MAKING UP

(A/N: Winnifred is pretty awesome. I kinda think she knows more than she lets on. She is 'Winnifred the Wise' after all. Fun fact, in the last chapter when she threatens to lock Cedfia in a closet if they don't make up, it's a nod to the original make up scene. Originally, I was going to have Winnifred do just that but then there was something else that I wanted to have happen and both scenes didn't go together very well.

Amai Momoyama, I'd be interested in hearing what your theories are. That applies to anyone who does have theories.

As always, I own nothing.)

A couple weeks prior

"What brings you here this early?"

"I needed to talk to you. We need to talk."

Cedric nodded before patting a spot on the couch by him. Sofia hesitated.

"Will you put a shirt on please?" Her cheeks heated even further.

In another situation, Cedric might have smirked at his guest's discomfort. Instead, he left the room for a moment. When he returned, he had put on the garment. He motioned to his guest to sit down, himself only sitting once she had.

"I still can't believe you're a lord."

"Believe it."

Sofia nodded. "Has it really been five years since you've seen your family?"

"Yes."

"What happened?"

Even though she didn't specify what, Sofia didn't need to.

"There was an accident on the estate and my father thought I was responsible."

"What accident? Why would he have thought it your fault?"

Cedric scoffed. "Doesn't matter now. I got banished and am not allowed back unless I can be exactly who he wants me to be. Some copy of him."

"Your father should be proud of the man you are. Besides, no child is an exact copy of their parents. They might share some similarities but that would be it."

"Pttf. Try telling him that. Now just how did you figure out who I am?"

"My dad received a letter from your mother asking for assistance in her search for you."

Cedric stood abruptly, his body tense and his expression unreadable. Sofia was certain though, that he was shocked and possibly angry.

"Liar."

Sofia stiffened. She most certainly had not expected that word to come out of his mouth. She'd been called all sorts of names but she couldn't remember ever being called a liar.

"Excuse me?" Disbelief and anger permeated Sofia's words.

"You heard me. I don't believe you. I sent multiple letters to her over the years. Each and every one of them went unanswered. If she was searching for me, she would respond."

"Don't believe me if you want." Sofia was still reeling from his blatant insult. "I have no reason to lie about that. Although, I did write to her while I was still shocked and overwhelmed from learning your secret. I didn't tell her where you are. But I did inform her that I had met you and knew exactly where you were and that you were doing well. She sent me back a letter to give you."

Sofia pulled the missive from a hidden pocket, stood up and held it out to Cedric. He took it, a scowl darkening his face. He looked at it, a flash of recognition crossing his face as he looked at the familiar penmanship that his name was written in.

Then, much to Sofia's shock and horror, Cedric tossed the letter into the fireplace.

"Cedric! Why would you do that?"

"You overstepped Sofia."

"I just want to help."

"Well your help isn't very helpful. It's time for you to leave."

Sofia shook her head. "No."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. No. I'm not leaving. I'm sorry I overstepped boundaries. Whether or not you realize it, you've had a distant look of sadness anytime you talked about your past. I thought maybe I could make a difference."

"You thought wrong. Leave now."

Cedric walked over to the door, opening it wide. Sofia turned so she could lock eyes with Cedric.

"You can't hide from your past forever, Cedric. It's going to catch up to you sooner or later."

"Hmph."

"Cedric, what good will it do you if everyone in the world believes in you but you don't believe in yourself? If you were to inherit the title, regardless of what happens with your father, how will you hold your own against other nobles when you wouldn't face your own father? And I know you can. You faced down Graham and Constable Miles that day in the forest. You're a good man, with the potential to be a great man. But you choose not to be."

Cedric's eyes flared with anger and a hint of hurt. Sofia's expression shifted, realizing just how hurtful her words must have been.

"Cedric, I…"

"It's time for you to leave."

Sofia was silent, trying to find some words, any words that she might use to soothe Cedric's hurt feelings. But nothing came. Slowly, she walked to the doorway, pausing for a moment.

"I'm sorry," Sofia spoke quietly before leaving.

oOo

Sofia tossed and turned that night. Try as she might, there was no escaping her past, her memories. No escape from the nightmare.

Unexpectedly, Sofia woke up, sitting straight up.

"No!"

Sofia's heart pounded and sweat trickled down her brow. It had been a while since she'd had a nightmare about that. Sofia stood up and started to pace the bedroom. She hugged herself tightly as she tried to push the vivid images out of her mind.

"Just a dream. It was just a dream."

But it hadn't been. Most of what was in her dream actually happened.

'Stop. Please.'

'Not until you pay for your insult. No one refuses me!'

Sofia shuddered as the harsh words of that morning replayed over and over in her mind. Overwhelmed, she grabbed her cloak and pulled on her shoes. Quickly and quietly she slipped out of the room and went outside, despite the fact that it was still very dark.

oOo

Cedric sighed as he walked down the hallway. He was certain he was only making things worse by returning home. He stepped into the dining room where Winnifred was sitting, waiting patiently for breakfast.

"There you are. I wondered how long you might sleep."

Cedric simply nodded. He was still a little tired from his trip.

The time passed slowly. There was clearly one more person who needed to arrive before breakfast would be served and both knew who. But Sofia did not appear. Winnifred glanced at the guest's seat, clearly wondering what was going on.

