(A/N: Allyrwhitney- a kiss you say? Don't worry, it will come. When the time is right.

Man, the struggle with writer's block is real. I know what's going to happen. But getting the words out is difficult. I wanted to get what happens directly after this chapter written before uploading. But the next scene has been a struggle. I think when you finish this chapter, you'll have a good guess why. That, and writing a character with deep trauma is nothing short of intense, especially since I've not done that before.

And to those who are celebrating it this week, Happy Thanksgiving!

I own nothing!)

Miranda and Amber sat together on the teenagers' bed, anxiously waiting for Sofia to return. The sun had gone down a long time ago and it was a dark night.

"Do you think she did get into trouble?" Amber asked softly.

"I don't know," Miranda replied.

"Maybe she decided to return to Hexley Hall."

"That's a long way to go. It took all day to get here."

Amber snorted in laughter. "It didn't need to take as long as it did to get here. We've been taking a scenic route instead of the direct route. Lady Hexley and I conspired to make sure Sofia didn't get too far too fast. If she wanted to, Sofia could make it back to Hexley Hall in three hours on Minimus. I don't know if she realized that though."

Miranda looked surprised. "Lady Hexley saw something we didn't, didn't she?"

Amber nodded. "She saw something concerning straight from their first interaction. That's why she wanted Sofia to stay indefinitely. She thought she could do some good. And she has. She's done a lot of good for Sofia. Lady Hexley did not put up with certain depressing behaviors from Sofia and has constantly pushed her out of her shell."

Miranda sighed. She was about to say something when the sound of footsteps caught her attention. Seconds later, Sofia appeared in the doorway with Cedric right by her side. Both women jumped up from the bed and embraced Sofia fiercely.

"Are you alright, Sofia?" Amber asked.

"I'm better than I was earlier," Sofia replied. "In the morning, Cedric is taking me back to Hexley Hall."

Amber smiled. "I wondered if that would be the case."

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Lord Sebara, what exactly is your relationship with my daughter?"

"With and only with her consent, I wish to court Sofia and in time, ask her for her hand in marriage."

Amber smirked. "You mean to say that what you two have been doing before wasn't considered courting? You two are so dense. I'm surprised you don't want to marry right away."

Before Sofia or Cedric could reply to Amber's comment, Miranda stepped in.

"Sofia, is this what you truly want? To be with Lord Sebara? To go back to Hexley Hall?"

Sofia nodded. "Cedric's become an important part of my life. And being with him, I feel comfortable and safe. I know I don't have to worry about him pushing me into something I don't want or am not ready for. And I love it at Hexley Hall. It has truly felt like home the last two months."

Miranda nodded slowly. "As long as it makes you happy and it's what you really want, I'll be there for you. Especially since your father isn't going to approve of this."

Sofia sighed. "I really want his support in this though. The past two years have been difficult enough. But if he doesn't give his approval and support… I'm not sure I'm ready for the consequences that would bring. If Dad is rotten to Cedric, and I'm almost certain he will be, I disown him. At the same time though, I don't want to lose another father."

Miranda wrapped her arm around Sofia and guided her to sit with her on the bed.

"Sofia, Roland does love you. And deep down, he does want the best for you. But fear has been his enemy recently, just as much as it has been yours. He's felt like he needs to protect you very fiercely. He's struggled with the fact that he wasn't there to protect you like he feels he should have been."

Miranda looked like she wanted to say more. Instead she glanced at Cedric. Sofia noticed the motion and the expression on her mother's face.

"Cedric knows about Graham," Sofia said.

"Knows about him and met him too," Amber added. "Met him and put three bullets in him before seeing him sent away for good."

Cedric shot Amber a pointed look.

"I seem to recall, Miss Cyning, asking for anonymity in that situation," Cedric said sternly.

"Oh pish posh," Amber said, waving her hand dismissively. "I think I'm doing you a favor right now. Dad might be more open to giving permission for you to marry Sofia if he knew how fiercely protective of her you are."

Miranda looked at Cedric, stunned. "You were the one to help Sofia that day? The one who had Graham sent to Purdan?"

Cedric nodded. "There are benefits to being part of a powerful family. No one dared question me when I decided to send Graham to Purdan."

Miranda nodded in agreement. "Roland couldn't have done that. His influence only extends to Dunwittie and some neighboring villages. I'm glad you were there for Sofia. It was surprising, a couple nights ago, when she introduced you to us. I couldn't imagine Sofia introducing a man to us. But as I hear more and see more of your relationship, I can understand why. By her words, you make Sofia feel safe and comfortable. I want her to be safe and to feel comfortable wherever she is. You do that for her. I may not understand how but as her mother, I want the very best for her."

"Of course, Madam," Cedric nodded.

Miranda returned her attention to Sofia. "Fear is a dangerous thing. It can keep someone from doing what is right and best. I don't want you living in fear anymore. I want you to be bold and go for what you truly want."

Sofia nodded. "Thank you, Mom."

Miranda squeezed her daughter in a tight embrace. Cedric and Amber watched quietly.

"So you two aren't going to just get married right away?" Amber asked after a moment. "You looked very cozy together during the party. And in my opinion, you two have actually been courting for a long time. Obviously not officially but still."

"No," Cedric said. "We talked a bit about that while returning to the inn."

"I'm not ready to take that step just yet," Sofia said. "Cedric knows and respects that."

"The official courtship is to give Sofia the time she needs to be ready," Cedric added.

Miranda smiled. "Sofia, I think you got a gentleman of the truest sense on your hands."

Before Sofia could respond, footsteps caught their attention and Cedric looked down the hallway. Immediately, he took a step back from the doorway as Roland came to the room. Sofia looked up at her father.

"Sofia, let's you and me go have a little chat."

Sofia nodded and stood up to go talk with Roland. As the young brunette left the room, the remaining three worried about what was going to happen next.