Present Day - 2047
Sofia was busy writing in her journal, when she felt strong arms wrap around her shoulders from behind and then she felt the warm and minty breath of her husband in her hair as he looked over her shoulder and saw what she was writing.
"Hugo! I can't work when you are leaning over my shoulder." Sofia said as the older man chuckled and then turned Sofia around and gave her a passionate kiss.
Lord Hugo Vincere was now a man in his early 40's and still as handsome as ever, with his jet black hair and dark brown eyes and instead of his royal attire, he was wearing a more casual look of cameo pants and a hoodie that said Navy in dark blue, which was given to him by his father after he enlisted in the Army at 18 after graduating school.
It was about 7 years later that they ran into each other again at a school gathering, it starting with hanging out, then they started to date for a few months, before Hugo proposed and Sofia happily accepted and they were married after finding out that Sofia was pregnant and then they welcomed Madeline Miranda into the world, along with their son Ethan Michael a year later tragically his twin sister Clara Melissa died before they were born and so they planted sunflowers in remembrance of the child that they lost and then they welcomed, their 3rd, 4th and 5th child down the road a few years later, Roland Cedric, James Hugo and Aiden Winston.
When they watched their child grow they notice that Ethan loved sports and was a natural at them, so they enrolled him in a boarding school that was for sports protégés and Aiden who was the youngest of their children was tested and it was found that he was a genius and so they put him in a gifted school that challenged him in his studies and so far all of their children were happy and thriving well.
"You are impossible." Sofia said as she returned the kiss.
"Yes, I am but you love me anyway." Hugo said, making Sofia laugh.
"Do you remember the "Ladies and Lords Test" Sofia smiled, when Hugo groaned good naturedly, before returning the smile to his beloved wife.
"Yes, I do and that was also the day, I realized that I had feelings for you." Hugo said, as Sofia snuggled into him.
The Lord and Lady Test - 4/8/13
The Lady and Lord of Royal Prep were gathered in the ballroom. They were all chatting and muttering wondering why they were all in the ballroom together without any explanation.
"What kind of dance do you think we'll learn today, Amber?" Sofia inquired.
"Oh, more ballet, I hope." Amber started dancing. "Chaînés, chaînés, chaînés... Jeté!" Amber spun around, almost losing her balance, only to be caught by James, who was trying to not laugh at his sister's clumsiness.
"I meant to do that." She bluffed as she quickly straightened herself, ignoring the snickering of her twin.
"What is the hold up we have flying practice to get too." Hugo muttered feeling slightly miffed as he stood there, arms crossed and tapping his foot impatiently.
Suddenly, Principal Milty, Ms. Flora, Ms. Fauna and Ms. Merryweater all came into the room one by one.
"Children, may I have your attention, please?" Flora announced as the man came to stand in front of the young Lords and Ladies in training.
"Children, I have a very important announcement to make, so please pay attention." Milty ordered as the children all went quiet as they waited for him to say what was so important.
"Good, now I want to let you all know that today any after school activities have been canceled for today."
All the students started to groan or protest, until Merryweather shouted "SILENCE!" making the children stop.
"Thank you Ms. Merryweather, now as I was saying all your after school activities have been canceled, because we have a very important test coming up this afternoon."
At first all the students groaned again, but then Milty gave them a smile and said "The Lords and Ladies Test."
This caused all of the class to gasp and mutter excitedly as the principal stepped away and Ms. Fauna continued.
"What's a Lady and Lord test?" Sofia asked Amber.
"The Lady and Lord Test is your chance to show us everything you've learned about being a true Lady and Gentleman." Ms. Fauna said.
"Everything?" Jun gasped. "But we've learned so much!"
Jin nodded in agreement and said "Yeah we learn how to pull chairs out for Ladies and to politely ask them to dance and so much more."
"But we are only in April! We can't possibly remember everything that we have been taught!" Hugo protested the loudest.
"Can you at least give us a hint about what's on the test?" Lena asked.
I'm sorry, but that's all we can tell you." Fauna admitted.
"Except that it will take place right after school in the ballroom." Flora added.
"Right." Fauna nodded. "But that's it."
"But you all will be paired up by us right now, so that way you know who are going to be with this afternoon in the ballroom." Merryweather said as she pulled out a list.
"Jin and Jun"
"James and Lena"
"Desmond and Amber"
"Zander and Clio"
"Hugo and Sofia"
Hugo and Sofia mouths open in shock as they here their names be paired up as the rest of the students get paired up.
After the last pair was announced, Ms. Flora came and said "Now that everyone is paired up, you have the rest of the school day to study." Flora told the class.
"Good luck, everyone!" Fauna declared as the four adults left the room.
"I hope Ms. Higgins can partake?" Flora said in a whisper as they left the room.
"She will, I will tell her about it, while you three come up with a plan." Milty said as he left to go find the librarian.
"I have a plan, come on your two." Fauna said as they all went to her office to discuss the plan in more detail.
"Just great we have Test that we aren't even prepared for and to make matters worse, I am paired with the pheasant girl!" Hugo muttered to himself annoyed with this whole situation.
"Today is Dad's birthday, we had planned a surprise for him, which was a day of rest and relaxation, as he is still stressed that Maddie won't be home from the Hospital for awhile and the faster we do this test the sooner we can leave and try to salvage what is left of Dad's birthday." James said to both Amber and Sofia, who was still in shock about being paired with the most arrogant boy in Royal Prep.
