Sofia, having been so despondent and removed from her family the past few months, seems to have no shortage of opportunity to visit Cedric as much as her heart desires.

And she is discovering her heart desires a lot.

Roland has been doing the best to avoid the girl since she had come to him with her confession. Miranda, fully aware of the outcome of that conversation, is also having difficulty communicating with her daughter. What type of parental advice do you give your heartbroken girl when you have no more control over the situation than your child? James gives the lovers space but still manages to see them socially more than anyone. If anything, Sofia and James have become as close as he had been to Amber over this shared secret. Not to mention, he really quite likes Cedric. Probably more now that he has been so unabashedly humanized.

The morning of Sofia's birthday, she sneaks away from her bedroom early in the morning, nearly running into Baileywick on her way to the tower. "Good morning, Princess Sofia. Will you be joining us for breakfast?"

"I'm not really hungry, Baileywick. I might just have some brunch a little later."

The steward has noticed a healthy pink in the lady's cheek the past few days, and a flash in her eye he has missed. Not privy to the secrets of the family, he did not know why she was so down, but he's known her long enough to be able to tell when her mood so dramatically shifts. "Are you sure? It's your birthday, you know. I could have the kitchen whip up some goldenberry pancakes if you like."

Sofia gives Baileywick a quick hug before bounding away, surprising him to his core. "No thanks, but you're sweet to remember! See you later today!" And she's gone before he can turn to see her round the corner.

He shakes his head a little but smiles. He has missed this Sofia

XXX

Sofia's heart is light. More than it has been in ages. She made a decision last night and she is on her way to tell Cedric now. James is already aware. He hadn't reacted quite like she hoped but that's to be expected really.

"You can't do that, Sof."

"Sure I can. I finally feel like myself. I know the best thing is always to be honest." She had flashed her usual "go-get-'em" smile, though her confidence was not quite as strong as she was trying to pretend.

"Sofia, you know I want you to be happy but, I'm not sure this will turn out the way you want. I really like..." he looks around carefully and lowers his voice. "I really like Cedric but Dad already said no once. You need to convince him privately first, please." He had nearly begged her. Sofia hoped he would support her in the end.

She runs into the tower and locks the door behind her. It's quite early and Cedric is not in this workshop. She grins a Cheshire grin and tip toes down the stairs.

She finds him exhausted, sleeping off a night of keeping her sated. She had only snuck back to her room 4 hours ago. She crawls onto the bed and places a kiss on the side of his mouth. Then his cheek. Then his neck. Then his earlobe. Working her way slowly to all the sensitive, delicate places on his face.

A slow smile starts to spread and he opens one eye sleepily. He breathes out a quiet, "Good morning, Princess", before taking her in his arms and pulling her down to him.

She giggles and cuddles down beside him, resting her head on his bare chest, playing a finger across his skin by her face.

"Guess what today is."

"It's your birthday, minx. Don't try to trick me. I've never forgotten it."

She smiles because she knows it's true. He spent a few years pretending he didn't care it was her birthday, but he always remembered. Which had made her wonder as a young girl if he cared a little more than he let on.

"I didn't think you had. Just reminding." She lifts her face and looks at him. "I'm going to tell them tonight."

"You're going to tell who what?" He yawns and stretches a little.

"I'm going to tell everyone I'm going to marry you."

Cedric starts and bolts upright in bed, nearly sending the petite princess to the floor. "What do you mean you're going to tell everyone?" His hands reach for his neck instinctively and the pitch in his tone raises to its upper registers.

Sofia sits up and laughs a little. "Oh, Cedric, don't be so dramatic. My Dad might not have liked the idea at first but he really likes you." She smiles her brightest smile. "And besides, I'm not giving him a choice. If he wants me to be the queen, which he really needs me to be, he will just have to accept it." She says it so matter of fact Cedric can only stare at her.

He shakes his head. "I don't think that's a good idea, Sofia"

She frowns. "I'm going to be with you. And if they don't accept it I'm giving up my crown. They can figure out who will rule after Dad. I told you I would do anything and I meant it. Did you?"

He smirks a little in spite of everything. "You wouldn't let me burn down the kingdom, remember?"

She laughs more freely and hugs him. "My way is a little nicer don't you think?"

Cedric pushes her away just a little and looks at her as seriously as he ever has. "What is he forbids it? I mean really forbids it? Do you know what he could do to me? I always knew I could end up with my head on a spike because of you, and I'm nearly willing to pay that price, but that will throw a wrench in your wedding plans, what with me having no head." He swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

"He won't dare. Anyway I've already thought about that." She waves it away, that flippant gesture Cedric thought was his own, now used against him. "I'm going to pack a bag and so are you. Anything happens, you can just purple smoke us out of there and we're leaving." She hadn't told James that part, thinking it better he not know. Plausible deniability.

"You're serious." He deadpans. What a terrible, terrible plan. But as he raises his eyebrows in near mockery, he knows that if she commands it, he will do it.

