AN: This is the first short fanfic I've ever fully finished and it might be a little confusing. The story takes place in a sort of AU timeline where the some of events from the show didn't happen or happened differently. You can assume anything after season 2 just didn't occur in this story and the only for sure cannon is the "Once upon a Princess" movie and "The Sorcerers Apprentice" episode. In this AU Cedric is still scheming to take over the kingdom by stealing the Amulet and Wormwood still can't talk. It's roughly 6-8 years in the future depending on how old you think Princess Sofia is in the show.
This is a Cedfia (Cedric and Older! Sofia) fanfic, so if you don't find this pairing appropriate please keep it to yourself and leave. I don't think that I'll be writing any thing too saucy in this story just because it's the first one I'm posting, but I have some plot bunnies that might be on the way if that's something you're interested in.
I took a lot of inspiration from "Masquerade" by cedfiafics and "Revelry" by Jessibelle811. Please notice me Senpais!
This is also a spin off mini series based off of my main fanfiction "Sofia the Selfless" which you can look forward to reading if I can ever finish the bloody thing.
This first AN is getting a little long, so I'm just going to leave it here. If you like this story, please tell me so. If you want more of this AU, please tell me so. I'm more then welcome to suggestions. Enjoy! ^^
Prince Ceedric and the Misspelled word.
Chapter 1: Occulto Princitatis
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"And we should definitely add more golden streamers." Princess Amber said as she directed the castle staff around the ball room. "And let's open the curtains a bit more. I want to see the stars tonight."
Sofia started down the ball room stairs as staff members rushed around at the blond Princesses command. "Wow, Amber… This is really nice…" The open room was dressed in a dazzling array of gold and heavenly soft purple. A bit flashy for her own taste, but Sofia felt excitement for the fun that the evening promised to bring.
"I know!" The blond smiled with glee at the sight of Sofia. "Oh, Sofia, it's so good to see you!" The Princesses hugged each other before walking through the room to admire the decor. "Your birthday is going to be the best, because I have taken it upon myself to plan the whole event from the grand entrance to cutting the cake!"
"That's not really necessary, Amber." Sofia smiled. "You just got here and with the baby on the way, should you really be moving around so much?"
"Oh, Sofia please, I could plan a party in my sleep! And besides, you're my sister…" Amber took Sofia by the arm. "You're only going to turn sixteen once in your life Sofia. I want to make it an amazing night to remember!"
Princess Sofia felt a strong pride fill her chest and as the girls stopped by the large ball room windows, their reflections in the glass smiled back at them. Sofia wasn't exactly ready for the ball yet, she'd only been looking for her sister, but she still needed a few hours of hair dressing and gown fitting.
Her teal house gown hung just above her ankles and the light auburn curls swept over her shoulders every which way. She spent most of the after noon with her animal friends in the garden and hadn't a chance to fix her appearance yet.
Of course, Amber on the other hand was fully dressed and pampered into her usual perfection. The long golden skirts cascaded off her curves like a water fall of pixie dust and the bodice was red velvet splashed with the blond color of her hair that draped down her back.
You couldn't even tell she was with child. The corset was strung tight and her chest lifted nearly out of her own blouse. Sofia wondered if all that glamor was good for the baby, but her sister was only a couple of months into her pregnancy and the princess didn't know enough about the subject to say for sure if it would be an issue.
"By the way…" Amber began, with a tentative voice. "I know you already refused having a royal engagement, but…"
Slowly turning to face her sister, Sofia felt a twinge of anxiety. Already fearing the blonds next words. "Amber?"
Princess Amber smiled sheepishly, hands clasped together as if she was pleading for forgiveness. "I sent out invitations…" She giggled nervously, now beginning to fear her sisters wrath. "…to all the eligible royal bachelors, inquiring about their interest in… proposal?"
The building anxiety bubble in Sofias chest popped. "Amber!" The Princess all but shouted at her sister. "I told you I didn't want one of those awful parties that poor Vivian had to endure." Pulling at the ends of her hair, Sofia started away from Amber. "With all those princes fighting for her attention and pulling at her heart with their lies! Pawing at her like animals and bribing her mother when she wasn't looking!"
