T.

The little music box had arrived before lunch and sat on King Roland's desk in his study. Sofia was examining it now, her eyes wide as she bent forward and touched the small golden key that protruded from the lock on the front. The box was polished oak wood, and the legs were made of solid gold, resembling the leaves on a flower stem. Twisting the key, her mouth curled into a smile, and she leaned back as two monarch butterflies danced into the air as the lid lifted. They fluttered around the room and Sofia made a mental note to let Baileywick know about them so that they could find a place in the garden.

The bottom of the box contained a flower garden display made completely out of gold and silver, the bloom on each flower a different, specially cut gemstone. In the middle of the garden two familiar figures made from silver embraced, a gentle song playing as they rotated in a dance. In the lid of the box was the invitation, and Sofia read it excitedly.

Royal Family of Enchancia

The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of

Prince Desmond Allen of Faereston

and

Princess Vivian Leandra of Zumaria

the last day of the month of Blossoms

at the Corlach Castle in Southern Faereston

Please be our guest on this joyous occasion

The box had also come with a large envelope with a massive collection of papers detailing how the two royal families would be hosting the wedding guests. Maps of the kingdom and the castles, stabling instructions, lodging and requests for meal preparation details and an itinerary for the event. Sofia didn't bother with much it of. Baileywick would sweep in soon enough and whisk it off to her father to go over. There was only one thing she took from the envelope, and that was because it had her name scrawled across the front in Vivian's handwriting.

She tucked this in her dress pocket and headed for the dining room, already able to hear Amber chatting excitedly about the season's new wedding fashions before she was even through the doors. Sofia stumbled a step when she saw not only her family seated at the table, but also Cedric, the Royal Sorcerer, giving her a small smile that she returned with a grin and a wave. She mouthed, 'What are you doing here?', but before he could respond, her mother caught her eye.

"Sofia! Come sit. Did you see the invitation?" Miranda asked as Sofia took the seat next to Cedric at the table across from Amber and James. She kept her hands primly in her lap, because Roland would have a clear view of them touching if he leaned to his right just so. But she could already feel Cedric's foot nudging hers, and she resisted the urge to run her toes up his calf.

"I did! It was beautiful." She said rather breathlessly, and she noticed Cedric looking at her. She turned to him. "It's wonderful to see you today, Mister Cedric. Are you joining us for lunch?"

"Good afternoon, Princess Sofia." He drawled, bowing his head to her. She hid her smile by biting the inside of her cheek.

"Your father had matters to discuss with me, and invited me to stay."

"That's right." King Roland said, stabbing at the potatoes on his plate before turning to Cedric. "Cedric has been invited along with us to attend the Faereston royal wedding."

Cedric nodded in acknowledgement, silently basking in King Roland's pride.

"I'll bet you no other Royal Sorcerer will be invited to attend by name." He continued, and Sofia stifled a giggle as the Sorcerer sat up proudly. Cedric could preen as much as he wanted. She'd never tell that he was probably invited because Vivian was savvy to him and Sofia's relationship. Or maybe they just thought he was that sensational. She smiled tenderly at him as he faced her father, Roland still talking excitedly.

Either way as long as he was happy and with her for the week long festivities, she didn't care how he got invited.

...

After lunch she'd gone to her room to open the note from Vivian. She took a seat at her desk and set the envelope down, scanning the contents slowly.

Sofia,

I hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. I wanted to write to you personally to invite you to my wedding. You've been a dear friend, to both Desmond and I, for many years, and I would love for you to celebrate this day with us. Me, especially. Not that Desmond isn't excited to see all our old friends from school, but this day is important and he hopes that nothing will stray from the plan.

In regards to said plan, I admit I have one other reason for writing you. I have no sisters, or female cousins, and I'm finding myself without a Maid of Honor, which I suppose is a 'travesty', as Desmond's mother puts it, this close to the ceremony.

I know it's last minute, with the wedding being two months away, but I'd love for the friend to stand by my side, to be you. I'd have Crackle, but I'm afraid she won't fit in the chapel and my future mother in law will be displeased. Please consider and get back to me? Either way, I hope to see you in a couple months for the big day.

