Ugh.
Sofia rubbed her head, groaning as she woke up. She vaguely remembered what had happened at the party and leaving Cantata Hall for a ride. But the rest of the night was a blank.
As the young woman woke up, she realized she didn't know where she was. Startled, Sofia sat up and looked around. She could tell she was in someone's bedroom. The room had little furnishing or decorations other than what was necessary. So she wasn't sure if the room belonged to a man or woman. A small fireplace held a dying fire but Sofia figured it must have been big at one point as the room was still warm.
As she looked around, Sofia noticed her shoes resting to the side of the bed. They were a little scuffed up but still otherwise in good condition. Sofia looked at her right foot, where the most of her pain was. The foot was bruised, red, and a little swollen.
Ignoring the pain, Sofia pulled her shoes, a pair of riding boots, back on. The right boot barely was able to be pulled on.
Ready for answers, the seventeen year old stood up. Pain seared through her right foot but she limped across the room to the door anyways. She paused for a moment at the door.
Please let there at least be another female here.
Sofia told a deep breath and opened the door. As she did, a cawing startled her. She looked to the side and saw a raven perched on a peg.
Sofia smiled at the bird and tentatively reached her hand close to it. The bird cawed again and snipped at Sofia's fingers. She barely retracted her hand in time. Sofia stared wide eyed at the bird.
So much for thinking it's friendly.
Unexpectedly, the bird left its perch and flew at Sofia, cawing and flapping at her. Sofia raised her hands to try blocking the claws of the raven. Suddenly an arm wrapped around Sofia's waist and pulled her away from the crazy bird. The other hand of her rescuer flicked at the bird, shooing him away.
"Wormwood!"
Sofia looked at the man who must have taken care of her during the night. With the bird shooed off, the man let go of Sofia.
"He doesn't like strangers much," the man explained. "Come. There's breakfast ready."
The man walked down the hallway and Sofia stared at him for a few moments before following him. Conflicting feelings swirled through her as she wondered about her rescuer. It seemed she was alone with a man. And one she didn't know. Anxiety seeped through her heart.
"I'm sorry, I don't know where I am or what happened," Sofia said softly. "Can you maybe help fill in the blanks? I know I was at a party but I left early to go riding after a slight incident. But other than that, I don't know what really happened."
The man looked at Sofia, a cool look in his eyes.
"I believe you were thrown from your horse and landed in a river. You weren't in the river when I found you but you were by it, soaking wet and very cold. I brought you to my cabin and kept you near my big fireplace until you were dry and then moved you to bed."
An audible click went off in Sofia's mind. She paled.
"It wasn't your bed was it?" Sofia spoke quickly, her mouth drying out. "Where did you sleep?"
The man chuckled dryly. "Little girl, you have bigger things to worry about than that. Now have a bite to eat."
Sofia looked at the offerings on the table. There was some bread, eggs, bacon, and fruit. A tea kettle sat by the food, steam rising from it. Sofia knew she should be very hungry since she hadn't eaten much the night before. But her nerves snatched her appetite away.
Take a deep breath. Maybe he's different from him. "I'm sorry I took your bed. And to trouble you so much. Thank you, also, for rescuing me. What's your name?"
The man continued to coolly watch his young visitor. After a moment, his expression seemed to soften a bit.
"Cedric Sebara. And you are?"
"Sofia. It's nice to meet you, Cedric. Wait! Are you the Cedric Sebara? The one who roamed with a band of vagabonds and outsiders for months as a young teenager?"
Cedric's eyes narrowed a bit. The rumors about him were still as wild as ever. The truth was far less interesting. Or at least, he thought so.
Sofia seemed to realize what she said but she didn't retract the question. She didn't usually bother with rumors but what little gossip about Cedric she had heard had intrigued her for some strange reason. It wasn't just anyone who could presumably get away with torching a duke's stables. Not that she believed that.
"Come now, Miss Sofia," Cedric said, leaning close to Sofia. "Do I look like a scoundrel to you?"
Sofia smiled mischievously and slightly in relief. Her host was seeming more harmless by the second.
"Yes. I think at least forty percent scoundrel."
Cedric looked at his guest amusedly. "Fair. Do let me know if that changes. Now eat some breakfast and I'll take you home."
Sofia nodded and dished some food up. After getting food on a plate, she sat down. Her host made no move to get himself some food. Sofia looked up at him.
"Aren't you going to eat something? I'd feel a little bit better if you did."
Cedric didn't say anything but he dished up as well. In a moment, both were eating.
"May I ask why you have a raven?" Sofia asked. "I thought they weren't meant to be pets."
