(A/N: Mr. Shortman92, to be honest, when I read your review, I started rereading my posted chapters. Multiple times, I might add. I'm still trying to figure out what you're seeing that I'm not. As to me updating frequently... I have most of the chapters written at this point and a good few more that still need to be written. Why not update frequently? But since you are apparently seeing something that I'm not, I would love to hear from you on what it is. I actually love constructive feedback. And this applies to any reviewers, give me your feedback.

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One year later

Sofia sat at Cedric's desk, once again, writing some notes on a scrap piece of paper. She had noticed that some of the supplies she frequently used for potions and spells were low so she was making a list. She was also going to be making a stop to Hexley Hall to return some books that she had borrowed from its library.

With a new headmaster put in after Grimtrix's imprisonment, Sofia no longer had to worry about her safety when she went to the sorcery school. But still, when she went, she hid the amulet under her dress. She had no wish to repeat parts of her first visit to the school.

A shimmer outside the window caught Sofia's attention. The invisible wall that kept everyone out pulsed slightly to let the teenager know that someone was there. Sofia glanced out the window and saw Baileywick waiting patiently at the door.

With a sigh, Sofia put down her quill and went down the steps to see what the steward wanted.

"Hello Baileywick," Sofia said.

"Princess Sofia, your father is asking for you in the throne room," Baileywick said.

"Very well," Sofia said. "Tell him I will be on my way shortly."

Baileywick bowed and left the tower to relay the message. Sofia sighed again and went back up to grab her list, a bag that held the books to be returned, and a new flying broom that Calista had given her for her fifteenth birthday. Once she was certain she had everything she needed for the trip to the market and Hexley Hall, Sofia headed down to the throne room, wondering what her dad wanted to see her about.

Upon entering the throne room, Sofia tensed up a bit. Except for Roland sitting in his throne, the room was completely empty. The princess had decided almost a year ago that these sort of talks were ones to be dreaded.

"Sofia! Come on in!"

Sofia stepped lightly over to her dad. His tone was a happy one but the teenager was not completely at ease about having an one on one chat with her dad.

"I'm not in trouble am I?" Sofia asked. "I've been making sure to take periodic breaks in my sorcery and amulet studies. I've joined the family more often for outings. Admittedly, I do still sometimes push too hard but I'm trying to not go overboard."

"You're not in trouble, Sofia," Roland insisted. "I just wanted to tell you something. Since you're getting older, you're going to be expected to show up more often at royal functions."

Sofia bit her tongue to keep from saying anything. She had known this day would come, she just didn't want it so soon.

"And when you turn sixteen next year, suitors are going to start coming out," Roland continued.

Sofia decided to stop holding her tongue.

"And most of them won't accept me as I am," the princess said tearsly. "They'll only see a bald and scarred young woman with an unladylike interest in sorcery. They won't see me for me."

"You don't know that, Sofia," Roland interrupted.

"I do know that! And do you want to know how I know that? It's because a lot of my own classmates at school treat me like the plague for being different! They'll act nicely to my face but when they think I'm not listening, they'll laugh at me, acting as though they think I'm less than them for bearing scars and wielding a wand."

Sofia gripped her broom tightly, an action noticed by her dad.

"Sofia," Roland said with a sigh. "Not all your peers are like that. I know you know that. It shows when Vivian invites you to Zumaria for a day of enchanted music or when Cleo makes sure that you know you're invited to her plays or even when Hildegard sends you bouquets of nettledrop flowers. You have peers who accept you as you are."

"But suitors are not happening for me, Dad. What high ranking man would accept a sorceress princess who will come with a lot of baggage? Face it. No one outside of this family, except a few people, will accept me as I am."

Sofia stormed out of the throne room, not even waiting for her dad to excuse her. As quickly as she could, the young princess got on the broom and took to the air. She would have just gone back to the tower so she could avoid everyone, but the young princess still needed to run her errands.

Heaving a sigh of frustration, Sofia zoomed through the sky towards Hexley Hall.

