After a few hours of flight, the group landed in a spacious clearing filled with wildflowers. Once everyone was off their respective mounts Amber asked if Cedric and Lucinda could conjure up a carriage, and proper gowns for them, of course. The grey and black haired sorcerer simply waved his wand and a wardrobe appeared. While conjuring the missing items from his attire, he explained that the wardrobe would have everything they should need to make the ruse believable. Amber, without ceremony, dragged the other two females into the magical wardrobe and found Cedric, had somehow, made it so she had access to her entire closet. Letting out a little squeal the twenty-one-year-old princess started to rush around getting everything they would need.
Amber paused for a moment to ask Jade and Lucinda if they had any preference to what they would wear only to catch them in the middle of a heated kiss. Since Amber was fourteen she had wanted to know what it would be like to kiss another girl and as she matured so did her desires. Moaning softly at the image of the navy haired witch's hands buried in the dark brown hair of her lover, Amber knew she would have wet dreams for a month. Silently Amber wished she could act on her desires but knew that she couldn't. After all, she was a princess and Princess's were expected to marry princes, as much as she wished otherwise.
While the ladies were busy getting ready Cedric set about creating a carriage. All the while grumbling that he wasn't a fucking fairy godmother, well in his case it would be fairy godfather but whom really cares at this point. Finally, he managed to get what could pass as a royal carriage; he approached the two flying horses and explained to them he would have to charm their wings so that they weren't noticeable. Normally Cedric wouldn't even bother with the explanation; but, he figured, seeing how one of the horses was Sofia's, he would at least tell them why their wings had to go, temporarily.
After what felt like hours to Cedric the three women exited the wardrobe each wearing a gown that suited them. Although Lucinda's could hardly be classified as such, it was mulberry in colour and at the waist, it flared open to revile the sangria trousers she was wearing, her hair was done in an updo with a small pointed hat that matched her dress. Jade, on the other hand, looked every inch like a lady-in-waiting her dress was an indigo blue. Jade's dark hair was also piled high on her head with a matching pointed hat. Amber was last, ever the showboat, she was dressed in her customary golden yellow her favourite tiara on her golden locks.
Ever the gentleman Cedric opened the carriage door for the ladies and ushered them in noting that each one had a mild fragrance on. Sofia must have told them about my sensitive nose, thought Cedric. Before he could climb into the driver's seat a well-manicured hand reached up and undid his yellow bow tie and opened the first few buttons of his shirt. Cedric's mouth was hanging open as Amber took a small step back. She pursed her lips and was tapping her index finger on them. Then she quickly popped her head into the carriage.
'I'm going to help Cedric look the part of the Dashing hero going to rescue his princess, will you two be alright in here for a bit? If any part of your attire is out of place, and that includes hair and make-up, there will be hell to pay.' Lucinda nodded a slightly wicked smirk on her face. She had seen the way the princess had looked at them when Jade wasn't looking. The sheer heat in her gaze had Lucinda wanting to press the fellow woman up against the wall to see if the blond haired woman was as wet as Lucinda was.
Knowing that Lucinda could charm their appearance back to the way it was Amber left them alone and grabbed the confused sorcerer by his arm to drag him over to the wardrobe he had forgotten to banish. She had him stand with his arms held out, like he was on a cross, as the golden-eyed princess moved around him, silently appraising his clothes. Amber reached over, grabbed the belt that held his sorcerer robes closed and pulled causing the plum robes to open.
'Remove the vest but you can keep the robes,' Amber commanded him, as only one of royalty was able. Amber leant against the vanity and sighed, 'you don't realize but when I saw you this morning with your robe and shirt undone, I could see the You Sofia always sees. You are now part of the family Cedric and as the princesses consort, you will have to get used to not hiding behind your robes Cedric, you must stand tall. Be confident, of all the men Sofia could have chosen she chose you. I love my sister and at times I don't understand what goes through her head but seeing you today I can at least understand why Sofia fell for you and not someone else.' With that over and done with Amber walked back over to Cedric and pushed him down onto one of the many chairs. Slowly, Amber started to understand why Cedric never did anything with his hair; it was impossible to get it to co-operate with her.
'Thank you, princess, it means more than you can imagine to me, having your approval. I know Sofia cares a great deal for your opinion,' Cedric started, he could feel the tension in the air, as Amber busied herself with fixing her appearance. 'However, if you don't mind me asking why are you so tense, I have never seen you like this at any of the royal gatherings I have been forced to attend.' Amber sighed knowing her appearance was already perfect, she never went anywhere without it being so, and thinking on the many times Sofia had told her the royal sorcerer was a great confidant. She gathered what courage she could and started to explain why she was so tense.
