The letter had fortunately given Roland time to think upon the offer but it was not enough time. The options were both harmful to Sofia but one was harmful to his entire kingdom. He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy and free but deciding to give her over just like that to someone she didn't know and was not in love with was a cruel act. He had assumed bartering using your own children had been done away with before his father's time and arranged marriages only used in select places. Roland felt sure part of this was due to spite from the bitter past but if that wasn't true then they were truly trying to patch things up and this was the only way to do so. He knew Sofia would do anything to save her land and her family, even if she hated the things she might have to do for it but he couldn't do that to her. He had already given her limited options in her life, told her no, made her wait. If he wasn't so doubtful and mistrusting of Cedric then he could use their betrothal as an excuse and perhaps find another way to conjoin the kingdoms.
Now he was forced to sacrifice either her entire life or her entire home. Roland was certain his fighters were the very best, all his knights well trained, but that didn't mean they would win a war and he didn't want to ensue in one either. He thought he had been strained before, he was on pins and needles now and worst of all Sofia was in complete darkness about it all. The only ones who knew were Miranda, a few of the staff members that he trusted, and the soldiers all of which were sworn to secrecy. Miranda did not like keeping such a huge secret from her daughter, it all felt entirely wrong to her. Sofia deserved to know about anything that concerned her. At some point the twins had found out, specifically Amber.
It was bound to happen at some point as she was essentially a member of the royal court now, becoming a part of the council and even attending meetings. She was being taught all the politics and rules of queenhood and so it was spilled to her by someone who assumed she knew. When she found out she hurried as fast as her heels could carry her and burst into her father's study unannounced. He was holding a small meeting with his mother, aunt Tilly, and a few select others from his family and personal friends. All heads turned towards the young lady whose blonde hair was a mess because of her running. She didn't even seem to care about her state, she picked up her skirts and scampered up the large mahogany desk, slamming her gloved hand upon the surface.
"I demand some answers, right now! What's all this business about marrying Sofia off to a prince from another kingdom?!"
"Amber, sweetie, please calm down," Her grandmother tried to pacify, moving strands of yellow hair from her face. "This isn't something you need to be concerned about."
"Oh, don't I?" She huffed, stepping backwards so she wasn't touched, her eyes only fixed on her father who had a look between frustration, defeat, and some empathy along with perhaps shame. "I will be taking my place among the upper class noblemen; I will be no different than mom soon. Any agreements with another kingdom, any trades with villages, any stocks, anything that goes on in Enchancia is now something I have to be apart of and have been. This is very much my concern. Plus it has something to do with my little sister. Explain, now!"
Everyone in the room exchanged looks of concern but it was aunt Tilly who was the first to talk. "She's right Roland. We need to tell her."
He took in some air. She noticed the dark rings around his eyes and the worn out look on his face. Whatever this was, it must be incredibly stressing to cause him to lose sleep over. "Amber sit down and I'll explain everything."
She did as she was told, all ears with a serious face on but her queenly façade faltered as she heard what was going on. When it was all told to her Amber's mouth was opened in shock but she covered her mouth with her hands. She felt her heart break and knew it would be worse for her sister. "Does...does Sofia know all this?"
All the heads around her shook no and this only upset her further. "What do you mean she doesn't know? Nobody told her? This is about her and it's incredibly imperative that she know and have a decision in all of this. Were you all just going to keep it a secret forever? Why haven't you said anything?"
"Because Amber," Her father explained, sounding as if he had explained this a million times already, "I'm afraid of what she will do and say. You know her, she might decide to go through with the worst option for her love life because she wants to protect everyone. I don't want her to feel like that's a choice she needs to make."
"That's true... she would do that but she should still know... it feels wrong to lie to her. We can't just keep this from her and she will find out eventually. I mean, look at me, somebody just accidentally told me. I'd hate for her to find out that way and know we all went behind her back, knowing this important event in her life was going to happen, and didn't tell her until it was too late. You need to let her know and soon. I can't keep my mouth shut for more than a couple days, I'm willing to admit that, so you'd better tell her before I end up doing so."
