Sofia awoke, stretching and rubbing her eyes. It was hard to go to sleep with someone who snored so much but she did it. Joy was also someone who liked to sleep in a lot so Sofia let her sleep, tip toeing her way out the door and closing it as softly as possible. She wondered how James faired, if Alexey was just as callous and cold shouldered as he was with them. She hoped not for his sake because James could get really aggravated at someone like that. Aside from knight classes he also did a lot of chivalry classes so he could not stand anyone with such behavior. It was still early so she went out and fed the birds and other woodland friends of hers, hearing a howling in the distance and vaguely seeing what looked like the wolf that she helped in the forest.

After that she went back into her room and picked out her clothes, got dressed, and tried to rouse her slumbering bed companion. It took a while to actually get Lady Joy up and at 'em but she inevitably did rise and with the help of the maids they were both ready to go. Breakfast would be served soon so she walked with her towards the dining room, greeting Amber along the way then James, who was acting cranky and noticeably looked tired. She wondered if Alexey snored too. There was no time to ask because the young lord was up and about too, still looking bored and agitated by everything. Sofia said good morning to him, a chipper bright eyed morning person, but received only a gruff hmph back. Amber's eyes went a little wide and she opened her fan to speak to Sofia with some privacy.

"He's not like any prince I've ever met. All of them are decorous, well bred, he's just...well... I don't know what word to use."

"He's certainly different..." Sofia stated, sighing to herself. She too had never met a prince who was so impolite. So much so that when they came to the dining room it was James and James alone who pulled out all their chairs. Alexey didn't even bother, he just looked grumpy and miserable. James shook his head at him and sighed with irritation under his breath. It wasn't his place to say anything but if this disrespect should continue, he just might.

"Thank you, Sir James," Lady Joy said with a perky voice, folding her napkin in her lap.

"You're welcome, Lady Joy."

"Good morning all," Roland called out, sitting at the head of the table as always. Everyone exchanged pleasantries...except Alexey. He barely grumbled. Sofia was trying to liven up the conversation with talks about the oncoming all Hallows Eve party and inviting all the witches and warlocks she knew. She also wanted to invite Callista to her first big girl party and bring over Callista's third best friend (Sofia and Cedric were her second and first), the giggling goblin. Sofia had a lot of plans and as she talked her eyes went alight with the wonder of it all.

"We could have a pumpkin carving contest," James added on, wanting to show off his fancy sword and knife skills.

"Ooh and a best costume contest too!" Amber chimed in, her mind reeling with various ideas for an outfit.

"Can I come? I love parties and especially ones around fall. That's when everyone makes the caramel apples!"

"Yes you could come and you can bring Alexey," Sofia added on, trying to always remain royal and polite no matter what happened.

He sucked his teeth and looked off to the side. "I'd rather not embarrass myself in some silly costume."

"Everyone will be dressed up, Alexey. Come on, it's going to be such fun. There will be candy, music, dancing, games, not to mention the decorations will be ah-mazing. The staff always does a spooktaculaur job," Sofia remarked with a giggle.

"...Hmph. Fine I guess."

"Great! As Aunt Tilly says, it will be whizzbang!"

Breakfast went well, as well as could be with the ever so grouchy and unpleasant Alexey. Fortunately Sofia didn't have to deal with him much and instead focused on Joy who she took outside to push on the swing since she was asking so much. Sofia pulled the swing back as far as she could and pushed it forward smiling as Joy laughed asking her to do it again. Joy was such an outgoing and pleasant person, Sofia really did like her very much it's just due to distance and her not going to princess school she didn't see her much. Amber was there too, sitting in a chair enjoying the breeze while she watched the two playing. They were still like children, going about chasing each other playing tag. Joy tagged Amber and ran away and then she got involved. She had to admit it was fun to be this way, so carefree. As future queen her duties left her little time for such things and as a growing woman, she felt she should focus on the adult aspects of her life.

She was so engrossed in her duties that she forgot how to let go and have a good time. Sofia was running away as fast as could be, laughing wildly and trying to escape being tagged. The noise made Cedric look outside, always just a bit too nosy for his own good. When he saw her, his Sofia, running like that as free as the wind, a smile on her face, the light in her eyes, he let out a soft breath of air. Minerva watched a little, though through one eye. She was getting tired but smiled, as much as an owl could smile, at the playful nature of the princess and the totally in love face Cedric had. She pressed herself against the tower, catching her breath and hiding in the tall brushes. She looked up and saw him peering out, somehow always catching him doing that.

