(A/N: Nerdsinatree- have we really learned Sofia's story? And also, you're right. Women are very much capable of hurting men. It's just not heard of as often as men hurting women.

Allyrwhitney- your theory about Cedric is very interesting. Rumors did play a part in his past and Goodwyn's image of him.

Mr. Shortman92- I think your question about why Graham came back is actually answered by the bastard himself. Or at least, it is partially answered. He tells Sofia that she is alone, James can't interfere again, and he wasn't satisfied with how things ended the first time.

CONTENT WARNING- this chapter contains themes of abuse.)

Almost two years ago

Roland and Miranda smiled and laughed together as their carriage pulled up to their home. The footman opened the carriage door, allowing them to get out. The two had been enjoying an early trip for their anniversary and were just returning home.

Almost as soon as the travelers were out of the carriage, a familiar figure came running up to them. Quickly, they recognized their steward. A frantic look was on his usually calm face.

"Baileywick, how are you?" Roland asked.

"You both need to get inside right now. There was a terrible incident mere days after you left. Your sister came to help until you returned."

Roland and Miranda both hurried inside, their faithful servant following close behind. Inside, the hall was eerily quiet.

Unexpectedly, an angry yell echoed through the hall. The words were muffled but the now returned parents were certain that it was their youngest who had been yelling. Mere seconds later, Amber came running around the corner, tears pouring down her cheeks. She paused for a moment when she saw her parents then launched herself into Roland's arms.

"Next time you leave, you need to tell us where you're going!" Amber snapped through her tears. "We needed you and we couldn't find you!"

James appeared around the corner too, looking very upset and sad. A closer look at his face revealed that he had some old bruises. They were nearly gone but not all the way.

"What happened?" Miranda asked.

Neither of the twins answered. After a moment, Tilly stepped into the entryway, followed closely by her husband, both of them looking utterly exhausted. Tilly wrapped her arms around the twins.

"You two go with you uncle," she said softly. "I'll talk to your parents."

James and Amber nodded and went silently with Bartleby. Roland and Miranda were getting very antsy. Tilly motioned for them to follow her and the three went to Roland's study.

"What's going on?" Roland asked, closing the door.

"Sofia was attacked by a young man."

Miranda and Roland gasped.

"His name is Alexander Graham. He came a couple days after you two left. They had tea together in the parlor then went for a walk out in the garden. Once they were in a spot that is very hard to see from the hall, he struck. It's not good Roland. Sofia is in bad shape. Her arm was broken and she was…"

Tilly took a deep breath before whispering into Roland and Miranda's ears. Roland looked immensely angry and Miranda broke down in tears.

"That's not good at all," Roland said, his temper flaring. "If word gets out about that-"

"I know," Tilly interrupted, her voice calm. "Any chance Sofia has of a good future will be ruined. With help from Baileywick and Bartleby, I've taken steps to help ensure that no one finds out and create a story to explain away Sofia's injuries. But we'll come to that later. There's more you need to know about the attack."

"I don't know if I can take much more of this," Miranda whispered. "Isn't it enough that my daughter was...was…"

The matriarch couldn't bring herself to finish what she was saying. Roland took her hand and squeezed it tightly, despite being overwhelmed himself.

"James witnessed the worst of the attack," Tilly said. "He went out to the gardens and heard some of Sofia's cries of pain. He got there as fast as he could and got into an ugly fist fight with Graham. When he realized he was no match for James, Graham ran away and hasn't been seen since. James wanted to chase him but a whimper of pain brought his attention back to Sofia. It's tearing James apart. He feels like he failed because he didn't get there very quickly and couldn't catch Graham and get Sofia inside."

"No wonder he looked so miserable," Roland observed. "How is Sofia taking everything that's happened?"

"Not very well. She understands fully what has happened to her and she is understandably upset. She had a massive outburst of anger right as you two were returning. Amber went in to check on her and try to encourage her to eat something. She yelled at Amber, saying some horrible things. It's just the pain and grief talking but it doesn't make anything easier. Sofia has hardly been eating anything and as such, has lost some weight. She doesn't want to be around anyone, and I think she's been having nightmares."

