The look on Amber's face when she was told the whole story was pure mortification. Everyone was disturbed by it but none more so than her. She broke down, disconsolate.
"Oh Sofia it's all my fault!" She claimed, clinging onto her sister tightly. "If I hadn't butted my stupid head into your business none of this would have happened!"
"Amber please, don't call yourself that. You aren't stupid at all you were just trying to do what you felt was the best thing for me."
"But it wasn't! I didn't even ask you or care! And I am stupid, I should have known that there wasn't a Voumani king or queen."
"We all make mistakes, Amber," Sofia soothed, trying to placate her sister who blubbered onto her.
"Yes but mine almost cost you and Cedric your lives! I'm so so so so so sorry! Please forgive me!"
"Of course I forgive you, Amber. You're my sister and I love you and I know you love me. You didn't know who he truly was, he fooled us all. Just next time, please respect my wishes, alright? I am going to be fifteen soon you know."
"I know...I've been foolish..." Amber admitted, wiping off her tears with a white anagrammed handkerchief. "And selfish too...and needlessly cruel to you in particular, Cedric. After all you've done, I should have treated you, no both of you, with more decency. I'll be a better person from now on, I swear on my crown."
Cedric forgave her, though he had a lot of words to say to her for picking someone that she knew nothing about. It was Sofia's life she should pick her own suitor, if the time came for it. He did not blame her, this would have happened regardless, she just helped it along without knowing. No, he could not be mad at ignorance. After so much that happened today everyone needed a good rest but Sofia found it hard to sleep in her bed, she tossed and turned, the images in her head from just that morning were playing over and over again. No amount of comforting from her pet helped her. She got up and paced a little before deciding what she should do. She knocked on Cedric's door who seemed to be just on the other side, like he was waiting for her. She noticed he was in his nightgown, she had seen it a few times and she rather liked it.
"Can't sleep either, huh?"
She shook her head no with a worrying expression. "Could I...sleep in here...? Not in your room I mean just on the sofa...please?"
He sighed a little, releasing his tension over this subject and what it brought about. 'To hell with it all,' he thought, 'after the ordeal today I haven't the strength to deny her anything.' He opened the door further, gesturing inside. "I cannot refuse a request from Lady Sofia."
She giggled sweetly at the title, knowing he had used it just to make her happy. She scampered over to his sofa with excitement, having never slept in his tower before but always wanting to. Of course most of all she wanted to sleep next to him but that might not happen, at least not now. Asking him seemed like asking too much. He always kept the window opened for Minerva and it was good for Sofia since the moon gave her some light. He went to the little closet and brought out the spare blanket and laid it over her, gingerly tucking her in. She reached for his hand to stop him from going anywhere though he wasn't going to move.
"Stay here a little longer."
He had every intention to. He took a small padded chair and scooted it close to her, resting one leg on the other. She was looking at him with her glittering ice blue eyes under her long eyelashes, smiling contently as her cheeks turned just a shade darker. He moved her hair from her face, caressing her forehead over and over until she went to sleep. After she did he whispered to Minerva, for he knew she understood, to watch over her and let him know of any changes. She nodded and he went up to his room, stealing looks at Sofia the whole way up. He left his door open so he could hear her. They both slept soundly knowing the other was very near. She awoke slowly almost forgetting where she was for a moment then looked at the clock. She still had time to eat before the carriage would come. She smelled tea brewing, Cedric was awake. She shuffled about in her covers seeing him yawn as he poured the tea into two cups. She noticed in one of the cups he put a lot of sugar and cream. She knew then that it was meant for her.
"Good morning Mr. Cedric," She called out cheerfully, rising from the sofa and hugging him from behind. He tensed a little though not because he didn't like it, it was the opposite mixed with surprise.
"Well yes...it is a good morning, isn't it? Sleep okay?"
"Yes! I dreamt I was dancing with the mice in the hallway," She answered, still holding tight to him.
