He had said yes. Cedric only gave it a few moments thought before he decided they would have their little picnic. Now that he had and she had left for bed he wondered if it was his smartest decision. He didn't want to string her along but he wasn't, was he? He was just going to have a nice time with her, he wasn't doing anything cruel by doing so. Still he wasn't sure of himself or of her. She had always been a touchy feely person, always hugging him, and that day was meant for affection. He had no clue what she might do given that they would be all alone in a closed off area. Not only that but since everyone else would be off on their romantic escapades there would be no interruptions, just the two in the silence of the afternoon. He was a bit worried for her sake and truthfully his own. She obviously liked him but now he was seeing clear as day that she liked him more than normal. He didn't want to hurt her feelings and tell her that it couldn't be.
She was a princess; a young, virtuous, virginal, sweet, powerful princess and he was a cremudigy old wizard who had a bad track record. It was unheard of for a royal to get with one like him, especially given the large age gap. The other problem was Sofia was growing each day and one day he'd turn to see her enter his tower and she'd no longer look like a girl, she'd be a woman. A beautiful one at that, one could tell by looking at her and her mother. What was he to do with an affectionate, doting, loyal, kind hearted, warm, beautiful woman who still might have feelings for him? He told himself he'd not do anything but he wasn't sure of himself and that bothered him so much that he was pacing around almost tearing his hair out. He did love Sofia, everyone knew that he did, perhaps even loved her since she first became his apprentice but romantically love her?
Of course not. Searching inside himself he could very well imagine that he too might grow fonder of her, clingy with her, needy for her, he'd suffer an unmendable loss if she left his side. His heart would ache and his soul would cry and he thought himself pathetic for feeling such things over her of all people. Sofia had given him everything he had ever wanted and more- attention, devotion, praise, love, endless hugs, companionship. He dare not even ask for more than that and he never would because there wasn't any point anyways. She was unreachable to him. He would take her as his friend and hope and pray to all things that this might go away because everything about it frightened him to death.
He had said yes! Sofia couldn't get over how gleeful she was that he had agreed. She imagined it with a dreamy expression, a whole day of being alone with him outside in the fresh air, watching the clouds go by. She couldn't contain herself, she landed on her bed and tossed her limbs in the air, flailing them about with girlish delight.
"Whoa, what's got you so hyped up?" Clover asked as he scratched behind his ear.
"Oh Clover, it's going to be ah-mazing, me and Mr. Cedric will be together on hearts and flowers day. I have everything all planned out and I know just what to get him."
"Don't you always hang out? Why is that day special?"
"It just is," Sofia explained without really explaining anything, taking out some colored paper and supplies. "I'm going to get started on making cards for everyone. I've got a lot of people to cover so this will take a while."
Clover didn't understand what made her so happy but he was glad to see her smile just the same. Each day passed and though she was busy as busy could be it seemed to pass so slow because she was waiting for that day to come at last. Of course she was loving every second of every day with all those around her, enjoying everything she did. For starters she was taken by Orion and Vega on a flight to the island where all winged human like beings came from, including themselves. Sofia had flown on top of things all her princess life but never had she been held up and allowed to soar across the sky like an eagle.
It was a breathtaking experience, she got to breathe in the fresh air, fly into clouds, feel mist on her face, and stare down upon a world of beauty with her arms outstretched. At one point they flew behind a waterfall and Sofia reached out her hand, splashing across the waterfall. Sofia had wings herself whenever she wished to be a fairy or even a dragon but never went so high or so far. Most would be frightened of falling but Sofia felt safe, she felt liberated, she felt high in spirit. There was truly nothing like adventuring to get the heart pumping in the best way. After her flight she met the winged humanoids including more harpies and even some type of cat person who had wings.
Sofia could not describe her without using the word slinky, she seemed to move slowly and with such grace and power, very much like a predatory cat sneaking through the wilds. Her voice sounded ancient and wise but still effeminate and her eyelashes curled at the ends. She wore such heavy gold jewels and spoke in rhyme, often asking riddles. It was a sphinx thing, she was told. The sphinx's name was Sekhmet, a name a bit difficult to pronounce, and she usually lived around the Khaldun area, guarding her temple. There were many others like pantherines, chimeras, swan people, and some with the colorful wings like a parrot. Their island was connected to the angel island but most people had a hard time seeing them without special glasses because their glow was so bright it would blind you. Sofia even got to briefly see Cupid flitting through the sky fast as a humming bird. It was going to soon be a very busy time for him and he had no time to say hello, though he did briefly wave.