"If we're going to be tested on everything we've learned, maybe we should go to the library and study." Hugo suggested as he was standing behind Sofia who jumped a little, but nodded when she heard what he had said.
"Good idea." Sofia said as everyone followed them to the library hall.
Sofia smiled when she saw her older sister and her friends not following after them. "Are you coming Amber? Hildegard?"
"Amber and I already know everything about being a Lady." Hildegarde boasted.
"But we should go with her," Amber declared. "In case Sofia has any questions."
"Which She will." Hildegard. "So let's go."
The students arrived at Royal Prep's library.
"Where do we start?" Jin asked, taking in the vast amount of books.
"Let's ask the librarian, Mrs. Higgins?" Sofia said.
Mrs. Higgins came into view, pulling a trolley full of books. "Hellodilly-odilly-odilly, dear children." She greeted them.
"Hi there, Mrs. Higgins." Sofia giggled. "Can you help us with something?"
"Why, surely." Mrs. Higgins smiled kindly as she sorted through the piles of books.
"We have an important test today, and we all need to do well." Sofia declared. "Do you have any books about being a good lady or lord?"
"Oh yes, I have a whole wall of them." Mrs. Higgins showed off a large bookcase. "Wow." Sofia, and Jin gasped.
"I hope you can read fast." Hildegarde chuckled.
"These two are my favorites." Mrs. Higgins took two books off her trolley and handed them to Sofia.
"Thanks, Mrs. Higgins." Sofia smiled as she took the books
Oh, absotootly-ootely!" Mrs. Higgins smiled, moving her trolley elsewhere. "Good luck on the test, ladies!"
The girls and boys sat down to read the books, unaware that they were being watched by Fauna, Flora and Merryweather in a secret room of the library.
"What is your plan, Fauna?" Flora as they looked through the one way mirror.
"It would seem that Hugo needs to learn some patience, but it just can't be anyone at this school, they already know him, so it will have to be someone who is not apart of this school, any suggestions." Fauna asked as she turned her attention back to the other two women, the principal already left a little while ago after chatting with the librarian about joining in on the plan for the test.
Flora tapped her finger on her chin in thought for a moment, then to she turned to the others with smile. "Girls, I have an idea, do you remember Hannah? She is Miss Higgins granddaughter."
"Isn't she autistic?" Merryweather pointed out concerned as how this would work.
"Yes, she is, but she has high functioning autism, so if we ask them both, and they agree, then we will be fine." Flora said
"Okay, I will get Ms. Higgins and see if she will allow her granddaughter to be a part of this test, this afternoon." Fauna said as she left the room and when to go find the librarian and tell her about the plan.
Meanwhile the students were all studying the many texts of how Lords and Ladies act, dress, dance etc. but poor Sofia was so overwhelmed by it all.
"Oh, do they really expect us to know all these things?" Sofia groaned.
"I mean, 'banquet manners'?" "Learned those when I was three." Amber declared.
"'Tea party conversation topics?" Hugo read baffled
"Ooh, ooh, I know that!" Jun announced. "Weather, the news, your dress, my dress, scone recipes, and that's it!"
"Seriously?" Hugo mutters to James softly, making the other boy just shrug as he flipped through the thick books.
"Okay." Sofia mused. "Then what about 'correct ways to use a handkerchief'?
"Like so." Hildegarde demonstrated with her own. "Dab, dab, dab, and blot."
"Oh, so all of you know everything already." Sofia said nervously.
"Oh, not everything." Amber admitted. "I can only name a hundred and thirty-eight kingdoms."
"But Amber, that's all there are!" Hildegarde declared.
"Huh, maybe I do know everything." Amber smiled. Sofia buried her faces in their books, feeling defeated.
Hugo snorted in disbelief at that, but he was ignored by the girls.
"You'll do fine, Sofia." June consoled her friend.
"But I haven't been lady very long!" Sofia despaired. "There's so much I don't know."
"Oh, it's true." Amber agreed, closing Sofia's book.
"But if you want to pass the test, I'll show you what really matters, come with me."
"Okay." Sofia said as both Hildegard and Amber led them to a smaller ballroom, unaware that some of the boys followed them and were peeking through the doors.
"Oh, take it from me, Sofia." She sighed elegantly as she spins around gracefully.
"This is the most important thing about being a Lady."
"How to... turn around in a circle really slowly?" Sofia shrugged, while Hugo and James along with the others were trying to not laugh at the ridiculousness of it.
"No, your gowns, silly." Amber declared. "Just make sure it looks gorgeous, like mine, and you'll do fine."
"Oh, that's it?" Sofia asked.
"Not quite." Hildegarde proclaimed. She walked over to a dresser, upon which was a wooden box.
"Inside this box is the key to being a great Lady." Hildegarde pulled out a set of fans.
"Fan?" Sofia look at kind of both curious and disappointed when she saw that.
"My great Grandma always said 'proper fan fluttering is the most important part of being a lady."
She declared, passing out the fans, to Sofia, Amber and Lena.
"Now: Hold it firmly, open it gently, and flutter like so." She demonstrated. "Watch and learn, ladies. Watch and learn."
While Hugo and James were mocking them, making the other boys snicker quietly at their antics.
"And don't forget, every Lady has to know how to curtsy." Lena added, throwing in a curtsy as an example.
"And dance." Amber stood up on her toes. "One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three..."
"Gown, fan, curtsy dance." Sofia recited. "Got it!"
"Good, because it's almost time for the test." Hildegarde declared.
"We'd better head over to the ballroom." Lena prompted. "We don't to be late."