"That would explain why you were laughing in your sleep. I thought I might have gone a bit barmy there for a minute. Are you going to let go of me at any point?"
"Hmm I'll think about it."
He looked at her with a grin and she grinned back at him. She let go of him and took the tea cup, sipping it loudly while looking at him.
"A princess does not slurp her tea," he instructed, reciting something she had heard in Royal Prep all her life.
She sipped it a little louder causing him to chuckle at her. He drank his tea with her, though he did not slurp it as she did. She checked the clock again. "Ooh I'm going to miss breakfast if I don't hurry up. I'll see you soon, Mr. Cedric!"
She reached up and kissed his cheek and then rushed off. He blinked, warming up and swallowing his tea hard. If that was her new version of hugging then he didn't know if he would ever get used to it. However he wouldn't complain...he did like them just a bit more, even if he wanted to slap himself silly for liking them so much. Sofia dressed with lightning speed and met up with everyone to eat her breakfast. After breakfast, her carriage came to take her back to school and after a long goodbye with everyone she was on her way. She had so much to tell all her friends. When they heard they couldn't believe it. All of their spring breaks paled in comparison to the drama and action of hers. Still she liked to hear about it.
With her classes in full swing she had a lot to occupy her mind with though when night came, she had to study long until she was too tired to think. Then she could go to sleep without too many nightmares. She'd wake up sometimes but often would shake her snow globe or re-read a letter or look at a gift sent to her and she'd feel better again. Sofia became a friend and helper to all, assisting wherever she could. It didn't matter if they were dark or light she would always be there for a person in need. In time her request to have the tables not be separated was put in action and soon all the mages were together, finding new friends and people they never thought they would connect with. April made sure no one bullied her sister, who was soon dating the girl she had a crush on, Vellore. Sofia helped with that too.
Jun was not yet with the boy she liked but they were hanging out a lot more, Sofia welcomed him into the group. The more the merrier she would say. The big news that Sofia had come across someone so powerful and survived had spread but she made sure they knew who it was who did all the work, the one who saved her. Cedric's name was now spoken all about the crowds, most of them claiming this or the other even if it wasn't true at least it was positive. She preferred that he be a legend than be someone no one knew about. It almost seemed like yesterday she was fourteen, her fifteenth year was in a month, she'd be there just exactly on the very day but at least she'd get to enjoy the whole day and then no more school. She shared the excitement with anyone she wrote to. Everyone was so proud of her, so happy for her. It made her work even harder. It appeared that Amber had introduced Axel to her parents and they were formally dating now, she was already planning their future wedding. She said it would be somewhere between the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
Sofia couldn't be any happier for her, she had someone who truly was her equal. Axel would treat her like the queen she was born to be. James on the other hand was taking things nice and slow, which suited Princess Zooey who, like Sofia, was always on the move. Sofia wasn't sure Zooey would be the type to settle down, she was constantly going going going. Either way, she thought they made a cute pair. Sofia had amassed a small collection of bird feathers from her father and at this point could recognize them whenever she found them on the ground. She wanted to use the feathers for something so she put them in a vase as unique decoration. Rain painted Sofia a picture of their group as an early birthday gift and she hung it in the dorm. Jun liked that she included Fenpu in the picture and Fenpu liked that too.
Cedric and Minerva had become the best of friends over the almost two years they had together, and of course it did help that she was sent from his mother. His mother was always taking care of and feeding owls of all sorts, even when she was a little girl. They were her favored animal so it made sense that one would take a liking to her son. He could always tell when mail was coming because he could hear her and he knew there would always be something for him. Sofia had not stopped scenting her mail with the perfume he had made for her. It made him feel special since she did it for no one else. It also made him want to never get rid of any piece of it, not even the envelope. He had a good sized stack of her cards but the scent had not stayed strongly on them so over time it would fade. He always liked receiving a new one and would briefly smell it before opening it.