"I need to get everything together before I can tell her. It's not an easy one step process you know, none of this is easy."
Amber understood that. Things had been so simple when she was a child going to school, having parties, just enjoying life and now she had all these things to worry about. The whole day she was in a depressed slump, having this heavy subject matter on her and not knowing what to do about it. Sofia was noble, she would not want there to be a war at all but to choose the other option was to literally sever her connection with the one person she felt was her true love. It was a huge loss that she would not want to take in the least but would have to take and knowing her she just might. Amber had to lock herself in her room in order to not say anything to her because just seeing her face would instantly wash her with guilt, pity, and remorse. She couldn't keep this up though and someone was noticing. Her twin.
It didn't take long for a comforting James to figure it out because Amber exploded and told him everything but also made him join the long train of people who were withholding massive amounts of information from Sofia. James was much better at keeping secrets than she was but he also could not come face to face with Sofia, knowing what he knew without feeling those same emotions Amber did. Sofia was noticing all of this, the people actively avoiding her, the whispers, the stares filled with sadness and seeming to know something she didn't. Even Baileywick was doing this to her, not avoiding her he couldn't and wouldn't, but pausing a lot to touch her head, her cheek, and sigh somberly. Whenever she asked if he was okay, he'd put on a smile that didn't look real, a smile she had come to recognize over her time dealing with liars.
She was intuitive and could tell when something was being kept from her but at the moment today she didn't have too much time to worry about it, though it was on her mind. Today she visited some sick children in the village with Cedric, thinking magic would cheer them up and she brought them medicine straight from his own apothecary. She also made soup, with ingredients from her very own garden, magically enhanced by the kind gnomes. There was a lot going on inside her head but she kept it there and would think on it later, for right now the children needed her. It was hard to do so when even in the village there were people who knew things about her she didn't or it seemed so. Regardless she made her way into the little hospital and went to the children's ward. It made her sad that so many were ill but hopefully she could make them better, one at a time. All of the kids were excited to see her for everyone in Dunwiddie knew her well but they were equally enthusiastic about seeing the royal magician who had, thanks to her, a wonderful reputation. Those that could clambered to him, begging for a performance, tugging on his robes.
"Alright alright. If you all take a seat I will give you a magic show you shall not forget."
All the kids sat whether on the floor, in chairs, or in their sick beds as Sofia gave the nurses the medicine and soup, smiling as she saw him. This was his element even if he seemed to not like performing as a clown for children this was still where he liked to be, adored by the public even if said public were sick children. He had done nothing yet and they were all staring up at him full of adoration and ready to be amazed, just as she was when she was young and still did to this day.
"First I'll need the help of my lovely assistant, Sofia."
She smiled even bigger, blushing lightly as she approached his side and awaited instructions. Their first magic act was making her disappear and reappear then levitation and a few other things he knew would easily impress them. He was now entertaining them with simple card tricks as Sofia poured each bowl of soup out and helped place one by each bed side. It was a wholesome scene, Cedric and the children, all smiling and laughing together. It gave her a good picture of her future with him and that made her blush again, easily imagining them as her own. She wondered if any of her own children would have a streak of white hair but she knew most likely he was a special case. It was easy to forget everything else that was going on in those moments but once it was over it was time to confront the big issues.
Just as Sofia had noticed everyone acting strange around her, Cedric noticed her secretly being upset and if she was sad in any degree, so was he. He waited until they got to the castle and was able to sit her down outside, one of her favorite places to be, to talk with her. Her animals also noticed her discomfort and some even gathered around her. Cedric had gotten used to them, even sort of liked them to some extent, so when the smaller animals scurried over to her and some went onto her shoulder or in her lap, he didn't even mind them. The two sat on the outdoor bench with his arm around her. They had such a fun time earlier that he would wonder why she was even the littlest bit troubled but he wasn't an idiot, he knew something was going on within the inner sanctum of the castle. Secrets were being kept behind closed doors, and he knew they were about her but if he tried to confront anyone they acted like they had no clue what he meant.