"We most certainly do not." Amber agreed. "Come along, ladies."
"I hope I am ready for the test." Sofia worried as they left the building to go to the main ballroom, followed by all the boys who stayed hidden until they were far enough away to come with out being seen.
Sofia were reciting "Gown, fan, curtsy dance."
"Do you really that is all it takes to be a lady?" Hugo said as he walked beside Sofia.
"Yes I-I do." Sofia said overconfidently, but she was starting to doubt herself.
"Lady Amber." Mrs. Higgins called. Her wheelbarrow was lying on the grass, missing a wheel. "Hello, dear. Can you please help me?"
"Oh, I wish I could, Mrs. Higgins." Amber sighed. "But I have an important test is about to start." Amber said as she dragged Desmond with her.
"Oh, I understand, dear." Mrs. Higgins smiled. "Lady June, could you help me, please?"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Higgins." June said hastily. "I want to, but I can't, even though I really want to. So sorry!" Jin just gave her an apologetic smile before running off towards the building.
"Oh, not to worry, dear." Mrs. Higgins waved her off. "Uh, Lady Hildegard? Excuse me, Lady Hildegard?"
Hildegarde walked past without even looking at Mrs. Higgins. "Lady Sofia and Lord Hugo!" Mrs. Higgins called. "Can you help me, dears?"
"What's the matter, Mrs. Higgins?" Sofia asked as Hugo just stood there annoyed.
"Oh, well, thank you for stopping." Mrs. Higgins smiled. "I have to bring these books home, but my wheelbarrow broke, and I can't carry them myself, could you please help me?"
"I am sorry, ma'am, but we have an important test to go too, don't we, Sofia?" Hugo said in his most polite tone.
"Um..." Sofia mumbled.
"I don't live very far." Mrs. Higgins pointed. "Just a wee bit, just a wee bit."
"You can't be serious, as if I am carrying books in the woods and getting all dirty!" Hugo muttered annoyed
"Okay, but excuse me for second I need to talk with my "partner." Sofia said as she grips Hugo by the upper arm and dragged off to the side, after few hand gestures and heated whispers, Sofia came back with a smug look on her face as Hugo looked like he swallowed a lemon.
"I guess we could help you real quick." Sofia finished
"Oh, well that's very kind of you, dears." Mrs. Higgins said as both Hugo and Sofia picked up the books.
"Now you take those, and I'll take these They're a bit heavy." Sofia struggled with the heavy books as Hugo just rolled his eyes at her.
"Sofia, Hugo where are you going the test is this way!" Amber shouted as she notice that Sofia and Hugo were inside and went to look for them.
"To help Mrs. Higgins." Sofia declared. "But what about the test?" Amber asked.
"Mrs. Higgins doesn't live far." Sofia announced. " We will make it back in time."
"Well, you'd better." Amber huffed. "Being late is not a good way to start the test."
"Don't worry." Sofia smiled. "We'll see you soon."
"Come along, dears." Mrs. Higgins declared. "This way."
The librarian and the two students walked off down the path.
"I just love books." Mrs. Higgins announced. "I can't wait to get home and start reading them to my grandchildren.
"In fact, I'm not going to wait." She took a book out of the holder and starting reading.
"'Once upon a time, there was a'..."
Not looking where she was going, she bumped into a tree. "Opps, dizzy!" She backed up into a another tree.
"Woozy-dozy-doozy..." An acorn fell on her head. "Oh, my goodness."
"Are you okay?" Sofia asked as both her and Hugo helped her up off the ground.
"Oh, yes, yes." Mrs. Higgins chuckled. "I'm fine.
As they made to leave, Mrs. Higgins started reading her book again. "Now, where did I leave off? Ahh! yes and they all lived happily ever after."
"What a surprise." Hugo said sarcastically making Sofia glare him a bit.
Oh, that was fast" Mrs. Higgins barely missed a large log.
"Mrs. Higgins, maybe you should wait until you get before you start to read that." Sofia suggested.
"I suppose you're right." Mrs. Higgins snapped the book shut. "My cottage is just across this bridge- Oh, huckleberry, the bridge had been destroyed by a fallen tree."
"The bridge is broken!" Sofia gasped. "I don't think we can get around that fallen tree."
"Gee, ya think!" Hugo said sarcastic and annoyed with Sofia for dragging him along on this.
"Then how are we supposed to get to your cottage?" Hugo said feeling more and more annoyed by the minute.
"Well, there is another way." Mrs. Higgins mused. "But it'll take a bit longer."
"Longer?!" Both Hugo and Sofia shouted in unison. "But that might make us late for the test!"
"Oh, I understand if you need to go back." Mrs. Higgins declared. "I'll be okay on my own." Both Sofia and Hugo looked at each other then silently agreed that had to finish what they started.
"No." Hugo said. "I can't let you carry all these heavy books by yourself, I would be a gentleman if I did that, now come on."
"Lead the way." Sofia smiled at Hugo, while the boy just grumbled and turned his back to her, his face hot as he tried to suppress a smile.
Mrs. Higgins smiled. "You're such kind children for going out of your way to help me, you know that?" Both of them stopped to listen to her.
"As you saw all the other children just rushed right past me, but you both stopped to help an old woman get her books back home."
Sofia was going to say when she heard the sounds of wheels coming towards and nearly jumped out of the way of a dark brown girl around Madeline's age with dark brown hair, fair skin and bright green eyes, wearing a purple shirt and tanned shorts with black shoes.
