A/N: Hey guys, I'm still alive. And I'm so sorry for the year long wait. I have a lot of things on my plate right now and wont be able to update like I used to. But I do promise all of you that I will not abandon this story. Now here is another chapter for you. I just got this done today.
Chapter 11
Sofia and Amber walked towards their class hand-in-hand, both feeling much happier than before. Sofia was so glad that Amber had forgiven her for ditching her this morning. And Amber was glad that Sofia acknowledged it and apologized for her actions. Now that everything was right, they continued to walking with their hands entwined, not caring who saw. As they walked, Sofia looked over at Amber with a loving stare. She was really looking forward to hearing Amber's answer at the coming Ball. but a part of her was a little scared. What if Amber's answer wasn't the one she was hoping for? Sofia mentally shook her head of such thoughts. Right now she was going to enjoy the moments that she shared with Amber to the fullest, no matter what.
Sofia looked over at Amber once more. Amber was looking straight ahead down the hallway. Amber then felt eyes on her and turned her head to look at Sofia, who was gazing lovingly at her. Amber blush at Sofia's stare and looked away slightly. Sofia giggled at Amber's awkwardness as she found extremely adorable. She then decided to be a little bold and placed her head on Amber's shoulder. This action completely caught Amber off guard. Now Amber's face was as red as a tomato. She looked around to see if anyone was watching. Sure they were holding hands, but they had done that many times in the past. But Sofia resting her head on Amber's shoulders? That was something different.
Amber looked around at her fellow students. Right now no one was looked at them, something Amber was grateful for. She looked down at Sofia again to see that she had he eyes closed and was trusting Amber to lead the way. As Amber studied Sofia's features, her heart began to beat faster. Sofia really was beautiful. Her hair was perfect, her skin was flawless, and her eye, if they were open, were more beautiful than the rarest diamonds. But what Amber couldn't stop glancing at were Sofia's lips. Those red, soft lips that she had kissed the other night. A part of her wanted to lean down and kiss her once again. But she restrained herself as she continued to stare.
Little did she know that Sofia had opened one eye to stare up at her and caught Amber staring at her lips. Sofia smiled slightly and a slight blush began to form on her face. She loved it when Amber stared at her. It made her feel giddy to know that Amber did harbor some feelings for her. She then opened her eyes fully to look up at Amber, which Amber seemed to notices. They just stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Then Amber noticed that Sofia's face seemed to be getting closer. Amber wasn't sure if it was her moving or Sofia, and to be honest she didn't care. She noticed that Sofia and slowly shut her eyes and puckered her lips slightly. Those same lips that Amber couldn't stop staring at. Amber soon founder herself leaning in as she too slowly closed her eyes. They were no more than an inch away from one another, feeling the breath of the other upon their skin. Just one centimeter closer and...
"Girls?" said a voice. Both Sofia and Amber jumped at the sudden voice, realizing that it was right behind them. They turned around to see that Mistress Fauna was right outside the door to their classroom.
"Are you to going somewhere?" She asked. "You both just walked right pass the Classroom." Sofia and Amber immediately pulled away from each other, faces red from embarrassment.
"Uh, yes Mistress Fauna," Sofia said, still red as a lobster. "We just lost track where we were going." Miss Fauna looked concerned at them.
"Alright dears," she said, "but please come inside. You're both late for today's lesson." The two princesses curtsied.
"Yes, Miss Fauna," Amber and Sofia said in unison as them made their way inside the classroom. They Both took their seats on opposite side of the room, much to Sofia's dismay. it was a large class with over a dozen Princes and Princesses. It was a good thing that Sofia had a few of her friends that she recognized in there. Amber took her seat between Clio and Hildegard while Sofia took her seat next to Vivian. As soon as she sat down, Sofia leaned her head on her hands in disappointment. She was so ready for another kiss with Amber, but that was ruined because of school. She let out a sigh as she drew he attention to the front of the class. Amber, for her part, was glad that they had been interrupted. She wouldn't know what to do if Sofia and her had been caught kissing in the hallway. She was sure that if any of her friends saw them, then her life would be over. Many of her friends weren't very open minded about these things. But she was just glad that never happened. Amber sat up straight to listen to Mistress Fauna begin the lesson.
"Okay class," Mistress Fauna said. "Today, we will be learning about the History of Atlantis. Can anyone tell me what they know about Atlantis?" A hand rose in the air.
"Yes Princess Amber," Mistress Fauna called. Sofia's head perked up and she turned her heard to see Amber standing up.