Roland covered his face with his hands. "No more please Tilly. I don't think I can take any more of this. I'm going to go see her."

Tilly nodded. The distressed father left the room and went to Sofia's room. He knocked.

"Go away Amber!"

Roland flinched at the angry tone of voice. That wasn't like his sweet daughter at all. Despite his daughter's wish to be alone, he opened the door.

Sofia was laying on her right side. Tears stained her cheeks and a handkerchief was tightly gripped in her hand. Sofia sat up. Roland could then see the faint bruises on his daughter.

"Amber, I said-" Sofia paused when she saw who was really there. "Oh, it's you. Where were you when you were needed?"

Roland didn't answer and instead, gave his daughter a hug, being mindful of her arm.

"Oh Sofia, I'm so sorry."

Sofia scowled and pushed Roland away.

"Go away Dad."

Despite wanting to be there for his daughter, Roland nodded and stepped out of the room. Anger boiling beneath his skin, he decided that if he ever came face to face with the rogue who had hurt Sofia, he was going to return the beating.

oOo

Cedric started to pace anxiously. After a moment, he forced himself to sit back down by the couch where Sofia lay. He'd about had a coronary when Sofia fainted coming off his horse. He'd barely caught her as she slumped down to the ground. His fingertips still burned from when he gently touched her cheek in the stable. Quickly though, he had lifted Sofia into his arms and carried her inside. Once he had got her settled on the couch, he got tea brewing and heated some water so he could wipe the dirt and blood off her face.

Silently, Cedric recalled the wintry day when Sofia had been enjoying a small picnic in the forest. Until he had shown up.

Poor girl, no wonder you got scared.

As he thought of that, Cedric began to wonder what other signs he'd missed that had indicated Sofia had brutally harmed before.

'It wasn't your bed was it? Where did you sleep?'

Cedric sighed as he took the wet rag and wiped Sofia's face again.

Merlin's mushrooms. You were scared of me when we first met.

A small grunt of pain brought Cedric back to the present moment. His scowl disappeared as Sofia stirred. He reached over and took her hand as if to encourage her.

"Come on, wake up," he said softly.

Sofia's uninjured eye opened wide and she sat up quickly.

"Get away from me!" Sofia's breathes were quick as she looked alarmed.

"Whoa, Sofia." Cedric placed an arm across her front, grabbing her shoulder. "That rascal is gone. You're safe. We're at my cabin."

Sofia's breathing slowed down as she regained her focus.

"How long was I out?" Sofia asked softly.

"Close to an hour." Cedric handed her a cup of tea.

Sofia nodded as she took a sip of her tea. She winced as her cheek throbbed. She lifted her hand and touched the left half of her face. Cedric reached over and gently took Sofia's hand into his own. With his other hand, he carefully brushed a stray lock of hair away from Sofia's face. Sofia flushed slightly.

Suddenly she gasped. "Oh no. Minimus."

Sofia stood up but nearly fell over. Cedric quickly steadied her.

"Sit down before you faint again."

"Minimus might be injured too," Sofia spoke quickly. "He probably returned home and worried everyone."

"I understand," Cedric replied. "You want to assure your family. But you're in no shape to go anywhere right now. Your family will be fine for a few more minutes. If you try leaving too soon, you may overdo it and faint again. Then it would take even longer for you to return home."

"But-"

"Sofia, please. Just take it easy a little bit longer."

Sofia nodded and sat down again. As she did, her stomach growled.

"I wondered if you might need to eat something," Cedric said.

Sofia nodded. "I was going to the cafe for lunch when Graham appeared."

Cedric nodded as he stepped to the kitchen to grab something for Sofia to eat.

"He should have been thrown under the jail the first time."

Sofia tensed. "I don't want to talk about it."

Cedric nodded. As much as he wanted answers, he wasn't going to push for them.

oOo

Amber paced nonstop in front of Cantata Hall despite the rain. It'd been over two hours since Minimus had returned unexpectedly and without Sofia and the blonde was getting very antsy.

The sound of a galloping horse caught her attention. Amber looked up and instantly heaved a sigh of relief. She recognized the horse and its riders. She rushed over and impatiently grabbed Taika's reins.

