Sixth Day: Weekend To Self
Day 2: Saturday

Chapter 10

Sofia laughed as her and Todd ran around the castle grounds. Acting like immature children since there was nothing better to do and Sofia didn't want to read for once. They took breaks to chat and sneak a snack or lunch from the kitchen window. Neither really caring as they just hung out for the day. Both enjoying the others company and talking about their past experiences that led to how they were as young adults.

At the moment, both were at hanging out near the edge of the royal gardens. Snacking on some fruit they snuck from the kitchen again and talking while on break. Both playing a game that would lead to either having no secrets between them afterwards.

"So, if you could go back in time, Sofia," Todd started. "without affecting your future at all, would you and what would you do?"

"Hmm, that is a good question," the brunette said. "...probably try to make myself meet more friends and not be so lonely but at the same time. I don't think I'd go back. I'd probably let another go back."

"Really? You wouldn't change how you ended up if you could?" He asked.

"Probably not. I am okay with how my life was back then so probably give the chance to another person y'know?" She shrugged. "you?"

Todd hummed a bit before speaking his answer carefully, "I think I'd make myself find a mate right off the bat. That way, it wouldn't be so hard y'know?" He said. "I mean...females nowadays in my kind. It's almost like a human mind set, a pain in the rear at times."

"So you said it's mating season soon. Will you go and try again?" Sofia asked.

"I think my prime was way back when I was young my dear. Unless you plan to become a vixen on my account I won't be getting a mate or pups at this point in my life…" He said making her laugh at the idea of her being a vixen. "Besides, I am okay with this. There are plenty of foxes. I don't think I'd be missed."

Laughing lightly, Sofia looked up at the sky, "make me wonder if I'd be better vixen than human. Not really doing much and I don't really see any guys I like at Royalty High honestly. It's like...they have no...soul y'know?"

"I figured all human men were like that once they hit the teenager years," Todd commented.
Sofia looked at him with a blank expression and he nodded.

Getting what she really meant just by the face that screamed "they are" and looking away. Now it made sense as to why none clicked with her romantically. There had to be someone for her though. In the village..another prince. No, a prince would just piss her off even more cause of how he'd probably treat her. She wanted a man who wasn't like her but down to earth enough to where he would treat her like normal. Not some princess or special person, just a normal girl who actually had some clever things to say or think about. None would probably do that though if she never let them in.

"If you could become human, what kind of women would you marry?" She asked him out of nowhere.

"Hmm...that is a hard one. Human women are like vixens but in a way more complicated. A rich, queen is hard to woe cause she believes you to be after her money and the title of king. A noble would be weary cause just the money. I think the best would be a woman who just...wanted to be treated like she mattered. Nothing more," He started. "that being said...it's hard to make a woman trust you though in general because a man isn't exactly...reliable at times. We generally think about one thing and finding one like Roland is hard to do."

Sofia smiled at him and made his cheeks turn red.

"Shut up kid," He said.

"Aww, does the fox have a thing for human women?" She teased.

"Shh," Todd whined, pawing her gently in the face. "none of that."

Both laughed lightly as they enjoyed their snack and then walked back with the plate in Sofia's hand to wash it up and talk some more. The two cracking jokes at one another or sarcastic remarks and neither taking offense.

Roland looked at the amulet around Amber's neck and then at the book titled Enchanted Items Through The Ages in his hands. Finding the necklace and seeing the riddle alongside the picture. It almost made him laugh at what he read. Amber's painful 'tap' on his arm made him look up and point at the item. Clearly waiting for him to help her remove the curse to let her speak once again. Giving in to her silent demands, he cleared his throat and read the verse out loud for her to hear.

"It says here that the Amulet is called the Amulet of Avalor with a spell that has the lines "With each deed performed, for better or worse, a power is granted, a blessing or curse." next to it. So basically Amber, this cursed you for insulting your mother and sister and that means you have to say sorry," Roland said to her, shutting the book in his hands. "So?"