After her wonderings she did have a minor duty to perform, at least by her standards, which was to collect some objects one of which was mermaid scales and another one was a single tear of a giant. Easy things for Sofia to find. On another day she had a full morning to afternoon with her mother, going with her to the village. Miranda still supported the small local areas more so than the fancy high end things because though artisan bread was nice, nothing beat warm handmade bread filled with love. Sofia didn't like the expression but she killed two birds with one stone, getting to be with Ruby and Jade as her mother visited their mothers. Miranda was a well-respected and beloved queen because she was not high enough on her horse to not come down off it, she remembered well where she came from and always made time to drop in on friends. Sofia was the same. Helen, Ruby's mom, was still leader of the buttercups but as most of the kids had grown out of it, she was now leading new ones with the help of Ruby at her side. Jade's mother, Alexandra, was a clock maker and her husband an inventor this influenced their daughter to be pretty handy.
Meeting with them again was a wonderful time and they all had lunch together, Sofia drinking fresh cow milk which was sweeter than normal thanks to the kind of grass they ate. A simple peasant lunch was always going to be best to her, nothing too fancy or frilly. Palace food was superb but there was something about the meals here that would always have her craving more. Melted cheese on bread, smoked sausages from the butcher, and soup made from fresh ingredients. Sofia didn't need to have royal manners here, she used her hands on the bowl to tip the soup into her mouth, not one of five spoons. After lunch they all had pastries then Sofia played jump rope with her friends for a little while the adults talked. Miranda and the two had coffee and slices of crumble cake while they chatted, keeping an eye on their young ones.
"They are growing up so fast," Alexandra remarked, looking at Jade whose hair was longer and pulled back with a bluish headband. "Yet they still play their childhood games, just like we did."
"I know, it's just too quick. You snap your fingers and your little girl is a little woman, and you're soon having the birds and bees talk with them. I've already told Ruby. Miranda have you told Sofia about all that?"
Miranda watched her daughter, laughing away with her friends by her side. It wasn't easy to see all her children become older because she'd have to let them go at some point but the hardest to let go was Sofia. She still remained the same, still the bright eyed girl she had held in her arms as they had slept together every night. Amber and James grew distant but Sofia still stayed near, kept herself humble and simple, full of bravery but smart enough to know when something was foolish.
"No I haven't yet but I should. She goes to a school with boys there and if she's not prepared, she might get herself in some trouble even she doesn't know how to get out of."
Helen pat Miranda's hand with a warm smile. "You're a busy lady, it's understandable if you haven't told her yet."
"But still I'd get on it... I caught my Jade holding a boy's hand and nearly went over to disrupt it but I remembered my own mother doing the same thing and how embarrassed I was. I just couldn't do that to her but I warned her to be careful."
"Ruby is always sighing over the fisherman's son, she blushes around him when his father comes to drop off the packages of fish we order. I don't think she knows I know. Even when she was four, she liked him. Does Sofia like any princes?"
"Oh!" Miranda piped up, surprised by the question. "She tells me everything and she has never spoke once about any prince. She's got a lot on her plate, she's probably going to save the dating scene till after school."
"So no crushes then?" Alexandra questioned with slightly narrowed eyes as if she was suspicious.
"Hmm...well...this is going to sound silly...but I think she might have a girlhood crush on our royal sorcerer. I'm not sure but I just get that feeling and a mother's intuition is never wrong."
"Isn't he thirty five or something? What's a young girl like that liking an old man like him?"
"Well Helen maybe you don't remember that you used to have a big crush on our school teacher, Mr. Borshak. You used to say, 'one day I'll marry that man.'"
Helen blushed a little and laughed, they all did. After they talked some more the girls were called in and they said goodbye, giving hugs and going off. Little did Miranda know Sofia was having the same conversation with her friends, who wanted to hear an update on the secret love they called it. Sofia told them about her, she called it outing to be proper and not be scandalized but she still was. So when they said good luck with a wink only the three girls understood what that meant. Sofia spent the rest of the afternoon sewing with her mother, making a little blanket for Clovers bed to keep him warm in the winter. He couldn't keep sleeping in her bed because Sofia didn't like it to be covered in rabbit fluff.