Unexpectedly, Violet rushed into the dining room, a frantic look on her face.

"My Lady, have you seen Miss Sofia?"

"No," Winnifred said.

Violet seemed to get more anxious. She muttered incomprehensively under her breath.

"Is she missing?" Winnifred asked.

"No one's seen her since last night. But her horse is still in the stables."

Cedric felt himself tense. "Is she walking the grounds?"

Violet looked at Cedric, realizing quickly who the young man must be. Her hands trembled.

"No, My Lord. I've checked. She has to be outside though. Her shoes and cloak are missing from her room."

Winnifred looked the frantic maid over with narrow eyes. "This is about more than her wandering around isn't it? What aren't you saying?"

Violet wrung her hands. She was quiet for a moment, clearly trying to choose her words carefully.

"She's done this before. She started having nightmares shortly after she turned sixteen. After one, either she goes to her sister or she wanders outside for hours."

An audible click went off in Cedric's mind. Amber had told him that shortly after Sofia turned sixteen was when she'd been attacked the first time.

"Shortly after she turned sixteen or shortly after the incident with Graham?"

Violet's eyes widened. "After Graham, My Lord," the maid stammered.

"Merlin's mushrooms."

Cedric stormed out of the dining room. Winnifred looked at the anxious maid.

"Who is this 'Graham'?"

Elsewhere, Cedric had mounted Taika and was pushing the dark steed as fast as he dared.

I should have just killed that rat!

After what felt like several hours of riding and searching the nearby forest, the young lord finally got a reprieve. Curled up against a sturdy oak tree was a familiar young visitor. Cedric dismounted and tethered Taika to a sturdy branch. Stepping carefully, he went over to Sofia and knelt by her.

"Sofia."

Sofia jolted in surprise, her eyes wide. She glanced at Cedric before looking down at her lap.

"What are you doing here?"

"Your maid was panicking about you being missing."

"What are you doing here?" Sofia's voice was stern as she repeated the question. "You made your opinion of me quite clear back at your cabin."

Cedric let out a sigh. He'd gone to bed asking himself that same question. Sitting by the young lady, he finally knew why. But now wasn't the time to tell her that. Besides, there was something else that needed to be said at that moment.

"Not one of my finer moments," Cedric admitted. "Father would skin me alive if he found out I'd hurt a lady."

Despite her emotional and physical exhaustion, Sofia found herself giving the slightest snort of laughter. Her hostess had told her about Lord Hexley's view on treating women right.

"Why did you return to Hexley Hall?" Sofia asked. "As far as I know, he still doesn't want you here. And you seemed very adamant against it."

"I missed my home and family. But I also missed someone else. My best friend is up here instead of in Cantare Valley."

Sofia looked up a bit. Slowly, she turned her gaze to Cedric. But she didn't say anything.

"Sofia, I'm sorry. You were right. I should have told you who I am. It became natural to do what I could to protect my identity. I held a fear that things would become difficult for me if word got out about who I am. I didn't want the rumors. I wanted some peace and quiet. I wanted to be left alone until I finally returned home."

"You didn't get much of that after you found me that night, did you?"

Cedric snorted. "Merlin's mushrooms, no. But I wouldn't change that for anything. I do not and will never regret taking care of you that night. And I certainly should not have called you a liar. I just didn't know how to respond then."

Sofia pulled her cloak tightly against her shoulders.

"I owe you an apology, too. Getting as angry as I did, the things I said when I brought you the letter… When we last saw each other, I wanted things to go well but then I became defensive. Not without reason, probably but still, it didn't help anything. I probably also shouldn't have gone behind your back to write to your mother."

Cedric chuckled softly and moved closer to Sofia.

"Now, that last one was needed. I do not think I would have come back here unless I got that push from you. No doubt I've missed out on a lot being away for so long. And it's time for me to face him."

Sofia gave a small smile. Cedric gently took Sofia's hands in his.

"I've missed you," Cedric said.

Sofia's smile widened slightly. "I've missed you too."

At those words, Cedric pulled Sofia into a hug. Everything should have felt right in that moment, but something was nagging at the young lord. His young friend had come outside for some reason.

"Can we never have an argument like that again?" Sofia asked softly.

Cedric lifted Sofia's chin so they could look each other in the eyes. Sofia felt Cedric's breath due to how close they were. He smiled and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Never again."

Sofia felt her cheeks heat slightly. She leaned into Cedric and rested her head on his shoulder. Cedric smiled and gently traced his hand down Sofia's left arm. Sofia tensed, taking a sharp breath. She grabbed Cedric's hand and moved it away from her arm.

"Sofia?" Cedric spoke softly.

Sofia took a deep breath. "It's nothing to do with you. My left arm was broken nearly two years ago."

Cedric raised an eyebrow. He knew a little too much to believe that the broken arm was an accident.

"Sofia, why did you wander out like this?"

Sofia gritted her teeth. She gripped Cedric's cloak tightly in her hands.

"Nightmares," she whispered. "Ever since Graham attacked me the first time…"

Cedric tightened his grip on Sofia.

"Sofia, what happened the first time?"

Sofia's eyes were wide and almost frantic. Then she murmured something that made Cedric feel colder than ice.

"It was my fault. I could have prevented it."