She waved at him and then put her finger to her lips, asking him not to reveal her hiding spot. He nodded at her and continued to watch her frolicking. The girls continued their chasing around until they were all tuckered out. Amber needed some refreshment after all that and the other girls agreed, following her inside for something to drink. Joy was having a blast so far which was good because Sofia would hate for her to feel blue, it didn't suit her at all. Amber sat them down and plaited both of their hair to get it out of the way so if they continued playing it would not mess up their hairdos. Sofia looked at her small braid with the bow and felt almost like the fancy horses she saw with braided tails and flowers. Joy had more hair so her braid was more complicated. Since Sofia thought of flowers, she weaved a flower crown for Joy, who took off her own bejeweled tiara for it. Most of the day they played around, Sofia filling her in on all the things that had happened and telling her tales of her adventures in the Mystic Isles.

"Wow wow Sofia, you do so much! I don't get to go places like that, I usually have to stay home. Daddy is afraid something might happen to me, says the world is big and scary but it can't be so bad, not if you have a friend. Do you think you could take me some place special...somewhere far away on an adventure? I'd like to see the world," Joy explained, looking out the window with a longing expression but it was also sad and made Sofia frown. She touched her shoulder.

"I promise I will. In fact you know what...I'll make you a member of the Princess Adventure Club and we can have our first adventure right now!"

"Really? Oh I should change into something comfortable! I can't wait I really can't!"

She skipped away trying to find something suitable to wear and while she did that Sofia went in her head to formulate a plan. She thought of exotic places and though Khaldun or even Corinthia would be nice she thought of something even better. Sofia got her horse out and called upon Skye, she just knew Joy would love to ride a real unicorn, she might even squeal about it. She was going to take her to Rainbow Falls, a magical place where the water was all different colors and gems littered the floor of the lakes and ponds. It was a veritable wonderland with cyan trees and purple leaves, blue grass and lots of places to explore. Plus, Sofia knew the fall fairies and pixies would be out now painting the leaves oranges and golds. That would be something exciting for her.

She felt bad for Joy, being locked up in her home like that with nowhere to really go and very few friends. It was no wonder she was always so happy to be here when she came and appreciated anything. She was home schooled too so she never got to experience the wonders of learning magic from unique magicians or anything like that. She was just as easily in love with magic as any young person would be and even the smallest of fireworks could make her smile. Sofia was sure Cedric wouldn't mind at all putting on a show for the visiting royals. Joy did in fact squeal gaily when she saw what she would be riding and gave Skye so much love and affection it made him affectionate towards her, nuzzling his muzzle into her and whinnying in delight at the kisses bestowed onto him. For some reason Joy started crying but she was smiling too.

"Is...something wrong, Joy?"

"It's just...I've always dreamed one day I'd get to see one, a unicorn I mean, with a pearl horn and silver hooves and big fluffy wings just like this. I dreamed and wished for so long...since I was small. I heard if you see one it will bring you happiness forever. I feel like it's true because I'm so very happy right now. Thank you, Sofia."

"You're welcome, Joy. I'm glad I could make your day even better than it already was. Now let me help you up and strap you in. Skye flies a lot smoother than Minimus and will be gentle with you but I don't want you to fall off."

Sofia helped her into a saddle decorated with rhinestones and buckled her in, just in case. As she said Skye was easier to ride on for a beginner, since Minimus was more stocky and used to flying fast and hard. Skye was born from clouds and wishes, he was just like air itself, his wings felt like cotton candy. Still it was best to be safe. They rose into the air, Sofia making sure to watch that Joy was alright. In fact she wasn't sure if she had ever rode on a flying anything besides a carriage but she was handling it well, holding tightly to him but gently so not to hurt him. They were off and the whole way Sofia flew slower than she usually did and right next to Skye. At one point Joy held out her hands and claimed she felt like a bird. It worried Sofia she might fall but luckily she didn't. They landed at Rainbow Falls without issue and as soon as they got there Joy was entranced, touching the water and the grass and pointing at the unusual flowers.

"You can drink it, you know. Each color tastes different."

