Cedric woke up without the help of Sofia.
It was still dark out, but he knew sunrise was not far off. His heart was slamming in his chest almost painfully, causing a tingling sensation down his left arm. His mind was running wild and the shadows in his room distorted and twisted, faces looking back at him and sneering at his plight. His mind was slow to come down from his most recent nightmare, and his limbs failed to respond the way he wished. Roland stood not far away with the twisting shadows and he seemed to be enjoying Cedric's state of panic.
When he was finally able to lift his hand the shadows went still and the pain in his chest was slow to fade It had been a while since his last one of his nightmares, but it had once again changed and he tried to recall what had transpired in it. The dream was muddled now though the sensation of being trapped and suffocated remained the same. He touched his face, pressing his palm over his eyes and then drawing it down his face until he reached his neck where the chain of the amulet had twisted. Slowly he worked it loose and felt the indents left in his skin with a frown before lifting up the pendent to examine it.
Its color was far lighter than he remembered and felt less omniums. For the longest time, he remembered it being an angry magenta color with faint black webs weaving through it. Now it was a strange dark pink with hints of what he thought was blue, and the faint remains of the aforementioned black. He smoothed his thumb over the surface before letting it drop and sitting up, figuring he should get ready for the day. It was then he realized he was to have dinner with Sofia that evening. Swallowing hard he laid back down trying to keep his heart from slamming in his chest once again and even rolled onto his side. When he was sure it was safe to sit back up, he did so and moved to his work desk where his project was sitting, finished polished, and sparkling in the light of the quarter moon. A long beautiful wand with a large pink stone fixed in the center of the flower at the bottom was a large polished pink stone. He was planning to present to Sofia, his first gift in his plan of courting her and now he worried if it was too extravagant. Maybe a pretty bracelet or a necklace would be better or better, yet he should maybe try a flower again… Or a whole bouquet.
He slowly wrapped the wand in a soft piece of fabric and placed it in a slim wooden box that latched. With a sigh he went to prepare his own bath, feeling he might as well get ready for the day since he was already moving about.
Stripping off his night clothes he looked in the mirror and immediately wished he hadn't. Granted he wasn't the thin scrawny person he once was, having had partaken in richer foods and more physical activity since becoming King. He was still no Roland and he sighed as he faced it. The man was taller, brighter, more broadly built and when he put his mind to it could have any royal swooning at his feet with a smile and his charm. Miranda was very lucky the man was the loyal husband type.
Cedric, on the other hand, was still thin-framed, though now with a little more built on his arms and chest when compared to the nothing he once was. But to add on to the scrutiny of his own physical character, he realized he had gained some padding on his stomach. Not much but enough for him to recognize he put on more weight than he should have. He scowled at this as he stood straight and sucked in the little bit of fat to see how it would look if he just held it in and found it would be tiring to try. Then and there he decided he would cut out the sweets for a time, wanting to correct this quickly before he would have to have his whole wardrobe retailored or replaced. Then there were his 'marks of magik'. Not just the ones on his hands that he kept covered with his fingerless gloves but the ones on his body. Most were simple, air at his collar bone, a mark of virility at his hip (as opposed to the mark of fertility the sorceresses bore). What was not so simple were the twisting patters of a more sinister nature. Different symbols twisted to enhance or combine magic together even if they shouldn't… Dark magic.
Overall when comparing himself to Roland, he still saw a long-faced, dwiry, sad, bean pole. Even with the facial hair, he had been sporting for some time now and he had to agree with Sofia at this point… It made him look even older.
Shaking his head and banishing all thoughts of Roland he turned to the tub. It didn't take long for him to fill his own tub and pour in the soothing oils, maybe a little extra in a weak attempt to be sure the smell lingered longer when he was done. Pausing he looked at the bottle in his hand and chewed his lip before up turning it and emptying the rest of the oil into the water without a second thought, set it aside and climbed in. Already light was beginning to peek over the horizon and filter through the windows and he sighed as he relaxed in the water before he began to scrub at his skin and hair.
When he was finished, he climbed out and wrapped the towel he used to dry himself with around his waist before reentering his room and making his way to the wardrobe. He was halfway through with pulling a maroon-colored outfit out when the door opened, and Sofia walked right in with her nose buried in some paperwork muttering. It was the sound of Cedric clearing his throat that got her attention and she looked up. Her blue eyes widening as she processed what she was looking at. Cedric standing in nothing but a towel with clean cloths in his hand and a blank stare as he waited for her to react.