A few hours later, after she had returned the books, got a few new ones to study, and been to the market, Sofia was noticeably calmer but still not ready to return home. Realizing she was fairly close to Mystic Meadows, Sofia headed there, hoping that Cedric's parents were not too busy.

Landing at the cottage, Sofia saw Winifred talking with some of her friends in the gardens.

"Why Sofia! I didn't expect to see you so soon. Is anything the matter?"

Winifred's friends politely excused themselves and left quietly. The older sorceress put an arm around the princess and guided her inside.

"Let me put on some tea and we'll talk over some fly cakes."

Sofia nodded numbly as she set her broom and bag down. Moments later, some lemon lavender tea was ready and fly cakes set out. Sofia barely touched any of the offerings.

"Now what would be on your mind?" Winifred asked.

"Dad says now that I'm older, I have to start attending more royal functions. And he also mentioned suitors coming into the picture once I turn sixteen. He doesn't understand! What man in their senses would accept me? I'm bald! I'm covered in scars! And I still am fighting to free Cedric from the amulet!"

Winifred nodded. "What man in his senses wouldn't accept you?" she asked. "Behind the lack of hair and the numerous scars is a beautiful young lady. A lady who is loyal, ready to fight for those who are closest to her, and very intelligent. Maybe you don't see all of that when you look at yourself in the mirror. But I do. And so does your family. And I bet you still have some close friends who see who you are behind your looks."

Sofia sighed before staring at the cup in her hands.

"People talk about me at school and at royal functions when they think I'm not listening."

"And people talked about Cedric and he managed to ultimately show them all that he really was a great sorcerer and an even better person. Ruthless people will talk down about those who are around them. It is our own choice whether or not we let their words have power over us."

"Our own choice," Sofia repeated softly.

"There are quite a few people in the world who refuse to accept those who are different than themselves or maybe even less skilled at something than they are," Winifred continued. "They think that by mistreating those people, they become better. Really, they just paint themselves in ugly colors. Show them that their hateful words can't hurt you. It will make them lose their sense of power over you."

Sofia shrugged slightly.

"Sure, it is not going to be easy. But you can do it. You've accomplished a lot since becoming a princess. You can do this too."

Sofia took a fly cake from the tray and broke it in half.

"I just don't understand why Dad can't see how hard this is for me," Sofia said. "I made a promise that I would get Cedric out whatever it takes. But Dad wants me to start appearing more at royal functions and seeing suitors after I turn sixteen. How is all of that going to affect my journey to free Cedric? Especially when suitors come into the picture?"

"I don't have all the answers, Sofia. What you might try though is talking with your father again."

Sofia opened her mouth to interrupt but the older woman spoke quicker.

"He may not always seem like it but he does have your best interests at heart, just as much as if you were his child from the very beginning. He loves you, Sofia. Those royal functions and suitors are a part of the life of a princess though. Talk with him again. Tell him you understand that he wants the very best for you but that your wishes and desires are important. Try asking for a compromise. Attend a few more social functions than you normally would and agree to entertain an occasional suitor after you turn sixteen. Agree to be cordial to potential suitors. Who knows? One of them may be very accepting of everything about you that makes you special and even support you in trying to free Cedric."

"Seeing suitors is a thought I don't relish," Sofia admitted. "I've known for a while that it was something that would happen but I don't want any part of it. Not right now anyways."

Winifred chuckled. "Well, when you are ready, the person for you is going to have a handful with your determination and bigger than life personality."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll understand one day."

Sofia almost argued but stopped. Nodding, she glanced at the time. It was going to be dinner time soon.

"Thank you for talking with me Winifred," Sofia said. "It's about time for me to return to the castle."

"Of course," Winifred said. "You are welcome here at any time. Be sure and talk with your father."

"I will."

Sofia grabbed her broom and bag and quietly flew back to the castle, thinking about what the wise old sorceress had to say.

At the castle, Sofia quietly slipped into the kitchen and placed some items for her dinner in a basket. Once she was content with the items in the basket, the princess transported up to the tower so that she would be undisturbed, deciding she would talk to her dad the next morning. After eating a bit of the dinner, Sofia looked in the mirror.

"I'll never be beautiful."