"Hannah!" A woman with greying black hair was shouting for the girl as she was peddling on her own bike, while pulling a trailer with another child, a boy who bear a almost striking resembles to the girl that nearly run them over.
The girl just smiled back at the woman, before turning to Ms. Higgins and said "Hey Grammie!"
It took a second for Ms. Higgins to drop her books and embrace the girl tightly, while smothering her in kisses, smiling when she saw Nancy stop the bike next the fallen one and put on the kickstand, and goes to the trailer and after a whispered word or two, the boy came out, he was very similar to Hannah, only his hair was short and messy and he wore a long sleeve blue shirt with tanned pants and black shoes.
It did take long for Ms. Higgins to embrace him as well and then afterwards she stood back and look at them both and smiles at them.
"Grammie, what's up with the two kids?" Hannah asked bluntly which any other adult would scolded, but Higgins just smiled as Nancy stood by them with a similar questioning look on her face.
The librarian turns to Sofia and Hugo and said "Sofia and Hugo these two darlings are my grandchildren, Hannah and Sean, go say "Hello."
The twins go to stand in front Hugo and Sofia, putting out their hands for them to shake, which both nobles in training returned.
"Hello." The twins say practically in unison, before looking at each other briefly and giving a short laugh.
Back at Royal Prep, the lord and lady's test was about to begin.
"Gather round, girls and boys." Fauna declared. "The test is about to begin, and as you all know as nobles you are going to meet other nobles and royalty from all around the world, so let's see how well you know your royal greetings."
"Excuse me, Miss? Where is Ms. Flora?" Lena asked curious where the math teacher was.
"Ms. Flora had an important appointment that she simply could not reschedule, but she will be back after the test, now lets see who knows the royal greetings." Fauna looked around the class and then said "Lady Hildegarde and Lord Khalid, you're up first." She points to the Freezenburg Lady in training, along with her partner Lord Khalid of Khaldune.
"This is going to be so easy." Hildegarde boasted as the boy just smile politely, while rolling his eyes in a subtle way.
"Now, Hildegard and Khalid, imagine you're visiting the kingdom of Waylin." Flora instructed. "How would you greet the emperor?"
"I know this!" Hildegard beamed. "We would, uh, you know.. we would just... uh, then we'd... I'm sorry, I can't remember!"
"That's okay, dear." Flora smiled encouragingly.
"But I do! We simply bow and greet his majesty, until he greets back." Khalid said.
"That is correct, Khalid." Fauna said happily before turning to another pair of students.
"Lady May and Lord Ryder It's your turn."
"I can't believe I forget the answer! It a good thing Khalid knew it." Hildegarde groaned. "Amber, I'm going to fail the test even while Khalid help!"
"Oh Hildegard, the test is just beginning." Amber reminded her. "I'm sure you'll do better at the next part."
"But... what if I do worst?!" Hildegard gasped, walking away, ignoring her partner's questioning looks .
"Hildegard!" Amber called.
"Um, where's Sofia and Hugo?" Lena asked.
"They aren't back yet?" Amber inquired.
"Back from where?" Jun asked curious about the whereabouts the both the Lord and Lady that couldn't stand each other as Amber explained what happened with Hugo and Sofia, while Clio was have a talk with Hildegard.
"Hildegard, I know why you purposely failed the first part of the test and don't like it." Clio hissed in the normally aloof girl's ear.
Hildegard turns to Clio with a look of deep, stomach turning guilt in her eyes as she said in a whisper "After what I did last year, I don't deserve to a be a part of Royal Prep or even be a lady anymore." Clio just frowns deeply when she heard those words and said "If the guilt of what you did last year is that bad, I would suggest telling the truth or being expelled or you can suck it up and not say a word." Hildegard looked in her friend's eyes and saw the lack of sympathy in her eyes for her situation and knew that she had to face the consequences of her actions in order for her sleep better once more.
"After this test is over, I am going to go turn myself in." Hildegard said firmly as she went to go listen to the rest of the test.
Meanwhile in the forest...
Sean smiles sheepishly at both Hugo and Sofia while he watched his sister rode slowly on the bike, riding beside both their grandmother and their babysitter, Nancy chatting their ears off and just smiling at her with unwavering patience.
"Sorry about my twin, she decided that she wanted to ride my bike, so when I went I was answering the calls of nature, she got my helmet on and took my bike for a spin and I was stuck riding in her trailer, thankfully my train was in her trailer safe and sound." Sean said as he held said train his hand.
"No need to apologize, I understand what it like to have a sibling that will drive you crazy at times, but I still love them." Sofia said while Hugo just said nothing as he was in deep thought.
Sean smiles when he looks at his sister "Yeah, so do I..." Then he walks over to his sister and said gently " Hannah, I need my bike back now." Hannah just ignored him which had the boy take a deep breath, before saying "Alright you've had your fun, but I need my bike back, Jim is waiting for me." Sean said as he stopped the girl firm in her tracks, while she just gave him a pout.
"Sean I have already told you that you couldn't go to Jim's on a school day, and you can't forget about going this weekend, because your parents told me about you not turning your homework in these past few days and since I have you this weekend, you are going to be catching up on your schoolwork and your parents agree with me so don't start having a fit, you are going to be helping with your sister as well, not just leaving Ms. Nancy to do all the work alone, am I understood?" Ms. Higgins said all this in a firm tone, which surprised Hugo and Sofia a bit, while Nancy just nodded in agreement with the woman said.
