More exciting news came in the form of another letter. It was from her Aunt Tilly and recent Uncle Sir Bartelby, they told her they'd both be coming to visit come next Wassalia and that they couldn't wait to hear about all her grand adventures. Sofia had not seen either of them for a while, given how much her Aunt loved to explore, so this was a treat. She was almost impatient about how many good things were in store for her over the holidays. Of course that wasn't the only surprise visitor that she'd be getting on that day, Prince Francois wanted to come over as well since his parents were away on royal business. Sofia couldn't stand someone being alone on such an occasion so she was all too glad to have him come over. She couldn't wait to see all the holly, the cheerful ornaments, and lights, to decorate the tree, to eat gingerbread cookies, sip egg creams, and sit next to a roaring fire while listening to carols. This year everyone would go big because it was their first year with her since she had gone to school. It was going to be the best holiday ever.

Until then she'd have to keep on with what she was doing, striving forward in her schooling. So far, even with the advanced classes, it wasn't as difficult as she thought it would be and day by day she learned something interesting. Having such a studious dorm buddy meant the two never got distracted and would help each other out. It seemed everyone in her group was getting on with their studies well. There were extracurricular activities Sofia partook in to keep herself active but for the most part she just remained on top of her schooling. It was still difficult to pass her birthday without her family and other loved ones around her. Through the passing of seasons Sofia turned fourteen though she didn't do this alone.

Her friends were kind enough to give her a small vanilla iced cake with star shaped sprinkles and a couple of gifts. She was appreciative but couldn't help a sense of longing for more company of the familial type. They all understood her since they all had to go through major life events, birthdays, and holidays without their families too. Rain was fortunate her birthday was during springtime so she got to celebrate on her break, but that didn't mean she didn't feel sorrow for Sofia who had so many friends. When she blew out the candles, she wished for the same thing she always was wishing for, that she'd be able to come home and stay home soon. Sofia noticed small changes in herself now that she was fourteen. She was just a bit taller, her baby fat was disappearing, her hair growing thicker and longer which she had to cut to keep out of her way, and most surprisingly her body was forming.

Though she could tell she wouldn't be as shapely as her sister or some of the other girls she certainly would have a good shape to her. Her waist was now defined as well as her hips and those small barely noticeable mounds were becoming more than half a tea cup. All in all she thought now she really did look like a little lady and by the next year she'd practically look like a full-fledged woman. She never did any of the beauty regimens her other friends might have done, she kept herself natural and clean, if she wore any makeup it was light colors. Since her changes came about more and more of the males in the academy started to notice and some tried to ask her out. She would tell them she was okay with going places and spending time with them but not in a romantic sense. They asked her if she had a boyfriend, if that prince that sent her all the gifts had her heart already, both were answered with a no. However she never did tell them that her heart did chose someone already, all she said was she was not looking for romance, just friendship right now.

Amber was the only one who seemed not to get the memo and assumed she was hitting it off great with Francois. She got along with him, he was sweet, polite, pleasant, and liked a lot of the same things she did. This did not mean she was starting to or would ever like him that way, which wasn't his own fault, and she really didn't want to string him along but he seemed content just to hang out. He didn't think they were together like that and let her take her time with that decision, which Sofia greatly appreciated. She could never tell him why she truly could not like him that way, if Amber took it the way she did then who knew how a visiting prince might take it. It might be the greatest insult he ever received, to be essentially turned down for someone, as they might put it, like that. Sofia saw nothing wrong with Cedric, of course not he was the stars in the sky to her, so it boggled her mind that it anyone would be upset over the choice but she was intelligent enough to understand that's just how things were.

Her sister still insisted that Francois was perfect for her and that the two should keep dating but they weren't dating, Sofia would claim. Amber really never listened or read in this case, it just went right on past her. She couldn't believe Sofia didn't like him that way. She supposed she might have but unfortunately, for his sake, she could not and would not break away from the one who she had fancied since they first met. There were times where she replayed that day in her head, her standing in the hall, somewhat overwhelmed but in awe of her new home. Then he literally bumped right into her and she saw him, truly, up close. She was spellbound. She thought he was really very marvelous, more remarkable than any bobble or suit of armor in the castle. It was he that comforted her that awful day back when Amber was not so nice and her jealousy got the better of her.

