodding to the necklace. "You gave me food because you wanted to or knew I needed to be full. So it granted you a gift."
"Gift...what gift? How can...Is this enchantend?" Sofia stuttered, confused and scared.
"Its Enchanted and yes it is. "For Every good deed done, a reward you shall receive. For every bad deed performed, a curse shall be placed on you" or something like that," The fox said. "oh and I am a male to let y'know."
"Oh...okay," She said looking away. "...male, alright then. I am confused but I'll...accept this once I research this...thing more. Anyways, what's your name?"
"Todd, at your service ma'am. You are Sofia correct? What's a princess like you doing here? You seem so.." Todd said moving his head back and forth. "different from the other one."
"You must mean Amber. Yes I am. I don't….really want this lavish lifestyle. It doesn't...suit me," Sofia said, slowly accepting that this fox was speaking. "but...for my mom. I'll endure it until I am either...married or can leave her care."
"Well, I like you and as my friend, I will be here when you need another to listen. So long as you listen to my plight evenly," Todd smiles.
"Consider it, Todd. A friendship," She said to him.
Sofia has two friends. A fox and James...progress.