"He and I found each other when we were much younger and have kept each other company."
Cedric's ability to keep eye contact diminished a bit and a distant look of guilt could be seen.
"You're not going to tell me the truth are you?"
"It's not a story for company such as you Little Girl."
"Okay."
After a couple minutes of silence, both had finished their breakfast. Cedric stood up and started to pick up the dishes.
"Thank you again for your hospitality," Sofia said. "May I help you clean up?"
As she said that, she stood up, forgetting her right foot. As soon as weight was placed on it, she stumbled into Cedric and knocked both of them down. Cedric grunted as Sofia's elbow got lodged in his ribs. Sofia blushed furiously at the compromising position they were in and quickly rolled to the side, assuming a sitting position on the floor.
"Merlin's mushrooms! Little Girl, why didn't you say you were hurt?"
Sofia flinched at the tone, her face paling a bit.
"I didn't want to be too much of a bother. It's not the first time I've been thrown and each time I was fine, even if I ended up a little bruised."
"Hmph. Your right foot, I presume?"
Sofia nodded. Cedric knelt at her feet. He took a look at the foot, taking the boot off to do so. Sofia bit her tongue to keep from whimpering in pain.
"Doesn't seem broken but you'll want a doctor to confirm that. But you should not be walking around on it."
Cedric stood up and walked over to a cabinet. He opened it up and pulled out a roll of bandages. Carefully, he put the boot back on and wrapped the bandages around Sofia's foot.
"I should have seen that when I took your boots off. Your foot should have been wrapped hours ago."
Sofia smiled gently. He cares? "It's okay. Thanks to you, I was at least kept safe, warm, and dry during the night."
"Well, I guess that's something. It snowed during the night. I'm going to get my horse ready. Will you be able to mount with one good foot?"
Sofia nodded. "I think so."
"Good."
Cedric grabbed a bundle of cloth off a seat near the fireplace. Sofia realized it was her cloak. He handed it to her.
"Get that on. It's cold outside. I'll be back."
Sofia nodded and started bundling up, relishing the warmth it provided. Sometime later, Cedric came back inside. Sofia glanced at her foot, not anxious to walk on it. Cedric seemed to realize what she was thinking. He knelt by her.
"May I?"
Sofia realized what he intended. She nodded. Cedric lifted her into his arms, holding her bridal style. Sofia blushed at the closeness but she said nothing. At least she wasn't having to walk on her foot.
Okay, he's not so bad. He did ask permission to do this after all.
Outside, Cedric set Sofia down carefully. With some help, Sofia was able to mount the horse. Once she was settled on the horse, Cedric mounted behind her.
"Now where is home for you, Miss Sofia?"
Sofia's breath caught in her throat. It had been nice to not be treated differently just because of who she was.
"Cantata Hall."
Cedric tensed. He knew that name all too well.
No! Anywhere is better than there! "You're part of Mayor Cyning's household?"
"He's my father."
Merlin's mushrooms! Is this a cruel joke? "Well, well, Little Girl, do I still call you Miss Sofia or Miss Cyning?"
"Miss Sofia or Miss Balthazar. Mayor Cyning is actually my stepfather. But he's as real and good a father to me as if I had actually been born to him."
Cedric bit his tongue. No point in getting into his opinion of the mayor and his household. Or anything to do with the gentry and nobility. He left that behind a long time ago.
"Well Miss Sofia, let's get you home."
Cedric got the horse into motion. The ride was quiet. Sofia's foot throbbed but she said nothing.
As they rode, Sofia looked around at what the storm had brought during the night. The skies had cleared significantly, though a few clouds could be seen in the distance. On the ground was what looked like at least six inches of snow.
It was really lucky he found me.
Sometime later, they arrived to Cantata Hall. Cedric dismounted and tethered the horse. With some effort, Cedric brought Sofia off the horse, again carrying her.
"Thank you again for everything," Sofia said.
Cedric was about to say something but was interrupted by the opening of the front door. Amber and James emerged. Sofia smiled at her siblings. James quickly took Sofia from Cedric's arms. Cedric watched as Sofia's siblings fussed over her, taking her up the pathway to go inside. It seemed surreal. He shook his head and started walking back to his horse.
"James wait."
Sofia turned her head so she could look at Cedric one more time.
"Thirty percent," Sofia said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I do hope we'll meet again Mister Cedric."
Cedric nodded. He quickly mounted his horse and took off. The siblings went inside. Amber fussed over her sister but the brunette noticed none of it.
Her mind was somewhere else.
We will meet again, my dear scoundrel. That's a promise.