"That's sooo so so wonderfully wonderful!"

She sipped the yellow it tasted of lemon tarts, the red tasted like cherry cordials, the blue like blueberry pie, the green like green apple streusel, the orange tasted like orange creamsicle and the purple tasted like fizzing grape juice. All together it was like a fruit salad, an explosion of flavor in your mouth and yet the water felt like plain old water and smelled like plain old water with just the hint of sweetness. She took a handful of water and splashed it upwards then spun in the falling rainbow droplets.

"Best day ever!"

"It's not over yet, look."

Sofia was pointing towards where she saw little lights. It was the pixies of autumn come to paint the leaves, gathering up the oranges and yellows and dabbling it on. Joy watched with her mouth open, awed at everything she was seeing. One of the pixies landed on her finger and sat there, waving at her then flew off leaving a glittering trail. She was mesmerized. They sat there for a while, snacking and enjoying the view. Skye was being very friendly towards Joy, constantly by her side and giving her love. He told Sofia it was because he could sense some sadness in her and wanted to make it better.

Unicorns could always feel emotions far more than any animals particularly happiness and sadness and they always strove to make young maidens cheerful. In all old paintings there were many pictures of unicorns and pegacorns, which is what Skye technically was, painted next to women. Unicorns have a long history of being the embodiment of purity so they were always found near pure women, a symbol that the woman was kind, gentle, and regal, just as unicorns were. That fit Sofia and Joy very well.

"Sofia you are the greatest friend I could ever ask for. Truly you are. I could never have imagined going to such a place. I will remember it always."

"Here," Sofia handed over a jar of the water, one color each layering on top of the other in the jar, "take this home with you so you can always have something to help you recall what a great time you had."

"That's perfect. I'll put it right on my shelf and look at it forever. This has really been the greatest day I ever did have. I can't think of anything better."

"Well what about some magic? Me and Cedric can perform for you."

"That would be terrific if you did. Really really it would be! It's so outstanding that you can do magic, I haven't heard of too many princesses that can. I can't wait!"

Sofia and Joy flew back with her holding onto the reigns and the jar with the upmost care. She immediately went to show it off to everyone and proceed to explain where she had been and how lovely everything was. While she was doing that Sofia sought out Cedric and explained what she had planned. He didn't mind doing a few tricks especially with her and for her. They had a performance right after lunch, the two of them having what was commonly called a wizard's duel. It's something older than Merlin himself, though he was the champion of it, and usually the people would transform but in this case they were just trying to outdo the other with spells. It was obvious who the winner would be but Sofia put up a great fight. There was no contest, between her and Cedric he was the one with the most power.

They both bowed to their audience who all roared with applause...all except the one who was only half heartedly clapping. Cedric departed after that, he was a busy man after all and that was fine with Sofia, she never expected him to stay long. He had work to do. If only she wasn't so busy herself she'd tell her father all about them but now she had to wait until after the business with King Magnus and Queen Bliss, whatever it was. If they were openly together she would have kissed his cheek at least and he might have done a bit more than that but they, most specifically he, had to control themselves. Alexey didn't care for magic at all, he scoffed and went away somewhere. James seemed to be relieved that he was gone, letting out a long exaggerated ugh, leaning his head on Amber's shoulder.

"Tired?" She asked him, looking at him like she wanted to nudge him off.

"Yes sick and tired of you know who. No offense Joy but your brother he's..."

"No need to explain. He's always like that, at least every time I get to see him. He's just a sour puss, I don't know why though. Mom is stern and likes to have things done a certain way but she's not mean to him neither is his father. They both love us very much and are trying to make things the best they can with the way things are now."

"You poor thing," Amber empathized, holding her close. "It must be so difficult. I know. My closest friend has the same issue with her parents."

"Really? I was starting to think I was the only one. I guess in a way it's nice to hear I'm not alone in my struggles. Plus I have a lot of friends like you to help cheer me up. I wonder sometimes if Alexey is that way because he's upset about all this. I hope he doesn't blame me...though I suppose I blame myself sometimes."

"It's not your fault at all...these things just happen," Sofia explained in a comforting tone.

"Yeah it has nothing to do with you. Sometimes two people just don't get along anymore so it has to do with the two of them," Amber added, hugging Joy still.

"You're a super awesome person to be around and I bet your parents think the same thing and always will. So don't blame yourself for anything," James told her with a bright smile.