Sofia had planned to run to her room, hide away, and cry to herself, essentially be miserable. Yet there he was, her angel looking out for her, there to pet her head and make it all better. Because of him she went to school the next day with high spirits and slept with a smile on her face. She knew he would always be there to help her, to guide her, to protect her, to teach her. Whenever he touched her, she'd feel all warm inside, so comforted by just a stroke or a hug. She had liked him way back then and that turned very quickly into something more. How could she be asked to drop all those years of blossoming attraction like it was nothing? How could everyone act like, after all he had done, he was nothing? He was not perfect exactly but nobody was, people made mistakes and should be forgiven.

She knew very well how haunted he was by his singularly corrupt choice, she knew he checked up on her, she knew he would sometimes sit on her bed and touch her cheek or tuck her in. Sometimes, just sometimes, he might even whimper in sadness, perhaps to sustain a cry. How could people not tell how sorry he was or how much he cared? How is it people didn't understand...she never saw his age, never cared about his status, didn't mind his flaws? Well she couldn't say it was everyone...not everyone knew. She wanted to tell her mother but what if her mother told the king and he didn't approve? What if he banned them from seeing each other for some reason? It scared her.

He didn't deserve to be punished for her feelings and neither did she. Yet she recalled Pocahontas's words...to listen to her heart and that would guide her. Her heart was like an arrow that shot swift and true and the target right now was him. Still even with that knowledge she didn't know if she could tell her mother. She had told her everything and anything all the time but this...somehow felt different. Sofia did not like keeping secrets, it might even get her cursed, but she was fearful of what might be done to him. He had earned that job and it was unfair of it to be snatched away. Despite how cross she had been with him at the time, it broke her heart to see him behind bars. She couldn't stand that happening to him again and because of her. For now, she would keep it quiet and hoped Amber would not say a word. She also trusted Hildegard, the other queen of gossip, to not spread the news like wild fire.

Days went by and her schooling went on past the summer, past all the beach days that could have been, and into the fall where the green leaves had turned orange and crumpled under her shoes. The weather was getting cooler now, the sun was not out as often, fog would sometimes cover the land , but best of all it meant the giving thanks time. Only this time she would have no bad news to ruin it so she could enjoy it fully. Halloween had come and gone, she celebrated it the same as last year, getting too much candy in her system and so many tricks placed upon her by the dark mages, but now it was time for her favorite holiday of the season. It was a time for all the families to gather around and not care about gifts, or the garlands, or anything else but each other.

A time for food, fun, and family. It was such a simple idea and always brought people of all walks of life together. Sofia looked forward to this one for two reasons, one was obvious, but another she had sneakily planned with Cordelia. See the two had gotten an idea for her and Callista to be at the Mystic Meadows and would wait for Cedric there. Sofia would easily enough have him go with her there and surprise. They could all have a happy time as a family again. Callista would get to see her uncle, Winifred and Goodwin would get to see their children, everyone won! Sofia would just pop by for a moment to drop him off and say her hellos, as well as bring them something delicious to eat. It was the perfect plan. After she departed from her coach, she went through the usual rounds of greeting everyone, with a surprisingly big hug from James who usually restricted himself from such things these days. He flushed a little bit and laughed it off.

"Sorry I just missed you a lot, Sof. Feels like it's been forever."

"It's okay James," Sofia explained, hugging him back, "I missed you too."

She made her way into the kitchen, breathing in all the smells of this day. She could smell steaming vegetables, roasted chicken, ham, cornbread stuffing, and nutmeg. All together it made a scrumptious aroma. James was in there too, trying to sneak a little piece of the ham for himself. Sofia giggled at him and when he noticed her, he put his finger to his lips. She got the memo, she would not tell what mischief he was up to. Though he was older than her he still acted like he was ten years old. She found the bakers area and asked politely if she could have some assistance making a pie. They had no trouble helping her and gave her an apron to cover her pretty dress so it wouldn't get flour on it.

She got to rolling out the dough under the careful supervision of the pastry chef. Sofia knew easily enough how to make a pie decently well but she wanted it to be just right. It was filled and set in the oven to bake. She watched it for a little while with a small smile on her face. For now, while it was baking, she could do other things. One of the things she did was put a centerpiece on the table, decorated with pine cones. She set out the plates, the cutlery, and folded the napkins and then after that she gathered some fall leaves of different shapes and colors then used them to make the table look even more festive. She had heard maple leaves were actually edible but they did not taste like the syrup their trees made. Still, curious as ever, she nibbled the corner of one. She stood there with a leaf in her mouth looking up, realizing she was being watched. She couldn't help but laugh at the face Baileywick was making as he looked at her.