A couple days after it was time to be with her father and they went hiking and bird watching, one of his favorite things to do. They found a phoenix and Sofia stayed quiet as she watched it, amazed by the brilliant red color of its flaming wings. It was majestic, even its cawing was, and Sofia was mesmerized as she watched it fly off. The two went fishing, berry picking, and trailing while singing merrily amongst themselves, loudly enough to echo across the mountains. They set up camp close enough to the castle so if anything happened it was a short distance away but far enough to still be wilderness. Sofia and Roland roasted their fish over the fire and told spooky campfire tales after which they had some pudding, the kind Roland so loved, and topped with the berries it made it even better. They slept under the stars, or at least Sofia did Roland slept in the big tent but checked up on her just in case. He was worried about her being outside but she slept soundly to the tune of the cricket's music.
The library gave her a mission to do and that occupied most of her day and by the time she came home she was so tired she skipped dinner, she just plopped on her bed, still in the same clothes, and went right to sleep. In the morning she was starving and ate a big breakfast. She visited Lucinda and her mother at their house, and the two had a spell off to see who the best at conjuring was. It was a decently even tie with Lucinda only scrapping by being on top. Sofia found witch food interesting and sometimes bizarre but it was always tasty none the less. Ghost toast was really just toast with white butter and the pumpkin squash was nothing like a pumpkin or a squash. The desert was licorice wands and chocolate dipped pretzel rods to mimic broom sticks. All in all a fine day. There wasn't a single day that wasn't wonderful but when hearts and flowers day came about, she nearly leapt out the bed in excitement. She had breakfast with everyone, lots of strawberries and edible flowers decorated the plates. Everyone would be off doing their events so Sofia made sure to give them their little gifts before then.
To James she gave a special card that when it was opened it had a little canon that spouted out confetti hearts. Needless to say the floor was constantly being swept because he kept opening it. She also gave him a big box of sweets, much to his pleasure. Her mother got a card too, something sweet but nothing extravagant and filled with words of love. To each of her parents she gave hugs and kisses and to her father she gave a pin with the royal crest on it which he wore proudly. To her sister she gave a tiara, what else could Amber possibly want? It was golden and had a big red heart in the middle. She squealed in delight and immediately put it on while she read her card, tearing up a bit. Baileywick loved flowers and tea so she gave him a chamomile tea and some fresh cut blue bells, one of his favorites. Everyone got something special as well as lots of hugs and cards all hand made by the little princess. Not a single servant was without one and the rest had been shipped to their respective owners.
Sofia got gifts too mostly trinkets, sparkly things, candies of all sorts, the normal things. She appreciated any and everything she got. Even her animal friends got her something, each donating a flower or shiny object they had found and Clover gave her the biggest carrot he could find. She still shared it with him which made them both happy. She was not yet in her outfit, her special outfit she would wear because she knew where she had to go would get it dirty so she wore something casual. She made her way to the troll caves, finding her troll friends easily enough. Now Chief Knuckles had stepped down off his chair and appointed Gnarly as the new leader which he seemed to be taking well enough. She greeted the new chief and the old one with as much as a bow as she could manage given the low ceilings then she hugged them. Grotta still lived in the caves and today she was sitting on the edge of the armchair where Chief Gnarly was sitting, waving her tiny hand at Sofia. She had since their first encounter never again turned anyone into a salamander. Now she was just a trusted member of their clan and even changed her dress to green to reflect their skin color. Teeny was no longer so teeny but that was her name so that's what she was called.
Teeny in her purple dress with pink bow came running to Sofia, hugging onto her hard as she said hello. Sofia was glad to see them all and sat down as she told them what she was here for. They listened to her and agreed that her request was fair, after all she had saved them more than once and allowed them back to the surface world. So they gave up one of their precious ceiling stars to her, she was an honorary troll by their book so she deserved one and would not ask for another even though she was giving this one away. She knew Cedric could make one easily enough but it would be fake and not have importance, this was like an heirloom, a commodity amongst troll kind. Plus hers glinted a little lavender color. She stayed with them for a while because it would be rude to ask for something then leave but while she was dancing around and banging clubs, having a good time, someone else was coming to make things a bad time for all.
At the moment Cedric was putting the finishing touches on the bottle for Sofia, making the label as neat as he could and putting a small bow around it. He was not good with words and not extremely creative so he didn't make her a card or anything, though he was starting to feel like he should for he knew without actually knowing she would give him one. He just thought she'd be swamped with cards and they write all the time anyways. Plus he had more than one gift for her, he was going to make it rain rose petals like the first day she came to the palace and he could easily enchant the flowers in the garden to sing for her or something like that. He could really give her anything she wanted if she asked. Minerva was fluffing up her feathers a bit as she started to go to sleep but was amused by her current master and his pacing. He always did that whenever Sofia was concerned.