"Thank you...all of you."

Days went by and Joy and her brother stayed the whole time and every day it was the same. Joy and the rest enjoyed themselves but Alexey cared very little about it, just sulked or was not polite. James had enough of it hearing him whine and moan and gripe and be unprincely to his sisters, to Joy, to everyone. He was a guest he should be thankful. James was often off training to help ease his mind, he'd rather take out his frustrations on a wooden soldier or a suit of armor or a padded protected fellow knight than the person who he didn't care for. James liked everyone all the time, gave Cedric a second chance because he felt he wasn't as bad as everyone thought, and every prince knew him as the guy to be friends with. Yet James found at last someone he truly could not be around without some frustration. Wendell, his new friend who was a young sorcerer in training, had been bad at some point too but even James found something in him he liked.

After summer camp the two were close companions, even if they seemed to be different. Alexey on the other hand was not someone James could wrap his mind around so he decided to just ignore him, as hard as that was. Sofia never stopped trying, perhaps she could find what it was that made him so off and help him with it but every time she talked to him he shut her out, snubbed her, rolled his eyes and stomped off. The two siblings were staying long enough to be attending the all Hallows Eve party and Roland claimed that they would be going home a few days after that. Until then Sofia would not give up if she could help it. She had dealt with a lot of stubborn people but if it was pride or stubbornness it was the worst case of it she had seen. It kept up even as the Hallows Eve party was getting started. Cedric was making large pumpkins and all sorts of decorations, even dancing skeletons.

His niece was dressed up as a red spider and she thought herself so scary that she kept going around and going boo at everyone. Amber decided to be a circus performer, more so the ringmaster with a showy glittery outfit and gold epaulets. James decided it would be funny to be a lion and Amber would have him jump through hoops. Joy was dressed as a fairy because she loved them so much and Alexey seemed content to just wear orange and black clothing, not really a costume at all. Everyone was there that she could think of making this event the best she could hope for. Sofia greeted everyone that walked in, setting up a table outside for the trick or treaters. As she placed a pumpkin shaped bowl down full of brightly wrapped candy, she heard a little whistle behind her. She turned around and saw Cedric who was dressed somewhat normal, his robes seemed black this time and decorated with crescent moons. His bowtie almost looked like a bat.

"Hi! Do you like my costume?" She asked him, showing it off.

Sofia decided to be something a little on the dark side this time. She was a vampire with a black dress and red going down the front, spiderweb like lace, and black eyelids. It was a different look for her as no one had ever seen her in black before but everyone seemed to think it was one of the best costumes. She had stayed up for a long time making it and even now her wrists hurt from sewing. She also had fingerless gloves which she kept staring at, reminded of the very person in front of her who looked at her from top to bottom.

"My dear I wish I could express how much I looovee it but there are children about," He eluded, winking at her. "Let's just say it looks bloody good on you."

Sofia laughed at his pun then proceeded to pretend to be a vampire, hissing at him and baring her teeth. He played along, pretending to be scared of her though in that outfit it was very hard for him to be anything but.

"You know...to be honest I don't think I'd mind a wee bite on the neck," Cedric confessed with a leer making Sofia's cheeks turn as red as her lips.

"Cedric...! You can't say things like that out loud..."

"I know. I know. You just make that very difficult...looking the way you do. I shall do my best to keep my hands and my thoughts to myself. Go, away my mistress of the night, and enjoy your party."

Sofia made sure her table was just right before she waved at him and left to enjoy herself some more. The apple cider was delicious and warm and all the treats were enough to give anyone a sugar high. It seemed to be working on some of the younger ones attending as Callista was spinning around and around in circles just as giddy as could be. Everyone seemed to be having a great time except Alexey who stood there in the corner, ho humming and looking abject to everything. She put it upon herself to fill him with holiday cheer and so she made her way over to him. He barely looked up at her when she came in front of him and offered up a cinnamon swirl cookie. He swatted it away, making the thing fall to the floor.