She had taken to calling him her dearest Mr. Cedric and signing off with something like, "with love" or "yours truly" or "with deepest affections" or something like that. So he decided to respond back the same way, calling her his dearest Sofia, and signing off with more or less the same sentiments. In one of her longer letters she was talking about how soon she would be coming home but until then she was sending him hugs and kisses. As if the word kisses wasn't enough to turn him into an overheated thermometer, she had pressed her painted lips to the paper and signed off with, can't wait to be with you soon, with love from your princess. He could not help the red that covered his face and he buried it in his hands to try and hide it somehow from Minerva. Why did she have to say all that? He resigned himself from even asking, he knew why. She still was twitterpated and his act of heroism and allowing her to sleep in his tower didn't help. He didn't know what to do about it anymore. She was kissing his cheeks now and was sending him kisses as well. She was her usual overly affectionate self but now she was exploring new venues of love towards him and it startled him.
What was worse was...he wanted it. He re-read her letter again, absorbing the words. There seemed to be nothing he could do about it anymore besides tell her to stop but as many times as he said that to himself, he could not write it on paper. He had a thousand and one crumpled pieces of paper that littered the floor all starting with "I'm sorry" but somehow ended up with him sputtering out about how she was lovely, his little violet rose, how her beauty was not why this wouldn't work but simply that she was not in his reach. She was not meant to flower in his garden. He would go on about her looks, her charm, her grace, her childish innocence, her sometimes too mature sauciness that she might have gotten from being around him, the way she looked at him and then he realized he had filled up the paper with nothing but romantic proses about her all ending in the same three words. After reading that he would throw them away. He tried again.
My dearest Sofia,
I am glad to hear of your return and cannot wait to have you here with me in my arms.
He stopped and crossed it out, crumbling the paper again. Each time he scrawled out more or less the same thing and he had to force himself to sound professional, firm.
Sofia,
Though it pleases me to hear you are coming back I fear you are going too far with the way you act around me. I do not mind your hugs, your touches, your words of kindness but I know why you do it more often now. I do not want you to think I am being hard hearted, trust me it hurts to even write this. I wish things were different. I wish I was someone of higher standing, someone worthy of you then there would be no problem. Even my age would not matter. It flatters me you find me to be substantial, even attractive, but don't you see it cannot happen? You are a princess and I am only a few steps above a pauper. Do not take it to heart my sweet princess, do not think I hate you. I don't, in fact I love you.
He stopped once more. Those words popped yet again, just as they always did in his papers. No matter what he did or how he tried they kept coming up and somehow other things would sneak into there. Why did he write that he wished he was worthy of her? He didn't wish such things...did he? He didn't want to be with her, no not like that. He was fine with just being as they were, close but not too close, and then some actually good and real prince could steal her. Marry her. Have children with her. Kiss her. Touch her. Have her look at him like he was the most darling star in her sky. He groaned and crumpled up this paper too. He slammed his head on his desk hard trying to find the words to say and the reason for them. He looked over to the side seeing that lip mark staining the parchment and brought the letter close to him. She wanted to kiss him, only him, she wanted to be with him. His heart ached.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. Why did she have to be the way she was? Why was she so perfect? She was going to destroy him heart, body, and soul. She was too beautiful, too charming, too kind, too much for him. She wanted him, all of him, just the way he was. This mess of a person, this aging, dithering, wise-cracking fool who only because of her became worth his salt. He was a tall, rail thin man with nothing to offer her, not a coin to his name, not a fancy title, not gowns or other fine things. All he had was his magic and for her that was enough. She liked his voice, he knew that she had told him many times. She loved his accent, she liked when he touched her, when he looked at her, when he smiled. He had thought himself of no high beauty for a man but in her eyes, he was the most dapper, distinguished, attractive gentleman around. She didn't care about his age or what he was. She wanted him all the same.