"What's wrong, love?"
"It's just... somethings off...I can feel it all around me. It's like something is wrong in the atmosphere, something is telling me danger is coming but I don't know from where or when. I think everyone else knows and it's upsetting because they won't tell me anything about it. Everyone is keeping some sort of secret from me, James, Amber, my own parents, everyone."
She looked up into his eyes, her discontent reflected in them. "You're not keeping it from me too...are you?"
Uncaring about which of her woodland critters he might squish in the process, he grabbed her and pulled her into his warm embrace. "No no I swear I have been nothing but truthful with you. I've noticed it too but no one will answer me when I ask. I can't fathom the idea of the entire castle turning against you but that's what it seems like. It angers me that they would keep something from you but what can I do?"
"Why would everyone lie...? It must be something horrible..."
Cedric had no words to say all he could do was act and he tried his best to comfort and ease her, stroking over her head. They stayed like that for a while letting time pass them by when Baileywick came to fetch her, not just her but Cedric too at the king's request. There were a hundred options and things running through Sofia's mind about what he would say and if it had to do with accepting Cedric or not or if it was something far worse than she could imagine. She had never felt so anxious before and for Cedric it was double due to his panic around Roland already and never so much as right now. Neither of them had a clue what they were in for when those doors opened revealing her father and mother standing there with apprehensive faces. They gestured to the chairs and both sat down, Cedric was visibly shaking due to his nerves but Sofia reached over and held his hand and that helped calm him.
"Sofia, Cedric, I have ordered you both here because there is something I need to discuss with you both. It's mainly about you, Sofia, but Cedric needed to hear it and it would be unfair to not include him in anything pertaining to you. This... is the most difficult thing I have to say and I have been avoiding it. I have even gone through the lengths of telling everyone to keep it a secret but that's not right of me. I should have told you the moment I found out. A few days ago I received a proposal letter from the kingdom of Brightland by their messenger Reginald and either decision they gave me is bleak and grim. However, your choice must be taken into consideration... even if your choice in the matter will... not seem the best course of action. They want to unify our kingdoms but the only way they see fit is to make you their queen by marrying their oldest son. The most awful part of it all is that if I don't do that, if I say no, they will start a war. You see now why it was so hard for me to tell you..."
Sofia's heart dropped and felt like it might have disappeared somewhere in a void. Her eyes were widened and her hand that grasped Cedric's tightened. Her eyes then found the floor scanning across it or perhaps she was looking at her hand on her skirt, crumpling up the fabric. Her eyebrows were tense as she sat there in contemplation of her next move as well as soaking this all in. Cedric was at a loss for words, his own heart had shattered hearing this and knowing what the safest option was. For the safety of Enchancia and its people she would have to marry someone else and he would suffer in silence, day by day feeling like someone was stabbing him in the chest reminding him she would never be his. He'd have to watch her kiss and marry another man, a union only meant to strengthen the two kingdoms but weaken her. It would destroy them both and every day would be a lie for her. Yet as atrocious as that would be it was the only option that would keep the village she grew up in, her castle she lived in, the people she loved all undamaged. She might have to even give up being a protector and story keeper but she'd have no choice.