Sofia was quick to raise her papers to block him from her view and apologize for walking right in. There was nothing for her to apologize for considering he was usually asleep at this time and that was what she was expecting. He finished picking out his outfit without much thought and persuaded to drop his towel so he could dress. He wasn't very shy about women seeing him in the buff, considering his dalliances and one night stands over the years… He then wondered how he hasn't fathered a child in that time.
Sofia was quick to excuse herself when she heard the damp towel hit the floor and left without lowering her papers. Cedric couldn't help the smirk on his face as he dressed himself, which quickly vanished when he tied his pants and found them a little snugger around the middle. He was reminded of the weight he gained, and he groaned a bit.
Cedric exited the room when he was fully dressed, and Sofia greeted him with a quick bow and a red face. He gave her a mischievous smile which she looked away from to lead him to the dining hall for breakfast. Once seated she began her usual thing. Explain what was scheduled, what papers needed reading or signing if there were any appearances needed and so on.
"Sofia… Is Royal Prep still standing?" He suddenly asked and Sofia looked a little shocked but answered.
"Um… It has been closed for years now but I believe the building still stands yes… Why?" She looked a little unsure and Cedric gestured to the chair to his right, an invitation for her to sit.
"It has crossed my mind that the repairs for the local schoolhouse are just piling up and there seem to be more and more children in the village these days… What would you say to reopening the former school for Royalty to be a place of high education for both common and noble… Course there will be separate classes for certain things but also give them a chance to expand their interests…? Maybe even magic for those who seem more magically inclined?" Sofia looked at him shocked and he looked down at his breakfast while clearing his throat. "It is an idea I have had for a time… Originally I wanted to open a magic school in my name, but I suppose with the reopening of some borders…" He fell silent and shrugged and continued to look at his food which he poked at with a fork. What startled him was Sofia's hand resting and his and he looked up at her smiling face. She beamed at him and he couldn't help but feel he did well.
"That is an excellent idea… Maybe your parents could teach too… I am sorry I do love them dearly, but they need to get out of the castle for a bit." She said and Cedric agreed with a snorting laugh.
"Mother would be an excellent potions teacher and Father with charms…" He agreed, reveling in the fact Sofia had yet to remove her hand from his.
Amber was already awake and enjoying some tea when Zadar came in, back straight and all business with the news that the petition to negotiate open trade and boarders had just gone out. All that was left to do was wait for a response and Amber nodded looking solemn. Seeing this Zandar was quick to kneel beside her and take her hand in comfort.
"I do not know the words to say to sooth your fears but know that my Kingdom is also your now… If you still wish to accept my proposal that is for, I do not wish to force into anything out of some sense of duty." He said and Amber smiled him before bending over to kiss his forehead.
"You are not forcing me into anything Zandar… I do love you and I wish to be your wife." She then sat up straight and sighed. "But that doesn't stop the worry for my family and my people."
It didn't take long to bring an architect up from the village and have a meeting with Cedric about any repairs and expansions that may need to be done to the old school. Plans were drawn out and upon negotiating the pricing Cedric was more than happy to pay half then and there and the rest when the work was done. The meeting too the rest of the day, forcing Cedric to have to do sign paperwork for other things at the same time.
From what Sofia had seen it was going to be better than it had been before! Not to mention that the magic aspect of the school may just rival other magic schools! Especially Hexly Hall! Cedric was excited to have this project and he was beaming at Sofia and showing her the blueprints mapping out his plans. He was like a kid with a new toy and she was loving it as she watched him.
When a servant finally came to announce that dinner was ready Cedric stood and rolled the plans up and handed them to the architect with a nod and plans to meet again in two days for any final touches. He offered Sofia his arm and that is when she remembered that she had a private dinner with Cedric. She slowly took his arm and he led the way, not to the dining hall like she expected but to his chambers were she found that the servants had set up a moderately sized table draped with white linen and laden with a simple meal big enough for two people.
She looked around in confusion and Cedric laughed a little as he led her to the chair meant for her.
"Did you expect me to banish my parents to their room like unwanted children?" He asked and Sofia couldn't help but smile.
"Honestly I don't know what I expected…" She said sitting down and Cedric moved around to take his seat. Looking around Sofia was surprised that a maid had come to pour her some tea and she looked at Cedric a little surprised and he shrugged.
"Our first dinner together I thought it was wiser to ensure we don't… Put ourselves in a position we would regret." He said holding his china cup out to the maid and Sofia couldn't help the smirk that crossed her face and he looked at her confused. "What?"
"Since when did you concern yourself with 'compromising positions'?"