Seventh Day: Weekend to Self Over

Day 3: Sunday

Chapter 11

The sound of voices in the hall made it clear that the royal family had returned had last to the homestead. Not that it would bother Sofia seeing as she was no longer grounded but didn't feel like leaving her room. Todd wasn't gonna be around this early in the morning probably since it was busy and now that she was off groundation well...servants would most likely notice her missing. This also meant she had to return to that...infernal Royalty High. Why was attending this school so important anyways? It wasn't like they were learning anything useful. The magic was the only thing fun and now that the princess and princesses who didn't pay attention when younger did now, they were learning the more difficult spells. The first part was a reminder for them and to start those who were new up. Fair enough but now she was getting the hang of it and didn't want to be there at this point.

The princesses only wanted to make dresses and look pretty in every single detail and pose or cheat with magic. The princes only cared to see what lay under those puff filled frilly gowns with giggling teasing girls. Hell, did any of the princes even have some dignity left for the title they bore anyways at this point? Aside from wanting to just...flirt in the halls or outside. No wonder she didn't care for them though. Teenagers...all of them in their heads with one thought on the mind and a single deed to try. Sex and ruling the kingdom their parents had. It did bring up a point to her though. James was the older twin and clearly had the rights to the throne. That was how it worked for any royal family with a son, the boy regardless of age got it. So did Amber know this or did she just assume her being pretty would actually give her the chair she so coveted?

A knock made her thoughts scatter. Another one just irritated her but the third was loud and clearly from an impatient person. Sofia looked at the door. Trying to guess who it was by the knocking and how fast it was. She listened to the knock and knew it wasn't her mom. Her mother knocked with her fingers facing her and the back of her hand to the door. Knocking with her knuckles gently on the door. Roland's knock was the same but he had the fingers facing the door. James just knocked once and would wait. Knocking only when he figured it wasn't heard. This meant that it was Amber then. The princess's knock was to get attention from any in the rooms and if she didn't well. Another loud sound got her attention as the door was pounded on this time and a sign that it was indeed the princess. Demanding entry and making Sofia's wonderful silence end.

"I know you are in there! Daddy and I demand your presence!" She yelled. "Get out here right now you..."

Smiling as it was silent, she heard Roland's knock this time. It made her get out of bed, for the first time, and walking to it. Unlocking and opening the door to see that Amulet was around Amber's neck but the princess was silent with no words coming out of the moving trap. With a glance to Roland while gesturing to Amber's...current trouble. He cleared his throat and then pointed to the Amulet.

"This is the Amulet of Avalor. Amber insulted your mother," He started, quickly grabbing her hands. "and cursed her. So my question to you is, what did you say to her when you gave her the Amulet Sofia."

"That she had to stop insulting my mother but it seem when she broke our deal, the amulet cursed her for breaking the deal we had," Sofia said, letting him hold her fisted hands down. "I don't see how you got to breaking it and then cursing her again."

"I had her apologize via a note. Seems I did so immaturely and am paying the price," The king said. "So...here is my question. Should I leave this on her as punishment? It's not much but I can't change how she is towards your mother it seems."

Sofia looked to Amber's face and saw pure horror at what she heard. Going to school where everyone knew of her…"voice" in singing and bragging, to be unable to speak let alone break the curse seeing as Sofia would never accept the apology at all. It was just priceless to see it for her and it made her so wish she could do that but it would backfire on her in the end once Amber did earn her voice back. The silent princess before her went to slap but Roland instantly moved her away and watched as Amber missed and stomped her foot down on the ground. Making amulet glow again and change her from a princess to a frog now.

"...she is just making this worse, isn't she?" Roland sighed looking at Amber. "What now?"

"She probably needs to learn a lesson," Sofia sighed. "I didn't know this thing was enchanted to do this though. I don't know what she would need to do to even break it now."

The king sighed and let go of Sofia. Walking over and picking the frog version of Amber up. He didn't look happy and clearly the eyes of his soul were in pain from what just happened. Making her sigh and walk to him, touching his arm for comfort.

"She dug her own grave. Changing her isn't possible but it's clear she needs this lesson. I'll accept the apology when it's sincere but it seems she needs some...humility in her to earn a some humanity back in her. It might make her human too," Sofia told him. "For now...leave her like this and warn everyone else what's happened and why it's like this. It's all any of us can do really."

"When did you get so smart?" Roland asked her.

"I read," Sofia answered him honestly. "and I learned from my mistakes back then and learn from them now. Its why I don't want any power. It just…" She looked at Amber in his hands. "corrupts and changes you."

With only silence between them, Roland left her room and shut the door. Leaving the Amulet on her floor. She gently picked it up and cleaned the necklace off. Smiling sadly as she walked to the box that originally held it. Taking the lid off and staring at the gem in her hand.

