It was in the early morning when Sofia was trying to rescue a cat from the very tops of the castle. It had all started when she was in the music room with her sister who was playing the harp, her favorite instrument because of how elegant it was. Sofia was on violin though she could play just about anything if given time. Amber thought it was very cultured for a young lady to know how to play music, for entertainment purposes of course, and so she tried to get in some early practice. Over the noise it would have been hard to hear much else that was until James came in, claiming he wanted to join. Amber claimed he would just make a lot of noise and not anything that actually counted as music. As they were arguing Sofia heard it- frantic mewling.

She stopped her playing and asked if they heard that but they weren't exactly paying attention. So she excused herself leaving them to their sibling quarrel. As she went outside she could hear it more clearly, it was certainly a cat but it sounded so high above her. When she looked up she could see a small slightly moving mass of fur meowing for help. She wasn't even sure how it even got there and how it couldn't get down but it was in peril and needed her. Flying up to the topmost roofs with her trusted horse had only gotten her so close but she had to make a leap of faith. Now she was clambering onto the bricks and tiles of the walls, using the arches and pillars for support. One slip and she would fall so many feet that she'd suffer a broken bone or three. It was worth it to her, the poor cat was frightened half to death. Actually it was a kitten which made things worse. From way up there the wind was working against her, blowing so hard that it was making it even more difficult to stay steady.

"Come here kitty kitty," Sofia called, beckoning the small fluffy thing to her. It could understand her clear as day but as soon as it made a move the stones crumbled and the young feline scurried back to its hiding place.

"I...I I ca-can't do it! I'll... I'll f-f-fall!" the little kitten terrifyingly cried, shivering.

Sofia sought to calm it down by talking with it, hoping that might ease her. "It will be okay, I promise. My name is Sofia, what's your name?"

"I d-don't think I have one..."

"Didn't your owner name you?"

"O-owner...? What's that...?"

Sofia's frown deepened. It appeared the cat had no name because it was a stray which should have been evident by its unkempt fur. All the scuffling about and little pebbles from the bricks falling off the roof would have been enough to alert Cedric, who was trying to perfect a spell that would find lost things, but he distinctly heard Sofia's voice. He was used to hearing her outside but something felt wrong so he looked out the window. To the left he saw nothing but to his right he let out a sharp cry of distress seeing Sofia standing precariously upon a pillar on her tip toes. He didn't even note what she was reaching for or anything, just the fact that she was there was enough to stress him out. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled out to her.

"Sofia what in the name of Merlin's beard are you doing?!"

She turned her head towards him and pointed towards the trembling kitten. "Trying to get her down. Could you help me, please?"

His face went a little flat now seeing it was an animal she was risking life and limb for. He should have known. Cedric rolled up his sleeves and using his wand made a sturdy bridge connecting his window to where she was. He walked along it towards her, mumbling under his breath about the situations he put himself in for her sake. When he got to her side he had his hands on his hips and gave the literal scaredy cat a once over then gave Sofia a stern look. She smiled indulgently and he grumbled again, knowing she wanted him to get the furry feline for her since he was so much taller and could reach it. Sighing in defeat he reached upwards and tried to put on his best friendly voice so as not to scare it further. Sofia explained to the kitten that he was trustworthy and that seemed to help.

The kitten moved ever so slightly and that was enough for Cedric to grab it but he didn't hold the scruffy thing for long, he placed it in Sofia's arms immediately. He wasn't much for furry little pets, they just weren't his thing. He much preferred the company of the flying feathered sort. Plus it was filthy and shed fur all over his robes. Sofia didn't seem to mind any of this as she carefully bundled it against her chest, shielding its eyes so it wouldn't have to see the ground, and began cheerfully walking back towards his window. Cedric followed after trying to rid his coat of cat fur and saying something about how it was way too early for all of this mess.

Indeed he had just woken up not too long ago but leave it to his beloved to be up at the crack of dawn trying to save the world and all the animals in it. She hopped into his workshop and started looking about for something to wrap the kitten in to keep it warm. Soon after she was joined by Cedric who made the bridge disappear and closed his window so the draft wouldn't be let in. She was coddling the now covered up kitten, all warm and snuggled up in Cedric's throw blanket. She was nuzzling up against it even though it was not clean in the slightest, cooing over the small thing, calling it adorable and sweet. Cedric sourly crossed his arms.

"And where's my thanks, I'd like to know?"

Sofia seemingly ignored him, moving about the room with her newfound companion in her arms. She made sure the kitten understood that Minerva, who was sitting on her perch amused, was no harm to it. Minerva kindly welcomed her into the workshop, sounding to Cedric only like a soft hoot. Sofia was now rifling through his drawers which given his height were a bit hard for her to reach. She smartly used her little stool and got what she was after, a small bowl. She passed it over to him asking him to fill it with warm water.

"For what, exactly?"

"I'm sure she's thirsty. Aren't you girl?"

"She is not going to drink out of my fine china."

"Cedric please? Just for right now?"

"Oh...fine," he groaned, doing as she asked then placing the bowl down on the ground, still upset that she was paying more attention to the mangy animal than him. The kitten was indeed very thirsty and lapped at the water endlessly, purring gently.

"She's probably hungry too..."

"Oh I suppose you want me to offer her some of my food too?"

"Would you? Then after she's all fed we can clean her up."

"It's no trouble at all," He wryly retorted, sarcasm dripping from his words but not noticed by Sofia at all. He opened up his fridge and looked upon what he had. There was a small bit of fish he had been saving for dinner but apparently the cat deserved it far more than he did. He had to use yet another piece of his chinaware to place the cold fish upon, thankfully not a whole fish but filets. The kitten ate it voraciously, her purrs getting louder.