Baileywick was quick to clean up the mess but the mess wasn't what bothered Sofia, it was his mannerisms through the whole time he was staying here. Actually Baileywick didn't care for it either, he was acting beastly this whole time, but he had no say in such affairs. Sofia had enough of it, just as James did and she knew he was most likely experiencing the worst of it as Alexey stayed in his room. "What's the matter with you? Why did you do that? If you didn't want it you could just say no thank you. There's no reason to act the way you have been acting and it's not just today either. You haven't been very nice to anyone. We are really going out of our way to make sure you enjoy your time here and you've never thanked us once and you've been disrespectful for no reason."

He shrugged nonchalantly, not looking at her as he sat in the chair. "What if there is a reason?"

"Then you can talk to me about it not shoo me away. It isn't nice of you to treat us all like that when we have done nothing to you but give you our kindness and hospitality."

"I've got a lot to deal with and some stupid princess is not going to be able to help me. You wouldn't even understand."

"Stupid?!" Sofia's eyebrows arched downward and her voice had risen but not loud enough to disturb anyone. "I have been accepting of you, of your situation and I have been nothing short of giving and helpful and you call me stupid? You don't know me and that's because you didn't get to know me at all. You didn't even try! I just want to know what it is that has you thinking it's okay to act like this? Is it because of your parents?"

"That's none of your business and yes, I didn't get to know you, of course not. I didn't want to get to know you. I could tell very well what sort of person you were, despicably optimistic and cheery all the time. You don't have your eyes open to the real world. For you everything is a fantasy. Well you know what, princess, life isn't really like that. Sometimes things get tough and you have to just suck it up and deal with it. So leave me alone to deal with my own issues. Thanks."

Sofia's blue eyes were full of intense feelings almost none of which were positive. She felt appalled, belittled, hurt, wounded, debased, she felt angry, she felt upset, and though she didn't know him she felt betrayed somehow. Yet she stood there as a tower of nobility, her aura was regal and imposing, her low eye lidded eyes looked at him with this look that made him worried. The best thing for her to do was to walk away from this situation and not make it any worse. If he wanted to be alone then fine by her. She started to walk away hurriedly, hands folded in front of her, but back arched perfectly. She was poised and calm, she would not let this phase her.

She was mature enough to know when something was not worth her time. Also he did not know her at all if he thought she was like that. She was a bit carefree, loved whimsy and wonder, and indeed was optimistic but she knew reality. The young lord did not know of her many adventures that were perilous, he did not know how much danger she was always in, how many battles she fought some of which were on her own. Seeing her sister get taken down by Ivy, seeing her family frozen, being let down and had her heart nearly broken by someone she loved, almost losing her kingdom more than once, and almost losing her spirit and self in the amulet. He had no clue she was a story book keeper, that she had helped and saved so many, that she had so much she did in the world, and he was not there that awful day where she laid underneath Cedric and thought for what felt like a horrifying eternity that he was dead on top of her.

He was not there to see her scars, her tears, her ups and downs of living the life she chose to lead. No he knew nothing and because he knew nothing she walked away. It was nothing to bother herself with any longer. As she walked away she made sure to tell herself that this didn't mean she hated him, she just very strongly disliked him, and that she still felt bad for him but she would not tolerate this anymore. She would not let his words ruin her party or her time with everyone so she put on her happy face and joined in on the pumpkin carving and soon she forgot about what he said. She had carved Clover in her pumpkin, smiling as she was done with it. The person who won that contest was in fact James. Sofia had to help Callista with hers since knives were too dangerous and though she did not win they gave her a little red ribbon as a "good try" prize.

She had made a big crooked smiling face but it looked silly not scary at all and it was hacked to bits but she had tried her best and had fun. She ran around with her pumpkin making believe she was the headless horseman. There was a corn maze outside and everyone was anxious to do it because there were spooky things in every corner, like a walk through outdoor haunted house. The brave gave it a try, even Amber went in, clinging tightly to Axel who was dressed like Tarzan. Sofia of course wanted to try it out, first being spooked by a large jack in the box with a clown head then some fake dangling spiders.

She was going in with Callista who was holding to her hand, trying not to be afraid of everything. Still she jumped here or there. Somehow some way she had gotten separated from her in one of the more winding pathways, Callista had gone chasing after something red and pretty she saw and Sofia had now lost her. She looked everywhere, hearing the girl call for her in panic, when she ran into Alexey who had also gone into the maze because he was dared to by Joy. Joy was not scared of anything, she was heard several times laughing at the surprises. It was foggy but she could see him enough and although she was not on the best terms with him, she went over to him.