It was killing him. She was killing him. Her scent, her eyes, her laugh, her voice, her face, her lips on him, smiling at him. He was slowly dying second by second. He couldn't stand it! She was driving him to madness! Couldn't she see what she was doing? Did she know how she bewitched him so? Did she not know how much he...how much he wanted her back? He whimpered at the thought. Why couldn't she have looked plain, been plain, been boring, had no interest in him, be vain, maltempered, spiteful, and everything wrong? She had to be Sofia, she had to be in this castle, and she had to pick him of all others to like so much. He didn't think he could go to her birthday party at all, he'd not be able to stand looking at her. If one year had done that who knew what another would do to her?
She'd be absolutely irresistible and he'd hate it. He'd hate watching her with any other man. His jealousy would get the better of him and he would leave. Didn't she see how awful he was? How he'd steal her away from everyone, keep her locked up and never let her go? Didn't she know what kind of man he was? Selfish, childish, greedy, easily riled, and had a bad streak of envy when it came to men around her. But she'd love him anyways. She would set him straight, make him a better person, help him with his jealousy, soothe him as she always did. He imagined her as she was that day when she had her nightmare and awoke in his tower. A day like that every day- her in her night gown, making merry with him, sharing puns and witty humor, teasing here and there, eating and drinking together, her holding tight to him, and oh to have her sleep there but next to him. Waking up with Sofia next to him, her radiant smile, her gazing into his eyes, softly, sweetly, whispering good morning. He trembled with unbridled joy. He was done with it all. He no longer gave a damn about it. He got a piece of paper and started writing.
My beloved Sofia,
I eagerly await your return with gusto. I shall count the days until you are back, my pretty poppet, and I shall make sure your birthday is the best ever. I cannot wait to see you and that wonderful, cheerful smile you have. It always makes this dark tower one hundred times brighter. Come home soon, I miss you terribly.
Your ever expectant sorcerer, Cedric.
P.S I am also sending you hugs and kisses right back. Lots of them.
When Sofia got that letter, she let out a high pitched squeal that sounded much like Amber's when she got a gift. It was like a gift to her. Her heart pounded so fast reading that. It was so short in comparison to her lengthy letter and she had thought he might not even respond. April and Aunt Tilly had told her to be bold, to try harder, to fan the flames. Well she was fanning and it worked perfectly! If he responded like that it must mean he returned some sort of affection, or at least was open to it. No man says such flirty things unless he is interested. She read it a hundred times, also eager and expectant of the hugs and kisses he had promised. The days passed too slowly for her but she was occupied throughout it all. Sports, tests, challenges, homework, practice, and studying took up all her time. Relaxation was reserved for the lateness of night when Minerva was out hunting or stretching her wings. Sofia liked that she respected her enough to not eat animals in her presence. She knew it was the way of nature but she couldn't stomach it.
One day Sofia got a strange scroll with an arrow pierced through it. She read it curiously. It was from Carol of the Arrow and her helping hands. It turned out she was in the area. She apologized for not keeping up with Sofia through the years but duty called. Sofia understood that greatly. She wrote her back and fired the arrow with it, knowing somehow it would make its way back to her. It was nice to hear from people she hadn't heard from in a long time, knowing she was still on their minds even if they hadn't talked in years. She got letters from all kinds of people, from her protectors, from Baileywick's brother Nigel, from Lani, From Tizzy, from just about everyone. The way they did graduations at the academy was different than what she was used to. There was fanfare and confetti, a diploma of course, and getting to meet Merlin but there was no crowd for it. Everyone graduated at different times so there was no sense to them to make a ceremony. She supposed she understood, it would be taxing to send out invites almost daily or weekly to random kingdoms and towns.
