Black Roses: Rebirth, new beginnings OR the death of feelings

Ivory Roses: charm, thoughtfulness and gracefulness, richness and perfection.

Lavender Roses: enchantment and love at first sight. (Darker shades mean fascination and adoration)

(Playlist)

The Most Beautiful Waltz Music – MusicOnCloud9

Dark Waltz – Hayley Westenra

The guests arrived in droves and Sofia stood by greeting them while servants guided them to the ballroom.

It was an understatement to say that she was nervous as she watched the masses come and having worst-case senecios playing through her head was not helping her as she fought to keep the smile on her face. It was when her mother arrived with Mrs. Hanshaw and to Sofia's utter shock, Ruby.

She knew it was Ruby, the dark-skinned beauty dressed in red shared enough of a resemblance to her mother that it wasn't hard to figure out who she was. She and Ruby stared at each other for a moment before Ruby made the first move, pulling Sofia into a tight hug without a word. Sofia returned the hug happily but was quick to pull away and clear her throat, knowing she needed to continue greeting the others, but a silent agreement passed between the two of them that they would speak when able.

The guests were already dancing when Sofia entered, everyone, smiling and spinning around with the music as they waited for the arrival of the King and his family. Sofia felt nervous and sick as she stood by and watched the guests dance past, many becoming faceless as time slipped by. It was when she felt a hand touch her shoulder that she really focused back on the present and looked to see her mother standing beside her. Blinking she looked around to see Ruby was busy dancing with a brother of one of the noble girls who had come.

"What are you doing here?" Sofia asked without looking at her mother and crossed her arms as she watched her childhood friend twirl around the dance floor. "Actually, a better question is why is Ruby here?"

"It would be better if we all talked together… Just so we can clear some things up." Miranda said quietly, looking out to the dancers while remaining relaxed.

"We have nothing to clear up." Sofia said turning to look toward the doors as they opened. The band ceased their playing and all the guests stopped their conversations and cleared the dance floor to watch as Goodwin and his wife entered followed by Cordilia and Calista.

"Yes, we do… I told Amber, Lucinda, and Ruby what you said, and Ruby is here to hear it for herself from your mouth." Miranda said clapping with the guests when needed.

"Is that the only reason she is here? You could have just sent a letter." Sofia pointed out and her mother sighed.

"Fine… Yes, there is more but it isn't my place to reveal what they plan to do tonight…" Miranda said firmly.

"But you help them. Don't think I haven't noticed that she is wearing your dress." Sofia said firmly and quietly and looked at her mother who couldn't meet her gaze. Sofia shook her head and looked back toward the door to see Cedric entering last and as custom, he greeted guests who curtsied or bowed to him. Two female guests had moved hastily into his path and curtsied so low that Sofia wondered if they had somehow managed to dislocate their hips. Cedric didn't smile at them as he bowed slightly and quickly moved around them to stand with his family.

The band started up once more and slowly guests began to return to dancing. It took some time before Cedric joined in. Taking up one dance partner after another and if once caught his fancy he stayed a little longer with that one than others. Sofia observed a pattern though and it confused her. He would talk, ask questions, and laugh with the girls he seemed interested in, all good signs, until he took their hands and held them. It was like all interest died in that moment and he would move on to the next women in wait.

One such was Ruby herself; Sofia watched as her childhood friend dance and flirt; her behavior reminded Sofia faintly of Amber. The way she stood, moved, and held her head where all the behavior of a well-trained princess. But like the others Cedric took her hand, only to frown and ask for her something. Ruby smiled sweetly and she removed her glove, Sofia now realizing Cedric asked for her to take it off as he took her hand once more. He released her after some time, bowed, and excused himself, leaving her alone like many of the others. The look on Ruby's face at being abandoned like that was priceless and Sofia couldn't deny there was a slight pleased feeling in her chest every time he turned a potential partner away.

She made a note to ask him what the hand-holding was all about.

Cedric was taking a break from interacting with the guests, sitting with his family and sipping on some wine as he talked. She had warned his family not to let him drink more than two, not wanting him to put himself in a position where he breaks down in front of everyone.

In the hallway was where she found Ruby and her mother and for a moment there was a tension between the two young women, until they wrapped their arms around each other and hugged each other tightly. When they drew apart they held each other's hands as the questions where thrown at one another.

"Sofia, was what you had done to James really because he would have gotten himself killed otherwise?"

"Yes… He was trying to gain access to Cedric private quarters and had taken my key… So, I attacked." Sofia answered truthfully and Ruby nodded and frowned.