"Aww. She's so happy!" Sofia gushed, folding her hands together.

"Glad someone is..." He gruffly muttered, yawning loudly.

Sofia kneeled down on the floor, fascinated by the little thing, her hands folded under her chin, her legs swinging in the air. She seemed beyond amused and full of adoration for it, almost as if she had never seen a cat so close in her entire life. When the kitten was done it rubbed its face against hers causing her to giggle. "Oh you're welcome! Are you ready to be cleaned up? I know cats hate water though..."

"If you clean me then I'll be okay."

Sofia picked up the kitten and placed it in the sink, her hand touching the faucet.

"And just what are you doing now?"

"I told you, cleaning her up silly. We'll need a brush too, if you don't mind."

Cedric blinked with a dry expression on his face watching her scrub off the dirt. "...Of course... it's not like any of this is my stuff or anything. By all means, take it all."

"Cedric, be a dear and hand me a towel."

She stretched out her hand which was dripping wet. He scoffed a little at being ignored yet again by her. Grumbling all the way he found a towel for her and handed it over, accepting that it was going to be dirty now. He also gave her a brush but not his own, that was not something he was going to give even if she pleaded for it. No he instead just made one, a small one, for her to use which is what she was doing now. She sung under her breath happily a song about the little kitten being so pretty.

"Oh Cedric look! She's a black cat! How spooky. That's the perfect name for you, Spooky."

"Greeeaat now that we're all acquainted could you kindly take your bad luck omen with you out of here?"

Sofia faced him with Spooky now in her arms, all dried and properly brushed. One could now see it indeed was solid black with the two biggest yellow-orange eyes and a little pink nose. It also sported the biggest ears for something so tiny. "You did such a great job today helping me out. Thank you so much. I couldn't have done it without you." She leaned up and kissed him right on the lips, but not gentle and quickly, it was deeper, longer, full of sweetness. He almost felt like purring himself just feeling that. She released his mouth and looked up at him, shyly petting the cat and blushing a soft pink. He blinked rapidly at the sudden burst of passion from her, it was like electricity running through him. Though he had kissed her a million times that action made him feel hot.

"Sofia..."

"I know what you're going to say... I shouldn't have done that... but I know how upset you were today. I thought for all your troubles you deserved something more than a simple thank you."

"No Sofia...I wasn't going to say that at all. I was...going to ask you to do it again..."

"Oh...but...should we...?"

"Well I mean...it's just one more, right? I've already broken a lot of rules by sleeping next to you not that long ago..."

"Hmm... I don't understand what's so wrong about that...or anything we do really...I enjoy it and it makes me happy... doesn't that mean it's a good thing?"

"You enjoy it, hmm?" He leaned close to her face causing her to shy away, averting her eyes from him. "Now I want to know what you mean."

"Cedric...I can't... for a lot of reasons. For one...there's a child present," She explained, nodding her head towards Spooky who was sleeping quietly in her arms, unaware of the conversation. "Who I should really think of what to do with..."

"Aren't you going to keep her?"

"I want to but I think she deserves someone who will give her undivided attention and I just can't. Also dad's terribly allergic of them so that's not going to happen. Oh I know! I'll give her to Lucinda. Witches love black cats, right?"

"That's a splendid idea, dear. You're so thoughtful," Cedric remarked, rubbing their noses together.

"I guess I should get going. Did you want to come with me? Lucinda's parents really like you."

"As they should. The idea is tempting but I've got stuff to do, spells to perfect. You know how it is."

She nodded her head understandingly. "Okay then. Have a good day," she called out as she left from out his front door, hearing the same reply back to her. Cedric closed the door and leaned up against the solid wood frame, sighing deeply.

"She's absolutely insane," he exhaled, mostly talking to himself, "but you know what... I adore her for it."

Lucinda's crookedly designed home was a small flight away from where Sofia lived and though Sofia would have preferred to go there less conventional ways, she knew Spooky was afraid of heights so she took a simple carriage there. Spooky didn't stay asleep the whole time, she began to wake up and get excited about her new potential home and asked lots of questions. Sofia answered every single one of them, assuring her that Lucinda was a great person.

Lucinda had been sitting boredly inside going over her spell books, unlike Sofia she still was attending school at Hexley Hall and she was getting her lessons drilled into her right now by an at home tutor. That tutor being her mother who kept smacking her wand on the table to get her daughter's attention because she was drifting off. She hoped it would storm, that was her favorite kind of weather. She liked it dark, cloudy, and rainy. Not the best broom flying conditions but the best frog finding conditions.

Her bad witch friend, Indigo, had tempted her with playing hooky and going out to cause trouble but she was a good witch now. She couldn't be tempted. Lily had told her that she could study with her but that would have been more boring than this, if that was possible. Lily would not give her breaks and make her study into the wee hours of the night and then if she stayed over, make her wake up super early because early to bed early to rise makes a witch beautiful and wise. That's what she said anyhow.

So Lucinda sat there almost wishing she had gone on a hex spree with Indigo. As much as that contradicted who she was now at least it was fun. Looking out the window she noticed a carriage from Enchancia pulling up to her home and she immediately bolted from out of her seat and rushed towards the door, crying out to her mom in excitement that Sofia was there. She rushed out of her home and came running full speed towards the princess, glad she had come to rescue her from a death caused by boredom. She stopped a little before hugging her seeing she had something with two orangish eyes in her arms.

"Sofia is that... a cat?"