He'd lose her in every way possible, she wouldn't even be in his sight anymore and how he'd ache, how he'd die every day with no shred of joy left. He didn't think he could move on and function properly without her but he'd have to somehow. War was no game and people got hurt, places got destroyed, things burned down, many would get killed and since her brother was a knight that might have to include him on top of her own father. He knew she wouldn't put anyone in peril. The most sensible choice would not cause any deaths save the death of her own spirit and his own. Sofia closed her eyes tightly and reflected upon all the teachings and lessons the other princesses gave her for answers and also because something about this wasn't right. She could not call any forth but she could hear them, all of them, even ones she knew nothing about or had not met. She presented her plight and awaited answers. All of them resonated the same thing from the very first of the princesses, to the ones of the great unknown, from the ones younger than her and the ones older than could be fathomed, all told her in part what she should do. She agreed with them entirely. She opened her eyes, not a single sign of sadness stood in them, just determination.
"I know what I must do," She resolutely stated, unafraid of what lay ahead, unconcerned with others opinions on the matter. "I will go over there myself and speak to the queen and king, tell them my side of the story, let them understand why I cannot go through with this and maybe we can come to another sort of agreement."
"Sofia that's not going to work, I know that for sure. If you go over there, on their land, who knows what they will do? And especially if you tell them that you can't marry their son because you want to marry, no offense, the royal sorcerer. They will laugh at you if not get incredibly insulted," Roland replied back.
"I...agree with him," Cedric finally relented, still not taking his hand away from hers. It might be the last time he got to hold it and he cherished the warmth and comfort it brought him, if only for a moment. Roland was surprised at that but so was Miranda. He was signing away the very woman he had gone through so much effort to have and so much trouble to be with. They both understood that even if it that split his heart right in two that he knew it was the only true option. "Please... Sofia you should-"
She turned her head towards him rapidly, her stare silencing him. "I won't have everyone continue telling me what I should do or what is right for me to do or what the rules say. I'm done with it all and it's time I stand up for my own rights and do what is right by me. I won't be without you, Cedric, that's just not going to ever happen. With you...is where I feel I belong and in here, with my family, in the place I love so dearly. I won't leave it and I won't leave you. Even if you say no, even if you all refuse, I will go anyways. You can try to stop me, block me, throw guards at me but I will still find a way. This needs to be done, they need to hear me out. Now, I'm going," She explained, rising from the chair, releasing Cedric's hand.
"Sofia wait!" Roland called after her, making the princess pause in her footing but Miranda placed a hand on his chest and shook her head no. She smiled at her daughter who smiled back at her. "Miranda... why are you stopping me? Sofia can't do this...she can't right all the wrongs in the world. There are some things even Sofia isn't capable of."
"No," Cedric replied with a smile of his own, "that's not true at all. Sofia is capable of anything."
Moved by the emotions his words of approval gave her, she went right to him, holding him tight, then kissed him once on the cheek before running out the door. She mounted Minimus and flew off into the distance, confident, assured of her choice, and full of the bravery that made her worthy of being selected for so many of the duties she had come to handle. Roland leaned up against the desk looking at the calm faces around him, all unphased by what she was doing and what could happen because of it.
"I... don't think I understand... how are you all so certain she won't fail?"
"She won't," Miranda assured, patting him on the back.
"But...how do you know she won't?"
"Because," Cedric clarified as if this was the simplest truth he knew, "She's Sofia."
Minimus's wings beat strong and proud against the headwinds, his eyes squinted and teeth clenched. Sofia, with her riding helmet on and goggles placed over her eyes, held onto him and went in the direction of Brightland. She knew where it was because she studied maps all her life and based on her knowledge, she felt certain she could find it. Sofia felt bad that her flying horse had to take her under such conditions with the gusts of wind enough to make a bigger horse struggle much less one so small but this was important. He knew that so he continued forth, giving it his all until at last there was a break in the strong gales and it was clear skies ahead. It took what felt like an hour to her to reach the kingdom and she realized it was similar to her own only there were a lot more white colored roofs and the palace was white with gold everywhere.
It seemed very stately and pristine. As soon as she landed everyone seemed so confused by her. Apparently, there was no such thing as a woman riding on a flying horse here. The guards at the castle, upon recognizing she was a visiting princess, instantly let her inside. She was walked to the throne room by one of the guards there who announced her. The carpet underneath Sofia's feet was a rich red color that looked so soft like Ginger's fur. Upon the golden and white thrones sat the King Bernard and Queen Eliza, who both seemed surprised by their visitor. When they heard who she was and where she was from, they seemed enthused and pleased.