Sean was not happy and started to get angry, shouting "It's not fair! I never have any alone time when Hannah is around, all she wants to do is annoy me with her constant questions and asking me to watching baby shows, sometimes I wish that I had a normal sister, one that didn't rock or scream when things change in her schedule or whine whenever I leave to go visit my friends, I can't stand it anymore, now give me my bike!" Sean was so angry that he grabbed Hannah by her shirt collar and pulled her hard off the seat of the bike, which had the girl getting off said bike and running into Nancy's arms, crying.
Ms. Higgins was not happy as she looks at her grandson and said "You are grounded, now apologize to your sister right now, and put that blast bike away in the trailer." Sean put the bike away, but doesn't go over his still crying sister as he was still angry at the unfairness of it all.
"Is your cottage far from here?" Sofia asked a little wary as she approached the librarian.
"No not really far." Mrs. Higgins said her kind smile returning as she grabs a stick and said. "I'll draw you a map."
"Oh no, you don't need to." Sofia tried to declined but an elbow to her side by Hugo had her agreeing. "Okay..."
Mrs. Higgins started scrawling symbols in the dirt with a stick. "If my cottage is this x, and we are the o over here, then just put an x here and an x here, and tic-tac-toe, I win!" Mrs. Higgins yelped. "I just love a good game!" Sean just rolled his eyes at his grandmother's odd sense of humor.
"Ha, funny." Hugo said dully.
"Maybe we should keep going, Ms. Higgins?" Sofia suggested
"Yes, indeed." Mrs. Higgins agreed. "My cottage is just up this way a while bit let's go."
As the large group came to two rocks, the split in between only able to let one at a time through, Hugo said "After you, my dear."
"Thank you." Sofia smiled. realized. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Higgins, a proper Lady would have done the polite thing and let you go first."
"Oh, don't be silly. You are a proper lady." Ms. Higgins said as she along with Nancy helped the twins get over the river.
As they all got over the river, Sofia stumbles a bit and Hugo catches her, and for a brief moment they lock eyes, until they realize where they were, they quickly pulled away from each other and decided to go talk with the twins.
Hugo went to Sean who was still miffed about being grounded and annoyed with his sister for getting him in trouble.
"You know that you can't stay mad at them forever right?" Hugo said as Sean just sulked a bit, before turning to Hugo and saying in a teasing tone "So is Lady Sofia like your girlfriend or something?"
Sofia went over to Hannah who was now smiling happily as she saw Sofia and said teasing "Is Lord Hugo your boyfriend?"
They both blushed a deep red, before saying "No!" making the twin laugh a little before teasing them both a bit more.
"Why are you so afraid to admit that you like her/him?" Both Sean and Hannah asked at same time as both Sofia and Hugo started to sing.
Sofia sings as she walks with Hannah beside her.
If I could begin to be
Half of what he thinks of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
you touch me and it's almost like we knew
That there will be history between us two
we knew someday that we would have regrets
But we just ignored them the day we met
We just dance backwards into each other
Trying to keep our feelings secretly covered
Hugo sings as Sean walks next to him.
When I see the way you act
wondering when I'm coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
You touch me and it's almost like we knew
That there will be history
There's no way that it's not going there
With the way that were looking at each other
There's no way that it's not going there
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
Every second with you I want another
But maybe we can hold off one sec
So we can keep this tension in check
But there's no way that it's not going there
With the way that were looking at each other
Sofia looks at Hugo secretly as she sings, Hannah stares at her twin sadly as he ignored her.
I wish I could make the time stop
So we could forget everything and everyone
I wish that the time would line up
So we could just give in to what we want
'Cause when I got somebody, you don't
And when you got somebody, I don't
I wish that the time would line up
So we could just give in
look at you go
I just adore you
I wish that I knew
what makes you think I'm so special
If I could begin to do
Something that does right by you
I would do about anything
I would even learn how to love
When I see the way you look
Shaken by how long it took
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
They both start singing together unknowingly as they start to realize that they like each other, but they are to afraid to admit it.
There's no way that it's not going there
With the way that were looking at each other
There's no way that it's not going there
Every second with you I want another
But maybe we can hold off one sec
So we can keep this tension in check
But there's no way that it's not going there
With the way that were looking at each other
We just dance backwards into each other
Trying to keep our feelings secretly covered
We just dance backwards into each other
Trying to keep our feelings secretly covered
You touched me and it's almost like we knew
That there would be history
There's no way that it's not going there
With the way that were looking at each other
There's no way that it's not going there
Every second with you I want another
But maybe we can hold off one sec
So we can keep this tension in check
But there's no way that it's not going there
With the way that were looking at each other
We just keep on dancing right into each other
We just keep on dancing right into each other
As the song ended, Sean went up to Hannah and apologize and the girl just gave him a hug, while both Sofia and Hugo look at each other a little awkward around each other.
"From what I've seen, Sofia, both you and Lord Hugo would make a wonderful couple when you are older of course." Mrs. Higgins told her making the nobles blush and sputter, while the twins were trying to contain their laughter, while Nancy just shook her head, smiling.
Back at Royal Prep, the drill routine and fan portion of the test was in full sway.
Amber flung her fan into the air, deftly catching it and switching it from hand to hand, while Desmond carefully swirls the fake toy rifle in tune with Ambers moves.
"Very nice fan fluttering, Amber and Desmond, you have improved in the drill march routine you should be proud." Merryweather noted.
Jun also performed some intricate fan maneuvers, with her partner Jin doing a dance with fake Japanese swords.
"Ooh, impressive." Merryweather gasped.
Hildegard was staring glumly at her fan as Amber and Jun walked over to her.