Vivian

Sofia grinned and set the letter aside, pulling a slip of parchment towards her and quickly scribbling out excited words and an acceptance to stand beside her friend at her wedding. She sealed her response up and pulled the gold cord near her door. It only took a minute or so for Violet to appear, and Sofia gave her the letter to see that it was sent off immediately.

While Violet went one way, Sofia left and went the other, climbing the tower quickly so that she could catch Cedric in what she liked to think of as his, 'Floating Celebration'.

As she entered the tower she quickly closed the door and locked it, ducking underneath the flying desk and shimmying past a whirlwind of books in order to wrap her arms around him in the center of the room. All the furniture and items were dancing excitedly with him, surrounded by tendrils of blue magic, and when he saw her he smiled and swept her up into his silly magical dance.

"Did you see your father today?" He said grandly, earning a giggle from her as they waltzed under some flying potions, "I've never seen him so pleased to have me around before."

"I know!" Sofia said happily, clutching his hand tight as he twirled her away then spun her right back into his arms, and away from the armoire which was swinging its door open and closed haphazardly.

"Finally. I feel like I have the man's respect," He sang, flicking his wand above them to send everything into a spin before the pieces began to return to their places, a shower of blue sparkles raining down on them. Sofia raised her hands to touch the lights, impressed with the illusion before he took her hands and held them between them.

"It's well earned. You're an amazing Sorcerer, Cedric." She said honestly, "The best I've ever seen. Why wouldn't they want you at the wedding?"

"I'll start working right away on a present worthy enough for the couple awed enough to invite the greatest Sorcerer in the world to be among them." He said, beaming, not catching Sofia's suppressed smirk at his vain comment.

Cedric leaned forward and gave her a tender kiss, sighing happily when he felt her lean into him, her hands drifting to rest on his shoulders. He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers.

"I'm glad you don't remember me from ten years ago." He admitted, continuing carefully because her lost memory of him could still be a touchy subject. "I was a bumbling wreck."

Sofia scoffed. "I find that hard to believe."

He gave her a lascivious smile, beginning to push her back towards the newly landed desk. Her eyes widened before she let out a laugh.

"Right now?" She asked, gasping when he was able to lift her up and plop her on the surface.

"You know your unending belief in me is a ridiculous turn on." He said with a lilt in his voice, carefully nuzzling her cheek with his long nose, causing her to turn her face away and expose the side of her neck for him. He kissed her there gently and she fidgeted so that he could situate against her skirts better.

"Mmmm. Well, your potions are the best." She said in a silky voice, biting her lip as he set his wand aside to begin brushing his slender fingers through her hair.

"Go on." He encouraged, the sound muffled by the many kisses he was planting across her shoulders.

"Party tricks are beneath you and your skill level."

"You're too much..." He whispered with false modesty against her skin, his fingers now pulling up her hands so that he could turn her palms away and kiss the skin on her wrist, her heartbeat fluttering happily as he continued up her arm to the bend of her elbow.

"No one floats furniture like you do." She said breathlessly, and Cedric stepped back only far enough to pull her from the desk and against him. He pressed his mouth to hers with a soft whimper and she melted against him.

...

Through letters Vivian and Sofia hashed out what would need to be done for the wedding. Sofia was glad to be involved, realizing this was the first wedding she'd be a part of since her mother's wedding to Roland. Vivian sent her the dress pattern for her gown, and Sofia thought it was a good opportunity to get Amber involved and spend some time together.

The two sat in the dressmaker's work shop, comfy in their plush chairs, Baileywick standing attentively between them as two servants laid out a breakfast of tea and light fruit.

"Should your majesties need anything further, I won't be far." He drawled with a slight bow, leaving the room and drawing the double doors closed along the way.

"Thank you, Baileywick!" Sofia waved before she helped herself to a cup of tea while they waited.

Madame Collette swept in as they got settled, followed by her entourage of assistants, each one carrying a bolt of colored fabric.