"Yep. Sure is. Her name is Spooky and even though I really do love her I thought since you are a witch maybe you could..."

Lucinda let out a loud gasp of delight. "Yes! I'd be glad to take her!" Sofia gladly deposited Spooky into her new owners' arms who held her up and rubbed her face against her. "Oh she's adorable! I've been wanting a familiar for such a long time. Thank you, Sofia!"

"You're welcome but um...what's a familiar?"

"It's a witch thing, well actually it's a thing most magic folk have. It's sort of like a pet you have for life that stays by your side. They usually can do magic too but not always. Didn't Cedric have a raven or something?"

"Oh...yeah... not anymore though... I had no idea that he was so important..."

"They are like your best friend but hey don't look so down about it. They can be replaced and you can have more than one. Some people even share one, like my mom and dad. She's perfect Sofia. I love her already and she has the best name ever for a black cat!"

"That's what I thought. Careful with her though, she might have to adjust to flying with you. She had a bad experience with being up high recently so I'd take it one step at a time."

"Okay. Fine with me. I'm not really allowed to go too far off the ground anyways, still training to get my broom flying license. Hey um do you want to come in?"

"I'd love to."

Most of that day she spent in the company of Lucinda and her family, playing with Spooky a lot. She turned out to be a great addition to their household and Sofia was happy because the kitten deserved to be somewhere where she could be loved. Lucinda's mother adored the black cat, she was quite a fan of them and any superstitiously unlucky creature. In fact the reason Spooky would be so at home here was because there was another cat, an older female cat named Nightshade who told Sofia she would take good care of the kitten, like she was her own child. When they weren't playing with Spooky they talked and had snacks then they had a broom race. Sofia almost won but just barely.

"You know, for an amateur you are really good at that. It must be all those flying derby lessons."

"I don't know...actually...if I'm being honest I just found out that I used to have magic in my family tree. So that's most likely why."

"Whoa! That's incredible. As you can guess I do too but most of them are the bad type. Scrumulis and Blotsworth are famous dark mages in my family, they make magical artifacts for our world. They probably even made your wand, even though you use it for good."

"Oh... so you can have a wand made by bad wizards but do good things with it?"

"Yep! Let me see it actually, I could tell you who made it and what it's made of."

Sofia handed over her precious purple wand, even though it wasn't hers to begin with. It had always been Cedric's before he received his family wand and he gave her it as a gift. He had many others but this one was important, it was his from Hexley Hall as a boy, his first wand. Because it was so special, Sofia swore she'd never own another. Lucinda looked closely at it, sniffed it, then lightly bent it without breaking it. Sofia knew it was safe in her hands, a witch would never ever break a wand, even a cruel one would find it incredibly rude to do so. They'd much rather steal it than break it.

"Interesting... it seems to be oak wood, very sturdy but I also detect cherry wood. Two different kinds of wood aren't common but it can happen. I have a new friend called Juniper and hers has two different wood types too. Not too many like using different wood types and most don't care to pick up wands that have that quality. It takes a special sort of person to wield one. It's difficult to handle for most others. Strange though... cherry trees are from the orient so I almost never see a wand made out of it and it wasn't made by any negative force. Dark mages never use cherry wood."

"Why is that? Is it not good enough?"

"That's just the problem it's too good! Cherry is like...the love tree. Not that dark people can't love but it's so pure. Oak, pine, and maple are standard. Mines a birch, mom's a bloodwood. So it must have been a basic oak tree base but perhaps they ran out and used whatever was on standby to finish it. This would have been the least likely to get picked, bottom of the barrel. Two wood wands can be...wonky sometimes if in unconfident, unpracticed hands but you don't have that problem and both tree types align with you well. I guess you must be right, even though everyone can use a wand and learn magic only truly magical people can wield this."

"Wow...I had no idea so much went into all this...so the more confident you are the better it works?"

She nodded her head yes, still inspecting the wand. Sofia thought back to the fact that this wand used to belong to a person who was not at all confident and that's why a lot of the spells went wrong and why he so often complained that his wand was faulty. The same thing went for her, once she practiced and had confidence, she could use the mutato spells correctly. She wondered what the family wand was made of, it must be extraordinarily powerful stuff. Lucinda seemed to know a lot more about magic than Sofia would like to. Perhaps Cedric knew these things too. She would love to just spend all day and night in his tower learning all there was about this mystical hidden world of magic.

"Your wand has a feather as its core but it's hard to tell what kind. A hawk maybe? No it would be something way more magical. Perhaps a griffon feather? Yes! That's it a griffon feather!"

"That's really neat because we have a family of griffons in our castle. They guard the royal treasury very well. What does that mean though...?"

"Did they teach you nothing in that school? Well perhaps so since it was so basic...it just means that this wand is versatile, like a griffon can both be a lion and a bird. Indigo has dire wolf fur, usually that means someone who will use aggressive big powerful spells. You get it now?"

"It's all so fascinating!"

Lucinda beamed, liking her position now as someone who knew a lot of information. She filled Sofia's head with a lot more knowledge but they also talked of her school and at some point they go to talking of romance. Sofia saw no reason to keep secrets, she loved Cedric so all should know. She'd rather them find out from her own mouth than from gossip. It seemed Lucinda already knew about the emotional aspect but she had no clue she was proposed to. Lucinda inevitably admitted she had the worlds biggest crush on Wendell but he wasn't exactly on the side for good so it made it difficult for her. Besides which he got along well with Indigo and she assumed they liked each other.

