Later that day after the three ladies had left Cedric's workshop, he was doing a quick check of his potion ingredients and noticed some of them were running rather low. He remembered that Sofia had planted several of the more common ingredients in their little garden, so he left his workshop to check if they were ready for harvesting.
"Oh, if you are going to be a member of this family you had better get used to eating with us, so why don't you join us tonight?" The queen cornered Cedric in the staircase coming down from his tower, and he knew at that point as much as it was phrased as a question it was a command, and he had better be down in the family dining room that evening. So there Cedric was with the Royal family and their two guests. Sofia was sitting beside him when Roland started up the table conversation.
"So Sofia, you never did explain to us how you were taken from the palace grounds." Her father, King Roland, said while they waited for dinner to be brought to them. Sofia blushed remembering how easily they captured her.
"Well," She started hesitating a bit until she felt Cedric grab her hand for support. "As Cedric knows after I left his tower, the night before last, I went for a walk in the gardens only to find an elf drowning in the moat. So, of course, I had to go help just to see that the elf didn't need help and he, I think, was paid to lure me out so that Achime's guards could grab me." Sofia looked only at Cedric and continued, "That's why you saw me with so many bruises, I tried to fight them off, only there was little I could do in my nightdress and lounging robe." Sofia's big blue eyes returned to her plate embarrassed. Her long hair hiding her face from view
"Why do you hide your face from me?" Cedric asked he had forgotten where they were as he gently grabbed her chin to make her look at him again. Staring into her eyes, Cedric saw the embarrassment but also a small, but noticeable, amount of shame. "There is no need to be embarrassed, love, you fought back. I can remember all the times you foiled my plans to take over the kingdom, whether you knew it or not. Then the next time I needed help you were always right there ready and willing. I also know of a brave little princess who stood up to Morgana more than once." Cedric leaned in to give her a small kiss when they heard someone clear their throat. Shit, I forgot where I was, Cedric thought as he looked over to see the amused looks on the Ladies faces. King Roland on the other had looked shocked. That's when Cedric noticed Prince James was missing. Miranda seeing his confused look as he looked over the occupants of the table.
"James is currently in Tangu visiting with his friend Prince Zandar." Cedric nodded as dinner was served.
"Princess Sofia, would you like to join me for a walk in the gardens after supper?" Cedric asked, hoping he wasn't being to forward with his request. Sofia, who had her mouth full at the time, nodded happily.
"If you don't mind Cedric, Jade and I will like to join you for your walk." Lucinda joined in the conversation, both wanting to go for a walk with he beloved and chaperone the two so that they don't do anything they weren't supposed to before the wedding.
Sofia, who noticed that Amber wasn't eating because of holding Brendis, stood and walked around the table to take her nephew so that her sister could eat. As she looked at the babe in her arms, she tried to banish the memories. The guards who had taken her had said many vile things to her, from her looks to how Achime enjoyed breaking women with some spirit in them, and how that pig of a man would stuff her with so many children that she wouldn't be able to go anywhere.
Two weeks later the Royal Family including Cedric, Lucinda and Jade were sitting in the family parlour enjoying some downtime. When Goodwyn barged in, a furious look on his face.
'Cedric why is it that we got a royal summons stating you are courting Princess Sofia?' Goodwin asked the moment he arrived at the castle, he was still partially convinced that Cedric was still the little boy Goodwin always saw when he looked at his son. It was hard for Goodwin to admit that Cedric was a grown adult and could do things without his parents helping him every step of the way. Winifred smiled knowingly but wisely kept quiet on the subject. She felt it was about time her little boy got the happiness he deserved. Cedric may not have followed in her evil footsteps, but she couldn't deny that Sofia made him happier than Winifred had seen her son in a long time.
The sudden appearance of Cedric's parents jolted Sofia out of her depressing thoughts and went to go greet them. Goodwin seeing the baby in her arms jump to the conclusion that Cedric had impregnated the princess and now had a bastard child.