She spun to face the blond again. "We have to get those invitations back!"
Princess Amber peaked a brow in confusion. "Get them back? The invitations were sent out weeks ago Sofia, I even received responses."
"What!" Princess Sofias fingers bent into claws that threatened to scratch at Amber's face. "You did all this without telling me!" She turned away from the blond, trying to control herself. "I can't believe you did this!" She fumed to herself wrapping her arms around her stomach before glancing at the floor. "No, actually, I can believe you did this. This sounds exactly like something you would do."
Watching Sofia fluctuate through emotions, Amber furrowed her brow and fidgeted with her fingernails, feeling the guilt in her chest. "Sofia please, this is your final birthday as a child. It's expected for a princess to introduce herself to the public as a woman at sixteen, but no body says you have to choose a prince tonight. I just think you should give them a chance. They deserve that from you at least."
Sofia felt a woozy sickness in her belly at her sisters words, but she refused to dignify her implications with a response. Amber took this as an opportunity to continue. "And besides, it's not all bad…" The blond rounded Sofia, taking her by the hands, drawing her blue eyes up to meet her own. "After all, you received many more acceptance letters then Princess- I mean, Queen Vivian did."
She could tell that Amber meant this as a blessing, but Sofia's heart only pounded more aggressively. Her stomach churned, her breath choked, Sofia felt the need to run and hide in her room. But, Princess Sofia was never partial to hiding from her problems. Sofia pulled her hands away, stepping to aside by Amber and head out of the ball room. "Sofia? Where are you going?" Amber followed her sisters movement with her eyes, but didn't dare chase after her.
"I- I have to go, I'm sorry Amber. I just need some time to think and I should get dressed anyway…" Sofia said, though her intention was not to dress for her birthday, but to instead seek a magical remedy for her on coming torture.
She followed the hall leading up a dark stair well, stopping before a wooden door between the two gargoyles. The knock echoed through the hall and was followed by the sound of shuffling and clattering. The door swung open with a swift motion and the man within glared her down in his usual fashion. "Why are you here?" Cedric asked in a plain tone, without a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"I need your help Mr. Cedric!" She stared up at him pleadingly, but the sorcerer just rolled his eyes.
"Of course you do. You always do." He sighed heavily and with a shrug of his shoulders Cedric stepped back, offering her inside with an open handed gesture.
Sofia entered the workshop at once before spinning around to face him and clasping her hands at her chest. "Mr. Cedric, Amber sent out courtship propositions along with my birthday invitations! Do you have a spell or something that could make all the princes forget about my party?"
Closing the door with a creaking click, Cedric crossed his arms and cocked a brow. "Why on earth would you want me to do a thing like that? If I'm not mistaken today is the celebration of your sixteenth birthday and it's my understanding that it is customary for a princess to court any and every gentleman that strikes up a good enough bargain."
The princess frowned, not feeling at all comfortable with the man describing her coming of age like it was a yard sale. "I've already made it very clear that I don't intend on being a trophy. I want to marry for love, not profit." She cast her gaze to the side, hoping to hide her inner thoughts from the sorcerer. "And no man… or Prince, who was sent an invitation to the ball tonight can change my mind."
Cedric gave a patronizing chuckle. "Oh, you'd be surprised, my dear."
Sofia turned her eyes on him with an insulted glare. "I believe many a princess only needed a mere brush of the hands before being satisfied into a hasty marriage." He mocked, waving a gloved hand in the Princesses direction and wiggling the fingers for emphasis.
With her fists balled at her sides and her intense blue eyes set on the man Sofia stomped her foot. "I'm not going through with it!" The soft sole of her shoe clapping against the stone floor made a sharp snap but the sound wasn't nearly as intimidating as she'd hoped it would be.
The swift motion did however, cause the purple amulet that dangled gracefully around her neck to bounce and glimmer in the sun light spilling in from the windows. This caught Cedric's attention. A crookedly evil smile teased his lips as a very nasty plot hatched in his mind.