Sofia simply told her to never give up on what her heart wants. As the morning fell into evening Lucinda told Sofia that she could come by anytime for a visit, both for her and Spooky, and Sofia thought that was a great idea because she would miss them. On her way home she thought about her brief time being a cat and even though it was troublesome she was a lot more flexible and agile that way. Cats were, in her opinion, both very graceful but also very skittish creatures. It took a fair bit of time for her to shake off all the cat hair but even still, though she tried her best, her father still was sneezing around her. Eventually she just up and changed her dress entirely, asking Suzette to wash the other one thoroughly.

That day she thought about Wormwood for the first time in a long time, about how he and Cedric were inseparable and for a time, echoed each other's wishes. It was saddening that their differences ended up tearing them apart because that was his friend long before she came into his life. It seemed there was no helping it, the bird wanted to do evil deeds and it got him nowhere fast. Sometimes she hoped that he would learn a lesson from all of that but she somehow doubted it. It was true Cedric had Minerva now but she was certain he missed Wormwood no matter what he might say.

She knew how he felt to some extent but wasn't sure how she would react if suddenly Clover turned bad. If Clover decided to hurt Cedric in some way on purpose, what would she do? Would she be as okay with locking him up as Cedric was with his own pet? She felt bad for her sorcerer, he had been betrayed by the whole world and the final salt in the wound was his own ally turned against him. Truly all he had was her. She laid in her bed looking up at the ceiling, letting her mind wonder until she closed her eyes, taking a little nap. She was awoken by a knock at her door and a voice calling on the other side. It sounded like her father. She got up from her bed, rubbing her eyes, and opened the door. He was standing there on the other side all on his own.

"Oh I didn't realize you were asleep. I can come back later."

"I just got up actually. What is it, dad?"

"Well you see, Sofia... it's been some time and after making the agreement on a land trade with Brightland I have time now to think about what Cedric asked me. Could you go and get him and meet me in my study? It will just be the three of us and no one will interrupt. Tell him not to worry... I've noticed he gets jumpy around me a lot."

Sofia wanted to say he had reason to be given everything but she just nodded her head silently. After he departed, she made her way towards her destination with hope in her heart. She felt that since everyone else had accepted him that her father would too and if for some reason he didn't, she had other plans. She would be with Cedric, that was her choice, it was her life, and no one no matter who was going to take that away from her. He opened the door and looked at her with a smile across his face which waned as soon as she told him what she was here for. He truly felt his love for her was sincere, he hoped he had shown that through his actions, but even though he had faith he was still anxious.

How could he not be? This was someone who was leagues above him in rank, someone who, despite his recent behavior, he had betrayed. He knew how he must look to him and how this all seemed. It was beyond unusual but that did not mean it was not true. What he felt for her ran deeper than common physicality, even if he loved that part of their relationship, but that wasn't what he was in love with. He loved her for her, everything about her, everything she did. Sofia held his hand tightly the whole way there, assuring him with just a touch that no matter what King Roland said no matter what was told to them that they'd be together. He knew in his heart that was true.

As they entered the room the temperature seemed to change. The long stretch of hallway towards the study had seemed cold but now it was suddenly warm, inviting. It was beyond the fact that the curtains were drawn letting in all the light from the day, it was just this feeling Cedric got. Everything suddenly made him feel at ease and when he sat down, he was no longer hunched over and tense. He relaxed, gaining an upright posture. He even looked Roland directly in the eyes, a feat of remarkable and unwavering bravery. Once the doors were closed their fates were sealed but it didn't feel wrong, it felt like there was going to be something good about to happen. Roland stood before both of them, ready to give his final decision.

"Cedric we have had a long and bumpy history, things haven't always turned out well in your favor. I've seen that now. Life has never handed you an easy way out of anything and until Sofia no one, including myself, has treated you with much kindness. I deeply apologize if I've ever made you feel like you were worthless. That kind of behavior isn't befitting of a king or...a friend."

He smiled warmly at Cedric receiving the same kind of smile back. "I truly should have been a better person towards you, if I had been then well... certain events would not have taken place. If not for Sofia... things would have turned out poorly for the both of us. It's truly because of Sofia that we are here but it wasn't Sofia that swayed my decision...it was you. You have always been there to take care of her and you have been nothing short of stalwart. I should never have assumed so little of you when you so clearly thought so highly of my youngest, enough to let your own life be on the line if it meant saving hers. You have truly proven yourself time and time again that you would do anything for her sake and most recently you have shown that you are loyal to the kingdom as well. So it is with no regret on my part that I say yes, Cedric, you have my blessing. You've more than earned it and my respect."

A sudden explosion of feeling erupted forth inside of Cedric. Everything turned entirely silent only a slight buzzing could be heard and he assumed that was his brain malfunctioning. His eyes and mouth were opened but nothing came out of him, not a noise. He stood there unblinking in front of him, trying to process all his emotions and what was told to him. His heart had felt both like it stopped and yet was beating so rapidly it needed to stop. Had he truly heard what he thought he heard? Was it true? Did those words really leave the king's mouth? He didn't hear at all Sofia's near shrill cries of elation nor did he seem to feel her shake him, crying out in joy. In her giddy glee she almost didn't notice the stillness of Cedric but when she did her smile slowly shifted to a frown of concern. She tried shaking him again to see if he would budge but he wouldn't. It was like a statue.

"What's wrong, Cedric? Are you okay?"

"Cedric snap out of it," Roland said, not demanded but nothing he did was shaking him out of his stupor. Then suddenly out of nowhere Cedric slipped out of the chair and fainted onto the floor. Sofia hurriedly went to his side and panicked as she tried to understand what was going on with him. She tried to see if he passed out from heat exhaustion but his skin was barely warm, if anything it was cold.