She made him nervous it seemed, at least her growing form and potential feelings seemed to. Minerva would wait and see, like him, how this would pan out. Hopefully it would be for the good. After a bit she decided to fly off and go sleep in tree, it was a little too bright for her. Cedric dusted himself off and looked at himself, fussing over his hair a bit and then stopped himself as he did so. He stared at himself in the mirror a bit, wondering what he was doing. Why was he trying to look presentable for her? She never cared how he looked. He started fidgeting and it felt like the butterflies from the garden had entered his stomach. Sofia or not, thirteen or not, he had never really had a date, not really. He couldn't help calling it that given the day it was and to have someone like him- that was so rare he couldn't think of an instance. No one liked him like that, not a soul, and yet this pretty princess found him attractive in some way. Even if it was just his inside and not his outside it was more than anyone ever did.
It scared him, she scared him. He didn't know what to do with her feelings, how to approach them, how this day would even go. She was only twelve a year ago and he'd known her since childhood, it would be strange to pursue anything further than companionship with her. She could very well have a liking for him, he was honored really, but he could never to her for many reasons. It wasn't necessarily illegal, their age gap, seeing as in some other countries girls younger than she married men older than he, but Enchancian rules were a bit different and he was no king nor prince. He wouldn't want to be anything but what he was because what he was impressed her and delighted her and though he served the king to live he lived to serve her.
As much as he liked Roland these days and did in boyhood, as loyal as he was to him, and though they were good friends he was like a pond, Sofia was the ocean. He loved Sofia for all she had done for him, given him, he did not deserve her kindness, her respect, her admiration and certainly did not deserve her unconditional love nor did he deserve anything more. He had been a wretched wizard, even now in the darkest hours of his mind, he'd think he deserved to still be in that jail cell for the betrayal to the crown was nothing in comparison to his betrayal to her, even she said so. She had told him, in so many words, that she was less mad at him for taking over the kingdom and more mad at him for denying their friendship. It was cruel and wrong of him to lie to her face like that and the ever so mature and intelligent girl could see past her own nose. She knew he was lying, she knew her Mr. Cedric still was her friend, she knew he still cared and she knew he would never hurt her. That day, that day he wished he could erase, he had gotten so close to actually doing so. He still had nightmares about what if he had accidentally misfired and shot her. Sometimes he had to go to her room in the lateness of the night to make sure she was still okay and when he saw her sleeping with a content smile, he wore one too. Everything was alright.
Sofia was forgiving and kind-hearted to him even after that. She had brought light into his darkness and now she sought to bring him more. She was young, it was true, but she spoke and thought past her age, she did things most adults could not handle. She was strong in spirit, able to fight off any enemy with her wit and skill, able to make an embittered old icicle like him melt. Sofia was the springtime to his winter, it was fitting that she was here during that season the longest. Still as much as he liked her, he could not bring himself to ever seek her out and be hers. He was her sorcerer, faithful and courageous, but nothing more. The thought that she wanted him to be more, that she desired him, liked him, loved him it was what frightened him... that and the what ifs. She would get older and she would grow from pretty to lovely within a couple of years. If surrounded with her beauty and her charm and her affection all in one...he wasn't sure what he'd do.
It certainly didn't help that he was most fond of brunettes. He sat himself down, aggravated at everything and trying not to be. He didn't want to somehow ruin this for her, the girl had been planning for a while, and it took all her courage to ask him. Her heart must have been racing faster than the flying horse she always flew on. He hoped, though, that she'd keep this civil. This was just two friends eating and talking. Nothing more. He was hoping she wouldn't try anything, like confessing. He didn't think he'd have the heart to break hers again. But what then? He stood up and started pacing again. Why couldn't he have just lied a little and said he was busy so that they could skip this? What was she thinking? She had so many young good looking princes to choose from and she chose to like him of all people. Him! Did she not realize who he was? What she was getting herself into? She must be crazy or blind or something.
It made his pride swell to know a girl thought he was attractive but as soon as it swelled it went into his stomach and he felt sick. Cedric ran his fingers through his bangs breathing unevenly, staring now at the wand case he had which his wand was sitting in. Why did it have to be Sofia? Why couldn't some other person like him, someone he could dismiss and feel nothing for? Another voice chimed in and had been this whole time, barely audible every time except now. "What are you scared of?" it asked. He couldn't answer it, he couldn't even though he knew the answer. If he answered it, he'd make himself worse off than he was now. No, it was best to block everything out and focus on having a good time and hope that this blew over. She deserved a man who would treat her right, who could appreciate her, who could be okay with her always going off on her journeys, who would not make her into a subservient house wife. She deserved anyone else but him and he deserved anyone else but her.
