(A/N: Mr. Shortman92, you're a little off in your guess. No, I'm not answering that mystery. Not yet anyways. Soon though. Hehe :)

I own nothing!)

One year ago

"I don't want to do this. Why are you making me do this?"

"He's still out there. No one has seen him. If he comes back, I want you to have a better chance of getting away."

The teenaged girl hugged her chest tightly, looking at the ground. Her brother smiled sadly.

"They'll find him," the boy promised. "But until then, you need to be prepared."

The girl sighed. "Fine," she said tersely.

Her brother nodded. "Now show me that right hook again."

oOo

The next few weeks passed relatively quickly. Sofia started going riding nearly every day as the worst part of winter passed. Sometimes she ran into Cedric out in the forests, sometimes she went to his cabin, and other days she just went riding to ride. Though most days she did end up visiting with Cedric. Sometimes they went riding, sometimes they made something in the kitchen together, or sometimes just talked. Well, Sofia did most of the talking. Cedric still refused to tell his young lady friend very much about him.

I'm going to figure you out sooner or later.

Sofia was nestled snugly in a seat in Roland's library, an open book laying on her lap. But she was hardly focused on the words. She was thinking about her growing friendship with Cedric. And her confusion about it.

Sofia knew she would need to talk with her family eventually about the fact she had a gentleman friend. But she was still so confused about it, she didn't know how to talk about it.

Sofia shook her head and tried to return her attention to her book. She only got a few paragraphs in when the library door opened and Amber came in, pacing. Very quickly, it became apparent that the blonde didn't notice the brunette there.

Sofia thought through what she knew about her sister's schedule that day. She knew a gentleman had asked to come for tea and maybe a short carriage ride with her blonde sister. Something told the brunette that the tea and outing did not go very well.

"What happened Amber?"

Amber started when she heard her sister's voice.

"Oh, Sofia. I didn't realize you were in here."

"Clearly. So, who ruffled your feathers?"

"That gentleman visitor. I'd heard some gossip that his only goal in getting married was getting his hands on his bride's dowry. He's in a bad way financially. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Your situation proves that not all gossip is true. I think it actually is though. He hinted at our family's money and how he'd like to be as well off as us."

"Bothersome." Sofia rolled her eyes.

"That wasn't the worst of it though."

Sofia raised an eyebrow. Amber didn't elaborate. In fact, she looked like she was trying to talk herself out of saying what it was. Sofia quickly understood.

"He said something about me."

Amber nodded. "Some of the very normal things. Called you a ladder climber and a disgrace to polite society."

Sofia sighed, unconsciously grabbing her left arm. Amber's watched the action.

"I shouldn't have said anything," the blonde said.

"Over a year later and the rumors he likely started are still believed over the truth."

"They're going to catch him. He can't hide forever."

A tear slid down Sofia's cheek. "Th-that's what I've been hearing for over a year," she stuttered softly.

"At least James was willing to show you some of the finer points of fist fighting."

Sofia looked down. "I never asked him to teach me," she said softly. "He made me learn after G-g… after my arm healed."

Amber shuddered. She didn't respond and silence fell over the library. Amber glanced at the book resting in her sister's lap.

"What book are you reading today?"

Sofia held the book up so her sister could see the title.

"Another romance?"

Sofia nodded. "Wishful thinking of what I can't have," she said softly.

"What do you mean?"

Sofia shook her head. "Doesn't matter."

Amber waited patiently but it became clear her sister wasn't about to elaborate.

"You haven't gotten any visitors lately," Amber stated.

"A fact I don't mind in the least bit."

Amber nodded. "Yeah. But you should still be sociable. No one will approach you if you stay holed up like this."

Sofia rolled her eyes. "I do not remain holed up. I get out plenty. I go riding. I visit the village and spend time at the orphanage with the children there. I do not stay behind a closed door all the time."

"You may as well as though. Not many gentlemen will see that as something interesting."

One does. But what does it matter?

"If I were to accept someone's affections, it will be someone who will accept me with all my strange little quirks. And I won't have to worry about him intentionally hurting me. Nothing less will do. I don't care if he is high born or low born."

"Oh Sofia, you've been reading into those romance novels again."

Sofia set her book aside saying nothing.

"It's not that simple," Amber said. "Finding someone who will accept you the way you want to be accepted. And you know the difficulties of living in poverty. Even with the dowry Dad is sure to give you, if you were to marry someone low born, you would still struggle. So try to set your sights a little high."

"And be considered a fortune hunter? No thank you. I should like to think that my future husband will be someone I can love without giving a single thought to what kind of fortune or title he has before we get married."

"You are so naive."

The smallest half smile appeared on Sofia's lips. "You're not the first person to call me that."

Amber raised an eyebrow. "Really? And who else has called my dear, sweet sister naive?"

Sofia felt her cheeks heat up. Amber looked even more amused.

"What's this? You're blushing! What aren't you telling me?"

"I, uh…"

Amber grinned widely. "Oh my, this is too good. Sofia, do you have an admirer?"

"No! He's just a friend."

"Well who is he?"

Sofia's blush intensified. Amber continued to grin.

"Sofia," Amber cooed. "Have you fallen in love?"

Sofia wasn't sure her face could get any hotter. "We're just friends. We understand each other really well. He got ostracized from his family due to some very untrue rumors. I've had problems due to gossip. And he likes to ride too."

"Is that where you've been going over the last few weeks?" Amber exclaimed. "To see a man? Sofia, do you not realize how outrageous the rumors will be if anyone finds out you've been visiting a man without an escort?"

Sofia felt tears welling up in her eyes. "What do you plan to do with that knowledge?"

Amber shook her head. "Nothing. It's up to you to come clean on that. Just, whatever you do, be careful please. You're my sister and I love you. I want to see you happy. You deserve it."

Sofia nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. Amber noticed the tear.

"Oh no. I'm sorry Sofia. I didn't mean to make you cry. I was just surprised by that. I know you don't always do things the way they ought to be done but there are some things that should be done properly no matter what."

Sofia let out a sigh. "He doesn't seem to mind my tendency to do things differently. But he is also very shy. He and I both agreed on not saying anything though."

Amber smiled. "Your secret is safe. If he's been the one to make you so happy recently, then he must be a good man."

"He is a great man. Not once has he given me any reason to worry about my safety with him. And you met him once, indirectly though."

"Really? Who?"

"Mr. Cedric, the one who rescued me the night of the harvest party."

Amber's eyes lit up. "Oh yes. I remember him. He was rather quiet when he brought you home."

Sofia nodded her agreement. "He hasn't said much but I think he had a hard life. He hasn't even been able to go visit his family for quite some time, though he didn't say just how long it's been. Whatever happened, rumors played a role in it."

"Yikes, that's not good at all. If we ever lose you due to gossip, I will personally go to the home of every gossipy witch and insult them until I'm blue in the face."

Sofia smiled. "That's kind of you. So, feel better after having that incident with that imbecile suitor?"

Amber laughed. "You would insult a failed suitor like that."

Sofia smiled, her thoughts swirling wildly and a chill overtaking her.