"Did Vivian specify which color?" Amber asked, setting her teacup aside and standing smoothly to survey the fabrics. Sofia wrinkled her nose, realizing now, despite how hard she tried to escape the color, that she'd be in purple for the event, since purple and blue were Vivian's wedding colors.

"Yes." Sofia said reluctantly, remaining seated with a frown of displeasure. "She said amethyst."

Amber wiggled her shoulders excitedly and turned back to the fabrics as Madame Collette clapped her hands, promptly sending away anyone not holding purple. From the fifteen or so left they chose a color and Sofia was ushered to the center of the room to be measured.

"I already have ze pattern." Madame Collette said, strutting around her slowly as one of her girls took in Sofia's bust then waist, "You are going to look stunning, Princess Sofia!"

Madame Collette wasn't as nimble as she once was, and now she relied heavily on her girls to do her work for the Royal family. Sofia knew she spent a lot of time curled up in front of the fire, allowing her old bones to rest while still scribbling up fantastic dress designs.

"She can't be too stunning," Amber insisted, crossing her legs after settling back down in her chair, "We can't have her outshining the bride."

"Yes." Madame Collette agreed, nodding, her fingers reaching out to touch Sofia's amulet with a frown. Sofia stood very still, resisting the urge to jerk away as the girl below her measured her legs. "Zis vill have to go. I'm sure zere is something less..."

"Gaudy?" Amber piped in.

"Lovely?" Sofia said.

"Passe', zat can be substituted." The older woman concluded, turning away with an aloof shrug of her narrow shoulders.

"Oh Sofia! That means we get to visit the jewel room!" Amber said excitedly, and Sofia gave her a small smile.

"That will be fun, Amber."

Madame Collette lifted her hands, clapping, and soon another round of girls appeared, this time carrying an array of garments that would go beneath the dress. Corsets, shifts, bloomers, pads, petticoats, covers and slips were all draped in different colors over their arms. As a servant passed Amber helped herself to one of the colorful garters in her arms, and she stretched it between her fingers.

"Oh! How lovely." She said, admiring the black lace and the small gems sewn into the small silk bow.

"Please tell me I don't have to wear all those." Sofia laughed, stepping down as she joined Amber and Madame Collette, who were eyeing the collection.

"What you wear underneath ze dress is just as important as ze gown itself." Madame Collette said patiently.

Sofia picked out an entire set of clean white undergarments accented with purple ribbons, and when they brought in shoes and fans and hats, she thought she was going to go crazy from all the purple. They rang for Baileywick and informed him they'd be stopping by the jewel room before the day was over, but before that they asked that lunch be arranged outside and in the gardens for them.

Sofia thanked Madame Collette, who assured her the dress was top priority and would be done before the week was out.

"She'll have it done before midnight." Amber giggled as they left, her fan fluttering near her chin. "She won't lose a moment of time to make sure it's as up to date as possible."

Sofia shrugged, her hands clasped calmly against her front. She'd finally slipped back into her brown gown, and she was staring down at the skirts, thankful to be away from all the purple. She was sure she'd be having plum colored nightmares for weeks because of it.

"I'm not sure how much she should alter it from the pattern Vivian sent." Sofia said, knowing if she had to that she would put her foot down to keep whatever style her friend wanted.

"Oh, it'll be fine." Amber soothed as they approached the table set up in a gazebo in the sunniest part of the garden for them. "Once we're in Faereston I'm sure the seamstresses there will want to go over it again to make their own alterations."

"I guess that'll be nice." Sofia conceded, sitting and helping herself to the dainty sandwiches and cold lemonade set out. She perked up as she poured Amber a glass as well. "I'm so excited to go and dance. It's been such a long time."

Amber arched a brow at her, letting her fan come to rest in her lap. "We went to Princess Leena's ball just a week ago, Sofia."

Sofia looked up in surprise, nodding after a moment, having forgotten that night. She'd spent the whole evening discussing magic with the Royal Sorceress of Khaldune, forgoing the dancing for talks of potions and wands instead. She'd been so excited to learn something new she'd babbled about the night to Cedric until he'd almost slammed his forehead into a cauldron from exasperation.