"I...know you like to try new things but... I don't think eating the greenery should be one of them."

She shrugged a little and took it out of her mouth. "Sorry. Just wondered that's all."

She heard a little ding from the kitchen and exclaimed about the pie, giving Baileywick the rest of the leaves and telling him what to do with them before she went on her way. He only shook his head a little but smiled all the same. After so many years of being her butler, she could still surprise him. Her pie was done, now being taken out carefully by mitted hands and placed on the counter to cool. It was placed inside a container that would hold it but also not he hot to the touch yet keep the pie hot. She was able to carry her pie without burning her hands and so she walked around until she found him, lighting the candelabras on the table with his wand. He looked up briefly between what was in her hands and her.

"And where is our little princess off to with her goodies? Over the river and through the woods perhaps?" He lightly teased with a smirk.

"Well I'm glad you asked because it's somewhere you know. I baked this pie for your parents, I know how much they love boysenberry, and I was wondering if you could come with me to drop it off."

"You want me to go with you to my parents' house? You do know as soon as I get there, I'm not going to be able to leave. Mother will drag me inside and that's the end of that story."

"Oh come on, pretty please?" Sofia begged, pouting her lip and looking at him with big exaggerated eyes. "For me?"

He let out a long slightly agitated sigh of defeat. Minerva nipped his ear a little causing him to throw her a look. "You too, huh? Oh alright fine, but I won't say I didn't warn you."

"Thank you! Don't worry you won't regret it, promise," She added a wink to the end of her sentence then made her way over to the carriages. Cedric followed behind her, more like stalked in a slumped position behind her, mumbling under his breath.

He loved both of his parents but he preferred to stay away from them during certain times because certain arguments always arose or peering questions. Plus, though his father was undeniably much prouder of him, he still would try to teach him how to do his spells "better" even though there was nothing wrong with the way it was done. His mother would treat him like a child sometimes, coddling him to death, calling him Ceddy weddy kins. In private it wasn't so awful but in public, in front of Sofia of all people, it was downright embarrassing.

He was a grown man for crying out loud and a successful wizard to boot, he even had a trophy or two to his name and people gave him respect now. One would think his parents would not make him feel like he was a five year old but they did, especially his mother. Either that or they would snoop into his business all the time and that one question would always rear its ugly head like a dragon about to breathe fire. He feared it sometimes even more than a dragon. At least he could avoid a dragon. Sofia, as per her usual do goody self, was determined on going there. She really liked his parents, actually there were few people she didn't like, but it was a fondness returned to her. They loved her visits and her, finding her to be a quaint, darling, well-mannered princess.

Often they'd treat her as if she was part of the family. As she sat next to him, he wondered if he considered her the same way- if she was family to him. She looked up at him, eyes twinkling with some sort of hidden secret, and then she talked his ear off about school. He supposed he felt she was extremely close to him but she wasn't like another sister or niece or even a daughter. She was the dearest person in his heart that wasn't a relative but was she family? In a way she was but not similar to any other female in his lineage. She was just so close to him he didn't know what else to call her. Friend seemed like it didn't suit her, she was more than a friend. Then what? Certainly she wasn't too much more, any more than that and she'd be his... he couldn't think of her that way. He must have seemed off because she pat his hand which was warm as always.

"Don't be so nervous, Mr. Cedric, nothing will go wrong, you'll see."

Then she outright held his hand and he looked at her in shock at her brazen forwardness with him. She had always been so and had held his hand when she was smaller. That was nothing, just the tenderness of a child and never anything more, but she was not a child. She was fourteen and to his knowledge, still was affected with puppy love for him. He would not say she was unattractive, that would be cruel and not true anyways. She was always a pretty girl, adorable as could be with her rosy cheeks and all, but she was turning into... something more than pretty. A petite beauty whose hand wove with his. He shouldn't let this continue, he should let it go, shake her off, but he did the worst thing- he held her hand right back. He couldn't answer to why other than it did help steady him. Like it or not he actually was a little nervous, even queasy to see his family and hear all the complaining and critiquing on his life that they would do.