"Dad what's wrong with him? What happened? He was fine a few minutes ago."

"I think he's just in shock Sofia. Let's see...oh could you find me some ice cold water? Pouring it on him might rouse him."

Sofia looked around then got up from his side, obviously not wanting to but she had to revive him. Nobody seemed to understand why the princess was rushing down the hallways with a pitcher of ice water, spilling it all over the floor without care. Baileywick noted that she never made messes on purpose, something must have gone wrong. With no hesitation Sofia whispered she was sorry before dumping the frigid water all over Cedric causing an immediate reaction. He jolted up from the floor, wide eyed and alert. He couldn't process what just happened, he was on the chair before now he was on the floor, dripping wet and freezing. Sofia went to his side, hugging him to her, upset about something but he didn't know what.

"Wha...what's going on...?"

"You fainted, Cedric. Are you alright now?"

"I...what? I don't have any recollection...I feel fine...cold and wet but fine..."

"Don't do that again," Sofia cried out, "You scared me!"

"I'll try not to... though I don't know why I did..."

"It was after I gave you my approval on your proposal. I suppose it was so surprising to you that you just collapsed. I guess in a way that's my own doing... it seems in your own mind it seemed impossible that I'd even say yes at all...Sorry about that."

"No please don't apologize, your highness. You did what any father would do. I'd probably react a lot worse if it was my own child. But... you do mean it don't you...? You're sure about this?"

"I've never been surer. However, I do have a few stipulations. There's still a lot to handle and go over, both with this and with Enchancia as a whole. Weddings aren't planned in a day anyhow, mine took quite a few months. I know this sounds like I'm being unkind in some way by making you wait even longer but it's necessary. I have to secure the future of this kingdom and since Sofia has decided to stay a princess and adviser all of this relies on Amber. She will be of age to be secondary queen in command in a year. If it is at all possible, could you wait that long? It's...understandable if it's too much for you both. I have already done enough to postpone your desires."

Sofia helped with drying off Cedric as she thought about it. A whole year and then some, that's how long it would take for Amber to be eighteen as she had just turned seventeen not that long ago. By then Sofia would be sixteen and a half at least. The age seemed reasonable and the timing seemed fine, it did take a while to prepare a wedding especially the royal sort. One could not just up and say I do in one day. Dresses, decorations, guest invites, music, it all took a while even for a standard party never mind a wedding. Besides which there was something else, she knew that her father wanted to see Amber secure her future king soon, since he wouldn't be getting one from James or a marital one from her. It was incredibly important for him to know he would have a lineage to rule in his place whenever he either stepped down or passed on. He could retire from his throne with ease knowing it would be taken care of. Sure Amber could rule it all on her own but both she and he wanted a king too.

Clearly Cedric couldn't be king and he had given up that want a long time ago. All he wanted now was to be what he was and be the best at it. Waiting seemed a difficult task but it wouldn't be so bad and it's not like they'd be separated from each other at all. Still...to see Amber getting married and having to wait for her own it would be somewhat upsetting knowing that it had to be that way. That's just how things were. This was if Amber got married before her 18th. She wondered if her father would still allow her and Cedric to wed if Amber had no future king, if he would keep that promise or if he would make them wait longer.

Poor Axel, he had some pressure on him now. Sofia did want to marry Cedric as soon as possible but at the same time waiting was normal, it was common. Though maybe not for a plain village girl, the planning and preparations wouldn't take as long, some of them got married within a matter of days. Perhaps though it made more sense to get married a bit later, when she was older, and that way she could properly plan for her future. She still wanted to protect the land but if she was to ever have children she'd have to quit that at least until said child was old enough to fend for his or herself. There was a lot to consider here.

No, waiting until she was older made perfect sense. It would grow their love even more and give them time to become more accustomed to one another and go on more journeys too. Around and around she went trying to make sure of her decision, if she just jumped into marriage blindly it might not be the smartest idea, there were things she didn't know and her mother always told her patience was a virtue every person should have. She would wait, even if deep down she truly felt she didn't want to. Cedric on the other hand was more or less the same, just heavier on the wanting to not wait part.

He argued with himself that having her as his wife would only be a title, a ring, a last name change, but even if they weren't married she'd be his. He'd get to love her, walk with her, play with her, dance with her, whatever she wanted. It's as if he wanted to own her quickly and because that thought process went into his head he told himself waiting was what was needed. Besides he still needed to work on his jealousy amongst other things. Sofia was not property, she was a woman and truly this was her decision more than his. She had the final word in all of this.

"That sounds fair to me. I can agree to that," Sofia complied with a nod.

Cedric, who was now fully dried, agreed but then shifted gears and fumbled with something in his pocket. "Oh um...Should I propose correctly then?"

Sofia looked at her father then back at Cedric. "If you want to... but you know what I'll say. Are you sure you want to do this here...?"

"I have no shame in my feelings for you, dear. I don't care who is watching," He honestly replied, his hand on his heart. It was now Sofia's turn to swoon and even more so when he got on one knee, boldly in front of her father, and produced his ring. It was without a doubt the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. The band was silver but a sort of silver that was mystifying, it seemed to change slight colors, like the manes and horns of some unicorns. In the middle was a purple stone shaped like a heart, just like the one she had left for him in his workshop when she was small, a symbol that even then she loved him deeply. On each side of it were small pink stones and white stones. It looked as if her amulet had transformed into a ring. She had not expected to get weepy over this but still she did.

