Sofia found herself promising to her mother that she would return from the castle. The elder women had grown hysteric and had taken up a hammer normally used to make the shoes. But now was aimed for the poor panicked herald that took shelter behind the guards who were reaching for their swords, while Sofia stood between them and her distraught mother. When Miranda was finally calmed Sofia hugged her tightly, reassuring her mother everything would be fine before stepping into the cool evening air to join the three men. The Herald offering her his arm with a weak smile and she took it, returning giving him her own smile as they began making their way to the carriage waiting for them.
Once seated within she looked around at the interior. Dark polished wood and rich purple seats lined with down filled pillows. It was lavished, and she couldn't help the look of distaste that soured her face. To this day she still wasn't impressed with such grand things, though she had enjoyed the gowns, and tiaras Sofia would always pick her ordinary dresses and simple life, as long as she still had those she cared about in her life.
The Herald seated himself beside her while the guards seated themselves in the driver's seat, urging the horses into action with ease. Sofia pulled back the curtain covering the window to look at the dark empty streets, aside from a lone drunk making their way home or a stray, it was peaceful. She could faintly hear some villagers inside their homes, laughing happily and some even singing loudly along with each other some familiar tunes from her youth, though the words were long forgotten. Hearing such happiness warmed her heart, knowing that the celebration was for the Kings recent acts of charity, and the relief that it brought them. She wondered if Cedric was finally learning what was needed of him as King. What his responsibilities were and what he needed to do to ensure the prosperity of his people and kingdom.
But none of that changed one startling fact that cemented itself into the forefront of Sofia's mind. She had accepted an invitation to attend a late supper at the castle, a place she hadn't been since she was young.
She accepted an invitation to dine with the man who killed her second father….
To dine with Cedric…
Sofia's eyes stung with forming tears and she quickly blinked, shying away from the grief she still felt for the loss King Roland and the loss of one she thought a dear friend. Heaving a shaky sigh, Sofia steadied her nerves and looked at the herald who was looking at her from the corner of his eye. Honestly, it looked like he was straining to see her from his prefrail vision without turning or tilting his head. She moved slightly to try and make it easier for him, but the Herald flinched, realizing she had caught him trying to look at her and quickly looked away focusing on the dark wood of the carriage interior straight ahead of him.
"You don't have to worry I won't get mad at you just for looking at me," Sofia said sweetly patting his arm with a reassuring smile. But the Herald continued to look forward without a word, jerking his arm away from her touch, though she thought she saw his face redden.
What caught her by surprise though was when they reached the courtyard and the carriage came to a stop. The herald moved quickly, opening the door and climbing out so fast the door bounced harshly against the polished wood of the outside of the carriage. Sofia just remained seated, as she watched as the young man stood, doubled over, sucking in the cool evening air deeply and fanning himself with his feathered cap. Uncomfortable with the situation, Sofia took it upon herself to step out of the carriage and reached out to rub the heralds back. She recognized now his discomfort toward being confined in small places and wondered if being trapped with a complete stranger didn't help in the slightest.
The moment her hand touched his back he jerked away and grabbed her wrist, gripping it tightly in his strong, thin fingered, leather clad hand. He locked eyes with Sofia and quickly released her, realizing what he had done and quickly regretting it.
"My… My apologies my lady… The guards will escort you the rest of the way while I notify my Lord of your arrival…" He said, and Sofia watched him leave swiftly, disappearing through the castle doors and into the darkness of the halls.
"Please will you follow us my Lady." One guard asked, directing her to follow them, which she did without a word.
The guards led her to the throne room, confusing Sofia greatly since she had been expecting to be taken to the dining hall and not the throne room.