(A/N: NerdsinaTree, I'm curious about your guesses in regards to the Lover's Path being open. Especially since you say you have three.

Allyrwhitney, if you remember, when Sofia found out about the party, she said she was getting the feeling she wouldn't be able to talk Winnifred out of it. To which Winnifred says that Sofia wouldn't and that her family had likely received their invitation a few days prior. So yes, Sofia knows her family is coming.

Luiz4200, I'm gonna leave that up to your imagination. Back in the day, it was very rare for a title to be able to be passed to a daughter even if she was the eldest. But said daughter could marry a titled man. And although I never did write that into the story like I once thought to do, that's exactly what Cordelia did. She married a lord. But as indicated by Winnifred, Cordelia's husband did pass away shortly after Calista was born.

I own nothing!)

Amber very nearly jumped out of the carriage when it came to a halt. Finally, after a few days of traveling, she and the rest of the family were at Hexley Hall. Much to her disappointment though, Sofia was not waiting to greet the family. Amber had silently been hoping to see her sister right away.

Instead, Winnifred stood waiting for them, smiling as the family exited the carriage.

"Welcome," Winnifred greeted. "I hope you had good travels."

Roland stepped forward. "Lady Hexley," he bowed. "You look well. This is the rest of the family, my wife Miranda and our oldest children Amber and James."

The family bowed/curtsied to their hostess.

"It is wonderful to meet the rest of you," Winnifred said. "Sofia has wonderful things to say about all of you."

"Where is she, My Lady?" Amber asked. "I thought she'd be here to greet us."

Winnifred smiled. "You'll see her in a few hours when the ball starts."

Amber didn't even attempt to resist disdainfully pouting when she heard that.

"More suspense?"

James elbowed his twin. Amber glared at him. Winnifred simply laughed.

"It'll be worth it," Winnifred said. "I think you'll be very pleased with what you see tonight. Come in. You've been traveling for some time. Relax for a bit."

The Cyning family followed their hostess inside.

Meanwhile, Cedric was in Goodwyn's study with him. The two were looking over some business paperwork.

"They look good," Goodwyn said. "You did well with them."

Cedric beamed at the praise. Just a few weeks ago, this wouldn't have happened. But now things were changing. And Cedric still had one person to thank for that.

A knock on the study door interrupted the two. Goodwyn beckoned the person to come in. A servant stepped in.

"Pardon me, a message for Lord Sebara."

Cedric took the message from the servant's outstretched hand. Quickly, he opened it up and read it. A small smile formed on his lips.

"Is that about what I think it is?" Goodwyn asked.

Cedric nodded. "Good news. The project is proceeding ahead of schedule."

Goodwyn nodded. "That is good news indeed. It's a wonderful thing that you're doing."

Cedric sat down.

"I do wonder why you're doing this."

"It's long overdue," Cedric answered.

"Is that the only reason?" Goodwyn raised an eyebrow. "Seems like something that a certain young lady would greatly appreciate."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Really? Then why are you blushing?"

"I am not blushing."

Even as he said those words, Cedric could feel his cheeks getting a little warm.

"Sure you are. Maybe not a lot, but you are."

Cedric rolled his eyes but didn't argue. There was more truth in his father's words than he was going to admit to.

"So when are you going to give her this gift?"

Cedric looked at his father, annoyed. "I still have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, I get it. You'd rather not discuss your love life with me."

"I have no love life to speak of." Cedric could feel his cheeks getting hotter and hotter.

"Who are you trying to convince, me or you?" Goodwyn grinned at his son. "It's no secret you like Miss Sofia. Everyone here can see the way you look at her and the way you treat her."

Cedric sighed. There would be no fooling his father, it seemed.

"I'd give her the whole world, if I could. But she doesn't want it. What else is there to do except to not force her?"

"Now there's a sign of a great man."

Cedric looked at his father in surprise. Had he heard correctly? Had Goodwyn really referred to him as a great man? Somedays, Cedric still thought this new reality was a dream. And sometimes, he needed to pinch himself to prove it was real.

"You look shocked, Son."

"You've never referred to me as a great man. It is shocking."

Goodwyn nodded slowly. "Another one of my failures, I suppose. Miss Sofia told me that if I had truly paid attention to you, I would have been proud of what I saw. She was right."

Cedric didn't respond. He hadn't heard everything that Sofia had said in that explosive conversation but he knew enough to know that it had affected his father greatly.