"Sofia Winslow-Balthazar the first, will you do me the high honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes yes yes!" She exclaimed, holding out her hand for him while also trying to stop the water from coming out of her eyes. Until she would get married or have children this was right now one of the happiest moments in her entire life. As the ring slipped onto her finger she realized that the way he asked her and her response were almost exactly like when he had asked her to become his apprentice. Only this time instead of slipping on a purple magic hat, representing her ascent into the realm of magic, it was a purple ring representing her transition from woman to wife. She stared at it in astonishment, the gems catching the light making it glimmer at her.

"Do you like it? I worked on it for days."

"You made this yourself? Then I love it even more! How did you do it?"

"Oh you know a little of this a little of that. It was about the same process as making your tiara just smaller. It's enchanted you know."

"Is it?" She questioned with rapture in her voice, endlessly looking at her ring. "What does it do?"

Both of them were clearly in their own little bubble, seemingly forgetting Roland stood right there and could hear everything they were saying and see what they were doing. It didn't seem to bother him, it let him have further proof that his decision was right. Cedric always gave a lot of thought into his gifts for her no matter what occasion or season so of course his greatest gift to her had to be his most meaningful.

"Well I thought rings and weddings are meant to represent unity. A combination of two into one. So when I made your ring I had that in mind. Your ring is enchanted to protect you, just like all your other pieces of jewelry. I wanted it to be resourceful not just pretty, much like you."

"It will protect me...? How?"

"I have my own ring, my signet ring, it's been in my family for years but I almost never wear it. I tied them together. So whenever you are in trouble it will alert me and I will be able to find you. I know you have a million people at your disposal but I'd like to be one of them. I...can't ever lose you..."

"Oh...that...you...it's so... I haven't the words..."

"You've always said I was your protector. Well now I can truly be one. On top of that I can get more help here if need be."

"That's a great idea Cedric!" The king proclaimed, reminding them that he was there. "All this time I've been so worried, well not just me but we all have been so worried about Sofia being in trouble. She has a lot of friends but her family should also be there for her in her times of need. After all, family comes first."

Sofia smiled brightly at her father then hugged him as hard as she could without hurting him. "Thank you, dad. You don't know what you saying yes has meant to me."

"I think I understand well enough," He told her, kissing the top of her head. "When I fell in love with your mother, I had my own issues with people telling me it was unheard of but I chose to marry her anyways. I'd hate for someone to bar me from the one I loved; I see no reason to do that to you. Besides, I know for sure that Cedric is a good man, no a great man."

"The greatest," Sofia added, turning her sparkling eyes towards Cedric who stood there stunned at what was said to him by the king. He humbly took the compliment though, glad he had proved over time he was worthy of such a title. With no regard for anything or anyone she pecked Cedric right on the lips then claimed she was going to tell everyone the good news. Her delight over this made him want to do the same. He knew at least two people who should know right away. He excused himself before making his way up the stairs, not even noticing he was skipping steps, bounding all the way to his door, he was even singing. He gave Minerva a hug calling her a beautiful bird and other such nice phrases, telling her something exciting happened. Shaken a little she was put back on her perch, wondering what all the hullabaloo was. She was so tired, though, that she couldn't be bothered with her curiosity, she fell straight back to sleep.

It did not matter to Cedric if she was sleeping or not, he didn't keep his voice down at all. He turned towards the painting of his parents and called for them to come quickly. Now of everyone that knew of what was going on his parents were the most left out of the loop. He didn't want them spreading it all over the magical world or getting in over their head about it. He wanted to be certain this would work before telling them and he didn't want them to know of his feelings either. They were irritating when it came to that kind of thing. Once he had a slight fling with someone, it barely lasted five days, and his mother was already talking about marital vows. So one could only imagine what would be done if there was a real love in his life. Once they popped out of the portrait, he could hardly contain himself. He grabbed his mother, lifting her upwards with a strange newfound strength, and spun her around. Even though she was an affectionate person she had not expected this reaction out of her son who was decidedly less affectionate, if not the least affectionate out of her immediate family. So this was unorthodox to say the least.

"Cedric what has gotten into you?"

"Nothing mummy. I'm just so very happy!" He exclaimed, placing her down and kissing her cheek. He then reached forward and squeezed his father in a tight embrace.

"My goodness. You sure you aren't ill?" His father asked with great concern.

"Not at all...actually yes I am ill. Sick with joy and love. Oh but I'm getting ahead of myself. Please sit down."

They both looked at each other with questioning faces but sat down all the same. Cedric didn't sit at all, he couldn't, his blood was pumping through his veins at lighting speed and this resulted in him pacing back and forth. He was trying his best to say everything but it all came out as garbled up bunch of words with no sense to them.

"Slow down, Ceddykins. One thing at a time. All I got from all that was something about Sofia."

"Not just something...everything! Sofia's my fiancé now!"

Both of their mouths dropped, now mimicking the look he had earlier though thankfully none of them passed out. The quickest to come back to reality was his mother who seemed very smug.

"Pay up Goody. I told you I was right. I'm always right."

"Yes dear..." He submitted, reaching into a small purse and handed over some gold coins to his wife.

"What's going on? Did you...did you two bet on me...again?" Cedric crossly inquired, squinting his eyes at them both.

"Oh Ceddy, you say it like it's a bad thing," His mother dismissed. "It was a healthy wager is all. When it came down to it we have always known Sofia was the right girl for you, especially after her visit during the giving thanks day. I knew then she liked you and you certainly liked her. I wasn't exactly sure until her fifteenth birthday came along and I saw the looks you were giving her and how you two danced. Oh it was so cute! I just KNEW that you were in love. Your father was not convinced, however."