When they landed, he let go of her hand so quickly it was like she had smacked it. Since her hands were full the coach man helped her get down easily then he waved farewell and was on his way. Cedric couldn't place it as he walked down the cobbled steps towards the house, but something felt strange. They crossed the bridge and he still felt this sensation like something awful was lurking behind that wooden door. He knocked but didn't want to. He was no coward, but he felt this sense of dread that made him want to run for the hills. When the door opened, he barely got to asses anything, his mother had opened it and after she gasped and squeezed him into her arms so tight it made him feel like he might have something broken. She shook him side to side making him dizzy.

"Oh our son has come! Goodwin look! He's actually here!"

"Yes Winifred, I can see that. I think you ought to let go of the poor boy, he can hardly breathe."

Sofia stifled her laughter as he was let go, rubbing the side of his head as he tried to still the dizziness. Winifred dusted him off then nearly knocked him over as she saw Sofia standing in the door way.

"Sofia, my dear, how have you been?" She inquired, though Sofia found it a little hard to answer, it was now her turn to get hugged to death.

"I've been great. Schools been tough but nothing I can't handle."

"Such a moral and smart girl you are," Winifred complimented, petting her on the head much like Cedric had done so long ago. "And you come with a gift I see."

"Yes I baked you a boysenberry pie, your favorite."

"How considerate," Goodwin stated from his chair, sitting with someone on his lap that had now leapt off and ran full speed at Cedric who was just now coming to.

"UNCLE CEEDYY!"

He let out an oof as the ball of red with hair just like his clung to him making him wobble. He was suddenly very alert and aware of his surroundings. Callista was here which meant thaaat... He didn't need to look far to find her. Dressed to the nines with a large feathered hat was Cordelia, her natural brown hair pinned up in the most fashionable style possible. The two stared at each other for an eternity while Cedric was getting the life squeezed out of his leg by his niece. He barely heard her pleading for attention and to be played with because Cedric's senses were focused on her mother. She smiled a bit at him and waved her hand. Suddenly he understood everything as Sofia carefully crossed his peripheral, placing the pie down on the table. He squinted his eyes at her.

"This was your doing, wasn't it?"

Sofia did not seem at all offended or upset at his accusatory tone, which only served to make him more upset. Why was the girl so uncommonly sweet and forgiving at all times? She held her hands behind her back, teetering on the balls of her feet, worrying her lips with her teeth.

"I might have had something to do with it but please don't be mad at me. I only wanted for you all to be together and happy. It just...isn't right to be separated from your family today."

"She's right, Cedric, we've had our differences but those are behind us now. Don't you think it's past time we just all get along?"

He wanted to roll his eyes a little but his attention was now drawn to the little button nosed girl on his leg. She grinned at him. "Hello Uncle Ceddy!"

"Hello Callista..." He sighed again then removed her from his leg, holding her in one arm to his chest. "Well since I'm here, thanks to a certain princess, I might as well try and enjoy myself."

Off to the side he could see her smiling at him, as she always did, not at all caring that he was just a bit mad with her setting him up like this. He supposed he didn't need to be so angry with her, she was only trying to help after all. Sofia did nothing but what she felt was right, out of the goodness of her heart. She had no idea why he avoided going here, she was only being nice. How could he possibly be mad at her at all, when he had done so much worse than this to her and yet she forgave him? He sat himself down with Callista still in his arm, bouncing a little and wriggling to get out. Once she did, she leaped over to Sofia to give her the same kind of hug.

"You've gotten so big, Callista!"

"You too! Are you going to stay with us today?"

"Just for a tiny bit. I have to go home soon to my own family but I can stay for a couple minutes."

Callista celebrated by dancing around with Sofia, both of them twirling in a circle. Everyone watched the two of them with amusement and love for the two. Though Cordelia barely talked with Sofia she too felt her a part of the family, enough to have trusted the young girl to watch over her daughter. She was so mature despite her age that she had no trouble letting Callista go trick or treating with her. That night her daughter had come home in a hyper tizzy that was not the direct result of candy, instead she had a lot of fun wanting to do it every year. She talked about by the end of the night everyone treated her like a big girl and that she loved Sofia so much. She also said something a bit disconcerting at the time. It was that she wished Sofia would marry her uncle, so she could be her aunt. Cordelia had no response to that, only a light chuckle and sent her to bed with a glass of warm milk. Sofia was pretty much her aunt at this point or at least a god mother, she often took care of the child even when she herself was a child. Cordelia trusted very few others.