"I will need to reprimand him when I see him," Ruby said with a slight smile.

"Why are you here? This is a Ball for those interested in being a potential candidate for Queen…" Sofia asked and Ruby sighed squeezing her childhood friend's hands tightly.

"It was a plan devised by me Amber, and Lucinda with your mother's help… I was to try and gain favor so I could get close and get in a position to put a dagger between his ribs… It was a failure Sofia don't look so put out." Ruby said watching Sofia's reaction. "It seemed to go well but for some reason, he did a complete turnaround and lost interest in me." She shrugged her shoulders and frowned.

Sofia was still frowning but didn't insist on details since their plan had failed, but it did bring her thoughts back to him inspecting the guest's hands and holding them.

"What was that hand thing he did? You know when he had you take your glove off?"

Ruby frowned at her and pulled her hands out of Sofia's to take her glove off and held up her hand. Her perfectly normally, though work-roughened, a little dry and a few small scars, hand.

"I honestly don't know… He just held my hand, looked me in the eye and it was like all interest in me was gone…" She shrugged and pulled her glove back on. "Well, I best be off… No need to stay if I no longer have a chance to get close to him… It truly is wonderful to see you again Sofia, and it lightens my heart to know you are still with us… To an extent, it seems but still… What is it you are trying to do?"

Sofia inhaled and exhaled slowly as she looked at the door and then to Ruby.

"Ruby… I will tell you, but I do not expect you to understand…" She watched her face for a moment before continuing. "I believe I can get him to step down… He had improved greatly though he does have his moments, but I can see it… I can get him to let go of the throne."

"Sofia if anyone can do it, I feel you can… But you do know they won't just let him walk away if he does… And how do you expect to get him to give it all up?"

Sofia remained silent as a small group of angry faced girls walked passed them to leave the castle. All of them obviously rejected and unhappy by that fact. When they were gone, and Sofia was sure they were alone and smiled at Ruby and folded her hands in front of her in a proper manner.

"I never expected them to follow along with my plan or be willing to let go of their anger toward him… I just wish then to let me figure this out so that there won't be any more bloodshed than needed." She turned away from Ruby and looked at the doors with a sigh. "As for how I will get him to let it go… By giving him what he needs."

"When did you become so cryptic Sofia?" Ruby laughed and Sofia did as well.

"I'm a sorceress Ruby… It comes with the job I guess."

Hours slid by and when the last of the guests finally left Sofia searched for Cedric to make sure he found his way to bed safely.

She found him sitting in the rotunda, lounging in a chair and looking at the stars. His crown was set aside, and his neatly combed hair was now a mess from having him run his fingers through it a few times. His cup was also set aside still full of wine and Sofia wondered how many cups he had consumed at this point when he looked at her she saw his eyes were half-lidded and there was a slight flush so she could only assume he was close to his limit as she sat beside him.

"How do you feel my Lord?" She asked and he shrugged as he looked to the rose bushes that still displayed the ivory and lavender roses from the tea party. Cedric had never turned the lavender back to their previous black and it still created such a soft and comforting sight.

"I made a lot of women anger." Cedric suddenly said and Sofia couldn't help but laugh a bit as he snorted at her.

"They will get over it… You otherwise seemed to enjoy yourself greatly tonight… Have you made your choices?"

"NO… nono nooo No I have not… None felt… None felt right." He said looking to his hand as he walked his fingers across the table. " I am sure they are all fine ladies but… I… Um."

Cedric fell silent and his head tilted back as he tried to think clearly through the drunken haze floating in his head. He only opened his eyes when he heard his cup being picked up and looked at Sofia, seeing her look at it and then take a slow sip. He gasped loudly and nearly tipped out of his seat.

"SOFIA!" He shouted as if what he was witnessing was something that should never be seen and she just shrugged.

"What? I do drink wine on occasion, my lord… I just don't marinade myself in it as you do." She said and took a second sip before setting it aside.

"That… That hurts Sofia… Words hurt." He whined reaching for his cup only for her to move it further from his reach.

"Even so my Lord it is getting late and your parents are already in bed… It is time for you to turn in as well." She said standing, picking up the crown and waited for him to stand.

"I'm not tired… I can keep going I swear!"

Cedric stood from his seat and Sofia placed the crown on his head. When she drew her hands back, he grabbed them and held them in his hands. Just held them, smoothing his thumbs against the backs of her hands and blinking at her as she blinked back. He swayed slightly and his grip tightened, not in aggression but to regain some balance to stop his swaying and he loosened his grip when he was stable.

"I wish to keep dancing but all the guests have left… Dance with me?"