So, Princess Sofia was reluctant to find a groom, that didn't bother Cedric in the least. On the contrary, if she married some stiff nosed little prince and he whisked her away to some fairy tale castle for her happily ever after, then the sorcerer would lose access to the Amulet of Avalor. That… did bother him. But, a girls heart can be a fickle thing and despite Sofia's insistence, Cedric knew she'd fall for some handsome young stag if he let her.
"Ah, but of course, Princess!" A melodious tone bubbled from his throat. "You needn't worry about it any longer. For I, your royal sorcerer, will rid the world of Princess Ambers terrible mistake."
"You will, really?" Sofia grinned as relief washed over her. "I knew coming to you was the right decision, Mr. Cedric."
Joining his finger tips into a scheming motion, Cedric chuckled and gave her a sly smirk. "Yesss…" He said in a drawn-out breath. "…and all I need from you is one of those dreaded invitations you're so feverish about." Placing a sprawled hand on the chest of his robes, he placed the other on the small of her back before leading her to the door, which he opened. "Bring one to me, and I can make all the others disappear."
"Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Cedric!" With a quick hug around his waist, the princess was off down the stairs. "I'll be right back!" she called back to him as she moved around the stairway corridor and once alone, Cedric chortled quietly to himself, a look of deviousness across his face.
"Oh, do hurry princess. There's not much time and I've got a date tonight that I'd hate to keep waiting…" He closed the door with a spin as he walked directly to the book shelf wall and ascended the ladder. Wormwood, Cedric's familiar, cawed from his perch at the tower window where he'd watched the exchange between Princess and Sorcerer.
"Don't you see Wormy!" Cedric smiled in the ravens direction. "If I eliminate the competition at Princess Sofia's coming of age ball, then I can have her all to myself."
The bird tilted his head in shock and confusion, letting out a very disapproving sound, but Cedric simply rolled his eyes as he glided a finger over the book spines lining the wall. "To steal the Amulet! You silly creature." Wormwoods expression softened to something resembling a smirk to match his masters. "The Princess wants me to erase her party from the minds of every Prince that could catch her fancy and I'm happy to oblige."
Pulling one book from the wall, Cedric downed the ladder and opened it across the desk. Wormwood followed, gliding from the upper floor window to rest on a pile of spell books that had been abandoned on the other side of the desk. "Every Prince, but I'm not a prince, am I?" With another mischievous snicker, Cedric raised an eyebrow at the raven.
He flipped and thumbed though the pages until he found the spell he was looking for. Tapping the page lightly with his finger tip and glancing at his feathered friend. "I will make myself look like a Prince, just until I get Princess Sofia alone." The sorcerer retrieved a purple wand from the basket beside the work desk as he relayed his plot.
"Then, I'll woo the little princess with my debonaire charm and as she's swooning, like young girls do, I'll swipe the Amulet right out from under her nose." Cedric swiftly swatted his hand past Wormwoods beak for emphasis, but the raven didn't seem convinced. Wormwood gave a low clacking sound to voice his concern.
"Oh, please, Wormy. This is an excellent plan. And what's better, is that the princess won't even know it was me!" With the wave of his wand, Cedric cast the spell. "Occulto princeitatis." A bright glow encased the sorcerer and his dark plum colored robes evaporated. A silken tunic wrapped its self across his chest, the silver in his monochrome hair filled in with solid ebony, and his facial features smoothed out into that of a fair handsome youth.
When the glow dissipated Cedric had been transformed into a Prince of about 17 years old. The royal blue silk that now replaced his woolen robes was quite fitted to his form, likely the magic was grafted to his body and not the garb. The newly crafted Prince Cedric stepped into the reflection of the mirror to admire his facade.
"Ha ha, look at that Wormy!" He clapped his hands together at the sight of his change in appearance before raking a hand through his freshly blackened bangs. "No one would ever suspect!" Cedric beamed a bright handsome smile at himself. Besides his now softer facial features, Prince Cedric was mostly the same as regular Cedric.
Same hight, same weight, and same eyes of golden brown. His hair too remained mostly unchanged, still parted down the middle, but he reasoned that this style was common and somewhat popular among the princes that Sofia spent most of her time with, so it would serve as a decent enough disguise.
