15. HUGO, I'M SORRY!
Sofia took a deep breath and knocked the door. No answer. She tried again. This time, she heard a slight rustling and shuffling sounds from the inside of the chamber and after that, the door was burst open. And then, a pair of intense, penetrating eyes were staring at her that made her heart and soul trembled.
Ugh, Prince Hugo?
Prince Hugo was looking at her with the coldest eyes. Never had Sofia seen such cold eyes in her almost eighteenth years of life. As long as she could remember, never had she seen Prince Hugo threw such bitter eyes upon anyone in her school that annoyed the hell out of him. Not even to James. But now, she was the one who had been the unfortunate recipient of his hatred and she knew things were going to be very difficult for her. But she had no other choice except trying to make things better or at least, not make things worse than they already were.
Prince Hugo reached his hand out, ready to slam the door in her face but Sofia moved faster. Mind made up, she shoved her way through the door and squeezed in just in time before the door closed forcefully behind her. Hugo could only watch the determined princess got her way into his chamber and now standing face to face with him. Hugo's super luxurious chamber was unable to catch Sofia's attention in her eagerness to achieve the desperate mission - to ask for Hugo's forgiveness.
Now they were together in the room. Alone.
Looking at Hugo's emotionless eyes staring back at her, Sofia suddenly realized that she had been so cold and heartless all this while just because of her damned prejudiced towards Hugo. She asked herself silently, what had actually happened to her? Where had the old Sofia been? The old Sofia always forgives, always right the wrongs, always been positive in whatever she did and only see beauty in others. Not punished others because of unintended mistake.
But he didn't make any mistake here. It was I who just being stupid. Oh… only if I could turn back time, I swear things would not have been like this. Sofia could not prolong her train of thought when a hard and deep voice suddenly interrupted her disturbing mind.
"So, what brings the always-right Princess to my humble room?" Sofia heard Hugo asked in an unwelcoming tone that made Sofia felt hot and sweaty.
"What do you actually want, Sofia?" He asked again. Sofia stood there, frozen to the spot as if every fiber in her had died, killed by Hugo's daggering eyes. She could only swallow nervously thinking of her next move.
Hugo arched an eyebrow when the princess in front of him failed to vocalize a response.
"Look, princess. I don't have all day. If you really like my chamber, you can remain here, but I'm going out."Sofia noted that Hugo did not mention her name as always and that he lifted his chin higher than he always did, as if Sofia was just a small insect in his eyes. Whether it was his usual arrogance or an already-damaged pride he really wanted to preserve, was something Sofia could not fathom. Before Sofia could think further, Prince Hugo had opened the door and left in a huff.
Hugo, wait up! She cried, but no sound came out of her lips. Then, she remembered again that she had lost her voice.
She dashed out of the room and followed Hugo's footsteps desperately. The guards who were standing outside the chamber could only watch curiously the two messed up royals and then looked at each other helplessly.
But just a few seconds later, Sofia lost Hugo in between of the massive palace's wall and worse, she lost her own direction in a couple of similar corridors. Dang, this guy walked too fast and just vanished like smoke in the wind! Sofia complaint inwardly.
He really hates me now, and I will not be forgiven. Sofia thought sadly.
But maybe he is still angry and then, he's not the kind of person who is quick to forgive. She tried to convince herself that she still got hope. But something in Hugo's eyes told her that she would not get her apology that easy, and the things between them are not going to be the same, like how it used to be.
She walked following her foot along the corridor, all the way thinking about the second Prince of Albuquerque. Suddenly she arrived at a huge, beautifully carved limestone entrance that seemed to lead her to another part of the palace. She entered the entrance and walked on the long pathway until she realized it was actually leading her to the palace's training site when she saw several knights and page boys practicing with their bows and arrows while several others were sparring with each other. They were surprised to see her there, but no one dared to say anything as the knights proceeded with their training and tried hard to ignore the sudden presence of the beautiful princess at their training site. But Sofia felt terribly uncomfortable being the only woman at the site and received unwanted attention, that made her almost turn back to where she came from. But she is the girl on a mission, she will not turn back until she gets her mission accomplished. She walked further until she saw familiar figures at one corner of the site, Prince Hugo, who was practicing sword with Prince Axel. She marched towards them to execute her still-not-successful mission and this time she would make sure she'll get the apology she desperately needs from Hugo.
"Err... Sofia. What are you doing here?" Asked Axel curiously.
Of course, she couldn't answer him since she was mute, but to not make it obvious, she pretended she didn't hear Axel.
"A lady is not supposed to be here, you know..." Said Axel again, grinning as he watched Sofia walking towards Hugo. The incident happened yesterday between the two had been the talk of the town and Axel was certain it would be appearing in the royal news's gossip column by today.
Poor baby bro. Suddenly became a celebrity royal for the wrong reason, thought Axel.
The Second Prince of Albuquerque was humiliated in public!
