Hey guys.

For all of you who missed my comment on Crossroads, my Anne died on the first, and I'm planning her memorial service right now.

(Sam died too, which I'm not sad about; I've just had to spend far too much time with Miranda)

However, I need to write.

I just can't write Crossroads right now. There's too much of my mom in there.

So here's a little light fluff, mainly to get my mind off the sadness and also to let you guys know I haven't given up completely.

I just buried my Roland six months ago...both of their deaths were a shock, but this...I was so close to my Anne, and losing her has taken a toll on me.

I will finish Crossroads; I just need a little while to write her character since I gave her a large role.

XOXOXOXOXO

Chapter 1

Sofia

I grabbed my lunch tray and looked around Royal Prep's crowded school cafeteria, quickly realizing that my friends were sitting at a table with my eccentric stepsister, Princess Amber, who was, as usual, the glowing center of attention.

I don't usually mind listening to their hair and make-up tips, boy drama, or how they just hated the color brown, but lately, it just annoys me.

The main problem with having them all together is that they overanalyzed and give unwanted advice about my two-month-long relationship with Prince Hugo.

No one understands why I'm with him, and I am tired of explaining it.

I quietly chose an empty table near the back of the room, picked up my golden fork, and began picking at the mashed potatoes.

"Why are you sitting by yourself, Sof?" My eighteen-year-old stepbrother, Prince James, demanded worriedly as he took his place across from me with his overly loaded lunch tray.

"Hey James, It looked crowded over by Amber, so I just sat over here," I pointed to where his twin sister was flaunting her new tiara atop her blonde head as I took a drink of my orange juice.

"Yeah, I noticed that," he chuckled, "Isn't Hugo here today?" He mumbled sarcastically, shoving his mouth full of chicken.

James was the president, and founder of the 'We hate Hugo' club.

He had been utterly against our relationship before Hugo even asked me out and voiced his displeasure every chance he got, especially when Hugo was present.

It's as though he wanted to start a fight.

"Yes, but he is tutoring some underclass princesses until after lunch," I shrugged, taking a bite of my peas.

"Wow, that's so nice of him, giving up food for the company of some girls. How noble," he grumbled, tossing the blonde hair out of his jade green eyes.

"I really wish you would give him the benefit of the doubt, James. Hugo has changed a lot in the past six years," I defended him.

"He tried to kill you, Sof, and then out of nowhere, he decides to be your friend and eventually your beau? I don't like it, and I won't apologize for hating his entire existence," he stated flatly, referring to an incident where he had pushed me off my flying horse, minimus, during a derby race my first year at Royal Prep.

"That was one incident six years ago; you can't hold that over his head forever. I forgave him; why can't you?"

"OK, for one, I really hope I don't have the misfortune to know him for the duration of EVER. Secondly, Yes, I can. And Thirdly, he tried to kill you! I wish you would have let me take care of him back then before he was able to put you under whatever spell he's obviously used to get you to like him,"

I blankly stared at him for a few moments before eating a cube of orange jell-O.

"I don't want you to end up hurt, Sofia," James said, taking my small hand in his.

"I know, James, but you have to let me take care of myself. You're graduating this year, and you'll be taking the throne. You're going to be too busy to take care of me, and we probably won't even see each other except for special occasions," I brought his knuckles to my lips and planted a soft kiss on his skin.

"We'll see about that, but until then, I'll be here to protect you. No matter what," James squeezed my hand tightly.

I know he's serious, and I love him immensely for it.

I care a lot for Hugo, but I love James in every sense of the word.

He's always been there for me, whether I wanted him to be or not.

There is no way we could ever be together, and there was no sense even thinking about the future I can't have.

I'm content with Hugo.

He's smart, funny, and neither of us is up for a throne.

I highly doubt we'll continue dating once he graduates anyway.

"Well, you two look like you're having an important conversation; anything I should know?" Hugo's playful voice broke my train of thought.

I let go of James's hand and pulled Hugo into the chair next to me, quickly kissing his cheek.

I saw James glare at Hugo out of the corner of my eye, and I hoped he wouldn't make a scene.

"Are you done tutoring?' I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sure am," he answered, stealing the roll off of my plate and taking a bite.

"What's that on your neck, buddy?" James asked, pointing to a small circular bruise under his ear.

"Funny story, one of the girls I'm tutoring opened her fan while I was getting my bag yesterday, and it hit me," he laughed, but James didn't seem to believe him.

"Yeah. Hilarious. I've got to get to my locker, see you later Sof," James stood up and took his tray to the trash bin, throwing away more than half his food before leaving the cafeteria.

"Well, he seems to be in a pleasant mood as always," Hugo scoffed, putting his arm around me and taking another bite of my roll.

I just want them to get along for three months.

It can't possibly be as difficult as James is making it.

"You two seriously need to find some kind of common ground. I care about you both, and I refuse to have to choose sides," I shook my head and finished my jell-O.

"I'm trying," he stated defensively, putting his hands up, "Trust me, I know who's side you would pick; I wouldn't even stand a chance,"

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, shocked.

