Author's Notes: Loved the reviews the last chapter got. Not much to say about this one that I didn't already point out when explaining the beginning of the fight last chapter, so I guess just enjoy!


Cedric's mind raced as he and James exchanged blows, the older boy managing to keep the upperhand. This is who Sofia was talking about yesterday? This entitled, self-centered brat is the boy she likes. How dare he accuse me of putting Sofia in harm's way! Everything I've done lately is to protect her. In that moment, he hated James so much for so many reasons that he was completely overwhelmed by the feeling.

He felt his body freeze, arm raised in mid-air, ready to make impact again. The fairies had recovered from their shock at the argument and Cedric's sudden attack, and frozen both boys.

"If either one of you really cared about Sofia, you wouldn't dream of behaving this way in front of her." Miss Merryweather huffed at them.

Cedric lifted his head, the only part of himself he could still move, and looked up, ashamed to see a shocked Sofia staring down at the them. No, I wanted to be there to comfort her when she opened her eyes. How long ago did she wake up?

"Sofia, I-I..." Cedric desperately tried to come up with an explanation as he watched tears begin to spill down the princess's cheeks. Miss Fauna floated over to her and wrapped an arm around her, shushing the girl gently.

"I hate you both, and I never want to speak to you again!" She shouted before plopping back down on the bed, curling into a small sniffling ball under her blanket.

Miss Merryweather unfroze the boys and they both scrambled to Sofia's side, talking over each other while trying to apologize. Sofia didn't say anything else, or even acknowledge them, and Miss Merryweather quickly led the boys out of the infirmary and straight to her office.

"You are both suspended from school for 3 days. I will be sending word to your parents-" She stopped, and her face fell as she regarded Cedric hesitantly.

"I imagine you have a regent?" She asked. Cedric paused a moment before remembering Dax's orphan backstory, then nodded stiffly, avoiding the fairy's gaze.

"Regardless, I will be sending word home with both of you. James, I'm going to forget what I heard in there, and the other fairies will be instructed to as well. Your personal life is none of our concern." Cedric's jaw dropped again.

"You're not serious. His parents should know what he said. Every disgusting word of it!" He exclaimed, once again forgetting his position as a student at the school. James stared daggers at the side of his head, and it took everything Cedric had in him not to pounce on the boy again.

"Mendax, jealousy does not suit a future king. I suggest you let the matter end here." Cedric crossed his arms angrily. I am not jealous of a nine-year-old boy, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. He brooded silently. It's nothing like that. He didn't have a better explanation for the rage still boiling inside of him, though, so he kept quiet.

"How... How much was my sister awake for?" James asked Miss Merryweather quietly. Cedric was appaled.

"You mean your girlfriend?" He shot, his voice thick with venom. James started to stand, clearly prepared to hit Cedric again. Cedric pulled himself up to his full height, practically daring him to try it. Miss Merryweather gave them a warning stare, and Cedric went back to sulking. The boys quickly returned to their seats.

"She woke up shortly after the first blow was thrown, unfortunately." Cedric heard James breathe a sigh of relief, and it only agitated him further.

"Can I go now?" The sorcerer asked, standing to exit.

"As long as you leave immediately. No hanging around. Do not let me catch either of you on school grounds during your suspension." She warned both of the boys sternly. A thought struck Cedric hard.

"Please, Sofia, she- can you keep her in the infirmary during break? It's very important." Miss Merryweather studied his face and noted the genuine concern she found there. However, she couldn't agree with his request.

"If she's deemed well enough to go outside, then she will be sent out with everyone else." She informed him.

What have I done? Cedric thought, his already pale skin losing what little color it had. He hung his head in shame and left the building. He considered charging back into the office and explaining to the headmistress why she absolutely must keep Sofia inside with an adult, but he had no proof, and there was no way she would believe him today of all days.

When he reached a safe distance from the school, he transported home. In his tower, he desperately tried to think of a plan to protect Sofia from Umbra's wrath while Dax was absent. He stared down at the suspension slip he now held in his hands, reading it once more before crumbling it in anger.

"How could I be so stupid?" He demanded aloud. He didn't have time to sit around being mad at himself, he needed to come up with something. They'd be sending Sofia outside any minute now. He couldn't transport her here, because he couldn't see her, and besides, he didn't have a good excuse to do it. He could go to the school as the royal sorcerer and claim she was needed urgently at home, but it would look suspicious if he didn't pick up her sister, too, and if the king found out... Cedric gulped, unable to finish the thought.

No matter what idea came to him, the end result was that it wouldn't work and one or both of them would get into more trouble for it. He looked out of his tower window, trying to get some fresh air, only to see Prince James exiting the coach that had brought him home from school.

This is all his fault! Cedric raged, seriously considering turning the boy into a toad as he watched him slowly walk towards the palace, his own suspension slip held firmly in his hands. He has to get the paper signed. Oh, I want to see this!

Cedric quickly turned himself back into an adult and dressed. He caught sight of the mirror and realized he needed to use the glamor spell on himself. He cast it hastily and exited the tower practically racing to the throne room while still pulling on his robe. The prince was slowly pacing the hall outside, trying to gather the courage to face his father.

"Cedric, do you need something?" King Roland asked his sorcerer in surprise when he entered. The man usually only left his tower when summoned, and even then he was never in a hurry to appear. Cedric tried to think fast, kicking himself for not having a good excuse to be there.

"I-I was wondering if I-" Cedric began, but was cut off when the prince sheepishly entered the room.

"Just a moment, Cedric. James, why aren't you in school?" The king inquired. He looked his son over with concern. The boy's lip was split, he had quite the welt on his jaw, and his eye was already turning black and purple. Cedric smirked at his appearance, still angry with the boy, but covered his amusement by putting his hand to his mouth and faking a small cough.

"I..." James looked down at the slip of paper in his hands, before reaching to give it to his father, and staring at his feet as King Roland read the letter carefully.

"James, you were... fighting?" Roland looked back at his son, his eyes wide with shock.

"He was showing off and almost got Sofia killed! Then, he lied about her while she was knocked out. I heard him myself." James protested a bit too loudly, desperately trying to defend himself from his father's disapproving gaze.

Cedric's hand tightened around his wand, and he summoned all the self-control he had in him to stop from cursing the boy where he stood. That little liar! I notice he completely left out the part about asking Sofia to be his date to the party, too. Cedric narrowed his eyes, that feeling from earlier returning full force. He opened his mouth to tell his side of the story, but luckily he caught himself before he spoke. Roland stood from his throne, his voice filled with worry.

"Is Sofia alright?" He asked his son, just having learned about his youngest daughter's brush with death. James nodded, and the king sat back down, relief washing over him.

"Well, James, even if you had good reasons... even if you were defending your younger sister, fighting is not the way to handle it. You will be grounded to your room for a week." Cedric stifled a laugh. Guess you won't be going to that party after all, boy. Cedric felt victorious, practically glowing at this news. He couldn't explain why it made him so giddy, but it did. As Roland dismissed his son, Cedric suddenly had a good idea to excuse his presence in the throne room and get Dax back into Sofia's good graces at the same time. After all, I can't protect her if she won't go near me.