"Atlantis was once a kingdom on an island in the Atlantean Sea that existed thousands of years ago. It was said that their empire stretched across the larger continent of Panigos and half of the smaller continent of Amernis. Some say that they had the largest empire in all of history. " Amber then looked over at her friends with a sly look. "And they had the most fabulous jewelry too." The classroom erupted into laughter at Amber's remark.
"That's right Amber," Mistress Fauna said proudly. "And can you tell me what happened to them?"Amber nodded, getting serious again.
"According to the Scholar Plato, at the height of their empire, a terrible earthquake cause a massive wave to wash away the Atlantean Capital. With no form of Leadership, the empire soon fell due to rebellions and civil wars." MistressFauna nodded.
"And who was the last ruler of Atlantis?"Amber thought for a moment.
"Queen Kidakagash," Amber answered. "She inherited the throne at the age of eighteen after her father died of illness."
"Very good Princess Amber," Mistress Fauna said as Amber took her seat once more. She then began to giggle with Clio and Hildegard about who knows what. Unbeknownst to her that Sofia had been staring dreamily at her the entire time she spoke, listening to every word she said. Mistress Fauna turned towards the chalk board. She took up a piece of chalk and, using her magic, began to draw a picture of an island. "Now as Amber had said, Atlantis was an empire that existed thousands of years ago. Plato states that they were the most technologically advanced kingdom of that time. Some may even say that they were the first civilization to ever exist."
"But how would anyone know that?" Princess Hildegard asked. Miss Fauna looked back at the class.
"No one knows for certain," she replied. "But much of their culture still exists to this day. Ancient ruins from their time still exist today in many areas of the world. Many kingdoms today based their own culture on the Atlanteans. And yes, even their jewelry." Fauna looked back at the class as they erupted into laughter once more. Miss Fauna cleared her throat and turned to the chalkboard once again.
"Now, as Amber has stated, the City of Atlantis was destroyed by a massive wave that swallowed the entire Island."
"But Miss Fauna," said Prince Jun, "if the Island was swallowed whole, why is it here today?" Miss Fauna smiled.
"An excellent question!" She returned her attention back to the board. "The earth quake was indeed terrible, but it wasn't enough to actually cause the Island to sink forever. After many centuries, the oceans receded from the shores and the Island was once again reborn. But all life that once roamed its great shores were washed away forever. The only remaining proof we have of their legacy is the ruins of the ancient city that was once the Capital of its great empire."
But why hasn't another kingdom formed on that Island?" asked Prince Khalid asked. "There's plenty of life on it now."
"That because the island has been made a reserve for what life remains on it. As a way of honoring the Ancient empire that made our world what it is today." Miss Fauna turned away from the board and flew to her desk and used her magic to summon a large pile of text books.
"Here are the text books you will be using for the following lessons." She used her magic to pass out the books to each student in her class. As the students looked at the textbooks, one of the students raised their hand.
"Muss Fauna," Prince Desmond spoke. "Why are we learning about Atlantis?" Miss Fauna smiled once again.
"Another excellent question," she said. "We will be learning about the Kings and Queens that ruled over the Atlantean Empire. Hopefully their reigns with inspire all of you in how you rule your kingdoms one day. Now if you open up to page 1, we will begin with the foundation of Atlantis." Miss Fauna opened up her own book to the page she mentions and began to read.
"Atlantis wasn't always the great city that it was known for. It was a collection of tribes that once fought against each other for control of the Island. But soon they joined forces and formed a confederation into the great City of Atlantis." Sofia wasn't really interested in the lesson, which was quite unlike her. Normally she would listen to any lesson that was being taught. But now she had other things on her mind, or someone.
Being in love is really distracting, she thought to herself with a giggle. She didn't care though, she was in love and that made her feel happy. She looked down at her book as she began to flip through the pages uninterested. Her mind was blank as she flipped through the pages, her mind only on Amber. That is, until she landed on a page that caught her interest. It had a picture of a statue of two women holding hand and looking directly at each other. Sofia quickly looked at the bottom of the page to see the page number. She then raised her hand.
"Miss Fauna," she called. Said fairy stopped reading and looked up at Sofia.
"Yes, dear?" she asked. Sofia looked down at the page and pointed.
"Who are these two women on page 223?" she asked. Miss Fauna smiled at Sofia.
"Reading ahead Sofia? You must be very excited for this lesson." Sofia blushed and smiled nervously.