"I'd almost forgotten. Time flies." Sofia shrugged with a silly smile, choosing then to stuff a sandwich into her mouth, preventing her from saying anything else.

"Yes, it does." Amber said slowly. "Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I saw you dance."

Sofia paused mid chew, her cheek round with food as she shrugged innocently.

"You always seem to be so busy with all the... 'magic', you've been learning." Amber continued, taking small pauses deliberately as if she were building up to something. Sofia eyed her cautiously, wondering where this little shift in mood had come from. Weren't they just measuring her for a dress and undergarments? Something Amber lived for? Weren't they eating in the sunshine, about to journey to the jewel room to select necklaces for the wedding? Sofia thought Amber would be pleased to spend the day doing what she considered, 'proper Princess activities'.

Amber must have seen her expression, because her fan snapped open and she peered over the top with cat like eyes.

"It is, 'magic', you've been spending all your time doing, isn't it, Sofia?"

Sofia buried her hands in her lap, feeling her fingertips tingle as her unease grew. Of course it was! Sort of. Sofia blushed and swallowed, and that's when Amber let out a victorious giggle, and threw her fan into her lap. Sofia's blush darkened, and she looked around, making sure no one was close enough to hear the two sister's conversation.

"Will you keep it down? You look crazy!" Sofia snapped, and Amber only waved her hand flippantly, the jeweled bangles on her wrist tinkling together from the motion.

"Oh, oh Sofia!" She chuckled. "You should see your face!"

"Merlin's mushrooms.." Sofia growled, and she made to stand, but Amber was reaching over the small table, touching her arm with her fingertips and tapping at her lightly.

"Oh stop. I'm only teasing."

Sofia sat and eyed Amber warily. "How did you find out?"

"Well don't be ridiculous," Amber said, laughter still in her voice, "I've known for a while now. I'm not some prude. I know a hickey when I see one."

"A hickey?" Sofia asked, suddenly tensing.

Amber nodded. "I saw it today. Over your ribs, of all places."

Sofia's hand fell to her side, and the blush was now spreading down her chest as Amber laughed with glee. She felt panic rise in her chest, and she leaned forward, grabbing Amber's free hand, effectively stopping her sister's laughter.

"Amber, you can't tell anyone." She said, her voice so sharp she felt like Cedric was speaking for her. "Should mom and dad find out the consequences could be dire. I can't even begin to fathom-"

"Goodness, Sofia!" Amber said in surprise, pulling her hand away. "Calm down! I won't tell anyone your secrets. Cross my heart, hope my tiara doesn't lose a gem."

Sofia narrowed her eyes. "You tell Hildegard everything."

"Yes, but, Hildegard doesn't live here..."

"Amber." Sofia sighed, and she watched the blonde hold up both hands in surrender.

"Alright, I promise Sofia, I won't tell anyone." She was back to fanning herself, and Sofia allowed her hands to return to her lap, her shoulders drooping in short lived relief as Amber spoke again.

"But."

"But what?"

"You have to tell me who he is!" Amber declared, now leaning forward with an impish smile. "I want all the details! It's Sir Zephon, isn't it?"

Sofia's gaze drifted down. "Oh, no. He's not a knight..."

"A prince than? It isn't Hugo is it?"

Sofia shook her head briskly. "No! Not Hugo."

"Hmm. Not Hugo. Can't be Desmond." She opened her mouth and looked up with sudden concern. "Is it a servant?"

Sofia's lips pressed into a thin line, and she felt her cheeks darken as Amber's excited expression began to shift into subtle disappointment.

"Sofia, who is it?"

Sofia started giggling then, running her finger along the design on the plate where her sandwich rested.

"It's a funny story..."

"Well go on."

"I am in love," She finally said, looking up and summoning all of her resolve, "with Cedric."

