Chapter Eleven
Saying goodbye wasn't easy to Sofia as Buddy lead the way to Cedric's workshop.
She had only gotten the puppy a few weeks ago yet Buddy, named after James' famous word play, was a good dog.
Well most of the time.
Now it was time for her to go back to school. She hated the thought of having to go back when she only knew very few words and potions freaked her out.
But after Buddy had gotten everything to tell others that he was her guide dog, she knew she didn't have a choice but to go back.
"Mr. Cedric?" Sofia asked softly upon feeling that his door was unlocked.
"Sofia! Dear child you almost scared me half to death!" Cedric chuckled, musing her hair. "And good morning to you Buddy."
Buddy licked his gloved hand happily, knowing that when it came to his owner, the sorcerer could be trusted.
"What are you doing Mr. Cedric?" Sofia asked again, smiling at how friendly Buddy was.
"Just finishing up a gift for you," Cedric answered, having her confused.
"What kind of gift?"
"I noticed last night that you had a bit of trouble locating your things for school."
"I did," Sofia admitted as a tear leaked from her right eye. "Mr. Cedric, I'm scared. I'll be doing potions again and I won't be able to see the magic. I won't know what ingredients to put in or what spell to say or—"
"Sofia, slow down. Breathe," Cedric interrupted as she took a breath to calm herself. "Good. Now princess you've been through a lot these past few weeks. There's no way in Merlin that the fairies will have you start magic again so soon. They know from Queen Miranda and King Roland that your reading and writing will have to come long before that."
"Does that mean you're coming to Royal Prep too?"
"I'm afraid that I won't be able to. Besides didn't you do well the first time around?"
Sofia started to blush, having forgotten that day in particular. In short it was perfect with a few bits of disaster in between.
"Yes I did. But I can't stop thinking about the accident," Sofia admitted as Buddy licked her hand to calm her. "I'm scared Mr. Cedric. I know I said that I was scared already but what if I get hurt again? Or what if Amber and James get hurt by magic like I was? I don't want them to be like me! Like a burdensome little kid that takes up everyone's time including yours!"
"Hey! I don't want you to speak like that in front of me!" Cedric scolded, gently hugging her close. "You're not a burdensome little kid. I help you with reading and writing because I want to, not because of an order from your father. Sofia, you're a good friend to me and I would never want you hurt. Unfortunately what happened was unavoidable but we're getting through it are we not?"
"I guess we are getting through it!"
"Good girl. Now have your puppy lead your out of here. And I was thinking of taking a day off from your Braille practice. Would you like that?"
Sofia nodded softly as Buddy lead her out of Cedric's workshop.
She was lucky that fear hadn't overcome her that time, biting her lip as she felt her shoulder bag.
Concerned with her accidents, extra clothes were packed upon Miranda's suggestion, not wanting her daughter embarrassed by walking around in soaked pantyhose.
Sofia didn't mind that. What she did mind was being a big girl yet she seemed like a little girl instead.
"Sofia, is everything okay?" Amber asked as Buddy lead Sofia toward her sister.
"I just feel embarrassed about having extra clothes in my bag," Sofia admitted, feeling her feet brush against the carpet. "It makes me feel like a little kid."
"You're are not a little kid Sofia. Why would you think that?"
"Because you or none of the other girls have to have extra clothes because of accidents!"
"Sofia, Mother doesn't want you embarrassed. Besides you've gotten better with not having them as much," Amber said, hugging her close.
"Then we can leave the extra clothes at home. Please Amber?" Sofia begged as she opened her bag, feeling for the extra clothes and began to throw them out.
Amber sighed, shaking her head softly in concern for her sister.
If Sofia wanted her way with the extra clothes situation, she was going to let her have it.
"Sofia, I'll meet you and Buddy at the carriage. I promise you that I'll have your extra clothes put away in your room before it's time to leave for Royal Prep," Amber sighed, picking up the thrown clothes off the floor.
"Let's go!" Buddy yipped, pulling Sofia out the door.
Sofia couldn't help but smile, petting him behind the ears as she felt the carriage door.
"Amber is everything okay?" Miranda asked, seeing her oldest alone.
"Sofia thinks that you're treating her like a little kid by giving her extra clothes," Amber answered, handing Miranda the extra clothes that she thought she had packed for her daughter.
"Amber has your sister been having any accidents lately?"
"A little... But she's gotten better!"
"Alright. I have your word," Miranda smiled, kissing her cheek. "But If Sofia does have one in school, bring these with you. If she asks just say that they're yours."
"But she can feel her clothes!" Amber pouted before an idea came to her. "How about shoes and a light green dress?"
Miranda nodded, helping Amber get it ready.
"There you are!" James yelled, having Sofia cover her ears. "What took you so long?"
"I was helping Mother with something," Amber answered truthfully as Sofia uncovered her ears and felt a smile on her sister's face. "Ready to go?"
Sofia nodded, feeling Buddy curl up at her feet and fall asleep.
She didn't blame him for when you couldn't see a thing, waiting was tiring.
Sofia closed her eyes a little as she slept during the ride to school.