"So you bet on me getting with Sofia, then? And what was so hard about believing she liked me?"

"No son you've got it all wrong. I was certain she liked you but I didn't think you liked her much less fallen in love with her. Why it's unheard of! A sorcerer and a princess...I only thought that you felt she was too young or something."

"Father... didn't you marry mother at the same age?"

"Well...yes but I was only ten years older, not twenty. Besides it was a different time, you see. Whatever the case it doesn't matter. What matters is your own personal happiness. I've always wanted you to end up with someone who would make you smile like you used to when you were a boy. I think then it makes perfect sense for Sofia to be that person. I always did like the girl, she's got real spark."

"True enough," Winifred agreed. "A lady like that is one in a million. Oh! What a happy day for me! My son is going to at last have a wife and not just any wife but one of nobility! But wait...oh what about the king? What did he think?"

"That's what I wanted to tell you. He had to think on it for a while but eventually he gave me his blessing. Said I earned it...I don't feel like that's right. Sofia is not some consolation prize for good behavior."

"Aww listen to him Goody. He really is in love with her! How sweet. My big boy is becoming a man," She gushed, squeezing his cheeks so hard they turned crimson. He yelped in pain.

"Ow ow mummy please! I've been a man for twenty five years! Now kindly let go."

"It's a good thing the king approves otherwise you'd have to elope and that's just not proper in the slightest."

"I could give bugger all about what's proper to be honest, father."

"Cedric, watch your language!" His mother warned, wagging a finger at him, as usual still treating him like he was a child. He face palmed and let out a long sigh of aggravation. It had all started out so well and now this. He certainly hoped Sofia was having a much better time of telling people than he was.

Sofia wanted to tell her mother first, if she didn't already know. Her mother was puttering about in the gardens, admiring this year's harvest and all the flowers. She was discussing planting some type of floral bush when Sofia interrupted as politely as she knew how. The gardener went on his way and left the two alone to talk. Just like Cedric Sofia could hardly contain her joy. Her mother was thankful all the trouble on whether or not Roland would say yes or no had passed. She had been talking with him near every day, trying to nudge him into saying yes. She had a lot of reasons why yes was the best course of action, one being even if he said no Sofia was not one to back down on anything. She would find some other way around it whether through a loophole or giving up her crown entirely.

Being with Cedric was her greatest heart's desire and she would do just about anything to get it. Cedric was yes far far older than Sofia and she was very young but that didn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things. It wasn't fake love on either end, no childish affection, nothing forced, nothing changeable. It was true, honest, deep, just like theirs was. He had tried to say that perhaps Cedric would have fallen in love with anyone who was exceedingly kind to him but that didn't delete anything. It was like Roland was making excuses to prolong this further. Miranda told him that it didn't matter for what reason it was still love, real love, built from years of affection and friendship, hard work, and sorrow. Sofia wouldn't care even if Cedric was the same age as his parents or older and for Cedric he was devastated at first to know he felt this way but love has a funny way of not letting go and leaving you alone.

There's just no fighting it and with a persistent Sofia there's really no fighting her either. They were going to be together and Cedric was not a bad person at heart. Eventually Roland crumbled to the logic of it all and being ignored by his eldest did help sway him some. They were both very upset at him for taking so long and he knew why. What James said was true, he'd most likely not hesitate if the shoe was on another foot. All these facts helped him make his decision. Miranda was happy and she couldn't wait to be there watching her daughter go down the aisle. After telling her mother she went off to find Amber who was still in the music room, flipping the page of her sheet music. James was absent. Sofia sneakily held her hands behind her back as to not give away her reveal just yet.

"Welcome back Sofia. You've been gone for hours. Did you have fun doing whatever it is you do?"

"Yes! I found a lost cat today and gave it a new home. I also visited Lucinda and we talked a lot about, you know, witchy things. Where's James by the way?"

"He said he was going to do weight training. He just isn't that great with music you know, you hear how he plays the kazoo now imagine it on a trumpet! Ugh. My ears are still ringing."

"Well can you come with me to find him...? I have something to tell you both."

"Is it bad news or good news?"

"Great news!"

"Yay! I don't care much to hear bad things. Alright let's go find our brother."

Sofia and Amber walked down the hallways together, Sofia still keeping her hands behind her back clasped tightly. Amber questioned nothing of the action. They found James in his play clothes working up a sweat training his muscles. A knight must not just be agile but strong too, if they lose their sword they have to rely on other things. He stopped what he was doing when he was told Sofia had an important thing to tell them. They both stood in front of her and she couldn't help but explode into a smile knowing the secret they would soon find out.

"Well what is it?" James asked, thinking she was keeping some sort of gift behind her back. What other reason was she doing that for?

She removed her hands from behind her back and showed her one ringed finger to them, directly in the light so they could see. "Ta-da! Dad gave his approval!"

Amber gasped so much and so sharply that she started coughing but regained her composure as much as she could. James, of course, was clapping and using his usual phrase when things were good. His sister was having a hard time getting over it. She couldn't believe it. Sofia was going to get married before her! She had wanted her father to say yes, of course, but now that he had Amber had to face the facts...her best friend and her sister were both going to have husbands and she wasn't.

"I can't...! I don't...! When are you getting married? There's so much to plan and do and your dress and the cake and-"

"Amber calm down," Sofia pleaded, putting her hands on her shoulders. "Breathe. Now then, it's not going to be until after you become queen. That was the agreement."

"So wait...because of me you have to wait even longer?"