To have a celebration each day would also be tiring and Merlin was sometimes busy, they had to also work around his schedule. Just because he was retired did not mean he was not a busy man. He was Merlin the Magnanimous after all, and a true wizard never sleeps. So when Sofia was going to graduate, she was dressed in a white robe that went to her ankles and this golden sash went across her shoulders. She wore a white wizard hat with a small enclosed blossom on it, opened only by the professor of the white mages to signify she had bloomed into a true white mage. Sofia had heard if it didn't open that meant you weren't truly a white mage at all but she had faith hers would. For the dark mages it was different, they had black robes and purple sashes and instead of a hat they had a hood. They carried torches and it would only be lit by the dark mage professor, the same thing was told if it was not lit. It was rare that this happened but in case it did the student had to re-enroll and take classes yet again. It was extremely uncommon but it had happened once, with Professor Marmicus himself. It just turned out he was both a dark and white mage.
When she went up to Professor Sylvian her flower bloomed accordingly and she was given her diploma. She beamed as she shook Merlin's hand but surprised him with an embrace. That was also unheard of but most didn't know him personally. She and Jun graduated at the same time as well as April and Rain. Lakshmi and some of the others would be graduating soon but they would try to make it to her birthday if they could. Sofia didn't hold them to it and was just glad they thought of her at all. At last it was time, time to go home. She couldn't wait at all but she made sure to thank everyone and say her goodbyes. Her professors all were sad to see her go, calling her one of the best mannered and smartest students they had. Sofia would miss them all too but she could always come for a visit. Her things were packed and placed in her carriage. After two long years, she would finally be coming home.
Everyone in the palace was trying to get everything ready for Sofia's birthday. Banners and bows and ribbons and decorations were everywhere, the staff was running around like headless chickens, but Baileywick kept cool under pressure as always. Amber was going through dress after dress trying to find one stylish but humbling, she didn't want to upstage her sister. James was wrapping up his gift with the help of his father and Miranda was helping where ever she could. Cedric was around, also aiding with his magic, making things as grand as he could manage but not too grand, his Sofia was not one for extravagance. He was folding paper into shapes, a trick he had learned from the wizard of Wei Ling, when he smelled something from the kitchen. It smelled like chocolate. He peered into the kitchen. There was a new chef in the kitchen, just as good as Chef Andre. He was here because Chef Andre was on family leave right now, his wife needed him and the king understood that. However this one did not know what some of the royals liked and disliked.
"Pardon me, Chef Geno, is it? Right. Is that chocolate cake you are making?"
"Yes sir. Chocolate iced too."
"Not to impose on you or anything but princess Sofia's favorite is vanilla cake. It's James that loves chocolate."
"Oh no! What a fool I am! I should have remembered! I'll make another right away."
"Don't beat yourself up about it now. You're new, these things happen. Um...and might I suggest adding little lavender rosettes? She loves those."
"Of course! Whatever the princess likes, I will make."
Cedric felt satisfied with that and walked out, almost bumping into Baileywick who was smiling a small secret smile.
"...Did I do something wrong...?"
"No, silly. You did something right. You're a top notch servant. Actually I was going there myself but you beat me to it."
"Well I just wanted to make sure everything was perfect."
"The same goes for me. This is a big day after all. In some places she'd be considered a woman already."
"She is a woman, Baileywick."
"You know...you're right. She is. My how time flies. Ooh speaking of time it's time for the band to arrive. I've got to let them in."
Cedric was glad that he and Baileywick no longer bickered or squabbled anymore. He was a good person and always punctual. Sofia arrived an hour later but as she hopped out someone covered her eyes quickly.
"Huh what?"
"You can't see anything yet! It's all a big surprise!" James's voice exclaimed next to her ear. "I'm going to walk you to your room, okay?"
"With my eyes closed? I could just get Minimus to fly me up to my room."
"You have a point but I have to lead you there too. You can't peak."
"Fine, alright. Let's go."
