OMG HIII!
It's been a minute, huh!
I took a break, but I am back and ready to entertain you guys!
I have been thinking about this story and the direction I want to take it a lot, so I deleted chapter 13 and redeveloped it. Yeah, it's not as 'exciting' but I felt it was too rushed.
A couple other notes, I am continuing Crossroads and the next chapter will be out soon, plus I'm creating a new story titled Devilish Details which is another modern Jamesfia fic that will be published in the next few days, so keep a lookout for that!
Until the end is going on the back burner at the moment but is not forgotten!
I'm so glad to be back, I missed you guys! *hugs*
XOXOXOXOXO
Sofia
I closed my door and slid down to the cool marble floor.
"What am I doing?" I groaned, letting my hair cascade around my face.
I have to remember the plan, and losing myself to James is not part of it.
For now, anyway.
Why did he intoxicate me so much?
Why, with the slightest brush of his lips on my skin, was I so quick to back out of everything I was trying to work toward?
I heard Laura and Hannah's footsteps ascending towards our room, and I raced to the closet, intent on changing my clothes.
I needed to get ahold of myself.
I needed to convince James to bring it down a notch.
This was my first relationship.
James was the first boy ever to notice me or make me feel so incredibly impulsive.
We were moving to fast.
"Sister?" Hannah's sweet voice called as I heard the door open.
"I'm in the closet," I replied, pulling on a purple cotton nightgown.
I kicked my soiled dress to the corner, not wanting to think about what had just happened.
"This is not the plan," I reminded myself, taking a deep breath, "This is not the plan."
I forced a smile as I entered the bedroom, finding both of my sisters already changed and in their spots in the bed.
"How was your day, girls?" I inquired, turning down the light and joining them.
They recounted their afternoon with Amber until they fell asleep, and I quietly slid out of bed.
Somehow, I had stayed awake through their stories, even as I thought that falling asleep would have been a good enough excuse for why I didn't visit James.
I needed to see him, to explain how I felt.
I needed to make him understand.
I snuck out into the dark hall, listening for any signs that Baileywick was waiting to pull me back to my room.
The castle was suspiciously quiet, and I quickly made it to James's room.
He opened the door and pulled me inside, obviously waiting for me.
"I thought you weren't coming," he mumbled, pulling me into his arms.
His long, toned arms where I fit so perfectly...
"I had to wait for the girls to fall asleep, remember," I replied, my voice muffled by his chest.
He sighed and kissed the top of my head, "Right, I'm just glad you're here."
His lips grazed my jaw as he slid down toward my neck, but I stopped him before I lost my focus.
"Me too," I began, pulling away from him slightly, "but we need to talk, James." I grabbed his hands, doing my best not to put too much pressure on my wrist.
He frowned but nodded and led me to the bed, "What's on you're mind, Sofia?"
James's bed was bigger than ours, and the entire room smelled like him.
It was so distracting.
"I need to focus on my plan," I took a shaky breath, trying to focus and hoping he would understand, "and our rapidly progressing relationship isn't helping."
His eyes narrowed, but he nodded, "You need us to slow down." he stated solemnly.
"Yeah," I whispered, "Just a little."
He was quiet for a long moment before he smiled and took my hand, "I can do that, as long as you promise that I'm part of your plan."
"Of course, you are," I wrapped my arms around his neck, "You're the most important part, always."
"Marry me," he whispered, pulling me onto his lap, "be my Queen."
I showed him my ring and nodded, smiling, "I already said yes."
"Next June," he persisted; let's set a date.
"What if-" I started, but he silenced me with his lips.
"You will succeed, and Miranda will have to give up her ridiculous accusations. Sofia, my love, say yes."
A little over a year to prove my independence?
Was that enough time?
What harm would I cause if I said yes and started planning our wedding?
How hurt would James be if I pushed it up another year or another after that?
His coronation was next August; could he wait for me to agree on a date?
How many Princesses would sacrifice their entire lives to be with him?
How long until he chose someone else?
My mind swirled with reasons to say no, but my mouth betrayed me with a content "Yes."
James's eyes seemed to glow in the dark as he laughed triumphantly, pulling me down to the bed beside him as he fell back.
"My girl." he nuzzled my hair happily, "My Queen."
I frowned, out of range for him to see.
What am I doing?
I closed my eyes, melting into him as he pulled me closer to his solid body and drifted to sleep.
This was tomorrow me's problem.
Now me was comfortable in the love of my life's arms.
"Sofia, honey, wake up," James shook me, but I knocked his hand away.
"Too early, need sleep; try again later," I mumbled, pressing my body closer to his.
"You need to go back to your room; unless you're okay with baileywick finding you in my room," He poked my side.
I jolted up, barely stopping myself from colliding with the floor "Sorry!"
