Here's the updated chapter 2! I'd like to very quickly thank jetmanas for the reviews and constructive advise!

I don't own Sofia the First or the characters associated with it.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Comfort

The meetings went quickly enough. One of his messengers returned and informed him that the Kingdom of Corona had accepted their trade agreement and would be sending over a shipment within the next week. The second meeting consisted of a troublesome set of shopkeepers, arguing about a debt that hadn't been settled. Roland thought, again, that he should assign another position to hear these petty debates between his subjects. A judge of sorts to handle all the matters that were not absolutely vital to the running of the Kingdom. Of course, every subject was important to the kingdom's success but perhaps someone else could oversee these squabbles? Maybe that would free up some of Roland's time and he'd be more available to deal with the inner workings of his family. A selfish goal? Perhaps, but Roland would not pass a law right this second. For now, he would take a break and check on his wife.

"Baileywick, tell everyone to come back in a few hours, I need to tend to my family."

"Of course your Majesty." Baileywick replied knowingly.

"Thank you Baileywick." Roland smiled and made his way to the door leading to the rest of the castle. He wondered about this man, Birk Balthazar. Sofia's father, Miranda's former husband. He didn't know much about the man himself, except that he must have done something horrible to earn such hostility from Miranda. He'd never seen her so angry, so distraught. He must find her quickly.

He pushed open the throne room door and hurried down the corridor. He rounded the first corner and stopped abruptly. "Miranda?" Roland called softly. She was on the floor, facing away from him, leaning her shoulder against the wall.

She sniffed and turned her head. Her eyes were red and puffy. How long has she been crying?

Roland approached her slowly and sat behind her, leaning his back against the wall. She'd turn around when she was ready to speak. He looked at her longingly, but she turned away and sobbed again. It broke his heart to see her in this state. Could she ever be consoled, or did seeing her ex-husband tear her apart just as seeing her sobbing with no sign of resolution in sight did for him?

"Miranda." Roland's eyes filled with sadness as he touched his wife's shoulder. She did not flinch this time. Roland was relieved; there was hope of comforting her. He turned himself so that he was now sitting on his knees, facing her back.

"Miranda?" He urged again, this time softer, trying to coax her to face him as he gently tugged on her shoulder. She slowly turned around but did not look directly at him.

Roland smiled slightly. "There, now I can see your beautiful face." He touched her chin and tilted it up gently. She was silent, her eyes still downcast. They stayed like that for a moment and Miranda finally looked up at him, her eyes swelling with tears once again. "Oh Rollie, I'm so sorry!" Her voice was hoarse and weak.

Roland quickly embraced her, resting his chin on her head. "It's ok," he whispered.

"I'm so sorry... I lied." Her voice was a whisper between her sobs as she cried into his chest.

Roland held her tighter. "Shh, it's ok."

He didn't know what she meant by saying she had lied, but what he did know was that his wife needed him and he was going to comfort her any way he could.

"I have no idea what's going on with you, I don't know what happened in your past, but I do know that I love you, and there's nothing that can change that." He said gently in her ear as he hugged her tighter.

Miranda started to quiet down.

Roland held her away from him to look her in the face. "It doesn't matter who you were or what happened to you before, I will always love you no matter what. I promise."

Miranda looked up at him after a long moment. This time her gaze did not waiver. She searched his eyes and managed a sad smile. He saw in it, her familiar radiance returning. When had it gone? When Birk came into the throne room? Or after she left? Whatever she had lost, regardless, it was returning and Roland was grateful for it.

"Rollie, you always know just what to say." Miranda smiled. Sadness still lurked behind her eyes, but for a moment it was genuine—then it faded. "I think it's time I told you the story about me and Birk," she said with a soft, sad whisper.

"How about we talk somewhere more private than the floor of the corridor," Roland suggested with a smile on his face.

Miranda managed a small chuckle. "Yes," she said, wiping tears from her face. "That's probably a good idea."

Roland stood and offered his hand. Miranda took it and they walked, arm in arm to their chambers.

Miranda leaned on Roland's shoulder and sighed contentedly. She was still emotionally unstable, but one of the reasons she loved Roland was that he was her rock. If she stumbled, he'd be right there to help her regain her balance and help her keep going. It was something Birk had not been able to do, and was only one of the many reasons their marriage failed. Her marriage to Roland was as a marriage should be: built on mutual respect and honesty.

Just as they were coming up on their room, James came running down the corridor.

"James," Roland scolded in his stern, fatherly voice, "no running inside the castle."

James stopped and smiled apologetically. "Sorry Dad." James looked at Miranda, suddenly very concerned. "What's wrong Mom? You look like you've been crying."

Miranda smiled lightly at the boy. Of course he noticed she had been crying, her face was probably still so puffy and red that it looked like a blotchy tomato. He was so much like his father, always caring about others and wanting to comfort them. "I will be alright James," she assured him as she wiped some tears that had almost dried on her cheek. "I just saw something today that made me very upset."

James eyed her suspiciously. Miranda laughed, "I'll be alright, James. I promise." She wanted to talk to Roland before she told James anything else. If there were going to be any changes in the household, they'd tell all the children together.

"Well, ok," said James. "I'll see you guys later, I'm supposed to meet Sofia in the observatory." James turned to leave, but then wheeled back and wrapped his arms around his mother's waist. Miranda hugged him closely to her; he had just recently gotten tall enough so that she didn't need to crouch to hug him, instead his head rested easily on her chest.

"I love you mom," James said, looking back up at her.

"I love you too, James." Miranda smiled, and then released him. James smiled one more time before he turned around and began running down the corridor again.

"James!" Roland called, which was followed by a weak, "no... running."

Miranda giggled. Roland looked down at her and smiled gently, then opened the door to their chambers.