"Hilde, what's going on?" Amber asked. "Why aren't you flapping?"
"I need to, um... warm up my fingers!" Hildegard exclaimed. "One must stretch before one fans. One little finger, two little finger, three little finger, four..."
"Okay, what's really going on?" Amber asked. "You're the best fan flutterer in the school. You should be out there... fluttering!"
"I know, but... what if I mess up again?" Hildegarde despaired. She walked over to a chair. "I'm better off not trying at all!"
"We can't let Hildegard miss the rest of the test, or they won't pass!" Amber exclaimed.
"I know!" Jun nodded. "But what can we do?"
"We have to think of something, Jun and fast." Amber said as Hildegard's partner was out sick and the girl was the only one with out a partner.
Amber looks around the room and spots a possible partner for her glum friend. "Zander, I need to ask you something?"
The Prince of Tangu hears his name being called and saw Amber coming towards him.
"Hi, Amber what do you need?" Zander asked curious.
"I need you to please take Hildegard as your partner and help her with the fan and dance part of the test, please!" Amber pleads hoping the Indian prince would agree.
"Sure, I am done with my dance with Clio anyway." Zander said making Amber beam happily as she dragged the boy over the glum girl.
Meanwhile back in the forest...
As the adults and children were still walking, Sofia notices that the sky was starting to darken "Oh no, it's getting late, the test must be halfway over by now."
"We're almost there, dear." Mrs. Higgins consoled her. "We just need to cross this stream a little ways."
"Where's the bridge?" Hugo asked as he carried a now sleeping Sean on his back, while Hannah took a snooze in the trailer with Nancy peddling slowly and carefully as to not wake her.
"We don't need a bridge." Mrs. Higgins declared. "We can just walk across the rocks."
"You can't be serious!" Hugo hissed the exhaustion of the long walk and now he was carrying a child on his back, it made him irritable.
"Walk across the rocks?" Sofia repeated "How are we going to get your bike across?" she asked Nancy who was gently waking Hannah up to get out of the trailer.
"Don't worry, child, I will simply walk beside my bike on the rock, carefully, you just focus on getting the twins on the other side." Nancy said as she did just that, ignoring the fact that her boots and clothes got drenched in the water as she carefully pulls the bike and trailer over the rocks and got to the other side successfully.
"Follow me." Mrs. Higgins instructed as she walked across the rocks, while both Hugo and Sofia had the twins link arms with one another and followed the woman "Just a few more." But then Sean slipped on a rock, making everyone lose their balance, which made Sofia lose her fans to the water. " My fans!" Sofia gasped as she stood up soaked to the bone in shock, until she heard Hugo screaming in frustration as the twins stood in the cold water hugging each other as Hugo yelled at them.
"YOU CLUMSY IDIOTS LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID?! Hugo screamed before Sofia stood in front of him and gave him a glare and said in a firm tone "If you are quite finish with your tantrum, we have to get out of this water, unless you want to catch your death be my guest." Sofia turns to the twins and gently leads them the rest of the way while Hugo quickly follows behind them.
"That kid seriously needs to take a chill pill or something, he was overreacting." Sean mutters annoyed as he walks beside Hannah
"He is an idiot, brother dear." Hannah said repeating the new word she just heard, making Sean winces as he knew that his sister had a knack for repeating words that she heard, both good and bad.
"Hannah that word is not nice, please don't say it again." Sean said as firmly as he could possibly muster.
Hannah just look at him with a glint of mischief in her eyes as she said in a sing song voice "Idiot, idiot, idiot!" But then she stops when she is called over by her grandmother, who started to scold her for using a bad word, while Sean turns to Hugo with an annoyed expression on his face.
"Thanks a lot, Hugo." Sean said annoyed, making Hugo wince a little, "I am sorry, for both going off on you both earlier and for saying that word, it was ungentlemanly of me."
"Apology accepted, just be careful about what you say in front of Hannah, she repeats whatever you say and sometimes it's not at the best time or places when she does." Sean advised as he grimaces as if he was remembering something unpleasant.
"Noted." Hugo said as they continued walking side by side, with Sofia walk a bit head of them with the books in hand while she talked with Nancy, knowing that he had to still make amends with his new found crush as well.
"Hildegard told me that fan fluttering and drill routines are a huge part of the test. Now I've lost my fans, and I am late!" Sofia said feeling anxious.
"Why don't both you and Hugo go back to your test?" Mrs. Higgins offered as she overheard what Sofia said. "I'm sure we can make it home from here."
"No we promise help you get home" Sofia declared, Hugo nods in agreement. "So we aren't leaving until we get there." "Besides, our clothes still look nice, and Amber did say that's the most important part of the test."
"That is a load of horse manure." Hugo grumbled to himself.
"Is that so?" Higgins asked as both she and Nancy look at each other knowingly
"Mmm-hmm." Sofia nodded
"So, which way to your cottage?" Hugo asked after a long silence.
"Just through those trees." Mrs. Higgins pointed. "We aren't far."
'Oh thank gods and goddess!' Hugo thought to himself glad to see this journey come to an end.
Meanwhile back at Royal Prep, both Amber and Jun were busy pulling and pushing a reluctant Hildegard into the ballroom and toward Zander.
"I told you, I don't want to take the test!" Hildegard said stubbornly. "Not if I'm going to get everything wrong!"
"Here's the deal." Amber said bluntly. "If you take the test, you might mess up again or you might do really great." Amber smiled. "But you definitely won't pass if you get scared and quit."