"Have you seen Callista...she's the girl with the black and white hair?"

"No."

"Could you help me look for her, please?"

"...Why are you asking me?"

"Because you are here and I need someone to help me. Please please she must be so scared all by herself."

"She...means a lot to you for some random girl..."

"She's Cedric's niece, like family to me. So yes she does. Now will you help or not?"

"I guess so."

Sofia took that as a yes and headed down a direction, her wand illuminating the path. She called out Callista's name trying to use her ears to find where the voice was coming from. She was getting closer. Down another corridor where she was taken off guard by a manically laughing menace, one of the many tricks but it seemed so real it startled her and she leapt back. She felt Alexey holding onto her shoulders, stopping her from falling over.

"Oh thank you. That would have been a nasty fall into the thorny bushes over there."

"Sofia..." He spoke, looking at her and not letting her go. "I..."

She hoped he was going to apologize even if now wasn't the time so she stayed there patiently waiting. He was looking at her deeply then out of nowhere he spun her around then did something that made her stomach drop. His lips were smashed onto hers hard, so hard she almost couldn't breathe. She dropped her wand and started struggling in his tight grasp, trying to push him away from her. She was confused, amongst other things, at why he was even doing this. He seemed to have hated her this whole time, had nothing but disdain for everything and everyone and now he was kissing her! She did not enjoy it in the least especially because it was forced upon her. She tried to scream but it was muffled and what was worse she could still hear poor Callista calling for her.

She felt he would never let her go and it scared her to think what else he might do to her. She fought with all the power she had in her and then just when she felt that her struggles were in vain, she heard someone approaching. She hoped it would be someone who would understand, someone like Amber who would know better or James who already didn't like him much. Anyone else might think she had snuck off like a sneaky girl to go make out in the night. Yet as the figure got closer, she could see it was much too tall to be either of them. Perhaps it was her parents, perhaps it was a servant, perhaps anyone who would reprimand the prince for this or something. At the least it would stop him from doing this horrid thing to her.

The fog parted somewhat and she saw him. Her heart sank along with her gut. She had wanted anyone at that point anyone at all but she had not wanted him of all people to see this. Cedric stood there, covered by the fog only seen by her since Alexey was not looking. She prayed to everything he would not think anything wrong of her, that she was somehow double crossing him and their love, that she thought nothing of him. She hoped and prayed he would see that she did not want this at all. Yet it didn't matter he stood there, still as could be and for a moment Sofia thought she might have been seeing things, wishing things into reality and that he wasn't truly there until she heard him. He growled like a demon, deep and throaty. It made her shiver which ultimately was her saving grace for Alexey finally released some of his grip on her.

She wasted no time and sprinted to Cedric, seeking shelter in his arms or just near him, holding out her arms for him. Yet when she grabbed him, he immediately pulled her off, an action that made her distraught. It was so hard a push that her dress got caught in the thorn bushes causing her to let out a small shriek from being pricked. She tore her dress off of them, ripping it in the process but none of that mattered. He had pushed her and he did not care that she was hurt right now. She thought in a heart broken way that he must be livid but was directing his anger to her. She wanted to explain but how could she? She would reveal that she and he were a lot more than friends. She could not say anything, all she could do is stand there next to him, whimpering softly. She could hear his hard heavy breathing and saw him shaking, his fists tightly clenched. His teeth were grinding against each other so much they might turn into powder. Yet as much as he seethed, he did not make a move, instead he turned around and left, going towards where Callista's voice was and leaving Sofia there alone...with Alexey.

Sofia couldn't take this. Her love had spurned her, had left her here in the dark and cold, had not cared about her wounds or held her at all. She hugged herself, beside herself with grief. Alexey touched her shoulder and she smacked him off, outraged at him. She wanted to shout that this was all his fault in his face but she just ran off, away from everything and instead of going back inside to face the party looking the way she did she went to her safe place even if the occupant of it might not want to see her. She needed to be there it was where she felt the most calmed. She went through the back door and up the tower then crashed onto the sofa, making muffled sad sounds into the pillow. Minerva was asking her what was wrong but Sofia couldn't answer. The owl tried to comfort her as best she could, laying a wing over her. She laid there trying to get back her sense, trying to calm herself, find some semblance of sanity. Being surrounded by the things she loved and smelling him vaguely on the sofa did help her but not much. When the door opened, she felt fire and ice combined all over her from knowing exactly who it would be coming in. Their eyes locked together but the affection he had for her wasn't in his. He blinked at her in a cold, distant way.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was deeper, darker, it had a slightly cruel edge due to his anger.