"Yep. Totally serious." She leans up and kisses his cheek. "I'm going to get breakfast. I told Baileywick I wasn't hungry but it seems I am. You used up all my energy." She winks and turns to go when he pulls her back and tosses her lightly on the bed.

"Oh no, no, no. You woke me up and gave me a death sentence. You're staying."

Sofia melts into the bed as he kisses down her neck, Cedric moving her amulet out of his way for better access to her perfect skin, the amulet now a mere footnote in their history. Sofia reaches to the clasp and takes it off.

He looks at her in question and she shrugs. "I'm breaking a lot of rules today. I think I can take this off for a minute."

He gives a dangerous smile then attacks her cleavage with no restrictions, the necklace already forgotten.

XXXX

Sofia's mood has been lifted from the depths and she decides to take lunch with her family. She is disappointed that James isn't there, thinking briefly she should just turn around and leave.

Not more than a handful of words have been exchanged with her parents the last few weeks. Though her spirits have risen, she is all too aware these two people are the last barrier to her happy future. Ultimately she enters the room and slides into her usual place.

"Where's James?"

"He went to retrieve Princess Clio for your birthday party tonight. Though why he left so early I'm not sure." Miranda thinks for a moment and realizes how foolish that comment was. When in all of history have young lovers not stolen moments together.

Sofia looks at her plate and picks at a bit of salad sitting there. Her party. She had nearly forgotten. The greatest irony being her Father had personally invited Cedric to attend as a guest. "It can be like a "welcome home" to the best sorcerer in the world!" he had said. "Sofia's birthday too of course but I know she won't mind."

Cedric had graciously accepted while internal warning alarms alit his mind. How long will he be able to keep this up? In that moment, Sofia had been formulating her plan to use a public forum to make an announcement so he won't have to keep it up very long at all.

Roland offers softly, "I did not invite Prince Hugo, Sofia."

She is surprised, having no idea she had given up that avenue. "Thank you," she says sincerely.

He brightens. "But you know, Prince Desmond still has his offer on the table. He's a very nice young man. Perhaps if you pursue him before he finds out…"

Sofia groans. "I just wanted to have a quiet lunch with my family, ok?" Her dark mood returns to her and she studies her plate intently.

Miranda places a hand on Roland's arm and shakes her head sadly. The silent exchange between reading something like, "You're pushing and she's not ready yet." His frustrated response would probably have been, "She needs to get ready."

Sofia tries to choke down a few more bites before standing. "If you'll excuse me I had a late brunch. I'm not as hungry as I thought." Her doubts swim around her. She had forgotten these last months, having not really spoken to her parents, how blind to her they could be.

They nod as she leaves, Roland's face softens (but he would never let her see).

"Rollie, we have to do something. I've never seen her like this."

"She'll be fine, Miranda. It's just a young crush. Her responsibilities are too big to coddle this infatuation." He tries to sound confident.

Miranda doesn't agree but also knows her husband is trying to do what's best. She is torn between heart and duty, between husband and child. Their own meal is finished in silence.

XXX

Sofia is sitting in the parlor off the main hall, working her courage back up after the difficult meal with her parents. She turns when she hears a familiar squeal. "Sofia!"

Amber has not seen her sister since the wedding. Sofia rises and approaches her for a very genuine hug. "How was your honeymoon, Amber?"

She sighs and raises one delicate hand dramatically over her heart. "Oh, Sofia, it was just wonderful! Zandar had everything planned perfectly. We were honored guests at the royal palace of Galdiz, had complete access to the bull fights in the city, the kingdom's best chefs prepared our meals…" She sighs, "It was divine."

"I'm glad you had a good time. It's great to see you." She means it, though their last private conversation was not to her liking. Amber does not seem to have forgotten either.

"Sofia, you must tell me." She lowers her voice to barely a whisper, "What has become of your secret affair?" He eyes twinkle at the love of gossip, apparently the bombshell of her lover not being a prince no longer vexing her so.

Sofia's excitement at seeing her sister fades a little, the heaviness of her burden dragging her back. "It's the same, Amber. But… I'm going to do something about it. Tonight."

She quirks an eyebrow. "Do tell."

Sofia shakes her head. "You'll see tonight. No more secrets. It's too hard for me… and him."

"Hmmm…" She considers a moment and then continues. "Well if you're going to tell everyone anyway you could at least tell your only sister who it is." Sofia has heard that tone before. It doesn't always end well. For instance, the time Amber stole her amulet and unleashed a curse on the entire kingdom.

She shakes her head. "I don't think so. It's going to be hard enough to say once and I'd rather wait until I can tell Mom and Dad together. I'm sorry but you will know tonight."

Amber folds her arms and muses. "He can't be that bad."

Sofia offers a silly lopsided grin. "Oh no, he's perfect."

Amber gawks at her as Sofia glides away dreamily. "I'll see you at the party, Amber. I need to get dressed."

Amber huffs and stamps her foot in disbelief. "It's like you don't even trust me," she whines after her.

Sofia smiles to herself as she walks away.