"I really do like you," She said to it, touching it. "but...you keep my mom safe and I can't let her be hurt anymore. I can't...so until she is safe. I have to let Amber have you. You did great though in defending her. Keep it up for me okay? I can only do so much." Sofia gently set the gem in the box as it glowed and put the lid over it. "thank you my friend."

"Is keeping your mother safe what you truly desire?" A voice asked, making her turn quickly to see Mulan on her bed.

"...Mulan? How are you here? China is...kinda far to magically appear before me," She reasoned.

The warrior smiled sadly, "the amulet summoned me. I am confused since I was never actually crowned royalty but it must have called outside help for you. So I gotta ask again. Is keeping your mom safe what you want?"

"Yes," Sofia said. "she has earned this chance to love again. To have someone like Roland treat her with the utmost respect. I would do...anything to keep her heart safe."

"Even giving up what you want?" the warrior asked. "you said you like the amulet but keeping your mother safe was important. What if she could defend herself?"

"I know she can," She said. "I know that well enough but behind her back is something I don't want to happen. If Amber hates her, fine but insults flung behind the back at her...without her knowledge could possibly harm her and I can't have that happen."

"Giving up all you can to keep someone safe. I did that with my dad. My reward was love but you gain nothing from this deal," Mulan said. "is it really worth it?"

"It is to me."

Mulan stood up and walked by her. Picking the box up and then taking Sofia's right hand and putting it in hers, "being someone's shield can be great but not when you are the one also being hurt. The amulet can shield her all it wants but it won't stop Amber from harming her in other ways. She can start to hurt you and not with insults of the voice."

"Then what do you suggest? I have to keep her safe Mulan"

"I'm afraid I don't know but I do know that shielding her will only hurt you in the end," She told her. "Are you really ready for that to come at you full force? If so, give her back the amulet. If not, let Roland be her shield."

"Thanks for the advice Mulan. You better get back home though...I am sure Shang is worried," She said.

"He is asleep," The warrior blushed. "but you have a point there. Take care of yourself Sofia and don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do for your family alright?"

Nodding, she left the room and knew Mulan was gone. Closing and locking the door, she followed Roland's severely loud voice and walked into a room where the mage called Cedric was trying to undo the transformation. Only to stop when Sofia walked in and made him move aside gently. Putting the box down and opening it, she took the amulet out and put it over Amber.

"Did you learn your lesson?" She asked, seeing the frog nod quickly.

The amulet glowed and changed Amber to the...still mute princess.
"If I offered you a deal. One that you can't break would you take it and never speak ill of my mother ever again?" She said.

Amber nodded again.

"Cedric right?" Sofia spoke, looking to him and seeing a nod. "...I've favor to ask and it...requires privacy your highness."

The king slowly left the three alone in the small empty room and shut the door. Sofia then looked at Amber.

"I accept your apology Amber but to ensure this doesn't happen again," she said as Amber's...shrill voice returned. "...I am going to give you my singing along with my entire voice."

"What?" The princess blinked. "you can sing?"

"Yep, but I don't do it enough. So...I'm giving it to you plus my voice and the amulet all in one thing. You can't insult my mom cause the amulet will curse you and you have to promise that you will never take it off or else Cedric will take away my voice back and you will lose it all plus your voice for good as well as your human shape." Sofia stated.

This was the only answer. It was only way. Locking in the deal of a century and giving up part of herself and a talent to keep the princess sated and quiet. This would seal the deal and seal the shield on her mother's safety. Sighing as Amber's voice said she agreed to the terms. Sofia looked to see the mage staring at her. Even sit down and put the wand in his hand on the table.

"It's often...not my place to judge what many do but it seems you want the queen mother safe from harmful words and while it's...noble of you. Is that what you want? This spell is taking away a part of you and for what?" He said gently.

"Its my answer," Sofia said. "someone told me that I needed a better shield for my mother and this is the best shield I can give. Even if I have to give up my heart, I'd do it, just to give my mom this chance. After all the lonely years, she has earned this."

"Very well, I will ensure one thing for you though. Should the deal break, your voice will go right back to you," He said to her grabbing the wand from the table. "in the meantime Princess Amber, remember what you heard and before speaking next time, think about it."

Pointing the wand at her throat, he said a few words and Amber watched as Sofia's voice was magically removed and then shot at her throat. Fusing it with her voice but not changing it too much. The princess touched her throat as Cedric looked to Sofia with a sad smile. She watched the silent exchange as the mage then put what looked a book in her hands and then pressed it against her...nonexistent chest. It got her to smile as he walked away. She went to talk to Sofia but the girl walked right by her. Now what would she tell her dad?! Sofia locked her in the worst position ever!

Sofia is giving it her all to keep Miranda safe and I am sure it's not gonna work at all but we'll see. As for you guys, if you were in this position and knew that being nice and not being nice wasn't working, what would you do to keep the one person you love safe from someone like Amber?