A/N: Sorry for taking so long on this update today. Been SUPER busy. I have kids. Nuff said. So, this chapter is kitschy and kind of "been done A LOT before" but whatever. I wanted a little bit of conflict. Not enough to detour or detract from the story. Just enough to emphasize the depth of Sofia's feelings for Cedric. Hope it came across well. I'm too tired to edit right now so all mistakes are my own... not that they wouldn't be mine had I edited, Lol. There'd just be less, if there's any. Fun times. Okay, I'm rambling pointlessly.

We're in the homestretch, my loves. Couple more chapters and this story is kaput. ENJOY!

Once at school, Amber promised to give me warning should she run into Zandar. "Or," she began and I wasn't sure I wanted to know, "I could casually bring up how happy I am for you that you're being courted by the man you love."

"What? No! That might hurt his feelings!" I declined immediately.

"Actually, it might save his pride." She said as we walked towards the Academy entrance.

"How do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"Well, I could just bring it up, casually like I said, and talk about how Mother and Father were going to let you look through some proposals but decided that you didn't need to since you had already given your heart to someone and he to you in return. Then we could all pretend like he never proposed in the first place and you can stay friends." She held her hands out as if to say TA-DAH!

"That… might actually work." I sighed and dropped my head. I didn't like the idea of lying but I really didn't want to hurt his feelings or embarrass him. "Okay. We'll try it." I said more confidently than I felt.

The day and classes progressed normally, the girls still gushing about how much fun the party was. I was surprised when a few even commented about Cedric, stirring feelings inside me I was unfamiliar with.

"Well, he's quite dashing, I think." Liara, Zandar's younger sister, said with a smirk. "Those white locks of hair make him look rather distinguished." She gushed and before I could help myself, I made a noise of discontent. I barely managed to cover it with a cough. Amber couldn't quite hold in her giggles. "Don't you find him attractive, Amber?" She asked curiously.

I narrowed my eyes at her and she cleared her throat to avoid giggling again. "Um, he's not my type." She said highly amused. Before Liara could say something else, Amber continued with a grin. "I happen to know that he's spoken for, though, so you may want to direct your affections elsewhere."

Liara pouted, tossing her short black hair over her shoulder with an indignant huff. "I saw no wedding band. That makes him fair game."

How in the world is she related to Zandar?! I thought in disgust as she essentially said she didn't care about his feelings or mine, though she didn't know it was me. And how would she know if he wore a wedding band or not? He had gloves on that evening.

Amber wasn't one to hold her tongue, though, and sort of ruined the whole 'we know nothing' ruse we had planned.

"Hah! You can try, but you'll fail miserably." Amber snarked, folding her arms and glaring at Liara.

"Want to bet?"

"Pffft, I know I should totally take that bet because it's a sure thing, but I don't bet on family." Her eyes widened when what she said registered. Very slowly, I found all eyes trained on me.

"You?!" Asked Liara and a few of our friends made low noises of amusement at Liara's shock.

I narrowed my eyes, offended and certainly NOT ashamed of my love. "Yes. Just this morning, Cedric asked our parents for my hand. He and I are officially betrothed."

Liara glared at me but I refused to back down. "So, where's the engagement ring?" she demanded.

I flushed, but not in embarrassment. Amber, though, was to my rescue as she snorted and rolled her eyes. "Leave it to you, Liara, to put monetary value on love and cheapen it."

Liara gasped before whirling angrily and storming off, muttering something about her brother and I felt the blood drain from my face. I was not looking forward to a possible confrontation with someone I considered a friend.

"I'm sorry, Sof."

I smiled softly. "Don't be, Amber." I said and squeezed her hand. "I'm not ashamed of it. I love Cedric and he loves me. That joy outshines any sadness I may endure."

Amber giggled and nudged me playfully. "That was sappy, even for you." I laughed with her and was pleasantly surprised as our friends surrounded us to congratulate me.

Later that day, as we readied to climb into our carriage home, Zandar called out to me. I paused, surprised.

"Hi, Zandar. What's the matter?" I asked when I saw his face flush a little.

"Oh, uh, nothing. It's just that Liara… well, my sister said you wanted to speak with me." I frowned in confusion. What is she playing at…? "Something about a proposal?" He hedged, looking (to my horror) hopeful.

Hating myself for doing this, I forced a bright smile which became more genuine as I thought of going home and seeing Cedric. "Oh! Of course! Though you must know I didn't say anything to your sister." I said. He frowned but gave me a curious look anyway. "This morning, Cedric asked my parents for permission to court and marry me. And with my consent, they gave theirs."

Looking altogether startled, Zandar took a step backward. "I… you… um, congratulations?" he said, sounding more like he was asking a question.

"Thanks!" I then frowned curiously. "I wonder why Liara said I wanted to speak with you about it, though… Announcements will be made eventually." I said, though I knew exactly why the vindictive girl did it.

"Yeah… I don't know either. Gotta run! See you, Sofia!" He said and took off as though his feet were on fire.

"That was… yeeeaaaahhh… that was awkward." James said and cringed as I climbed into the carriage.

"Tell me about it." I grumbled and sighed heavily.

"That was nice of you to let him save face, though." I gave James a curious look. "Pretending you knew nothing about the proposal he sent." My face cleared and I nodded in understanding.

"Yeah. It was Amber's suggestion." James smiled proudly at his twin who merely rolled her eyes, as usual. "Let's go home."

A/N: POOR ZANDAR! I feel bad doing that to him and for creating a bitch of a sister for him (if you'll excuse the curse word). Next chapter will have Sofia and Cedric being a little mushy. Like I said in the beginning, this is a SUPER FLUFFY fic and I'm dying for a little extra fluff.

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