"Don't twist it that way. Dad just wants to make sure the kingdom is taken care of is all and I don't mind it, the waiting. It's fine by me. Besides think about how many weddings are going to happen soon. I think mine should wait a little."

"But...Sofia don't you want to be married now?"

"Sure but it doesn't matter. I'll love him five years from now or five minutes from now. I can wait. It will make dad feel a lot better but if I happen to get impatient then I guess I can go ahead with it but to be fair I'd rather wait until everyone else is done and you are crowned. I have a lot of things to do, you know, and attending several weddings while planning my own plus protecting duties plus whatever else crops up is insanity. I'll wait and I don't really mind if you got married first anyhow."

"I doubt it...Axel isn't like Cedric...strange as that sentence sounds it's true. Cedric is so...committed to you. I don't know if Axel is ready yet...I'd have to ask but I don't want to impose... I want him to decide on his own, you know? I really...I really do love him...I'd be heart broken if I couldn't...Oh I shouldn't be sad at a time like this! Can I see the ring again?"

"Of course you can Amber."

Amber held her sister's hand in her own and looked at it. It was very fitting to her. It was cute and whimsical, like fairies made it or something. All in all perfect for Sofia. If anyone deserved this it was her, she deserved to be loved and so did Cedric. They deserved each other. Amber was happier than she could describe for her sister but underlining that was bitterness, a bitterness she wanted to throw like a rock and skip across the water.

It was such a bad feeling she had that she needed to be alone to deal with it but it was hard for her, the girl who had always gotten everything she wanted, who had dreamed of her own wedding, and now felt that her own love didn't care enough about her. She would not tell Sofia, she had enough to worry about. Soon enough everyone in the castle knew and gave their congratulations and none of it seemed faked or forced. Baileywick seemed genuinely touched by the ring, knowing Cedric had made it and given it special care, the kind of care and love he knew the man was going to give to Sofia.

All her animal friends knew too and though Clover used to not really care much for Cedric in time he had grown to, much like everyone else, like him. After all he saved Sofia many times. As a rabbit he really couldn't say if Cedric was attractive, honestly he looked bird like to him, but Sofia liked him and that's all that counted. He was hopping with happiness for her, asking when the wedding was just because cake and food was involved. Eventually Sofia found her way back up those familiar spiral stairs and along the way heard some arguing or loud talking. From the other side of the door she swore she could hear Cedric's parents. How did they get there? They must know some special wizard traveling system that got you places fast. She knocked first, it would be impolite to just rush in. Winifred ran to the door before her son could even make one step and as soon as she swung it open she embraced Sofia.

"Oh my dear it's so nice to see you!"

"Nice to see you too, Miss Winifred. Um...how did you all get here?"

"That's not important. Mummy please let her go, you'll end up hurting her. You hug much too tightly."

"Oops! Am I hurting you? I'm so sorry," She apologized, dusting Sofia off. "Such a pretty purple dress! You look absolutely lovely. No wonder Ceddykins took a fancy to you."

"Mother please...don't start..."

"Hush Ceddy, let mummy admire her new daughter-in-law."

"I guess you've already told them, huh?" Sofia asked, smiling as Winifred looked at her ring.

"You don't miss a thing, do you?"

"Cedric don't be rude now, that's your wife...well soon to be anyhow," His father expressed. "We really should get going Winny, it's brewingo night. Don't want to miss that. Renellda the radiant will beat you again if you don't hurry."

"No she most certainly will not! Radiant! Humph! Now Sofia here, that's radiant. The old hag can't even spell the word. Fine, I'll go but Ceddykins, you better take very good care of her, you hear me? Do be gentle with her too," His mother demanded with mock sternness, too elated to actually be mad at anything, fussing over his hair.

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, Cedric."

All the sudden he turned scarlet all over, realizing something the naïve Sofia couldn't understand. She waved goodbye to both of them as they disappeared from sight. She then realized how exactly they got there, it was through their picture. She wondered if they could see everything all the time but concluded most likely it wasn't a window, they must get called whenever he mentioned them. She took a good look at the portrait, touched it all over, and became even more increasingly inquisitive about magic and how it all worked.

"So do they always visit you like that?"

"Hmph. Yes, sometimes a little too often for my liking and they always only come to nag me."

"Oh they seem nice to me."

"To you everyone seems nice," He assessed, folding his arms together and sighing. "They give me such a headache."

"Come on, don't be like that, they are your parents. They are only doing what they think is right."

"Easy for you to say, you don't have to deal with them day by day."

"I think maybe you're being a little unfair. Your mother especially loves you very much and would do anything for you."

"She loves me a little too much."

"I love you too much and you aren't mad at me...are you?"

Cedric released his crossed arms and motioned for her to enter them which she happily did. She cuddled into his arms, feeling comforted by his soft caresses.

"No I'm not ever mad at you. My parents though, they just annoy me. That's how it is. It doesn't mean I don't care about them."

"I guess I understand. Sometimes parents can be frustrating. Still... they're both really good people who made you, who by the way did I mention is incredible?"

"You...might have mentioned it but I could never tire of hearing it. Say it again?"

"You're incredible! And amazing! And soooo wonderful!"

He lifted her up some, surprising himself now that he realized he could lift people at all. His mother was a lot heavier than him now that he thought about it. Perhaps all this running around with Sofia had given him some brawn because he was able to hold her up so high her feet weren't touching the ground. He kissed her hard on her mouth, just once, then put her back down. He just looked at her, really looked at her. A year? He could wait that long for her, he could wait even longer. His love for her wasn't going anywhere. For Sofia he'd wait forever if he must, because she was his forever.