"I guess you're right." Hildegard admitted.
"I always am." Amber smiled as Hildegard did a quick, but amazing dance routine with her fans and with Zander as her partner, it work out brilliantly
"Time to finish with the dances and we must move to posture and walking." Fauna announced, handing out books for the children to balance on their heads. "Here's a book for you, and you..." She gave one to Hildegard. "There we go, now everyone, try to walk to the other side of the ballroom without letting the book fall off your head and remember: Stand straight and tall, and the book won't fall."
She tried to demonstrate, but the book wouldn't balance on her head, forcing her to use her hand to keep it there, which make some of the nobles snicker at her, before setting the books on their own heads and tried to walked across the room, trying to keep the books from falling.
"Looking good." Amber whispered to Hildegard.
"Lovely form, everyone." Flora smiled. "But a Lord or Lady must keep his or her posture in all situations."
As she starts fling cushion across the room, forcing the kids to try and dodge them without dropping the books.
"This is hard." Amber gasped.
"Your telling me!" Desmond said as he nearly failed to dodge a flying cushion and made him drop the book, along with Jun, who dropped her book, as did several others.
"Oh, no!" Hildegard groaned. "I can't do it!"
"Yes you can!" Amber encouraged her. "Don't give up, Hilde. Straight and tall."
"Mmm-hmm". Hildegard nodded. She and Amber walked to the end of the room together.
"Excellent work, Lady Hildegard!" Fauna declared.
"I did it." Hildegard smiled. "I did it! Thanks for convincing me to give it another try, Amber."
"Any time." Amber smiled back.
"Now it time for the dress and suit presentation." Merryweather said while all the nobles in training line up.
Back outside, Mrs. Higgin's cottage was finally in sight. "Your cottage, I can see it!" Sofia exclaimed while Hugo smile happily at the sight, even though the twins were looking confused as they stood by Nancy, while the two nobles started to run towards the cottage, but nearly crash into Sofia as she stops suddenly in her tracks.
"What did you stop for?!" Hugo shouted feeling a little annoyed with his crush as she points to what had her stop, which he looked and saw there was a large expanse of mud in their path.
"Seriously?! It's just mud, it would hurt you." Hugo said as he tried to drag Sofia across it, only for Sofia to resist him.
"Amber said my dress had to look perfect for the test and if I get mud on it, I 'll fail the test for sure!" Sofia realized making Hugo roll his eyes at hearing that.
"The last thing in the world that I want is to ruin your chances on the test." Mrs. Higgins smiled. "I know how important it is to you." While the twins were off with Nancy look at flowers and other signs off nature.
"You go along now, dears. I can go the rest of the way myself." Higgins said she tried to take the books away from both Sofia and Hugo but they refused.
"I know!" Sofia realized. "I can just hold my dresses up, like this!" she said as she held her skirt up a little, making Hugo just roll his eyes again before saying.
"Why do I just carry you over, it will be quicker." Hugo suggested making Sofia blush a bit and Mrs. Higgins let out a laugh "You are quite the young gentleman!" She declared as Hugo hands over his share of books and carefully has Sofia climb onto his back and only grunts when he tries to walk, shifting his weight as she was a bit bigger that the twins.
"Be careful." Sofia warned. "This mud is slippery." If Hugo could he would have given her a "no really?" look on his face as he carefully walks in the mud, uncaring if his pant or shoes get dirty.
"Oh, it certainly is!" Mrs. Higgins agreed. "But if we move slowly, we should make it just fine."
They continued their trek. "That's it." Mrs. Higgins smiled as they almost make it to the other side.
"We're almost there. Just a few more-WHOA!" Mrs. Higgins slipped as the twins came running down the path and into the mud puddle, cause her to bump into Hugo who was carrying Sofia and knocking them in the mud.
"Are you okay, Mrs. Higgins, Sofia?" Hugo asked. "Yes, well, a little bit of mud never hurt anyone." Mrs. Higgins shrugged as she got to her feet and tried to brush off any loose mud, while the twins were rolling around laughing, Nancy just shook her head at them and smiled, trying to contain her own laughter, while she lead the twins off down the trail waving goodbye to them and gives Mrs. Higgins a knowing smile and nods as she follows the twins.
"My dress!" Sofia gasped at the mud-stained dresses as she got up from having falling face first into the mud, covering her head to toe in the wet dirt.
"Oh, huckleberry." Mrs. Higgins exclaimed. "H' while Hugo was trying to not laugh at her appearance.
"Ohhh!" Sofia groaned loudly. "Now I'll never pass the test!"
"Oh, I am sorry, Sofia." Mrs. Higgins apologized.
They finally made their way out of the mud.
"If it makes you feel any better, here we are, at my cottage." Mrs. Higgins declared.
"You know, dears, I couldn't have made it home without you. Thank you.
"You're welcome." Both Hugo and Sofia said. "I may not have made it to the test, but at least we got you home."
"Don't give up on that test." Mrs. Higgins smiled cryptically. "We may still get you back in time."
"Really?" Sofia gasped. "But how?" Hugo asked
"I know a shortcut." Mrs. Higgins explained as she opens the door to her cottage "Right this way, Sofia, Hugo."
"But... this is your cottage?" Sofia said confused as Hugo was. "You'll see, you'll see." Mrs. Higgins smiled as both Hugo and Sofia entered the cottage, and turned to face Mrs. Higgins, who waved her hand to get both Sofia and Hugo to turn around.
As they did, the cottage fades away, and they both found themselves back in the school ballroom.
"What?" Sofia gasped.