At that moment he heard a knock on his door but it certainly wasn't hers nor did it sound like anyone else's knock because it was tapped in a strange rhythm, four knocks slightly fast. If it was any of the royals, they'd let themselves in and not even knock, if it was Baileywick his knocks were always short and firm. Curious about who could be visiting him when he expected no one he got up and answered the door. On the other side stood someone that made his jaw drop though not in a good way and his eyebrows furrowed. It was a woman, a sorceress to be exact, with long black hair and a red scarf draped over her tight dark dress. Morgana. He was about to slam the door in her face or worse when she pushed it open so hard, he almost fell over. She then invited herself in like this was her home, filing her nails and looking around somewhat amused by everything.
"Only one mirror, how depressing," She remarked, checking herself out. She started to apply her lipstick, barely caring about anything else but herself. "Actually your whole tower is depressing."
"Get out! Now! You are not welcome here or anywhere near this castle!"
"That's no way to talk to an old friend."
"You are not my friend," He shot back, eyes like daggers at her.
"Hm. How soon they forget. Do you want to act like you didn't join up with us to take over the kingdoms?" Morgana asked him slyly, sitting on Sofia's chair without knowing it was her chair, smugly smiling.
"I've put that behind me. I'm no longer the man I was nor the sorcerer I was. I only use my magic for good so if you are here to attempt to recruit me, count me out."
She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. "Once a bad wizard always a bad wizard, there's no going back from years of scheming."
"I beg to differ. Now remove yourself from my sight before I remove you myself," He warned, raising his wand from the case and pointing it at her. He looked serious, she could tell, and he was hating her more every second she stood there.
"What are you going to do, pull a rabbit out of your hat? You are no more than the king's fool, another court jester for him. Don't you want to leave all that behind?"
As they were arguing over ethics Sofia was excitedly packing the food and then left it in the kitchen fridge to grab on her way out. Everything was ready, everything was perfect. She took her card and laid it on top of the box containing the cave crystal then nearly bounced on her tip toes the whole way up the long flight of dimly lit stairs to the tower. Morgana was still there, trying to seemingly convince Cedric to join the dark side once more but he was having none of it. She looked him over and decided to try a different method with him. He was a man after all and she a woman who prided herself on her good looks. Most could not resist her.
"You know," She began, raising from the chair and sashaying over to him, "A long time ago I used to date Merlin."
"So?" Cedric questioned, barely giving three warthog whiskers about that little bit of information. As if her brief time being a famous wizard's lover at some point meant she was special. He didn't care at all even if she was dating him now. She was who she was and she was on the opposite side of him and not on his good list either for having almost harmed Sofia and Callista. He had not lowered his wand a little inch.
"But you know, he's old hat. You on the other hand," She purred a little, batting her eyelashes. At that very moment Sofia was nearing the door and saw it opened enough to witness this next scene. Morgana, one of her enemies, was pressed up against Cedric, looking at him with a half lidded expression, her lips seemingly inches away from his.
"I really like you and I know you really like me."
Sofia couldn't help it, she gasped and it was loud enough to have the two turn towards her and notice her presence. Cedric's eyes widened with horror at what this might look like to her, in more ways than one he looked like he was betraying her. It was true, to her eyes it seemed he might be considering teaming up with the evil woman and then, to her dismay, being with her personally and romantically. Sofia's heart stammered sadly but she would not cry, she would not! She just gave Cedric this static look, her hurt displayed in her blue eyes. He had no words, he could not form any, he was frozen under her stare. Sofia, still staring him down, flicked her eyes now to Morgana with her lips pressed together. She placed the box down on the counter near the door, took a deep breath in then turned on her heels, back straight and head high, not running away but walking away with her dignity still intact but halfway down the stairs she started to run and she did start to cry, despite herself. What was worse, Cedric heard it and it broke him to pieces.
Morgana, on the other hand, found this all too wickedly delightful and was laughing. Cedric's sadness turned to anger his anger turning to hatred which was now bubbling up and out of him. He was shaking with rage as she laughed. The woman had already tried to hurt her once but now she had hurt Sofia not physically but emotionally and that was worse. No one did that in his presence and got away with it. He didn't care if she was a woman and he was supposed to be a good man now, he wanted to make her disappear in the worse way. He wanted to hurt her as badly if not worse than she had hurt Sofia. He raised his wand to her, right to her face but she remained unphased. She walked over towards the door but he didn't drop his wand. She would not leave so easily. However it appeared she would not be leaving at all. To add insult to injury she picked up the card and started to read it out loud.