"Miss Sofia is a lovely young lady," Goodwyn continued. "And it's not hard to see how you feel about her. But that you're choosing to respect her wishes tells me a lot. And I am proud of you for choosing to respect her."

Cedric smiled. "Thank you, Father."

Goodwyn smiled back. "You're welcome. Now, I do believe it is almost time for you to get ready for the party. You are escorting the guest of honor there after all. You don't want to be late for that."

Cedric nodded and left the study. Goodwyn smiled as he watched his son leave.

oOo

Earlier that day

"Good morning, My Dear. Happy birthday."

Sofia stirred and woke up when she heard Winnifred's voice. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up.

"Fifi!"

Sofia smiled at the sound of little Calista's voice. The young child and her mother had arrived the previous night, shortly after Cedric and Sofia had returned from the gardens. Sofia had to admit that she was excited to see the toddler again. And unsurprising to the young lady, Calista was tightly holding the blanket given to her several weeks prior.

"Hello there, Calista," Sofia cooed.

Calista giggled sweetly and wrapped her arms around Sofia's legs. Sofia hugged the child back. For whatever reason, Calista had taken to Sofia. Perhaps she associated the young lady with her favorite blanket. In any case, it was evident the young child adored Sofia.

"Good morning, Winnifred," Sofia finally responded.

Winnifred motioned to a bouquet of flowers sitting on the bedside table.

"These arrived for you this morning," Winnifred said.

Sofia picked up the bouquet and looked it over. It was a dozen red roses with sprigs of other flora and fauna that she didn't actually know the name for. Sofia inhaled the sweet scent and smiled.

"It's beautiful," she said. "Did you do this?"

Winnifred shook her head. "No. They were just delivered by the florist."

Sofia nodded and took a closer look at the roses. As she did, she noticed a card nestled within the bouquet. She opened it up and instantly smiled.

To the most beautiful lady I've ever known. Happy birthday.

Humbly, your faithful scoundrel

Sofia read the short and simple but sweet note over and over.

"I take it you know who sent this?" Winnifred asked.

"I do. And something tells me that you know too."

Winnifred chuckled. "Perhaps."

Sofia smiled. "You know. You're too observant not to know."

"And you have a big day ahead of you."

"Red!"

Calista reached for the roses but Sofia quickly caught the child's hand.

"No, no Calista," Sofia said softly. "Play with your red blanket."

Calista looked at the blanket and grinned as if realizing she still had it. Entertained by the blanket, the child forgot about the roses. Sofia set them back down.

"Are you ready for your exercise?" Winnifred asked.

"Wait, what? In my nightgown? You've always waited until I've gotten dressed to do anything."

"True. But what good is it if you only say nice things about yourself when you're looking your best? You need to love yourself even when you look disheveled."

Sofia nodded. She knew her hostess well enough to know that she was not getting out of this. So, Sofia stood up and went to the mirror. She was about to say something when a small body colliding with her legs startled her. Sofia smiled down at Calista and lifted the young girl into her arms. Calista giggled and wrapped her arms around Sofia.

"What I like about myself, is that I have some amazing friends in my life. Friends who have been around for a long time and new friends too. Friends who refuse to give up on me even when I have."

Winnifred smiled. "Well, I must say, you sound more genuine than you normally do during this exercise."

Sofia gave a small, soft smile. "I do mean that."

I might have died a long time without some of them.

Winnifred nodded. "I can see that."

"And I get to see one of them very soon," Sofia smiled brightly. "I've been missing Amber quite a bit. The whole family, really but I've especially missed my sister."

"Well I hope you can remain a little patient a little bit longer," Winnifred said, a sly look on her face. "You won't be seeing them until the ball."

Sofia looked alarmed. "Wait, what? They're supposed to arrive some three or so hours before the ball starts right? There will be time to see them beforehand."

Winnifred smiled. "And it's going to take you a while to get ready and they may need a short rest after traveling for three days. Besides, you're not the same person today as you were two months ago when you arrived here. Day by day, you're remembering the strength that you have and regaining your confidence. Your family can patiently wait a few hours to see the new you."

"Suspense?" Sofia questioned. "You're adding an unnecessary amount of suspense to this?"

"It'll be worth it. You'll see."

Sofia sighed. "I'd argue, but if it ends like any other time I've disagreed with you, I'd lose."

Winnifred chuckled. "I'm glad you're finally getting the idea."