How was I that close to the edge in such a gigantic bed?
"What are you sorry for?" he asked, pulling me into a deep kiss.
"I don't know. I'm tired," I whined, resting my forehead on his, not wanting to leave.
"I'll see you soon for breakfast. Get dressed before Laura and Hannah wake up," James instructed, opening the door and checking the hallway, "the coast is clear, m'lady."
"I can't go to breakfast; I have to be in the village at 7:30. I will see you this afternoon when I return," I reminded him, kissing his cheek as I peered out, seeing for myself that the coast was indeed clear.
"Are you sure I can't come with you?" he pouted, pulling me back into his strong arms.
I shook my head stubbornly and poked him on the nose, "Temporary independence. Everything will be fine, I promise."
He groaned but gave me one more kiss before letting me go.
The events of last night were still fresh in my mind, and I found myself humming as I floated back to my room.
Everything would work out.
Right?
Yeah, of course.
...Maybe...
I quietly opened the door, ensured my sisters were still sleeping and grabbed a simple green dress from the closet.
The villagers were bound to know about me being the granddaughter of a former king, but they didn't need to know I was engaged to the next one.
"Hi, I'm Sofia. I am staying in the village and need a job," I practiced in the mirror as I brushed my unruly hair and sat my engagement ring on the counter.
I will talk to the elders about taking my teaching exam first, and if they don't need a teacher, I will find a suitable job at a bakery or maybe as a florist.
I want to prove that I can do something, anything, on my own.
"Sister, Amber's at the door," Hannah yawned, pointing to the perky blonde princess.
"Good morning, Amber," I smiled, beckoning her over.
"Go back to sleep, Hannah. Breakfast isn't for another two hours," Amber cooed as she walked past the bed, "Sofia, are you going to the village today?"
"Yes, I am getting ready to leave now," I answered, grabbing my coin purse and stepping around her.
"James tells me you are going alone; please tell me he's misinformed," she disapprovingly placed her hands on her thin hips.
When did she have a chance to talk to him?
I'm glad I left when I did.
"No, it's true, I am going by myself. What's the problem?" I frowned, motioning for her to follow me out of the room.
"Miranda will try to convince you to get on that ship. That's the problem. Take my oaf of a brother with you for backup; I'm begging you," she pleaded, grabbing my arm to pull me to a stop.
Her green eyes searched mine for any sign of hesitation.
I needed her to know I wasn't going anywhere.
Leaving James was the last thing I wanted.
I'm just not ready to make this permanent yet.
"I already promised him that I'm not getting on the ship," I assured her, "especially after last night," I swooned, blushing feverishly.
"What happened last night?" she demanded, raising an eyebrow.
"James and I had a...moment of clarification," I smiled brightly at my future sister-in-law, "We want to set a date for the wedding."
I wasn't sure hearing the 'great news' from James would go over well with Amber.
I also wasn't sure I wouldn't come back to a wedding party this afternoon.
"That's great!" Amber exclaimed, hugging me, "but why did you take off your ring?" she asked skeptically, raising my hand to eye level.
I rubbed my ring finger and sighed.
"I don't want to draw attention to it; I'm still going to wait to announce the engagement until I can prove that I can make it with and without James," I repeated for the millionth time, "I'm not doing anything wrong."
"No, of course not; it's just very unconventional for a future Queen to live among the villagers." she let my hand drop and led me to the dining hall.
The smell of fresh scones and strong coffee made my stomach growl longingly.
"I'm sure it's also unconventional for a future Queen to have been a villager before accepting the throne." I pointed out as a maid seated us at the table, and another placed plates of food in front of us.
"But you are a Princess," she reminded me cooly, smacking my hand as I attempted to pick up a scone with my hand.
"A fact I didn't know until recently, Amber. Please. Let me do this my way," I rolled my eyes, picked up my fork, stabbed the flaky pastry, and took a bite from the end.
Amber's face scrunched in distaste as she cut her scone a took a dainty bite.
Amber is a Princess.
She was raised to be a proper member of society.
I may have royal blood, but I am nothing but an interloper in her world.
In Jame's world.
I am nothing but a project they will have to endure.
I thought of her treating my sisters like toys and shuddered because that would inevitably be my near future.
"Fine, Sofia, but I will not stand back and let you leave if things don't go the way you want them to," Amber narrowed her eyes.
"I wouldn't expect you to," I hugged her, "I know you don't know me yet, but you must trust that I won't abandon your brother. He means everything to me."
I could see the stubbornness in her set jaw, but her eyes softened.
"Okay, I trust you," she resigned, taking another bite, "but please, be careful."
"Always," I nodded, taking a long drink of my coffee and rushing towards the door.
Rushing to my future.