The princess looked so miffed but she wrote something on a piece of paper as he stood. He didn't like seeing her suffer but at the same time. This seemed to have taught her some lesson but he still planned to take the Amulet back. Whether Sofia wanted it once he informed her of the magic though, well..it would be up to her to keep it or not. He hoped she kept it. It was all he gave her and probably the only he could give her. He then opened the door of the library he had hidden them in and let Miranda and James in. Making his daughter glare at him. He planned this ahead of time to get the full effect in her mind. It worked too because Miranda didn't take the apology until Amber's glare faded. Once she read it and accepted the apology though, the curse lifted and Amber took it off.

"Stupid thing!" She said walking out of the room. "I don't need such a thing to be the best!"

"So much for a lesson," James sighed as Miranda picked the Amulet up gently.

"She'll learn but for now we have to give her time," The queen mother said. "I just...hope the girls bond at some point."

"One can hope," Roland sighed, regretting lifting that curse of his daughter.

It was odd though. He never regretted a single action in his life. Nothing ever made him feel as if he failed yet...at the moment, he felt that. Regret and failure to teach Amber an important lesson. Instead, he helped her lift the curse and now she was back to her wicked ways. Hindsight clearly telling him that he should have left her in the grave she dug herself instead of helping her out of it. The Amulet was put in his hand by Miranda, breaking his thoughts as she closed his hand around it gently. Worry plain as day on her face as well as his.

Todd woke up curled up in Sofia's lap. The girl was fast asleep still but was warm thanks to the sunlight they were laying in. The blanket she had under was comfy and made it comfortable for an afternoon nap. No one had bothered them the entire day and it seemed to help the princess relax a lot. She seemed to act as if the castle was a prison from how she spoke and felt towards the royal life. Thankfully, this day let her escape that though. Acting like she had no troubles and was just hanging out with a friend. No servants bothering to look for her or seemed to care what she did.

The fox sat up and watched her sleep. Smiling at how peaceful it looked. Her scent was still so strong and enticing to him. It was a mystery as to what made him want to see her day by day. To just talk and run about or just be next to her whenever it got silent. Normal humans would have never let him stick around someone this long. They would have had him chased off but something told him this one would be different. If they didn't check on her all day then this meant that none bothered her in the castle or forgot. How could one possibly remember her though when she was really quiet. Preferring to be almost invisible until she made herself heard or seen to anyone, at least that was the vibe he got from her. He wasn't sure how life was in the castle.

He just was sure that hanging out with her was really fun and just relaxing. They got along well for being two different species and had no strings attached. Just a pretty good friendship being built at the moment. Sadly, the sun reminded him that..as much fun and nice it was, it had to end. Night was coming and she would have to go inside. Pawing her gently, he made her wake up.

"Hey, I'm afraid our time for the day is up. I have to head to my den and you to yours," He said to her sadly.

"Already?" She sighed sitting up. "Time flies by too fast Todd."

"It does but we always have tomorrow," He told her. "Unless you are busy?"

"Nah, never busy just gotta make sure dad doesn't catch me outside since I don't know when he'll be home really," Sofia sighed. "So...I don't know if I can come out tomorrow."

Both looked at one another sadly before nodding to one another. He let Sofia pick up the blanket before standing up on all fours. She on her two but crouched still, blanket in her arms.

"It was nice to hang out though," Sofia told him. "After school, if you want, we can do this again."

"I'd like that very much my friend," Todd said to her.

"Me too," The brunet smiled.

She kissed his forehead and then walked by him. He turned and watched her retreating back. Standing still and then sitting down in the grass. If he didn't know any better, he swore his heart was getting soft for her already and it had been only a few days since meeting her. He sighed and knew it wasn't love. It was his friendship for her growing is all. Love wouldn't happen though. Unless they let it happen it wouldn't. Too many differences. Smiling, he stood back up and walked into the forest nearby. Tail swinging happily as he headed home.

Curse is off thanks to..daddy. :/ Stupid Roland, stupid. Anyways, Sofia and Todd are hitting it off at least. :) planning something with that one. Oh also I used Sword Art music for this. Mostly the sound tracks for Everyday Life for the first part and then A Tender Feeling for the last part.