"Yeah, that's it," she lied. Mistress Fauna flipped to the page that Sofia had mention, smiling as she did so. But as soon as she, her smile fell.
"Oh, uh," She stuttered. "Well, That's Queen Kidarkadash, great-grandmother the Queen Kidagakash." Sofia noticed the hesitation in Miss Fauna's voice.
"Who was she?" Sofia asked interested. Mistress Fauna looked around the class nervously as she noticed they all of them were interested.
"Well," she hesitated. She thought for a moment before she found her voice. "She was one of the greatest rulers of Atlantis. She personally lead the invasion of Amernis and conquered a great amount of land for the empire. She was also the one who establish a system where all her people were happy and lived prosperous."
"And who is that next to her?" Amber asked. Sofia looked over at Amber, who seemed to be just as interested.
"Well," Mistress Fauna hesitated once again. "Her name was Kidalana, she was the adopted younger sister of Kidarkadash." Now Sofia was very interested in the subject.
"Adopted?" she asked. Fauna nodded.
"Yes. According to Plato, her family had a close relationship with the royal family. So when Kidalana was only a year old, her family died of a disease that had plagued the empire for a few years. When new of this reached the royal family that only one member survived, Princess Kidalana was adopted into the family."
"So why is she next to Queen Kidarkadash?" Princess Clio asked. Again, Fauna was hesitant.
"Because Queen Kidarkadash decided to share the throne with her sister and they ruled the Atlantean Empire together."
"That sounds wonderful," Princess Vivian said. "She must have loved her sister so much that she wanted to rule with her. They must have been very close."
"They were," Mistress Fauna said. "They were very close." Sofia thought that it was a lovely story. Two sisters that shared a bond so great that they wanted to rule together rather than one ruling alone. She looked over at Amber. Maybe if Amber was crown queen, then maybe she could be her queen as well. But she shook here head. James was most likely in line for the throne anyway. And Sofia ruling alongside Amber was just ridiculous. But it was a pleasant thought to have.
"But how did her husband feel about that?" Princess Maya asked. Mistress Fauna looked over at the Princess.
"What?" she asked.
"Her husband," Princess Maya said again. "How did Queen Kidarkadash's husband feel about them sharing the power?" Now Mistress Fauna was growing nervous.
"Oh, w-well," she began to stutter even more. "S-she didn't have a husband." The classroom looked confused.
"So she wasn't married?"asked Princess Hildegard. "She just ruled the whole Atlantean empire with her sister and had no heir? She had to have had a husband. That's just how things work." Sofia rolled her eyes at that.
"Not exactly," Mistress Fauna said sweating. "They did adopt young girl as their heir to the throne. That young girl then married a young man of a noble house, who then became the next ruler of Atlantis." Now the classroom was even more confused.
"So they two sisters adopted a young girl?" Prince Hugo asked.
"Well yes," Mistress Fauna explained. "She was an orphaned girl from the lower class, but Queen Kidalana found her on the streets and felt sorry for her. So she decided to take her in."
"And Queen Kidarkadash allowed this?" Prince Huge asked.
"She couldn't refuse her sister," Mistress Fauna said. "So she allowed the young child to become their heir to the throne."
"She really must have loved her," Sofia said. Mistress Fauna nodded.
"More than you know," she said softly, then, upon realizing what she had just said, she covered her mouth. Sofia caught on to this and pressed on.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Mistress looked around the room at the curious little princes and princesses. She then let out a sigh, the cat was out of the bag now.
"Well," she began, "Queen Kidarkadash and Queen Kidalana were more than just sisters." At this Sofia's heart, along with Amber's, began to race, wanting to know more about these two sisters.
"They were best friends?" Princess Vivian asked. Mistress fauna shook her head.
"More than that," she replied. She looked around the room once more.
"You see, they weren't just sisters or best friends." She paused in hesitated, causing the classroom leaned in. "They were lovers." There was a moment of silence.
"WHAT?!" the whole classroom shouted at once. They were not expecting to hear something like this, especially Sofia. As she listened to the story, she had been hoping deep down that that was the case. But never had she expected it to be true. And it gave her a bit of hope for her relationship with Amber. Amber was just as surprised by the news. Like Sofia, she too had a feeling that that was the case of the Two Queens. But to actually hear it was shocking. Her mind was completely frozen.
"Yes, Children," Mistress Fauna said. "It's true."
"So they were lesbians?!" Hildegard asked, completely in disbelief. Mistress Fauna nodded.