"I came here because this is the place I feel safe in... the place I love most...because the person I love most is in it."

He scoffed, chuckling to himself but it was not a good sort of chuckle. He seemed to be reverting back to his evil days. "So you love me, is that it? Somehow, I find that hard to believe and do you know why, princess?" he questioned between gritted teeth, her nickname coming out like it was a hateful word, "because you are a no good, two timing, conniving liar. Now kindly vacate my premises. I don't want to see your face."

"...Cedric...how...how dare you!?" Sofia yelled out, jumping up from the sofa, stomping over to him, her eyes full of tears. "You...you haven't the faintest idea of what you just saw! Do you not trust me, do you think I'm so fake and that I, of all people, would hurt you like that after all we've done, after all we've been through? What kind of person do you think I am, that I would do something so vile to someone I love so much? How could you dare call me a...a liar!? I...I... I have to go, move let me out," Sofia cried, pushing him out of the way but he wasn't budging.

For someone so skinny he was a lot heavier than he looked. She didn't even look at him she just turned around and started hurrying her way towards the back door. Her words slashed through the anger he felt previously and the words he had used against her stabbed him at all points but all of that meant nothing in comparison to seeing her leave. He was shaken out of his rage blindness, the illusion of what he had seen and thought now broken entirely and in front of him the reality. The woman who he held so dear, who he loved more than anything, who he could not be without, was now leaving him.

"Sofia please don't leave me!" He pleaded, reaching for her and holding her hand. She tried to yank it away but he kept it firmly there. He started fervently kissing her hand and arms but she continued to yank it away. "Please I beg of you don't leave me. I'll die without you. Please god don't ever leave me. I'm so sorry...I have no words to express how sorry I am. My angel, my beautiful princess, my sweet, my evening star, my future wife."

"Let go of me, sorcerer."

"Don't say that...don't call me that. Say my name Sofia, please by god say my name. I love it when you say it, I love the way you say it, I love your voice so much."

"After what you called me I don't know if I can ever say your name again."

"Oh please," he begged, getting on his knees to her, keeping her hand on his lips and kissing it. "I know I don't deserve you and I cannot atone for what I have said but I was enraged...you don't know what seeing that did to me... I wanted to literally destroy him but I couldn't."

"So instead you took it out on me?!"

"I'm so sorry...please Sofia forgive me. I didn't mean it, you are my everything, it was madness that overtook me making me say such horrible things to you. I wish I could cut off my own tongue for it. I will if it would keep you here."

Sofia sighed and looked at him finally causing an apologetic miserable smile to appear on his face. She pulled him off the ground then looked at him, touching his face. He pressed her hand to his cheek, nuzzling into it and spreading kisses over her palm. She knew he was sorry, she could see it in his eyes, he regretted it very much, more than anything he had ever done. It was an awful thing he had called her, the worst thing she had ever been called and to be called it by him was the worst feeling ever but he was apologizing even now, every second. She had never seen him cry before, not really, and he was now. It was enough to tell her he meant it, he wished he hadn't said what he said. Sofia was a forgiving person by nature, especially with him, but those words, those wretched phrases reserved for only the lowest sort, tore her apart.

"Cedric, I love you with all my heart, but you have to understand how much you hurt me. If you left me entirely it would have hurt less than this. The fact that you think I would do that to you, me of all the people you know, confuses me and makes me feel like you have a deep secret mistrust of me. If you cannot trust your eyes and your heart...then I don't know how you expect for our relationship to-"

"Please don't say anymore. Please Sofia, don't cut off our love. Don't you understand that I am nothing without you?! I have always been nothing, a loathsome foul creature lurking in the shadows stealing my way to greatness never earning anything by right until you came along. Yet here I stand with you and I still do such wicked things. I deserve to hang for what I said to you or worse. Yet no pain inflicted upon me will feel like the pain I have when I look into your eyes. I have done something I cannot apologize enough for and no excuse will cover it. I do not deserve you and you deserve far better than me... I've told you this from the beginning I am still a bad wizard and apparently a bad man in general... you'd be better off with someone else..."