"Well this is an unexpected surprise but no less welcomed," The queen spoke gracefully, permitting Sofia to come closer and explain why she was here. Queen Eliza looked fair, she had a cupids bow lip and dainty eyelashes that framed gentle brown eyes. Her hair was orange with signs of aging white and tied back into a bun giving her that subtle royal flair a queen should have. The king looked welcoming but mighty with broad shoulders and the most unusual grey eyes.
Sofia curtsied the deepest she could manage just like she was always shown to in her classes before addressing them properly. "Your royal lady and lordship, I come all the way from Enchancia to, in a way, answer the proposal you sent."
"Ah so you've decided on marrying our eldest son, Lucas. How wonderful," Eliza assumed with a contented voice.
"Not...exactly no," Sofia clarified, not fidgeting or looking away from them. She did not want to come off as fearful or have any ill intent in her words but she wanted them to understand her clearly. "You see, back when I was just a newly crowned princess I met someone and that someone has been very special and dear to me. As I grew into ladyhood I knew I was in love with him but it took a fair bit of time for him to realize the same for me. Recently, many days before we received word of your letter from the messenger, he asked for my hand but my father wanted some time to decide upon it. With everything going on it's a wonder he has time to think on anything at all. So you see, I mean you all no disrespect, but my heart has chosen. Don't you understand what it means to love and how hard it would be to separate me from the one I care so much for? If I was to marry your son it would be forced and there would be no love in it, from either end I suppose. Is that what you all want? Do you want a heart broken princess who lost the only true love she ever had? Take her away from her home, her family? It's not fair from where I stand to give us so little choice between arranged marriage and war."
"War?" The two asked in total confusion, looking at each other. "Whatever do you mean war? I wrote of no such thing, did you Eliza?"
"No never! I put all that behind me. This is utterly confounding, I re-read that letter before we sent it out and watched you write it. I specifically recall every word you wrote and none of it mentioned war."
"So... then there's no threat...?" Sofia hopefully inquired, holding her bated breath.
"Nonsense! We wouldn't do such a horrid thing to such a prestigious kingdom, especially one that housed you. Now I'm just befuddled by all this mess. There must be some sort of trickery at play, perhaps one of our enemies got a hold of the letter and swapped it without the messenger even knowing but who and when and how? Not only that but our handwriting is very distinct, King Roland knows it by now. Whoever forged it must have forged it so well it appeared to be the real deal," The king explained, stroking his beard and mustache in worry, his brow wrinkling. "And they'd have to already be in the castle or something to have gotten the letter so quickly. We must investigate the messenger. My lady Sofia, who was it that gave you the scroll?"
"Oh my father mentioned his name... I believe it was Reginald."
"There's no such messenger named that in my kingdom. The only person named that is..." He paused, drained of color, then suddenly turned red but not due to blush but due to anger. Sofia was unsure of what was going on right now. It appeared something treacherous was going on here but all that mattered was the king and queen had no reason or want to invade Enchancia. That was enough to settle her some but she wondered if then it was all over or if they still expected her to marry Prince Lucas. She had told them of her story, she hoped on everything she knew, every pure and just thing in the world, that they would understand and leave the matter alone. The king roared for his guards to fetch Reginald immediately and it didn't take long for the well managed armored men to find the culprit. He was not dressed at all like a messenger or a servant. He wore a crown and a robe of that same rich red with the same unusual grey eyes of the king.
"What is the meaning of all this?! Let me go! What madness has gotten into you, Bernard?!"
"Into me you say? Ha! No such thing. I have gotten word that a letter reached Enchancia, delivered by hand to King Roland himself by a messenger carrying your name add to that it was written in my handwriting something you would be able to easily copy. Explain yourself this instance!"
