AN- Hey readers! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and are ready for the new year. Firstly, thank you so much for all your support I read every review I get and am so grateful for every single one.

Summary of chapter 10: Sofia has had something on her mind for a while, so with Amber's help she might be able to incorporate it with the next task laid slyly in front of her on the wagering table: to seduce Cedric.

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How many chapters will there be? (asked by: Molly_x0x)

- Before you ask, no we are not close to the end yet, but of course I still have to think how many chapters I want there to be. In all honesty I think there will be at least 20-25, it depends how things go. BUT I'm obsessed with little epilogues, so all in all lets say I release 25 main chapters, there will be 26 including the epilogue.

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Chapter 10: Poisonous attraction (love advice part 2)

Sofia's mind froze stiffly. How on earth could she seduce him when she had never had a real boyfriend before? Sure, in RPA she dated Jin for a little while but that was merely a childhood boyfriend. Meaning the furthest they went was to hold hands. Back then that was a huge deal, once they enlaced their silky fingers into one another's, sweat would build up dramatically and standing around them would be a bunch of squabbling royals cheering babyishly.

Where would she start? It would be absolutely absurd to throw herself into the most uncomfortable situation in the entire universe. But how could she say no at this rate? Amber faced her sternly, cross armed with one eyebrow slightly heightened compared to her other brow. Her crown sat atop her golden locks, wickedly laughing at Sofia's cowardice with its beautifully encrusted green gemstones.

Sofia felt sick. It was like her veins had been syphoned from her body, ripped out mercilessly along with her entire blood stream threshing to her head. Still, there she stood shaking uncontrollably with nerves and fear. Not that Amber seemed to notice. Next time Sofia caught a blurred glimpse of her, she stood proudly with a rather ornate mirror clasped into her right hand, the left hand busy straightening her side fringe. Honestly.

"I-I don't know how to seduce guys..." Sofia muttered out breathlessly. Hiding the shame in her eyes with some thick strands of hair, she peered downwards at her shoes, crafted with violet fabric.

"Oh Sofia, don't be daft. Men are easily swayed trust me, because you know why?" asked Amber, yearning for Sofia to be beyond interested.

"Uh why?"

"Well you see Sofia, far back in the olden days, it was very normal for men to have more than one wife. You see, men get bored very quickly so will be left with no choice but to cheat on their current wife with some poor harpy down the bar," she explained, sounding very philosophical. "Even to this day, men find it hard not to cheat and are simply weak to the likes of a beautiful, young princess such as yourself."

Sofia felt sick to her stomach, were those tales of men honestly believable? Are men truly all scumbags with a lust for many wives? Impossible. Not to forget Cedric's kind, mysterious personality. From as far as she knew, Cedric had never had a girlfriend before, let alone a wife. As a matter of fact, his undeniable distaste for a wife might be worse than him possessing the persona in which lusts after maidens. What if he did not want a girlfriend? Or worse, what if he was attracted to...men!

"Amber...is Cedric gay?" Sofia mumbled outwardly.

"GOSH Sofia, hush," she said, placing a finger to her lips. "I haven't really thought about it to be quite frank, but what on earth has erupted that thought?"

"Cedric's never had a girlfriend to my knowledge..." the purple princess sighed heavily, resting her brows above her timid, blue eyes. "I just...wonder if perhaps he doesn't feel that way inclined for women and perhaps likes men instead, you know?"

Amber's mind bubbled curiously. It was to her own memories that Cedric had never been spotted with a girlfriend, let alone a wife or even engaged in high interaction with women. Surely if Cedric was attracted to men, he'd at least make the effort to swoon dreamily after other sorcerers such like himself. But yet, his constant isolation, cooped up strangely in his room alone implied that perhaps he felt for neither gender. No wonder he is obsessed with confining himself inside those stone walls. He is clearly embarrassed either because he is attracted to his own gender, or because he feels nothing at all.

"You might be right..." Amber drew a long breath, a bewildered gaze, darting around the room lingered for a while. But she couldn't bare to see her sister let down by a now apparent rumour. Enveloped in a vitriolic envy for any man who might steal a chance at wooing her so called "prince" "knight in shining armour" "future husband" whatever she felt necessary to call him. "So...I have proposed the perfect plan!"

This for say, was intriguing. Unlike Amber's little stories about men which were not. "Which is?"

"The only way to alleviate your worries about your d-dear Cedric of being... you know... is to straight up question him," she said bluntly, ignoring Sofia's look of utter shock and worry painted noticeably on her pale face. "Not to mention, if he denies it, then you can confirm it by seducing him!"

"No way!" Sofia squealed, a quiver in her breath. "I will not ask him that, let alone then try to seduce him!"

"Sofia. If we do not ask him, then it is a possibility you will be rejected at one point by him if our little suspicions are in fact shown through integrity," said Amber coarsely. Growing impatient by the second, she ought to just drag her ass there. "Please, Sofia? You yourself have admitted that this dream seemed like a premonition. Wouldn't you wish to court...C-cedric in case your dreams become reality."