Handsome Prince Hugo got his first rejection!
No arrogant, only a damaged pride Prince!
He almost chuckled thinking about the possible headlines in the news that might infuriate his little brother to seven bloody hells.
Hugo had already stopped swinging his sword and now looking at Sofia in annoying. Axel watched Hugo and knew instantly that his brother was not in the mood for anything right now and seemed ready to kill anyone under his nose but the Enchancia's princess didn't seem to aware of that.
Sofia knew she must get her apology at any cost or became a mute forever in life. But that was not her priority that moment after she had realized her mistake. The most important thing is she really wanted to apologize wholeheartedly to Hugo, healed their relationship and make it right again. But the said prince did not seem to share the same opinion with her when she saw his face darken the moment he saw her.
"Why do you follow me, hmm? What else do you want?" Hugo hissed dangerously. He looked mad as a hornet and was standing with his sword pointed to the ground but his eyes filled with the hunger of a predator ready to pounce on his prey.
Axel watched them carefully. They were just about an inch closer and if Hugo takes the princess by her throat, twist it or break her neck... Both of us will really be in deep shit!
"Or... You wanted to tell me that I should be punished worse than the hard slap you gave?" Hugo's voice was low, but Sofia could detect a kind of bestial derision in his tone, and she expected that. Though she was not terrified, it still sent shivers down her spine.
Axel was preparing himself for the worst as he watched Hugo tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword until his knuckles turned white as if ready to slash the princess in front of him into pieces.
Crap! I must do something before something terrible happens. Hugo isn't in a stable condition right now and capable of doing anything even killing someone. Then, our kingdoms may end up in war and thousands of innocent subjects would die. And that opportunist King of Freezenburg will happily give military support to Enchancia as revenge to Albuquerque after I called my betrothal off with Princess Astrid. We definitely are not in the winning situation. Axel made a brisk calculation in his mind about his next move to performing a damage control plan.
At the same time, Sofia knew she must do something quick while the opportunity still lies before her. She couldn't care less anymore about Hugo's negative reaction nor the eyes of all people present at the training site that moment. Begging for forgiveness is what she's going to do if she has to. She took the message she had written earlier out of her pocket and showed it to Hugo.
Hugo glanced at the piece of paper in front of his face curiously before shifted her eyes to stare at the tiny princess in front of him. He took the paper nonetheless, and then read the handwritten message on it.
He scoffed. "So, you are asking for forgiveness?" He asked with a mirthless smile. "Why? Can't say it out because you do not feel sorry or is it because it is too shameful?" Asked Hugo, waving the paper sheet in Sofia's face. "Princess, I believe sorry is such a simple word, but the hardest thing to say especially to say it sincerely. Of course, admission of wrongdoing is extremely difficult and I do not expect to hear it from someone so proud like you. Why are you here, anyway? Is it because the King asked you?" He gave another of his trademark scoff. "Well, you don't have to apologize to me if you don't feel like you want to do it because I dislike a hypocrite and fake person!" He lashed out.
With those words he tore up the paper and threw the pieces into the air, then he walked away.
Unbeknownst to Sofia, Hugo and Axel, they had been observed by Queen Eleanor and Duke Alexis from the top floor of one of the palace's private balconies, with high interest.
"The commoner princess is now worrying the consequences of her ridiculous stunt she pulled yesterday. I can't believe her. She is either very-very stupid or extraordinarily brave!" Remark Duke Alexis. Queen Eleanor could not agree more with him but she seemed to have a deep thought over the scene that just took place down there.
"She is lucky she's the Queen's daughter or else, her head must have been separated from the body for her crime or she would have been thrown into the dungeon full of snakes or poisonous animals." Added the Duke.
"So, what do you think would happen, next? Will Hugo forgive her?" Asked the Queen, softly.
"Of course, Hugo will forgive her." Answered a firmed raspy voice from behind their back, that almost made Duke Alexis jumped.
King Garrick. And he was grinning stupidly at them.
"He likes the girl from the very first time he saw her in Royal Prep. Since when they were just kids! Nothing is going to change his feelings for her, not even her silly act she put up on him, yesterday." The King offered his opinion. "He will still like her even if she stab his chest with a dagger and kills him. Eleanor, you should have known your son better than me." Said the King, fixing his eyes at Queen Eleanor in disbelief as if she was the most dense person he had ever met.
"Duke Alexis, why are you still here?" Asked the King, turning his gaze to the male figure next to the Queen. The king's tone made Duke Alexis and Queen Eleanor forget instantly what they were both doing just a few minutes ago. They had just to cancel their intention to continue watching the drama that was still going on down there in the training site.
"I thought you have had started your journey to the Venuscia Province? To help solve the disputes over the coal mine between the landlords, remember?" Said the King.
"Well, ugh... yes, my Lord." Answered the Duke sheepishly, did not dare to look at the King's eyes.