After their little dance everyone went to talking amongst themselves, Callista distracted from her feverish affection by playing with the dolls she brought. Sofia was playing with her they were pretending to be great jungle explorers looking for gold, every now and then one of them would eek because of a scary animal or pretend spider. Callista was not actually afraid of spiders but she was good at acting as if she was. As the two sat on the floor and the appetizers were being served while the main course cooked, Cedric counted the precious moments he had before the inevitable happened. It was only a matter of time before they couldn't help themselves but to butt into his life. Cordelia had just revealed her current state, causing Winifred to gush over what would be her second grandchild coming soon. Goodwin was less gushy and more just plain happy for her and the husband, who was also a sorcerer but rarely made any appearances outside of his home because he was busier than his wife.

"How wonderful! I can't wait to meet the little one, be sure to update us the whole time."

"Of course, mummy."

"Now if only Cedric could provide us with some grandchildren then I'd die happy."

He almost immediately bashed his head to the table due to extreme embarrassment. He wanted to avoid this topic but it always came up. Every single time they just had to bring it up. This is the reason why he avoided them this day because for some reason it was always brought up during the holidays and no other time. He supposed it was the sentimental feelings going around during the day. Sofia immediately turned towards the loud thumping noise and her sympathy towards her poor sorcerer gripped her heart so tightly she had to go by his side to make sure he didn't hurt himself. He felt a dainty hand stroking his back and a soft voice like a dove's coo worrying over him. If he wasn't so stressed and embarrassed right now, he'd have appreciated it more.

"Why do you always have to ask me?!" Cedric murmured, audible enough for those around him to hear. "I hate it and you know that!"

"It's only sensible for a mother to be concerned about her only son. You're a strapping lad, I don't understand why you haven't gotten married yet."

"Pft... I'm not even close to being strapping, that's just your opinion as my mother."

"Oh Mr. Cedric, that's not true. I think you're very...good looking." Sofia admitted shyly, turning her head away from everyone's gazes, especially his.

He blinked at her with his mouth agape, not sure how to process her confession other than physically, by turning redder than before. He had never been complimented like that, no one found him good looking. Actually they found him hideous, at the best he was okay but not handsome. She coughed a little to hide the shyness and awkwardness of the situation. She wanted to back away and say she had to go but the coach wouldn't be back for another ten to fifteen minutes. She just had to stand there and deal with what she had said.

She removed her hand from his and folded them tightly in front of her, staring down at her shoes now then finally up at him. "W...well...I..." He stuttered, his tongue all twisted up. "Thank you...?"

"Oh that reminds me!" Winifred exclaimed finally breaking the tension in the air. "I have a present for you Sofia, from last Wassalia. I had been waiting to give it to you all this time. Come, follow me."

Sofia was glad to follow her anywhere so long as it was away from the uncomfortable anxiety filled air. She avoided the eye contact for a moment but briefly caught his eye which turned her shy and made her follow after the woman quickly. It should have eased the tension when she was out of his sight but it didn't. He rubbed the back of his neck then saw the way his father was looking at him.

"What...?"

"Oh nothing, son."

"No don't nothing me. I know you have something to say. Spit it out already," rebutted a cross Cedric, using his frustration to cover what else he was feeling at the moment. His heart was beating quickly in his chest, so hard it almost hurt and his head didn't feel that great either. He needed to get some medication for his splitting headache and quick. A band aid would also do nicely because he had a small bleeding scar over a smaller bump.

"Awww poor Uncle Ceddy has a boo boo," Callista pointed out in a sad little voice.

"It does look like it hurts. Here let me get you something for that."

"I'm fine, father," He grumbled, wiping off his brow with a napkin then crossing his arms childishly. "Now go on, bring me lower."

"Oh Cedric, all I was going to say was that Sofia is a thoughtful girl to care about you so much. You're so defensive."

"Hmph...yes well...we all know Sofia is insufferably charming to all living creatures. I just happen to be one of them."

"Sofia is very nice," Callista chimed in, struggling to braid her dolls hair with her little tongue sticking out, "Don't you like her Uncle Ceddy?"

"Of course I do. Who doesn't?"

Cordelia tried to assist her daughter with the hair braiding but she seemed determined to do it on her own. Callista pushed her long white bangs out of her face and concentrated. He rubbed his head where his bump was, wishing he weren't here being scrutinized by everyone. Meanwhile Sofia was now inside the shared bedroom of Cedric's parents and standing there awaiting her gift. She took a look around and noticed portraits of their family all around, mostly of Cedric through the years, a couple of Callista, and strangely one that looked like the inside of Cedric's tower. She said nothing about it as she scanned the room and saw in the wallpaper there were little owls. Winifred seemed to have a love for them because Sofia was finding them everywhere. Finally the woman took out a long box wrapped simply with a dark purple bow then caressed the outside with a far off look, remembering something special. She approached her and opened the box, showing off a beautiful ivory lace dress with a periwinkle corset.