"Did you not listen to any of my explanation!" Sofia barked furiously, her spine straightening, her teeth gnashing at her. "Don't you get it! If I court him then that will inaugurate the dream! Father will blow a fuse and have him executed..."

Sofia curled her lip with her teeth, paying close attention to Amber's reaction. She didn't intend to sound so rude, but being misinterpreted is very frustrating at the best of times. Imagine pouring your heart out, describing every detail excellently only for the person not to have listened to the extent you expected. A sharp pain jabbed at her throat, watering her next words which now blabbered out croakily.

Amber placed a hand on Sofia's tenable shoulder, absorbing her shivers. Amber gave a warm smile filled with instant reassurance. "I promise, it will never come to that. Dreams are funny things really, they are created by your own mind. Nightmares are created by worries, so if I'm correct your deepest fear is Cedric's death?" she inquired.

"No..."

"No?"

"My deepest concern is Cedric dying...because of me. If he died in honour like in battle, I could at least accept it. But if it happened to be indirectly caused by my actions, I could never forgive myself," Sofia spoke softly, standing glass like.

Amber elevated her posture, grabbing Sofia's hand firmly. "C'mon, let's go get your man!" she cheered, lifting the moral.

At this point, Sofia's nerves reluctantly subsided into the air leaving her head free from certain worries. The trapse up to his workshop was swift and short. It only meant journeying through a few long, bland corridors before climbing the cobblestone steps of his tower. And so they arrived at his tower door once again, both taking wise breathes before knocking. Amber agreed to ask whether he was gay, whilst hurriedly teaching her sister the biggest tip there is to successfully seducing a guy.

Which was: Confidence. Oddly enough, on telly it appeared to be your appearance that mattered most. But according to many novels Amber helpfully mentioned, looks are a third priority when it comes to seducing a man. First of course is confidence for many reasons. One: because men won't be sparked up if you stand their like a wood log, two: because you are the one seducing so you have to lead and three: because men love confident women. Secondly, we have the next highest factor, vital in succeeding which is your posture funnily enough. If you are to flop uselessly, with no energy or enthusiasm then your man might grow bored sooner then you can say love.

Appearance comes next. Who wouldn't want a handsome/gorgeous guy/girl in his or her arms? Strictly speaking, it is more appealing to court someone who is good looking. Sofia listened well to all her given knowledge, readily applying it to a little scene once graced by his presence.

Once they knocked headily on his door, they waited patiently for him to crank it open. Cedric loathed being disturbed at such hours of the morning, especially if it were by that no good, pestering Baileywick and his silly rules. Peeking nervously, he was glad to it only be Sofia and her prudent sister beaming at him.

"Uh, you two," he groaned, leaving a gap for them both to walk in. "What do you want?"

"Well..." Amber laughed flakily. "You see..."

Cedric grew tiresome of these stupid requests at such hours, so to pass the time he sat behind his desk and began shuffling spell papers. Sofia watched helplessly, annoyed by how Amber was attempting to fold the question up into a paper ball and toss it out the nearby window. Stuttering, stalling, darting her eyes around the place like a retarded goose. Sofia nudged her profoundly, awakening her from her little zone out. And to think it was her who offered to ask such a personal question.

"What, princess Amber!" Cedric groused, stacking his papers down loudly. "Do hurry up would you? I have a very important day and I rather get this kerfuffle over with."

"Oh, what do you have planned today?" Sofia asked throatily.

"Well if you MUST know, I have to venture out to Weil-ling today with his majesty and assist him at the magicians festival."

Sofia felt agitated by this news. If he were to go to this festival, then it would give her less and less time to act out her little seduction game. Actually, that wouldn't be at all bad considering her hate for the idea in the first place.

"ARE YOU GAY!" Amber hollered out of the blue.

Cedric dropped his parchment, astonished by what Amber had just blurted out so loudly in front of him and the princess. Or worse, any staff who were to hear and assume anything perversely. Not that being gay is wrong, that was not his problem in the matter. What struck out to be of his distaste would be the backlash he would receive from any male servants, cooks, advisors or even the king himself.

"Oh merlin's mushrooms..." he thought wearily. "Why on earth would you ask such a thing when it is absolutely none of your business!"

"Well I had to know because one, if I'm correct you have never had a girlfriend and two, I was just...curious?" unfortunately she couldn't conjure up a fake but convincing excuse that didn't involve Sofia's obsession, so curiosity again killed the cat.

Sofia stood embarrassed and ashamed. If it turned out to be that Cedric were in fact gay, then it would be their fault if he was forced to reveal that secret under these wicked circumstances. Cedric's cheeks flushed a bright pink, leaving him vulnerable for Amber to mock him profusely.

"Look you Cretan, it is none of your business whether I am gay or not, so how about you make like the wind and scurry out of here!" he hissed, clumsily gathering up his parchment off of the floor to shield his face. The golden princess wasn't done yet, she was determined to squeeze that information out of him even if it was difficult for him to answer.

The air in the room thickened exorbitantly, engulfing nearly every breath of air out of the room. It was without a doubt thankful that both windows and doors were sealed shut, allowing only muffled sounds to pass happily through.