Amber and James smiled at their sleeping sister, talking in whispers so they wouldn't wake up her.
When the carriage had landed and Sofia heard the laughter of some of the Royal Prep students, she thought back to what Cedric had told her.
She wasn't a burdensome little kid but the thought itself couldn't leave her mind.
"Buddy wake up please!" Sofia said softly as Buddy licked her face. "Hey! Buddy!"
"Baddy, that's enough," Amber scolded gently, helping Sofia up. "You can play with Sofia later at home."
"I need to catch up to Penny," James said, getting his backpack on. "See you both in class!"
"James, Sofia doesn't like the word see. Remember?"
"Right. I forgot. Sorry Sof."
"It's okay James," Sofia smiled as Buddy lead her out of the carriage and towards the front entrance of Royal Prep.
"Buddy seems to leading Sofia well," Amber smirked, fanning herself.
"True. I'll hear you two in class!" James chuckled, clasping the fan close much to her annoyance.
"Good. You're using a word Sofia likes."
James playfully rolled his eyes at Amber before she went inside and glanced at Sofia who was feeling a painting.
That wasn't what she was expecting to see but with Sofia's blindness, anything had a reason to happen.
Amber looked up at the painting before tapping Sofia on the shoulder.
"Sofia who's painting are you feeling?" Amber wondered, pulling her away from the painting.
"Aunt Tully's painting. Why do you ask?" Sofia muttered, touching the painting again.
"Just wondering. Come on! Let's get to class!"
Sofia blinked but couldn't say no with Buddy leading her towards the classroom.
"Buddy slow down! What's going on?! Stop! STOP!" Sofia yelled in worry, hearing the puppy growl.
No. It couldn't be.
Not Rebecca. She couldn't be back to tease her again.
"Buddy slow down! Heal! Oh sisters," Amber groaned as she ran after her sister and her guide dog.
"Buddy what happened? Why did you start growling like that?" Sofia wondered as Buddy lead her back outside.
"Remember that story that you told me?" Buddy asked, licking her hand.
"About Rebecca?"
"Yes. I saw her. You said that she wasn't supposed to come back."
"I guess Rebecca is going here anyways. Oh Buddy what I am going to do?! I can't go back into the school!" Sofia pouted before an idea came to her. " Buddy lead me to the stables please!"
"Anything for you Sofia!" Buddy barked, leading her to the stables.
"Thank you so much!"
"Sofia, I'm your guide dog. I'll do anything to protect you like Cedric does."
"Minimus! Me and Buddy need your help!" Sofia yelled, wondering where he was.
"Sofia?" Minimus wondered before finding himself smiling at hearing her voice. "This way princess! The last stable."
Sofia smiled at his voice. It had been so long since she had heard it.
She had to get back home. She couldn't stay at Royal Prep. Not with Rebecca back.
Her legs started trembling as Sofia hoped that it was a sign of nervousness and not the other thing that would happen whenever her legs would shake.
"Sofia calm down please!" Buddy whimpered as he licked her face twice.
"Okay Buddy I'm fine now!" Sofia giggled, getting him done "Thank you."
Buddy nuzzled against her before Sofia carried him and felt Minimus' fur before getting on the flying horse.
Hoping that she remembered where his reins were, Minimus flew off with her and Buddy in tow as she thanked him for his help.
…
"Amber! James! I just saw Sofia fly by!" Vivian yelled, spotting Sofia and Buddy on Minimus.
"Fly by?! She can't see what's in the way!" James gasped as he and Amber ran towards the school steps.
"Well there she goes," Amber sighed, shaking her head. "Rebecca just had to come back! I thought she was gone!"
"James, Amber you two talk to the fairies, I'll go after Sofia," Hugo offered with a smile.
"Hugo, thank you but Sofia is a bit emotional right now and she can be unpredictable when it happens."
"James, I know from what my mom went through so please stay with Penny. I'm the fastest flyer so maybe I can get Sofia to come back."
"Your mother's blind?" Amber asked in surprise.
"Yes Amber. Try to keep up," James smirked, getting an eye roll in return.
…
Sofia felt Minimus land in the castle courtyard as she put Buddy down and had him lead her to a familiar smell.
The smell of Cedric who glanced in surprise as the princess came to him.
"Princess what are you doing here? Why aren't you at school?" Cedric asked before seeing tears in her eyes. "Hey don't cry."
"But you sound mad at me!" Sofia sobbed, burying her head in his chest.
"Sofia, I'm not mad. I'm just surprised to see you."
"You are?"
"I would never get upset with you. Now what's gotten you so upset to where you came back here?" Cedric wondered, noticing her shaking legs.
"Rebecca's back," Sofia sniffed, holding back a whimper.
"Rebecca? Wasn't she supposed to be away from Royal Prep?"
"Yes. I can't go back there Mr. Cedric! I— Oh what am I doing to do?!"
"We'll talk about it after I clean you up," Cedric smiled, patting her head.
"I did it again didn't I?!" Sofia asked in embarrassment as she felt something wet on her shoes. "I told you that I was a burdensome little kid!"