Sofia was giddy. She loved surprises and the excitement had her all jittery. She close eyed mounted Minimus, so used to riding him that she could do it without seeing. It was something she had done once when in a very dark area so at least it was nothing too new for her. He told her when they were at her window and she opened one eye slowly. Just her room, nothing more. She hopped in, feeling like a stealthy ninja. She thanked Minimus and he was off, telling her happy birthday. Clover hopped out from under the bed, like a dust bunny, and towards her.
"Happy birthday Sofia! Another year of you and me!"
She hugged him. "Why were you under my bed?"
"Well I was hiding your gift but since you're here I'll give it to you."
He hopped back under the bed and pulled out a piece of paper. She looked at it, it had all the animal prints of her friends on it. She could see Robin's feet and Mia's smaller ones, Crackles big paws, Clover's little paws, Minimus and Skye's hooves, Whatnaughts small paw prints, and others. She smiled at it and decided it needed to be hung up so that's what she did.
"Perfect! It's one of the best pieces of art I've ever seen."
"Yeah and what's great is you're the only one who has it."
"Mhm! So... I guess since I'm confined to my room for who knows how long it's just you and me until the maids come in and help me dress."
"Sounds like a good start to your big birthday bash!"
Sofia and Clover played games mostly, hide and seek, tag, cards, I spy, whatever she could think of and then they took a short nap. She was getting hungry and she hoped they would come for her soon, at least to bring her food. She heard a light knock on the door, it was Violet she always did the most timid little knocks. Sofia let her in. She wished her the happiest of birthdays then told her the guests had started arriving so she best get her dressed. Sofia pulled out the dress she wanted to wear, the one given to her by Winifred and she even found some matching shoes. They were higher than normal but not like the ones she wore for her thirteenth. Violet approved of the choice. She aided her getting ready, even putting on her makeup. She was glad it was her because Violet often listened to suggestions. As she was doing her hair Violet started sniffling.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"Oh it's nothing miss. It's just I've taken care of you since you were a child and to see you now, you're just beautiful, miss. It makes me happy it does."
"Aww Violet, thank you. You've always been family to me and no matter how old I get you'll always be the maid I come to if I need anything."
"Bless you miss, you have a heart of gold."
Everyone had shown up thus far, the ballroom was packed with people come far and wide, even more than the last time. All manner of halflings, human, fairy, wood elves, dryads, they were all there to see her and congratulate her on getting her diploma. They all waited at the foot of the stairs for her, anxiously, all dressed in their finest, even Cedric. He had forgone his usual robes and was wearing his most formal clothing, sans gloves even. She had requested it in the very last letter she sent and he would not deny her that. He felt under dressed, despite having the one bandaged hand, after spending so many years in that robe but at the same time, liberated. They chatted idly amongst themselves until the trumpets blew and then they all went quiet, turning towards the stairs
On the top of the stairs was what looked like, at least in Cedric's eyes, an angel. She was clothed in ivory lace and a loose fitting corset that she did not mind because it did not restrict her and it was part of the dress. Her sleeves went off her shoulders exposing them and since the dress was short her legs were revealed too. Down the steps she came in her little lilac high heels, the very picture of elegance. Her copper hair was coiled thickly and pinned partway up, spilling in little curls onto that bare shoulder. She accompanied it with just the most basic of purple jewels and that ever present ruby tiara he had made for her. With simple but stunning eye makeup in soft purple pastels, she looked a vision.
"Ooh Sofia looks so pretty," Callista remarked in her little red dress next to him.
She was more than that to him. She had indeed matured even more over the next year, taking on the form of a full woman, blessed with a svelte form and small supple curves. Her glossy pink lips smiled his way, full of fondness for him, and he felt like his legs would give out at any second. Winifred looked a bit smugly at her son, knowing exactly what he was feeling. She had seen the same lovelorn look on her own husband when she wore that dress. It was a lucky dress and it worked wonders no magic could contend with. Sofia greeted all her guests, curtsying to all of them and talking, asking how they've been, what they've done, and accepting congratulations. His eyes were stuck on her flittering about through the crowd even as she ate her snacks, she looked beautiful. She had gone around and spoken to the vast majority of people, her time being consumed by that until it was that dinner was served.