The man shot a look at Sofia, an aggressive sort of look with nothing but disdain for her on his face then gave a similar look to the king who Sofia knew now was his brother. "You went soft, all of you! Long ago they attacked our country without warning and we struggled to defend ourselves. Years later you want to act like it never happened! Well no more! Yes, I wrote the scroll because I was sick and tired of lazing about watching these people get away with what they did to our forefathers. I knew they wouldn't give up their precious princess so easily. They'd have no choice and I wasn't about to give them one. On top of that the recent king married a peasant and adopted her peasant daughter. It's sickening. I can't believe you would try to marry her to Lucas...She taints the very tiara she wears."
Her hand lifted to it and took it off her head. It was her normal tiara, the one in purple that she used to wear, she had worn it for simplicity sake at the village today. It meant a lot to her; it had adorned her hair since she started her adventure as a princess and had stayed there through every step until its replacement. Yet she tossed it towards him as if it was nothing.
"A princess is not judged on the tiara she wears or how lovely her gown or even where she came from, but by the way she acts towards others, the lessons she has learned and applied, and the deeds she has done. I have gotten a lot of people assuming so little of me because of what I am- whether that be a princess now, a villager before or just a girl and all of them were wrong. I'm more than that. I'm a princess and a villager, a protector, a story keeper, a flying derby champion, an apprentice magician, a friend to dragons and merfolk and all manner of life. I am a girl and a woman. I am Sofia the first whether I wear that crown or not and I have done enough in my life to prove that."
"Well said your ladyship," The queen complimented, in that moment in awe and respect of the young woman that stood before her, no crown, a simple dress, low heeled shoes, and no makeup but even if she wore a peasant frock covered in patchwork stitches and dust anyone could see she was a true princess and would make a remarkable queen. She ordered the traitor be locked away in the dungeon, him crying out that this wasn't going to be the last they heard of him, leaving the three of them alone again with the real truth of the matter at hand. Now that all was revealed what would become of her?
"Come closer, my child," The queen beckoned and though both knew she was no child Sofia also knew it was just a term of endearment. Sofia did as she was told, bowing her head before them but she was told not to do so, as she had stated she was worthy of holding her head high. "In the real letter we wrote we asked if you could marry our son but it wasn't a firm thing, we would never force it. Had we known you had an intended, we would not have bothered. Truly we do want to connect the kingdoms but there are other ways."
"You mean... I don't have to marry anyone?"
"Only who you want to," Bernard gently stated. "Though I'd like to know who is so lucky to have caught your eye. I've heard on the wind that you are an extraordinary young lady and not many seem to meet your fancy. It can't be an ordinary prince."
"No he's not a prince at all. Actually he's not nobility in the slightest. You may know him; he goes by Cedric the Sensational."
"You mean the...wizard?"
Sofia nodded enthusiastically at the question proposed to her by the curious king, undaunted by what they might think of her. They had no say in her life, only she did and as long as they had nothing too bad to say she didn't care.
"I was always drawn to magic since I was very young and of course I was very drawn to him. He's been everything for me. He taught me magic, he's so devoted and kind and oh he's just perfect really. I can't say enough good things about him."
"That makes sense then," Eliza, nodding at nothing, understood. "You see Sofia we had thought you might be marrying our son and so we did a little digging into your family history. It took some time but we found out you have some magical members of your far gone family, some of which were very successful and one was even an enchantress."
Sofia blinked rapidly and studied the hands that had waved a wand so many times with ease. She was shocked but it made total sense. She was able to handle it far better than any other in her class, getting the hang of it quicker, remembering spells easier, conquering a broom, and of course her love for wizardry. It was only natural that the magic deep within her would spark around Cedric, the very first magic person she had met. There was another sort of magic at play besides the magic of true love, something deeper that Sofia would not come to understand fully until later.