Wormwood tilted his head, narrowing his vision on the costume. The raven felt a suspicious shiver up his birdie spine. 'Cedric? A Prince? This is never going to work…' He thought. On the out side, the sorcerer appeared flawlessly royal, but that was the magic.
Wormwood had no doubt the fake prince could trick the optimistic Princess, but she wasn't going to be the only one at the ball. Could Prince Cedric really fool the royal court? Could he fool the King and Queen? At this thought the raven clicked more sounds of his concern, but knowing of course that the sorcerer couldn't hear him. The man was now dancing around the tower, probably lost in another one of his day dreams.
On the other side of the garden, Princess Sofia was rushing to her sister in the ball room. "Amber!" The girl started down the stairs into the dance floor where Princess Amber was tasting the hors d'oeuvres. The line of golden plates and small serving sizes were like a parade of treats, but Sofia didn't have time to take in the glorious smells as she passed the servants.
"Oh, Sofia, you're just in time to help me with…" Amber trailed off when she glanced over the Princesses gown. "I thought you were getting dressed?"
Sofia shook her head. "Never mind that. Amber, do you have a copy of the courtship invitations you sent out to everyone?"
Placing a pondering finger on her chin, Amber narrowed her eyes to the floor. "I might, lets go check my bags." With a wave of her hand the servants filed out of the room and back into the kitchen.
The sisters hurried to Princess Ambers childhood bedroom, the entire walk tailed by a slim man with blond hair who was writing a list of things the princess wanted done before her return to the ball room. "There must be at least three hundred lilac cupcakes. Got that? I want lilac, not lavender! And, I don't want a single guest to go without one, even the villagers."
The man bowed. "Yes, your highness. Of course, your highness."
Sofia couldn't help but notice her sisters change in personality. Just six years ago Amber would have been appalled by the thought of peasant villagers at a royal event, but most of Sofias friends were from the village and her sister went to great lengths to see that all the members of her social circle were treated equally.
As the two reached the bedroom, Amber shooed the servant away before going inside. "Now, lets see…" The princess started finagling with her luggage and Sofia took a moment to breath by the window. From Princess Ambers bedroom window, the sorcerers tower wasn't visible, but Sofia subconsciously searched the scenery for it anyway.
Why was she so nervous? Truly, the idea of being ogled at and bargained for by princes she once considered her friends didn't strike a calming chord across her heart, but Sofia knew she could out right refuse any offers.
Somehow, Sofia had always managed to avoid the awkward royal match making traditions that most princesses would have been forced into by their parents and peers. Even as her friends coupled off and some even married, Sofia remained the singular chaste and unbending princess.
Of all the people in the kingdom, Cedric could definitely understand her wish to remain single, though he may never know the reason she did so. The world, however, saw this as an act of holy purity. Some even referring to her as an Angel of virtue. Of course, Sofia knew better.
She was no snowflake free of sin and her impurity mocked her with dreams. Fantasies of a man clad in deep wine colored robes and duel hued hair. But Sofia was fully ready to live out a life of lies under the guise of innocent modesty.
"Found it!" Amber sang, a small folded paper in her hand. Sofia composed her self with a deep sigh as she returned to her sister. "See, I kept this one because there's a miss spelled word here."
The princesses examined the invitation and sure enough, the word debut was spelled 'debut'. An honest mistake, but Sofia worried that the correction would mess up Cedric's spell. Amber handed Sofia the invitation and asked. "Why do you need this anyway? I told you I already sent them to everyone."
"Oh, um." Sofia smiled nervously at her sister. "I just wanted to read it. To know what you- I mean, what to expect."
"Oh, alright." Amber said before reaching to reclaim the paper and Sofia pulled it away like her life depended on it. "What's wrong? You read it, why do you still want it?"
"Um… As a…" Her eyes looked all around the room before returning to her sister. "… a memento.." Sofia said, hiding the paper in her hands behind her back. "You were right, I'm only going to turn sixteen once and I should remember it."