All of it was cooked to perfection and there was a variety of things, since Sofia loved to experiment with new foods. She dabbed the napkin on her lips, laughing lightly at a joke told to her by one of her friends. He knew it was impolite to stare but he could not help it. She was unreasonably gorgeous, so much so that it made it hard to even eat. All his focus was on her. He only stopped when he felt his sister lightly tap his shoulder and ask for him to pass the salt. After everyone ate it was soon time for dancing. Given that Sofia was the lady of the hour everyone wanted to dance with her. She danced with Ruby and Jade, she danced with James, she danced with Clio and Hildegard, Amber, and her parents. She danced with her class mates, her foreign friends, and some of the princes too. Cedric was surprised he was not feeling any hostility towards them but as far as he knew most of them were taken. She had just finished dancing with Callista, having to bend down a little to be at her height, when the girl was, with Sofia in her hand, racing back toward him.
"Uncle Ceddy! Did you see me?"
"Yes I saw you. Very good."
"I've been practicing with mummy how to dance. It's so much fun!"
"She has a lot of energy," Sofia remarked, moving one of her curls out of the way with a little blow.
"So I see."
"Uncle Ceddy now it's your turn! You dance too!"
"Oh um Callista I..."
"Oh yes please, Mr. Cedric! I might not have another moment. It seems everyone wants to spin me around on the ballroom floor tonight."
It was not possible to say no to her, not in that dress, not with that face, not with those big pleading eyes. He steadied himself since he was shaking with nervousness and took her hand in his, leading her to the ball room floor. Sofia was in heaven just holding his hand. She really couldn't believe this was happening, she would be dancing with him and nobody would care because it was a dance, that's what you did. She flushed brightly when his hand touched her hip and he pressed her a little closely. She almost couldn't meet his gaze but as they spun around, she had to or else she might get dizzy looking at her feet. She moved with him in time with the music, getting lost in the sound and sensation of this beautiful, perfect moment. This must be paradise, being here in his arms, swaying to a soft rhythm, feeling like it was just the two of them. She felt she like she was dancing atop the clouds.
"You dance well," She complimented. She had scarcely ever seen him dance before but she knew he could, she had danced with him when she was very little. That was when she was ten, five years later and it felt entirely different.
"Thank you, princess. You also dance well...but that's to be expected."
"Well at first I didn't even know how to dance, remember?"
"Oh yes you came to me for a dancing spell. That was one of your first days here."
"You were like some dream of mine come true. I had never met someone so magical in my life and every day that I was there I tried to make an excuse just to see you," She explained in a soft breath.
"I could tell," He remarked, shifting just a bit closer. "And I'm glad you did. I don't like to think of the person I was and could have been without you there to guide me."
"Mr. Cedric...you know you...um...you look really good tonight. Thank you for listening to me."
He blushed lightly. "Well you are the Lady Sofia, to not listen to you is treason to the crown." She laughed at his joke. "And besides you look even better."
"I...I do...?"
"Oh yes. You're ravishing, my dear."
"Oh!" She looked everywhere but him, her face so hot it might burn to the touch. He snickered at her.
"Something the matter? I thought everyone called you beautiful."
"It's...different when it's you."
Their eyes met and locked together. He was about to say something when she received a tap on the shoulder. It was Vivian. Sofia looked at him then at her then back. He let go of her and allowed her to leave but not before kissing her hand. She gushed softly, a noise he would never forget nor wanted to. Not anymore. He was done with that. It didn't matter to him any longer, wrong or right. It was wrong and right all at the same time. Sofia joined with Vivian who wanted to just chat with her, she wasn't much for dancing but she liked to play instruments so they talked about the band. Sofia didn't think she'd ever forget what just transpired, she had danced with him, he had called her beautiful, and when she looked into his eyes, she swore he...well... the way he looked at her set her ablaze. It was hard to keep her mind straight the rest of the night.