"Then, what are you waiting for? Off you go." Said the King sternly that made Duke Alexis shuddered and ducked out of the room.
"Ah, Eleanor. I want to show you something... " Said the King, putting his hand comfortably around the Queen's upper back, guiding her towards his study.
Meanwhile, back to the scenes of our favorite royals, Sofia could only watch the pieces of her apologize message scattered in the air and fell to the ground. The exasperated prince stomping off the training site, leaving Sofia in dismay.
Oh no. What should I do? He totally can't forgive me and seemed to really hate me for what I did.
Does it mean I will remain mute for life?
But, I deserve this... Fate has been so kind to me and this was how I paid.
But fate, I've learned a lesson and I sincerely regretted all the things I did. So, please... Give me another chance!
Sofia watched Hugo went away. Her heart sank into her shoes by his rejection, but her mind soared into the sky doing multiple of thinking simultaneously. She decided she was not going to give up. Yes, she must do something... quick. Before the window of opportunity close up, forever. Gathering all her courage, she ran after him as fast as she could.
Hugo watched angrily at the girl who had been following him around relentlessly and now stood directly in front of him, blocking his way.
"Sofia, do not try to make a scene, again. Enough with this nonsense or I will not tolerate... " But he could not finish his words because what she did next was something he had not expected.
She hugged him.
Right then and there.
In front of everybody.
In front of everyone who presents in the training site.
He was utterly speechless with her action. Suddenly, Hugo was the one who became mute. He could only watch the beautiful princess in his arms - no, the beautiful princess who wrapped her arms around him, desperately wanted to tell him something, like she needed to pour her heart out to him. For the first time since their cat and dog episodes, he able to watch her that close. She looked emotional and miserable, her eyes were bloodshot, puffy and glassy and her face was swollen from long crying. And she was still crying silently that he would not notice it if he did not feel her slight body heaved from their close body contact. She looked awfully guilty as if suffering a deep regret that she might not forgive herself. Her lips were trembling badly as she struggled to say something, but nothing came out. Only at that very moment, Hugo realized that Sofia meant what she had written in the message and that she is honestly asking for his forgiveness.
"Hugo, I'm so sorry." Said Sofia finally.
Hugo just raised an eyebrow, but Sofia was dumbstruck.
Did I just hear my voice? I can speak again. My lord, I can speak again!
Only God knew how happy she was when she found out that she had gotten her voice back. The curse had been lifted. Meaning that, Hugo actually had forgiven her already!
She cleared her throat, looking for words when she realized that Hugo was waiting for her to continue speaking. Yes, the prince does not know about the curse, so she still needs to apologize.
"Hugo, I'd like to apologize for how I reacted yesterday." She began. "That was very wrong of me. I shouldn't do that. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me..."
She wanted to continue her speech, but the prince was smiling the sweetest smile at her that made her forget what she wanted to say next.
God, he looks so charming when he's smiling like this.
How could he change so fast from furious to joyous in just a blink?
He's one great actor, isn't he?
Hugo just looked at Sofia, taking the opportunity to watch her entire face in such a breath's distance, at the same time thinking about the appropriate response he should give her and contemplating to turn the situation to his advantage.
"Well, I can forgive you on one condition." Said Hugo.
"Yes?"
"Go on a date with me."
"What?!"
"I want an answer, not a question."
Sofia knew she was not in the bargaining position, so she chose the safest answer.
"Ugh... Yes."
"Good. See you tomorrow morning." Said Hugo, ready to pick his sword up that was lying on the ground. Only then, Sofia noticed she had still been wrapping her arms around him unconsciously but comfortably. She removed them from his torso abruptly and felt the warm blood rush to her face. Her face became even redder than it already was when she saw Hugo's smug face. The face he had always displayed after winning the derby championship when they were together in a team. Hugo was still smiling, no, smirking when he went off, leaving Sofia alone with her thought. Of course he acted as such, she had hugged him - witnessed by everyone present at the training site, including a few others whom she was sure had been spying from the main tower. More or less, it would certainly have restored his pride and improved his image which had been previously wounded by her. It made her wonder whether it was she who got her mission accomplished, or him? She wanted to give a thought to that, but... Ugh, nevermind...
Hm, now I've got a date. A date? It is my first date ever, it is not?
AN: Hello guys, how are you doing? I guess it's not only Sofia who owes an apology here, but me as well. I'm sorry for the slow updating of this story. As I told you previously, I'm relocating, so it took longer for me to settle down more than I thought. But I'm back and I personally hope I can update this story more frequently.
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW: I actually wanted to add another scene – about their first date, in this chapter. But it will take longer for me to do the writing, and this chapter has been quite long already. So, please wait in the next chapter. They are going to have a few dates before the day of the Albuquerque's Spring Festival. No more dog and cat fight, only romance. (I promise..)
REVIEW: Please review or say hello, to let me know that you do not forget this plain story. Tqvm