"Don't pretend like it's not true, Sofia. I know how much you love James, and as much as I know you care for me, I don't believe you will ever love me, or anyone else, as much as you love him,"

If Hugo knows about my infatuation with James, then why is he still with me?

It's not like my crush on James is new.

I've been in love with him for five-ish years.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and I stood up quickly, not wanting to have this conversation any longer.

"I'll talk to you later, Hugo," I quickly pecked him on the cheek again before rushing out of the cafeteria.

"Sofia!" my best friend, Vivian, flagged me down in the crowded hallway, "Sorry I didn't eat with you,"

"Hey, traitor," I huffed playfully, shoving her shoulder, "It's alright, you didn't miss anything; how was the Amber show?"

"Not as good as the Sofia and James show," she teased, squeezing my arm, "You two are so cute together; everyone thinks so,"

Vivian is the only person I've ever told how much I love James, and she has been far too supportive of that hypothetical relationship.

If the circumstances were different, I'm sure she would try harder to get us together...and I have no doubt that we would be.

"Will you please stop encouraging that fantasy," I groaned, shoving my potions book in my bag, "I'm with Hugo. Can't you just once say how cute we are together?"

"Sofia, you've read the handbook. A princess can't lie. But, of course, you get away with it since you're adopted," she giggled, opening her locker next to mine, "What are you doing after school?"

I mimicked her ridiculous statement and pulled out my planner, "James canceled derby practice for this afternoon, so I'm free; why?"

Vivian pulled her planner out and groaned, "Nevermind, I have a dress fitting at four. We need to have a sleepover this weekend; I need my Sofia fix,"

"Well, if you'd stop fangirling over Amber, we could eat lunch together," I poked her in the side.

"It's more fun to watch your love triangle from afar," she grinned at me sheepishly.

The second bell rang, and I aggressively shut my locker door, "It's not a love triangle, Vivian," I looped my arm with hers and pulled her towards the classroom, "It's a relationship and an empty crush. That's it,"

"Hey, Sof," James tapped me on the shoulder, and I slowly turned around and looked up at his smiling face, "I just wanted to remind you that we don't have practice this afternoon, and I'm going to be late coming home. I've got hockey practice,"

How long has he been standing there?

Oh, please tell me he didn't hear our conversation.

"Okay," I nodded, "I'll see you tonight, be careful,"

He leaned down and hugged me, "Always," he whispered before kissing me on the cheek and dashing away to his next class.

I watched him disappear around the corner and sighed.

"You two need to figure all of that out," Vivian swung her hands around, "Neither of your crushes are empty; these are loaded crushes,"

"He was just being friendly, Vivian; he didn't want me to worry," I tried my best not to blush, "I'm sure he told Amber too,"

"I bet you a million gold coins that even if he did tell her he was going to be late, he didn't hug her or whisper in her ear, and I can confidently say he didn't kiss her on the cheek," Vivian giggled, pushing me through the door, "Come on, princess of denial,"

The sun was setting over the castle gardens as I laid on the grass, playing with a dandelion I had picked from the ground beside me.

Light from the first evening stars began to dot the sky, and I closed my eyes.

"Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might get the wish I wish tonight. I wish James and I could be together forever," I whispered to the wind.

Hugo's words from that afternoon had been echoing in my mind all day, and he was absolutely right.

If I had to choose between him and James, there was no doubt in my mind that I would choose James.

"Hey, Sof, it's getting dark. You shouldn't be out here alone," James's voice rang out behind me.

Why does he keep sneaking up on me like this?

I've got to be more careful about my conversations...

I stretched my head back where I could see him and smiled.

"Well, you're here now, so technically, I'm not alone anymore," I giggled, returning to stargazing.

"Fair enough. What are you doing?" He asked, lying down next to me in the grass.

"I was daydreaming, but now I guess I'm counting the stars," I replied softly, staring up at the sky.

I was thinking about you.

As always...

The garden lost all its light as we named constellations and joked about mythological beings.

After a while, he repositioned himself on his side, staring at me.

Even in the darkness, I could make out the stunning definition in his face.

His once soft features had hardened as if they had been chiseled by a sculptor.

He had always been good-looking, but after six years, he had grown to be very sexy.

"Do you plan on becoming someone's queen after you graduate?" He asked seriously, and my breath caught in my throat.

"I hadn't planned on it," I began thoughtfully, "Hugo is second in line for his family's throne, so even if I married him, I would still be a princess... but it is more probable that I will move to the country as a duchess. Not many princes want a queen who was adopted into royalty so few years ago, you know? Why do you ask, James?"

"I think you would make a great queen, even if you weren't born into a royal family, you have still learned more than a lot of the royal-blooded princesses at our school; you take it more seriously anyway," he chuckled, keeping his eyes glued on me.

"Of course, I take my studies seriously, If I was to be a queen, I would want to rule as well as possible, but I'm not going to marry someone just to get a throne. More than anything, I want to marry for love if I ever do get married,"

"Why wouldn't you get married?"

"Aunt Tilly never did; the man she loved died before she had the chance. I'm afraid I'm going to have the same fate, that I can't be with who I love," I whispered, looking back at the star-filled sky.