'Whenever I look at Jade and Lucinda together I can't help but want to know what it would be like to love a woman like that,' Letting out another sigh, Amber gracefully lowered herself into one of the other chairs. 'Don't get me wrong I also want to know what it's like to love a man in the same fashion, but I can't help but feel like there is something wrong with me.' Coming to the conclusion that it was a big deal for the young woman Cedric stood up, walked the few short feet over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Amber took a deep breath and let it out. Standing she looked at Cedric straight in his hazel eyes. 'You won't tell anyone will you?'
'Princess, keeping secrets is the thing I can do best, aside from magic of course.' Cedric's thin lips had a small smirk on his face, letting Amber know that her secret was safe with him until she gave permission otherwise. 'Now let go get Sofia, I still need to ask her if I can court her.' Amber looked shocked as they walked out of the wardrobe, and this time Cedric remembered to banish it. 'Don't look so surprised, I only got permission from your father yesterday. Also, when I saw her last night it wasn't the time nor the place to be asking that and I was planning on asking her today.' Once again Cedric opened the carriage door for Amber, causing the two ladies within to suddenly sit up; Lucinda quickly pulled out her wand and cast a quick spell to fix their sleep mused appearance.
The three women inside the carriage were seething with rage as they passed through village after village. The kingdom of Enchancia was prosperous but Amber knew not everyone was lucky enough to have been born into money; however, that did not mean that they couldn't afford the basic necessities due to being taxed on nearly everything. Amber also noticed that when they left a village some of the people would be standing around talking about how the storehouse was now filled. She let a small knowing smile come to her face; she knew Cedric had to be the one doing it. Considering the navy haired witch in her company was busy making life miserable for the guards and tax collectors. Lucinda was discreetly hexing the ones that were harassing the villagers, simple hexes mostly, wouldn't want anyone to notice the magic that was being cast. Normally Jade had an issue with her girlfriend hexing people but in this instance, the bespectacled woman was pointing out targets for her lady love.
They were able to pass nearly unmolested due to the fact that they were flying the royal flag of Enchancia, in fact, the guards left their carriage alone, it was the commoners that came up to ask for little gifts of charity. The blond haired princess knew that she was a vain woman but that did not mean she was blind to the suffering of others. Amber gave out little bits of her jewellery knowing it wasn't much but it should help them in the long run. When a young woman, who looked more like a skeleton with flesh still attached, came up to the carriage. There was a soft cry from the bundle the poor woman was holding.
'Please, take my baby boy, he's starving to death, please take him somewhere he will be loved and cared for,' Came the raspy voice of the woman, Amber could see the bruises on her arms and face. So she called to Cedric to stop the carriage when it had stopped she opened the door and stepped out. Slowly, as to not frighten the young woman any more than she already was, Amber walked over to her and reached for the baby.
'Don't worry about your son; I will personally make sure that he finds a loving home. I wish I could do this for more of the families here; however, right now that is not possible.' Amber whispered to the young mother, 'What is your name I wish to honour the woman who had the courage to give up her son to a stranger, as well so I can tell him about you when he is older.' Gently taking the baby the princess instantly fell in love with his little face. He will be my son, she thought to herself. She didn't care that it was mostly unheard of for a royal to adopt a commoner's baby.
'My name is Adeline, his name is Brendis, it means little raven. Thank you for sparing him the life I have had to live.' With that, she gave her son one last kiss and disappeared into the crowd. Cedric hopped down to help the Princess back into the carriage as well as to conjure a better blanket for the boy. Lucinda already had a bottle for Brendis to drink from, while explaining to the new mother what she would need to do to care for him. As the local good witch, the navy hair woman had been called on more than a few time to act as midwife.
'Cedric, do you think my father will be upset that I'm claiming this little man for my own?' Amber was hesitant to ask, but she had to know. This beautiful baby boy needed her and she wasn't going to let him down.
'I am not sure of how your father will react; however, I am reasonably positive that your mother will talk some sense into him should he disagree.' Cedric looked at his nephew in and smiled. The sorcerer may not be a legal part of the family yet but he was still, in his mind, the boy's uncle, and as such he would make sure the boy wanted for nothing, without becoming spoiled. 'Now we best be on our way ladies, we have to bring Princess Sofia her new nephew.' Climbing back into the driver's seat Cedric's face fell into a scowl. How dare the royalty of this kingdom treat their subjects so, if there was one thing he knew about ruling it was that the people were the lifeblood of the kingdom, not the rulers. That's what he had learned from watching Roland II and fucking common sense.
They pulled up to the front of the gothic looking castle a short while later. One of the castle servants opened the carriage door and the three women glided out. Amber, still holding her new son, looked every inch the princess she was while Jade and Lucinda followed behind; each had a bag, which matched their dresses, of course, carrying the essentials for Brendis.