"Huh?" Hugo gasped as well.
All the children gasped as they saw Sofia and Hugo. "Did you see that?" Jun said in awe.
"Mrs. Higgins?" Hildegard asked confused.
"Sofia?" Amber gasped. "Where did you come from, and what happened to your dress?" Hugo just stood off the side.
"Are we back at School?" Sofia asked.
"Indeed we are." Mrs. Higgins smiled. "Welcome to the test Sofia and Hugo."
"But, but... how did we get here?" Sofia asked. Just then, Nancy entered the room.
"Nancy? What are you doing here, just then another Nancy came into room, smiling as she stood beside Mrs. Higgins.
"There's two of you?!" Hugo exclaimed, causing them shake their head before Nancy 1 said "I am not really Nancy." As she took off the wig and face mask to reveal.
"Miss Flora?" Sofia and the other children gasped.
"I disguised myself as Mrs. Higgin's grandchildren's babysitter in order to watch you as you both helped Mrs. Higgins with her books and grandkids, who are now taking a much needed nap."
"So I was helping you carry those books and keeping the twins busy all this time?" Sofia asked.
"Yes you were, Sofia." Fauna nodded.
"I was here at the school the whole time." The real Nancy declared as she left to get back the twins before they woke up.
"But why?" Sofia asked. "Oh, it was all part of the Lord and Lady test." Fauna declared. "It was?" Sofia asked.
"Absototely-otely!" Fauna chuckled at her own joke, making the librarian chuckle as well, before leaving.
"Children you were all wonderful." Flora said. "Amber your curtsy are commendable, Jin your sword dance was amazing and bold."
"Thank you, Miss Fauna." Amber smiled.
"Thank you, Miss Fauna." Jin bowed
"And Jun, your fanning is flawless, along with Desmond drill march routine" Merryweather declared Jun giggled modestly, while Desmond blushed a little embarrassed, but happy.
"Hildegard's posture is positively perfect." Fauna added.
"Thank you so much." Hildegard beamed.
"But, one of the most important things about being a noble is kindness." Fauna proclaimed. "So I had Mrs. Higgins ask each of you for help, because a true noble always helps those in need, even if it means giving up something very important to you."
"Of course!" All the Lords and Ladies said now understanding that you had to be kind and help others when they need it, no matter what.
"Now, all you will get silver stars for the fine job you did today." Flora as she passed the sliver star medal over to the children.
"But since you both Hugo and Sofia , were the only ones to stop and help Mrs. Higgins..." Merryweather started. "It gives us all great joy to announce that you 've passed the Lord and Lady test with the highest honors." Fauna finished.
"We passed?" Sofia and Hugo gasped in disbelief.
"And because of because of your excellent work today, we're awarding you both very special trophies!" Flora announced.
The three women pulled out two trophies and it each child.
"Oh, congratulations, dears!" Flora said as gave both Sofia and Hugo their trophies.
"Thank you so much!" Sofia beamed.
"What she said." Hugo said
The other children started to cheer. "Whoo-whoo!" "Way to go!"
"She learned it all from me." Amber said smugly. "Pretty trophy. Can I hold it?"
"Oh, Amber." Sofia giggled as she stood beside Hugo smiling as the events of the day came to an end.
After getting cleaned up, Sofia was ready to go visit Madeline in the hospital with her siblings as they were picked up by Winston to be brought over their to meet their parents and visit.
Meanwhile at the hospital, Roland rushed over when he got Miranda's call about Madeline.
"Miranda is everything alright you sound worried over the phone." Roland said as he came into Madeline's empty hospital room, as Madeline was getting some tests done, leaving Miranda to fret alone.
"I am worried that she is not eating, she barely ate breakfast after she had a bit of hard time with swallowing it, almost choked and She didn't even touch her lunch." Miranda said worried for her youngest child's health.
"Miranda stop your worrying it could just be the meds she is on." Roland reassured as Madeline was being wheeled back and from the look on the doctor's face it was good.
"Hi Mom, Daddy!" Madeline exclaimed wrapping her arms around Roland's hips happy to see him, while Miranda talked with the doctor about Madeline's lack of eating and difficulty swallowing down.
"So what is it?" Miranda asked the doctor fearing the worse.
"Well, I preformed the swallow test on Madeline and it appears that as a result of the hit to her head it caused some injury to her brain, making the nerves and muscle forget how to do basic task like how to chew thoroughly and swallowing, she is basically only able to just swallow mushy stuff and completely forgets to chew the food, even when I reminded her a few times, as a result she will have to taught how to chew and swallow again, but for now she is to be kept on liquid type diet, until she approves."
Dr. Jessie explains just as Amber, James and Sofia came in and Madeline was happy to see them as she listen with rapid attention as Sofia told the tell of her adventure at school and laugh a little hear and there at some of the stuff that happened with Hugo and Sofia.
Present Day - 2047
Sofia sighs as she was done writing down the story as she put her hands on her flat stomach, smile with joy as she closes the Journal and turns to go find her husband, who was in the living room reading a book to his children.
"Hugo? I need to tell you something." The man and children all look up to see their mother/wife standing there.
"Yes, my dear, what is it?" Hugo asked both curious and concerned for his wife as were the children for their mother.
"I'm Pregnant, and about 2 months along, Hugo." Sofia said in reply to Hugo unsaid question as the man kissed his wife deeply happy at the news.
The children gave mixed reactions of happiness, horror and concern, but when they saw the look on their mother's face they couldn't help but feel overjoyed for her.