She cleared it up as best as she could when it was time for cake. It was her favorite flavor and it had cute little roses in her favorite color. She plucked one off her fork and ate it, humming happily at the taste. Then it was onto presents, of which she had too many to count. She was swamped with them. It took more than one servant to get them all to her room. Soon everyone left to go home and Sofia was left with her memories fluttering in her head. She wished her family a very good night, so very happy that Amber did not mention or say anything about her dancing with Cedric. At this point Amber was done with her interfering, if anything Cedric had proved worthy of her, despite his rank and age. Any man that would almost die for a person on multiple occasions was a fine enough choice in her book. She valued him for that and wished she could properly thank him for all he did.
Her only thank you now was to let them be, let whatever was between them happen. If her sister was happy, she was happy and besides Sofia was an unusual princess, of course she would want an unusual lover. It made sense now that she thought about it and also, seeing Cedric in some other clothes, he wasn't too bad. Not her cup of tea at all, but he was decent looking. She smiled when she saw him and said a kind goodnight to him, even giving him a curtsy. The action confused him but he accepted it none the less. Like Sofia, Amber was maturing more and more only her maturity was mental. Sofia was dancing on tip toe through the hallways, humming as gaily as could be but not too loudly. So enraptured was she that she did not see who she bumped into.
"You should really watch where you're doddling, Milady."
She looked up at him and bit her lip. It had used to be cute to him but as she grew it became something else. It stirred something within him he had not felt in a decade. She placed her hands on her cheeks and took a deep breath in, as if in mock awe.
"Mr. Ceeedrick!"
He chuckled at their little remake of their very first meeting. He always felt in a frolicsome mood with her, she gave him his boyhood back and at the same time reminded him, at least in her later years, that he was a man and she was a very pretty woman. More than pretty to him.
"You didn't ask where my gift was."
"Oh I assumed you'd give it to me later, as always."
"You assumed right. Follow me...oh and it's Ced-rick."
She laughed under her breath. She followed him up to his tower, excited about whatever he might give to her. He opened the door and went inside and she saw it lying on the table. A book with a ribbon around it. She went over to it and untied the ribbon, reading the front cover. It read: The Many Journeys of Sofia and Cedric. She beamed brightly and opened the first page seeing that it was dedicated to her. It was a rather long dedication and she teared up at the words he used. He called her his life, his purpose, his reason for being. It was all so sweet. She flipped through the book, wiping off her eyes. She knew what it was, it was a chronicle of their time together and there were empty pages at the back with a little scrawl from him on the side reading: for future adventures, may there be many of them. She closed the book and turned to him. With no words to say she leapt into his arms, overwhelmed by this. He always gave her such meaningful gifts but this one was full of their memories together, this one was just about the two of them. She couldn't wait to read it all, every bit of it, and hear his wording with it. She would treasure it always and hope to add onto it.
"Well?"
"I'm speechless... it's...more than I could ever want. It means so much to me, that you cataloged our journey together."
"You are the most important thing in my life Sofia, I knew that would be so from the moment you put on your adorable purple hat. I knew from the second you called me friend, that I was your friend too, your sorcerer, your Mr. Cedric and you became my princess, my Sofia. You breathed your life into me so you are the reason I breathe."
"Mr. Cedric..."
She got lost in his eyes bearing down into hers. Her heart thumped, calling out for him. She leaned closer, moved by his words, moved by his gift, moved by all that he had done for her. She got even closer to him, eyelids lowering. His breathing quickened as she got so very close to his face and he had not time to prepare himself or say anything. The world seemed to stop when her lips touched his and he melted entirely, now truly not caring about anything else. Nothing else mattered in the whole world but those lips and how wonderfully, heavenly, blissfully right they felt. As of right now and forever more, he was hers.