Cedric came down first then helped Sofia down. As Sofia turned to look at her sister, Amber gasped in shock as she saw her bruised face.

"Sofia!"

Amber gently touched the brunette's face, soliciting a wince.

"Sofia, what happened?"

"Graham came back," Sofia said softly.

Amber gasped and tightly hugged her sister.

"That smug bastard," Amber muttered. "Don't tell me he got away again."

"He didn't. Cedric saw to that. He shot him. Didn't kill him but Graham definitely couldn't run after that. Constable Miles has him now."

Amber sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I suppose every woman he's ever gone after can rest easy now."

Sofia nodded. Amber looked towards Cedric.

"Thank you. It means a lot that you were able to help Sofia. She speaks quite highly of you. And she doesn't speak very highly of many if any men outside of the family."

"Amber!" Sofia softly chided.

Amber ignored the chastisement. "Is there anything we can do to thank you?"

Cedric started to shake his head no but then seemed to think of something.

"I'd like to remain anonymous," he said. "No one but you two and Constable Miles will know it was me."

Sofia and Amber looked surprised but both nodded in agreement.

"Thank you," Cedric bowed politely. "I suggest you both get inside now."

Amber let go of Sofia to curtsy in return but Sofia hugged her rescuer instead. Amber's eyes widened as she watched her sister hug Cedric.

After Sofia released Cedric, Amber took her arm and gently pulled her inside. Inside, Amber flagged down a maid.

"Marci, please let Mom know that Sofia returned. Have a bath drawn and prepare a tea tray with a relaxing tea. Afterwards, no one is allowed to come to Sofia's room for the rest of the day. And I mean no one."

Marci nodded and curtsied. "Yes Miss."

Amber gently pulled her sister to her room. There, Amber pulled out one of Sofia's night gowns. With great care, she helped Sofia out of her riding clothes giving the blonde an eyeful of the bruises and scrapes covering the brunette's back.

"Oh Sofia. I'm so sorry. I'm glad he's been caught though."

Sofia nodded mutely, flinching when Amber touched one of her bruises.

"What happened?"

Sofia shivered and pulled her dressing robe against her bare skin.

"What's there to tell? Graham came back, chased me into the forest, Cedric intervened, Constable Miles came, and Cedric took me to his cabin to recover. Probably a good thing as I fainted coming off his horse."

"You're very frustrating with your refusal to talk about anything that happens."

Sofia hugged herself tightly, looking down at her lap. Amber sat by her sister and wrapped an arm around her.

"I know it's hard but it hurts seeing you hold everything in when it's only hurting you more."

Sofia sighed and rested her head on Amber's shoulder.

"How does one talk about something as painful as this?"

Amber was about to say something when a soft knock sounded at the door. Marci stepped inside with a tea tray.

"The bath is ready," Marci said. "Do you need anything else?"

"No," Sofia said.

Marci nodded and left as quietly as she came in. Sofia slipped into the tub, grimacing as the warm water touched the worst of her bruises and scrapes. Amber stayed close to her sister, helping her clean the spots she struggled to get to. Once all the dirt and blood was cleaned away, Sofia stepped out and got into her nightgown with help from Amber. They sat back down on Sofia's bed. Amber poured a cup of tea and gave it to her sister. Sofia took a sip.

"So, Cedric shot Graham?"

Sofia smirked. "Three times. And punched him in the face. As well as claiming I was under his protection."

Amber's eyes widened. "My oh my. That's pretty serious. That's a very bold move to claim the role of protector. There's more to him than meets the eye."

Sofia glanced at her sister. "Perhaps. But despite his secrets, he's a great man."

Amber raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Sofia yawned. The blonde smiled as she gently hugged her sister.

"You seem very exhausted Sister.

Sofia nodded as she took a sip of her tea. She leaned into Amber. Amber stroked her sister's hair.

"Get some rest then."

Sofia laid down after taking one last sip of her tea.

"Stay please?"

Amber laid down by her sister and wrapped her arms around her.

"You know I will."

"Thanks Amber."

Within minutes, Sofia was sound asleep.