The statement seemed to hang in the air, the only noise that passed between them was the buzz from a lone bumblebee as it flitted across the table to get to the pink and purple hydrangea's that circled the back of the gazebo. Sofia's nails were digging into her dress, her finger tips glowing despite her best efforts to keep the magic at bay. Finally Amber set her fan down on the table, and raised her hands to rub her temples.

"Amber?" Sofia said hesitantly, and her sister's hand shot out, her index finger raised primly in the air.

"Shush." She snapped, and then she leveled Sofia with an unamused look. "Cedric? The Sorcerer?"

Sofia nodded, shifting in her seat, feeling two reactions rising in her stomach as Amber continued glaring in silence. On the one hand, she could take a deep breath, and remind Amber not to be so petty, and that love happens with who it happens with. What's important is that she's happy with Cedric.

On the other hand, she was very much ready to put her sister down if she even attempted to shred her Sorcerer. Cedric was wonderful and she wouldn't sit there and listen to her sister spout off nasty things if that's what it boiled down to.

Finally Amber sighed, and she lowered her hands. "Sofia, I just don't understand." Her brow was pinched and she looked like she'd really tried to find reasoning behind Sofia's choice.

"Well," Sofia started, holding up her hands, "I fell in love with him, Amber. He's just.. amazing, and so much more than people think he is."

Amber wrinkled her nose, "But he's so much older Sofia. He knew us when we were children." She suddenly paled. "Oh Maker! How long has this been going on? Did he ever touch-"

Sofia slammed her hands down harder than necessary on the table, pushing herself up so that her shadow fell over Amber and her surprised expression. Sofia could feel the air around them darken, something powerful behind it that seemed threaded to her own magic.

"Never. Not once. I pursued Cedric on my own and he only admitted to his feelings less than a year ago. He would never have... Don't ask that again, Amber." She said, her voice heavy with something else. It felt unnatural, so Sofia pulled back, just the motion of her stepping away from the table seemed to take all the darkness with it. The sun once again shone bright and several butterflies were now flitting lazily around them.

Sofia was about to sulk away, feeling like some villain as she turned on her heel.

"Sofia! Don't go!" Amber said with a hint of fear still in her voice, rushing after her after elegantly rising to her feet. She caught Sofia's hand and turned her around, the blonde smiling timidly at her brooding sister.

"I had to ask. I'm your sister," She insisted, allowing her fan to dangle on her wrist as her other hand clasped the same hand. "I just want you to be safe, and happy. Well," She shrugged as if it couldn't be helped, "And for you to marry a Prince, but.. Cedric is nice. I guess."

Sofia brought her free hand to join their hold, and she smiled at her sister, "So. You won't tell anyone? And if Cedric is the one I want-"

"I will do my best to be kind." Amber said delicately, giving Sofia's hands a squeeze.

"I'm relieved, because-"

"But this can only be a temporary thing, you know?" Amber said, squashing the happy feeling Sofia had been about to express. "Daddy won't let you marry him. Cedric will be out of a job if anyone finds out."

Sofia paled, feeling her stomach twist anxiously. How many times had she had these very same thoughts, but she'd brushed them aside to remain in her happy daze?

"You think so?" She asked quietly, and Amber nodded.

"I know. No matter how daddy finds out, this won't go over well. Cedric is a buffoon-" Sofia's eyes narrowed but Amber pressed on, "To daddy! Not me. Deep down I always knew you'd end up with someone weir-" Amber stopped again. "Eccentric. Like you."

Sofia took her digs in stride, forcing herself to acknowledge that this is as good as she was probably going to get from Amber.

"Thank you, Amber."

She was pulling away again, and this time Amber let her. They didn't hug or linger after Sofia pointed over her shoulder towards the castle.

"Should we head to the jewel room?" Sofia asked tentatively, desperate to offer up a distraction from their current conversation. She felt true shock as Amber shook her head.

"Why don't you go without me? I forgot I have a previous engagement with the hairdresser this afternoon." She turned to walk away, waving with a friendly smile over her shoulder at Sofia, who seemed rooted to the spot.

Sofia watched her leave, her fingers twisting furiously in her skirt as she fought back the surge of magic that grew along with her anxiety.