"Oh Cedric...I'm not going to leave you. You do deserve me and I want no one else but you, even now. Don't you say that you are bad. You never have been and you never will be, you just make mistakes because of the feelings inside of you that need to be talked about and problems that need to be worked on. So let's try to work on them...together," She explained, holding his hands in hers. "No more beating yourself up, no more getting angry, and trust me more, trust in what your heart tells you not just what you think at first glance. You should never doubt I am yours."

Cedric didn't respond with words but with action. He pulled her into an embrace as tightly as he could muster, kissing all over her hair, her forehead, wherever he could possibly reach. She calmed the dormant beast within him every time, that black spark within him that persisted deep inside but she was banishing it with her light, purifying him, and as always she was patient with him. She soothed him, comforted him, eased him entirely. His mind slowed down and so did his aching heart, putting the pieces together rationally for once. He saw clearly now, Sofia would never do anything to hurt anyone, not even her worst enemies. He had seen her help those who had once betrayed and hurt her before, make friends out of the worst villains, save them if they needed saving. His Sofia was the purest, most honest, most noble woman he had ever met.

How dare he think that even for a second she would turn around and change so drastically, lie to him, stab him in the back, betray their love and his trust? She would never. He wished he could continuously slap himself over and over until his face was red for this but it would do him no good and it would upset her. She did not like his self-loathing or him debasing himself. He hated his jealousy, it would ruin him, but right now he was not feeling it anymore, and promised to himself to try his very best to never feel it again. Though he couldn't say he felt entirely positive about all this. He had called her the most awful things, the worst she had ever heard by him, and if anyone else had called her that he would personally tear them asunder but he had done it again. Cedric the bungler had yet again broken Sofia's heart and yet here she stood, holding him, promising to stay with him, helping him instead of running away. It didn't seem fair but right now he wasn't questioning it. He needed this, he needed her.

"Sofia... he didn't...hurt you, did he?"

"No, not physically... I don't even know why he did that. He slapped a cookie out of my hand mere hours before."

"He sounds like a true prince," Cedric acerbically stated, rolling his eyes a little with a smile, trying to get her to laugh and it worked. "But you should know I'm going to have to cast a nasty spell on him."

"No, Cedric. You'll be sent to the dungeons for endangering visiting royalty and I don't want to have to visit you through select hours and iron bars. We should be civil, I'll talk to him."

"I don't want you near him...what if he does something again?"

"Cedric..."

"Okay okay...but if he does and I find out...that boy will be turned into the toad he truly is."

Sofia sighed heavily and shook her head at him. When she moved her leg a little she made a wince, the scratches from the thorns were now bleeding and Cedric noticed immediately. He kneeled down to them and frowned. He didn't need to ask when it happened or how, the event played in his mind. He had heard Sofia yelp and did nothing about it. Truly he was the worst for letting her get hurt in his presence more than once today. He revealed her skin there and touched gingerly with his hands cleaning up the wounds, kissing each one better receiving a light pleasurable noise from her.

"My poor little dear...are you in pain anywhere else?"

"No just there but you've made me feel better. You always know exactly what to do, my remarkable magician."

"After all I have done and you still think so highly of me...? Sometimes I think you might be a little loony."

She giggled. "Nope as far as I know I'm not crazy. It's just the facts, you are remarkable. You've apologized now so let's be done with it and not speak of it again, okay? Now before everyone starts actually going crazy looking for me I think I should go back to the party...oh wait! Callista!"

"Don't worry she's fine now, I found her. She was asking for you the whole time."

"Then let's both go to her," Sofia recommended, holding out her hand, "and enjoy the rest of this night without any further incident."

He nodded with a smile and followed her out, Minerva flying closely behind. She remembered the many fights Goodwin and Winifred had, worse than this one had ever been because for a while Winifred was still not yet entirely good. They fought on how to raise their children, they fought about names for their children, they fought over who should do what and how it should be done, but looking at them now, so content and at peace in their twilight years, you could not have guessed it. Couples fight and sometimes because of that they end up breaking apart, like Joy's did, but Sofia would make sure she and Cedric never would. Cedric had said they could not break their bond with the strongest weapon and he was right, especially since their bond was made of the strongest weapon in the world, one they wielded together; love.