Author's Note: Okay, this chapter skips around a few times, and I would feel bad for being lazy, but with Sofia doing a bunch of different things, it would be really dull to fill in all the blanks. Also, if I've ever been super tired but had stuff to do, you'll know that time seems to alternate between crawling to the point of barely moving and disappearing in the blink of an eye. And if you don't know that feeling, take it from someone who hardly sleeps. So yeah... Promise the next chapter will be less skippy.
"That was ah-mazing!" Sofia breathed, settling into the bed besides Cedric. Her whole body ached, but strangely she found the sensation rather pleasant. Cedric smirked at the princess as he wrapped his arm around her waist and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead.
"You know, if you're not too worn out..." He began to proposition her, but the sounds of birds chirping outside drew his attention. They both turned to glance out the window, and were shocked to find the inky night sky streaked with the first colours of dawn.
"Does your maid still come for you in the mornings?" Cedric asked hesitantly, hoping Sofia would say 'no' so he could keep her here in his bed. He knew the answer when he heard her sigh.
"I'm afraid so, and I have a long day today, too." She answered, suddenly realizing how tired she was from the night's activities. Cedric craned his neck so he could plant a kiss on her lips.
"If you have any free time, you're welcome to sneak in here for a nap." He offered, eliciting a small chuckle from Sofia.
"I somehow doubt you would let me sleep." She replied, shaking her head at the sorcerer. He squeezed her tighter, his mouth fixing into that half-smile Sofia loved so much.
"You're right, I wouldn't." He admitted, already imagining all the things they could do during said 'nap', and starting to feel ready for yet another round.
"How long until she comes?" Cedric asked Sofia slyly.
"You can't be serious!" She scolded him playfully, lightly smacking his bare chest. He nodded that he was before pouncing on her again, rolling so the princess was beneath him on the bed.
...
Sofia just made it through the little hole in her bedroom wall and returned to regular size when Violet's knock sounded on the door.
"Come in." Sofia called out, sweeping her disheveled waist-length locks up into a messy bun, and checking herself over in the mirror. Violent entered the room and frowned at her charge.
"You're not wearing that, are you?" She inquired, staring pointedly at Sofia's apprentice dress.
"It's... comfortable." Sofia fumbled for an excuse, trying not to let on that she was still dressed from yesterday. Violet was already digging through her closet for something more fashionable.
"Honestly, Princess Sofia. I wonder where your mind is sometimes." Violet admonished as she set out a lilac gown for Sofia and waited impatiently for her to remove the offending garment.
Sofia stood frozen for a moment, considering what a mess she was and afraid Violet would catch on if she helped her dress. Not only that, but there were a few places where Cedric had marked her as his, something she highly enjoyed at the time, but was just now beginning to think better of.
"I... I haven't had a bath, yet. Could you draw one for me, please?" She settled on the statement, figuring there was at least truth to the words.
"You're going to be late to breakfast." Violet studied her closely but finally sighed and went into the bathroom to do as asked.
Sofia watched her maid's retreating figure, willing her heart to stop pounding so she could relax.
...
"Hey, Sof..." James began, chasing after his sister as she walked away from the dining hall. She stopped to allow him time to catch up.
"What is it, James?" She replied, grinning up at her brother as he reached her side.
"You don't... have that potion I asked you to make, do you?" He questioned, his cheeks glowing slightly as he spoke. Sofia's eyes went wide. How could I have forgotten to grab it? She wondered, though she already knew the answer.
When she and Cedric had finished, she had almost no time to make the trip back to her room, and hurried out after promising to return as soon as she could.
"I'm sorry. I made it, but I left it in the tower. I'll get it to you as soon as I have a chance, promise." She informed him, mentally going over her schedule to figure out when she could stop by the tower again to retrieve it.
"Thanks, you're the greatest!" James replied, drawing Sofia into a quick hug before running off down the hall. Sofia watched him leave, wondering once again how it was that her usually extraverted brother was having trouble confessing to whoever it was that he liked.
It just doesn't make sense, he's never been shy before. She thought to herself. A familiar voice from behind roused her from her thoughts.
"Princess Sofia, shouldn't you be on the way to the village?" Baileywick drawled. She spun to face him, mouth agape. Of course, she was supposed to be at Dazzleball practice soon. She nodded and hurried out of the palace to catch the waiting coach.
...
"Sofia..." Jade's tone suggested that she'd already called her multiple times, but Sofia hadn't heard her until now. She straighted herself up and did her best to focus on her friend.
"What do you need, coach?" She asked sheepishly, sorry that she hadn't been paying attention in the first place.
"You know, for an assistant coach, you've been awfully light on the assisting today." Jade pointed out, though her voice was still friendly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get any sleep last night. I'm having trouble staying focused." Sofia explained, hoping Jade would forgive her slacking off. Jade patted her on the back.
"I understand. Do you want to go home early? I can handle these guys." Jade asked her quietly. Sofia shook her head.
"No, I promised to help you, and that's what I'm going to do." She stated firmly before concentrating on the field full of practicing children.
...
Sofia leaned tiredly against the doorframe of Cedric's tower, waiting for him to answer her signature knocking. So far today, she had been assistant coach for dazzleball, gone to a gownfitting with Amber, and helped Mrs. Hanshaw teach the newest batch of Buttercups how to sew.
Now, she was skipping her only downtime to retrieve the potion she'd made for James. Of course, it meant seeing Cedric, so she didn't really mind. Frowning slightly at the quiet tower, she knocked louder.
"Just come in, Sofia." The sorcerer's voice rang out. Sofia opened the door and entered the tower, stopping to grin at the sight of Cedric with his nose buried in a spell book, as usual. He's so handsome, especially when he's concentrating. She mused to herself.
"Whaaatcha doing?" She sang out, making her way to stand next to his desk.
"Hmm? Oh, your father wants me to help the villagers with their harvest. Seems they're going to be short from the drought." He mumbled absently. When Sofia stayed quiet for a minute, he peered up at her curiously, taking note of how drawn she looked.
"Have you slept, yet?" He asked, his brow furrowing with concern. When she still didn't answer, he stood and waved his hand in front of her face, finally snapping her out of her trance.
"Come on, little one. Let's go to bed." He told her, pulling her towards his room.
"But I need to-" She began, but his lips pressed lightly against hers, and she lost interest in protesting.
They reached his room soon after, and Cedric lifted the sheets on his bed so she could slide in, then followed, curling up against the princess.
Sofia was both disappointed and relieved to find that Cedric actually intended for her to sleep. She wiggled back against him to get more comfortable in the small bed, and Cedric let out a light chuckle.
"Be still, or I'll be tempted to keep you up again." He threatened playfully. Nevertheless, he used the arm he had draped over her waist to pull her even closer, taking the opportunity to breath in the flowery scent of her shampoo.
"Don't let me sleep too long, alright?" Sofia instructed, her eyes already fluttering shut. Cedric let out an 'mhmm', and soon she was fast asleep.