"That's disgusting!" Hildegard shouted. A few other princesses nodded their heads in agreement. Sofia hearts was crushed after hearing that. She lowered her head in disappointment as her heart filled with sadness. She had really been hoping that some of her friends would be open to such a possibility. That maybe she could come out to her friends and they would accept her. But maybe that wasn't meant to be. Amber was just as disappointed, she too had been hoping for her friends to be open minded. It certainly would have made her feel so much better about her situation. But now she was more afraid than ever before.
"How can you say that?" said another voice. Both Amber and Sofia looked up and turned their heads towards the voice who spoke. To her surprise it was Clio who spoke out, and she didn't look happy. Hildegard was surprised to see her best friend speak out like that.
"What?" she asked completely shocked. Clio narrowed her eyes further.
"How could you say that?"she repeated herself. "If that is what makes them happy, they who are we to question their love?" Hildegard regained her thoughts and narrowed her eyes at her.
"It isn't right for two women to be together," she retorted. "It isn't right."
"Says who?" Clio shot back. "Love isn't something that is chosen. Love effects us in all ways. If love can form between a man and a women, then why can't it bloom between two women? Or two men for that matter?!"
"That isn't how things work for royalty!" Hildegard said. "We princesses cannot court with other women. That's not how Kingdoms are work." Amber, starting to grow fed up with this argument, was about to speak out when another voice stepped in.
"You really shouldn't have such a closed mind Hildegard," Princess Vivian said in a stern voice. Everyone in the room was silent due to her outburst. Normally she was the quiet princes who never expressed any emotion other than shyness and happiness. Even Sofia was surprised to see this side of Vivian. But now everyone could see the anger in her face.
"Clio is right," she continued as she stood up to address, "Love isn't something we choose for ourselves. It's something that our hearts choose. Love is the most precious thing in our lives. And we have no right to tarnish it by saying that two women are not allowed to feel that love." She then looked down towards Sofia. "Love is what makes us beautiful." Sofia's heart nearly melted at Vivian's word. She always knew that Vivian was a romantic, but to hear those words come from her best friend was beyond comforting. it made her believe that she could be happy with who she was. Sofia was so overcome with happiness that she stood up and hugged her best friend.
Amber had also been happy to hear her friends stand up for the two Queens. It made her feel slightly better. But they were just two voices out of many throughout the school. But have two friends feel this way made her feel better and she was going to take it. She just hoped that someday Hildegard, and others, could be as open minded as they were.
"I'm afraid that Hildegard is right," Mistress Fauna. Everyone in the classroom looked back at the fairy. "I'm afraid that isn't how things work for Royals."
"But why?" Clio asked. Mistress Fauna frowned.
"It just isn't. It's true that love is the most beautiful magic in the world, but its not proper for young princes and princesses. Much of your roles depend on marriage to other kingdoms to form alliances and peace. It's just can't work that way. "Fauna lowered her head. "No matter what we believe."
"Well I think that Clio and Vivian are right," Prince Hugo shouted to the class. "This is a new age and a time for new thing. And love should be accepted everywhere."
"I seconded that!" shouted Prince Desmond.
"Same here!" shouted Princess Maya and Princess Jun. Many others in the class nodded their heads in agreement. Sofia would have cried tears of happiness at what she was witnessing. So many of her friends were defending her. Well, not her exactly, but people like her. It really warmed her heart to see this. Amber was pretty much the same way. She was now feeling so much better about herself.
"Well I think it's wrong," said one princess, who was then followed by others in the class. Soon the Whole classroom had erupted into a full argument on how love and marriage should be. Soon it went as far as some trying to shout over the other. Now the room was in completely filled with shouting and yelling. Sofia, in her heart was scare of this. What would happen if she came out now?
"That's enough Children!" Mistress Fauna shouted. The room immediately fell silent at Mistress Fauna's outburst. She seemed to be quite pleased with their actions. She let out a long sigh to calm herself down.
"I think that's enough for today class," she said in a flat tone. "You may all be excused." Just then the school bell rang, signalling the end of class. Everyone then began to pour out of the classroom. Some giving others harsh glares. Sofia was one of the first out of the classroom and was now outside along with Vivian to wait for their friends. After some students left, Amber was finally in sight, followed by Clio, Maya, Jun, Desmond and Hugo. After meeting up with each other, they began to make their way towards their next class. But before they did so, Clio looked back in search of Hildegard. After spotting her, she waved her over. Hildegard, however, glared at her before walking of in the opposite direction. Clio was frozen for a moment before looking at the floor heartbroken. Clio then felt a hand on her should and looked up to see Hugo smiling down on her. She smiled back and they soon caught up to their friends who were waiting for them.