"Are you afraid something is going to happen to Hugo?" he inquired too happily, and I rolled my eyes.

"Oh James, I'm not in love with Hugo," I sighed dreamily.

"Then who are you in love with?" The tone in his voice made my stomach do a flip.

"What about you? Do you plan on taking a queen when you get the throne?" I asked, avoiding his question.

"Yes. I know exactly who I want to rule beside me. Now answer my question," James stated matter of factly.

"If you don't mind me asking, who do you plan on asking?"

"You answer my question first," he urged, sliding closer to my side.

I couldn't think of any way out of telling him until the sound of my savior's voice echoed through the garden.

"James, Sofia, His majesty wants you both inside immediately," our steward, Baileywick, announced from the garden entrance.

"Okay, Baileywick, we're coming!" James jumped up and extended his hand, pulling me to my feet.

James put his arm around my shoulders as we made our way through the garden, and I put mine around his waist.

"You're really not going to tell me?" James groaned in one last attempt to get it out of me.

"I'm sure you will find out eventually," I could feel my cheeks heat up, and I was glad it was dark so he couldn't see me.

When we arrived in the throne room, our father, King Roland II, was talking to our mother, Queen Miranda, about something mom didn't seem to be very happy about.

"Mom?" I approached her slowly, "What's going on?"

"Oh Sofia! Rolly and I were just talking about you," She pretended to smile, and my heart sank.

What could they possibly be discussing?

"Indeed we were. I hear things between you and Hugo are going splendidly," dad boomed enthusiastically.

I looked over at James for a moment and noticed his face had lost its color.

"Um, yeah, I guess. Hugo's nice," I replied lamely, and James snickered quietly.

Nice. Wow, I couldn't think of a better adjective to describe the guy I've been trying to defend the past couple of months?

Pathetic.

"I'm glad to hear it; his father and I had a meeting this afternoon and came to a fantastic agreement," dad beamed, beckoning me closer to him.

"Which I was completely unaware of," mom cut in, silently pleading for me to not blame her for whatever was happening.

I stood in front of dad, and he took my hands in his excitedly.

"What kind of agreement?" James asked through gritted teeth.

"Well, originally Amber was promised to Hugo's brother Axel and was going to be his queen. However, Prince Axel announced this morning that he has decided to refuse his throne and wed Princess Clio, who is next in line for her throne instead,"

Amber and Axel aren't getting married?

Amber looked so happy at lunch...I hope she's okay.

"What does that have to do with me?" my voice was weak and began to break at the end of my question.

"It means that once Hugo takes his throne after graduation, you can marry him and become his queen! You won't even have to finish school. We all believe you are more than ready to take your place and rule beside him," dad stood up and pulled me to his chest.

The air in the room suddenly got thick, and I was having trouble breathing.

He's so happy.

I don't want to be Hugo's Queen.

This wasn't the plan.

"Do I have any say in this, or is it set? What if I decide to marry someone else? Is that an option?" I squeaked, pulling back from dad's embrace.

I felt everyone's eyes on me and immediately regretted asking.

"Well, I thought you would be happy that you got to marry the man you were already being courted by. If you find someone else that you prefer more by the end of the school year, I won't stop you from being happy. But just know if you aren't satisfied with Hugo, you need to break off the courtship so he can find a queen since the throne is going to be his," dad stared down at me quizzicaly.

"We've only been together for two months, and graduation is only three months away. It's not enough time to decide if I want to marry Hugo,"

"Come on Sof, let's go get something to eat' James suggested, taking my hand.

"Good night, dear. Please choose what and who you want wisely," mom cautioned before we exited into the marble hallway.

James pulled me into a doorway and gently pushed me against the wall.

"You can't marry him," he fumed, staring back in the direction of the throne room, "How dare dad go behind my back and set that up!"

"It's okay, James. I can't believe what Axel did to Amber; I hope she's not too upset," I whispered, wanting to go see her.

Amber may be an egotistical, conceded princess, but she's still my sister.

"Amber? She'll be fine," he shrugged passively, "You need to break up with Hugo and tell whoever it is that you love that you love him," his words got softer, and I felt the heat returning to my cheeks.

"It's not that simple, James," I sighed, unable to break my gaze from his intense eyes.

"Of course it is, you just say "I love you" and let whatever happens to happen," he ran his fingertips along my shoulders and down my arms.

His face was just inches away from mine, I could feel his breath on my skin, and it gave me goosebumps.

"Have you told the girl you want to make your queen that you love her?" I whispered, moving towards him involuntarily.

We stared at each other speechless, and I knew at that moment that he knew my secret. Not only that, but I was confident that he was in love with me as well.

My heart pounded, and my throat got tight.

I wanted more than anything to tell him how I felt.

To feel his lips on mine.

But this seemed too rushed... like he was expecting it, but only out of anger that I have to marry someone else.

'James, I-" my voice trailed off, "I need to get some rest. I have a lot to think about,"

I broke away from our intimate pose and raced down the hall towards my room.