"Oh. Alright I guess." Amber didn't question it more than that, thankfully. Though Sofia was acting strange Princess Amber knew her sister wasn't one to lie, so she accepted her explanation at face value with the hopes that Sofia was finally coming around to the realities of her station as princess.
But, as she began re-packing the clothes and things she removed from her trunk case in her search, Amber caught sight of Sofia quietly leaving the room. "Are you going to get dressed now?" Amber called out and her sister didn't reply, only picking up her pace out and down the hall. Now running at her top speed towards the sorcerers workshop, where Prince Cedric was still relishing in his dastardly plans.
Hearing the soft taps of the girls shoes against the stone stairs, Cedric undid the disguise in haste. "Occulto resolvo." The tunic and fine features melted off his body and to the ground in a downpour of blue glitter that dissolved as soon as it pooled around his feet. His original clothes and face revealed beneath the shimmering shower. Luckily for him, by the time Princess Sofia whipped the door open the magic had dispelled completely, leaving only regular Cedric, the sorcerer.
Cedric took note of the lengthy process of the counter spell, casting a short glance at the mirror for signs of the disguise. Finding no remaining magic dust he turned his attentions to the out of breath princess. "I got a copy of Ambers invitation just like you said, Mr. Cedric!" Sofia exclaimed looking up at him, breath heavy from her race, sweet smile on her lips, and paper in hand.
"Ah, good girl! Now give it here." Cedric held out an expecting hand, trying to keep a gentle, helpful demeanor despite his eagerness to put his plan in motion.
With another look at the paper, Sofia placed it in his hand. "There is one thing though." She said as he opened and examined the page. The princess hooked a hand under the bend of his elbow, using it as leverage to lift herself up to read the paper along side him. Their hight difference being terribly evident by this action.
On her tip toes, the top of Sofias head of auburn hair managed to level with his chin. But when she leaned in to point out the word debut was misspelled, she unknowingly pressed her breasts lightly against his forearm. "Do you think the spell will still work?" She asked. Cedric tried to ignore this innocent gesture, knowing that she was simply comfortable enough in his company to touch him in these ways, but he could feel her body trembling slightly on his arm. Sofia struggled to keep her self at this hight and her grip on his arm tightened with her wavering balance.
The Princess returned to her usual hight, barely at his shoulders, and turned to look at his face. "Mr. Cedric?" She was no longer pressed against him, but her gentle hand still rested in the crook of his elbow.
"Ahum." Cedric stepped away, pulling from her grasp, trying to forget the soft feeling of her chest and retrieved a short table from behind a curtain. "Yes, I don't think that should be a problem." He moved the table to the center of the room and ushered the Princess back a few steps. Placing the parcel on the surface and with a wand raised, Cedric paused. "Now, you're sure that only the men invited to the ball received these letters? I'd hate to make your entire guest list up and vanish."
Sofia hadn't thought of that possibility, but shrugged it off. "I don't think someone as detail oriented as Amber would have sent a courtship inquiry to a princess or duchess."
"Hm, indeed." Cedric nodded, a brow cocked in amusement.
Returning to the task at hand, the sorcerer flicked his wand at the parcel and it began to float with a soft glow around it. "Erase of the thing, erase of the mind, don't let these guests arrive on time." Cedric spun his wand around the paper and it twirled in the air with the motion.
At that moment, though the Princess and Sorcerer couldn't see it, every invitation sent to a princely party guest had suspiciously vanished from desk drawers, coat pockets, and organized boxes. Equally as suspicious was that the princes themselves couldn't remember what day or what time the ball was supposed to take place.
"There, that should do it." Cedric said, smiling with a bit of pride at his accomplishment, but he was startled by the Princess suddenly latching onto his body again. Raising his hands up to avoid another accidental touch, he snapped his attention to her, finding she had wrapped him in another insufferable hug. These shows of her affection were becoming quite tedious, he thought.
She pulled away from him, lingering with in his reach of personal space. Staring up into his face with her bright blue eyes, her features lacking the famous enthusiastic smile of the beloved Princess of Enchancia. Her expression was hopeful, but also somber, her eyes searching his own.
