Matchmakers
Cedric was just beginning to label some potion bottles when there was a puff of red smoke, and a piece of parchment fell onto his table. Curiously, the royal sorcerer picked up the paper. Seeing the note written in red ink, he smiled as he read it.
Dear Uncle Ceddy,
Mum will be bringing me to the castle this afternoon, and I can't wait to see you! I'd like you to join me for tea in the gazebo in the rose garden at three o'clock. Please come!
Calista
PS. Wear your good robe.
Cedric blinked and reread the note. Calista never sent notes telling him she was coming to visit. She usually came bounding up to his workshop to wrap her favorite uncle in a tight hug, regardless of the fact that he had told her to knock on the door many times. At thirteen, she still possessed a seemingly endless amount of energy, but she was a very sweet girl, and Cedric always enjoyed her company. But why did she want to have tea in the rose garden? And why did he need to wear his good robe? Deciding to humor her request, he set the note aside and picked up his quill. He had a few hours before he had to meet his niece, so he could get some work done; starting with labeling bottles.
…
Later that afternoon, Sofia walked into her room after returning from a Protector mission. The mission, which had involved a mischievous winter fairy causing a snowstorm in Tangu for the sake of boredom, had been quite entertaining, especially when her old genie friend, Kazeem, had offered to help. The eighteen–year–old princess smiled to herself as she sat down at her vanity and loosened the ribbon that held her hair in a ponytail, allowing the auburn waves to flow down her back. She was looking forward to spending some time with her family before dinner.
As she ran her fingers through her hair, Sofia's eyes fell on the piece of parchment on top of the dressing table. She picked it up and read the note that was written in an elegant handwriting.
Sofia,
We haven't had much sister time lately, so I've arranged for us to have tea in the gazebo in the rose garden at three o'clock. Don't be late.
Amber
Oh, and I almost forgot… Wear the gown I've laid out on your bed. It's new, and I want to see how you look in it.
Sofia quirked an eyebrow when she finished reading. What did Amber mean they hadn't had much sister time? The day before, they'd taken a walk in the castle gardens together. And the day before that, they'd gone to Friezenburg to visit Hildegard. So, yes, they'd been spending plenty of time together. Still, Sofia didn't see why she couldn't meet her sister for tea since she really didn't have any other plans for the rest of the day.
Standing up, the princess moved over to her bed, where, sure enough, a new dress had been laid out. It was pastel pink with gold accents throughout. It was a bit fancier than what she would normally wear for just tea with Amber. In fact, it looked more like something she'd wear to the upcoming spring ball. With a shrug, Sofia decided to humor her sister by wearing it, especially since she only had fifteen minutes to dress and get to the rose garden in time.
…
Cedric hurried through the outer door of his tower, tying the sash of his good robe. He'd become so engrossed in a book about unique herbs that he had nearly forgotten about having tea with Calista. Thankfully the rose garden wasn't too terribly far from his tower. As he rushed along a path through the gardens, he wondered why his niece had requested that he wear his good robe. And why had she chosen the rose garden? Any spot on the castle grounds would have sufficed, but the rose garden? Cedric usually tried to avoid this particular area, lest he witness something he didn't need to see, knowing King Roland sometime took his queen there for alone time.
The sorcerer was so lost in thought that he didn't realize he'd walked through the archway that served as the entrance to the rose garden until he smelled the sweet aura of roses. Blinking, he stopped and looked around at the different varieties and colors of flowers blooming on the many bushes in this part of the castle gardens. No one was in the gazebo, but a covered tray had been left on a table that had clearly been set for two.
Hurried footsteps caught Cedric's attention, and he turned toward the archway, expecting to see his niece. Instead, his eyes widened when he saw Sofia stop just under the arch, which was formed by two entwined vines full of white blossoms. Cedric's breath caught as he watched her brush off her skirt. Even though the two of them had been courting ever since her eighteenth birthday, they had been too busy with their different duties to see each other for over a week. She looked so lovely in that light pink dress with her auburn curls loose. The white blossoms that hung over her head only seemed to add to her radiant beauty. She looked like a goddess of spring.
Sofia finished fussing with her dress and looked around. She was pleasantly surprised to see Cedric standing a few yards ahead of her, staring at her with a goofy grin on his face. "Oh, hi, Cedric." she greeted him warmly, giggling when he jumped. She moved to stand before him and beamed happily. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"
"It is now that you're here to make it even lovelier." He smiled and reached up to tuck some hair behind her ear. He suddenly frowned as something occurred to him. "Wait. Why exactly are you here?"
Sofia was unfazed by his blunt question. "Amber wanted me to have tea with her," she explained, looking around for her sister, who apparently wasn't there. "Did she invite you to join us?"
"No. Calista wanted to have tea here, but…" He gestured widely, indicating the nearly empty rose garden. "She doesn't appear to be here."
"Well, it looks like someone was supposed to be here," she said, nodding toward the table in the gazebo.
"Mm, yes," he shrugged, following her gaze. "But I'm starting to wonder if this whole thing was planned for… for us." He blushed lightly when she turned back to smile at him.
"I think you're right," she mused thoughtfully. She walked over to the gazebo, followed closely by the sorcerer, and stepped up to the table, which was set for two with teacups and plates. She eyed the covered tray in the center of the table before lifting the cover. A giggle escaped her lips when she saw the array of treats–including a few fly cakes– arranged on a plate along with a teapot and sugar bowl. "It looks like it was meant for us." Seeing a note propped up against the teapot, she picked it up to read out loud. "Sofia and Cedric… Surprise! Enjoy the tea. Calista and I thought you could use some time together since you've both been so busy lately. Amber." She set the note aside and reached for the teapot, pouring the liquid into the cups. "We may as well."
"I suppose," Cedric agreed as he sat down in one of the chairs. "But I will be talking to Calista about this." He picked up a fly cake and took a bite, humming in delight. "Though I will admit she does conjure spectacular fly cakes."
Sofia laughed as she sat down and stirred sugar into her tea. "Don't be too hard on her. I'm sure this was mostly Amber's idea." She sipped her tea thoughtfully. "I think it was sweet of them to do this for us. I love spending time with you, Cedric. I've missed you."
He smiled tenderly and reached across the table to grasp one of her hands. "I've missed you too, my love. I cherish every moment I get to be with you."
The princess blushed prettily and squeezed his hand.
…
Meanwhile in Amber's bedroom, Calista squealed in excitement as she peered through the lens of Amber's telescope. "They're holding hands!" she exclaimed before pouting when the princess gently nudged the telescope upwards, giving her a view of the sky. "Aw…"
Amber smirked. "I think that's enough spying. I promised I would never spy again after an incident years ago, and I only broke that promise today to make sure our plan worked." She took the younger girl's hand and led her out of the room. "Come on, Calista. I've arranged for us to have our own tea party together."
"Do you think Uncle Ceddy and Sofia will be mad?" the young sorceress asked, frowning a bit.
"I doubt it." She laughed. "They haven't had much time to be together lately. So I'm sure they'll forgive us." Inwardly, she was already planning her sister's wedding. It won't be long before they're engaged. She thought gleefully as the two girls walked down the corridor, both feeling quite pleased with how things worked out.
A/N: ATea Party set up. LOL! This is my final story for Cedfia Week 2022. I hope everyone enjoyed all the Cedfia content this week. I sure did!
