It was late when Sofia got Cedric to bed and, in the morning, she found him lying in the bed propped against the plush pillows just as she had left him. But instead of asleep he was wide awake holding the amulet in his hands and smoothing his fingertips over the surface of the gem. She gestured for the maid standing behind her to bring in his breakfast and Cedric looked up at them and then back down at his comforter in silence.

"My Lord… I have taken the liberty of canceling all your responsibility's for today… I believe it to be wiser for you to rest for now…" She said as the maid placed the tray laden with his breakfast across his legs and he blinked at it as if he was realizing what was happening. Slowly he released the amulet and it hung heavily around his neck as he reached for the goblet in silence and sipped the juice quietly. Sofia was uncomfortable with his half-lidded stare and quietness as she watched him.

"Um… Acceptance letters have already begun pouring in… We will be having the Ball on schedule and-"

"Sofia you may leave…"

She fell silent, looking at Cedric in surprise and questioned if he really spoke.

"What?"

The irritation that crossed his face was familiar, still not liking when he has to repeat himself.

"I said… You may leave… Take the day off. I won't be needing you if I am to stay in bed." His tone taking on an edge as he began picking at the breakfast in front of him.

"Thank you, My King… BUT I do not think it will be wise… After what happened last night, I feel you will need to be monitored ju-" She fell silent when she saw the anger in his eyes as he finally looked at her dead on. He didn't like anyone arguing with his choices and this was one he didn't want to be argued with.

"Would you like me to get you anything before I take my leave?" Sofia asked and he just shook his head as he looked back at his drink, content that he was getting his way. "I will leave Wormwood to keep you company then… If you need anything, he will get me for you…"

When Cedric said nothing Sofia finally left and once the door closed, she sighed in relief before kicking her heels off and collecting them in her hand before walking back to 'her' tower.

She entered the room and looked at Wormwood who had been sleeping until she opened the door, waking him with the sound.

"Hey, Wormy…" She cooed at him and he fluffed up, giving her a glare that was full of suspicion. "I need you to do something for meeee."

He cawed at her, a sound that confirmed his suspicions of her wanting something. She smiled and went to him on his perch and rubbed his neck with a finger. He made some grumbling noises as she did this.

"I need you to stay with Cedric today… He won't disturb you I promise, just sit in the window and make sure he is okay, and if something happens you come find me…" When she saw him glaring at her again, she sighed and thought before smiling. "OK… How about, you do this, and I will make sure you get a nice big bowl of fresh frog legs… Does that sound good?"

He grumbled at her and then in a flurry of feathers he was gone, flying out an open window and disappearing from sight. Sofia smiled as she went about cleaning up and changing her clothes, happy for a day to be out of the uniform. She left her tower room humming to herself in a simple brown dress, with a thick belt holding a pouch of gold coins and a basket hanging from her arm. She was planning to go into town to visit her mother and pick up a few things she needed to stock for her potions. Thinking of her potions and realizing how often she was making things instead of weaving magic and wonder if she should refocus her efforts a bit to ensure her personal spell book reflected her research and skills more accurately. She thought about the spell she tried to create years ago and wondered where it went, not having seen her notes in so long but didn't really care at this point since it never really worked for her.

When she reached the stables, she brought out a beautiful winged dapple mare and saddled her for the ride to the village. It had been so long since she flew, and her heart pounded at the thought of feeling the wind once again. Once settled she urged the mare to take flight, never noticing the Magi King as he watched from his window with Wormwood perched on the windowsill.

She loved the feel of the wind in her hair and she laughed and smiled as the mare flew higher and higher before Sofia steered her toward the village. It wasn't much of a flight but the feel of being in the air was still wonderful and when she touched down, she was greeted by citizens happily. Everything was so different compared to when she first returned. Businesses reopened and people were walking about every which way she looked, working, shopping, or visiting. With a steady flow of business coming from the allied Kingdoms most everyone was now managing a comfortable life, not rich but comfortable. Even her mothers shoe shop looked to have more business now, seeing a large cart in front of it. Looking to the crates Sofia noted that it must have been a salesman from one of the Kingdoms and was picking up some shoe orders. He greeted her happily as he finished loading two boxes into the back of his cart and hoisted himself into the driver's seat. She watched the salesman leave before entering and smiled when she saw her mother hard at work on a new pair of boots.

"I will be with you in a moment!" Miranda said a little loudly before looking up to actually see who had entered. Her hands stilled, small hammer mid-swing as she took in Sofia's smiling face.

"S… Sofia… What are you doing here?"

Sofia frowned, not expecting such a stunned response but brushed it away as she placed her basket on the counter. She made her way around the counter, going to her mother and hugging her tightly.

"The King has given me the day off and I wanted to get some personal shopping done and to see my mother!" She said happily as she pulled away to look at her mother's face. Her mother looked so relieved to see her after so long, happy she was healthy and unharmed, but there was something that Sofia couldn't place. Worry, uncertainty, fear?

"Mother, are you alright?" Sofia asked and Miranda placed her hands on her shoulders as she studied Sofia. After a moment she smiled and sighed.

"Yes, I will be fine… I'm just happy you're okay." She then hugged Sofia tightly.

When they separated, they talked for a long time about the time they had gone without seeing each other, Sofia talking about all the good she has been able to do with her job at the castle as her mother worked. Sofia just did small things like making fancy buckles with magic or rearranging the display for her mother in the window as she listened to her mother talk about how her business had been booming since trade routes had been re-established.

Around midday Miranda offered Sofia some lunch and Sofia happily ate with her mother who became very solemn halfway through. This confused Sofia but it was cleared up when her mother asked a single question.

"Did you really attack James with magic?"

The air became thick and Sofia placed her fork down as she stared at her mother who had her eyes fixed on her own plate. With a sigh Sofia stood and thanked her Mother for the meal and made to leave.

"SOFIA! I need to know! Did you attack him?!"

"And what did he tell you?... Did he tell you he was trying to break into the Ki… Into Cedric's chambers? Did he tell you that if I DIDN'T do my job and allow him to continue with his misguided plan, he wouldn't have left the castle alive?" She fixed her Mother with a glare and Miranda fell silent. "Yes… I attacked him. I attacked him and sent him away and I would do it again because he is nothing but an angry fool that will get himself killed! I attacked him and LET him leave."

When she was done with her rant Miranda just remained silent, watching as Sofia pulled a piece of parchment from her basket and placed it on the counter angrily.

"Here is an order for two pairs of shoes… If you don't have the right colors for them don't worry, I can deal with the color when I pick them up in four days' time… There is no need for you to bring them to the castle."

Sofia turned and marched out the door hearing her mother call her name but didn't look back.