"Can you Hildegard?" Hugo said annoyed. "Saying that two women can't fall in love. What a bigot!"
"I'm sure she had her reasons for saying what she did," Sofia said, trying to sound reasonable.
"Well she was raised in a strict household," Clio defended. "So I'm not really surprised by what she said."
"It doesn't matter," Vivian said. "She shouldn't say such things. Love isn't disgusting no matter where it comes from."
"I agree with you," Desmond chimed in. "But some households don't believe that. They're still stuck in their old ways."
"Well that isn't right!" Vivian shouted. "People shout accept there there can be many types of love than they're willing to see."
"You seem to be taking this very personally," Jun stated. Vivian blushed and looked away.
"We-well I just don't like it when someone says something so rude and hurtful like that." Hugo chuckled and place a hand on her shoulder.
"I get it, Viv," he said. "You can help how you feel and that's admirable. But you can't change what others feel as well."
"I wish I could," Vivian said quietly with her arms crossed. Sofia giggled as she walked over and wrapped her arms around her best friend.
"You really are a great person, Vivian," she said softly. "You know that?" Vivian's blush deepened as she became visibly calm.
"W-w-well... I," she stuttered, causing everyone to laugh. Vivian was embarrassed at first, bust soon joined in the laughter. Soon everyone was in a good mood, all except Amber, who was only staring at the floor in thought. She had just witnessed the whole class divided on the subject of gay love. She wasn't sure if this was good or bad. Maya seemed to notice Amber's silence and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Amber?" she asked. Amber shook her heard and looked over at Maya.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"You okay?" Maya asked. "You've been quiet for most of class." Amber then noticed all eyes on her and felt uncomfortable for a moment. She then smiled confidently at everyone.
"Of course," she said. "I'm perfectly fine."
"Well what's your opinion on the matter?" Hugo asked, curious to know what the most popular girl in school thought of the subject. Amber was now feeling more uncomfortable than before, she had no idea what to think, mainly because she had no idea what her feelings were. Her mind was in a complete blank. Sofia, sensing Amber's distress, decided to come to her aid. She walked over and took hold of Amber's arm.
"I'm sure Amber has her opinion on the matter," Sofia said with a smile. "Let's not pressure her on it though. It's not right to force our opinions on others." She then looked up towards Amber. Amber was more than relieved to have Sofia at her side to help her. Sofia always knew what to do when she came under pressure. She smiled down at Sofia and placed a hand on her's.
"No Sofia, it's fine," she said as she looked to her friends. "I personally don't know my opinion on the matter. But I will say that I have no I'll will on the subject. If someone can find love with someone else than my the gods bless them with a lifetime of happiness." Sofia smiled up at Amber even more. She knew that Amber was mainly talking about her feelings towards Sofia. And Sofia knew that she was being honest. She rested her head on Amber's shoulder once more and tightened her hold on Amber's arm. Amber looked down at Sofia with a smile before returning the embrace. After a moment, Amber looked up towards their friends.
"Now let's get going before we're all late to class," she said.
"Yeah!" Desmond said, suddenly realizing what time it was. "I've been doing so well on my perfect attendance this year!" The hallway was filled with laughter once more ans everyone made their way towards their next classes, all the while Sofia still embraced Amber's arm, but now their hands were entwined as well. And while everyone else was up ahead and not looking, Sofia quickly reached up and placed a small kiss on Amber's cheek before quickly pulling away. Amber looked back at Sofia, who now had a look of innocence. Amber smirked before looking around to make sure no one was looking. She then placed a kiss of her own on Sofia's cheek. Sofia was caught off guard by her action and looked up at Amber, who had an innocent look of her own. Sofia smirked as well before she rested her head on Amber's shoulder for the third time that hour as they made their way down the hall.
A/N: Here you guys go! I'm surprised I finished this all in one day. Now I wanted to include the legend of Atlantis but I also decided to change things up for this world. Hope you guys enjoyed it. And again, I'm so sorry about the long wait. But now I have a favor to ask of all of you. There is a scene in one of the episodes from Sofia the first the features a globe of Sofia's world. The scene is from the song "When It Comes To Making Friends." But my favor is for someone to draw that map for me so I can properly form the countries of this story. And if anyone would like to draw the map for me, then I will dedicate an entire chapter to them. And maybe even do more than that. Please tell me your thought and I look forward to hearing from all of you.