"Look, I didn't clamber up all these stairs just to find your dignity lying here. You will tell me the truth, or I will tell the king that you are in love with him!" Amber smugly said, unaware of the threat she had just proposed. What had she done... why had she decided to...to...

"Amber that's enough!" Sofia interrupted the escapade, running over to Cedric. "I'm sorry-I'm so sorry Cedric..."

Cedric gripped his papers and stuffed them in his top drawer, stiffening his back substantially as he rose upwards. Glaring down at Amber, his mouth parted for a final time, ignoring Sofia's apology.

"Since you have decided to take advantage of me, I have no choice but to clear myself. No, I am not gay for gods sakes. The reason I have only had a few girlfriends in my life is due to the fact that none have been suitable or In fact likeable..." he sighed. "Now would you please just leave for heavens sake."

Sofia felt guiltier than a murderer on trial, she had muttered those exact words only a month ago when she was disgusted by Zanders behaviour. Cedric had allowed her impertinent sister to blackmail him, forced to explain himself painfully just for Amber's own personal gain. It was all her fault, she had agreed to play along which she now realised wasn't the smartest idea. She didn't come all this way for nothing, the seducing idea still lay deadly on the wagering table ready to be activated.

"Leave, Amber!" Sofia spat. "I will be out shortly to deal with you..."

Finally, it was only her and Cedric in the seemingly large room. Cedric sat silently, rubbing the back of his head in hope the awkward silence would pass quickly. Sofia faced her sorcerer finally having him all to herself and blushed a dark red absentmindedly.

"S-sorry about Amber..." she apologised genuinely, greatly mortified by Amber's foolishness. "She can get carried away some times..."

"That's quite alright. I guess I got a little too riled up didn't I?"

"No! If I were asked such a question, showing signs of discomfort but still prodded, I would go insane!" Sofia laughed, inching closer to the sorcerer. "I am very ashamed to admit it, but it is my fault she kept bugging you."

Cedric's eyes widened. "Your fault?"

Sofia nodded regrettably. Sucks to admit shit you've done. As a glamorous princess coated in innocence, the world circling you expects you to be dainty, sweet and caring without a single bad bone in your body. Fat chance that would be. Princesses, princes, kings, queens are only human after all, no title will automatically shift your personality into one without flaws.

"I brought up the question...I was just curious as to why you are so disconnected to the world," Sofia bit her lip. "And for that...I'm truly sorry for causing you a large amount of discomfort."

As much as he tried to fume his anger, he just failed time and time again. How could he stay mad at his one true love? He couldn't risk brewing his temper at this rate, when it could ruin their potential future relationship. Cedric smiled at the princess, assuring her that he didn't care for her one mistake. After all, for years she had contained this sweet, golden girl composure. A little mistake is understandable.

I can't admit my feelings... although wouldn't she think it's a little strange how I was livid with that wench sister of hers, but not her? No, I've got it! I'm not mad at her because we are friends. And that sister of hers is not thankfully. I'd die if I were somewhere related to that snobby little bitc—

"You're forgiven...for now," he smirked. "Next time you won't be so lucky." fat lie that is.

The tension in the room rose quicker than Cedric stayed mad at Amber. The connection between the both of them caused much unwanted feelings to float into the open space, alluring its victims into the adrenaline. The window was sealed shut, yet the temperature dropped oddly leaving a cold breeze lingering meaninglessly in the air. To her dismay, this adrenaline only coaxed her mind even more to swallow Cedric whole and claim him for herself. What was this feeling? This feeling that all her suitors could not produce? It was a strong feeling which caused her to...lust. She lusted him.

The door was shut tight, footsteps were no where to be heard and the desire to devour each other only grew. Cedric stood up and faced the young princess, trying onerously to hold back his avidity for her. The tension only built up the longer they stared love-struck in one another's eyes, suffocating them with this urge to just mitigate the lust for something magical to occur between them.

After all this time, securing his feelings behind locked bars his love for the princess only grew radically. He yearned to ask Sofia to marry him right there and then, forget the king's cruel rules and run away together. But he knew it was preposterous. Only in his imagination would sparks fly, only embedded alongside his deepest desires would him and the princess ever exchange vows on the golden sands, given the chance to escape with each other without the option of the guards ever finding out their location.

Sofia leant up towards him and pecked his cheek angelically. Cedric embraced her warmly, disguising his desire as a friendly hug. One day she shall be mine, but I won't ruin this moment because of my urges. Besides, perhaps she will accompany me to Wei ling. Plenty of time to build our relationship.

Yes, she promised Amber she would allure him into this dangerous game in which she eventually bed him. But right now, his company was more than she ever hoped for. Even if he was her darkest desire, even if the urge to pull him into a lustful grip and kiss him chastely. The day that happens isn't today and although it was hard to admit, she could accept it.

One day she would claim him. One day she would dance with him on the slippery floors of the ballroom like in the movies with everyone clapping for them. One day that would happen, but that day was no today.