'Cedric, get down here, you baffling fool,' Amber commanded, they had agreed that until they found where Sofia was Cedric was to fall back into his bumbling sorcerer role,.' I can't believe Daddy had me bring you along after the disgrace you brought to the Kingdom by striking a member of Foreign Royalty.' With an indignant huff, she stalked toward the castle doors, the two other women close behind and with Cedric, who appeared to be sulking, bringing up the rear. Jade and Lucinda quickly fell into the roles of chattering ladies, bringing up everything from the décor to how wonderful their princess was and what an idiot the royal sorcerer of Enchancia was.
The four of them were led to an antechamber to freshen up. The room itself was a far size allowing room for even large parties of people to use it; however, the décor was gaudy even by Amber's sense of style. There was gold everywhere and all the gold was encrusted with sapphires, diamonds and rubies. Obviously, it was trying to showcase the wealth of the king but all they could see was the suffering of the people. The king could afford to do this to one room while his people starved. Cedric sat hunched over by the door on what, in Enchancia, could be classified as a throne.
A short while later a thin young man showed up and told them the king was willing to see them now. He saw the blond haired princess get upset as if his very presence was insulting, only to hear that in her kingdom the steward himself would show guests where to go. At twenty-two he wasn't a fool, he knew that the kingdom was starting to collapse due to the neglect of the king. Rising from his bow he asked if they would kindly follow him. As they neared him he saw the amber-eyed woman was holding a baby and instantly recognized him as the boy born to his cousin. He closed his emerald eyes to stop the flow of tears that were threatening to fall, when he opened them again he saw the princess smiling softly at him.
'Do you know him?' her voice was soft and quiet, as Brendis was asleep.
'He is my second cousin, I was there when Adeline gave birth to him and have seen him once a week since then,' he said just as softly, looking at the baby he may never see again once they leave, 'if you have him then I can only imagine what has happened to her.'
'Do not worry for your little cousin. Brendis will be well cared for as a member of the Enchancian royal family. You have my word as the crown princess of Enchancia,' Amber quietly told him, then handed him a note that the only male in her entourage had gave her.
If you ever need any assistance what so ever send word to Princess Amber, she will make sure you get whatever help you need. Up to and including passage out of the kingdom for you and your family.
P.S. tell Adeline she is to go to Enchancia away from her abusive husband, the princess would very much appreciate it.
He quietly told them his name was Gabriel and he would gladly take his cousin to Enchancia after Princess Amber had finished her business here. He led the small group to the throne room where King Achim waited for them. Gabriel also was aware of the other 'guest' the king had. A young woman named Sofia. The king had sent troops to acquire the brown-haired young woman, he wasn't sure on the specifics but he had heard that they used an elf to lure her away from her home. Hopefully, the newcomer's will be able to save her.
Jade and Lucinda had to grab a hold of Cedric's arms when they entered the throne room for there stood Sofia, hands bound in front of her like a criminal, with a chain that connected to the throne where the fat bastard that had her taken sat. Cedric raged as he took in her appearance; she was still wearing her nightgown and overcoat from the night before, but they were torn in many places. There were numerous bruises on what skin he could see. Sofia hadn't noticed them yet, she was too busy glaring at the pig that had her bound.
'You honestly think my Father is going to bow to your demands? Ha, he is more likely to send Enchancia's greatest sorcerer to destroy you instead.' She stood firm as her faith in her sorcerer never waivered.
'Goodwyn the Great, is an ageing old fool there is no way he would be able to destroy me,' the beady-eyed king replied with a dismissive wave of his chubby hand. The blue-eyed princess laughed out loud at the ignorant fool.
'No, not Goodwyn the Great but his son Cedric the Sensational,' everyone could hear the pride in her voice. 'Cedric is the greatest sorcerer Enchancia has ever seen, I have met Goodwyn the Great and he doesn't even hold a candle to what Cedric is capable of.' The king backhanded her, causing her to fly down the steps toward Cedric and the others. Before she could hit the ground Cedric had broken free of Jade and Lucinda's hold on him and caught her in his arms. Smiling down at her, the sorcerer quickly banished the chains that bound his princess.
Cedric pulled her up as he stood; reaching into one of his long sleeves he pulled out a familiar purple wand and handed it to her.
'Now, princess what have I told you about your wand?' he gently admonished her.
'I didn't think I would need it, all I was planning on doing last night was going for a walk in the gardens.' She had a sheepish look on her face, but then remembered where they were. Cedric placed a small kiss on her forehead which caused King Achim to start ranting about how Sofia was going to be his bride and Cedric had better get his hands off her. 'As I said I will never be your bride, my father will never agree to it regardless of what you threaten him with.'