"Sofia, listen to me, you aren't a burdensome little kid. Besides it was an accident. You haven't had one in weeks!"
"That was because I thought things were starting to be okay. But they're not."
"When was the last time you heard her?" Cedric asked softly, not wanting to upset her even more.
"This morning. I heard her footsteps and then Buddy started growling," Sofia explained, hanging her head.
"But were you scared then?"
"Yes. I know that Buddy growled before but he sounded like he was going to attack Rebecca the instant he saw her to protect me."
"I would've let him attack her," Cedric smirked playfully before seeing her looking down. "Come on let's get you cleaned up."
"Okay Mr. Cedric. Come on Buddy," Sofia whispered as Buddy licked her hand.
He wanted her happy again. He hated seeing her in any other emotion than that.
Sofia giggled at Buddy's touch as Cedric was lucky that it kept her distracted while he used a teleportation spell on the three of them.
It was better than Sofia getting upset all over again with Miranda and Roland.
"Buddy you're trickling me!" Sofia squealed in laughter as she felt carpet underneath her soaked shoes, leaving her confused. "Huh? Mr. Cedric how did we get to my room so fast?"
"A teleportation spell my dear," Cedric answered as she traced a smile on his lips.
"Mr. Cedric, please don't tell Mom and Dad that I came back here. Please don't tell them!"
"I won't this one time Sofia but I will have Violet help you get cleaned up."
"Yes Mr. Cedric," Sofia muttered as she felt him give her a hug.
"Remember how you said that we've gotten through this?" Cedric asked, musing her hair.
"Yes?"
"This just another step you have to get through."
Sofia nodded, a little confused but had a bit of understanding with what her mentor meant.
She thought that getting used to her blindness was going to be easy but it was turning out to be more difficult and frustrating than what she had wanted it to be.
"Sofia what's the matter?" Buddy asked, nuzzling against her as Cedric left to get Violet.
"It's a lot to explain Buddy," Sofia sighed, hearing a tap from the window.
"Sofia who is that boy?" Buddy asked as he began growl once more.
"That sounds like Hugo's tap!"
Buddy stopped growling and wagged his tail happily at the thought of Hugo.
To him the prince was nice and wouldn't dare hurt his owner.
"Hugo what are you doing here?" Sofia wondered, as Buddy sniffed Hugo and licked his hand.
"Sofia, Vivian saw you taking off so I decided I mean Amber and James sent me to talk to you. What happened?" Hugo wondered, kissing her hand.
"Rebecca."
"Well I wouldn't want you to go back with her around. If you want, I can stay with you."
"Thank you Hugo but no thank you," Sofia smiled softly, feeling his face. " Mr. Cedric could be back with Violet any moment and if he catches us together well you know."
"Sofia, you have some explaining to do," Miranda said, coming into the room as Sofia frowned, wondering what was going on.
"You told Mr. Cedric?" Sofia pouted, crossing her arms. "You promised not to!"
"Well no I didn't tell Sofia," Cedric said nervously, biting his lip. "More a little meeting was called at the school."
"A meeting? Mr. Cedric, I don't understand."
"That Make both of us Sofia. It took me by surprise too as I was going to get Violet to help you clean up when I ran into your mother downstairs."
"That will be all Cedric but you may take Buddy outside as I need a word with Sofia alone," Miranda said before turning to Hugo. "And Hugo I want to talk to you in Roland's office."
"Yes Queen Miranda," Hugo said, stepping out of Sofia's window seat.
"Mom, you're mad at me aren't you?" Sofia frowned, starting to cry softly.
"A little because you skipped school but let's get you a bath."
"I'm sorry Mom."
"I know you are. I'm sorry but you're gonna have to be punished for this," Miranda smiled softly, helping Sofia out of her dress.
"What kind of punishment are you thinking about Mom?" Sofia asked, hoping it didn't include being excluded in anything.
"Well you'll be helping me after school next week and no pudding."
"Okay," Sofia sighed, a little disappointed. "But do I still get my lessons with Mr. Cedric?"
"Of course. There's no way I'll ever take away that."
"Good I love you Mom."
A few minutes had passed before Sofia was cleaned and lead out the door with Miranda holding her hand.
With Buddy outside, it was difficult to navigate without bumping into a few things before Sofia felt Cedric's robe and hugged it.
"Mr. Cedric, you said that you had a gift for me this morning. Where is it?" Sofia asked excitedly, jumping up and down. "Tell me please!"
"You must wait until after the meeting!" Cedric chuckled, patting her head. "Hugo will take you to my workshop while Buddy has some time with his 'brother' outside."
"Your workshop?! No Mr. Cedric!"
"You were just fine with it this morning dear. What's gotten into you?"
"The night of the accident," Sofia hiccuped, not wanting to go back to the workshop.
Cedric took her in his arms, stroking her hair softly while she started to sob in his arms.
"Sofia, you've been coming into my workshop for almost four weeks straight with no problems so you're getting through it little by little. You're safe with me in there now and always will be," Cedric assured her but she wouldn't listen.
She couldn't listen. Sofia loved him as her teacher but the workshop was now giving her memories of the accident.