Cedric gulped down the lump in his throat, breaking Sofia from her strange state and filling the room with an awkward aura. A soft pink blush streamed across her nose and she stepped farther away. "Thank you, Mr. Cedric." The princess said the same words she always said when he did things for her, and yet, it sounded different. There was some disappointment in her tone.
Smoothing out the wrinkles of his robe, Cedric coughed slightly into his fist in an attempt to shake the nervousness from his mind. "Yes, well… You're welcome… Princess Sofia." It was always difficult to accept her thanks for things he was doing selfishly.
He was selfish often, but the princess never really knew the extent of his wickedness. She must take him for a saint, tending to her every call and bending to her every plea. Never seeing him for what he truly was, always looking for the good in him.
This of course made Sofia easy prey. He'd humor her affections, bask in her praise, he'd even offer his help willingly, but with every act of kindness her trust in him grew. She was ready and willing to help him in his evil schemes without even realizing that's what they are. Evil.
Cedric fought a smirk, remembering his own cleverness in the past, but when Sofia went to take the last remaining courtship invite that still sat upon the table, Cedric panicked. Launching his body past her and swiping the parcel off the table to hold it away from her. The princess blinked at him, frozen in shock by his action and defensive posture.
"Uh." Cedric voiced, realizing he had no explanation for his behavior. At least, not one that wouldn't expose his plans. There was a small moment of silence as Cedric hastily tried to construct a lie in his mind. "L-let me dispose of this for you, Princess!" He insisted, waving his wand to levitate the invitation through the air and dropping it into a small waste basket beside the work desk. Cedric crossed his arms, wand in hand. "There now, nothing to worry about at all!"
Her shock softened into a sweet appreciative smile. "Thanks again, Mr. Cedric." Sofia gave a short curtsy before heading in the direction of the door. "I should probably go. There's still lots to do before the ball."
"Yes, of course my dear." Cedric waved his hand in a shooing motion towards the exit. "We mustn't waste anymore time fretting over this courtship nonsense. Go enjoy your evening, Princess. Go on."
Escorting her out of the workshop, Cedric stopped in the door way as the Princess continued on her way, but she hesitated at the edge of the staircase. Turning her head over her shoulder to look at him, Sofia asked. "Will I see you tonight, Mr. Cedric? At the party I mean."
"Oh, I shouldn't think so." Cedric responded with a smirk, knowing that he'd very well be at the ball, but she definitely wouldn't see him. "You know how I despise these sort of events."
"Oh." Sofia voiced in responds and the disappointment on her face changed his attitude. His smirk faded and was replaced with a frown at his own callousness.
It was then that Cedric realized that he'd have to at least make an appearance as himself at the coming of age celebration. For Prince James and Princess Amber's sixteenth birthday the sorcerer had been requested to put on a magical performance for the twins. Princess Sofia hadn't asked him for anything of the sort, but the King and Queen would surely notice his absence. With a sigh, Cedric shrugged his shoulders. "But, I suppose I might pop in for a minute if you'd like?"
Sofias eyes lit up again and Cedric held up a pointed finger. "Just for a minute." He insisted. "I'm a very busy sorcerer and I would really rather not spend the whole night chaperoning your royal recess."
With a bright smile of excitement, Sofia started running down the stairs. Cedric followed her just to the top step and peered around the curved stairwell, watching her descend. "I'll see you later then, Mr. Cedric!" She called back to him with a wave just before disappearing out of sight into the darkness of the tower corridor.
"I'll see you later, Princess Sofia." Cedric replied, though he was pretty sure the girl was out of ear shot, and returned to the sanctity of his lair. Closing the door behind him and this time, locking the latch securely before beginning his preparations for the next step of his plan.
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AN: So this is just the first chapter but you can probably see how the title of this fanfic plays into the theme. I love a goofy, happy, Cedric and a determined, out of the crowd Sofia. Let me know if you think this chapter was too short. I think it's a pretty normal length, but I would love to hear what you think so I can adjust my next chapter accordingly. Chapter two should be out on June 29th. The long break between uploads is only so I can perfect the chapter and work on other projects in the mean time.