"This was made for me by my great grandmother so it has been in my family a long time. I believe the style is a little old fashioned but you'd appreciate that far more than my daughter. To be fair I haven't had the best relationship with her," She forlornly expressed with a sigh. "I think she harbors ill will towards us for allowing Cedric, the youngest, to take the role of royal sorcerer. It's supposed to go to the eldest or the most powerful but I convinced Goody to give it to my son. I wanted him to prove himself after all his failures but it was because of his failures, particularly the nasty one to her hair, that made her bitter towards us. It's surprising she even came here."

"Miss Winifred, she reached out to me because she wanted Callista to know her grandparents more and to be connected with you all. I think she's finally come to grips with the past and let it be. Don't be so down on yourself, you and Mr. Goodwin have been great parents! Look at who you've raised, two wonderful people who are some of the very best in their field."

Winifred smiled at her with warmth in her brown eyes. "You're such a kind-hearted person, in you I see the wisdom and beauty of a full grown woman. You have been very dear to me and you've proven you are a cut above the rest when it comes to magic. I think you deserve to wear the dress I wore for my fifteenth birthday, the dress I wore when Goodwin finally got the bravery to propose to me."

"You were proposed to at fifteen?"

She nodded her head. "Yes indeed and not a day goes by where I'm not happy he did. At the time we butt heads a lot because back then I was not Winifred the Wise, I was the wicked. I had been a not so nice sorceress and he had been a goody goody. Yet we secretly loved each other, both a little too stubborn to admit it, but when he saw me in this dress he could no longer hide it. He knew none of it mattered, all he knew was that I had to be his wife. Of course he ended up turning me into a bit of a good person myself...and I suppose I'm glad of that too."

Sofia soaked this in, having not known Winifred as anything but kind her whole life. Also not knowing the love story of her and Goodwin but now that it was revealed she was thankful she knew. For a sorcerer being with someone on the wrong side of magic could be both dangerous and, she had heard, sometimes even against the law but he did not care. He loved her anyways. Sofia touched her chest tenderly. Would it matter to Cedric how old she was or what she was? Would he not care and end up seeing her differently? She looked at this dress, this somehow magical dress that had been touched by all these generations. She felt it should still go to Cordelia, she was the next in line, or it could wait until Callista was old enough. Sofia didn't want to refuse the present, though it meant so much to their family she felt it should stay in it. She promised to wear it on her fifteenth, hoping and praying she would make it home before then. She'd have the dress tailored because it was a little big for her but other than that it looked perfect, pristine as if made today. Winifred followed her out of the room, Sofia with the box all wrapped up in her arms. The two women had walked into a heated argument between father and son and occasionally daughter but now the argument and Sofia were all put to a stop when the youngest uttered,

"Uncle Ceddy, why don't you just marry Sofia?"

Sofia almost dropped the box in disbelief at what she just heard. She turned Callista's favorite shade of red all over, feeling like all the blood rushing was going to make her faint. She let out a squeak that she did not know her vocal chords were capable of until now which caused her equally red partner to turn towards her. She clutched the box tightly, closing her eyes tighter. Her saving grace came in the form of flapping wings outside. When she heard the hooves landing, she knew the coach had arrived which meant she could leave. Sighing in relief she tried not to sound panicked when she told everyone that she had to leave now. Still, it came out in a higher voice than her own.

Winifred kissed her forehead and she rushed to give everyone a hug, save one, and then hustled to the carriage, leaving behind that question still sitting there and those golden brown eyes staring after her. She hopped into the carriage, swallowing back all her apprehension and trying to still herself. Her hands were shaking and as she touched her cheek, she felt she was still hot. The horses flew off making the house turn smaller and smaller but Sofia felt like that question resounded louder and louder in her head as well as the emotions that shocked through her body. If she had stayed and faced it, what would he have said? Callista was still sitting there wanting the question to be answered too but she had made everyone silent and some of them become strangely but wonderfully crimson. She looked around at everyone with innocent eyes.

"What...? Did I say something wrong?"