"Dearest Mr. Cedric," She started out, even making her voice a little higher to impersonate Sofia. "You are the most amazing wonderful sorcerer I've ever met." Morgana laughed at this. "Oh this poor girl. Cedric, I think she might even be in love with you the way she goes on and on."
"Put. That. Down. Now!" He commanded, his voice so full of anger and loathing that it made her look at him with some fear. She had never heard anyone sound so aggressive in her life and the look in his eyes even made her shiver inside. But then she smiled to cover the trepidation she felt, an evil slimy sort of smile.
"Oh my...don't tell me you like her back? You do realize she's a child and-"
Cedric's wand began to glow red and that red color doused his entire form making him look eerie and far more imposing than she could manage. He growled in anger at her, still shaking. He didn't just mean to harm her, she could see clearly that he meant to cast the one spell that no one should cast not even the evilest wizard should do. Knowing this Morgana quickly made herself vanish before he could exact whatever strange revenge he had on her. If he didn't want to join her cause and stick to his little princesses' side, so be it. Far be it from her to stand in his way or in the way of his wand. Even with her gone his ire didn't settle and instead of using one of his well-known phrases he flat out swore, which he usually never did if he could help it. His teeth gritted and he threw his wand to the ground hard if it was made of weaker material it would have snapped in half. He ran his nails through his hair, still enraged by all that had just transpired in the few moments ago but the thing he was most angry at was not Morgana, but himself, for not chasing after Sofia, for not comforting her, for not convincing her immediately he would rather die than join that witch of a woman.
He wanted to cuddle her and soothe her and make her tears stop, better yet she should not have cried at all. Sofia had cried, a feat not done since she was eight, which meant she had broken, her unshakable resolve and courage had broken, and it was his fault. He needed to find her, find her now and apologize for everything. He was still enraged but he let that go for now, there was nothing he could do with his anger that wasn't destructive and right now he needed to fix things not break things. Sofia had escaped the stairs and wanted to run to her room to lay there and give herself some time to calm down and then once she was, she would come back out and take a walk far away from the castle. She would have done that but a red donned figure approached her with long golden tresses, it was Amber in a short bejeweled burgundy off the shoulder dress, with heels of course, but still able to run and catch up with her sister. She didn't even notice Sofia looked distraught.
"Sofia thank goodness! I was looking for you! I-" Now she was noticing her sister's face, her puffy eyes and wet cheeks. Sofia very rarely cried and it made Amber feel immediately like holding her so she did, she held her tight and stroked over her hair decorated with pearls. "Who hurt you?"
Sofia didn't want to say, didn't even want to admit that it was a who and didn't want to sound foolish. She didn't want to tell her anything like that but she also couldn't lie. "I saw something awful but I really don't want to talk about it, Amber, if that's okay with you."
"I understand," She complied, taking out a lacy white tissue to dab her eyes with. "But you'll be okay...right? You aren't hurt, are you?"
"I'll be okay. It...really isn't something to cry about anyways..."
"That's good. You know this is actually great!"
"It...is?" Sofia confusingly asked, wiping off her face, now really feeling silly having cried over something like that. She was a big girl now and if she was to cry it would be because of something substantially bad.
"Yes!" Amber shrilly gaily replied, with enthusiasm, clapping her hands together. "I have just the thing to cheer you up! I went all through the lists and Sofia I think I found a good choice."
"What are you talking about?"
"I set you up with a date with a foreign prince! He's traveled a long way to get here just to meet you. Oh Sofia he's got everything- sparkling wit, a bright white smile, he's absolutely dashing though he has nothing on Ax, and he's exotic. Plus he likes to see the world and he loves animals. He's super nice and likes to read, I think he's fit for you. Please Sofia, please say you'll at least try him out! What do you have to lose?"
Sofia would have normally been a bit cross at her sister for setting all this up but she wasn't. She had already expelled a lot of negative emotion today and cried on top of it all, she had no more room to be cross. She looked up towards where the tower was and sighed. Well Cedric obviously didn't need her or want her around today. If he was going to be busy forgetting about all she had planned anyways then...
"You know what, you're right." Sofia agreed, smiling as much as she could, "I'll meet him."
